Friday Ideas {So A lot to Say}

A Friday Ideas put up prepared for you in…3…2…1! Let’s go! It’s a enjoyable one. 🙂

{Listed here are some previous Friday Ideas posts in case you are interested in what this sequence is all about.}

Fast Summer season Updates

• We took off for a household tenting journey the week after college set free (I had a highschool graduate this 12 months 👏🏼 however he didn’t need to stroll within the official commencement ceremony, so the top of the college 12 months was sort of quiet for us!). We headed as much as Silver Creek Plunge campground for the primary time and LOVED it. Keep tuned – I’ll be sharing our favourite Dutch oven lasagna recipe subsequent week. It’s a tenting staple!

• My oldest son, Jackson (20), resides at residence whereas he works full-time. He’s additionally within the means of enlisting within the Air Pressure. We’re very pleased with him and studying lots as he works towards this purpose!
• The opposite three boys (18, 16, 15) are working collectively at a bounce home firm (and Cade, my 16-year outdated is also working three days every week mowing lawns and landscaping). Walker, my 18-year outdated begins his missionary service to the Philippines in two weeks, so there’s lots happening and we’re dashing towards some large adventures and milestones. The boys spend virtually all their free time fishing or bowling.

• I did a bit presentation for our church women’ camp this week (it’s Cam’s first 12 months going!). My presentation was principally about “On days once you don’t really feel like you’re sufficient, keep in mind that God thinks in any other case.” 💗 After I was up there, I spied this “hug hut” that was in the course of camp. It was so enjoyable and welcoming! What an awesome thought (the women have been lined up!).

• Our little city not too long ago acquired a Dairy Queen (individuals right here both like it or hate it 🥴). And we’ve discovered the key to having fun with DQ nights (ahem, extra typically than I ought to admit) is to order numerous mini-size blizzards to strive all.the.flavors. I’m actually loving the seasonal peach one proper now, however the brownie batter with cookie dough might be my all-time favourite.

• Summer season is…fascinating…with regards to cooking (particularly dinner!). We’re consuming a variety of fast, easy meals. I attempt to add to my What’s 4 Dinner at Mel’s sequence on Instagram (saved in Instagram highlights if the hyperlink doesn’t work) to share concepts. Cam is baking bread once more this summer time to promote to buddies/neighbors, and she or he fairly often jumps in for Sunday dinner dessert responsibility. She rocked the cinnamon scones!

Cookbook Social gathering

Final week was my cookbook launch/signing occasion, and I hardly have phrases to explain the magic of the occasion.

Not solely was the venue amazingly stunning (and the climate completely excellent), however I used to be fully blown away and humbled by how many individuals got here.

I met over 400 of you! A lot of you stood in line and waited for hours to get a e book signed and/or chat for a minute. I may have talked to you (and laughed…and cried) for hours and hours past the time accessible to us that night time.

As a lot of a homebody as I’m, assembly you one-on-one like that crammed my soul in numerous methods. A number of of you got here in from states all throughout the nation. Others shared your favourite issues (playing cards and sourdough starter and MORE) with me! And lots of of you made me cry together with your sincerity and experiences and sacrifices to be there.

It took me years to lastly write a cookbook. Your response (whether or not you have been on the occasion or not!) has been completely greater than I may have ever requested for. I’ve lengthy felt that this, no matter “this” is, is a lot greater than “simply recipes.”

Thanks, thanks, thanks.

I posted a fast Instagram reel of the occasion right here (due to Sara from Our Greatest Bites for placing this collectively for me!). The meals by Whitney Fredin Occasions was so yummy…persons are nonetheless asking me about these flavored butters! I’ll attempt to get recipes quickly!

I couldn’t have made the occasion occur with out the assistance of so, so many family and friends (together with Emma, who stepped in as an occasion planner and actually saved my sanity – in the event you’re eager about her wonderful providers, message her on Instagram).

Additionally, all of the merch accessible on the occasion, like homebody and different hoodies, aprons and menu planning pads, will likely be up on the store website quickly!

What I’m Studying

• Emma M. Lion books (I’m virtually finished with e book 7) – witty, heartwarming, enjoyable, charming. One in all you even introduced me an Emma M. Lion shirt and I’m carrying it nonstop #iykyk
• Sacred Battle – unimaginable e book 💗
• The Selection – an absolute must-read memoir from a Holocaust survivor

Issues I’m Loving

• These flipflops
• The everlasting jewellery Cam and I acquired (LOVE, love my anklet)
• This air fryer – I feel it’s accessible at Costco though I purchased it on Amazon (I’ve a protracted sordid historical past with hating my massive, cumbersome air fryer and have even finished an Instagram sequence on how a lot I hate it…however this larger, toaster-oven-style one has been a recreation changer for us)
• This chapstick (really, I’m loving this on behalf of my two youngsters on Accutane – it’s the solely chapstick saving their extraordinarily dry lips)
• This Relyte electrolyte combine (most days I mix a scoop of this + a scoop of fresh easy eats collagen into 12-16 ounces water and drink it noon) – my youngsters combine it in water after an intense exercise
• These habanero BBQ almonds. Opposite to their title, they really aren’t very spicy in any respect, however WOW, the flavour is so good. We all the time have them within the pantry.

Podcast + Well being

Content material warning: I’m about to say the phrase menopause. In all probability greater than as soon as. You have got been warned.

I not too long ago listened to this podcast and this podcast (each from Huberman Labs) and may I simply say: 🤯 🤯 🤯 (additionally studying The Hormone Remedy – not right through it but).

It has prompted me to dive headfirst into the pool of girls’s well being, significantly with reference to hormones and peri/menopause. I’m embarrassed at how little I knew with reference to all of this; I undoubtedly have some points to deal with, however I’m sort of weirdly excited to continue to learn, search out some assist, and make some adjustments. 💪🏼

Wanting via all of the notes I’ve jotted down, under are 4 issues that stand out as enhancements I could make now (clearly, there are MANY, many extra than simply these ones – gotta begin someplace!):

1. Enhance protein
2. Eat numerous colours
3. Extra fiber
4. Elevate weights/construct muscle

I might love your ideas on this…can all of us keep open-minded and type? 😘

A Few Final Issues

Hmmph, that is fairly the rambly put up. However let’s proceed with that theme!

Sure, our animals are nonetheless round! A number of scratches, brushes, and contemporary water to beat the warmth through the summer time. (We acquired 20 child chicks within the spring and they are going to be laying eggs in only a few months, and we simply had a child calf born to certainly one of our again pasture heifers!)

Temperature blanket remains to be coming alongside. Slowly however certainly. My methodology is to get about 25 rows behind after which spend a couple of days catching up. 😬

We relocated our backyard to our entrance pasture (crucial after it was demolished from the latest transform). I’ve 9 4X8-foot backyard packing containers packed to the gills with…tomatoes. Okay, additionally jalapenos, peppers and some different issues, too, however there are A LOT OF TOMATOES, as a result of I actually solely plant a backyard for this salsa.

And on a remaining, extra somber word, I simply need to put a placeholder right here to recollect my candy buddy, Liz, who handed away from most cancers final week. She was a powerhouse of religion, love, friendship, and goodness. She had an intensive community of actually shut buddies who supported her and her household via her most cancers battle, and though I wasn’t certainly one of Liz’s closest buddies, I did have the privilege of bringing dinner sometimes and speaking to Liz about all the pieces from pigs (she and her husband, Adam, purchased kunekune piglets from us years in the past) to her favourite scripture verses to if it’s alright to eat dessert earlier than dinner. As I’ve felt the loss this final week, I’ve additionally felt sort of responsible for being unhappy. Like, that must be reserved to those that have been the very closest to Liz, proper?? However I’ve taken it as a reminder to readjust priorities in my very own life in order that I’m focusing extra on what actually issues. Life is so brief; none of us are assured a tomorrow, however I can benefit from right this moment. And actually, I’m so grateful for the sunshine and affect Liz was to me. She all the time handled me like I used to be vital and valued, and her instance of dwelling as a disciple of Christ with absolute religion will all the time, all the time stick with me. 💗

I hope summer time goes effectively for all of you! Would love to listen to your ideas about any of the above…and I all the time need to know what’s happening in our world.