 I took what was supposed to be a brief holiday break, and then here in Ontario the health restrictions had the schools closed and everyone doing online learning- which means I hardly had time for anything else. James is 6 and Lila is 9, and (especially for James) they don’t do nearly as well on their own, they need someone sitting with them to help keep them on task and feeling like they aren’t alone. And really, considering how stressful everything has been, I really want to make sure my kids feel like I am here for them, always, no matter what.
There’s so much I can’t control, but I am trying really, really hard to make sure home feels safe and fun and loving for my kids. So- everything I would normally do went right out the window! Thank you so much for understanding.
My Favourite Articles This Week
A great read on the link between interiors and our mental health.
Looking for some new podcasts? This is a brilliant list, some of my longtime faves are on it.
A great list of things to declutter in the new year.
Some excellent habits to adopt (or keep if you are already doing them!) for longevity.
12 more ways to beat the winter blues.
My Favourite Links This Week
This creamy chicken and potato dinner is such an ideal winter meal, of you ask me. I love how easily it comes together- the dijon cream sauce is easier than it looks, and the ingredients are easily accessible. I think carrots would be a really nice addition to this, too! Find the recipe and all the details right here.
These Danish butter cookies take only 4 ingredients, and you can easily pipe them onto a baking sheet with the batter in an icing bag, using an icing tip for the swirls, or use a cookie press, if you have one. or, you could just spoon the batter onto a baking sheet and press down a bit with a glass! No rules, just extremely easy, delicious butter cookies. Find the recipe here.
If you feel like you could use a new winter hat, or maybe know someone who does, What about this classic cabled hat pattern from Purl Soho? Free and comes in a range of sizes, from baby to adult, and the cables are so fun- if it’s been a while since you’ve knitted cables, this hat might be just the thing. Check out the free pattern right over here.
Square pom poms! WIll wonders never cease. While I don’t know how I feel about a square pom pom on a hat per se, I bet it would look right at home on a Minecraft-themed hat. Or wouldn’t these be fun in a garland? Now I want to make one, just to see! Check out the full DIY here.
I adore this pretty crocheted AND embroidered pillow! It’s crocheted first and then embroidered in a really easy, anyone-can-do-it style that looks SO good! If you are feeling the itch to do a little refresh on your home decor, maybe this is the ticket!I love how it looks in black and white, but I bet would also look gorgeous in a terracotta colour with white embroidery on top. Check out the full instructions and pattern here.
Have a great weekend everyone! The weather is calling for some VERY chilly temperatures here in Toronto, so I’ll be trying to stay cozy at home as much as possible. Maybe with some hot chocolate, and cookies! I promised the kids we would make cookies this weekend. I hope that you have a cozy, happy weekend, and enjoy a treat or two.
xo Julie
I love listening to podcasts while I walk, and when I’m knitting something that requires me to look at the pattern. My favourite lately is the I-weigh podcast with Jameela Jamil. It covers a range of interesting topics, and always makes me laugh out loud! I’ve also listened to the History Chicks podcast for years. I really enjoy the combination of fact and humour the hosts use to tell the stories of interesting women.
Oooh those are great podcast recommendations, I will check those out! Thanks Barbara!
You were missed! Being retired, I have no idea how people have made it through the pandemic with jobs and kids. I admire you. Thank you for new podcasts. I still love This American Life.
THanks Di! It’s been a LOT, but today is the first day the schools are open again since the holiday break! I’ve had two hours of interrupted work time for the first time in weeks! Ha. THis American Life is such a good podcast, agreed!
I desperately needed that list of podcasts. Thank you! I’m really looking forward to reading that article about how decor influences mental health because that’s something that I’m super aware of in myself.
THanks Tanis! I always love finding new podcasts, too!
Parenting is the most important job in the world. I admire and thank you for your commitment. I’ve seen too many children struggling through this pandemic because their parents are too selfish to put their kids first. I know it’s not always possible, but now is the time to step up for their kids and each other.
I really feel for the families or parents that are in untenable situations, and through the mandatory online learning while the schools were closed (just opened back up today, hooray!) I saw so many kids in my children’s classes that were alone in their rooms for hour son end, staring at a screen, not sure what they were supposed ot be doing or having tech troubles or just simply too young to understand how to navigate the webpages and links for the the different teachers. It was heartbreaking.
Don’t apologize to us! Our leaders should be apologizing for not coming up with workable solutions for kids and parents, even this far into the pandemic. I hate that kids’ mental health and intellectual growth seems like an afterthought. I don’t claim know what the right solution is (and don’t have kids myself) but feel for all those who are navigating these challenges. Thanks for checking in and sharing with us.
Today is the first day back for kids to school (here in TOronto, that is!) since December! It’s definitely been a LOT. I often think about how the kids might remember this time later on, when they are adults, and I want so much for it to be a pretty good memory, not a time of trauma and high stress. Anything I can do to try to make it fun for them, and more like childhood should be, I am trying. Thank you so much for understanding. Already had 2 uninterrupted hours to myself to do some work and it’s been the most productive I’ve been in weeks!
You were missed but obviously family comes first! I just wanted to tell you I look forward to this post every week – thank you whenever you’re able to post it! It’s appreciated!
THank you so much Lauren, I really appreciate that!