Ten things.

A few of the neighborhood kids were over yesterday. The sun was out and the grass is finally green again instead of looking at brown, patchy spots where our lawn once was, and the trees have leaves on them, and you can just sense there’s a buzz about the air–however pollen-y that buzz is. Instead of heading into our respective homes when it gets dark at 4:30 pm, the Moms are still texting one another at 6:30, “send them home whenever!” and I’m sliding a pan of Applegate chicken nuggets into the oven, and dumping some peas into the Annie’s mac and cheese pot and calling it a success if it’s on the table by 8 pm. But who cares?! Summer is on its way and we’re living again. I tell Steve about twice a week, “I’m just so happy for the chickens too.” And I am. The chickens, the kids, all of us (minus the aphids on my roses; not happy for them).

They’re getting all grown up, aren’t they? I know you’re thinking it. I am too! They are. And while my fingers still wander thoughtlessly to click on old albums or scrolling back-back-back into the camera roll archives, I really like them right now too. Like a lot! I already said as much on Instagram the other day, so I’ll spare you now.

That was the briefest update of all time, and not so much of an update anyway, but here’s ten things that are cool.

01. the peaceful meditation playlist; when i say it’s on every morning, i mean it’s on every morning (temporarily putting the morning coffee one on pause, yes.)
02. tonight’s dinner––it’s really good and has way fewer of the typical steps that go into fried chicken. i’ve been sharing recipes a lot more here, btw. i can see this chicken marinade/method being great for all sorts of recipes — on a salad, etc.
03. this new mask––your skin is softer after one use. i felt it when i put on lotions afterwards and it was pretty impressive. (it does a whole lot more than just that too. has about 35 uses in the jar too.) p.s. it’s on sale. so is the rest of the website until tomorrow.
04. this shirt. one of those kinda-want-it-in-all-colors shirt. as it is, i have it in two (so far).
05. father’s day coming up–steve’s getting hiking boots! he chose them, but it reminded me of this post i did on boots after some crowd-sourcing. still needs to wear them around the house to see if they are the ones, but so far so good.
06. i’m also getting him a few more of these shirts. he already owns one, but it is woooorn out.
07. after trying a few times over the last two years or so, anders is finally really loving harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone. which has me delighted. parker is listening too, his second time around.
08. little house on the prairie. we’ve been watching it for close to 2 years now (we’re in season 6) and while there are a handful of episodes worth skipping, it is such a sweet television series that the boys ask for and that we love sitting down to watch together at night a couple times a week. charles ingalls is the quintessential husband and father, is he not?! p.s. it’s on prime.
09. this recipe for chocolate cake. the boiling water is weird, i know. but it makes theee moistest cake ever.
10. the cookies above! none other than half baked harvest. her recipes never disappoint. i heard this new cookbook of hers is amazing too. i’m like number 372 for it at the library.

anyway, that’s all. hi, how are you guys, miss you, hope you are well. that’s the official sign off now when i plug into this space as infrequently as i am these days!