Newsy! My Year In Review + Brisket + The Stranger In the Woods (v.52)
June 13th, 2017
willowwrite@gmail.com
Consider this:
A Very Newsy! Year In Review
Like sands through the hourglass … (photo credit here)
Thursday June 15th may seem like an odd day for a year in review, but since it happens to mark the one-year anniversary of Newsy!, I’m going with it. As I look back at all the past newsletters, I realize Newsy! serves as a time capsule of sorts, one that provides a darn good opportunity for me both to reflect on the last year – and think about what’s ahead. Read more
Newsy! Weirdos Unite + Millionaire’s Shortbread + Ann Patchett (v.51)
June 7th, 2017
willowwrite@gmail.com
Consider this:
Yes, I’m Weird. But So Are You.
Goat cheese. Gag. (photo credit here)
I don’t know exactly what got me thinking about my odd quirks, but it was probably goat cheese. Unlike almost everyone else, I absolutely despise the stuff. (My mom and sister do, too.) I hate it so much I tell people I’m allergic to it rather than explain how, when goat cheese mistakenly ends up in my mouth, I black out. Read more
Newsy! Meet An Inspiring Octogenarian + Eat Clean Vinaigrette + Chemistry (v.50)
May 31st, 2017
willowwrite@gmail.com
Consider this:
I’m Inspired By An Awesome Octogenarian
Heeeere’s Janet! (photo credit: me)
When I grow up, I want to be just like my friend Janet.
Janet is 84 years old, which I believe makes her officially grown up.
A few things you should know about Janet: She has more energy than anyone I know. She is more generous with her time than anyone I know. She holds more world records (in swimming) than anyone I know. (Besides her, I know zero). Janet laughs with more gusto – and volume – than anyone I know, too. Read more
Newsy! Time Warp + Chocolate Truffle Cake + Young Jane Young (v.49)
May 24th, 2017
willowwrite@gmail.com
Consider this:
It’s My Husband’s Time Warp. I Just Live In It.
Delicious hand-picked chocolates (photo credit here)
Father’s Day is coming up, and I’ve already picked the perfect present for my sweetie. I’m confident he’ll like it because a) after twenty years together, I know him pretty darn well and b) throughout the year, I pay attention to what catches his eye or piques his interest. That means when it’s G-Day (Gift Day), I can generally find something that feels personal and meaningful. That’s what good gift giving is all about, right? Read more
Newsy! On Gals Pals and Parenting Priorities + Scalloped Tomatoes + Wolf Hollow (v.48)
May 17th, 2017
willowwrite@gmail.com
Consider this:
After A Week of WTF, I’m Rested, Relaxed and Ready for Parenting Action
Photo credit here
Recently I enjoyed an overnight get-away with a gaggle of eight gals. We have between two and four kids apiece, ranging from eight to 17-years-old. Each of us has a husband, an ex-husband or a soon-to-be ex-husband. Some of us are full-time career professionals, others are self-employed professionals and still others dedicate countless volunteer hours to education, politics and more. Read more
Newsy! A Consumer Reports + Green Breakfast Smoothie + Jonathan Moore Minimovie (v.47)
May 10th, 2017
willowwrite@gmail.com
Consider this:
A Consumer (Me!) Reports
All hail the mighty Blendtec!
A few years ago, I swapped my breakfast cereal for a breakfast smoothie I made with fruit, veggies and homemade almond milk. I needed a blender powerful enough to pulverize nuts into a mushy meal, so I hauled out my decades-old Black and Decker machine. Sadly, it produced a chunky meal that I could barely strain through a rather unfortunately named “nut bag.” (Worth noting: The slightly perverse joy of wandering the aisles at Whole Foods saying loudly, “I need a nut bag! Where are the nut bags?”) Read more
*Since today’s essay is longer than usual, there’s no recipe or book review this week. Newsy! knows you’re busy!
Consider this:
I Thought I Couldn’t Get Addicted to Sleeping Pills. I Was Wrong.
Photo credit here
In honor of Sleep Awareness Week, I thought I’d share a story about my own struggles with sleep. I’ve already written about trying to cope with my regular 3 a.m. wakeup call, as well as my gratitude for the triangular wedge that miraculously stopped my husband from snoring. Today feels like the right time to tell another chapter of my sleep(less) story, one that’s more serious than my ruminations about a foam pillow. I’m going to tell you about my addiction to sleeping pills. Read more
Consider this:
We’re Watching a New Family Show – But Please Don’t Mention It
This is exactly what we don’t do (photo credit: flickr)
We caught an early morning flight last week for our spring break escape. As we lifted off from foggy San Francisco and headed to balmy Waikiki, I pulled out my New York Times (the smudgy paper version) and experienced that slightly smug feeling that comes from nobly educating myself about world affairs while everyone else vegges out on reruns of The Big Bang Theory and GoPro videos, courtesy of the in-flight entertainment system.
Newsy! Pythagoras Saved My Marriage + Soy Ginger Chicken + Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal (v.43)
April 5th, 2017
willowwrite@gmail.com
Consider this:
Thanks, Pythagoras: How A Simple Foam Triangle Saved My Marriage
I love thee, Pythagoras (photo credit: wikimedia)
Great news! I am not getting a divorce.
You didn’t know I’ve been considering it?
I have.
I had no choice.
It’s not that I no longer love my husband. I do. Utterly and completely, in fact. But for months, the love of my life has been tormenting me. Torturing me, really. Like a stealthy prowler, he waits until it’s dark outside, when the house is quiet and the kids are asleep. As for me, I’m in bed, very often wrestling with sleep. (Sleeping is not my strong point. Sometimes I can do it. Other times, I fail miserably.) Read more
