Is there anything better than spending an uninterrupted hour drinking a cup of coffee before the rest of the family wakes up?
Especially during the summer, when the kids are home all day, I savor this brief window of time when it’s just me and the birds chirping outside.
If you’ve been up since 5am with a cranky toddler or a cheerful but wide-awake baby, don’t despair. And don’t feel guilty for secretly hating me and my quiet cup of coffee.
I can only reassure you that one day you will come out the other side. You will drink a hot cup of coffee again, instead of one you’ve warmed in the microwave three times.
There is a trade-off, of course.
My kids no longer rise at the crack of dawn, but this summer they’re often still awake at 10pm until I angrily hiss “go to sleep!” through the crack of their bedroom door and they giggle at my anger, like all children should.
Oh, summer. You are wonderful and fun and endless and exhausting.
This week, instead of sharing a bunch of recipes, I’m sharing a few things that are making my life easier this summer.
Saying Yes to Popsicles
I haven’t explicitly told my kids that they can have as many popsicles as they want this summer, but just between you and me, they can have as many popsicles as they want. It has been very freeing to make this decision once for the entire summer.
Less decision fatigue = happy mom
More popsicles = happy kidsNot Cooking Dinner on Sundays
I have officially declared Sunday my day of rest in the kitchen. I don’t cook dinner, or think about dinner, or make a phone call ordering in dinner. I plan to continue this when summer ends, maybe for the rest of my life. My husband has graciously taken on Sundays as “his” day of the week. It’s kind of amazing how much extra time and mental space opens up when dinner isn’t on your to-do list.
Trader Joe’s Soyaki
This marinade isn’t quite as good as homemade (a bit too salty, maybe?) but man, it sure is easy to pour out of the bottle onto chicken or pork or tofu. Marinate whatever you want in the morning, then roast it in the oven at 425 degrees or throw it on the grill. Or, you can cook your protein and then pour a little bit of Soyaki on top for extra flavor. And on the side you can serve…Frozen Microwavable Rice
For a long time I snobbishly thought that pre-cooked frozen rice was ridiculous. Now, I consider it a necessary luxury. It’s ready in 3 minutes! If you have a main course but don’t know what to serve on the side, just microwave some rice. Done and done.Graphic Novels for Kids
My kids have both been into graphic novels for a long time, but this summer they’ve really been devouring old favorites and new series. There is no better way to spend the hottest part of the day than with a snack and a graphic novel!
Both kids (ages 7 and 11) love the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series and Catstronauts. Also, this newsletter from Dinner A Love Story has lots of great summer reading suggestions for kids (scroll to the bottom of the newsletter)
Do you have any summer reading suggestions for kids? Leave a comment and let us know!
Summer Meals
In last week’s newsletter, I shared a handful of ideas for easy dinners. You can also get ideas from Julia Turshen’s recent newsletter, The World is Hard, Dinner Doesn’t Need to Be. I like her helpful reminder that “not every meal you eat has to be the best meal you’ve ever had.”
P.S. If you’re looking for recipes this week, head on over to my website Kitchenskip.com where you’ll find lots of easy dinner recipes for busy parents
Watching
It took awhile for my husband to convince me to watch the new documentary about Anthony Bourdain’s life, Roadrunner. It just felt too sad, and like a lot of people right now, I’m not in the mood for sad. I’m also skeptical of documentaries about people who most likely would have hated having a documentary made about them.
But here I am now, recommending it to you. It’s really good and thought provoking, a brutally honest homage to a brilliant person. As one review said, it shows Bourdain as both the hero and villain of his own story. The show doesn’t shy away from showing all of his flaws, but you will love him even more because of it.
Well, that’s it this week, short and sweet! We’re heading off on our last vacation of the summer soon, and hopefully my next newsletter will have photos of lobsters and light houses and rocky beaches.
Jenny
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