the take home folder vol 121
sometimes you're the bug // quiet time evolution // checkmate! // + more
welcome to the take home folder
Long walks on sunlight-dappled trails, flowers blooming, falling asleep to the sound of the rain, pasta salad, reading a chapter between innings of my kid’s baseball game, washing beach towels, fresh cut melon, late sunsets, a driveway full of bikes. It’s been a good first week of summer break and this is just the beginning.
my sunday questions:
What is something I can do for our home?
What is something I can do for/with our family?
What is something I can do for myself?
Today for me it’s planning out the week and getting it posted on the fridge for all to reference1, doing something active outside together (maybe pickleball or a bike ride?), and prepping some food to have on hand for the week.
here’s this week’s take home folder, enjoy!
one // quiet time - from saving grace to occasional tool
When I tell you that Quiet Time was a critical part of our days from when my kids stopped napping until early elementary school, I’m not kidding. It was our consistent daily break, and I needed it just as much (maybe more) as they did. It took patience and practice and praise, but we worked up to an hour of the kids in their rooms after lunch M-F resting/reading/quietly playing.
Last summer they were 7 and 10 and I noticed that Quiet Time was no longer happening daily. Oftentimes we were at the pool or the kids were outside playing with neighbors during that time. Because they were so much more independent, I didn’t feel like Quiet Time needed to be a part of our day.
This summer and moving forward, I consider Quiet Time as a tool I have in my parenting tool belt. This week I had an important call one day after lunch and told my kids that they would need to do Quiet Time in their rooms for 45 minutes. They shifted into Quiet Time mode after lunch like a Pavlovian response, ha.
I’m grateful for the time, energy, and consistency it took to get QT up and running as it served us so well for many years. And now, life looks different, and we mostly don’t need it. It’s funny how something that is an absolute cornerstone of your life one day just shifts. So, we adjust our sails and carry on.
two // bruschetta pasta with chicken and bacon
This was a win in our kitchen this week! I think it could be served hot or cold.
Recipe:
Chicken + Marinade:
2-3 chicken breasts (I used a pack of fresh tenders)
1/4 c olive oil
1/4 c balsalmic
1/4 c lemon juice
1 T dijon
3 cloves of garlic, minced
dried basil, dried oregano, and salt
Balsamic Glaze:
1/2 c brown sugar
1 T cornstarch
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
1/2 c water
2 T soy sauce
(note: I cheated and used bottled balsamic glaze from the grocery store)
Pasta:
cherry tomatoes, halved
chopped fresh basil
mozzarella pearls
8 slices of bacon, cooked
1 pound of pasta of choice, cooked
Whisk together the marinade ingredients and add the chicken. Let sit in the marinade for up to 12 hours - I only did about an hour and it was still delish. Grill the chicken and slice into bite sized pieces.
If making the glaze, whisk the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Add cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, bacon, and basil to a large bowl and gently mix. Drizzle balsamic glaze over the top and stir to incorporate. Enjoy!
Reel that put this recipe on my radar is linked here.
three // checkmate
So, it turns out that if you set up a chess set in an accessible spot in your home, the tweens will find it and play - a lot.
Anything you’ve found to draw in the tween/big kid crowd? I’m all ears.
four // summer rhythm in progress
Buckets that were full this week: social (adults and kids), kids sports/activities, getting a ton of steps just living life, reading, fun
Buckets that were empty-ish this week: consistent exercise schedule for myself, good lunches and breakfasts for myself, time to work on Begin at Home - especially writing this newsletter, keeping up around the house, getting enough sleep, quality time with Todd
Honestly, I don’t have some sort of magical solution to get everything in perfect alignment for summer. (If you do, please share.) I know I’ll be dropping some balls along the way. But I also shouldn’t casually neglect myself for an entire season, ha. I love summer and am grateful to be home with our kids, but whew, that in itself is a full time gig.
If you’re still finding your summer footing, I’m right there with you!
five // sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug
My 11 year old son’s baseball team recently experienced a good old fashioned butt kicking. And when my son was bummed on the way home from the game, Todd said, “sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug”. I had never heard that expression before but gosh, isn’t it the truth?!
There was definitely a day where I felt like the bug this week, it happens! But thinking of this expression made me smile. I hope you’ll remember it next time you or your kids are having a rough day.
see you right back here next week,
p.s. Need anything from Amazon or Target this week? Letting my affiliate link open in your app before checking out (no matter what you purchase) supports my work at no cost to you. Thanks for considering!
recent favorites
lip oil - I wear the shade Pink Sky, under $10
Luna Daily Everywhere Spray - this works for a quick refresh
100% organic cotton underwear have been an unexpected delight of summer! I like this style and this style (don’t poke fun - I have a c-section scar, apron belly, and junk in the trunk - they’re comfy, ok?)
this sparkling water - perfect fun drink on a hot day
quick dry towel - I’ve always been curious about these and this one folds up nice and small. Would love to get a couple more. This was gifted to me by Nomadix with no obligation to share.
Super Saturated serum - 25% off through tonight. I use it every night and it makes my skin feel so good. I’m not a skincare expert by any stretch, I learned about it via Mrs. Derm.
Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links which means I receive a small kickback from the retailer at no cost to you. Thank you for using them, it supports my work and allows me to continue providing free content each week.
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I kind of want a Skylight Calendar. Are the influencers getting to me?! Really though, I feel the need/desire to move toward more digital calendaring. And I also happen to have the perfect spot on our wall to display it. I’ll likely continue to overthink this for months but let me know your thoughts if you use one.
I enjoy reading your newsletter every Sunday! In regards to the Skylight - check out the “knock offs on Amazon…search digital calendar! One of my girlfriends has the skylight and it’s awesome but another has a knock off and it’s the exact same EXCEPT you don’t have to pay for the subscription and add-ons like meal planning!
I too was on the fence about a skylight. I decided to try it by getting it at Costco. It comes with a longer subscription and Costcos amazing return policy. It made me feel more comfortable with the investment. The chores/routines/rewards has been very helpful in our home.