Hellooooo from the other side of Labor Day! I hope you had a terrific long weekend!
Like a huge chunk of the country, there was a 30 degree temperature drop in the forecast for today so we focused on squeezing every last drop of fun out of the unofficial last weekend of summer. In fact, I could use a day of no labor to recover from our Labor Day weekend – we had a blast! Margaritas, friends, family, sushi, sunshine…I don’t even know what else. I’m tired.
Photo cred to our dearest Miss Elyse!
Anyway, it’s back to the grind today. Lincoln is back in virtual school which feels a lot less daunting today than it did a week ago, thankfully. I think the hardest part of this semester/year (depending on how long we’ll need to be virtual), will be social isolation. Our once shy-guy is a social butterfly and while we’ve got a neighborhood full of kids to play with in the afternoons, I worry about what things will look like in the season that shall not be named when we’re all shut inside our homes. Ugh. One day at a time, focus on the positives…like Facetime! We can do this. Right? RIGHT?!
In other news, I’ve got an enormous list of recipes I’m working on for you but it’s been slow going with guiding L through school while entertaining the little kids. So, that said, delicious eats are in the works but, in the meantime, thought we’d continue to catch up with another edition of Currently! (And cute kids. Oh, I miss summer already!)
Reading: American Dirt. The ladies on my block were so gracious to invite me to the neighborhood book club and so I’m thrilled to have an excuse to read. Can’t disappoint the club! This month we’re reading American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins about a woman and her young son migrating from Mexico to the United States to escape a powerful cartel. The writing is fantastic – descriptive enough to set a complete scene of what’s happening in my mind, but she wasn’t chained to her thesaurus while writing, which I love. Plus the story is very timely. I’m 1/3 of the way through and cannot wait to climb into bed tonight and keep turning pages. What are you reading right now?
Loving: Butcher Box Niman Ranch Pulled Pork and Sausages. Heads up – Butcher Box is offering their FREE GROUND BEEF FOR LIFE promotion so if you’ve been on the fence about joining Butcher Box, this is the time to do it. You get 2 pounds of ground beef in your monthly shipment for FREE, for the life of your subscription (which is month to month – you’re not on the hook for an extended subscription or anything like that.)
Whether you’re a new or current BB member, I have to give a shoutout to two featured products I’ve recently added to my monthly box and loved. Niman Ranch Pulled Pork and Niman Ranch Apple Gouda Sausages. They’re both fantastic! I’ve bought Costco’s pulled pork a couple of times and Niman Ranch’s version blows it out of the water. Super tender and the BBQ sauce they’ve mixed the pork with is mouthwatering. The Apple Gouda Sausages are not sweet whatsoever and have big chunks of drippy gouda cheese throughout the sausage. YUM! If offered, they’ll be under “member deals” and/or “add ons”. Niman Ranch isn’t an exclusive brand to Butcher Box, btw – Whole Foods sells their products too!
Ordering: Toddler Sneakers. The boys wear sneakers all year long but this summer Gwen rotated between a pair of Keen’s and the Gosh Darn Cutest Target sandals I picked up for like $5 last spring. Fast forward to today when we were thrust into some very chilly temperatures, I realized she doesn’t have any close toed shoes to wear! I ordered this cute pair from Amazon – off brand but the reviews seem good. What are your favorite little girl tennis shoes? I feel ok paying more for Lincoln’s shoes, knowing that Cam will wear them down the road, but the thought of paying $50 for a pair of sneakers G will wear for 6 months makes me sweat.
Reviewing: Marine Layer Pant. I feel like I promised you a review of the Insta-famous Marine Layer pants I broke down and rage bought in the thick of quarantine a few months ago, but can’t find the post where I mentioned them. Anyway, verdict is: save your money. I’m only 5’2 and the pants are very blousy in front and therefore uncomfortable. They might work better if you’re taller like the model, but they were a no-go for this shorty. They felt like tuxedo pants that weren’t fancy but also weren’t loungy enough to lounge in. Dang!
Indulging: Amy’s Cheese Enchiladas. Have I ever told you that one of my very favorite guilty pleasures is Amy’s Frozen Cheese Enchiladas? Yep, your friendly Iowa food blogger is obsessed with frozen cheese enchiladas. The sauce is what dreams are made of and they are bursting with gooey cheese. I used to avoid Amy’s gluten free foods but they have implemented strict allergen control measures in their production facilities in addition to testing their products for gluten. I no longer react, but want to give you that information so you can make your own mind!
Watching: Down to Earth. Have you seen Zac Efron’s new Netflix docuseries, Down to Earth? He’s paired up with Darin Olien – whom I just learned is the guy behind Shakeology – to explore healthy and sustainable ways to live around the world. For example, in London they learn about the city’s efforts to greatly reduce air pollution, in Sardinia they explore reasons why the area has a large population of the world’s centenarians, and in Costa Rica they visit a self-sustaining eco village. I LOVE the content. Love, love, love it, and Darin is a dream to listen to. Do I wish Zac Efron wasn’t such a bro? Possibly. But he’s easy on the eyes so I’m not horribly upset by this. ?
Also Watching: I Am Bolt. Ben and I watched I am Bolt, which documents Usain Bolt’s athletic career, a few weeks ago and it was incredible. We’ve always been huge fans, and so to get a glimpse of what it takes to become one of the greatest athletes of all time was very eye-opening.
Eating: Wasabi Ranch Kettle Chips. File ranch and wasabi under two of my favorite flavors. Combine them into one chip? GIVE ME MORE. Bought a bag a couple weeks ago and it lasted less than 24 hours. Highly recommend.
Buying: Old Navy Kids Masks. I recently bought the kids a few packs of Old Navy animal face masks and they are so adorable! Luckily the kids haven’t had a tough time wearing masks but even so, they love the cuteness of these. They offer a bunch of different animal packs to choose from. I know some people experienced super lengthy shipping times from Old Navy a few months ago, but I ordered/received these within a few days.
Craving: Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. The kids and I went back to a local U-pick farm last week and couldn’t resist picking up a few mini pumpkins while we were there. #tisnearlytheseason They’re so dang cute!!! The pumpkins lining my kitchen window sill, coupled with the chilly temps, has thrust my Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting to the tippy top of my to-make list (with these as a close second.) These cupcakes are so, so, so, so, so, SO (shall I keep going?) yummy and the Cream Cheese Frosting is out of this world, if I do say so myself. Are you in the fall-baking mood yet?
Pick a “Currently” category and fill me in!
I was going to thank you for the ‘American Dirt’ recommendation because I purchased it and inhaled it in a few days. Then I came here and read the comments :/ So, I’ve now ordered ‘The Devil’s Highway,’ which was one of the #ownvoices recommendations. Because of the first book – the one that was easily accessible to someone busy with kids and life and just looking for a gripping book to feed the ignored corner of my brain these days — I am committed to learning more and doing more on this topic. I totally support and understand the arguments as to why Cummins was not the right author to tell this story. But I don’t think anyone needs to apologize for enjoying the story or the writing. It opened my eyes; the controversy behind it opened them more. When we know better, we do better.
Switching to the totally frivolous topic of pants: Old Navy mid-rise stretch jogger pants are my new fave! Maybe give them a try.
Just speechless about the “controversy” around American Dirt. Since when and by whom has it been declared that only representatives of the culture can successfully write about their culture and experiences? This has nothing to do with the actual literary merits of the book. It’s all about “cultural appropriation” movement. I don’t remember A Gentleman in Moscow being slaughtered like this for the non- Slavic author writing about a Russian character and the dramatic events he (the author) personally hadn’t experienced, which I couldn’t continue reading, couldn’t get over the glaring stereotypes.
We love See Kai Run and also Vans are great! I also recently just bought my 2 year old a pair of Converse. Right now they are a little big but hoping they fit her well when she grows into them!
Might I suggest the Old Navy jogger pants? I’ve been on the same hunt as a 5’2 person! I tried some on in store, but, couldn’t get over the not on sale price. Saw they were on sale online–and they also come in petite (regular XS in store fit ok). I know what you mean about blousy. I’m trying to find a unicorn of pants that are more appropriate than black cotton leggings, but, more comfy than jeans, and don’t make me look like MC Hammer. I’m waiting on my order to get in (ordered one regular XS and one petite XS), but, crossing my fingers that they will work!
I made you pumpkin cupcakes with my 4 year old today while her older siblings were busy with virtual school. They are great! Never had frosting with pumpkin pie spice in it before.
Yesterday we did a double batch of your apple cinnamon muffins. I added a crumb topping and it was delish for breakfast with some chai tea this rainy morning!
Oh man. I’ve been cooking ALL IGE all the time here lately but now I’m ordering Amy’s enchiladas. #influenced.
I’m watching season 4 of Hometown. I love it!
I loved Down to Earth! But wow, I didn’t know Darin was behind Shakeology. First, Shakeology shakes are gross, and second, I just can’t get behind MLMs anymore. Oh, Darin! watching him venture back to his property after the wildfire ravaged it was heartbreaking.
I know – I couldn’t tell if it made me feel better about the science behind shakeology (never tried it myself,) or slightly icky about Darin. ? Very gut wrenching watching him in his home – I kind of wished they would have spent more time on it but maybe he didn’t want it covered too much in the series. ??♀️
Definitely check out all the controversy following Cummins and American Dirt when it first came out (just Google American Dirt controversy). Great book club discussions! It was a sh*t show.
Yep, a few people mentioned it above. :/
Love when you do these Currently type of blog posts! And can’t wait to bake up some pumpkin muffins!
I hope you love them, Julie! :)
See Kai Run have been my favorite sneaker type shoe for my girls. I usually buy right from the company, but Target carries a line that is a little more affordable.
Thanks! I’ll check them out. :)
They have a petite inseam option on the Marine Layer pants! It’s suggested for anyone under 5’4’’. With the money already spent it might be worth it? They’re one of my favorite pants I own since being back in the office! They’ve been washed SO many times and haven’t faded at all!
I actually did get the petite and they were still so oddly blousy in the front! ??♀️??♀️
I looooved Down to Earth also and wish there were more seasons!
Sounds like season 2 is in the works!
Ugh, just read the above comments on the book. Bummer. ?
http://Www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com is my new go to for kids shoes!! The inventory changes frequently so it takes some checking but you can get great kids shoes for less than $30! It’s great for adult shoes too!
Awesome, thank you! I was looking at some NB for Gwen and WOOF – that retail price!
Loved American Dirt! Eye opening to see what people go through to escape cartels & unsafe societies. Very sad & hard to read at times. And my whole family got into Down to Earth and loved watching their adventures! Good, clean family show to watch (I have middle & high schoolers). Your family is adorable! ?
Ugh, just read the above comments on the book. Bummer. ?
I know – definitely a bummer about the author in particular. Still, the story has fueled a desire in me to read more about what migrants go through, which I’ll seek from the authors mentioned in that thread.
I joined Butcher Box last March. The promo then was 3lbs free chicken wings! I have also ordered the apple gouda sausage and agree they are SOOO good!! Haven’t tried the pulled pork yet.
Yah! Definitely try the pulled pork – we love love love it.
Regarding your book club’s pick to read American Dirt, I’m linking a blogger’s review that includes various sources about the controversies around that book. I encourage you to seek out some #ownvoices reviews, as well, to contribute to your book club’s discussion.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3087296266
Came here to say the same thing!
Huuuuuge bummer… I’ll finish the book, but definitely some interesting points to discuss at the meeting!
I also really liked this review to think critically about the book, and what kind of voices get the large 6 figure book deals https://gay.medium.com/white-fever-dreams-a5623c5ada0e
Came here to also bring up the question of #ownvoices around American Dirt and I was so happy to see that it was already being discussed and discussed in such a lovely and respectful way. Love that we are all in this together trying to learn and grow.