Simple Things #2

Here are 5 magically mundane things I've noticed this week.

Hello, friend. I hope you’ve had a lovely week. We’ve been in a weather snap with the first part of the week being very cold and windy, and the second hot and humid. I’m not sure the weather knows what it wants these days, so we’ve been rotating between sweaters and shorts nonstop. It’s also been nice and quiet in town, which is unusual during spring break, so we’re enjoying being out and about more than we usually are this time of year.

I’m back with another ‘simple things’ note for you of all the little magically mundane things I’ve noticed or experienced this week. So without further ado, here are my five things…

1. I finally sat down and made time to watch The Whale. Ever since I saw Brendan Fraser’s standing ovation at the Venice film festival for the movie, I wanted to see it. Then, once he won the Oscar for best actor last week I knew I had to. People I’d spoken to were split— it seemed like they either loved it or hated it. I personally loved it. I think because I’m always coming from a writer’s point of view (my college degree is in screenwriting) I watch movies differently than everyone else. I remember one of the first film classes I ever took, the instructor said, “when you leave here today you will never be able to watch a film the same.” And it’s rung true. I loved the cadence of the text from The Whale, how the actors delivered the lines fast and punchy, and I thought Brendan’s acting was terrific. Have you seen the movie? If so, what did you think?

2. Before having a baby, I hardly ever got sick. But now, not sleeping very well and being exposed to all sorts of things, I feel like I’m getting sick every month. I woke up yesterday with the feeling of a cold coming on and immediately started taking Immune-Biotic from Earthley. I just put 20-30 drops into a small glass of orange juice and take it 2-3 times a day until I’m feeling better. I love all their tinctures and give Maverick the Sleepy Time remedy and Good Night lotion every night, too. It’s a great natural alternative to try for different ailments or illnesses.

3. One of my longtime favorite YouTubers is Carrie Rad. She moved to New Zealand about a year or so ago and started posting weekly vlogs of her slow living inspired life on their homestead there, and I look forward to every Sunday morning watching her video of the week and what life is looking like for her. She has such a calming energy, and it genuinely feels like you’re just having tea with a friend.

4. Speaking of tea, I’ve really dialed in my tea-making routine lately, and I actually now get so excited when I wake up each morning to make my cup of tea. I’ve been doing earl grey with local honey and some oat milk and gosh it tastes so good. I wasn’t really an avid tea drinker until I met my husband, who drinks tea like it’s water, and I just kind of fell into the routine. There’s something so meditative about waiting for the water to boil and standing in the kitchen stirring. I just love the simple ritual that’s become my morning cup of tea.

5. We have officially entered the world of night weaning over here. Our 17-month-old co-sleeps with us and while we absolutely love it, we’re feeling like it’s time for the milk drinking to end throughout the night and are also transitioning her to a floor bed next to our bed. She has a good stretch of like 3 hours when we first put her down to sleep, but the rest of the night is every two hours waking up wanting milk. We’re just not about crying it out at all, so, last night, we successfully got her to only drink water from a sippy cup when she would wake up and she did so well. We feel really proud of her, and it’s such a bittersweet feeling knowing that I might get to sleep in longer stretches soon, but also miss out on those middle-of-the-night wakings where we cuddle and feel so connected. Motherhood is such a trip.

And there you have it! I’d love to know what simple thing you’ve experienced this week that has brought you joy.