Weekly Wins #7

We loaded up and went on a hike this weekend. “Hike” is a loose definition, but we all wore socks + shoes and KPW wore a backpack with water + snacks. We made it approximately 230 yards into the hike (or one Collin Morikawa 4-iron – hooray, golf!) before stopping for our first snack break. But we made it, an hour+ into and out of the woods with only a few falls and putting off the inevitable shoulder rides until the last 5 minutes on the way back to the car.

I was quite pleased with the outcome of our adventure given the uncertainty of most any activity with two 2.5-year-olds, especially when it’s 90+ degrees out (granted, we were shaded completely by the trees – it was a real trail, I promise). My beloved parenting rule of thumb on full display: set the bar low, have a solid exit strategy and be proud of making the effort, regardless of the outcome. Besides the hike, it was a quiet weekend of many loads of laundry, grilling out hot dogs and water beads (So. Many. Water. Beads.)

1. Speaking of the tiny people, this tea set is the current MVP toy in our house. I love imagination play and the babies love setting up tea parties for all of us to enjoy. They take ‘sugar’ and ‘cream’ with their tea, I’m firmly in the ‘sugar only’ camp.
2. My goal for August is to finally get a grasp around a solid list of ‘go to’ recipes broken down by protein (so I can shop based upon what’s on sale any given week at the grocery). I started my brain dump on Saturday and was pleased at my progress (blogpost in the shape of a recipe repository coming soon). I went through two folders of random printed out recipes that I’ve tried/wanted to try and was reminded of this BBQ salmon with mango salsa (on the menu for tomorrow) and this blueberry muffin bread (made this weekend and it’s nearly gone).
3. The only time I wasn’t wearing these shoes all weekend was when we were hiking. Otherwise, I wore them traipsing around the backyard, on my run to pick up our grocery order and when I snuck out during naps for a much-enjoyed quick manicure. I have them in white and I love them.
4. While I patiently wait for September 1^st and the release of Majesty, the sequel to American Royals (ALERT: currently on sale for $1.99 on Kindles), I have just downloaded this book at the recommendation of my internet friend Melissa. She lived in the UK for a spell and is a glorified bookworm, so I trust her judgment.
5. Finally, I’m pleased to report that I finally binged Sweet Magnolias over the last few days. I somehow missed this when it released a few months ago, but I quickly devoured all 10 episodes of season one and have already lamented the delay in season two because of our current pandemic circumstances. It gave me such Virgin River + Hart of Dixie vibes and I loved it.

Since I’m done with Sweet Magnolias and have nearly finished all the Royal fiction novels, I’ve decided to try my hand at a ‘crafty’ hobby that has been on my radar for a while. I’m waiting on my supplies to arrive. Any guesses?

xo,

KNW

PS: With a much-anticipated documentary dropping on Showtime, The Go-Go’s have been in the news recently.  While I haven’t personally had a chance to watch the doc, its release has inspired many a fun piece recounting the good, bad, and powerful of the most-revered all-female rock band of all-time.  On Belinda, Jane, Charlotte, Gina, & Kathy – KPW