<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>parenting Archives - ON TAP FOR TODAY</title> <atom:link href="https://ontapfortoday.com/tag/parenting/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>http://ontapfortoday.com/tag/parenting/</link> <description>fun loving, inspired living</description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:46:06 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <image> <url>https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-ACS_1560-1-32x32.jpg</url> <title>parenting Archives - ON TAP FOR TODAY</title> <link>http://ontapfortoday.com/tag/parenting/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Moms Meet Virtual WOW Summit: Free + Starts Tomorrow (3/9 – 3/11)</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2021/03/08/moms-meet-virtual-wow-summit/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2021/03/08/moms-meet-virtual-wow-summit/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:40:47 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moms Meet]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[professional development]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virtual conference]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10852</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>This post was written in partnership with Moms Meet. As I shared earlier this year (is it already slash only March?), one of my goals for 2021 is to engage in more professional and personal development. One silver lining to the pandemic is that I’m finding more and more opportunities to learn online, and attend events virtually– ones I likely would not have been able to attend in person due to scheduling, travel or cost. Tomorrow’s Moms Meet Virtual WOW Summit is just one of those opportunities I’m excited to take advantage of… and I’d love to have you join me. Will I be attending from bed, taking notes in a notebook that matches my blanket? Quite possibly yes. The WOW Summit runs from March 9th – 11th, will be held entirely online *and* is free for all Moms Meet members… and (you guessed it), you can sign up for a free membership right before registering for the summit. The event (and Moms Meet, in general) is focused on raising happy and healthy families and is open to caretaker of all backgrounds, ages, and interests (moms, dads, grandparents, relatives and friends). There will be educational workshops, compelling keynotes, and opportunities to network with sponsoring brands and fellow attendees. In addition to a Community Track (open to all), there is also a Blogger and Influencer Track with sessions tailored to that community. You can find all the sessions and workshops for both tracks here. These are a few I’ve bookmarked for my own schedule: Parenting for Resilience in a Pandemic with Dr. Laura Markham Viral Video Content: Your Guide to TikTok, Reels, and More with Porsha Carr, Melissa Delgado, and Maria Wilson How to Build a Better Content Strategy with Search Engine Optimization with Nicky Omohundro This is Jeopardy: Composting Essentials with The Hippo Sak Team There are also sessions covering CBD and ancient remedies, search engine optimization, strategies for picky eaters, being a climate champion, and mastering Pinterest. You can attend one day or all three — and pick and choose as your own schedule allows. I’m thrilled to be able to fit in a number of sessions and networking opportunities while doing my best to manage hybrid learning and other responsibilities here. ***Here’s the link to register! Perhaps I’ll bump into you at the virtual happy hour? If so, what would you be drinking? (For me, it’s forever this seltzer.) Also On Tap for Today: Happy International Women’s Day! Organizing the old seed starting supplies (may have gone a bit overboard at the nursery last week…) What Happens When You Give Up Plastic — a quick read from Pocket</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2021/03/08/moms-meet-virtual-wow-summit/">Moms Meet Virtual WOW Summit: Free + Starts Tomorrow (3/9 – 3/11)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p><em>This post was written in partnership with Moms Meet.</em></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-768x1024.jpg" alt="Moms Meet Virtual WOW Summit 2021" class="wp-image-10853" srcset="https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-225x300.jpg 225w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-572x763.jpg 572w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-952x1269.jpg 952w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit-919x1225.jpg 919w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Moms-Meet-Virtual-WOW-Summit.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption>This is kind of what I want all current/future conference attendance to look like…</figcaption></figure></div> <p>As I shared earlier this year (is it <em>already slash only</em> March?), <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2021/01/23/that-new-years-day-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one of my goals for 2021 is to engage in more professional and personal development</a>. One silver lining to the pandemic is that I’m finding more and more opportunities to learn online, and attend events virtually– ones I likely would not have been able to attend in person due to scheduling, travel or cost. Tomorrow’s Moms Meet Virtual WOW Summit is just one of those opportunities I’m excited to take advantage of… and I’d love to have you join me. Will I be attending from bed, taking notes in a notebook that matches my blanket? Quite possibly yes.</p> <p>The <a href="https://wowevents.momsmeet.com/wow-summit-virtual/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WOW Summit runs from March 9th – 11th</a>, will be held entirely online *and* is free for all Moms Meet members… and (you guessed it), you can sign up for a free membership right before registering for the summit. The event (and Moms Meet, in general) is focused on raising happy and healthy families and is open to caretaker of all backgrounds, ages, and interests (moms, dads, grandparents, relatives and friends). There will be educational workshops, compelling keynotes, and opportunities to network with sponsoring brands and fellow attendees.</p> <p>In addition to a Community Track (open to all), there is also a Blogger and Influencer Track with sessions tailored to that community. <a href="https://wowevents.momsmeet.com/wow-summit-virtual/sessions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">You can find all the sessions and workshops for both tracks here</a>. These are a few I’ve bookmarked for my own schedule:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Parenting for Resilience in a Pandemic</strong> with <a href="https://wowevents.momsmeet.com/wow-summit-virtual/speakers/#laura"><strong>Dr. Laura Markham</strong></a></li><li><strong>Viral Video Content: Your Guide to TikTok, Reels, and More</strong> with Porsha Carr, Melissa Delgado, and Maria Wilson</li><li><strong>How to Build a Better Content Strategy with Search Engine Optimization</strong> with <a href="https://wowevents.momsmeet.com/wow-summit-virtual/speakers/#vasavi"><strong>Nicky Omohundro</strong></a></li><li><strong>This is Jeopardy: Composting Essentials</strong> with The Hippo Sak Team</li></ul> <p>There are also sessions covering CBD and ancient remedies, search engine optimization, strategies for picky eaters, being a climate champion, and mastering Pinterest. You can attend one day or all three — and pick and choose as your own schedule allows. I’m thrilled to be able to fit in a number of sessions and networking opportunities while doing my best to manage hybrid learning and other responsibilities here.</p> <p>***<a href="https://wowevents.momsmeet.com/wow-summit-virtual/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here’s the link to register!</a></p> <p><strong>Perhaps I’ll bump into you at the virtual happy hour? If so, what would you be drinking? (For me, it’s <a href="https://drinkspindrift.com/drinks/half-half-sparkling-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forever this seltzer</a>.)</strong></p> <p>Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong><a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-womens-day?gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5eCBhCBARIsAEhk4r7D5ThKgRii5Qff5Mq9qNF2R5uYnjAOGCZtJNWPt_FYV9ZOov4KDgIaAsIHEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Happy International Women’s Day!</a></strong></li><li>Organizing the old seed starting supplies (may have gone a bit overboard at the nursery last week…)</li><li><a href="https://getpocket.com/read/2670910238" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What Happens When You Give Up Plastic</a> — a quick read from Pocket</li></ul> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2021/03/08/moms-meet-virtual-wow-summit/">Moms Meet Virtual WOW Summit: Free + Starts Tomorrow (3/9 – 3/11)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2021/03/08/moms-meet-virtual-wow-summit/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10852</post-id> </item> <item> <title>How was your migration?</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/09/10/how-was-your-migration/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/09/10/how-was-your-migration/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2020 19:03:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cape Cod]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cape cod wildlife]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cape cod with kids]]></category> <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[pandemic parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10581</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Given the choice, I’d for sure choose ocean over lake, but with young kids, sometimes a day without waves is a good thing. A few summers ago, early in the season, I was setting up my beach chair and the 9,000 things one brings to the beach with two small children, when a duck family (I mean, I think they were a family, but I’m not a scientist… maybe they were friends… who knows) splashed down at the shore where Grace and Nicky were testing the water. Delighted at their arrival, Grace called out, “How was your migration?” She hadn’t seen the ducks in a year or so, and greeted them like old friends from the neighborhood. I think about this all the time. And not just because I’m amazed that I’m her mother and that she thinks to ask questions like this (but I really am– amazed, that is). We are always migrating through this life. Even in the quiet, colder seasons when it feels like we’re not accomplishing much, not growing much. And when we arrive some place warmer, or return home after the thaw, what could be better, more natural, than to reflect on the route we took to get there. We’ve spent the past few months on the Cape, going to the beach early in the day, before any sign of crowds appear– but mostly staying home. We’ve visited the ducks a few times, and they happily disobeyed social distancing protocol to check the beach bag for snacks. But it’s nearly time to wind down our summer and migrate into the next season — and, as ever, I’m not sure what is to come. School starts for Grace in less than a week (2 mornings a week in person, a 3rd morning every other week, and the remaining time remote). This will be our first real, big change since isolating due to covid-19 in early March. I’m not ready, but change comes regardless. Soon enough, we’ll be missing the ducks at the shoreline, and so much of the natural world around us will be preparing to rest. A new season, even — or maybe especially– as a pandemic rages, is the perfect time to look back on what came before and ask questions from a place of wonder and curiosity and gratitude. To take stock of what we loved. Who we loved. What we learned. The challenges we’ve endured. The silver linings, too. We get to tuck all these parts away with us, like a little creature hoarding acorns, and savor them during the down time. And we get to bring them out, and share them with our friends, when we all come out to test the water in the future. The sharing is what makes these things — and most things — worth holding onto. I’ve never flown south (I mean– I’ve taken a plane, but… not the same), or made even a slightly similar journey, and can’t imagine how hard and how dangerous and how scary that might be. And so it is with our own lives. We don’t make it out of here totally unscathed. But we travel together (even when we’re apart), and we help each other. We are always migrating through this life. And even if it doesn’t feel like it, we have to trust that we are still growing, still taking all the right paths. That’s how we make it home. Also On Tap for Today (*that autocorrected to toady and I was so tempted to keep it): I loved this article from Rachel Wilkerson Miller on Vice: If You’re Already Dreading Winter, Here Are Some Small Ways to Prepare Now An important read from POLITICO: A tale of 2 recessions A foggy morning swim with the babes How’s your migration?</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/09/10/how-was-your-migration/">How was your migration?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Given the choice, I’d for sure choose ocean over lake, but with young kids, sometimes a day without waves is a good thing. A few summers ago, early in the season, I was setting up my beach chair and <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/07/30/what-we-bring-to-the-beach-cape-cod-with-kids/">the 9,000 things one brings to the beach with two small children</a>, when a duck family <em>(I mean, I think they were a family, but I’m not a scientist… maybe they were friends… who knows)</em> splashed down at the shore where Grace and Nicky were testing the water. Delighted at their arrival, Grace called out, “How was your migration?” She hadn’t seen the ducks in a year or so, and greeted them like old friends from the neighborhood.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="774" height="1024" src="https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3C08916077C1-1-774x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-10694" srcset="https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3C08916077C1-1-774x1024.jpeg 774w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3C08916077C1-1-227x300.jpeg 227w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3C08916077C1-1-768x1016.jpeg 768w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3C08916077C1-1-572x756.jpeg 572w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3C08916077C1-1.jpeg 828w" sizes="(max-width: 774px) 100vw, 774px" /></figure> <p>I think about this all the time. And not just because I’m amazed that I’m her mother and that she thinks to ask questions like this (but I really am– amazed, that is). </p> <p>We are always migrating through this life. </p> <p>Even in the quiet, colder seasons when it feels like we’re not accomplishing much, not growing much. And when we arrive some place warmer, or return home after the thaw, what could be better, more natural, than to reflect on the route we took to get there.</p> <p>We’ve spent the past few months on the Cape, going to the beach early in the day, before any sign of crowds appear– but mostly staying home. We’ve visited the ducks a few times, and they happily disobeyed social distancing protocol to check the beach bag for snacks. But it’s nearly time to wind down our summer and migrate into the next season — and, as ever, I’m not sure what is to come. School starts for Grace in less than a week (2 mornings a week in person, a 3rd morning every other week, and the remaining time remote). This will be our first real, big change since isolating due to covid-19 in early March. </p> <p>I’m not ready, but change comes regardless. </p> <p>Soon enough, we’ll be missing the ducks at the shoreline, and so much of the natural world around us will be preparing to rest. A new season, even — or maybe especially– as a pandemic rages, is the perfect time to look back on what came before and ask questions from a place of wonder and curiosity and gratitude. To take stock of what we loved. Who we loved. What we learned. The challenges we’ve endured. The silver linings, too. We get to tuck all these parts away with us, like a little creature hoarding acorns, and savor them during the down time. </p> <p>And we get to bring them out, and share them with our friends, when we all come out to test the water in the future. The sharing is what makes these things — and most things — worth holding onto.</p> <p>I’ve never flown south (I mean– I’ve taken a plane, but… not the same), or made even a slightly similar journey, and can’t imagine how hard and how dangerous and how scary that might be. And so it is with our own lives. We don’t make it out of here totally unscathed. But we travel together (even when we’re apart), and we help each other. </p> <p>We are always migrating through this life. And even if it doesn’t feel like it, we have to trust that we are still growing, still taking all the right paths. That’s how we make it home.</p> <p>Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong> <em>(*that autocorrected to toady and I was so tempted to keep it)</em>:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>I loved this article from Rachel Wilkerson Miller on Vice:<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/4aym4q/small-ways-to-prepare-home-for-winter-pandemic?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> If You’re Already Dreading Winter, Here Are Some Small Ways to Prepare Now</a></li><li>An important read from POLITICO: <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/07/income-inequality-wealth-gap-409234">A tale of 2 recessions</a></li><li>A foggy morning swim with the babes</li></ul> <p><strong>How’s your migration?</strong></p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/09/10/how-was-your-migration/">How was your migration?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/09/10/how-was-your-migration/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10581</post-id> </item> <item> <title>36 days of feelings</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/04/17/36-days-of-feelings/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/04/17/36-days-of-feelings/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2020 18:28:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[covid-19]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gratitude]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grief]]></category> <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[social distancing]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10602</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>We’ve reached 36 days of isolating due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. And 36 days of feelings — all of them. I’m home, safe + sound with our family — and, as always, I have so much for which to be grateful. We are rounding out our fifth week of school closures, working from home, home learning, homemade cloth masks, social distancing, video chats, and closely monitoring a dwindling supply of toilet paper. I miss our extended family. I miss our friends. We all miss the kids’ teachers + classmates. We miss our routines. And because of what can only be described as sh-t timing, we miss our dog. Grief is such a tricky thing. Especially when it’s so nonspecific. I’ve never had to grieve a way of life before, never mourned something so commonplace as taking the kids to swimming lessons or taking my time at the grocery store. Grief is tricky because it rarely shows up alone. Grief brings along all those past hurts and losses living below the surface. The people we miss. The relationships that fractured. The places we don’t go anymore. The things we wish we had done differently. Grief shows up with so much in tow, and leaves it all over the front lawn. I spent the first two weeks of isolation with a literal hurt hovering over my heart. When I finally got up the nerve to call my doctor, and I described the pain– she was like, You’re not having a heart attack. That’s grief + anxiety, ya ding dong. (She said it in a more compassionate, more medical way.) I wasn’t exactly surprised, but I needed to hear it from her. And I needed the reassurance that it was okay and good and important to ask for help. Maybe you need that gentle reminder too? The flip side of all this is (and always will be) gratitude. I can call my doctor and get the help and support I need. We have work. We are safe at home. We have enough. We have plants growing, a cardboard playhouse complete with battery-powered twinkle lights, a daily weather chart, and various other experiments brewing. I get to watch my children be wild and fresh and silly in the yard… and on their weekly classroom calls (I wish there were a way — maybe there is?– to record these things). We have teachers who love and miss our children, and who are working tirelessly to make home learning accessible and manageable. We have ways to be in meaningful touch with our family and friends. We have an unprecedented amount of time together– time for walks and meals and rollerblading in the basement. With nowhere to go, we no longer rush through our mornings. We don’t really rush at all these days. And the slowing down, the being quiet– this means we get to feel it all so much more deeply than we did before. The grief and the gratitude. The fear and the hope. I hope you’re feeling ok today. I hope you’re safe, and I hope you know I’m thinking of you all. You are loved + appreciated. Also On Tap for Today: If you need some levity, I’m posting daily jokes on Instagram stories (saved to the aptly named Jokes highlight on my profile) — they’re kind of terrible, but hey… Listening to past episodes of Poetry Unbound (the poetry podcast from On Being studios) — episodes are short, timely, and moving and the kids’ meditations with Grace + Nicky on the Simple Habit app Picking up a curbside order of pansies from Cape Abilities Farm What are you listening to or reading these days?</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/04/17/36-days-of-feelings/">36 days of feelings</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>We’ve reached 36 days of isolating due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. And 36 days of feelings — all of them. I’m home, safe + sound with our family — and, as always, I have so much for which to be grateful. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1242" height="1542" src="https://i1.wp.com/ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266.jpg?fit=825%2C1024" alt="" class="wp-image-10603" srcset="https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266.jpg 1242w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266-242x300.jpg 242w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266-825x1024.jpg 825w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266-768x954.jpg 768w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266-1237x1536.jpg 1237w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266-572x710.jpg 572w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266-952x1182.jpg 952w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_8266-919x1141.jpg 919w" sizes="(max-width: 1242px) 100vw, 1242px" /></figure> <p>We are rounding out our fifth week of school closures, working from home, home learning, homemade cloth masks, social distancing, video chats, and closely monitoring a dwindling supply of toilet paper. I miss our extended family. I miss our friends. We all miss the kids’ teachers + classmates. We miss our routines. And because of what can only be described as sh-t timing, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9hHZAyghCA/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">we miss our dog</a>.</p> <p>Grief is such a tricky thing. Especially when it’s so nonspecific. I’ve never had to grieve a way of life before, never mourned something so commonplace as taking the kids to swimming lessons or taking my time at the grocery store. Grief is tricky because it rarely shows up alone. Grief brings along all those past hurts and losses living below the surface. The people we miss. The relationships that fractured. The places we don’t go anymore. The things we wish we had done differently. Grief shows up with so much in tow, and leaves it all over the front lawn.</p> <p>I spent the first two weeks of isolation with a literal hurt hovering over my heart. When I finally got up the nerve to call my doctor, and I described the pain– she was like, <em>You’re not having a heart attack. That’s grief + anxiety, ya ding dong.</em> (She said it in a more compassionate, more medical way.) I wasn’t exactly surprised, but I needed to hear it from her. And I needed the reassurance that it was okay and good and important to ask for help. Maybe you need that gentle reminder too?</p> <p>The flip side of all this is (and always will be) gratitude. </p> <p>I can call my doctor and get the help and support I need. We have work. We are safe at home. We have enough. We have plants growing, a cardboard playhouse complete with battery-powered twinkle lights, a daily weather chart, and various other experiments brewing. I get to watch my children be wild and fresh and silly in the yard… and on their weekly classroom calls (I wish there were a way — maybe there is?– to record these things). We have teachers who love and miss our children, and who are working tirelessly to make home learning accessible and manageable. We have ways to be in meaningful touch with our family and friends. We have an unprecedented amount of time together– time for walks and meals and rollerblading in the basement. With nowhere to go, we no longer rush through our mornings.</p> <p>We don’t really rush <em>at all </em>these days. And the slowing down, the being quiet– this means we get to feel it all so much more deeply than we did before. The grief and the gratitude. The fear and the hope. </p> <p>I hope you’re feeling ok today. I hope you’re safe, and I hope you know I’m thinking of you all. You are loved + appreciated.</p> <p>Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>If you need some levity, I’m posting <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://instagram.com/elizabethev" target="_blank">daily jokes on Instagram stories</a> (saved to the aptly named Jokes highlight on my profile) — they’re kind of terrible, but hey… </li><li>Listening to past episodes of <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://onbeing.org/series/poetry-unbound/" target="_blank">Poetry Unbound (the poetry podcast from On Being studios)</a> — episodes are short, timely, and moving and the kids’ meditations with Grace + Nicky on the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.simplehabit.com/" target="_blank">Simple Habit app</a></li><li>Picking up a curbside order of pansies from <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.capeabilitiesfarm.com/s/shop" target="_blank">Cape Abilities Farm</a></li></ul> <p><strong>What are you listening to or reading these days?</strong></p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/04/17/36-days-of-feelings/">36 days of feelings</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/04/17/36-days-of-feelings/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10602</post-id> </item> <item> <title>What a time.</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/03/24/what-a-time/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/03/24/what-a-time/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2020 19:00:17 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[corona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[covid-19]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gardening]]></category> <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[social distancing]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10593</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>What a time we’re all having. Our sweet dog died shortly after I wrote that last post — there’s not much more to say about that, other than I miss him terribly. But also, maybe he knew that days later we’d be in the throes of a global pandemic and was like… Nope, not sticking around for that BS. So that’s where we are, in the throes of a global pandemic, with no furry weighted blanket following us around. Schools are closed. We are effectively sheltering in place + practicing extreme social distancing. Nick is working from home, and I am so grateful to have the flexibility to focus on caring for (and intermittently trying to educate) our children. Speaking of, they keep asking where babies come from. And they both cried this morning after one told the other their scooter was haunted. We have to laugh when we can. Even/especially in the mess. Oddly enough, we had been planning to be home for the last two weeks of the month, as Nicky was scheduled to have his adenoids + tonsils removed (’twas postponed). So I suppose one silver lining is that our cups of Jell-o runneth over. Or whatever. We are growing tiny plants in eggshells, watching zoo webcams (and, like, a lot of movies), baking, taking walks together, reading, and going to bed as early as humanly possible. We are home, we are healthy, and we are safe. And that’s more than enough. How are you + your loved ones doing? Please do let me know — you’re all on my mind. Also On Tap for Today: So much 4-7-8 breathing ( <– great video if you’re new to this awesome, relaxing practice) Heart advice for difficult times — beautiful words from Pema Chödrön Making a new playlist (heavy on Yo-Yo Ma, per Grace’s request)</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/03/24/what-a-time/">What a time.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>What a time we’re all having. </p> <p>Our sweet dog died shortly after I wrote <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/03/02/monday-catch-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="that last post (opens in a new tab)">that last post</a> — there’s not much more to say about that, other than I miss him terribly. But also, maybe he knew that days later we’d be in the throes of a global pandemic and was like… <em>Nope, not sticking around for that BS.</em></p> <p>So that’s where we are, in the throes of a global pandemic, with no furry weighted blanket following us around. Schools are closed. We are effectively sheltering in place + practicing extreme social distancing. Nick is working from home, and I am so grateful to have the flexibility to focus on caring for (and intermittently trying to educate) our children. Speaking of, they keep asking where babies come from. And they both cried this morning after one told the other their scooter was haunted. We have to laugh when we can. Even/especially in the mess.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://i2.wp.com/ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-scaled.jpg?fit=768%2C1024" alt="" class="wp-image-10594" srcset="https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-572x763.jpg 572w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-952x1269.jpg 952w, https://ontapfortoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/image-2-919x1225.jpg 919w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure> <p>Oddly enough, we had been planning to be home for the last two weeks of the month, as Nicky was scheduled to have his adenoids + tonsils removed (’twas postponed). So I suppose one silver lining is that our cups of Jell-o runneth over. <em>Or whatever. </em>We are growing tiny plants in eggshells, watching zoo webcams (and, like, <em>a lot</em> of movies), baking, taking walks together, reading, and going to bed as early as humanly possible. </p> <p>We are home, we are healthy, and we are safe. And that’s more than enough.</p> <p><strong>How are you + your loved ones doing? Please do let me know — you’re all on my mind.</strong></p> <p>Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="So much 4-7-8 breathing (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.drweil.com/videos-features/videos/breathing-exercises-4-7-8-breath/" target="_blank">So much 4-7-8 breathing</a> ( <– great video if you’re new to this awesome, relaxing practice)</li><li><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Heart advice for difficult times (opens in a new tab)" href="https://getpocket.com/explore/item/when-things-fall-apart-tibetan-buddhist-nun-and-teacher-pema-chdrn-on-transformation-through" target="_blank">Heart advice for difficult times</a> — beautiful words from Pema Chödrön</li><li>Making a new playlist (heavy on Yo-Yo Ma, per Grace’s request)</li></ul> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/03/24/what-a-time/">What a time.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2020/03/24/what-a-time/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10593</post-id> </item> <item> <title>The beak.</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/08/06/the-beak/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/08/06/the-beak/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:50:25 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[the beak]]></category> <category><![CDATA[toddlers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10282</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>You may have caught the tale of the beak on my Instagram stories last week (it’s saved to my highlights — it’s high quality investigative journalism… JK it’s not), but we had quite the eventful trip to the ER last week. We made it all the way to August 1st without an emergency (this time last summer, we were approximately 10 stitches–in the head– deep… and not far from a broken arm), so I guess that’s a good thing? Anyway, it all started with a trip to the beach, as most of our days do. My friend Beth was on the Cape for the week, and we made last minute plans for a beach day with our kids. The weather was a little iffy (much colder and windier at the beach), and we were about to pack up and move the playdate to our place when Nicky tripped and face planted directly onto one of Beth’s kids’ sand buckets (he hit it hard enough that it cracked). He got a bloody lip, but was soon running around with the girls, and acting like his usual self. But then his nose started bleeding a little (but just from the left nostril). And it didn’t stop. For several hours. It didn’t seem to bother him at all (though me cleaning him up and interrupting his fun did very much bother him), but once our friends left, I decided to call our pediatrician at home just in case. I thought maybe he had broken his nose (he had a little bruising on the bridge of his nose), but also worried that it had been bleeding (not a lot, but still) for a while. The nurse recommended I trust my judgement, but suggested we go to the ER rather than urgent care in case he had a wound that needed to be cauterized (I will never be able to un-Google image search that). I packed a bag with snacks and Pull-ups and water bottles and a phone charger (because I learned from the aforementioned broken arm ER visit… lots of waiting = lots of Paw Patrol) and off we went to Cape Cod Hospital. Nicky’s nose continued to bleed while we were in the waiting room, so I felt confident that I’d made the right decision to go. Once we were settled in a room, a nurse took Nicky’s vitals and began cleaning his nostril. She kept telling him that he was doing a great job, and that we’d likely be going home soon… UNTIL SHE SPOTTING SOMETHING STUCK WAY UP IN HIS NOSTRIL. Yes, my friends. He didn’t have a broken nose (actually, they never confirmed his nose status once the thing was spotted– so who knows), he had a toy lodged far up in his nostril. When he fell earlier in the day and hit his face, it pierced his nasal cavity, hence the bleeding. The nurse thought it might be part of the bucket he fell on, but I respectfully disagreed, both because the thing in there was orange (the bucket was green, as Beth confirmed with a photo by text)… and because (this is shameful) I’ve caught him sticking various things up his nose before. Mostly Cheerios. But a toy didn’t seem beyond the realm of possibility. Things escalated so quickly that I didn’t really have time to freak out (I did a tiny bit, but mostly not). So please don’t feel badly if you’re laughing. Like, I would prefer that. Children are nuts. They are true blessings. But they are nuts. The nurse told us that we’d likely be there for a while, and grabbed a coloring book for both kids (Grace was with us, and provided helpful commentary along the way….). But within minutes, we were being moved to a new room. One with more equipment… and a door, maybe so Nicky couldn’t escape? Or so the other patients would be shielded from the sounds of a toy being freed from a two-year-old’s nose? The ENT doctor literally ran in (his office is in a separate building, I later learned), ready to go. I’ll spare you the details, but the doctor said he’d have one, maybe two chances to get the thing (still no clue what it was at this point) out without sedating Nicky, and so it was important to keep him still and calm (LOL). The surgical tweezers didn’t do the trick, so he sent for forceps while I held a very un-calm Nicky (and I think I cried a little because it was traumatic… but Grace was just chilling with her coloring book). I need to make a note to look at a map of the human head, because I just remembered that the doctor wanted Nicky to stay upright so the thing didn’t travel “upwards.” I guess I sort of thought the nose was like a horseshoe, and that if something went in one nostril, it would come out the other. But that can’t be right. Anyway, the forceps got the job done. I was holding Nicky tightly to me, and saw out of the corner of my eye what looked like an old bloody tooth. And I almost fainted. But the doctor kept saying, “Look at this!” And I was kind of yelling, “I can’t look at that!” And then the nurse was sort of yelling, “What is that?!” And I was definitely gagging. And then the doctor said, “I think it’s a plastic beak. From a toy.” And then I was just yelling, “What the heck is that?! A beak?! I’ve never seen this beak! A beak?!” And Nicky was asking for a snack… acting like he wasn’t covered in blood, and that a doctor hadn’t just pulled a plastic beak from his nose, one that he himself had clearly jammed up there at some point. Grace very calmly noted that the beak looked “like an Easter beak. One from the little toy chicks we played with at Easter.” She’s usually […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/08/06/the-beak/">The beak.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">You may have caught the tale of the beak <a href="http://instagram.com/elizabethev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on my Instagram stories</a> last week (it’s saved to my highlights — it’s high quality investigative journalism… JK it’s not), but we had quite the eventful trip to the ER last week.</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_3450_zpsa8qawjz7.jpg" alt="the beak" width="709" height="1024" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">We made it all the way to August 1st without an emergency (this time last summer, we were approximately 10 stitches–in the head– deep… and not far from a broken arm), so I guess that’s a good thing? Anyway, it all started with a trip to the beach, as most of our days do.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">My friend Beth was on the Cape for the week, and we made last minute plans for a beach day with our kids. The weather was a little iffy (much colder and windier at the beach), and we were about to pack up and move the playdate to our place when Nicky tripped and face planted directly onto one of Beth’s kids’ sand buckets (he hit it hard enough that it cracked). He got a bloody lip, but was soon running around with the girls, and acting like his usual self. But then his nose started bleeding a little (but just from the left nostril). And it didn’t stop. For several hours.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">It didn’t seem to bother him at all (though me cleaning him up and interrupting his fun did <em>very</em> much bother him), but once our friends left, I decided to call our pediatrician at home just in case. I thought maybe he had broken his nose (he had a little bruising on the bridge of his nose), but also worried that it had been bleeding (not a lot, but still) for a while. The nurse recommended I trust my judgement, but suggested we go to the ER rather than urgent care in case he had a wound that needed to be cauterized (I will never be able to un-Google image search that). </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I packed a bag with snacks and Pull-ups and water bottles and a phone charger (because I learned from the aforementioned broken arm ER visit… lots of waiting = lots of Paw Patrol) and off we went to Cape Cod Hospital. Nicky’s nose continued to bleed while we were in the waiting room, so I felt confident that I’d made the right decision to go. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Once we were settled in a room, a nurse took Nicky’s vitals and began cleaning his nostril. She kept telling him that he was doing a great job, and that we’d likely be going home soon…</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">UNTIL SHE SPOTTING SOMETHING STUCK WAY UP IN HIS NOSTRIL.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Yes, my friends. He didn’t have a broken nose (actually, they never confirmed his nose status once the thing was spotted– so who knows), he had a toy lodged far up in his nostril. When he fell earlier in the day and hit his face, it pierced his nasal cavity, hence the bleeding. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The nurse thought it might be part of the bucket he fell on, but I respectfully disagreed, both because the thing in there was orange (the bucket was green, as Beth confirmed with a photo by text)… and because (this is shameful) I’ve caught him sticking various things up his nose before. Mostly Cheerios. But a toy didn’t seem beyond the realm of possibility.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Things escalated so quickly that I didn’t really have time to freak out (I did a tiny bit, but mostly not). So please don’t feel badly if you’re laughing. Like, I would prefer that. Children are nuts. They are true blessings. But they are nuts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The nurse told us that we’d likely be there for a while, and grabbed a coloring book for both kids (Grace was with us, and provided helpful commentary along the way….). But within minutes, we were being moved to a new room. One with more equipment… and a door, maybe so Nicky couldn’t escape? Or so the other patients would be shielded from the sounds of a toy being freed from a two-year-old’s nose? The ENT doctor literally <em>ran</em> in (his office is in a separate building, I later learned), ready to go. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I’ll spare you the details, but the doctor said he’d have one, maybe two chances to get the thing (still no clue what it was at this point) out without sedating Nicky, and so it was important to keep him still and calm (LOL). The surgical tweezers didn’t do the trick, so he sent for forceps while I held a very un-calm Nicky (and I think I cried a little because it was traumatic… but Grace was just chilling with her coloring book). </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I need to make a note to look at a map of the human head, because I just remembered that the doctor wanted Nicky to stay upright so the thing didn’t travel “upwards.” I guess I sort of thought the nose was like a horseshoe, and that if something went in one nostril, it would come out the other. But that can’t be right.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Anyway, the forceps got the job done. I was holding Nicky tightly to me, and saw out of the corner of my eye what looked like an old bloody tooth. And I almost fainted. But the doctor kept saying, “Look at this!” And I was kind of yelling, “I can’t look at that!” And then the nurse was sort of yelling, “What is that?!” And I was definitely gagging. And then the doctor said, “I think it’s a plastic beak. From a toy.” And then I was just yelling, “What the heck is that?! A beak?! I’ve never seen this beak! A beak?!”</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">And Nicky was asking for a snack… acting like he wasn’t covered in blood, and that a doctor hadn’t just pulled a plastic beak from his nose, one that he himself had clearly jammed up there at some point.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace very calmly noted that the beak looked “like an Easter beak. One from the little toy chicks we played with at Easter.” She’s usually right (about everything), so I didn’t discount her guess… but I also knew I put those chicks away with the other Easter decorations on, like, April 2nd. But…</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">DEAR LORD ALMIGHTY. THERE’S NO WAY FOR US MORTALS TO KNOW HOW LONG THAT THING WAS IN THERE.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">So it could have been in there since EASTER (I don’t think it could have been, but I’m also the person that just wrote a very public note to self about researching how the nose connects to the rest of the body). Why? Why do children do the things they do? And if he hadn’t fallen, who knows when we would have discovered it was in there. I just can’t even. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">By the time we got home and the kids were asleep, I just sort of sat at the kitchen table, in the dark, laughing. That’s what you do when crazy things happen, but then everyone is safe. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep (what, with the adrenaline and all), so I went down to the basement to dig up the Easter stuff and investigate Grace’s theory… and what do you know? </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">THE FIRST PRETEND CHICK I PULLED OUT WAS MISSING ITS BEAK.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I grabbed a second one (with an intact beak), to compare to the stuck-in-Nicky’s-nose beak (which the ENT kindly dropped in a specimen cup for us). And bingo. The beak was a match. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">It’s been several days and, as far as I know, Nicky hasn’t stuck anything else up his nose. I’m hoping he’s learned a very valuable lesson (having forceps shoved up my nose would teach me all kinds of things), but I fear he has learned precisely nothing. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">He told Nick that he had to go to the hospital because he “was a little sneezy,” and he told my mother that he was there because something was wrong with his socks. So… neither of those statements are very accurate. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Anyway, that’s the tale of the beak. I think we’ll be laughing about this one for a while. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Getting organized for an less eventful (fingers crossed + noses blocked) week</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Dinner inspiration: <a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/healthiest-one-pot-recipes-259717" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Our Healthiest One Pot Recipes</a> <em>from The Kitchn</em></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Working on some <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2016/11/17/4-simple-diy-beauty-gifts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DIY clean beauty products</a></span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">What’s the weirdest thing you did as a child (or the weirdest thing your children have done — this is a safe space, feel free so air all your dirty laundry)?</span></strong></p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/08/06/the-beak/">The beak.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/08/06/the-beak/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10282</post-id> </item> <item> <title>This Week On Tap | July 28</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/07/29/this-week-on-tap-july-28/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/07/29/this-week-on-tap-july-28/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:37:45 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cape Cod]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[podcasts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category> <category><![CDATA[summer living]]></category> <category><![CDATA[this week on tap]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vegetarian food]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10252</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Here we are at the end of the week and nearly the end of the month, and halfway through the summer, and… the year. Given than this January in Boston lasted 45 years, I’m praying summer slows down just a bit. We are enjoying the sunniest, warmest stretch here on the Cape… and I’ve got the freckles + sandy floors to prove it. THIS WEEK ON TAP | JULY 28 MEALS Chopped Greek salad Caprese salad (with heirloom tomatoes from the farmers market) Entire pints of blueberries (not a meal… but worth mentioning) Corn and tomato salad with black beans Clearly the theme here is effortless summer food. In truth, I was extra snacky this week for some reason (everything felt a bit off this week… can I blame last night’s lunar eclipse/full moon?)– so my goal for next week is to stick with my intended menu plan and get that meal prep done. Speaking of snacks… Grace has been really into cooking videos lately (there is a cooking for kids series that she watches on her kindle), and was super excited to “do some recipes” with me at the start of the week. We made the following together: Banana + strawberry ice cream from Nom Nom Paleo (I froze it in these awesome pint containers I found at Homegoods) Flourless peanut butter chocolate chip mini blender muffins from Averie Cooks Oatmeal green smoothie muffins from the Natural Nurturer WORKOUTS 4 Peloton rides (aka basement spin with an audience of spiders): 30 minute 80s pop ride//Denis Morton, 30 minute pop ride//Cody Rigsby, 30 minute 80s ride//Hannah Marie Corbin, 20 minute pop ride//Cody Rigsby 3 Peloton “off the mat” workouts (10 minute abs + 5 minute full body stretch) Mama Beasts summer challenge tabata workout, planks + mileage — I love this summer challenge. It keeps me motivated/accountable when I’m away from class for the summer. And speaking of classes, there is a new session starting in Milton this fall! I’m happy to drive to West Roxbury for class (Dedham in the winter), but I’m excited to have an option that’s a little closer to Southie. Check out the website for details — there are a bunch of locations now, and I pretty much think every Massachusetts mom should join. 1 very legit nature hike with the whole family: we’ve had some great outdoor adventures this summer, but this is the first time we’ve gone without the running stroller (we have this double, which works great on trails). We took the Wing Island trail from the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History across the marsh and Quivet Creek to the mudflats. Both kids did such a great job on the 1.5-ish mile loop, including the sand trek. READING I’ve finished a few books so far this summer: The Nightingale — loved (I had started it a few years ago but, um, lost my copy and then found it in an overnight bag) The Alice Network — wanted to love… but didn’t, likely because it wasn’t The Nightingale American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land — so good …and now I need something lighter… so I’m planning to start When Life Gives You Lululemons tonight. WATCHING Last Chance U on Netflix (one of my favorite Netflix originals) LISTENING TO The Happy Folk playlist on Spotify The usual podcasts And lots of whining (…let’s be honest) WORKING ON Our bucket list (or August fun list) for the second half of the summer A to do list (or Friday semi-fun list) for a quick day trip back to the city A better system for summer laundry (right now I don’t really have a system… I just do sixteen loads of laundry a day, dump each on to our guest bed, reach in to the abyss and hope to fish out a bathing suit) CURRENT FAVORITES I made a couple purchases during Amazon Prime Day + the Target one day sale, but nothing too wild. I’ve been eyeing the Instant Pot for a while, but ultimately bought the Crock Pot version… mostly because it’s non-stick and I am non-motivated to scrub things. I stocked up on my favorite hair mask and shampoo, as well as a few pots for our deck. I also grabbed my favorite tee shirt dress on major sale (it was $10 at the time) — I’ve been wearing these dresses literally daily (in black and stripes). And last, but not least, some BeautyCounter sunscreen, lip gloss, and mascara (I’m forgoing lash extensions this summer, what with the salt water, sweat, sunscreen and all…). Did you have any great finds during the mid-summer sales? Alright… time for a snack. Or an entire meal of food. Also On Tap for Today: Solo time with Grace at the beach (and we got to see Robyn + her adorable family!) Cleaning up after a fun + messy weekend Consulting The Kitchn’s Next Week’s Meal Plan for inspiration What are your favorite Instant Pot recipes? And what are you looking forward to this week?</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/07/29/this-week-on-tap-july-28/">This Week On Tap | July 28</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Here we are at the end of the week and nearly the end of the month, and halfway through the summer, and… the year. Given than this January in Boston lasted 45 years, I’m praying summer slows down just a bit. We are enjoying the sunniest, warmest stretch here on the Cape… and I’ve got the freckles + sandy floors to prove it.</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_2603_zpscecsz2h4.jpg" alt="this week on tap" width="753" height="1024" /></p> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">THIS WEEK ON TAP | JULY 28</span></strong></h3> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">MEALS</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Chopped Greek salad</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Caprese salad (with heirloom tomatoes from the farmers market)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Entire pints of blueberries (not a meal… but worth mentioning)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Corn and tomato salad with black beans</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Clearly the theme here is effortless summer food. In truth, I was extra snacky this week for some reason (everything felt a bit off this week… can I blame last night’s lunar eclipse/full moon?)– so my goal for next week is to stick with my intended menu plan and get that meal prep done. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Speaking of snacks… Grace has been really into cooking videos lately (there is a cooking for kids series that she watches on <a href="https://amzn.to/2AmHQnA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her kindle</a>), and was super excited to “do some recipes” with me at the start of the week. We made the following together:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://nomnompaleo.com/post/144116008838/strawberry-banana-ice-cream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Banana + strawberry ice cream from Nom Nom Paleo</a> (I froze it in <a href="https://amzn.to/2Al81Lm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">these awesome pint containers</a> I found at Homegoods)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.averiecooks.com/flourless-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-mini-blender-muffins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Flourless peanut butter chocolate chip mini blender muffins from Averie Cooks</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.thenaturalnurturer.com/blog/oatmeal-green-smoothie-muffins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oatmeal green smoothie muffins from the Natural Nurturer</a> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WORKOUTS</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">4 Peloton rides (aka basement spin with an audience of spiders): 30 minute 80s pop ride//Denis Morton, 30 minute pop ride//Cody Rigsby, 30 minute 80s ride//Hannah Marie Corbin, 20 minute pop ride//Cody Rigsby</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">3 Peloton “off the mat” workouts (10 minute abs + 5 minute full body stretch)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Mama Beasts summer challenge tabata workout, planks + mileage — I love this summer challenge. It keeps me motivated/accountable when I’m away from class for the summer. And speaking of classes, there is a new session starting in Milton this fall! I’m happy to drive to West Roxbury for class (Dedham in the winter), but I’m excited to have an option that’s a little closer to Southie. <a href="http://mamabeasts.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out the website for details</a> — there are a bunch of locations now, and I pretty much think every Massachusetts mom should join.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">1 very legit nature hike with the whole family: we’ve had some great outdoor adventures this summer, but this is the first time we’ve gone without the running stroller (we have <a href="https://amzn.to/2K1hQ0t" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this double</a>, which works great on trails). We took the Wing Island trail from the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History across the marsh and Quivet Creek to the mudflats. Both kids did such a great job on the 1.5-ish mile loop, including the sand trek.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">READING</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I’ve finished a few books so far this summer:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Lxgtw5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Nightingale</a> — loved (I had started it a few years ago but, um, lost my copy and then found it in an overnight bag)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://amzn.to/2uWXNMi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Alice Network</a> — wanted to love… but didn’t, likely because it wasn’t<em> The Nightingale </em></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Lwxsir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land</a> — so good</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">…and now I need something lighter… so I’m planning to start <a href="https://amzn.to/2AkiuGP" target="_blank" rel="noopener">When Life Gives You Lululemons</a> tonight.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WATCHING</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><strong>Last Chance U</strong> on Netflix (one of my favorite Netflix originals)</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">LISTENING TO</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The <strong><em>Happy Folk playlist</em></strong> on Spotify</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/06/12/my-favorite-podcasts-categorized-for-your-listening-pleasure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usual podcasts</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">And lots of whining (…let’s be honest)</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WORKING ON </span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Our bucket list (or August fun list) for the second half of the summer</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">A to do list (or Friday semi-fun list) for a quick day trip back to the city</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">A better system for summer laundry (right now I don’t really have a system… I just do sixteen loads of laundry a day, dump each on to our guest bed, reach in to the abyss and hope to fish out a bathing suit)</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">CURRENT FAVORITES</span></strong></p> <p><!-- COLLECTIVE WIDGET CODE START --></p> <div class="shopsense-widget" style="text-align: center;" data-mobile-optimize="true" data-options="%7B%22widgetId%22%3A%225b5e3cdb7ff69f2f8b8170b1%22%2C%22version%22%3A1%2C%22pid%22%3A%22uid2544-39452388-9%22%2C%22size%22%3A170%2C%22columns%22%3A3%2C%22rows%22%3A4%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fapi.shopstyle.com%2Fapi%2Fv2%22%2C%22iframeHeight%22%3A800%2C%22iframeWidth%22%3A615%7D"><script> !function(doc,s,id){ var e, p, cb; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; cb = new Date().getTime().toString(); p = '//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js?cb=1531700696431?cb=' + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === 'object'){ if(doc.readyState === 'complete'){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, 'script', 'shopsensewidget-script'); </script> <iframe loading="lazy" style="border: 0;" src="//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/#/?options=%7B%22widgetId%22%3A%225b5e3cdb7ff69f2f8b8170b1%22%2C%22version%22%3A1%2C%22pid%22%3A%22uid2544-39452388-9%22%2C%22size%22%3A170%2C%22columns%22%3A3%2C%22rows%22%3A4%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fapi.shopstyle.com%2Fapi%2Fv2%22%2C%22iframeHeight%22%3A800%2C%22iframeWidth%22%3A615%7D" width="615px" height="800px" frameborder="0" seamless=""><br /> </iframe></div> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I made a couple purchases during <a href="https://amzn.to/2uZViIZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon Prime Day</a> + the Target one day sale, but nothing too wild. I’ve been eyeing the Instant Pot for a while, but ultimately bought the Crock Pot version… mostly because it’s non-stick and I am non-motivated to scrub things. I stocked up on my favorite hair mask and shampoo, as well as a few pots for our deck. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I also grabbed my favorite tee shirt dress on major sale (it was $10 at the time) — I’ve been wearing these dresses literally daily (in black and stripes). And last, but not least, some BeautyCounter sunscreen, lip gloss, and mascara (I’m forgoing lash extensions this summer, what with the salt water, sweat, sunscreen and all…). Did you have any great finds during the mid-summer sales? </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Alright… time for a snack. Or an entire meal of food.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Solo time with Grace at the beach (and we got to see <a href="http://www.amodestlife.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Robyn</a> + her adorable family!)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/07/28/the-clean-up-my-favorite-non-toxic-cleaning-branch-basics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleaning up after a fun + messy weekend</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/search?q=Next+Week%27s+Meal+Plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consulting The Kitchn’s Next Week’s Meal Plan for inspiration</a></span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">What are your favorite Instant Pot recipes? And what are you looking forward to this week?</span></strong></p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/07/29/this-week-on-tap-july-28/">This Week On Tap | July 28</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/07/29/this-week-on-tap-july-28/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10252</post-id> </item> <item> <title>This Week On Tap | May 12</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/05/12/this-week-on-tap-may-12/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/05/12/this-week-on-tap-may-12/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 12 May 2018 18:38:18 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[fitness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mama Beasts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[meals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[podcasts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vegetarian food]]></category> <category><![CDATA[workouts]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10186</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>It’s an overcast Saturday on the Cape and we just saw a bunch of baby chicks (Nicky thought they were “so cute little baby turkeys”…). What more could you ask for? Maybe some popcorn. And some tea. Perhaps a little dark chocolate with sea salt… and a nap… things have taken a turn. Here’s this week on tap. THIS WEEK ON TAP | MAY 12, 2018 MEALS Three Just Add Cooking meals (I modified a bit with ingredients I had on hand to limit gluten/dairy): Greek barley salad (I used quinoa), bean burritos (sans fun tortillas), and gnocchi with kale and walnuts. I was particularly jazzed about the fresh gnocchi… but it just didn’t do it for me. I love the idea of meal kits in theory, but in practice the lack of vegetarian options is a bummer (in this case, the three veg meals for the week are what they are, you don’t have options). Pretending summer is upon us — lots of cucumber, tomato + red onion salads. And heaping bowls of homemade pico de gallo (I’m fascinated by/wary of people who have that cilantro takes like soap thing). WORKOUTS Sunday: Rest Monday: Mama Beasts (and a few miles before class because it’s Mad Mileage May…) Tuesday: 3 miles at Castle Island, yoga Wednesday: Mama Beasts Thursday: 3 miles at Castle Island, yoga Friday: Rest Saturday: 25 minute ride (Nick set up my new spin bike last night!) with the Peloton app LISTENING TO The Perfect Concentration playlist on Spotify (because I could use all the help I can get…) Chris Stapleton — random + v late on this (I learned today that my father saw him in concert, like, a year ago…), but I dig his voice and I can listen to him in the car with the kids without having to beep (like, with my car horn) out swear words (I can’t do this with Nice for What… just can’t keep up + beeping interferes with my car dancing/steering wheel drumming). The usual podcasts (and I’ve promised a few of you a full post on this — soon!), including My Favorite Murder, Keep It, Slow Burn, and Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. And The Weepies because they are my constant (Semi-related: I was running in the the smoke-monster-esque fog this week and caught myself feeling deep regret for watching LOST in 2013 or whenever that was because that time was fully wasted… except for the scenes of Desmond wearing Hurley’s tie dye… maybe). READING The just-released My Kitchen Chalk Board: Seasonal Menus for Modern New England Families by Leigh Belanger – The team at Union Park Press surprised me with a copy for Mother’s Day and I’ve already spent several hours reading through this thoughtful, inspiring and encouraging cookbook (it’s really more than that, though — there’s so much substance beyond the beautiful recipes). Coincidentally, my friend Molly had just recommended this book (I always trust her endorsements) the day before the package arrived in the mail. When White People Call the Police on Black People in yesterday’s NYT WATCHING Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions… this is my Super Bowl, my World Series, my basketball winner thing, and my Stanley Cup (now that the Bruins are out… but also, even before that #noshame). Not watching yet… but Schitt’s Creek is in my Netflix queue and I’m saving it like a salty snack. I love Eugene Levy (he created the show with his son, Dan Levy) and Catherine O’Hara and their brand of quirk. Are you hooked like all my friends seem to be? CURRENT FAVORITES We’ve spent the last two weekends outside essentially all day at the Cape… and it’s the best. We had a swingset installed just before Easter and it has provided hours and hours of fun (and fortunately, less danger that I feared). I’m looking forward to spending as much time out back as possible this summer– clearly I’ve got summer + the outdoors on the ol’ brain. I’ve been happily adding sea foam/mint accents here and there (to match our kitchen chairs) and would like to bring a little of that out back, along with a big bowl of popcorn. Maybe I’ll turn that mint plant stand into some sort of bar cart situation (for people who have little kids and, like, don’t really drink…) while wearing the perfect tee shirt dress. Anyone else want in? LOOKING FORWARD TO A Mother’s Day walk on the beach with my crew The aforementioned time outside, and planting this year’s container herb garden on the deck. Prints of the kids’ school portraits, especially the ones of them together (we got to the digital files yesterday and they are BEYOND). This post contains affiliate links. Also On Tap for Today: Checking out the baby chicks at our nearby garden/farm center Making this farro salad with tomatoes + herbs Meal planning for the week ahead What’s your favorite cookbook of late?  </p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/05/12/this-week-on-tap-may-12/">This Week On Tap | May 12</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">It’s an overcast Saturday on the Cape and we just saw a bunch of baby chicks (Nicky thought they were “so cute little baby turkeys”…). What more could you ask for? Maybe some popcorn. And some tea. Perhaps a little dark chocolate with sea salt… and a nap… <em>things have taken a turn</em>. Here’s this week on tap.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 22px;">THIS WEEK ON TAP | MAY 12, 2018</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_9890_zpsrixarpql.jpg" alt="this week on tap" width="768" height="1024" /></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">MEALS</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Three <em>Just Add Cooking</em> meals (I modified a bit with ingredients I had on hand to limit gluten/dairy): Greek barley salad (I used quinoa), bean burritos (<em>sans</em> <del>fun</del> tortillas), and gnocchi with kale and walnuts. I was particularly jazzed about the fresh gnocchi… but it just didn’t do it for me. I love the idea of meal kits in theory, but in practice the lack of vegetarian options is a bummer (in this case, the three veg meals for the week are what they are, you don’t have options).</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Pretending summer is upon us — lots of cucumber, tomato + red onion salads. And heaping bowls of homemade pico de gallo (I’m fascinated by/wary of people who have that <em>cilantro takes like soap</em> thing).</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WORKOUTS</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Sunday: Rest</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Monday: <a href="https://www.mamabeasts.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mama Beasts</a> (and a few miles before class because it’s Mad Mileage May…)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Tuesday: 3 miles at Castle Island, yoga</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Wednesday: Mama Beasts</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Thursday: 3 miles at Castle Island, yoga</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Friday: Rest</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Saturday: 25 minute ride (Nick set up <a href="https://amzn.to/2IdvT2X" target="_blank" rel="noopener">my new spin bike</a> last night!) with the Peloton app</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">LISTENING TO</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>The Perfect Concentration</em> playlist on Spotify (because I could use all the help I can get…)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Chris Stapleton — random + v late on this (I learned today that my father saw him in concert, like, a year ago…), but I dig his voice and I can listen to him in the car with the kids without having to beep (like, with my car horn) out swear words (I can’t do this with <em>Nice for What</em>… just can’t keep up + beeping interferes with my car dancing/steering wheel drumming).</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The usual podcasts (and I’ve promised a few of you a full post on this — soon!), including <em>My Favorite Murder</em>, <em>Keep It</em>, <em>Slow Burn</em>, and <em>Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness</em>.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">And The Weepies because they are my constant (Semi-related: I was <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BimoaxaFLHK/?taken-by=elizabethev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">running in the the smoke-monster-esque fog</a> this week and caught myself feeling deep regret for watching LOST in 2013 or whenever that was because that time was <em>fully</em> wasted… except for the scenes of Desmond wearing Hurley’s tie dye… maybe). </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">READING</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The just-released <a href="https://amzn.to/2rC7v4Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">My Kitchen Chalk Board: Seasonal Menus for Modern New England Families by Leigh Belanger</a> – The team at Union Park Press surprised me with a copy for Mother’s Day and I’ve already spent several hours reading through this thoughtful, inspiring and encouraging cookbook (it’s really more than that, though — there’s so much substance beyond the beautiful recipes). Coincidentally, my friend <a href="http://www.mollyrobsonwellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Molly</a> had just recommended this book (I always trust her endorsements) the day before the package arrived in the mail. </span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/us/black-white-police.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">When White People Call the Police on Black People</a> in yesterday’s NYT</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WATCHING</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions</em>… this is my Super Bowl, my World Series, my basketball winner thing, and my Stanley Cup (now that the Bruins are out… but also, even before that #noshame). </span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Not watching yet… but <em>Schitt’s Creek</em> is in my Netflix queue and I’m saving it like a salty snack. I love Eugene Levy (he created the show with his son, Dan Levy) and Catherine O’Hara and their brand of quirk. Are you hooked like all my friends seem to be?</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">CURRENT FAVORITES</span></strong></p> <p><!-- COLLECTIVE WIDGET CODE START --></p> <div class="shopsense-widget" style="text-align: center;" data-mobile-optimize="true" data-options="%7B%22widgetId%22%3A%225af4abb2e7055ad896ea2b78%22%2C%22version%22%3A1%2C%22pid%22%3A%22uid2544-39452388-9%22%2C%22size%22%3A200%2C%22columns%22%3A3%2C%22rows%22%3A3%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fapi.shopstyle.com%2Fapi%2Fv2%22%2C%22iframeHeight%22%3A705%2C%22iframeWidth%22%3A705%7D"><script> !function(doc,s,id){ var e, p, cb; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; cb = new Date().getTime().toString(); p = '//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js?cb=1525977096448?cb=' + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === 'object'){ if(doc.readyState === 'complete'){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, 'script', 'shopsensewidget-script'); </script> <iframe loading="lazy" style="border: 0;" src="//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/#/?options=%7B%22widgetId%22%3A%225af4abb2e7055ad896ea2b78%22%2C%22version%22%3A1%2C%22pid%22%3A%22uid2544-39452388-9%22%2C%22size%22%3A200%2C%22columns%22%3A3%2C%22rows%22%3A3%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fapi.shopstyle.com%2Fapi%2Fv2%22%2C%22iframeHeight%22%3A705%2C%22iframeWidth%22%3A705%7D" width="705px" height="705px" frameborder="0" seamless=""><br /> </iframe></div> <p><!-- COLLECTIVE WIDGET CODE END --><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">We’ve spent the last two weekends outside essentially all day at the Cape… and it’s the best. We had a swingset installed just before Easter and it has provided hours and hours of fun (and fortunately, less danger that I feared). I’m looking forward to spending as much time out back as possible this summer– clearly I’ve got summer + the outdoors on the ol’ brain. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I’ve been happily adding sea foam/mint accents here and there (to match <a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/JiRB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our kitchen chairs</a>) and would like to bring a little of that out back, along with a big bowl of popcorn. Maybe I’ll turn that mint plant stand into some sort of bar cart situation (for people who have little kids and, like, don’t really drink…) while wearing the perfect tee shirt dress. Anyone else want in?</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">LOOKING FORWARD TO</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">A Mother’s Day walk on the beach with my crew</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The aforementioned time outside, and planting this year’s container herb garden on the deck.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Prints of the kids’ school portraits, especially the ones of them together (we got to the digital files yesterday and they are BEYOND).</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>This post contains affiliate links.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Checking out the baby chicks at our nearby garden/farm center</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Making this <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/07/04/farro-salad-tomatoes-herbs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">farro salad with tomatoes + herbs</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Meal planning for the week ahead</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><strong>What’s your favorite cookbook of late?</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/05/12/this-week-on-tap-may-12/">This Week On Tap | May 12</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/05/12/this-week-on-tap-may-12/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10186</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Chats with Grace</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/03/02/chats-with-grace/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/03/02/chats-with-grace/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2018 10:00:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[chats with Grace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Grace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=10120</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I often share my chats with Grace on Facebook with family + friends, mostly because a lot of the things she says are just too good to keep to myself. It occurred to me that you might enjoy them too (couldn’t we all use a good laugh?). And selfishly, I’d love to have these little chats all in one place. So here’s a compilation of her greatest hits, starting with this week’s doozy. CHATS WITH GRACE February 2018, On the way to school (Age 4) Grace: Can you please tell me about how real Santa is again? And about the real place where he actually lives? Me: The North Pole? Grace: Yes, if he really lives there… and tell me the truth about Rudolph, too. Me: We are almost at school, so I don’t think I have time to answer all these questions. Grace: So do you want to talk about where dogs go when they are very, very old instead? Are those my only options… Santa or All Dogs Go to Heaven? February 2018, While I try to field… like, sixteen requests (Age 4) Me: Sweetheart, I can only do one thing at a time. Grace: Because you’re not an octopus + you don’t have eight arms? Me: Yes. Grace: Blub, blub. I think that was an octopus impression… February 2018, While I cook dinner (Age 4) Grace: Is pizza meat? Me: No, but some people put meat on their pizza. Grace: That is not a terrific idea. But just tell me, is pizza meat? Me: No. Grace: Whaaaaat a relief! February 2018, On the way home from the Cape (Age 4) Grace: *asks 9,000 questions about Rudolph’s nose* Me: I think Rudolph’s nose lights up when it needs to light up, and turns off when it needs to turn off… but I really don’t know. Grace: If you are feeling frustrated about these questions you can count to three. Nicky: SEVEN! February 2018, On the way to my parents’ house (Age 4) Grace: Do you think the Pats are going to win? Me: Yes. Grace: Did you remember Grandma + Grandpa’s bagels? Me: Yes. Grace: Do you think Baby Jesus had a nice birthday? Me: …Yes, honey. Grace: What do you think the theme of His party was? Me: 👀 Grace: Probably the Star of Bethlehem. Me: Maybe. Grace: Did you have to wear a bonnet when you were a child? January 2018, During dinner (Age 3) Grace: How do you say “I want to go swimming” in Spanish? And I’m going to be a vegetarian for a few more days but maybe I’ll try to eat a hamburger some day. But I probably won’t. Next time we make slime you should get me some rubber gloves. Did you know some people get operations at the hospital? Me: 👀 Nicky: Please I go to bed soon? Take me with you. 🙏🏻 January 2018, before bed (Age 3) Grace: Even though you’re dad’s wife + he’s very special to you, you need to tell him to stop doing tricks on us and also you don’t need to listen to him, okay? Me: What do you mean? Grace: Just tell him to stop snoring so you can get some sleep, okay? This, from the person who woke me up at 4:30 AM for a week straight… November 2017, On the way to school (Age 3) Me: *Casually listening to Christmas music in the car on November 13th* Grace: Oh Mom, is this an appropriate choice? Me: … Grace: Please turn it off. The moral of this story is that it’s not Christmas time yet. 😳Whose child is this?!? October 2017, On the way to school (Age 3) Grace: Is that the letter T on that bus? Me: Yes, it’s the symbol for the MBTA. Grace: That’s very inappropriate! Me:… Grace: You should NOT drink tea on the bus. And I just saw a grown-up riding a roller-skate-board with no helmet and that’s inappropriate too. #safetyfirst July 2017, Getting ready for bed after a day at the beach (Age 3) Grace: I have so many great feelings about today! Me: *hides in the closet because my heart just burst* June 2017, At home (Age 3) Grace: I love you like a sistaaaaaaa! Clark: […silence]* *because he’s a dog May 2017, Approximately 5:30 AM (Age 3) Grace: Hey, Mom! It’s the first day of your life! Me: …Really? Grace: Yes. Now can you go get me some farmer clothes so I can raise animals? August 2016, On the way home from the beach (Age 2) Grace: What if you saw a flying seltzer? Me: A flying saucer? Grace: A FLYING SELTZER! It’s a joke. Aaaand I saved one of my favorites for last… January 2016, While I pack lunch for daycare (Age 2) Grace: No beans. Me: Why not? We love beans. Grace: I can’t eat beans! I’m a HUMAN BEAN! It’s a miracle I get anything done around here, between the hysterical laughter, the evasive non-answers re: Santa, + the fetching of farmer clothes. I’m one lucky mama. Also On Tap for Today: Highly relevant: Stop Answering Your Children’s Questions from offspring//lifehacker Checking out this new podcast Keeping an eye on this storm… Who’s your favorite person to chat with?</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/03/02/chats-with-grace/">Chats with Grace</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I often share my chats with Grace on <a href="http://facebook.com/elizabethev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> with family + friends, mostly because a lot of the things she says are just too good to keep to myself. It occurred to me that you might enjoy them too (couldn’t we all use a good laugh?). And selfishly, I’d love to have these little chats all in one place. So here’s a compilation of her greatest hits, starting with this week’s doozy.</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/ACS_0015_zpscuymjnhw.jpg" alt="chats with grace" width="704" height="1024" /></p> <h2><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">CHATS WITH GRACE</span></h2> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">February 2018, On the way to school (Age 4)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Can you please tell me about how real Santa is again? And about the real place where he actually lives?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: The North Pole?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Yes, if he really lives there… and tell me the truth about Rudolph, too.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: We are almost at school, so I don’t think I have time to answer all these questions.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: So do you want to talk about where dogs go when they are very, very old instead?</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>Are those my only options… Santa or All Dogs Go to Heaven?</em></span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: 22px;">February 2018, While I try to field… like, sixteen requests (Age 4)</span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: Sweetheart, I can only do one thing at a time.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Because you’re not an octopus + you don’t have eight arms?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: Yes.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Blub, blub.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I think that was an octopus impression… </span></p> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">February 2018, While I cook dinner (Age 4)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Is pizza meat?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: No, but some people put meat on their pizza.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: That is not a terrific idea. But just tell me, is pizza meat?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: No.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Whaaaaat a relief!</span></li> </ul> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">February 2018, On the way home from the Cape (Age 4)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: *asks 9,000 questions about Rudolph’s nose*</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: I think Rudolph’s nose lights up when it needs to light up, and turns off when it needs to turn off… but I really don’t know.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: If you are feeling frustrated about these questions you can count to three.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Nicky: SEVEN!</span></li> </ul> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">February 2018, On the way to my parents’ house (Age 4)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Do you think the Pats are going to win?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: Yes.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Did you remember Grandma + Grandpa’s bagels?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: Yes.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Do you think Baby Jesus had a nice birthday?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="text_exposed_show">Me: …Yes, honey. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="text_exposed_show">Grace: What do you think the theme of His party was?</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="text_exposed_show">Me: <span class="_5mfr _47e3"><span class="_7oe"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f440.png" alt="👀" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="text_exposed_show">Grace: Probably the Star of Bethlehem.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="text_exposed_show">Me: Maybe.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="text_exposed_show">Grace: Did you have to wear a bonnet when you were a child?</span></span></li> </ul> <div class="text_exposed_show"> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="img" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f34/1/16/1f914.png" alt="" width="16" height="16" /></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="img" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f34/1/16/1f914.png" alt="" width="16" height="16" /></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="img" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f34/1/16/1f914.png" alt="" width="16" height="16" /></span></span></p> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">January 2018, During dinner (Age 3)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: How do you say “I want to go swimming” in Spanish? And I’m going to be a vegetarian for a few more days but maybe I’ll try to eat a hamburger some</span> <span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">day. But I probably won’t. Next time we make slime you should get me some rubber gloves. Did you know some people get operations at the hospital?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: <span class="_5mfr _47e3"><span class="_7oe"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f440.png" alt="👀" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Nicky: Please I go to bed soon?</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Take me with you. <span class="_5mfr _47e3"><span class="_7oe"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f64f-1f3fb.png" alt="🙏🏻" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></span></span></span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">January 2018, before bed (Age 3)</span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Even though you’re dad’s wife + he’s very special to you, you need to tell him to stop doing tricks on us and also you don’t need to listen to him, okay?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: What do you mean?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Just tell him to stop snoring so you can get some sleep, okay?</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">This, from the person who woke me up at 4:30 AM for a week straight…</span></p> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">November 2017, On the way to school (Age 3)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: *Casually listening to Christmas music in the car on November 13th*</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Oh Mom, is this an appropriate choice?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: …</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Please turn it off. The moral of this story is that it’s not Christmas time yet.</span></li> </ul> <div class="text_exposed_show"> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><span class="_5mfr _47e3"><span class="_7oe"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f633.png" alt="😳" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></span></span>Whose child is this?!?</span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><strong>October 2017, On the way to school (Age 3)</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Is that the letter T on that bus?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: Yes, it’s the symbol for the MBTA.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: That’s very inappropriate!</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me:…</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: You should NOT drink tea on the bus. And I just saw a grown-up riding a roller-skate-board with no helmet and that’s inappropriate too.</span></li> </ul> <div class="text_exposed_show"> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">#safetyfirst</span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><strong>July 2017, Getting ready for bed after a day at the beach (Age 3)</strong></span></h3> <div id="js_9ko" class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: I have so many great feelings about today!</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: *hides in the closet because my heart just burst*</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><strong>June 2017, At home (Age 3)</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: I love you like a sistaaaaaaa!</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Clark: […silence]*</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">*because he’s a dog</span></p> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"> May 2017, Approximately 5:30 AM (Age 3)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Hey, Mom! It’s the first day of your life!</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: …Really?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: Yes. Now can you go get me some farmer clothes so I can raise animals?</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">August 2016, On the way home from the beach (Age 2)</span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: What if you saw a flying seltzer?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: A flying saucer?</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: A FLYING SELTZER! It’s a joke.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>Aaaand I saved one of my favorites for last…</em></span></p> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">January 2016, While I pack lunch for daycare (Age 2)</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: No beans.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Me: Why not? We love beans.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace: I can’t eat beans! I’m a HUMAN BEAN!</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">It’s a miracle I get anything done around here, between the hysterical laughter, the evasive non-answers re: Santa, + the fetching of farmer clothes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I’m one lucky mama.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</span></p> </div> <div class="_3x-2" data-ft="{"tn":"H"}"> <div data-ft="{"tn":"H"}"> <div class="mtm"> <div> <div> <ul> <li data-ft="{"tn":"E"}"><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"> Highly relevant: <a href="https://offspring.lifehacker.com/stop-answering-your-kids-questions-1822676214" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stop Answering Your Children’s Questions</a> <em>from offspring//lifehacker</em></span></li> <li data-ft="{"tn":"E"}"><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/family-ghosts-best-podcast-recommendation-255987" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Checking out this new podcast</a></span></li> <li data-ft="{"tn":"E"}"><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Keeping an eye on this storm…</span></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><strong>Who’s your favorite person to chat with?</strong></span></p> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/03/02/chats-with-grace/">Chats with Grace</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2018/03/02/chats-with-grace/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10120</post-id> </item> <item> <title>On the move with young children | NameBubbles</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/12/18/namebubbles/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/12/18/namebubbles/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Dec 2017 19:35:44 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NameBubbles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[tips]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel with kids]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=9998</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>This post is sponsored by NameBubbles. Use code ONTAP to receive 15% off your next order of adorable personalized labels for everyday life. In this joyful season of parties, playdates, cookie swaps,and caroling (just kidding… we don’t go caroling… does anyone go caroling?… we do the other stuff, though), it seems like we are on the move more often than not. It’s taken me nearly four years, but I’ve finally got our system down when it comes to packing for two young children. Whether we’re heading out for a few hours or a few days, there are several things I always do or have on hand to keep us (semi) organized, sane and happy. WHAT WE PACK FOR DAY-TRIPS OR SHORT OUTINGS For doctor’s appointments, gymnastics, to exercise, or visits to family and friends, I try to pack as light as possible (it’s all relative with little people in tow). Our staples include: A full water bottle for each of us — I love using NameBubbles labels in fun shapes because they stand out and are easily recognizable, so there is no mistaking whose bottle is whose Snacks (obvi) Pull-ups, wipes, a change of clothes A few books and toys WHAT WE KEEP IN THE CAR In addition to a first aid kit and car safety basics (jumper cables, a photocopy of my AAA card, emergency cash), I also keep a small container (it’s this soft-sided cooler… so basically… we are also ready for a party AT ALL TIMES) of everyday items in the car, tucked behind the driver’s seat. I check and re-stock our container often and switch out some items based on the season and label anything that might lose its way (and hopefully find its way back to us). Non-perishable snacks (nut + fruit bars, apple sauce, crackers) Aquaphor (great for chapped lips, dry skin, cuticles, minor cuts or scrapes and diaper rash) Mints Hand sanitizers and/or wipes 2 pull-ups/diapers/undies per child, changing mat 2 basic changes of clothes — long sleeve tee shirt and leggings (it really helps that Grace and Nick wear the same size) Extra socks (they double as mittens when you’re extra unprepared…) Tissues Small bag for garbage or laundry WHAT WE PACK FOR LONGER ADVENTURES We do a lot of traveling between the city and the Cape, and for longer drives we pack a few extras in addition to our clothes and toiletries. A small cooler packed with a few necessary perishable items like fruit and yogurt for the kids, so that we’re not rushing out to the store as soon as we get where we’re going Books and activity kits for the drive Comfort items for sleep time (Nicky is devoted to his lovie, and Grace has a few hundred stuffed animals that usually make the trip, too) Packable jackets (because kids are wonderfully messy and inevitably one ends up in the wash) and extra sneakers or boots, depending on the weather I’ve recently started using NameBubbles’ clothing and shoe labels for the kids, rather than writing in their names with permanent marker. Once they’ve outgrown their clothes and shoes, I’ll be able to easily remove the label and donate the items to Cradles to Crayons or the Family Pantry of Cape Cod in the best condition possible. These labels are machine washable and work for stuffed animals too, which is great for when the kids bring toys on trips, or to school or playdates. Now I just need to figure out how to organized the rest of my life. Just kidding… kind of. To save 15% on your next order of personalized labels, use the code ONTAP. AD On the move with young children ft. @NameBubble – tips for short trips + longer adventures (plus a discount code) -@elizabethevClick To Tweet Also On Tap for Today: Mama Beasts cookie swap! Guilt-free decluttering from Apartment Therapy Maybe I will start wrapping presents… maybe… What are your must-haves for quick trips or longer adventures?</p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/12/18/namebubbles/">On the move with young children | NameBubbles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>This post is sponsored by NameBubbles. Use code ONTAP to receive 15% off your next order of adorable personalized labels for everyday life.</em></span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/NAME%20BUBBLES%20FEATURE_zpsgumeubvy.jpg" alt="NAMEBUBBLES" width="771" height="1024" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">In this joyful season of parties, playdates, cookie swaps,and caroling (just kidding… we don’t go caroling… does anyone go caroling?… we do the other stuff, though), it seems like we are on the move more often than not. It’s taken me <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2014/08/28/my-first-labor-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nearly four years</a>, but I’ve finally got our system down when it comes to packing for two young children. Whether we’re heading out for a few hours or a few days, there are several things I always do or have on hand to keep us (semi) organized, sane and happy.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WHAT WE PACK FOR DAY-TRIPS OR SHORT OUTINGS</span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">For doctor’s appointments, gymnastics, to exercise, or visits to family and friends, I try to pack as light as possible (it’s all relative with little people in tow). </span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_4422%201_zps3dmrsgny.jpg" alt="namebubbles water bottle" width="768" height="1024" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Our staples include:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">A full water bottle for each of us — I love using <a href="https://www.namebubbles.com/All-Products/Department.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NameBubbles</a> labels in fun shapes because they stand out and are easily recognizable, so there is no mistaking whose bottle is whose </span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Snacks (obvi)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Pull-ups, wipes, a change of clothes</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">A few books and toys</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WHAT WE KEEP IN THE CAR</span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">In addition to a first aid kit and car safety basics (jumper cables, a photocopy of my AAA card, emergency cash), I also keep a small container (it’s this soft-sided cooler… so basically… we are also ready for a party AT ALL TIMES) of everyday items in the car, tucked behind the driver’s seat. I check and re-stock our container often and switch out some items based on the season and label anything that might lose its way (and hopefully find its way back to us).</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_4417_zps9xevh1go.jpg" alt="namebubbles name labels" width="768" height="1024" /></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Non-perishable snacks (nut + fruit bars, apple sauce, crackers)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Aquaphor (great for chapped lips, dry skin, cuticles, minor cuts or scrapes and diaper rash)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Mints</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Hand sanitizers and/or wipes</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">2 pull-ups/diapers/undies per child, changing mat</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">2 basic changes of clothes — long sleeve tee shirt and leggings (it really helps that Grace and Nick wear the same size)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Extra socks (they double as mittens when you’re extra unprepared…)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Tissues</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Small bag for garbage or laundry</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">WHAT WE PACK FOR LONGER ADVENTURES</span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">We do a lot of traveling between the city and the Cape, and for longer drives we pack a few extras in addition to our clothes and toiletries.</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_4423_zpsk19npdck.jpg" alt="namebubbles books activities " width="768" height="1024" /></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/namebubbles%20jacket_zpsnab2opis.jpg" alt="namebubbles clothing labels" width="1024" height="709" /></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_4418_zpssyxgone7.jpg" alt="namebubbles stuffed animal" width="768" height="1024" /></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">A small cooler packed with a few necessary perishable items like fruit and yogurt for the kids, so that we’re not rushing out to the store as soon as we get where we’re going</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Books and activity kits for the drive</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Comfort items for sleep time (Nicky is devoted to his lovie, and Grace has a few <del>hundred</del> stuffed animals that usually make the trip, too)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Packable jackets (because kids are wonderfully messy and inevitably one ends up in the wash) and extra sneakers or boots, depending on the weather</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I’ve recently started using <a href="https://www.namebubbles.com/Clothing-Labels/Department.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NameBubbles’ clothing and shoe labels</a> for the kids, rather than writing in their names with permanent marker. Once they’ve outgrown their clothes and shoes, I’ll be able to easily remove the label and donate the items to <a href="https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/take-action/donate-goods/items-we-accept/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cradles to Crayons</a> or the <a href="http://www.thefamilypantry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Family Pantry of Cape Cod</a> in the best condition possible. These labels are machine washable and work for stuffed animals too, which is great for when the kids bring toys on trips, or to school or playdates.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Now I just need to figure out how to organized the rest of my life. Just kidding… kind of.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>To save 15% on your next order of personalized labels, use the code ONTAP. </em></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <hr /> <p><em>AD On the move with young children ft. @NameBubble – tips for short trips + longer adventures (plus a discount code) -@elizabethev</em><br /><a href='https://twitter.com/share?text=AD+On+the+move+with+young+children+ft.+%40NameBubble+-+tips+for+short+trips+%2B+longer+adventures+%28plus+a+discount+code%29+-%40elizabethev&url=https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/12/18/namebubbles/' target='_blank'>Click To Tweet</a></p> <hr /> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="http://mamabeasts.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mama Beasts</a> cookie swap!</span></li> <li><a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/this-pros-10-percent-method-will-help-you-pare-down-guiltlessly-249981" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Guilt-free decluttering</span></a> <span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>from Apartment Therapy</em></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Maybe I will start wrapping presents… maybe…</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">What are your must-haves for quick trips or longer adventures?</span></strong></p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/12/18/namebubbles/">On the move with young children | NameBubbles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/12/18/namebubbles/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">9998</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Currently | September 2017</title> <link>https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/09/25/currently-september-2017/</link> <comments>https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/09/25/currently-september-2017/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 25 Sep 2017 18:05:26 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cape Cod]]></category> <category><![CDATA[currently]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New England]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[podcasts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category> <category><![CDATA[september 2017]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ontapfortoday.com/?p=9903</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>It’s late September and I just took a blissful outdoor shower (one of my favorite things about our Cape house). I’m telling you that partly so you know I prioritize hygiene, and partly to express what a gorgeous summer day it is in New England… despite it technically being, like, the fourth day of Autumn. Whatever, man. CURRENTLY | SEPTEMBER 2017 Serious question: How to you make your hands look cool and/or normal in photos? Currently reading Per usual, I have started 14 new books… and finished 0 of them. We read so many great children’s books this summer (I need to add to this list), but now that I have a little time to myself while the kids are at preschool, I have loaded up my Kindle with non-picture books. And it feels good. Here’s what I’m reading: American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have to Answer When Your Work in the White House by Alyssa Mastramonaco Style Your Mind by Cara Awill Leyba And… because I think I am emotionally ready… What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton Currently listening to A whole slew of great podcasts: Pod Save America, Lovett or Leave it, Call Your Girlfriend, Fake The Nation, Style Your Mind, Fat Mascara and LeVar Burton Reads. The Daily Mix playlists from Spotify (they nail it every time) Grace singing “There’s a Potty in the USA”… because she heard Miley in the car once and now our bathroom has its own anthem. Currently watching For out of state license plates… I printed a 50 states license plate worksheet thing (from a website called Mom’s Mini Van… in case my life status was at all in question, that should clarify things) mid-way through August. So many people vacation on the Cape, I thought it might be fun to keep track of the different license plates we saw. There are plenty of New Hampshires, New Yorks, New Jerseys, Connecticuts, Vermonts, Pennsylvanias, Floridas, and Maines here. And a surprising number of Ohios. I got very into this whole game, like… very quickly. (Note that most of the summer it was just me and the kids down here… so essentially, I was the only one playing.) And I’m not saying I purposely took the wrong exit to catch up to and record an interesting looking license plate…. but I’m not saying I didn’t either. I saw Oklahoma and not only beeped, but frantically waved, and judging by the driver’s look… he was not into it. And then, on Labor Day, as we made our way back to the city, I saw Alaska on Route 6 and lost what very little chill I had left. Nick claims he knows someone who up until recently had Hawaii plates. Likely story. I started a brand new sheet the day after Labor Day, and I’m not bragging, but I have 40 of the 50 states already logged. It helps that the entire country moves to Boston every September to go to college. In their moms’ minivans. Nick brought his Netflix membership back from the dead so we could watch Ozark (thanks to Tina + Mal for the recommendation). It’s dark, but not too violent and now I am obsessed with money laundering, so that’s fun. To clarify: I don’t personally launder money, I’ve just developed a hobby/part-time job being suspicious of people who might. Also on Netflix, Gaga: Five Foot Two. Liked it a lot. Love her a lot. Currently feeling Relieved to be back in a routine. As fun as this summer was, I definitely appreciate (and need) order. Itchy, because I saw a spider approaching me 2 hours ago, but I lost track of it… so it’s only safe to assume it’s in my hair, texting its friends to come over. Especially grateful. We got a flat tire on our way home from Grace’s dentist appointment this morning and I know it’s such a small thing, but I felt myself getting so frustrated. And embarrassed for being frustrated. I am so lucky to have who and what I do. Speaking of embarrassed: Why did I write what amounts to a 10 page, double-spaced essay on license plate hunting? Also On Tap for Today: Where you can donate to help with hurricane and earthquake relief and recovery from Vox I always love Sam’s Self Care Bingo — get the fall edition here Because lentil soup weather will be here soon (maybe?): 25 Ways to Turn Lentils into Dinner from The Kitchn What has been the highlight of your month so far?  </p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/09/25/currently-september-2017/">Currently | September 2017</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">It’s late September and I just took a blissful outdoor shower (one of my favorite things about our Cape house). I’m telling you that partly so you know I prioritize hygiene, and partly to express what a gorgeous summer day it is in New England… despite it technically being, like, the fourth day of Autumn. Whatever, man.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">CURRENTLY | SEPTEMBER 2017</span></h2> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-blog-width" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/elizabethev/IMG_0906_zpsvm0gxamv.jpg" alt="currently september 2017" width="768" height="1024" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><em>Serious question: How to you make your hands look cool and/or normal in photos?</em></span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Currently reading</span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Per usual, I have started 14 new books… and finished 0 of them. We read so many <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/08/10/summer-reading-2017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">great children’s books this summer</a> (I need to add to this list), but now that I have a little time to myself while the kids are at preschool, I have loaded up my Kindle with non-picture books. And it feels good. Here’s what I’m reading:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/American-Fire-Love-Arson-Vanishing-ebook/dp/B01M3QH76T/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506361138&sr=8-1&keywords=american+fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Who-Thought-This-Good-Idea/dp/1455588229/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1506361187&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=who+thought+this+was+a+good+idea+mastromonaco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have to Answer When Your Work in the White House by Alyssa Mastramonaco</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Style-Your-Mind-Lifestyle-Themselves/dp/0692837558/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1506361285&sr=1-1&keywords=style+your+mind" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Style Your Mind by Cara Awill Leyba</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">And… because I think I am emotionally ready… <a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-Hillary-Rodham-Clinton-ebook/dp/B01MYE7QP0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1506361343&sr=1-1&keywords=what+happened+hillary+clinton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton</a></span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Currently listening to</span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">A whole slew of great podcasts: <em>Pod Save America</em>, <em>Lovett or Leave it</em>, <em>Call Your Girlfriend</em>, <em>Fake The Nation</em>, <em>Style Your Mind</em>, <em>Fat Mascara</em> and <em>LeVar Burton Reads</em>.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">The Daily Mix playlists from Spotify (they nail it every time)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Grace singing “There’s a Potty in the USA”… because she heard Miley in the car once and now our bathroom has its own anthem. </span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Currently watching</span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">For out of state license plates… I printed a <a href="http://www.momsminivan.com/license-plate-game.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">50 states license plate worksheet thing</a> (from a website called <em>Mom’s Mini Van</em>… in case my life status was at all in question, that should clarify things) mid-way through August. So many people vacation on the Cape, I thought it might be fun to keep track of the different license plates we saw. There are plenty of New Hampshires, New Yorks, New Jerseys, Connecticuts, Vermonts, Pennsylvanias, Floridas, and Maines here. And a surprising number of Ohios. I got very into this whole game, like… <em>very</em> quickly. (Note that most of the summer it was just me and the kids down here… so essentially, I was the only one playing.) And I’m not saying I purposely took the wrong exit to catch up to and record an interesting looking license plate…. but I’m not saying I didn’t either. I saw Oklahoma and not only beeped, but frantically waved, and judging by the driver’s look… he was <em>not</em> into it. And then, on Labor Day, as we made our way back to the city, I saw Alaska on Route 6 and lost what very little chill I had left. Nick claims he knows someone who up until recently had Hawaii plates. Likely story. I started a brand new sheet the day after Labor Day, and I’m not bragging, but I have 40 of the 50 states already logged. It helps that the entire country moves to Boston every September to go to college. In their moms’ minivans. </span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Nick brought his Netflix membership back from the dead so we could watch <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80117552" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ozark</a> (thanks to <a href="http://carrotsncake.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tina</a> + Mal for the recommendation). It’s dark, but not too violent and now I am obsessed with money laundering, so that’s fun. To clarify: I don’t personally launder money, I’ve just developed a hobby/part-time job being suspicious of people who might.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Also on Netflix, <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80196586" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gaga: Five Foot Two</a>. Liked it a lot. Love her a lot.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Currently feeling</span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Relieved to be back in a routine. As <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/08/24/late-summer-bliss/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fun as this summer was</a>, I definitely appreciate (and need) order. </span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Itchy, because I saw a spider approaching me 2 hours ago, but I lost track of it… so it’s only safe to assume it’s in my hair, texting its friends to come over.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Especially grateful. We got a flat tire on our way home from Grace’s dentist appointment this morning and I know it’s such a small thing, but I felt myself getting so frustrated. And embarrassed for being frustrated. I am so lucky to have who and what I do. </span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Speaking of embarrassed: Why did I write what amounts to a 10 page, double-spaced essay on license plate hunting?</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Also <strong>On Tap for Today</strong>:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';"><a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/20/16338698/donate-hurricane-earthquake-relief-recovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Where you can donate to help with hurricane and earthquake relief and recovery</a> from Vox</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">I always love <a href="http://www.thesecondlunch.com/2017/09/fall-self-care-bingo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam’s Self Care Bingo — get the fall edition here</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">Because lentil soup weather will be here soon (maybe?): <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/25-ways-to-turn-lentils-into-dinner-248332" target="_blank" rel="noopener">25 Ways to Turn Lentils into Dinner</a> <em>from The Kitchn</em></span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: 'PT Sans';">What has been the highlight of your month so far?</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/09/25/currently-september-2017/">Currently | September 2017</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ontapfortoday.com">ON TAP FOR TODAY</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ontapfortoday.com/2017/09/25/currently-september-2017/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">9903</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>