this week no. 8

Happy weekend! Summer is almost ready to blow in here, the last stragglers of wildflowers bravely standing against the golden bleached hills, our swimsuits pulled out from the recesses of drawers, popsicles made and savoured in the sun, the rays so brightly golden it makes your eyes shut hard. A bit of salty sweat stings on your upper lip and makes you dream of the ocean. Here’s a little of what I’ve been enjoying this week.

Beauty // Soothe salve. I recently ran out of a homemade balm a friend had made me, and decided to order the soothe salve from a lady I am always inspired by on IG, @abskeefe, to replace it. I love it, I have since used it nightly on my gardening hands, rubbed into my nail beds, applied to my cheekbones and eyelids as a “highlighter”, and more. It is infused with lots of wonderful herbs, calendula, plantain, comfrey, and lavender and now lives on my bedside table (a high compliment). here.

Gua Sha. I have been doing this on my face for years as massage/way to bring circulation and an extra glow in. Recently I started using it daily at night and if needed in the morning on my jaw to relieve pressure/tension and it has worked wonders. I grind + clench my teeth at night (have worn a bite guard since I was 16!), and this helps a lot to release the stiffness and relax the muscles. here.

Baking // Walnut sourdough. I made two loaves of the Tartine Bread walnut sourdough last week and it’s one of my favorite loaves to date. Supremely satisfying, from the toasty flavor and hearty texture that the nuts add, with a strong sour tang. Maybe a weekend project as it takes plenty of time. here.

Sourdough spiced fruit buns. These have been a staple in our house ever since I made them a few months ago. The recipe comes from my friend Ellen via @a_childs_pace. She has a video in her “sourdough” highlight showing just how she makes it. I use 3 cups flour, 1 cup starter, 1 cup water, the zest of an orange, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon and ginger, 1/2 tsp allspice, and 1 cup of raisins. Mix together well and let rise overnight in a warm spot (I rise mine on top of the water heater). In the morning, I shape into 6-8 buns arranged into a circle/flower shape- 1 bun in the middle, the rest around it in a ring. Let rise a second time until very puffy and just barely springs back when poked gently, 2 hrs or more depending on your house temp. Bake in a preheated Dutch oven for 20 minutes at 240c/460f, remove lid, turn down heat to 220c/425f and continue to bake with lid off for 15 or so more minutes.

Garden // My roses are blooming! I’ve planted James Galway and Desdemona from David Austen, Eden from Jackson Perkins, and Pearly Gates that I picked up on sale at my local Ace. All bareroot, which at first glance look like dead sticks but are actually full of life waiting to burst forth once they get their roots in the soil. There’s something so delicious about planting, watching it grow, and seeing it bloom for the first time. Of watching that full cycle from dormancy to bloom. A birth of sorts.

Books //  I usually use the library but since quarantine have been buying more books (I order mine from Thrift Books, here’s a link for 15% off an order if you want to use it).  Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. I just started this book. It’s non fiction, and follows the sex lives of three women over nearly a decade. I love it so far, will report back when I’ve finished with final thoughts. Right before this I re-read Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne, which is such a good one.

A friend sent me a link to this e-magazine and I have been really enjoying reading the insightful articles. here.

Listen // Plein de bisous has been on repeat here, as well as this album.

I just finished this NYT podcast, 1619, where the history of slavery in America is discussed and delved into. here.

Kids // Our Yoga Pretzel cards have been getting a lot of use lately as we navigate this tricky time and have big feelings come up. Sometimes all you need is movement to diffuse the situation and help kids relax back into their body. Each card details a different yoga pose, breathing work, or small game and there are ones specifically to do alone, with a partner, or in a group. Other ways we work through feelings include talking it out, going outside, dancing, and sometimes simply just a cuddle can do wonders. Another favorite thing to do lately, is I send them out with their science notebooks. They have to sit for 5-15 minutes just sitting in one spot and observing what they see around them- pollinators, the way the wind is blowing a flower, a bird soaring high in the sky, a squirrel hiding an acorn…once they’ve done their observing, they journal it with words and illustration. Illustration only is perfect for young children who don’t write yet, or you can write down for them what they tell you. A good introduction into mindfulness.

Anything/one you’ve been loving or been inspired by lately that you’d like to share? Drop it down below so we can all check it out. Hope everyone is hanging in there. X