Hello, hello! I’m so glad to be checking in! It feels like I’ve been checked out the entire month of May. It’s been a crazy one. That said, I’m sad to share the news that my sweet Grandma, who turned 100 this past February, passed away earlier this month. She was nothing short of a superstar. Independent, wise, and so sharp. A lifelong learner, travel adorer, early adapter (she always had her iPad nearby to play brain games, surf Facebook, and read the blog!) and fierce lover of her family. She went to college at a time when women often didn’t, and worked outside the home when being in the kitchen was the norm. Grandma loved her roses, Klondike bars, Lawrence Welk, attending lectures and seminars, being social and staying active, and especially her 6 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids. I could write a book.
I feel fortunate that the kids and I were able to Facetime with her several times in the weeks leading up to her passing when she was in good spirits. This may be an oxymoron, but seeing as though she was 100 years old and in relatively good health, she seemed somewhat invincible to me and I hadn’t given serious thought as to what it might feel like to not have her here. It’s surreal that’s she’s not, but her legacy will last generations. She will never be forgotten and we are all better people for having Alice as our Grandma. <3
My family and I stayed at her house in Ohio with my cousins, aunt, and uncle last week and, oh my goodness, the memories we have of all being there together! Fierce ping pong matches, cots lined up in the basement for sleepless sleepovers, hammering away in my Grandpa’s tool shop, intense games of Scrabble, badminton in the backyard, warm evenings on the porch, Christmas mornings in our PJs, and everyone crowded around the table for my Grandma’s signature Chicken Noodle Soup. Absolutely priceless.
Needless to say it’s been a bittersweet month but my Grandma would want us to focus on the here and now. Ben’s youngest brother is getting married this weekend so his family has been trickling in all week for the festivities taking place through the holiday. Memorial Day – I cannot believe you are already here! So anyway, that’s what’s been going on in my neck of the woods. I apologize for the sparse posting – poor Instagram, I’ve all but abandoned you – but of course I know you understand.
Not sure how ya’ segue from that, but here we are! It’s been a couple months since my last Currently post so I thought we’d catch up today. Let’s do this!
Time and place: 1:35pm in my office aka bedroom. #glamorous The little boys and Ben are playing with relatives in town for the wedding and baby G is sleeping off a bug she caught while traveling with me to and from Ohio. She’s got a fever and everything – it’s so sad. :( I’m hoping to catch up then sign off in the next couple of hours before the wedding weekend begins!
Loving: Trey Kennedy. Pleeeeease tell me you follow Trey Kennedy on YouTube/Facebook/Instagram?! His weekly videos are one of the highlights of my week! I’ve probably watched his “Moms” video 50 times and it never, ever, ever stops being funny.
Wearing: Ali & Jay Pleated Jersey Dress. Fellow Moms with a little baby pouch (hi three kids!) I can confidently say I’ve found THE LBD!! I ordered this dress for the aforementioned wedding and will wear it for every formal event until it falls apart. The band and draping at the waist completely hides any lumps, bumps, or pooches and the material is so, so comfortable. It’s also 40% off the moment – cannot beat that! It find it fits true to size.
Recommending: Makeup. I have three makeup products I’ve been using for awhile that I feel comfortable recommending! The first is Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer. I’ve actually been using this product for almost 2 years now and it not only works as a concealer but I also use it as a light foundation by swiping on a few stripes across my cheeks, nose and forehead then blending with my fingers. Great, buildable coverage for a drugstore price.
Thrive Cosmetics Instant Brow Fix. I admit to buying this via Instagram (darn ad targeting!) but I’ve been really pleased with the product. It’s a semi-permanent brow tint that over time leaves color on your brows, which I really need. I use this over eyebrow pencil – see below.
Anastasia Brow Wiz. I asked my eyebrow guru, aka my friend Laura with KILLER brows, for a pencil she loves and this Anastasia product is her favorite. I like it because it’s natural looking and comes in many shades. I buy at Sephora.
OH, also, I recently tried a sample of Beautycounter’s Dew Skin foundation, which everyone seems to be obsessed with, and I hated it! I think it’s the SPF in the formula, as it was very thick and my skin felt like it was suffocating. It also had zero coverage, imo. That said, I also tried a sample of Beautycounter’s Tint Skin foundation and LOVED it. Great coverage and it felt like I was wearing nothing. I’m going to purchase a tube with my next order!
Researching: Coffee Pots. I tossed my Keurig last year after watching some disturbing videos on YouTube showing how mold grows in the internal tubes, and have been using a Chemex pour over at home ever since. That said, we need some sort of coffee machine for when family and guests are staying with us. Got a recommendation for me? I don’t need anything fancy – in fact, the more basic the better. Less to go wrong, right? Thank you in advance!
Anticipating: Feel Good Foods “Pizza Rolls”. I am capital O-bsessed with Feel Good Foods’ line of certified gluten free frozen foods – their chicken and chipotle taquitos (which are killer with my homemade ranch dressing,) and chicken pot stickers are always in my freezer – and so I was thrilled to find their new pizza roll inspired snack bites at Super Target the other day. I don’t make it a habit to eat frozen, processed foods often but you cannot beat this company’s ingredient lists. And anyway, gluten free pizza rolls?! The 90s teen in me is totally into it. ;)
Saving: Butcher Box Ultimate BBQ Bundle. Heads up, Butcher Box is having a summer sale for new members right now. Sign up between now (May 24) and June 10 and you’ll receive 2 New York strip steaks, a slab of baby back ribs, and 2lbs ground beef for FREE in your first box. We love their ground beef so much I just ordered a “ground beef blast” – aka 10lbs of ground beef – to be included in my next shipment. Ugh, so good! You can click here for the deal >
Using: pacifier clips. As I mentioned, Gwen flew with me to Ohio for my Grandma’s services last week (baby girl won’t take a bottle!) and these pacifier clips saved us while traveling. Neither of the boys used pacifiers past 4 months when I took them away so they could find their fingers to self soothe, but G never found a thumb so here we are. Anyway, I got these clips to double as a safety net between her mouth and the disgusting airplane floor, plus something fun for her to play with too. They worked so well!
Sniffing: Lilacs. The air has smelled SO amazing over the past three weeks as all the area trees and lilacs have bloomed. It’s such a mood booster to step outside and feel as if you’ve stepped into a perfume shop. We have a giant bush/tree/unidentified plant on the back side of our house that I’ve 95% killed over the past 5 years by over trimming (I have the BLACKEST of black thumbs) that I’d like to dig out and replace with an old fashioned lilac bush. Does anyone know, have I missed my planting window this year?
Cooking: Crock Pot White Chicken Chili. I made dinner for Ben’s family a couple times this week and one of the evenings I turned to my tried and true Crock Pot White Chicken Chili. This is SUCH an easy dinner recipe and smells so good that even my neighbor commented on it – ha! I always make a double batch and skip the thickening step at the end – it doesn’t need it. I should really just edit the recipe… Anyway, pairs perfectly with tortilla chips and guacamole!
Replacing: Pyrex 16-Piece Set. I fiiiinally got rid of the last of our plastic gladware containers in favor of all glass storage. I was almost there then fully switched over when my favorite 16-piece set went on sale recently and it feels so, so good. If you are new to the gluten free world, this would be a great set to purchase as gluten can stick to the surfaces and scratches in plastic food storage containers.
Crunching: Bubba’s ‘Nana Chips. I picked up a bag of these green-banana-based snacks at the store the other day – ummm, SO GOOD!!! Love the buffalo flavor, especially, though the garlic and nacho flavors are awesome too.
Making: Memorial Day-friendly recipes. As I mentioned, it’s hard to believe this weekend is Memorial Day! This month totally flew by. If you are planning a party, potluck, or get together, here are a few of my favorite festive recipes:
Grilled Corn and Avocado Pasta Salad
Easy Baked Ribs (in case your grill out gets rained out!)
Secret Ingredient Rose Sangria
The BEST Pasta Salad
Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake
(Unbelievably Juicy!) Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Pick a “Currently” category and fill me in! :)
Amanda Hall 05.28.2019
Your rib recipe is my favorite! I got lazy and tried Ina’s oven to grill recipe because I wanted to skip the dry rub and it was a huge mistake! Next time I will do what I should have in the first place and follow your recipe
Holly 05.28.2019
Sorry for your loss – your grandmother sounds like an amazing lady! I just lost my grandfather in April, so definitely know the feels. <3
Glad to see a shout-out for those Pyrex storage containers. I have been using them for at least a year and loooove them so much.
Jen Carsen 05.28.2019
Hi Kristin – I am so sorry to hear about your grandma’s passing; what a wonder she was! I am glad you and the rest of your family got to spend so much time with her over the years.
Coffee maker recommendation: We LOVE our 8-cup Bonavita. So simple to use, makes really excellent coffee (extra-hot water + broad water distribution over the grounds), and the insulated pot keeps it hot for a very long time.
Bonnie 05.25.2019
My sympathies on the loss of your grandmother! Having the chance to love someone so long is a blessing but also missed they’re missed a great deal.
Your sweet corn and bacon mac and cheese is a fave when we gather with my husband’s family for summer holidays – I always want to have a bit leftover but it always goes or someone asks for the leftovers… https://iowagirleats.com/2013/07/11/sweet-corn-and-bacon-skillet-mac-cheese/
Is there a list/link on your blog of the recipe videos you have available?
Savor your summer! :)
Maria 05.25.2019
So, so sorry to hear about your grandma. Sending many hugs over the next years (I still get pangs of grief over mine, 6 years later). <3
For coffee – I second the 12 cup Mr Coffee. We have the most basic of basic versions but it even has a timer, so I can make sure coffee is ready when my MIL wakes up before us all :) and if someone wakes up *really* early they know how to make it themselves (I put the coffee grounds in the filter the night before, so all they need to do is pour in water and go). My husband & I don't drink coffee at all and it's been great to have for friends and family.
Kathy 05.25.2019
We love our Ninja Coffee Bar! Can make a cup, travel mug, half carafe or full carafe.
Makes great coffee – was surprised at how much better my coffee tasted made in the Ninja vs Keurig.
Sorry to hear about your grandmas passing – she sounds like a fun grandma who was fierce! ?
Danyel 05.24.2019
Buy a percolator! I have a 12 cup Presto and I love it! Making 4 cups for me on the weekend tastes just as good as a whole pot. Keeps the coffee really hot and is all stainless steel so no broken carafes!
Beverly Amstutz 05.24.2019
What a nice tribute to grandma. We will miss her. Aunt Bev
Sara 05.24.2019
Trey Kennedy=freaking hilarious. Him and John Christ crack me UP!! Their Nashville video is the best!
Kristin 05.25.2019
I am seriously obsessed. ? I feel like you either love him, or you don’t get it. I of course fall into the “love him” camp!!
Cinnamon R. 05.24.2019
Very sorry to hear about your Grandma. You are blessed to have such fond memories of her and your family. In Des Moines, you could plant a lilac bush anytime during the growing season. Best time is now (before it gets too hot) or in the late summer/early fall before it freezes. Lilacs typically like full sun (6 hrs +), but I have some that do well in part shade. The key to lilacs is to only trim them back once it is done flowering (within a month). Otherwise if you trim it later, say in the fall, you’ll have very few flowers the next Spring. Happy planting!
Kristin 05.25.2019
Ahh, thank you so much for the tips – I’m going to do it this week then! And thank you for letting me know about fall trimming – I ALWAYS trim the two white lilac bushes that we already have at the house way back in the fall and have very, very few flowers every year. I could never understand why every other person on the block has bushes chock full of flowers but I get very few!
Jeannine 05.24.2019
I’m so very sorry to hear of your Grandmother’s passing. It seems as though you have many sweet memories to savor of her and good family times. I’ve followed your blog since the beginning and I find you so inspiring! Enjoy Memorial Day with your family. :)
Kristin 05.25.2019
Thank you, Jeannine! That’s what I keep focusing on – all the good, good times we had together! :) <3
Laura W. 05.24.2019
Love my zojirushi coffee maker!
Zojirushi EC-YTC100XB Coffee Maker, 10 Cup, Stainless Steel/Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B83DGMV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ADb6CbGCRMG57
Kristin 05.25.2019
Thank you Laura! I appreciate it!
Meredith 05.24.2019
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. She sounds like a wonderful lady!
I had the same experience with the Dew Skin foundation! I had tried Tint Skin and loved it, but I wanted something with SPF. It’s way too think and hard to apply. I’ll use the rest up because I don’t want to waste money, but next time I’ll go Tint Skin and make sure I’m wearing sunscreen!
How long does it take to make coffee with the Chemex?
Kristin 05.25.2019
I love the idea of my foundation having SPF but tint skin just wasn’t cutting the mustard. Like I said, it felt like my skin couldn’t breathe!
With the Chemex, for 1 cup (I have the 3 cup maker but only brew 1 since Ben doesn’t drink hot coffee,) it takes about 5 minutes start to finish. Get out the carafe, insert the filter, rinse it out with hot water, heat water for the coffee, add grounds to filter, pour over coffee, brew….it’s definitely not as easy as a Keurig, but it’s not bad, either!
Ann Lueck 05.24.2019
We have used the Cuisenart for many years. Absolutely love it. This winter we purchased the one with the hot water with it. Very nice for oatmeal and tea. Not a big necessity, but nice for the two of us.
Kristin 05.25.2019
Oooo I’ve seen that – very tempting. ;) Thank you for the recommendation!
Beth 05.24.2019
Also concerned about mold in the inner workings of our automatic drip coffee maker, we bought a percolater. Old-fashioned, yes. Works great and easy to clean!
Kristin 05.25.2019
Ah, always a good option. Thanks for the idea, Beth!
Steph 05.24.2019
I’m so sorry to hear of your grandma passing. It’s always a little harder than we think it will be.
I second the Ninja coffee maker. Also, I loved tint skin too! Dew skin, not so much.
Kristin 05.25.2019
It’s so true. Thank you, Steph! Glad to hear I’m not alone in the tint vs dew skin product. I thought something was wrong with me since I hear so much about how fab dew skin is! ??♀️
Janel 05.24.2019
I always keep a basic 12 cup coffee mate coffee pot for more than 4 ppl. It’s so much simpler and EVERYONE knows how to use it. Ha.
And they are like $20 at Target. I also use a reusable filter basket so I don’t have to worry about filters, ever. I store it in the coffee pot and tuck her away when not in use.
My condolences on sweet Alice. My gran was the same, just the best! Thankful for the memories and all the gifts she passed down to all us.
Kristin 05.25.2019
That is exactly what I want – something anybody can figure out – the most basic of basic coffee makers. Thank you for the rec!! Thank you also for your kind words – as you said, I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories we have of her. :)
Theresa 05.24.2019
Kristen – I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your Grandmother! The impact of older generations is significant and clearly your Grandmother took the time to engage with all her family. What a gift!
Coffee pot – Bonavita is the one we self professed coffee snobs have. It’s like a pour over but goes into a thermal carafe. No burned coffee!
Kristin 05.25.2019
She was just that – a gift. :) Thank you, Theresa! I will check out that Bonavita, too!
Melissa 05.24.2019
I’m so very, very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Grandmother. She is so blessed to have had you as her family and I can sense she felt so loved and appreciated. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts!
Kristin 05.25.2019
Thank you so much, Melissa! I appreciate your kind words!
BlaiR Bostrom 05.24.2019
The ninja coffee maker! Makes a single cup, half carafe or a whole carafe! Makes a strong cup of coffee :)
Kristin 05.25.2019
Thank you Blair! Ninja seems to be a popular brand in the small appliance world – I will check that out! :)
Amy Jo 05.28.2019
I was coming to recommend the Ninja as well – not only does it make coffee, you can also make hot/iced tea with the separate tea basket!