Hello, wonderful friends! As April unfolds its vibrant colors, I find myself basking in the glory of spring, a season I’m incredibly proud to have reached after navigating a particularly challenging winter. It’s truly a joy to connect with you all here today.
I’m thrilled you’ve stopped by, and frankly, I’m thrilled to be here myself! The past winter was quite an ordeal, making this current wave of beautiful weather even more appreciated.
{For those new to my Friday Thoughts series, welcome! These posts are my way of sharing personal life updates, insights, and current favorites beyond just recipes. Today is one of those special days!}
Family Adventures and Kids’ Milestones: A Quick Update
Life with a growing family is always an adventure, and ours is no exception. We’re currently immersed in the world of high school and middle school sports, with both boys actively involved in tennis. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch them dedicate themselves to this relatively new sport. And, I must admit, it’s significantly less nerve-wracking than watching wrestling matches! The court offers a much calmer spectating experience, allowing us to simply enjoy their efforts and growth.
Speaking of wrestling, the past few months presented an unexpected challenge for our 16-year-old. During the high school district wrestling tournament, he sustained a fractured jaw, an injury some of you might have followed on my Instagram updates. This traumatic injury unfortunately ended his wrestling season prematurely and required emergency surgery. Following six incredibly long weeks on a soft and liquid diet, he’s finally been cleared to resume normal activities and, most importantly, enjoy solid food again! His resilience throughout this ordeal was truly inspiring. He faced it with immense bravery, supported by an incredible network of teammates, coaches, friends, and family. The outpouring of love and support made a difficult recovery much more bearable. #milkshakesforever indeed became our family motto for a while!
On another exciting front, Brian has embarked on a lifelong dream: becoming his own boss. He recently purchased a small print shop, a business with several decades of history in our community. He’s pouring his energy into building and growing this local establishment, a venture that has given me a renewed appreciation for the dedication and hard work involved in small business ownership. It truly highlights the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs.
Our second oldest son, who prefers his photos not be shared publicly (a request I always respect, though he did grant permission for this exciting news!), recently received a significant call. He will be serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines, specifically the Manila mission. He is scheduled to depart on July 1st, a date that feels both distant and incredibly close. The preparations have been extensive, involving detailed research into proper footwear for a tropical climate, navigating the visa application process, and, of course, delving into Filipino cuisine. We’re planning to tackle lumpia and chicken adobo this coming Sunday! If you have any personal experience with or tips for visiting/living in the Philippines, we would absolutely love to hear your insights in the comments below!
Our Dream Kitchen: From Vision to Reality
In my last Friday Thoughts post, I shared that we were in the midst of a major kitchen remodel. I’m thrilled to announce that it’s finally complete! While living through the renovation was an experience I hope never to repeat—relying on Costco meals, a single hot plate, and a seemingly endless supply of cold cereal—the end result makes every dusty, chaotic moment worth it. The transformation is truly remarkable.
Here’s a glimpse of the “before”:
And now, the stunning “after”:
The most significant change involved knocking out the back wall of the original kitchen and integrating our former home office space to create a much larger, more functional kitchen. After 22 years of dreaming and planning, I finally have double wall ovens, and they are everything I hoped for and more! They’ve already revolutionized my baking and meal prep, allowing for so much more efficiency.
Beyond the ovens, two other aspects of the new kitchen have quickly become my absolute favorites:
- Firstly, the expansive new kitchen window. What was once a window in my office now floods the kitchen with an incredible amount of natural light. Removing that wall has made such a dramatic difference in the brightness and airiness of the space. As an added bonus, I now have a clear view of the driveway, which allows me to subtly (or not so subtly!) monitor just how quickly my teenagers are driving down it. Some things never change!
- Secondly, I took a leap of faith with an induction stove, having never used one before, and I am absolutely enamored with it! It exceeded all my expectations. Almost all of my existing pots and pans (with the exception of one skillet) were already induction-compatible, which was a huge factor in my decision. I have zero regrets. The speed at which water boils is astonishing—we’re talking two minutes or less, even for a very large pot. Food cooks so much more evenly and with incredible accuracy. And the cleanup? It’s a dream! Nothing burns onto the stovetop, making it far easier to clean than gas or traditional flat-top electric. The model I chose is an Electrolux, and based on my experience so far, I wholeheartedly recommend it!
For those who love a visual tour, you can tap through this Instagram highlight. Towards the end, I share a comprehensive video update of the kitchen, showcasing all the details.
Our home improvements aren’t quite finished yet! We are currently in the process of building a small addition to reclaim the office space we incorporated into the kitchen. This new addition is expected to be completed next week. Perhaps the most exciting feature of this new space, specifically the laundry room, is the fantastic wallpaper we’re putting up. It features charming chickens and florals, a design I absolutely adore! 😉🐓
(Please send good thoughts my way, as I haven’t tackled wallpaper since the mid-80s. Back then, I endured the painstaking, seemingly endless process of peeling off some incredibly stubborn and very paisley-patterned wallpaper from a room in our house. The memory of that traumatic experience still haunts me slightly!)
Cookbook Update: The Moment Has Arrived!
This is HUGE NEWS, folks! The long-awaited cookbooks have officially arrived, and they are absolutely beautiful! We are diligently preparing them for shipment, and they will be heading your way very, very soon.
If you were among the many who pre-ordered a copy, keep an eye on your inbox or text messages. You’ll receive a confirmation when your order ships, depending on how you opted to receive updates. The excitement is palpable as we get ready to send these out!
I genuinely cannot wait for you to hold this cookbook in your hands and bring its recipes to life in your own kitchens. It has been a labor of love, and seeing it finally come to fruition is an incredible feeling.
This isn’t just any cookbook. It’s over 300 pages packed with flavor, featuring a stunning photo for EVERY single one of the 140+ meticulously tested recipes. The print quality is outstanding, far exceeding even my highest hopes. I truly believe you’re going to adore it. 💗
If you haven’t yet secured your copy, there’s still a window of opportunity to be part of this highly anticipated first print run. You can easily order your cookbook here. Don’t miss out on adding this culinary treasure to your collection!
My New Obsession: The 2024 Weather Blanket
A few months ago, a friend shared this captivating Instagram reel with me, and almost immediately, I knew a weather blanket had to be a part of my 2024 plans. It was an idea that just clicked!
You might be asking, “What exactly is a weather blanket?” (And that’s a fantastic question, as I had no idea myself until very recently!) In essence, it’s a simple single-crochet blanket where each row represents the high temperature recorded on a given day of the year. Each temperature range corresponds to a specific yarn color, creating a unique, year-long visual record of the weather.
I was so inspired that I ordered all the necessary yarn from my local JoAnn’s store and picked it up the very next day, eager to begin this new creative endeavor. So far, it has been an absolute delight—super fun and surprisingly manageable, not overwhelming at all. (Though I did decide to add one little embellishment project to it, which I’ll share more about later, just in case I decide to give up on that particular part! 😂)
Each row, which consists of 230 single crochets, takes me about 11 and a half minutes to complete. I’m always hoping to increase my speed a bit! I don’t work on it every single day, but a couple of times a week, I dedicate some time to catch up on the rows I’ve missed. This project has actually provided an unexpected benefit: it’s helped me slow down in the evenings. I find myself sitting, dutifully checking my weather app, making meticulous notations on my spreadsheet 🤓, and enjoying casual conversations with my teenagers, all while my hands are busy crocheting. It’s surprisingly become a family affair, with everyone quite invested in the evolving colors of our 2024 weather blanket! 🤣
Current Favorites: Things I’m Loving Right Now
Here’s a roundup of some recent discoveries and beloved items that have brought a little extra joy or convenience into our lives:
- Mantis Card Game: This game was an absolute sensation and the undeniable winning game at Christmas. It’s incredibly fun, remarkably easy to learn, and appeals to a wide range of ages. An unexpected bonus: the included booklet about Mantis shrimp is genuinely mind-blowing! You learn so much about these fascinating creatures while enjoying a great game night.
- Wear When Bracelets: I’ve been completely enchanted by these inspiring bracelets, and my kids are equally thrilled with them! I gave them these for Easter, and the scripture-based messages and reminders they carry are truly amazing and uplifting. Each bracelet is designed to be worn “when you need courage,” “when you need to make a decision,” or “when you need someone.” They serve as beautiful, tangible prompts for faith and inner strength. 💗
- Sherpa-Lined Hoodies: Oh, how I adore these exceptionally cozy hoodies. They fit true to size (unisex sizing), perhaps just a touch on the small side, so if you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing up for optimal comfort. While hoodie season might be winding down in some parts of the world, these are so wonderfully soft and warm that they’re absolutely worth the purchase any time of the year. Perfect for chilly evenings or just lounging!
- Men’s Cargo Pants: My teenage boys practically live in several pairs of these cargo pants, owning them in black, gray, and brown. They wear them constantly, and I’m impressed by their durability—they’ve held up incredibly well through countless washes and dries. They’ve even managed to encourage my boys to occasionally step away from their default Nike sweatpants regime (no judgment here; their mom lives in joggers practically every day! 🤣). These cargo pants strike the perfect balance: casual enough that the boys don’t feel “dressed up,” yet stylish enough for family pictures or other slightly more formal occasions.
- Nutri-Blender: My boys are perpetually hungry, especially after sports practices or gym workouts. Protein smoothies have become a daily ritual, or sometimes just an essential after-dinner snack to fuel their constantly burning calories. My 15-year-old was gifted this particular blender for Christmas, and it quickly became the hottest commodity in our kitchen, now used by everyone. I’m genuinely surprised by how powerful and efficient it is for its size. The best part? It’s designed for single servings, which has been a lifesaver because, just between you and me, no one in our household was particularly diligent about washing out the full-size blender. 👀
- COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence: Have you heard of this incredible skin serum? It is truly amazing—I’m talking wow-level amazing! And for something with over 75,000 five-star reviews, it’s surprisingly inexpensive. I incorporate it into my nightly routine, applying it underneath my regular moisturizer. My skin feels unbelievably soft, plump, and significantly more hydrated than before. I cannot recommend it enough! UPDATE: It appears this specific link may no longer be active on Amazon, but the product name to look for is COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence. Please don’t let the “snail mucin” ingredient deter you—it’s truly transformative!
- Footrest Pillow: My 16-year-old gave me this ingenious footrest pillow for my birthday a few months ago, and honestly, it’s been the most clever and useful gift ever. For years, whenever I sat on the couch, I was constantly asking the kids to hunt down a small stool from some corner of the house so I could elevate my feet just a little. I suppose you could say this gift was partly for me, and partly for him, as it saved him countless trips! 😂 I also use it comfortably when I’m working at my desk. I absolutely LOVE it for its versatility and comfort.
Prioritizing Protein: A Personal Journey ⬆️
I want to preface this by saying that I am absolutely NOT the person to offer prescriptive advice on tracking food, counting calories, or calculating macros. Over the past eight years, I’ve made a concerted effort to focus on intuitive eating. Reading “Intuitive Eating” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch profoundly shifted my perspective on eating and overall health. I found that when I tried to track calories or macros, it quickly devolved into an obsessive mental game that was detrimental to my mental health and my body image.
As I often remind my children: “Your body is an instrument, not an ornament.” This powerful mantra, which I credit to Beauty Redefined, underpins our family’s approach to health and self-perception.
Therefore, this isn’t a lecture or a recommendation for how anyone else should approach their diet. Every individual has their own unique system and way of doing things, and what works for one person may not work for another.
However, I did want to share a recent personal adjustment. Earlier this year, as I’ve been consistently lifting weights with the Sadie Active app over the past year or so, I decided to become more intentional about ensuring I was consuming enough protein to support building lean muscle.
To help with this, I downloaded the ProteinPal app. What I love about this app is its singular focus: it *only* tracks protein. Through using it, I quickly realized that despite *thinking* I was getting sufficient protein, I was actually falling significantly short of my daily goal (which is 110-115 grams per day). As I’ve made a more focused and conscious effort to incorporate lean protein into my meals, I’ve noticed several positive changes. My appetite is much more regulated—I’m hardly ever hungry between meals. My workouts are more energized, and I feel a significant boost in my overall well-being and strength (💪🏼).
This simple, intentional shift has been a fantastic change for me personally! (P.S. To be clear, I’m still very much enjoying cookies, bread, vegetables, fruit, and all the other delicious things life has to offer. Balance is key! 😉)
Now, it’s your turn! I would absolutely love to hear all of YOUR thoughts and updates in the comments section below. Feel free to share anything related to the topics I’ve discussed above, or simply give us a glimpse into what’s currently happening in your world!
Connecting with each of you brings me so much joy, and I truly appreciate every moment you take to share a piece of your life with me. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of this community. 💗