“I know”

I want to share a little something that someone told me years ago.

You’re chatting with someone. That person tells you something you already knew. Example…

Person to you: I was watching Breaking Bad, and it hit me that the guy who plays Walter is the dad from Malcolm in the Middle!

You: I know!

Instead of saying “I know!”, try saying “You’re right!” “I know” can seem a little… dismissive. But “you’re right” is more validating.

So example…

Person to you: I was watching Breaking Bad, and it hit me that the guy who plays Walter is the dad from Malcolm in the Middle!

You: You’re right! And I think he’s also the guy in Your Honor?

It’s not a big deal, but it’s stuck with me ever since I heard it said to me! It also makes me think of that improv and communication idea where, when someone says something you already know, you say “Yes, and…” and then you add something to the conversation.

Totally random, but do you remember when I was in Toastmasters for a year?

Books and movies

I’m lumping my book and movie suggestions together this week!

1. Trainwreck: The Mayor of Mayhem (Netflix) - What a story, what a character. If you’re from Toronto, I’d love to hear your take on Rob Ford! I’d never heard about him before this. Basically, he was a pretty controversial mayor at the time who was involved in some scandals, but then (it seems) he became a pretty beloved guy by the end? That’s how I saw it through the documentary anyway!

2. Harry Potter Deathly Hallows 1 & 2 (Max) - I’ve seen all the HP movies many many times but was really wanting to rewatch the last 2 for some reason. SIDE STORY: Back in 2011, Cameron and I were living in Washington DC. Our fav local theater did a Harry Potter marathon. The final movie was released Friday July 15, so on Monday-Thursday of that week, the theater played 2 movies per night. Monday night, from about 6-11pm, they played the first two HP movies with a short break between. And then Thursday night, Deathly Hallows Part 1 began at 9pm so that right at midnight, we could watch the brand new Deathly Hallows Part 2. We had VIP passes, costume contests, a special guest (ahem, Neville Longbottom), and it was SO MUCH FUN.

   

3. Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (Stephen King) - At Barnes and Noble, if you make a cafe purchase, you get a $5 book. The book changes each month. The one at my location (not sure if it’s every location) is this one! I am not finished with it, but it’s good so far. It’s a novella, at just 128 pages! And I’ve never seen The Shawshank Redemption, so I’ll watch the movie once I finish the book!

4. The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip (Sara Brunsvold) - This is Christian fiction, which I didn’t realize going into it. It’s a little cheesy, but it’s such a beautiful story. It was honestly a book I really needed to read right now, as I’m going through a few personal things. It was perfect timing. The main character Mrs Kip is at the very end of her life, and a local reporter Aidyn Kelley is tasked with writing her obituary. A fast friendship grows, and it’s just really lovely. As Mrs Kip says, “We should never underestimate the life-changing gift of friendship.”

Bea’s Birthday

She’s officially 1. Neat!

I asked the doctor at her 12 month checkup what she should be called now. What I mean is, I have always thought of ages 0-1 as baby (and 0-6 weeks as newborn), 2-3 years is toddler, 4-5 is preschooler, and so on. But he said that if she’s walking, she’s a toddler. But some 12 month olds are still babies if they’re not walking.

So we’ll go with toddler.

I made a little cake with daisies on it; unlike the others, she’d had a few bites of cake before her first birthday. But it was fun to light a candle and sing a song for her. Cam’s mom and grandma as well as my parents came bearing a few gifts for her. Among them, she got a couple pair of shoes, although she kicks them right off.

We ended up not doing a party, though I’m not sure why. As I mentioned above, I’m going through a little something, and the thought of having a bunch of people over and feeding them and all that just seemed like too much.

Anyway here’s a picture of the cake if you happened to miss it!

Wedding Lineups on TikTok

Have you seen this trend? I’m sure it’s on other socials too, but I keep seeing it on TikTok, and it’s cracking me up.

Basically, instead of the traditional wedding march song (the one where all the bridesmaids and all that walk down the aisle), people are offering up alternatives. Except that they are just ridiculous (like people would have to sprint, for example). Here are a few of my favorites!

1. This one’s actually pretty realistic! The song is from Pitch Perfect.

2. Here’s one to Soulja Boy haha

3. This is just spooky music

    

   Okay hold on let me see if I can find ANY of these on IG.

4. Here’s the Soulja Boy one!

Anyway, I hope you find those as silly as I do.

A Few More Things!

I had an allergist appointment last week (I’m fairly certain I’m allergic to sesame seeds, ugh - I didn’t realize a grownup could get a new allergy!!). My PCP put in an epipen Rx for me, so I have two of those (one at home, one in my purse). And then I was supposed to see the allergist this past Monday. Turns out, it would have been a lot of money out of pocket, so I ended up not staying. Sooo for the time being I’m just going to avoid anything with sesame, which means I’m probably not going to eat out at all for a long time. At home and at the grocery store, I read all the labels. Like just yesterday, I went to buy hot dog buns, and - BAM - sesame. Hamburger buns, I get it, but hot dog buns? Where’s the sesame?! Anyway, I’ll keep ya posted on that!!

I’ve made a few yummy things lately:

• Edible cookie dough - I’ve made this a bunch of times, but I did it slightly differently this week (the last step is what I did differently). Here’s how I do it:

  • 1 cup of flour, COOKED. I cook it at 350F for 7 minutes. Did you know you’re not supposed to eat raw flour? Yea I didn’t either until a few years ago. 😄 I don’t always avoid it, but if I’m planning to eat it by the spoonful, I cook the flour.

  • In a bowl, combine 4 tbsp soft butter with about ½-2/3 cup* (depends on how sweet you want it) of brown sugar.

  • Add a little vanilla extract as well as a splash of milk or cream, probably 2 tbsp if I had to guess.

  • Then add in some of the flour. It depends on how much sugar you used and what consistency you want! Mix that in and add more flour as needed.

  • NOW… you can just eat it like that, or add chocolate chips. What I’ve been adding is all of this: a spoonful of caramel sauce, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, toffee bits, and a big pinch of salt. It’s so good.

  • *My overseas folks… if you want me to convert this to grams, let me know!

• Chicken cordon bleu - This recipe is really delicious!!

• Vanilla pudding - I needed some pudding to make banana pudding for the kids! (I also made the nilla wafers, but they weren’t as good. If you’ve got a great vanilla wafers recipe, send it to me please!) This pudding recipe is really simple and has never failed me.

• Vegan stuffed sweet potatoes - We’ve made this a few times, and it’s awesome.

Another thing that I haven’t mentioned in a while is my virtual tip jar if you ever want to send me a little something! I don’t do Amazon anymore, so no affiliate links. It’s just one little thing I forgot that I could share!

Last but not least, if you’ve got anything you need from me, just reply to this. Recipe links, travel suggestions, parenting or marriage questions, prayer requests, newsletter feedback or suggestions, anything. I’m here. Big hug, hope you’re doing ok.

That’s it for this week!

I’ll see ya next week.

❤️ Bethany