Friendlier

How we're doing in the time of COVID-19We wanted to check in with each other and listeners to see how everyone is doing two weeks into being at home. We talk about our mental state, how we're coping, and resources for kids that we've found useful. Links we mentioned in this episode: Gourmet Makes Schitt's Creek Audio books through Libby and Hoopla The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown Storytime Durham Wonderlab Science Museum Sparkle Stories Art/Lab at Home with Ms. Kady We are thinking of you all and hoping you are staying safe and well in this uncertain time.Reading latelySarah read (and loved) The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay and Abby finished the second book of a young adult series, The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord.Eating latelyAbby stocked up on her favorite granola and Sarah made this chocolate banana bread.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 quick note: We recorded this at the beginning of the month, before all of our lives were upended by COVID-19. We will be recording a bonus episode (out next Tuesday) about how we are coping. May you all stay safe and healthy in this uncertain time. -S&APrioritizing readingWe discuss when we find time to read, why we have read more after having kids than before, what gets us out of a reading slump, and our favorite places to find reading inspiration and recommendations. Instagram follows with good book recs: @katejbaer @catherinenewman, and @v_solesmith Newsletters from Molly Westerman and Feminist Midwife Modern Mrs Darcy Hot and Bothered podcast Life latelyAbby and Sarah share a birthday surprise Neil planned.Reading latelyAbby read Motherwit: An Alabama Midwife's Story by Onnie Lee Logan and Sarah was inspired by Being Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst by Kim John Payne.Eating latelySarah made a chocolate cheesecake (but substituting this crust) in the Instant Pot using this pan.Abby is making a bold claim: this pasta bake is the most delicious thing she has ever made at home.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 describe our current spaces, share our home related dreams (both the realistic and the not), and what makes us love the space we’re in. Here are the links we mentioned in the episode: Prisms Big Dreams Small Spaces Life latelySarah is trying to invite people over more often and take the advice of this article on not worrying so much about the cleaning.Abby went from being a no-playdough home to a playdough-loving home. Here’s the recipe Sarah’s family uses for the homemade version: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 tsp cream of tarter 1 cup water 2-3 drops of food coloring 1 Tbsp vegetable oil Combine dry ingredients in a skillet, add wet ingredients, then cook on medium heat, stirring continuously until playdough begins to pull away from the pan. Remove from the pan and knead dough it’s evenly combined. Store in an airtight container and enjoy!Reading latelySarah read The Duchess War, which is the first in the Brothers Sinister Series by Courtney Milan. Abby read Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest novel, City of Girls.Eating latelyAbby’s dad made gumbo on a recent visit and Sarah made tried her hand at aloo gobi.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.

Marriage--what's working (and what's not)We've both recently passed the decade mark of marriage, and thought it would be fitting to share what's been working, what hasn't, and the relationship advice we hate.Life latelyAbby's family purchased a new vehicle (and is soliciting gold-inspired names!).Sarah is reveling in her newly arranged living room.Reading latelyAbby read both Shrill and The Witches are Coming by Lindy West and Sarah listened to The Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.Eating latelySarah made spinach and artichoke dip as part of an appetizer themed Christmas dinner.Abby made a quick dinner courtesy of Trader Joe's.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.

Today, we talk snacking preferences and then detail a week in the life of our snacks. And if you are in need of a sweet snack, we both recommend this recipe for chocolate chip cookies–easy and delicious!Life latelySarah is tracking all of the things with Habit Bull.Abby offers her commentary on Meghan and Harry. For more along these lines, check out this BuzzFeed article contrasting media coverage of Meghan and Kate, this Medium piece, and this tweet.Reading latelySarah read her second graphic memoir: The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui and Abby listened to the Half-Life of Marie Curie by Lauren Gunderson.Eating latelyAbby made a lemon blueberry loaf and Sarah had chili with all the toppings.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.

We share what kind of sick people we are, our preferred supplies to get us through, and our most memorable bouts with illness. May we all have a healthy 2020.Life latelyAbby gives a sleep training update and Sarah is happy to have (finally) fixed her Kitchen Aid mixer.Reading latelyAbby read The Which Way Tree by Elizabeth Crook and Sarah listened to Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger by Rebecca Traister.Eating latelySarah made "no-peek chicken," the perfect rainy day meal.Abby has found the sugar cookie equivalent of our favorite chocolate chip cookie. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We share what we like about childcare, how we find it, our past childcare situations, and what we see in our childcare future. We fully recognize that as two primarily at-home parents, our perspective is limited. We’d love to hear from listeners with different experiences to expand the conversation. What has worked for you when trying to find daycares, nannies, and/or babysitters? Share in the comments below or over on Instagram.Life latelySarah is doing Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge this year and loving it. She found both Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home and Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey through the challenge. If you want to chat books with us, join us in our Goodreads group!Abby is loving the Brandy version of Cinderella and welcomes recommendations of other non-scary, but engaging movies for preschoolers.Reading latelySarah finished Katherine McGee’s American Royals and Abby read Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb.Eating latelyAbby has a new twist to her chicken enchiladas: using salsa verde instead of the heavier sour cream sauce.Sarah has brought back an old favorite: skillet beans.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.

See you later, 2019! We are not sad to see you go. We reflect on the year that was, set intentions for 2020, and share some of our favorites from 2019. Here’s to a happier, healthier new year. Things we mentioned: Last year’s intentions episode (and our mid-year reflection) Dance Moms Merge Dragons Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Fleabag To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (and the sequel comes out in February!) Kindle Paperwhite Trader Joe’s Butter Toffee Pretzels Life latelySarah is loving the open-ended play opportunities her kids have with neighbors and classmates.Abby bought a house! Which may come as a surprise to listeners who have heard our previous episode on housing.Reading latelySarah has a new favorite for the year, How to Be a Family: The Year I Dragged My Kids Around the World to Find a New Way to Be Together by Dan Kois (co-host of the Mom and Dad Are Fighting podcast).Abby was in moving hell, which left no time for reading.Eating latelyAbby is loving a cozy hot toddy.Sarah recently learned how to cook salmon in her Instant Pot. So fast and easy!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.

We take a look back at our reading life in 2019: our challenges, our wins, and our favorite books. Highlights from the year:Fiction: Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, and Once Upon a River by Diane SetterfieldNon-fiction: Bad Blood by John Carreyou, The Eating Instinct by Virginia Sole-Smith, and The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox GurdonMost enjoyable: Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas and Court of Thorn and Roses series by Sarah MaasMemoir: All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung, Flat by Catherine Guthrie, and On Living by Kerry EganAudio: Becoming by Michelle Obama and the Flavia de Luce series by Alan BradleyLooking forward to: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica MorganLife latelySarah's entryway is getting a remodel.Abby is grateful for her buy nothing group, especially in the days leading up to her move.Reading latelyAbby read The Wedding Party, which is the third book in the series that started with The Wedding Date. (And we can't wait to read the next book: The Royal Holiday!)Sarah read Bruce Holsinger's novel, The Gifted School.Eating latelySarah made a classic chocolate pie for Thanksgiving.Abby claims to have found the easiest meal you can make in your oven.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.

Since our last episode about minimalism was nearly three years ago, we thought it was time for an update. We share what’s working (and what’s not) along with our minimalism goals and the challenges we face in making them a reality. Resources we mentioned: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo Minimalism podcasts, including Minimalist Moms, Cohesive Home, and Practical Minimalists Life latelySarah upgraded her cargo bike and now is cruising the town with electric assist.Abby shares a new way of styling her hair–the curly girl method.Reading latelySarah (and her whole book club) loved Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne.Abby read Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell, the sequel to one of our favorites, Carry On.Eating latelyAbby and her family enjoyed eggroll in a bowl.Sarah made lentil taco soup with all the toppings on recommendation from Kelsey.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.

Travel with kidsWe explore the ups and downs of life on the road, including what helps us get through long car rides and flights, travel horror stories, and what we love most about traveling as a family. Links we mentioned: Audiobooks, including Frindle by Andrew Clements Sparkle Stories, especially the Martin and Sylvia ones Hoopla Playaways from the library Life latelyWe share about our recent trip to Colorado for a friend's wedding, including an incredible surprise the groom had for his new wife.Reading latelyAbby read The Birth House by Ami McKay, which fed her desire to read about birth and midwifery.Sarah shares a book she read earlier in the year, Flat: Reclaiming My Body From Breast Cancer by Catherine Guthrie.Eating latelySarah loves snacking on Trader Joe's marcona truffle almonds.Abby recommends beergaritas as a great happy hour option.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.

In this episode, we share our many aspirations along with a few tips for how we best make our time work for us. Resources we mentioned: Off the Clock by Laura Vanderkam Screentime utility on the iPhone Google Keep Life latelySarah has been regularly climbing at her local rock climbing gym.Abby was happy to say goodbye to her family’s home-brewing equipment.Reading latelySarah read The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya and Abby enjoyed the middle-grade novel To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer.Eating latelySarah made a hearty cornbread from cornmeal milled at a local state park.Abby tried a new frittata recipe and loved the heartiness the potatoes add.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.

MovingIn honor of Abby's impending move, we explore how moves have gone for us in the past, what we love about them, what we hate, and a few tips we have for making the process as pleasant as possible.We both recommend This Is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick for anyone new to a community and wanting to feel more at home.Life latelyPlum is scooting around town on her balance bike.Sarah's family just returned from their fourth camping trip of the year.Reading latelyAbby flew through His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novak and can't wait to read the rest of the series. Sarah is loving Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield--a cozy, creepy read that's perfect for this time of year.Eating latelySarah had an "upscale" camping meal: campfire roasted potatoes with Maya Kaimal split peas on top.Abby enjoyed old fashioned friend chicken, courtesy of her mother-in-law.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 share how we care for ourselves in hard times, what others can do to best support us, and resources for helping those close to us when they are going through something tough. There Is No Good Card for This: What to Do and Say When Life Is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love by Kelsey Crowe and Emily McDowell Emily McDowell cards Option B by Adam Grant and Sheryl Sandberg Vanessa Zoltan’s thoughts on suffering in Harry Potter and the Sacred Text and Hot and Bothered On Living by Kerry Egan Life latelySarah is loving walking after school drop off.Abby has two television shows to share: Fleabag and The Zoo: San Diego.Reading latelySarah read Circe by Madeline Miller. Abby’s loving the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas.Eating latelyAbby used up her summer squash with a three cheese squash casserole.Sarah found a breakfast her kids will actually eat: bagels!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.

We explore the idea of body positivity, how it's changed the way we see ourselves and others, how it's shifted the way we think about food and exercise, and how it influences our parenting. We are both still learning and recognize that our thin and able-bodied privilege color our perspective. Below is a list of resources we've found helpful on this journey and we'd love for you to share more in the comments so we can all continue learning together. Instagram follows: Yrfatfriend Megan Jayne Crabbe Dani Adriana Kate J Baer Podcasts Food Psych, especially the interviews with Lindy West, Virginia Sole-Smith, and Ijeoma Oluo She's All Fat Books F*ck it Diet by Caroline Dooner Health at Every Size by Linda Bacon Hunger by Roxane Gay Shrill by Lindy West The Eating Instinct by Virginia Sole Smith (and her recent NY Times article When You're Told You're Too Fat to Get Pregnant) Life latelyAbby tried out grocery delivery, but is not yet convinced of its convenience.Sarah is vacuum sealing all of the blankets in her house.Reading latelyAbby read The Importance of Being Little: What Young Children Really Need from Grown-ups by Erika Christakis and Sarah tried another Kristin Hannah novel: The Great Alone.Eating latelySarah has been brewing kombucha and Abby's family is enjoying "adult lunchables" for an easy dinner. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.