Happy Friday! How was your week? Mine was a good one. Nothing wild or exciting happened, but it was one of those satisfying weeks where the rhythm of everyday life just felt good. We had our end of year field party for our co-op and found out every family is returning for next year. It’s such a testament to what the founders created and the special community we’ve formed. I’m so grateful to have found such a great fit for us.

This weekend Hailey has an end of season soccer tournament, but locally this time. Between games we look forward to enjoying some down time, perhaps some board games, some kayaking, and a family movie. But before we jump into the weekend, a few things I’ve been loving…

Boundaries. Perhaps Nedra Tawwab’s book will be my next listen on Audible because apparently I need constant reminders of their power. I truly believe we are in charge of our own peace and quieting the noise around us to discover what brings us peace (and what zaps it) then setting unapologetic boundaries around those thing is vital to our contentment.

For me, I listened to your advice and took the pressure off myself to show up on Instagram. Some days I have the energy for it and love sharing and connecting in that way (Wednesday for example). Other days I don’t have the capacity for it. So instead of a do it all the time or nothing approach, I’m going to give myself grace to show up when I want and disappear without explanation (because let’s be honest we are all too busy to notice if I’m on there or not) when I’m not feeling it. I’ll monitor how that does for a while and see if I need stronger action, but for now, it feels like a good fit.

If you see me less, I’m doing more.

Wildgrain Delivery Box. Wildgrain is a small business out of Boston, MA that is passionate about delivering slow fermented sourdough breads, fresh pastas, and artisanal pastries direct to your front door. The items arrive frozen and the best part… they cook from frozen! No thawing any of it.

The team sent me a box to try and while I’m deep into the world of learning more about sourdough and starting my own starter (that seems to be working for the first time ever), I’ve loved the convenience of having these wholesome breads with simple ingredients to bake up for dinner.

We have loved the Sesame Sourdough, the fresh tagliatelle pasta, and the chocolate croissants. I think this is a really unique offering and would make a great gift for a foodie friend that doesn’t have time to be kneading dough but loves fresh bread. You can use code AHEALTHYSLICE for $30 off your first box and free sourdough rolls in every delivery.

Cottage Cheese with Tomatoes and Basil. I’m having a moment with Good Culture’s cottage cheese. It’s an awesome source of protein, quick to grab, and easy to dress up. Lately I’ve been slicing tomatoes, ripping basil, and sprinkling on salt and pepper and it’s DElicious. I’m going to try the recommendation to drizzle pesto soon, and if you have another favorite savory cottage cheese suggestion, please send it my way. See all my go to sources for protein.

Word Connect. It’s a word game app that I downloaded for the girls yesterday and they are really enjoying it. The game gives you a set of letters and you have to make multiple words out of them. I downloaded it because if there is one area we slack in, it’s spelling. Yet the idea of a spelling curriculum sounds so dry to me, so we’ve mostly been sporadically using Fast Phonics. I’m open to suggestions if you have any fun ways to work on spelling, but in case you are looking for an easy, free (there are in-app purchases but you can avoid them) word game, check Word Connect out!

Growing things. One day I will have a multi-bed garden with trellises and and all the fun things. Until then, I have my countertop gardens and my plant porch and the JOY these things bring me is immeasurable. I eat fresh herbs every single day thanks to my original herb garden. I currently have rosemary, parsley, dill, cilantro, chives, and basil. And my newer click and grow garden (currently running a Mother’s Day sale!) is really starting to take off and I do like it’s super sleek design. I throw radish greens on every salad (love switching up my greens), the tomatoes are starting to bud and the girls can’t wait for those, and the oregano is really exploding.

As for my plant porch, I’m growing jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes, and cucumbers. Last year I lugged a watering can in and out of the house to water them, but this year David installed a hose for me right next to them and it’s been life changing. And they say romance is dead…

Spring weather and slower living. There is this trend I’ve seen emerging that I can only describe as the anti-hustle. While life feels pretty hustlish right now for us on the rental property front, AND the end of season/ simultaneously tryout for soccer front, I’m really embracing it in the areas that I can right now. Less phone has given me mental space for more reading (OK, listening to books- I’ll share them all next week), playing in the kitchen (sourdough and canning are my top interest right now), and enjoying the weather outside with the kids.

It’s the perfect temperature for porch reading and kayaking, and we’ve been doing both.

Today Finley is going to a doggie day camp as a trial for some training. She’s doing quite well overall with her commands but I really want to get her to the level of full voice control (walking in busy areas with out a leash, etc). The girls and I are going to spend the dog-free time kayaking to an island after Hailey’s Synthesis class (I’m working on a full post all about this amazing program to share soon).

David is in Tennessee but should be coming home today, so I’m looking forward to everyone relaxing together this evening and making homemade pizza. Feels like it’s been a while since we’ve enjoyed one of those nights.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by and checking in. <3