Friendlier

Splurging and savingWe discuss our general approach to purchases, three areas or items where we've splurged or saved, categories where we'd like to splurge or save more, and our splurge regrets. Links mentioned: Female altar form sculpture Swimsuit from Unique Vintage Jade yoga mat Life latelyAbby just got back from a weekend away with friends.Sarah gives an art shelf update, which she first talked about in our state of our home disorganization episode. The one she bought is no longer available, but it is similar to this one.Reading latelyAbby read the YA fantasy novel Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and Sarah listened to Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell.Eating latelySarah enjoyed corn and green chili enchiladas from the Dinner Illustrated cookbook.In an unexpected twist, Abby is recommending a vegan cheese dip. To make, toss the following in the blender: 2 cups raw cashews 3/4 Cup Oat Milk (her friend uses Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend) 2 tbsp olive oil 1/4 Cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 1/4 cup nutritional yeast 1 1/2 tsp sea salt 4 cloves garlic If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Life latelySarah’s family is recovering from illness.Abby is enjoying her newly-installed ceiling fan.Reading latelySarah loved listening to Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue and Abby was thrilled to read the third installment Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters trilogy–Act Your Age, Eve Brown.Connecting with our partnersWe share how we like to connect with our spouses, what forms of connection don’t work for us, and connection aspirations. Links we mentioned: Splendor Azul Boggle with Friends Eating latelyAbby has perfected her spaghetti making process and Sarah is eating a lot of Trader Joe’s spring rolls.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our camping livesWe discuss camping in our youth (including one memorable backpacking trip together in college), what we love about camping, what we could do without, and our favorites tips and resources. Links mentioned: Kelsey's camping packing list Kitchen chuck box Abby's family's tent, cooler, techni ice, and sleeping mats Life latelyAbby is trying a new skincare routine, inspired by Sherry of Young House Love.Sarah played the piano every day in March as part of Ali Edward's One Little Word class.Reading latelyAbby read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson and Sarah read Three Women by Lisa Taddeo.Eating latelySarah made an Instant Pot Oreo cheesecake and Abby's family is enjoying kale from their garden.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Now that we are a few months into the new year we wanted to check-in with each other to find out what has and hasn’t been working in our lives. Links we mentioned: Yoga With Adriene 30 Day Challenge The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Linda Yan Glaser The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell Life latelySarah got a new bike (after leaving hers in a park last summer–whoops).Abby’s hens have started laying eggs!Reading latelySarah read The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon–an enemies to lovers romance with a podcast premise.Abby loved the latest sci-fi novel from N.K. Jemisin, The City We Became.Eating latelyAbby found an easy blueberry muffin recipe and Sarah tried the TikTok pasta.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Things we hate, media editionWe spend a portion of every show talking about what we love in the books we read, but what about what we hate? We share our dislikes in books, favorite and least favorite romance tropes, books and shows other people loved but we couldn't get into, and what we don't enjoy in movies we watch. Links mentioned: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Gold by Chris Cleeve Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid The War That Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London The Power by Naomi Alderman Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (and the newest book in the series Court of Silver Flames just came out in February) The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Gilmore Girls Fleabag Arrested Development Life latelyAbby ticked a box on her pandemic bingo card: rearranging her house.Sarah created new shelves on Goodreads for her family's read-alouds and Friendlier reads (including specific shelves for books recommended by her and Abby).Reading latelyAbby read the YA fantasy novel Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko and Sarah read KJ Dell'Antonia's novel The Chicken Sisters.Eating latelySarah made a new kitchen purchase and Abby had a failed grain bowl experience.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A week of breakfasts and lunchesWe love to talk about food and share another installment of a week of meals, this time focused on our breakfasts and lunches. We were originally inspired by The Mom Hour's episode of a week of dinners, and have previously recorded our own week of dinners and a week of snacks. Links we mentioned: Coconut Baobab granola Spicy cashew butter dressing Biscuit breakfast casserole Life latelyNeil finished building the kids' Christmas present: a new playset!Abby is doing a deep dive into camping gear in preparation for an upcoming trip.Reading latelySarah read the crime thriller Take It Back by Kia Abdullah.Abby read Ink and Bone, the first of the Great Library series by Rachel Caine.Eating latelyWe both share cookie recipes from Sally's Baking Addiction: soft molasses cookies for Abby and caramel stuffed Nutella cookies for Sarah.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Talking to kids about tough stuffInspired by a listener question, we discuss how we talk to our kids about tough stuff--politics, current events, race, gender, sex, cancer, and death. Inspired by a listener question, we discuss how we talk to our kids about tough stuff--politics, current events, race, gender, sex, cancer, and death. Links we mentioned + books our families love that we didn't list in the show: Conscious Kid Black Lives Matter book list with links to read-alouds of each book curated by Phoebe Defino Own Voices in children's literature Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, Ann Hazzard, and Jennifer Zivoin Ruby Bridges Goes to School by Ruby Bridges The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi Clubhouse Mysteries by Sharon Draper I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higgenbotham The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, and Harlem's Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and R. Gregory Christie We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade It Feels Good to Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn Who Are You? A Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pressen-Whedbee What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg It's Not the Stork by Robie Harris Amazing You: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts by Gail Saltz From Diapers to Dating: A Parent's Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children From Infancy to Middle School by Debra Haffner Girls and Sex and Boys and Sex, both by Peggy Ornstein Article about parents having sex during the pandemic Our Whole Lives: Lifespan Sexuality Education Visible Child Facebook group Dr. Becky at Home Seed and Sew Janet Lansbury Other books: When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb and Merrilee Liddiard The Rough Patch by Brian Lies The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld Life latelyAbby's family added kittens to their family!Sarah's family is hoping these are the perfect sleds (and that it snows more this year!).Reading latelyAbby read the Charm of Magpies fantasy series byKJ Charles and Sarah listened to the YA novel-in-verse Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo.Eating latelySarah is becoming a Trader Joe's convert, especially their hot and sweet pickled jalapenos.Abby found a spinach dal her whole family loves.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Entertaining ourselves and our people at homeWe've had a lot of time at home, and more to come this spring. We share how we've keeping ourselves and our families entertained, the best and worst of our time at home, and our entertainment aspirations as we look ahead. Links we mentioned: Aaron's Thinking Putty Boggle Quixx Azul Splendor Carcassone Drawful Codenames Temeraire books by Naomi Novik Schitt's Creek Wandavision Bridgerton The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall The Vanderbeekers of 141st by Karina Yan Glaser Life latelySarah and Neil are having weekly meetings to check-in with each other about parenting.Abby and her family said good-bye to their beloved cat, Zeda.Reading latelySarah read Kate Elizabeth Russell's intense novel, My Dark Vanessa.On the lighter side, Abby read Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade.Eating latelyAbby has an easy Trader Joe's dinner to share and Sarah's family is trying take-out from new-to-them local restaurants.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mood boostersWhat better time to discuss mood boosters than the middle of a pandemic + the gray days of winter? We share our favorite mood boosting activities, products, and foods. Links we mentioned: SAD light cards: tarot, goddess, and animal Poshmark Life latelyAbby has been listening to The Bengsens.Sarah's kids have started finger-knitting, inspired by Hyacinth from the Vanderbeeker novels.Reading latelyAbby read Weather by Jenny Offill and Sarah finished This Place: 150 Years Retold, a graphic novel anthology.Eating latelySarah made chopped a whole lot of veggies for this roasted butternut squash and parsnip soup.Abby combined these two recipes to make creamed spinach and eggs.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The state of our home (dis)organizationWe discuss our home organization wins, challenges, and inspiration. We may not have many tips to offer, but there's plenty of commiseration to go around. Links we mentioned: Abby's tool organizer Art cabinet Sarah hopes will solve her family's craft area problems Young House Love Clutterbug podcast Life latelySarah is facing down the gray days of winter.Abby is loving Bridgerton.Reading latelySarah fell hard for the young adult novel You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson.Abby read Yaa Gyasi's new novel, Transcendent Kingdom.Eating latelyAbby is eating lemon cookies to brighten up the winter days while Sarah is cozying up with corn chowder.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New year's intentions, 2021We reflect on the year that was, set intentions for 2021, and share some of our favorites from 2020. Links we mentioned: Last year's intentions episode and our mid-year check-in Schitt's Creek The Good Place Merge Dragons Life latelyAbby's building a chicken coop.Sarah has abandoned one holiday tradition and remembered how much she loves another.Reading latelyAbby listened to The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue and Sarah read the Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.Eating latelySarah made an alfredo sauce that didn't break apart and Abby enjoyed Budget Bytes' Dal Nirvana.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We take a look back at our reading life in 2020: our challenges, our wins, and of course, our favorite books. Highlights from the year:Fiction: The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay, Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, and Nothing to See Here by Kevin WilsonNon-fiction: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Boys and Sex by Peggy Orenstein, and Motherwit: An Alabama Midwife’s Story by Onnie Lee Logan as told to Katherine ClarkMost enjoyable: Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas on audio, One to Watch by Kate London-Stayman, and Bringing Down the Duke and A Rogue of One’s Own, both by Evie DunmoreMemoir: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, and Sitting Pretty by Rebecca TaussigAudio: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, and Sitting Pretty by Rebecca TaussigRead aloud: The Wild Robot and Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown, The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, The Vanderbeekers of 141st St by Karina Glaser, The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen CushmanLooking forward to: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston and Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia HibbertLife latelySarah shares a story of E’s glasses lost, then found.Abby is in a Christmas crafting mood.Reading latelySarah read Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford, which she found through the New York Times Best Books of 2020.Abby loved escaping into the alternate reality of Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld. Here’s the article that compares the book to reality.Eating latelyAbby added corn pudding to her family’s Thanksgiving, but it was not a success.Sarah is devouring spinach and artichoke dip as fast as she can make it.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Celebrating 100 episodes + listen q&aWe reflect on the last four years of making the podcast, then answer listener questions. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions! We cover everything from how we knew our families were complete to whether we have a personal theme song. Listeners, we are so grateful to have you with us on this podcasting journey. Here's to the next hundred episodes! Graceful quitting Hard times Beauty and style What a Day Home Cooking Pod Save America Journey to Midwifery Harry Potter and the Sacred Text Hot and Bothered Let the River Run by Carly Simon Life latelyAbby gives a chick update.Sarah's family has started having weekly family meetings.Reading latelyAbby is listening to (and loving) Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Wisdom of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, while Sarah finished Unfollow: A Journey From Hatred to Hope by Megan Phelps-Roper.Eating latelySarah made Swedish meatballs for the first time and Abby made Apple Dapple Cake (recipe below).3 c. chopped apples, set aside Combine:    1 1/2 sticks melted butter  1/2 c. apple sauce 4 eggs 1 1/2 c. sugar  Then stir together dry ingredients: 3 c. flour (unbleached) 1 tsp salt 1 tsp soda 1/2 tsp cinnamon Add dry to wet ingredients. Stir in apples. Bake in bundt or tube pan for 45-60 ish minutes at 350. During the last few minutes of baking, combine 1/2 c. brown sugar with 1/4 c. butter and 2 T. milk in saucepan. Bring to boil. Cook 2 minutes.As soon as cake comes out of oven, poke holes in top and then pour topping over. Let cool in pan before inverting.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The holidays are fast approaching. We share our plans for the season, including activities, food, gifts, how we plan to stay connected to loved ones, and what we are doing to take care of ourselves. Links we mentioned: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren Winter Street series by Elin Hilderbrand Decolonizing Thanksgiving Blueland holiday soap scents Life latelySarah continued her gamble of painting rooms without getting samples and Abby shares a Craigslist victory.Reading latelyWe both read memoirs this week: Sarah finished Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Witaker and Abby listened to Sitting Pretty: The View From My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig.Eating latelyAbby continues her quest for homemade Indian food with chana saag (substituting chickpeas for the paneer).Sarah learned to make water kefir from a neighbor.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How we've changedWe each share three ways we've changed since adolescence, one way we've stayed the same, and an area we'd like to change going forward.Life latelyAbby's chicks have arrived!Sarah is dreaming about 2021 and bought a new planner (which she heard about from Sarah Hart Unger). Austin Channing Brown perfectly captured the essence of this purchase in her Instagram post last year.Reading latelyAbby listened to Kevin Wilson's Nothing to See Here and Sarah delighted in reading One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London.Eating latelySarah's enjoying tiny cans of soda and Abby attempted to recreate her favorite vegetable korma using this recipe.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.