Recent Posts

Down Bad Crying At The Chipotle

I met some friends for lunch, and due to the timing, I arrived well into their meal, so I sat and chatted before ordering food to go. When I went to order my lunch to go, a woman in front of me in line was radiating joy. “I’ve never been to Chipotle!” she told me. “And I’m SO EXCITED!” Her exclamation caught the attention of the two young adults working. Without saying a word to

A Long Life, A Good Life

Hello friends, and welcome to another fine Sunday. If we’re paying attention, July is slipping through our fingers like SPF on a hot day. You feel it too, right? There are Halloween decorations in the stores, and my mom called this week to report that Hobby Lobby has all their

These Are The Five Things You Should Make Mid-Summer

There’s something about mid-July in Texas that makes me feel like I’m living inside a Dutch oven on convection mode. My house, charming as the old gal is, was built before insulation was taken seriously, so we’re really feeling the summer around here. The garden is also absolutely showing off.

The Sunday Scroll: Karlee Edition

Friends, hi! Welcome to another fine Sunday. We are fortunate, indeed. This week, I’m thrilled to hand the mic to a new voice in our Sunday lineup, though chances are, you already know her. This week’s post is written by my friend, the incredibly talented photographer behind the blog, and

Catching Up

Hello friends! Whew, I never thought how grateful I would be to write the words “hello friends” again. It’s been a whirlwind few months for me, so much so that I’m going to bullet point the highlights/lowlights. First off, I moved to a cute little apartment in Lincoln Square!… because

MFA to SPF

Happy July! I love July. It’s hot enough to get in the pool at any hour, the days feel long and languid, and we are in the sticky slowness of summer. I’m doing my best to savor it. Savoring feels extra important this summer. The last time I was here,

Let’s Dive In (Literally)

In lieu of a summer bucket list, I’ve made one singular seasonal goal. It’s related to my side quest as a self-proclaimed Pool Dad: I’d like to learn how to dive. Not belly-flop off a boat or tiptoe into the shallow end like I’ve done for the past 44 years.

Strawberry Malt Icebox Cake

This strawberry icebox cake is the ultimate no-bake summer dessert layered with fresh strawberries, malted whipped cream, and vanilla wafers for a nostalgic treat that’s

Just a Quick Pause

Friends, hello! I’m taking a little pause this Sunday. I need a moment to gather my thoughts, catch my breath, and dry out a bit

finished strawberry shortcake recipe with soft whipped cream on top

A New Chapter (But First, Summer)

Happy June! I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather, the bittersweet joys of graduations and the end of the school year, and settling into the

My Not-So-Definitive Guide to a Joyful Summer (pun intended)

We’re in the early days of summer, friends! The air has been heavy this week with warm rainstorms and thunder in the distance (to Graham’s

Pool Dad Diaries

Hi friends, happy Sunday! This weekend marks a particular anniversary in my aging journey: my 44th birthday. I can already tell this is the era when I start forgetting how old I actually am, because I nearly introduced myself as 45 the other day without blinking. One thing that truly

Sensory SZN

Summer is approaching, and as a solar-powered human, I couldn’t be happier. The air smells of jasmine. This weekend, I got to eat a perfect fresh strawberry my brother grew in his garden, and in the mornings, I’m awakened by birds chirping outside my window. We had our first 89-degree

Like My Mother, But With More Clogs

Hi friends! This week I treated myself to a new haircut. Spoiler alert: it’s the blunt bob everyone is getting. The feminine urge to chop your hair for summer? Exactly. I had mostly given up on finding the right stylist since moving to Texas and settled on drooping mid-length curls

Five Joy The Baker Recipes Kids Can Make On Their Own

The biggest game changer for our family this school year has been having the kids—ages 7, 9, and 11—make their own lunches. I’ve been trying to get them to do more around the house, specifically in the kitchen, and they enjoy being trusted with the responsibility. Following the loose guidelines