Navigating the beautiful chaos of summer often feels like a delightful marathon, and this week has been no exception! From cheering on my kids at tennis tournaments to orchestrating the never-ending summer chore rotation (a job that surely deserves a substantial raise!), and simply keeping all the plates spinning, it’s been a whirlwind. Sometimes, getting thoughts organized feels like a triumph in itself, and I’m thrilled to share a collection of musings and discoveries that have brightened my days. While these reflections might land slightly after “Friday,” I find “Weekend Musings” has a rather charming ring to it, don’t you agree? Consider this your invitation to dive into a mix of culinary adventures, personal care routines, large-scale event planning insights, and heartwarming family projects that are making this summer truly memorable.
As always, today’s post is a delightful blend of diverse topics, reflecting the wonderful randomness of everyday life. I absolutely encourage you to share your own thoughts, tips, and experiences in the comments below – whether they resonate with anything I’ve mentioned or spark a completely new conversation! Your insights are always cherished. (Just a quick heads-up: all the products I’m recommending in this post are items I’ve personally purchased and genuinely love; this isn’t sponsored content.) 💗
Revolutionizing Homemade Pizza with a Baking Steel
For years, our homemade pizza nights have been a cherished family tradition, largely facilitated by an ancient, well-loved pizza stone that has been with us since, well, forever. While I’d often heard whispers and rave reviews about the transformative power of a baking steel for achieving that perfect, crispy crust, I confess I never quite took the leap. The allure of upgrading our pizza game was strong, but the inertia of sticking with what worked (mostly) always won out.
That all changed a few months ago during a visit to my sister-in-law’s house for one of her legendary homemade pizza evenings. Witnessing a baking steel in action was an absolute revelation. As each pizza emerged from her oven, the crust was nothing short of spectacular – perfectly golden, incredibly crisp, and with just the right amount of chew. The difference was palpable, and my enthusiasm was apparently quite evident.
Fast forward to my birthday, and my wonderful sister-in-law, Angela, surprised me with funds specifically earmarked for a baking steel! It seems my intense interest, possibly manifested by my nose being pressed against her oven door during pizza baking, gave away my intense desire for one. Without hesitation, I purchased a 3/8-inch thick baking steel from 222Steel, the same reputable vendor she used. While I’m still adjusting to the sheer weight of this formidable piece of kitchen equipment – I genuinely feel like I might pull a muscle every time I lift it – the results have been nothing short of phenomenal. Our homemade pizzas have reached an entirely new level of deliciousness, making every effort worthwhile.
For those unfamiliar, a baking steel offers several key advantages over a traditional pizza stone. Its superior thermal conductivity means it heats up faster and retains heat more effectively, transferring intense, even heat directly to your pizza crust. This rapid heat transfer mimics the high temperatures of professional brick ovens, resulting in a blistered, chewy, and perfectly crisp crust that simply can’t be achieved with a standard stone or baking sheet. It’s not just for pizza either; I’ve heard incredible things about using it for artisan breads, focaccia, and even reheating leftovers for that crispy texture. If you’ve embraced the baking steel in your kitchen, I’d absolutely love to hear about your experiences and any tips or tricks you’ve discovered!
Refreshing My Skincare Routine for Sensitive, Aging Skin
When it comes to my skincare routine, I confess I tend to be a creature of habit. As I gracefully (or perhaps not so gracefully) age, my skin has become increasingly sensitive, making me incredibly hesitant to introduce new products or drastically alter my established regimen. Plus, let’s be honest, laziness often plays a small role in resisting change. For many years, my core skincare needs have been met by the reliable Countertime line from BeautyCounter, a brand I trust for its commitment to cleaner ingredients. Complementing this, I faithfully use this effective face wash every night and diligently apply this facial sunscreen {aff. link} whenever my day calls for it. (My makeup routine, however, is an entirely different saga for another time!)
Recently, a wave of glowing testimonials convinced me to try something new, despite my usual reluctance: the much-buzzed-about essential oil “bae” routine from The Daily Essential Co. I decided to incorporate their Jojobae into my morning routine and Skinbae for my evening regimen. And let me tell you, I am absolutely delighted with the results! My skin feels noticeably softer, exhibits a more resilient moisture barrier, and generally looks and feels healthier. Jojoba oil, a key component, is renowned for its similarity to the skin’s natural sebum, making it incredibly balancing and nourishing without feeling greasy. These essential oil blends deliver potent botanical benefits, aiding in overall skin vitality and hydration.
It’s worth noting that both Jojobae and Skinbae possess a fairly distinctive, strong essential oil fragrance. While I personally find the scent pleasant and comforting, given our occasional use of essential oils at home, I can understand that it might not appeal to everyone. However, for me, the immediate and visible improvements in my skin’s texture and overall health have far outweighed any initial hesitation. Integrating these two products into my otherwise quick morning and evening rituals has been a truly gratifying decision, proving that sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone in skincare can lead to wonderful discoveries. Maintaining healthy, glowing skin, especially as we age, is a journey, and I’m genuinely thrilled with this new chapter!
Conquering Camp Kitchen: Feeding 250+ in the Mountains
Many of you know that the second week of June saw me undertaking a monumental culinary challenge: being in charge of all the food for a church girls’ camp, feeding over 250 hungry campers and leaders for five days straight in the heart of the mountains. I’m absolutely thrilled (and a little exhausted) to report that IT IS OVER, and perhaps even more importantly, WE SURVIVED! It was an experience that pushed my organizational and cooking skills to their limits, but also provided an incredible sense of accomplishment and a treasure trove of invaluable lessons.
If you ever find yourself in a similar (perhaps slightly bewildered) position, innocently agreeing to cook for a small army in a remote setting, fear not! I’m currently compiling a comprehensive, massive post packed with tons of details, essential printables, meticulously planned menus, budget breakdowns, a candid look at what worked brilliantly, and honest reflections on what didn’t. That ultimate guide will be coming your way soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to share a few quick highlights and key takeaways from this epic adventure (some of which I briefly touched upon on Instagram, but with more detail here):
- The Power of Visual Organization: One of our biggest game-changers was printing out huge, blueprint-sized versions of our daily menus and detailed timeline instructions. Rather than relying solely on verbal delegation or constantly answering questions, my amazing committee members could simply refer to these large-scale charts taped prominently on the rustic mountain kitchen walls. This visual aid was an absolute lifesaver, promoting autonomy and efficiency. I designed these in Photoshop and had them printed as engineering blueprints at Staples for just a few dollars each – an incredibly cost-effective solution for large-format signage. I’m currently working on creating a printable and editable version for my upcoming detailed blog post, so you can adapt them for your own large-group cooking endeavors.
- The Mighty Mini Chopper: My committee member, Jill, brought along this cute little chopper {aff. link}, and it quickly became the unsung hero of our camp kitchen. Beyond its charming appearance, this gadget saved us countless hours when we needed to rapidly chop large quantities of toppings for various meals. Imagine dicing mountains of tomatoes for tacos, strawberries for breakfast, or onions for dinner – this tool tackled it all with impressive speed and consistency. I honestly cannot imagine preparing toppings for 270 people without one now. I didn’t own one before camp, but let’s just say that’s no longer the case – a spoiler alert: I immediately ordered my own post-camp!
- Embracing Fun with Themed Costumes: Jill also convinced us to adopt a themed (and very simple!) costume for each evening. This was a last-minute stroke of genius, literally conceived the night before we departed for camp. While we hadn’t planned our meals around specific themes, Jill’s creativity made it work seamlessly. This was entirely outside my comfort zone – I’m confident planning intricate menus, but costumes? Not so much. Jill, however, took the reins, providing an assortment of fun props, and the girls absolutely adored it. They found it hilarious and incredibly engaging, fostering a wonderful sense of community and lightheartedness amidst the busy schedule. The lesson learned here? Prioritize fun, even in demanding situations. And perhaps, I should indeed invest in a versatile muumuu for future adventures!
- The Brilliance of Frozen Desserts: A major strategic move that significantly reduced stress was baking and freezing all our desserts ahead of time. I want this to be an official public service announcement: baking, frosting, sprinkling, and freezing sugar cookies works absolutely brilliantly! We prepared over 300 of these incredible swig sugar cookies (with a slight modification, swapping baking powder for cream of tartar for an even chewier texture). Once thawed, they tasted as fresh and delectable as the moment they were baked, and to say they were a hit would be a gross understatement. We also made a gluten-free version by substituting gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour and ensuring all sprinkles were gluten-free, catering to our campers with dietary restrictions without compromising on taste.
- S’mores Bars for the Win: In addition to the cookies, I transformed this amazing s’mores cookie recipe into convenient bar cookies. Tripling the original batch and dividing it between two half-sheet pans worked perfectly, yielding large quantities of easily portioned, crowd-pleasing treats. Pre-planning desserts this way saves invaluable time and energy during the event itself, allowing you to focus on the fresh meals.
This experience truly underscored the importance of meticulous planning, efficient tools, and a fantastic support team. Stay tuned for the full, exhaustive post where I’ll delve even deeper into the intricacies of large-scale event cooking!
Navigating Summer Schedules & Inspiring Young Entrepreneurs
Summer schedules always bring a unique blend of flexibility and logistical puzzles. Just when I think I’ve mastered the art of managing school-year routines, summer arrives with new challenges and, critically, new ages for my children. Hello, teenagers! You truly make life both fun and “interesting,” requiring a constant rethinking of everything from curfews to daily activities. This summer, our household is buzzing with activity, a testament to growing independence and burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit.
My two eldest, aged 18 and 16, are fully immersed in full-time jobs at a warehouse, honing their skills in equipment assembly. My 14-year-old has taken on several shifts a week at our quaint small-town ice cream shop, learning the ropes of customer service and responsibility. My 13-year-old is enjoying a well-deserved taste of summer freedom before the reality of future summer jobs inevitably catches up with him (though he does contribute with some property maintenance for us). And then there’s my resident 10-year-old, who has embarked on an exciting new venture: her very own bread-making business!
She’s clearly following in the impressive entrepreneurial footsteps of her older brothers, several of whom successfully spent their tween summers making, freezing, and selling cookie dough. It’s been incredible to watch her blossom. Just two weeks into her business, I am absolutely amazed at her efficiency and skill. She can expertly churn out 10-12 loaves of bread in a single day, selling them one to two days a week at $5 a loaf! Her current offerings include a fragrant rosemary bread and a classic French bread, both of which have quickly garnered a loyal customer base. This venture isn’t just about earning pocket money; it’s a fantastic way for her to save up for personal goals and contribute to charitable causes, such as supporting refugee projects (more on that below). It’s truly rewarding to see her develop valuable life skills – from baking and time management to customer service and financial literacy – all while pursuing something she genuinely enjoys. What do your summer schedules look like, and how are your kids staying busy?
Giving Back: Heartwarming Volunteering with Refugee Families
For the past few months, I’ve had the profound privilege of volunteering with a local refugee agency, an experience that has been incredibly enriching and deeply humbling for our entire family. This opportunity has allowed me to bring my children along to participate in various events, from helping families move into their new apartments, delivering warm meals to refugee families temporarily residing in lodging centers, to assisting with other vital support efforts. Each interaction has been a powerful reminder of resilience, community, and the universal desire for safety and belonging, opening all our eyes to different realities.
Recently, my children dedicated hours to a heartwarming project: meticulously crafting colorful bracelets and intricate beaded animals to distribute to the children of refugee families during our meal deliveries. It was a beautiful expression of welcome and friendship, designed to bring a little joy to those who have faced so much.
Beyond the immense joy of seeing the faces of these sweet children light up as they received their handmade gifts – often riding bikes through the hallways of the temporary housing center – this project sparked another wonderful realization. It reminded me how much my own kids thrive on having a creative and crafty summertime project to immerse themselves in. The focus and dedication they exhibited, transforming simple beads into charming animals and vibrant bracelets, was truly inspiring. It’s a wonderful way to foster creativity, fine motor skills, and a sense of purpose. We’re now considering setting up a dedicated small table where they can continue making these beaded creatures, bracelets, and explore other fun crafts we discover throughout the summer, making creativity a constant part of our routine.
For those interested, this is the fantastic book we use {aff. link} for guiding us through the process of making these delightful bead animals. I won’t lie or boast too much, but I’ve become surprisingly adept at crafting the frog (after my patient 14-year-old had to show me how to conquer the arms, of course!).
The bracelets were crafted using these beautiful glass seed beads aff. link. Once I Googled a clever trick for threading them more easily using a needle, we were absolutely unstoppable! These kinds of hands-on projects offer a fantastic break from screens and help foster patience and ingenuity for kids of all ages, even the teenage boys. Do you have any other wonderful craft projects that your family enjoys during the summer? We’re always on the lookout for new creative endeavors!
A Delicious Detour: The Accidental Triple Berry Rhubarb Pie
You know that absolutely stellar strawberry rhubarb pie recipe that has become a beloved classic in our home? Well, Father’s Day rolled around, and I was all set to bake this family favorite. I had already put in the work, braving the wild tangles of weeds in our side yard to harvest a generous bounty of fresh rhubarb. The intention was pure, the enthusiasm high. And then, the realization hit me: I had completely forgotten to buy strawberries. Panic? A little. But giving up? Absolutely not. Not after all that rhubarb harvesting!
Determined not to let my efforts go to waste, I embarked on a culinary scavenger hunt through the (equally wild and disorganized) depths of my freezer. And there, like a beacon of hope, I discovered a forgotten bag of frozen triple berry blend from Costco. A spark of improvisation ignited! I decided to substitute the frozen triple berry blend for the missing strawberries. To account for the extra moisture from the frozen berries, I simply increased the cornstarch by two tablespoons to ensure the filling would set beautifully. With a leap of faith, I went for it, assembling the pie with this new, adventurous filling.
The result? It was, without exaggeration, one of the best pies I have ever made in the history of baking. The blend of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries with the tart rhubarb created an unbelievably complex, sweet, and tangy flavor profile that was simply divine. The increased cornstarch worked perfectly, yielding a luscious, perfectly set filling that held its shape without being overly stiff. The moral of this delicious story? Sometimes, kitchen mishaps lead to the most extraordinary culinary discoveries. Perhaps, just perhaps, forgetting the strawberries might just be the secret to creating a legendary pie every single time!
Embracing Life’s Fleeting Moments: A Reflection
If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading! Your presence here, your comments, and the unwavering support you offer day after day, year after year, mean the world to me. I truly cherish connecting with each and every one of you, and hearing your stories and insights brings me immense joy. It really does.
This summer promises to be a vibrant one, filled with exciting new recipes I’m eager to share, along with some fun video projects that are currently in the works. However, like many of you, I’m also striving to be incredibly intentional with the precious time I have at my disposal. Life, in its beautiful complexity, can throw unexpected curveballs, making certain seasons feel particularly challenging. So, we’ll navigate these upcoming months with grace, a dash of spontaneity, and a whole lot of love, seeing how everything unfolds.
Right now, my days are a fascinating blend of practicalities and unexpected joys. I’m currently buried under a mountain of 15-20 pairs of golf pants, meticulously trying to figure out the perfect sizing and style for my son. He’s preparing to embark on a church mission to Brazil, an incredibly significant journey that he’ll begin in August, and ensuring he has appropriate attire is a key part of the preparation. Simultaneously, our “faux farm” has recently welcomed two adorable litters of piglets, bringing an extra layer of delightful chaos and charm to our property. You can catch more glimpses of our farm life on Instagram.
Time truly is fleeting, rushing by faster than we often realize. My overarching goal this summer is to consciously sidestep the stress that can so easily creep into certain circumstances and, instead, cultivate genuine gratitude for every single moment I have with the people I love. It’s about being present, savoring the small joys, and embracing the imperfect beauty of everyday life. May your summer be filled with warmth, laughter, and an abundance of cherished memories!
Wishing you a truly happy and memorable summer!