Hello from your friendly neighborhood Iowa food blogger – it feels like it’s been ages and I’ve missed you so!
The reason for my brief break was, we moved! Ben and I’d been casually browsing Zillow for a variety of reasons over the past couple of years and the perfect little place fell into our lap in early May. These past two months have been a whirlwind of getting our house ready to list, showings, negotiations, packing, cleaning, organizing, a sale falling through, more showings, plus a partridge in a pear tree.
The good news is we are here and settling in, and could not be more thrilled with our new home and neighborhood. We will miss our old neighbors terribly (that’s the hardest part about leaving and I cried about it more than once!) but we are minutes away and can cruise over anytime. That definitely feels good! It also feels good that we’ve found our forever home. I will literally croak in this place when the time comes because a) it checks all our boxes and, b) moving is the pits.
We’re HOME SWEET HOME! ❤️
Anyway, I hope you had a great holiday weekend! We had family in town and while many area fireworks shows were canceled, a nearby park had a fantastic private “show” that we watched from our driveway. In fact, it seems the entire city decided to take matters into their own hands as our air quality was the worst in the nation on July 5th – the kids are still sneezing! It was a fantastic night though and we wrapped up the holiday weekend with a family BBQ. Viva summer!
On a serious note, I want to spend some time addressing what’s going on in our country surrounding race and racism. I apologize for taking so long to share my thoughts here on the blog, as my efforts to learn and share information and resources about anti-racism have been focused on Instagram up until now (you can click the heart highlight in my profile to learn from the resources I’ve found valuable over the past five weeks.)
I believe that Black Lives Matter and am deeply committed to educating myself and others not only about overt racism, but racial microaggression, the inequality Black people experience in their work places and school systems, their struggles to purchase and rent homes, the trauma that Black people carry because this country was literally built on the backs of their ancestors with no reparations, that equality isn’t enough, and that you can literally get killed in your sleep in this country if you have Black skin. I have learned more about racism over the past 5 weeks than I have in 37 years.
This is a discussion and movement that Black women and men need to lead us in and I encourage you to find Black voices that resonate with you. That said, here are some of the Black women and men I’m grateful to have learned from over the past couple of months, plus some articles and videos that have had a big impact too:
- Nicole Cardoza: Nicole sends a free daily anti-racism email with action items for white people to dismantle white supremacy. Please donate to Nicole if you can because this email is an enormous undertaking, and again, FREE.
- Emmanuel Acho: Emmanuel started a video series called “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” HIGHLY encourage you to watch if you’ve ever had questions about race and racism that you’ve been afraid to ask.
- Danielle Coke: Just an all around must follow. This woman has a glowing aura around her that I can feel through a computer/phone screen.
- Reflections from a Token Black Friend: A must, must, must read article by Ramesh Nagarajah.
- Ivirlei Brookes: So inspired by this woman.
- Kimberly Latrice Jones: Gave the most powerful speech I’ve ever heard here. So important to watch until the very end – I think about it every single day.
- 13th documentary: MIND BLOWING.
- Where Do We Go From Here: A 2 part special hosted by Oprah featuring incredible Black leaders in faith, politics, journalism and more.
- Layla Saad: Sharing major, moving truth bombs.
- Celisia Stanton: Have learned so, so much from this woman!
- Bria Nicole: One way to show support to Black men and women is by buying from Black-owned businesses. Bria’s art work is INCREDIBLE. I purchased this and this print for my new office. Have this one in my cart to make it a trio!
- Brittany Packnett Cunningham: Another woman whose words I am soaking up like a sponge.
- Ibram X. Kendi: I was introduced to Ibram via Oprah’s special – he is an incredible wealth of knowledge about racism and I’m slowly making my way through two of his books.
- Charles M. Blow: So insightful.
- Amiyrah Martin: Amiyrah’s coffee dance stories bring joy to my soul.
- Jenné Claiborne: Fellow food blogger with KILLER content (and an adorable baby.)
- Monique Melton: Monique serves it straight which I appreciate because it’s exactly what privileged white women like myself need to hear.
- The Conscious Kid: One my of favorite new accounts I’ve recently followed.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the past two months is that protesting isn’t the only way you can support Black people during this critical time. You can also read, sign petitions, donate, speak up, talk to your kids, and LISTEN. Just do something. Oh, and VOTE! Mask up and get your buns to the polls, people! Or get an absentee ballot – just. VOTE.
Again, I apologize for taking so long to address my thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement here on IGE but I’d been experiencing some depression and rage, frankly, due to what I was learning, plus embarrassment that it took seeing a Black man murdered on camera by a police officer in Minneapolis to begin to educate myself on racism – which is 100% my white privilege showing. In short, I didn’t know where or how to start. The move (which I realize sounds tone deaf) forced me to step back for a bit and collect my thoughts, and I’m eager to get back to work.
SO! Heavy but crucial conversation topics in this edition of Currently. On a much lighter note, there ARE a few other things I’ve wanted to share with you lately, so let’s continue our chat!
Making: Homemade Iced Coffee. Our friends own a coffee shop here in town and so we always try to support local when we can, but Ben’s obsession with iced coffee runs deep so for Father’s Day I bought him this Iced Coffee Maker for when a trip to the shop isn’t in the cards. SO cool! I fill it up at night and it’s ready to go in the morning. Previously I’d been brewing a pot of coffee then refrigerating it overnight, which works well too, but I like that this isn’t glass.
Wearing: House Shorts. It’s been sweltering hot so I’ve officially moved from yoga pants to shorts when inside the house and these are the best! Stretchy and the perfect length – they’re shorts I wouldn’t feel 1,000% embarrassed to walk to the mailbox in, yet are super comfortable for dinking around the house. Highly recommend.
Loving: Maybelline Tattoo Studio Brow Pomade. After trying way too many brow products over the past couple of years, I finally found my go to brow product! Pencils took too long and were too harsh looking – this pomade fills in like a dream, and you control the amount of product you apply so if you like darker brows you can add more and vis versa. Feels weird to be obsessed with a brow product but this is my makeup bag’s MVP. Here’s the applicator brush I love.
Using: Facebook Marketplace. Our new house doesn’t have a formal living and dining room like our old place, so I decided to use Facebook Marketplace to try and sell some furniture a few weeks ago. Slickest thing ever! What a world – you post a couch for sale online and two hours later its walking out the front door. Have you sold on Marketplace before?
Drinking: Low Rider Margarita. Iowa has become the first state to permanently legalize selling to-go cocktails (not sure what that says about us…) but I’m personally here for it because of this killer cocktail. Locals: you have GOT to get yourself a Low Rider Margarita from El Guapo’s! SO smooth and balanced, and able to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home!
Enjoying: Summer. I know it’s cliche to say, but I can’t believe how quickly summer is slipping by. It’s strange that it’s not dotted with the events we look forward to all year long – the art festival, state fair, baseball games, etc – but honestly we have been enjoying the slow pace and reason to kind of do nothing! How about you?
Edited to add: not our backyard – this is a friend’s place! Isn’t it dreamy?
Pick a Currently category and fill me in!
Congrate on the new home!! We’re currently in the process of getting out house ready to list — do you have any tips for packing/moving?? This is our first time packing up an entire house vs an apartment and i’m having a lot of anxiety haha
Thanks so much for your recommendations and comments on Black Lives Matter. It is vitally important for all of us to do the work. Enjoy the new home, slower days and iced coffee!
Hi Kristen, I was blessed to have found IGE years ago and have made so many delicious recipes that have brought me back here time and time again. As a black American woman who was surprised to find this stirring and compassionate post today – simply thank you.
Again, I’m sorry it took so long to address my feelings here, Kasey. <3
Congrats on your new home! And thank you for your continued advocacy for Black lives. I’ve been following your Instagram stories and have learned so much, signed petitions and added Black authors to my reading lists and started following more Black influencers on social media. The decision to use your platform to share important information and actions doesn’t come without critics. But I want you to know that your posts are making a difference.
Thank you for your Currently…. post. I just purchased a Bria Nicole print and am happy to support a black woman owned business! I love what you do as well!
I have enjoyed your recipes and sweet banter over the years, but I, for one, did not expect to read an editorial/essay on BLM. Dig a little deeper to see what a tool the BLM movement has become for others who hate our country and want to break it down. Think about what the movement could include but doesn’t. And really, do you think our country was built on the backs of blacks? Need to refresh your history just a bit as many of your readers do if they just accept everything you’ve said. I was horrified to see what happened to George Floyd but that doesn’t mean that we have pervasive racism in our country. Pls listen to Candace Owens: What do Blacks really want?” Title here may not be exact but you can google it.
Geri, if you are only following and listening to Candace Owens, I beg you to dig deeper.
I’m in my 70’s and have been reading, listening and watching and teaching my entire life. I didn’t just jump on board with
erroneous
I’m in my 70’s Kristin, and have been reading, teaching watching and listening all of my adult life. I did not just jump on board with this issue. We had a Black president who I thought might be motivational to Blacks, it did that happen? Everyone I. This country who works hard and follows the rules has The opportunity to do well. Candace Owen is a newcomer to the discussion and my exposure goes far beyond her. Many don’t want to listen to her because they say that she is not black enough!
And I refuse to apologize for being white. I have worked hard for everything I have. And I’ve followed the rules.
Apologies for the mistakes in my first paragraph. I’ve made my point and will now leave the discussion. Thanks for your great recipes. Have made your gumbo several times now and everyone says not to change a thing. Delish.
No one can change the past. Anyone has the opportunity in the US to work hard enough to get a good paying job in order to get a new house. Enjoy the fruits of your labor! It has absolutely nothing to do with your skin color.
@carla, that is a very privileged point of view and it seems as though you have missed the point of this post entirely. I recommend you read/ follow some of the people Kristen suggested and realize that systemic racism is very prevalent and not everyone has the same opportunities.
Thank you Kristen for acknowledging this and sharing resources. I appreciate you using your platform in this way.
That backyard really is the stuff of dreams! Big applause on the BLM support as well. So happy to see everyone getting involved.
Very good update. Congrats on your new home! I am also doing some educating on black lives matter. Reading Lies My Teacher Told Me. Very insightful. Thanks again for an inspiring upd7!!
Our lives seem to be so similar the past few months! We just got done moving into a new home and selling the old as well (including the initial sale falling through). Also, yes to Facebook marketplace! We sold a dining set and our old sectional couch and both were gone so quickly! I even used it and was able to sell some of my decor items that I no longer had room for in the new home.
Also, the past few months have been rather eye opening on the BLM front for me as well. Growing up in the south, I knew racism existed but assumed it lived in the deep dark places of people. It is surprising to me to see people my age from my hometown say some outright terrible things. It shames me. We have to do better.
Thank you for dedicating so much space to Black Lives Matter in this blog. I also follow your IG and appreciated all the posts you were sharing, and we’ve got to keep up the work! Thank you for showing up with your influence – a fellow white lady learning to be a better anti-racist
We actually have a NYT bestselling author on race who lives in the metro. Her name is Jennifer Harvey and the book is “Raising White Kids.” I’m listening to it on audible and loving it!
Kristin you are amazing! I have been a follower of yours for 10+ years, have had the pleasure of meeting you in person at a mutual friend’s baby shower a few years ago, and have followed you on social media for many years. As another white woman grappling with all the things you articulated, I am proud to support you and glad to be doing the work alongside you. IMO, you have lead the way among white influences in calling this out what it is – white supremacy, systemic racism – and not falling back on comfortable terminology. You are an inspiration.
Just wanted to say that it is nice for an update. I’m glad that your short hiatus was related to good news. Finally, thank you for your recipes. I am a “comfort foods” person and always benefit from your ideas.
“Let’s do something..” I hear that alot but I hadn’t done anything so I bought a yard sign that says “Stand for Change”. It was scary as it puts your view point “out there”. But it is so necessary. Thanks for the links!