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.