Friday Things #368
1. Joseph is currently obsessed with color-by-numbers and will do them all day, every day. Dominic has gotten into them, too, and I am so amazed at how well he can do them without any help from me or my husband. He canโt read yet, so he asks Joseph for each numberโs corresponding color, and then does them near perfectly.
2. Iโm pretty sure Iโve mentioned before that Dominic loves the moon and outer space; well, my sister got the boys gift box subscriptions to KiwiCo for Christmas, and one of the projects was putting together a working model of how the Earth and moon rotate around the sun. It was so much fun to do and he LOVES it!
3. We seem to have run into the โhit the floor in a crying heap in 0.2 secondsโ phase of toddlerhood with Isabelle, but all of her sweet snuggles more than make up for it โค๏ธ๏ธ
4. Has anyone tried the whipped coffee Iโve seen all over Instagram the last few weeks? Most of the people Iโve seen try it havenโt liked it, but Iโm curious!
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5. How is quarantine treating you? How are you feeling? To be completely honest, Iโm a huge introvert and homebody, and this really hasnโt bothered me at all. Aside from not always being able to get the ingredients Iโd like, Iโm happy to be hanging out at home.
6. Ironically, less than 2 weeks before we found ourselves in quarantine, I had a bit of a meltdown one night in the shower, thinking about Joseph heading to school full-time in the fall for all-day kindergarten. It felt like the last five years had slipped through my fingers and I wondered if I had spent enough time just sitting and playing with him, spending good time together, and wellโฆ now here we are, given the gift of all the time in the world for the foreseeable future (at this point, I donโt even know if school will start on time in the fall!). Yes, many days are looooooong with three kids five and under and we havenโt been without our whining and occasional meltdowns, but Iโm really loving just BEING with them, not rushing back and forth to school dropoffs, appointments, errands, etc and trying to fit everything into the margins. Itโs such a breath of fresh air.
7. A wonderfully informative article on the yeast shortage >> The Reason Thereโs Still a Dry Yeast Shortage
8. And on that note, how has food and ingredient foraging been going for you? Things seem to have mostly normalized here (I even got the toilet paper in my Instacart order from Costco yesterday!), with the exception of flour. I usually order my all-purpose flour from King Arthur (two 10 lb bags at a time) and I placed my order three weeks ago and it still hasnโt shipped yet. The bread flour and Dutch cocoa powder are on its way, though! :)
9. On a TV note, we finished Vikings and are now onto the latest season of Bosch, which Iโm loving. The show forever reminds me of Isabelle being a newborn since we began binging it right after we brought her home from the hospital. We also watched the first two episodes of the Michael Jordan documentary, which I was surprisingly into, given that Iโve never watched basketball, ever. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
10. TGIF! Duke wishes you a wonderful weekend!
Hi Michelle,
I see Dominic is wearing glasses. Because you did not have my current email address I have not seen some of your blogs. So, I do not know why he is wearing glasses. He looks cute in them. I canโt believe how the kids have grown. Isabelle in so cute in her birthday picture. That is beautiful picture with you and Isabelle. I am also ordering my grocery from Instacart which is life saver for me. Since I am a senior citizen I do not want to go out to get groceries. I am also a home body and enjoying my alone time during the quarantine. I have been wanting to make bread but cannot get yeast. So I am hoping I can get some soon.
So take care and be safe.
Hello Michelle,
your blog is such a bliss of joy, I enjoy reading it for years and years, now. My two kids are a year older than Joseph and Dominic and I thought exactly the same thing about being so happy to have all of this time with them at home, no kindergarten drop offs and pick ups. It is a bit difficult because we live in a flat, in residence building, I would appreciate even the smallest garden now. I life in Serbia and find it so interesting to compare similarities and differences we all experience in this same quarantine situation. Except the fact that we do not have shortages of any kind in grocery department it is pretty much the same hereโฆ.
Your blog is the first that pull me into the American way of cooking and baking and your recipe for Chocolate Babka is now famous among my friends and my family (we are addicted to pastry of any kind and we blame our Hungarian heritage!), I can not praise it enough!
Wishing you and your family all the best!
Sandra,
Novi Sad
Serbia
I thought I was an introvertโฆ
but I gotta tell you no gym, no church, not many trips to stores Iโm starting to think Iโm more extroverted than I thought. A โclosetedโ extrovert as my sister called her dog lol. Iโm thankful for our health being good..and praying for so many that are hurting or had losses. Your Friday posts help keep some normalcy going, a bright spot to look forward to. Thank you for that.
When the boys are a little older, written by the author of Curious Georgeโฆ
https://www.amazon.com/Stars-New-Way-See-Them/dp/0544763440/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1587842712&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.com/Find-Constellations-H-Rey/dp/0544763424/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1587842754&sr=1-2
Duke is so gorgeous. ย Iโve never had a dog, just cats. ย Iโve been talking to a few friends about how weโre feeling about the covid situation, social distancing etc. ย Weโre all introverts so weโre not too bothered. ย 2 of my friends live out in the country so their lives havenโt changed much. ย I do miss being able to choose my groceries in a relaxed manner as normally I love shopping. ย Iโm retired so I stay home a lot anyway but Iโve been able to increase my volunteer days at the animal rescue I work at because their charity store where I also work is closed right now. ย I go for 2 hr to cuddle and brush and socialise the cats. ย Itโs on an acreage that looks down on wineries and a lake so itโs beautiful and relaxing to go there. ย Iโm happy to do what the experts have asked in regard to staying at home. ย As a former RN, I am appalled at how healthcare workers are having to work without appropriate PPE and to care for so many very sick patients. ย Stay safe everyone and letโs hope this disease becomes contained soon.
Awhhhh, so sweet that you help the kitties. God bless you sister๐
He doesnโt have to go to all day kindergarten! You can homeschool or maybe look for a partial day option. If you are enjoying doing learning activities with him, just keep doing that! Once life is back to somewhat normal, you can find a co-op to do some group learning activities or go on field trips with. I could go on and on about all the great things about homeschooling, but just know itโs an option.
Yum, the whipped coffee is delish! And Iโm not that into strong coffees. The beauty is that you need not use all the whipped coffeeโฆ.just to taste. We mix it into almond milk. Itโs good hot or cold. And, if you want sugar free, try monk fruit sweetner!ย
We did try the dalgona coffee and like it. I use good quality espresso powder and we made a mocha version we found on eating well.com.
I made dalgona coffee 2x. First I need to tell you, I donโt drink coffee, like the taste or the smell. The first time it was just ok to pretty good. (Make sure you stir it thoroughly) The second time I made it I only made 1/2 of the fluff and it went down so easy I really liked it. Also the first time I couldnโt go to sleep at night, stayed up til 4am the second time 2amโฆ.
You might try your local grocery store instead of Costco. (Giant Eagle, Shop N Save, etc.)
Here in Sturgeon Bay, WI, our local stores tend to have more items than I see available at Costco. Costco is 50 miles away in Green Bay, so not too upsat! We got bread flour today, no yeast (bummer, but we still have enuf for at least 2 more loaves), milk, veggies, fruit. We have a freezer full of venison, chicken, and several kinds of Lake Michigan fish!
My husband Ted is starting his garden although it is only in the 40โs but he is pretty antsy. Wants to go fishing in his boat! I am watching Downton Abbey on CDโs I got from the library before it closed. Never saw the beginning (1-3) seasons. Along with sorting/tossing old files and (finally) gathering photos and putting in folders for albums.
Miss our grandkids! 3 had birthdays in April, and one in March and we couldnโt go see them in IL!
Miss Pittsburgh too!
I hope you realize how lucky you are that you can even get groceries delivered. I live in an area of MA thatโs being hit very hard by this virus and there are no more grocery deliveries. No Instacart, no nothing. In order to feed my family, i have to venture out every few weeks and itโs nothing less than terrifying. Iโm constantly worried about other shoppers getting to close or my homemade mask not protecting me enough. Consider yourself privileged if you havenโt had to do that.
Hi Sara, Iโm so sorry to hear youโre in such a hard hit area. Wishing you and your family continued good health, xo
I am not having issues with being at home, but I do have issues with this lockdown in MANY ways. ย Sundays have become particularly hard days for me with not being able to gather for worship. ย When my kids were young, we were always home other than grocery day and an every-other-week trip to the library. ย I am content with being at home for the most part, and thankfully as young adults, my kids are too. ย This morning was the best trip to the grocery since this all started because the cashier was talkative and smiling as was the gal bagging. ย That really made my morning. ย If anyone is in need of KAF AP flour, Giant Eagle in Richland had a fair amount available this morning. ย Just yesterday I was able to order my yeast from KAF, but itโs on backorder for 3-4 wks. ย Couldnโt get any bread flour though. ย Iโm a KAF devotee, so itโs hard for me to settle for anything else. ย On a funny note, with all of the talk about at-home haircuts, I did an at-home โtrimโ on my Golden girl . . . Iโm sure in her doggie mind, she will be one happy pupper when her โsalonโ opens up again.ย
Thanks for the tip on finding KAF locally!!
Iโve loved being home during the quarantine. The only things Iโve missed are doing my own grocery shopping & being able to hug my great niece & nephew. Iโm also an introvert & always look forward to the weekends when I can be home alone. Itโs made me wonder about retirement (Iโm old enough) but think I still want the structure of getting up & going to work for a few more years. Have a good weekend โ though some days lately Iโve had to really think to figure out what day it is. :-)
Times like this prove why I buy yeast in bulk. I have a 1 pound pkg I keep in the freezer (or is it 2 pounds!). I keep a small jar in my fridge and when it gets low I fill it from the freezer pkg. I do not find that it goes bad no matter how long I have it. I started this many years ago simply because itโs so much less expensive to buy it that way, but it also proves helpful when you canโt find yeast in the stores. I have been buying KAF at Costco. They have had it in my Costco more recently โ in 12 pound bags for about $6. Not sure if you can purchase it online from Costco. I go directly to the store.
Ooooh they do not sell KAF at my Costco! Iโll have to check their website, thanks for the tip!
Do you do any crafts with Isabelle? My son just turned two also and he loves to help in the kitchen and do more crafty activities, but he still puts everything in his mouth. Iโm afraid to do much of that with him now for that reason.
I havenโt started crafts with Isabelle yet, she just doesnโt quite seem ready? She likes to stand at the counter with the boys when we make pancakes or waffles and sheโll help โstirโ, but true crafts I do with the boys while she naps. Yesterday, she colored half of her face green with a (washable) dot marker while I was cleaning up the kitchen dishes ๐คฆโโ๏ธ
One of the reasons I love about your site (besides the great recipes), is how much you really appreciate your kids. The first day of kindergarten is definitely hard. What I found disjointed at first was not having that daily report from the teacher, about how your childโs day went, the way you get that with pre-school, when you pick them up.
Iโm an introvert like you & am happy just being home. And itโs nice to not have to rush the kids to and from things.
I had planned on making your chicken & dumplings, but Iโm down to 1/2 bag of flour, & want to save it for more of your waffles. ย Weโve done that for dinner a few times.
I really enjoyed your Bisquick chicken pot pie, so think Iโll make that again instead. I was actually surprised that I was able get get more Bisquick in my order this week.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks as always for giving me another reason to smile. I love seeing what your kids are up to. Iโm a third grade teacher and desperately miss being with โmy kidsโ.
Loved the yeast article. I had ONE package of instant yeast and used it this week to finally make your focaccia recipe. (I couldnโt get bread flour either. ) So easy and so delicious!
I only have jelly roll pans, so Iโm looking to order a half sheet pan. Are there any brands you recommend?
Iโm a fan of NordicWare. They are made in the USA and can, in my experience, take a beating. I also have โUSA panโ for my bread loaf pans and really like them.
I like Vollrath and Nordicware! I have also heard wonderful things about USA pans.
I have loved the quarantine as I am a homebody too and it was so nice to slow down. ย Now however I am starting to get a little over it. ย I have five kids ages 5-15 and they need to get back. ย My oldest son runs XC and I am really bummed they probably wonโt start training the beginning of June like they normally do. ย Older kids donโt just go out and play the way younger kids do and when they canโt even go play a pick up game of basketball it is really hard. ย He goes on runs but it is much easier with the team. ย I also noticed my older kids arenโt really getting work. ย They are just going to use 3rd quarter grades for the semester so there is not a lot of motivation there. ย While I have Enjoyed more family time and less hectic schedules I am starting to want some things back. ย My heart also breaks for those losing their long worked for businesses and jobs. ย My husband being one of them.
Oh and yes most things I can find at the store now but yeast is not one of them unfortunately. ย And the other downside with 4 boys home all day is they eat ALL THE TIME!
I can imagine this would be so much more difficult with older kids who are missing friends, sports, activities, etc. I remember my teenage years and it would definitely be hard. We are definitely eating more and I feel like we run the dishwasher ALL THE TIME!
When my son was into color-by-number when he was not yet reading, we did this: on the key where it lists the number-color correspondence, we colored the number itself: so if 1 was brown and 2 was red, we had him color a splotch of brown next to 1 and a splotch of red next to 2, and so on.
Not to take away from the beautiful brother-bonding experience, of Joseph reading Dominic the names of the colors. But if thereโs a day when Joseph isnโt quite as interested in helping his brotherโฆ
Yes, we do this too! He asks for me to โcolor the codeโ :)
I was reaching burnout stage right when this started, so I really needed this break! Other than the issues trying to get supplies, Iโm enjoying the down time. Iโm still working part time, but we got one of the Payroll Protection Plan loans, and Iโll be going back to work full time soon. But I donโt want to!! In fact, Iโm taking some of my PTO to stay part time the next couple of weeks.
I have been wanting to make homemade cinnamon rolls & of course every store has been out of yeast. Well the other night I was looking in the cabinet for something & guess what I found?!?!?! YEAST!!!!!! Oh my gosh, I was SOOOO excited I took a pic & texted it to my mom!!!! HAHA!!! My husband thought I was crazy. Just thought youโd enjoy my silly story :) Thank you for sharing your family every week!!!!!!
Yesssssss that is totally amazing!
I am also enjoying being home. Looking back, I can now see just how exhausted I have been. I feel refreshed:)
Thank you for continuing to share your life. Your recipes are fantastic. I made the bread stuffing yesterday for an impromptu Thanksgiving dinner and it is so good!
I made the Dalgona coffee trick at the start of quarantine. Itโs a show horse, not a work horse, as in it looks good, but the flavor just made me wish for my usual cold brew coffee. No one has made it because it tastes good, but if you have instant coffee, thereโs no reason not to try it. Be sure to use your handmixer instead of trying to whip by hand.
I instantly noticed that you have a lefty in the house and for some reason that made me so happy. :) Wonder if that contributes or explains Josephโs creative/artistic side? Signed, a lefty.
I tried Dalgona coffee andโฆ.I liked it? I made it with instant espresso, not coffee so it was very strong! :) Itโs good when combined with whipped or frothed milk though โ kind of a variation on a latte, I suppose. Good for those mornings you need an eye opener! Lol. And it really is super easy. I want to try it with regular instant coffee, and matcha at some point.
Many baking items in our stores are very hard to come by. Flour was non-existent the last time I went, even the store brand and the alternative types as were frozen items, in particular veggies. Gone. And I canโt vanilla anywhereโฆand of course I ran out nowโฆ.what is everyone baking?
Based on what Iโm seeing from my site, everyone is baking bread! And soft pretzels, and doughnuts ๐
I love the whipped coffee! You have to be a coffee drinker (in my opinion) and be sure to mix it and not just try to eat the whip. Also Iโm like you with the quarantine, itโs not too bad.
Iโm with you, I love being home! ย Working from home is not something I thought Iโd have a chance to do. But, itโs working out quite well.ย
I only use King Arthur flour. Recently had to use another brand because KAF was out, and it just wasnโt the same. As long as Iโm stocked with baking supplies, Iโm good to go!
Enjoy those kiddoes! ย At times, being a Mom is really hard. No one tells you that. But, the rewards are endless!! ย The love is like no other!!
Iโd like to see some TV and movie personalities do some cooking shows while theyโre home. I think it would be fun. Joanna Gaines had one and I loved it. She had a few missteps like we all do from time to time. I really enjoyed how genuine it was.ย
Take care, enjoy your weekend!
Have you seen Alton Brown do Quarantine Quitchen on YouTube? Itโs definitely an at home experience and itโs Alton and his wife but my husband and I enjoy watching it. They post I think once a week and show them making dinner with whatever they have in the house.
I love KAF cocoa powderโฆespecially the one that can be used interchangeably with with recipes that call for for one type of cocoa or the other. I used to use the KAF AP flour but learned over time that due to its slightly higher protein level, it can change results in some recipes.ย
Joseph will love full day kindergarten. From you comments, he seem more than ready. I an guessing he will be a star. I can remember more than a few parents in tears the first day of school for their firstborn. The kids were fineโฆthe parentsโฆnot so much!
Finally, did you happen to see the video that has popped up online of an owner playing wack-a mole with her Golden. She used a cardboard box ย wityh a bunch of hole cut into it and a carrot. Clever and ย very funny.
Hi Nancy, Yes, he is SO ready! He loves school and absolutely thrives, so Iโm really excited for him. I did see that video, so funny!