Let’s chat. Moms, whether you are one, you have one, you want to be one, or you lost one, motherhood is the most complicated relationship in existence. There’s a bond that never goes away, and that instinctive need… don’t you wish it could put it somewhere else sometimes? The love I have for my mother is never ending in depth, sometimes all consuming, and all at once breaks my heart. I know there are others with similar feelings. See? So complicated.
For anyone able to celebrate with your mom in a healthy way today, please do. To those who have lost their moms, no matter how much time passes that grief only morphs, it does not leave, I’m sending you all my love and hope you take care of yourself today. To the moms, by blood or chosen, I love you. I see you. The work you do and the love you give does not go unnoticed.
Pair this Sunday with a cup of coffee that lasts you all day, and a bath. Gosh, who doesn’t deserve a long, hot bath?
• I think it only right to start with the best food for today. These Easy Ham and Cheese Croissants deserve to be eaten in doubles and triples, followed immediately by this Hummingbird cake. It’s breakfast, it’s dessert – it’s perfect. (Joy the Baker)
• By now, you should know Owala is the best water bottle out there. I’ve confirmed it and more importantly Amy has confirmed it – it’s also a fantastic Mother’s Day gift. Have we convinced you to get one yet? I recently found Frank Green, a ceramic water bottle, and I’m intrigued. Listen, I’ve been a water bottle girlie since the Nalgene, so point me in the direction of a good bottle and I will run towards it. (Owala, Joy the Baker, Frank Green)
• While we’re on the subject of things I’m obsessed with, Amy’s recommendations mirror my own (she does not miss!). Appointed still reigns supreme in the planner world, and Baboon to the Moon sits at the top for any type of festival bag, namely their fanny packs, though this Baggu has my eye, too. My dream job would be to recommend you the best snacks and accessories, and be a travel writer. We’re manifesting this! (Substack, Appointed, Baboon To the Moon, Baggu)
• The semaglutide movement is in full force, especially in Hollywood. Watching the Met Gala coverage, it was wild to see skinny celebrities be skinner under the effects of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, etc. Originally made for helping patients with diabetes, it’s now a viral way to lose weight quickly, with lasting side effects and shortages for patients that actually need it. (The Cut)
• It’s almost sacrilegious to admit parenting is hard, and even worse to admit you have regrets. Today’s other long read comes from author R.O. Kwon profiling parents who are having a hard time financially and emotionally. Names are changed, but even then the parents are overcome with guilt, understandably. I also understand if this read is not for you, please extend yourself grace. (TIME)
• Students are Rarely on the Wrong Side of History (Instagram)
• If you’re struggling to find meal ideas, may I not so subtly point you in the direction of Trader Joe’s? I promise I am here to help not harm! (Joy the Baker)
• I’ve had an iPad mini in lieu of a Kindle for a long time and I love it, but there is one problem. When I check out library books (via Libby) if I can’t read them in time, I immediately put my iPad into airplane mode to keep them from going away, and can’t use any other function but reading. Please tell me you knew this hack, and if you didn’t you are WELCOME. But I’ve been thinking about getting a Kindle Paperwhite for a while and it’s on sale this weekend! You can put this one in airplane mode too… (Target)
• If your mom prefers flowers that last forever, I suggest doing a fun project you can do that won’t wilt! I’ve not met anyone who doesn’t like Lego’s (except maybe bare feet). Oh, and it’s also on sale! (Amazon)
• P.S. Shout out to anyone who understood my title reference! (YouTube)
17 Responses
Students just might be on the wrong side of history .While trying to understand and protest whats happening on the other side of the world they have decided to terrorize ,ridicule and block jewish students from entering parts of their own campus. We’ve seen this before and we can agree that students are not always right. The students who were nazis were not right and the students who opposed intergration were not right,yet somehow we can’t acknowledge that what we’re seeing now is definitely not alright.
Thanks for this Shauna, I genuinely appreciate your perspective
I’m with you on this, Shauna.
I read mostly e-books now, and always on my iPad. I was considering getting a Kindle for a long time but now am glad I didn’t. My library just switched from Libby to a new e-book service called cloudLibrary, and they are not supported by Kindle. Our library has suggested contacting Amazon to pressure them to get on board. I’m glad I’m not stuck with a Kindle, but feel for all the patrons that use Kindles.
I have eyesight problems and find reading on a Kindle easier than my iPad or MacBook. It is also lighter to carry and read while traveling. I read articles in WaPo and NYT on my MacBook, but if I am reading long term I like my Kindle.
Good info to know! I find myself reading on my phone sometimes (so weird)
I use Libby often, but really disliked my Kindle. and gave it away. I mostly use my iPad to read and it’s well worth the price.
What made you switch from your Kindle to an iPad?? I’d love to know!
Thank you for the R.O Kwan article.
I love my kindle. In addition to the airplane mode hack, it’s easier to focus on reading on a device that doesn’t have email, apps or a web browser, and the light is less disruptive to sleep. My ancient model only needs to be charged once a week or so too when it stays in airplane mode.
That’s my exact thought! I can’t get out of the app and play a game or go on social media. I just want to be able to read, and put it down, like a book!
Your opening and everything you said about being a mom, etc. SO TRUE! I couldn’t have said it better. THANK YOU. I am a mom of two grown children, I have lost my mother, I have miscarried also. My daughter is contemplating motherhood…my mother told me it is the hardest job in the world. I have passed that on to my daughter…it is the most rewarding, and sometimes the most heartbreaking task, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
:’) Happiest of Mother’s Days to you Karen!!
It’s all the things, Karen. I do think Abby nailed it.
Going to try the Easy Ham and Cheese Croissants. They look delicious. Happy Mother’s Day!
I have 2 Frank Green water bottles that leak, they look great but I am sick of opening my gym bag to find wet clothes.
I recently purchased an Owala and it’s 1000 times better!
Ohhh, so good to know! Aesthetically it looks so nice but function always wins me over, too!