Like many people around the world, I’ve been baking homemade bread during quarantine. Why is this such a “thing” these days? I think there is something calming about baking in the kitchen: the oven is warm, the smells are divine, time is slowed. Baking bread connects us to our ancestors and awakens our lost memories […]

During this whole shelter-at-home thing, I am really working hard to keep things in perspective. Yes, I am incredibly sad for so many reasons (kids missing school, social events cancelled, working from home challenges), but I am also well aware that things could be much, much worse. My husband and I have the privilege of […]

Ugh. Winter. We are now halfway through February and officially OVER the cold and ice and dreary skies. Dainty snowflakes fluttering from the sky are no longer charming, even to seasoned Chicagoans like us. With all of us stuck in the house, I desperately (frantically?) look for any opportunity to make a memory, pass the […]

I’ve shared many banana bread recipes on this site, including Coconut Banana Bread, Zucchini Banana Bread, and Banana Bread French Toast. When I was growing up my mom often welcomed my siblings and I home from school with a warm loaf, so my affection for this most basic of quick breads must come from her. This […]

We go through a lot of avocados in our house. Like, three a day. It is one of the few veggies the twins will eat (they hate all fruit!), and Evie, Vivian and I could happily have avocado toast for breakfast every day. I love that something so creamy and fatty and delicious also happens […]

Even though we live in the middle of a big city, I still like to daydream about gardening. I grew up on a small farm in the country (complete with horses, sheep, geese, dogs and too many cats), and I fondly remember my dad’s large vegetable garden. I learned as a young girl that vegetables […]

Oof. I’ve been up since 2 am. Elinor woke up at that time fussing – Juliet just got her molars so that must be poor Nori’s problem. And then Ben came in to our bed. And then Ben peed in our bed. And then I was just done sleeping. Might as well get up and […]

Last week I questioned the Homemade Mothering Facebook community on a supremely first world problem: Need some people with minimalistic sensibilities to weigh in: should I keep this? I never use it, but I love the *idea* of using it. Homemade cookies, cake and pie (which I *love* to make!) would look so cute in […]

Every week, for the past 40 weeks, Ben has asked to make pumpkin bread. Last year we bought the mix from Trader Joe’s and it was the perfect activity for him – easy to make, easy to mix and perfectly tasty. It is a seasonal item, and sweet Ben has waited oh-so patiently for our local […]

My parents have 18 grandchildren. Considering how young they are, I’d say that is quite an accomplishment. The only issue with having such a large family is that we can’t easily gather to celebrate all the birthdays. So, my sister Colleen offered to host a big birthday/end-of-summer party at her home in honor of my […]