george's birthday tradition

George turned 11 yesterday. It's our tradition to celebrate with the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls. 

I make some for his birthday and set some aside for Christmas morning. 

This year we gave him a live bait cooler and this classic toy to go along with the fishing theme. It's been a hit.

I will never forget that December day when 9lbs 10oz of the most gorgeous boy you've ever seen entered the world. He was born just 3 months shy of my 30th birthday. I like to think I gave him the very last bit of my youth.

I see none of myself in George. He only looks like his dad. 

George is becoming the manliest man and the biggest softy at the same time. "Tough and tender" is what my brother (George's namesake) called him. It is a great combo of qualities. 

Oh if I could turn back time. Ok, I'm crying now. 

Signing off. Happy birthday to George and Merry Christmas to all of you. 

the red lip

At this point in December we've been to half a dozen (or more!!) Christmas events. 

I've taken these opportunities to try out a red lip. It's an art and a science and a discipline. I haven't totally mastered it, but I do have a tip...

My college roommate used to apply the boldest coat of cheap, drug store lipstick an hour before leaving the house to go out. She was staining her lips. The stain provides a base coat. Let it wear off or wipe it off before applying a final coat. Voila! 

I'm not saying you will get through the whole night without it coming off, especially if you're eating and drinking, but it definitely buys you some time. 

I've always admired a statement lip.

Stephen's grandmother lived to be 102. She wore Love that Pink to the end of her life. She looked great! 

And then there's Lisa, a family friend, who keeps a few lipsticks in her kitchen drawer because "you always want to look good in the kitchen." 

So let's do this! Wear a bold lip. Please share tips if you have any. 

coffee and book recommendation

I recommend this coffee. 

My mom left a bag at my house. 

My aunt and cousin came through town and took some in to go cups. They texted later, "we really enjoyed that coffee."

Then my mother in law was over and asked "what kind of coffee is this?"

It's Seattle's Best Post Alley Blend. It's bold and fantastic. 

My best college friend also approves, says she can't stop recommending it.  

This is not sponsored, but if Seattle's Best wants to make an offer, I'm here for it. 

.....

Also, I recommend this book by Nancy Guthrie, The One Year Praying Through the Bible for Your Kids. With the new year coming up, it would be a great gift for anyone with some kids to pray for. I even think it would be good for grandparents or aunts and uncles.

Sometimes, I get stuck as to how to pray for my kids. Naturally, I pray for their health and safety. I also tend to pray for specific situations and their general welfare, which is important to me but ultimately not the most important. This book is a great guide into deeper and more significant prayers. For example, that they would lean on God in times of suffering, make Christ the main focus of their lives, and learn to confess and repent of their sins....to name a few.

In busy seasons, like Christmastime, it feels good to take a break from the craziness and do something basic. It doesn't get more basic than a good cup of coffee and praying for our kids! 

christmas clothing bin

I got this idea from Kate at Naptime Kitchen, a Christmas clothing bin. The concept is that you store all the children's Christmas clothes together in one box, formal and informal, tacky and not tacky, pjs and church clothes. Genius. I used to store each child's Christmasy outfits in individual rooms or hand me down storage categorized by age. On that first holiday occasion, I'd start rummaging. 

I am desperate for order this time of year! This Christmas hack has brought me a small dose of peace and quite frankly... JOY. It may be the one area I have "together," my only symbol of sanity. No I don't know what's for breakfast, but if you need a Santa hat, I'm your girl. 

I'd be lying if I told you I'm thriving right now. We were not made for such chaos. But there are lots of sweet moments in between the times I want to scream into my pillow. So I'm trying to hold onto those. 

Also, I appreciated this comment from Lauren on the post holiday overwhelm

"Raising my hand as a reformed Grinch! Really more of a reformed Scrooge. I was so "bah, humbug" about the whole thing. What I ended up doing--and I realize this is going to sound SO sanctimonious, promise I don't mean for it to--is silencing all the noise and allowing myself to be gobsmacked by the Incarnation. I mean...God decided to come down here and live as a HUMAN? And bring us all to heaven in the process? What in the world? I've used it to reframe my whole approach, and I've gotta say...it works. A couple of favorite resources from my journey: Loving My Actual Christmas by Alexandra Kuykendall, Home By Another Way by Barbara Brown Taylor, and Muppet Christmas Carol (the lyrics to the songs sound like they were written for what I was going through and what I needed to do to reframe). 

Thank you for your refreshing honesty here. It's a hard thing to talk about, but I know we aren't the only moms who have felt this way."

I'm loving your comments and the overwhelming warm response to my return to blogging. Thank you. 

giant pot of spaghetti

Spaghetti is one of our comfort foods. So naturally with it being dark and cold and every one being super busy this time of year, we needed to find our serenity in our favorite meal. 

This recipe is originally my aunt's and the one I grew up on, the one a friend once heated up for breakfast after a spend the night party at my house. It's so good, and we loved it for years. Then, my mom got really into an authentic Italian meatball recipe by Father Canonici. It is its own category, the best, but labor intensive. For sanity's sake, I've returned to the original, beloved spaghetti of my childhood. 

Notice a theme with me coming back around to old recipes.

I always double or triple it using my All Clad 8 quart pot, which would be a great Christmas gift, or a baby gift for someone with a big family, or for someone who likes to entertain.

Recipe:

1/2 cup olive oil

2 lbs ground beef

1 large onion or 2 small, diced

1 clove garlic

6 oz can tomato paste

15 oz can tomato sauce

16 oz tomato juice 

1/3 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

favorite Italian herbs and spices to taste (parsley, oregano, etc.)

Heat oil in skillet. Cook diced onion until soft, add garlic, and then ground beef. Once beef is browned, drain. Add remaining ingredients and allow to simmer for one hour before serving over cooked noodles. I recommend angel hair pasta. Serves 6-8 and I always double or triple it.

outfit formula that always works

a cream colored top + a skirt = a classic combo that always works!

cream or ivory

short or long sleeved

sweater or blouse

mini, midi, or maxi 

Lots of options to pull it together.

me (40) + Laurie (almost 13) 

This look works on so many occasions and for all ages. You can be 12, 20, 43, or 72 and it lands every time. 

Wear it to work, or church, or pair it with fancy accessories for parties.

Dress it up with heels or go casual with booties or boots, or a nice loafer. Love a loafer. Pictured above, I'm wearing my new Nisolos. 

This outfit is perfect with tights in cold weather or sandals in warm temps. It is for ALL seasons, warm fall days and cold spring ones. We have a lot of both in Montgomery, Alabama.

My point is -- this whole ensemble is verstile. If you're at a loss as to what to wear on special occasions, get a cream top and a couple of skirts. At least have them as a back up.

Sometimes moms with younger daughters ask me how and where to find clothes for tweens and teens. I don't know is my answer. But I do know this outfit in various forms is a winner for most everyone. 

I took Laurie shopping over Thanksgiving break. We bought 3 tops and 2 skirts, multiple variations of cream colored sweaters, mixed and matched with the skirts. Of course, because this is an outfit formula that always works! 

a good lunch for mom

I think it's so important that moms eat a good lunch. First of all, it's very physical, our jobs. We need to feed ourselves nutritious and delicious food. 

I remember when I first took my older kids to preschool I would have time to exercise, shower, and make a good lunch. Then it was about time to pick them up. 

For a long time I felt like I was wasting time. Shouldn't I be running a side hustle or cleaning the whole house top to bottom? I didn't feel like I had much to show for my kid free 3 hours.

My mindset has changed and I don't feel like I'm wasting time eating a good lunch these days. I find that it keeps me from overeating later in the day because I've been cared for.

I like to call it a luxurious lunch for mom. Sometimes, my mom and I will brag about the lunches we enjoy. Lots of eggs and avocados are typically involved. 

My plate pictured above is sriracha salmon, yellow rice, and a salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and tomatoes. Tuesday night's leftovers.

Also, that's a giant, 3 cup mason jar. I try to drink one jar before noon. #goals

subtle christmas decor

I know people LOVE Christmas. I'm working on it. I'm a reformed (reforming) Grinch. Evidence that my tiny, cold heart is growing are the subtle ways I enjoy decorating our home. I like to do a big purge before to make room for the extra. Then I sprinkle a little cheer in every room. Nothing crazy.

Maybe I'll even start liking Christmas music.

my dad's 70th birthday

My dad turned 70 this month. I'm so lucky to have him! To celebrate, my mom threw him a fabulous dinner party with extended family and friends. We made a card "70 things we love about Doc." My brother and his wife served their famous shrimp toast. My cousin baked a beautiful chocolate cake. Instead of singing happy birthday, my Uncle Ronnie played the piano and we all sang Jimmy Buffet's Lucky Stars, with printed lyrics. 

It was special. Love you, Doc.

P.S. I wore one of my mom's old outfits that she bought to go on a date with my dad. She saved it because it was sentimental. This was the perfect occasion to bring it back. 

holiday overwhelm

It's the week before Thanksgiving. I'm overwhelmed. There's lots of normal and lots of extra i.e. Thanksgiving feasts, a talent show, meetings. Christmas is looming. 

Two things can be true at the same time. I can participate and enjoy the holidays, and I can also be burdened by them.

Caroline's 2nd grade Thanksgiving feast

All I want to do is make a mocha and sit under a heavy blanket. But that is not for now. 

I don't shine during the holidays. Tips? Solidarity?

That is all.

.....

Revised to add: I asked my uncle Mike if he was excited for Christmas?...to which he replied, "neeehver."

Lol. Raise your hand if you are a fellow Grinch.

i loved this book

How to Stay Married, the Most Insane Love Story Ever Told by Harrison Scott Key

I could not put this book down. I laughed, I cried, I self reflected. 

It's a memoir about the author's marriage, his wife's infidelity, and ultimately their reconciliation. But it was more than that. It was about his spiritual journey, grace, forgiveness, and the complicated nature of people, the church, and marriages. It was beautiful. 5 stars.

 

Check out his Tedx talk. So funny. And when you're done with the book, Harrison's interview at Square Books. 

halloween traditions

We had the best Halloween 2023. 

I have developed a sincere appreciation and sentimentality for Halloween. It's about costumes and candy and fun with friends. Childhood. We typically have a group to our house for a quick supper - hotdogs, chips, and a veggie tray to counteract the sugar that is consumed later. 

Then we load up, armed with our tumblers of bourbon (adults only!) and trick or treat in our neighborhood, hay ride style. We return to the house to take inventory of the loot and make trades. 

Every year, I think it might be the last for my older kids to dress up, but they held on for 2023. Stephen Jr. went to a friend's house to hand out candy, which I thought was appropriate.

mad scientist, cow girl, Elvis, Taylor, and a football

poppy seed chicken

I officially discovered this recipe in a copy of Southern Living Easy Weeknight Favorites that I acquired from my college house. I first tried the chicken salad with pine nuts and fresh basil (pg.122) that ended up costing around $50 for all the ingredients. Lesson learned. I quickly moved on to humbler recipes such as poppy seed chicken casserole. 

I made it often in our early married years, serving over rice with a side of green beens. One time I tried to be smart and put the uncooked rice in the casserole mixture. That did not go well. Another lesson learned. 

Around the 2010's, cream of chicken soup fell out of favor with us home cooks, and we were obviously too good for anything with Ritz crackers on top. 

Y'all, we were wrong. 

Here's the recipe. Memorize it.

 

3 cups chopped, cooked chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup

8 oz sour cream

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1 sleeve Ritz crackers

1/2 stick butter, melted

Combine the chicken, cream of chicken, sour cream, and poppy seeds. Pour into a 9x13 casserole dish. Crush the Ritz and stir in a bowl with melted butter then top chicken mixture. Bake in oven 350 degrees x 30 minutes. Serve over white rice. 

Recommended side: green beans!

I always double the recipe and cook once, eat twice.

starting over, again

Y'all! I'm starting over, again. I feel compelled.

I haven't blogged routinely since Caroline was a baby, 8 years ago, and I have missed this art! I still think in blog posts. 

Why?

1. I want to keep a record. 

2. There is a void of good blogs written by normal people.

3. I like to share, but not on social media. 

4. I want to create and not just consume on the internet.

5. It energizes me. 

6. I have a one year old, and I need a hobby. 

I've contemplated reviving my old blog, but decided I need a fresh start. I've evolved. My interests and styles have changed. My vibes are less "how to" and more storied. Think conversation between friends, sharing recommendations, updates, and advice. 

My goal is 2 posts/week. Stick around and hopefully I will, too. 

Please comment or email me (sbspooner@gmail.com). 

about moi

I'm Sarah Barry (double name). My husband Stephen and I live in Alabama with our 5 amazing and hilarious children. Stephen is the world's greatest tractor salesman, and I'm a homemaker. My days are spent taking care of the baby, cooking, cleaning, exercising, and running kids around town. 

I appreciate the simple things: walking, reading, budgeting, drinking coffee, making lists, and quality time with my people.

This blog is a record of whatever the heck I feel like sharing. Watch me attempt to be stylish, cook basic meals, keep a streamlined and organized home, and not travel.