Reading lately

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Sarah read (and loved) The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay and Abby finished the second book of a young adult series, The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord.

How we’re doing in the time of COVID-19

We wanted to check in with each other and listeners to see how everyone is doing two weeks into being at home. We talk about our mental state, how we’re coping, and resources for kids that we’ve found useful. Links we mentioned in this episode:

• Gourmet Makes
• Schitt’s Creek
• Audio books through Libby and Hoopla
• The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
• Storytime Durham
• Wonderlab Science Museum
• Sparkle Stories
• Art/Lab at Home with Ms. Kady

We are thinking of you all and hoping you are staying safe and well in this uncertain time.

Eating lately

Abby stocked up on her favorite granola and Sarah made this chocolate banana bread.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

A quick note: We recorded this at the beginning of the month, before all of our lives were upended by COVID-19. We will be recording a bonus episode (out next Tuesday) about how we are coping. May you all stay safe and healthy in this uncertain time. -S&A

Life lately

Abby and Sarah share a recent birthday surprise.

Reading lately

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Abby read Motherwit: An Alabama Midwife’s Story by Onnie Lee Logan and Sarah was inspired by Being Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst by Kim John Payne.

Prioritizing reading

We discuss when we find time to read, why we have read more after having kids than before, what gets us out of a reading slump, and our favorite places to find reading inspiration and recommendations.

• Instagram follows with good book recs: @katejbaer @catherinenewman, and @v_solesmith
• Newsletters from Molly Westerman and Feminist Midwife
• Modern Mrs Darcy
• Hot and Bothered podcast

Eating lately

Sarah made a chocolate cheesecake (but substituting this crust) in the Instant Pot using this pan.

Abby is making a bold claim: this pasta bake is the most delicious thing she has ever made at home.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

Life lately

Sarah is trying to invite people over more often and take the advice of this article on not worrying so much about the cleaning.

Abby went from being a no-playdough home to a playdough-loving home. Here’s the recipe Sarah’s family uses for the homemade version:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp cream of tarter
• 1 cup water
• 2-3 drops of food coloring
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Combine dry ingredients in a skillet, add wet ingredients, then cook on medium heat, stirring continuously until playdough begins to pull away from the pan. Remove from the pan and knead dough it’s evenly combined. Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

Reading lately

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Sarah read The Duchess War, which is the first in the Brothers Sinister Series by Courtney Milan. Abby read Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest novel, City of Girls.

Our physical spaces

We describe our current spaces, share our home related dreams (both the realistic and the not), and what makes us love the space we’re in. Here are the links we mentioned in the episode:

• Prisms
• Big Dreams Small Spaces

Eating lately

Abby’s dad made gumbo on a recent visit and Sarah made tried her hand at aloo gobi.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!