What a beautiful upgrade!

Same! We were all in the library, TV on the cart. Being a first grader, I didn’t really understand at first that the explosion wasn’t a part of the launch- until all the grown ups started crying and then I knew something was terribly wrong.

Monster cookies- a heavenly peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chip and M&M creation- cooling on a rack on a white and gray counter top next to a baking stone.

I had a snow day and my children did not. Kids will come home to warm cookies 🍪 I didn’t tell them I was home 🤭

I am not a man, but no that is not normal behavior.

You know life has been rough when you buy sympathy cards by the six pack and I still didn’t have enough to get through all the events of the week. 😞 so far 2026 sucks as much as 2025…

Friday night teacher-tired, how about you?
My pj’s are on, book open and eyes almost closed 🤣

I feel this! Our previous dog was a giant swiper of snacks from the high chair. He gained like 15 pounds (Rottweiler, so he was already big). One night I came down to find his head stuck in the high chair from licking crumbs and dragging it all around the house. *he was fine

The crayon episode was and is still one of my favorites. I paired it with “The day the crayons quit” by Drew Daywalt when I taught library and the kids would break/peel old crayons and put them in molds. I melted them at home and brought them back their own crayon creations. 🖍️

My teenager is voluntarily cleaning the kitchen after dinner without being asked. Either I’ve done a great job parenting, or she did something I don’t want to know about and she’s trying to get on my good side 😂😂

How is tomorrow Monday already? I just finished my weekend chores!

How in the world do you have the energy to cook like a holiday on a regular ol’ Sunday? Sounds delicious 🤤

Same! 🤣

A photo of a gorgeous pair of soft floral socks in tropical colors with a slightly inappropriate saying written on them. The saying is “menopause, what the fuck?” Socks by Blue Q socks from BLUEQ.COM. Sock sales support www.doctorswithoutborders.org

A great gift from a great friend today. She gets me 😂 (details about how to get socks in alt text)

My mom once told me that if my kids called me the “worst mom ever” I was on the right track parenting-wise. 😂So far it’s been pretty true when I’ve had to hold my kids accountable.

But what about… *hushed whisper voice* decaf? Best of both worlds.

A large charcuterie board for five with a mix of cheeses, meats, fruits, veggies, nuts, honey and assorted crackers and mini garlic toast alongside shrimp cocktail and some warm spanakopita bites. Star shaped plates for serving.

Annual appetizers for dinner NYE tradition at home with the kids. My vegetarian kid even ate some shrimp for protein… who would’ve predicted that to close out 2025?

That is a big list, but I believe in you.

Did someone forget something in the microwave? When my microwave shuts off, it’ll beep every minute until the door is opened.

Thanks- I liked it; nice rich broth, but I’m not a picky eater. Oh well, I have some freezer lunches now.

Finished beef mushroom barley soup in a Dutch oven on a counter with a black ladle in the pot

Update- family did not like the soup. Kid 1: too many mushrooms
Kid 2: it’s….brown
Kid 3: it has meat, eeewww
Into the freezer in single serve portions it goes- future work lunches

A teal Dutch oven on a flat top electric stove filled to the brim with beef broth, prime rib trimmings, veggies, mushrooms and soon to be added barley for soup.

Yum. I’ve boiled down my prime rib roast bones-beefy mushroom barley soup in progress.

Ugh! This always happens. Influenza B hit our house despite best efforts. Currently quarantined from all visiting family 😞

Yeah-an unexpected expense we were planning on doing in the spring but when the feels like temperature was zero and it was 53 in the house- it couldn’t wait. It was technically a gift under the tree- just under the floor 🤣

Picture of a Whirlpool double oven with a can of Easy Off oven spray cleaner on top as a reminder to me to scrub it out in the morning. Oven is surrounded by grey cabinets and a dark hickory floor lined with paper grocery bags to catch any cleaning solution drips.

Sprayed my oven after all the greasy Thanksgiving and Christmas cooking. I hope I still feel like scrubbing it out in the morning or I won’t be cooking any time soon.

You don’t have to give it to her….or wait to activate it until she’s older.

A new furnace and AC unit!

Photo of a large cinnamon roll overflowing a teal Dutch oven lined with parchment paper on a grey and white marbled island next to a cooling rack. Cinnamon roll is not yet frosted with powdered sugar frosting.

Christmas tradition at our house is giant Dutch oven cinnamon roll. Extra large this year!

Those are gorgeous!

What a sweet face. I’m so sorry- pets are precious and he will live in your heart forever.

Update: new furnace just in time for the outdoor temp/heatwave of 40 degrees 😂. Is it still a Christmas present if it’s *technically* under the tree aka in basement under where tree is located? Asking for other grown ups who won’t have wrapped presents because they got a furnace instead…