I'll Be Witty Tomorrow, Vol. 8 🍎
apples, pickles, and Apple Watch bands
Hi, friends! I’ve missed you!
I hope 2022 has been kind to you so far. Or at least during the moments that have been hard, you have been surrounded by love from your family and friends.
Our family is doing well. All the kids have jobs (crazy!) and everyone is still currently1 living at home. It has been a revolving door of comings and goings we love and hate.
We love it because this is the natural progression of family life. Kids grow up, play sports, have rehearsals, get jobs, go to college, move out, and (temporarily) move back in. We hate it for the same reasons!
Family dinners have always been important to us but during the past six months, it has been a struggle to have everyone home at the same time for dinner.
Even though it has been hard, we came to the realization that the season of life for family dinners every night has come to an end. It makes me teary to write that, but I believe making this a priority during their growing-up years has made us closer as a family.
Family dinners this summer have been quieter but it has also allowed us to focus on the one or two that have been able to join us for dinner which has been great. Meal planning has been challenging but having a shared family calendar helps.
By sharing this about our family, I hope to encourage you to embrace whatever season you’re traveling through right now. The challenges you are enduring now will help guide you through the next one.
What’s giving me life lately?
Oui Dairy Free Coconut Yogurt - so creamy! and delicious!
Our raised bed garden! This year we planted cucumbers, a poblano pepper, a bell pepper, green beans, brussel sprouts, watermelon, and tomatoes. We’re still reaping the benefits of the cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers so much that we’ve been able to share with neighbors and co-workers. We have made several batches of Shannan’s pickles to giveaway! Everyone loves them!
These hair ties - Eden and I have thick, curly hair and use a lot of hair ties. We found these over the summer and love them.
Solace Apple Watch Bands - I was not a fan of the band that came with the iWatch and I saw several ads on Instagram for these bands and gave them a try. My favorites are the Dominion Loop in Summer Rainbow and the Imperium Loop in Black and Teal. I love that they’re stretchy and I barely feel like I’m wearing them. One thing to note: don’t wear it swimming because it will stretch out quickly.
Fresh fish from Alaska! - I eat a lot of fish. This is a bit of an investment (in my heart health) and knowing where the fish is caught (in the wild!) is entirely worth it for us.
Paint by number! - Great for a rainy (or stupid hot!) summer day!
Aqua aerobics class - this has been a constant in my life for a year now. Sometimes I’ll go early or stay after and swim some laps, but mostly I’m going to the class.
Archie’s - these flip-flops actually support your arch!
My eye makeup essentials lately have been Thrive Brilliant Eye Brightner in Champagne + Mauve Tape, and the Thrive Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner in Black Matte. I swipe on some waterproof mascara, chapstick, and a dab of color from a lipstick or gloss and I’m ready. This is pretty much the same during cooler months except for the addition of some type of foundation.
I am adding this sweatshirt to my Christmas list! Sometimes, my kids call me, “Bruh”. At first, I responded with, “Huh?” but it has become a term of endearment.
Rave + Cosmic Crisp apples! I think of them as the little brother and sister of Honeycrisps.
What about you? I’d love to hear what would make your list right now!
Books I’ve enjoyed this summer:
Before I Do, by Sophie Cousens
Summer Island, by Kristin Hannah
Flying Solo, by Linda Holmes
Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan
Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
The Dead Romantics, by Ashley Poston
Hello, Sunshine, by Laura Dave (June book club)
Wheelmen, by Albergotti + O’Connell (July book club)
Apples Never Fall, by Liane Moriarty (August book club)
The Bodyguard, by Katherine Center
When in Rome, by Sarah Adams (ARC - release date 09/20/2022)
The Key to My Heart, by Lia Louis (ARC - release date 12/06/2022)
Central Places, by Delia Cai (ARC - release date 01/31/2023)
Please support local bookshops when purchasing books!
What I’m looking forward to in the next season:
My friend, Emma, is coming from Australia to visit! We met in London three years ago and we cannot wait for her to get here. While she’s here, a few more Literary London friends will be coming as well. It’ll be a mini-reunion in Chicagoland!
Traveling to Cape Cod in late October. Any good recommendations of things to do, where to eat, etc.?
Watching the Lemont High School Drama Club perform Emma in early November. Basically, it’s the season of Emma around here 🥰
Reading, always reading—what good books should I be reading this fall?
p.s. there are a few affiliate links in this post, you can find them listed here.
Gunnar will be moving to North Carolina soon. 😭