August 12, 2024
Welcome to A Lovenote.
A weekly digest where I say hello and share. You’ll find things you can cook this week + some things you didn’t ask for but might enjoy. I’m so glad you are here!
To keep everyone busy, and also for some self care after a difficult week, we went for family manis and pedis.
It's said that August is the Sunday of summer. July is the Saturday. And June is the Friday. This feels so spot on. July felt high energy and fun. The way a Saturday does when you know you still have a whole weekend day ahead of you.
You may have seen my post this week where I shared that our family suffered a tragic loss. It was a week ago today. It feels like a terrible dream. A young man, in his prime, father of two little boys and a spectacular husband and friend, left us. We are so paralyzed with grief. I’ve never felt sadness this intense. Grief is a force of nature. His friends loved him. His family loved him. I miss him.
My son, Sully’s reaction to learning of Hudson’s death with stay with me forever. I literally watched his heart break. Hudson was a god to Sully. We named him after him. But I am proud of how we are coming together to grieve, to feel and to be. I think it’s important that our kids know the full range of the human experience. It’s ok to show that we are hurting. And that we will smile again. Laugh again. And also feel shitty some days. That no emotion is negative or bad. Each feeling is meant to be honoured and acknowledged just as much as joy or elation. It’s those very emotions that cause us to dig deeper, fight harder and strive to learn the lessons. A bad day or a crappy mood need not be permanent. It does, however, in my opinion, need to be ok. Know that you are safe with me and so are your emotions.
Buddhist teacher Joseph Goldstein talks about loving-kindness as a way to be with grief. Even if the person has died, says Goldstein, our love for them hasn’t. Let love balance the grief. I think this is too soon for me, but it does give me comfort that eventually, love will remain, even though Hudson did not.
No one really knows what to do in times like this. Or what to say. I would like to thank each of you for reaching out with your condolences. Knowing that we are in your thoughts has been incredibly comforting. I am grateful for this community. Thank you.
Let’s dive into today’s newsletter…..
What caught my eye this week
WATCHING. Fras and I finished the House of Dragon. I liked it but didn’t love it. But I also can’t wait for the next season. We are starting the Bear tonight, after much urging from friends. Have you seen it? I think there will be some TV watching in my future. Send me your recommendations!
LISTENING I got my reading from Amber at The Pilot Light Project! Do you remember back in June when I shared in my stories that I had done the session with her? She sent me a message that my spirit guides were full of sparkle and glitter. Who doesn’t want to hear that their angels/guides/ancestors are sparkly!? The reading was a gift from my sister Ashley. I’m a little woo-woo and a little hard work so stuff like this totally speaks to me. And Amber got me. And she gave me so much direction. It’s wild. It’s taken me ALL week to get through it. I feel like I need to sit with it for a minute so I will report back next week once I process it all.
SHOPPING Unfortunately, shopping for funeral clothes. I bought this dress for myself. I found this adorable suit with a jacket and pants, tie and belt for Sully. Tiggy found this dress for Sadie and Tigs will wear these pants with a top she already owns. One thing that is bringing us all joy is that Hudson was a sneaker fanatic. Specifically, he loved Nikes. So we’ve all found some super awesome sneaks to wear at the funeral! I love this so much. I bought myself these (on sale!) and I think Hudson would approve! Nike is having a 25% off Back-to-school sale so go stock up!
I love everything Sézane. Especially this jacket for fall. It would be a lovely transition piece. I love this Barry cardigan that you can wear backwards or forwards. (I wear a size S). I don’t have anywhere to wear this, but it’s called the Christie Jacket and therefore I think I need to own it.
SCROLLING This made me laugh. He’s just so pleased as punch with himself!
Also, am I a trad wife? There is growing controversy around the subject. I didn’t know what a trad wife was until I stumbled upon Nara which led me to Hannah. Both are fascinating to me in a kind of weird way. I can’t put my finger on it. I’d love you to weigh in on this in the comments. Is it considered anti-feminist to be a trad wife?
ORGANIZING We are between Sully coming home from camp and Tiggy leaving for a ski trip in Chile. And the crap over here is out of control. Their stuff is everywhere! These storage bags are brilliant and are on their way to me to help corral everything. They would be the MVP of packing if you are packing up for college or university.
TRAVEL You are probably aware that our trip to France didn’t happen. We have a lovely little flight credit to use up before next June! Any suggestions on where we should go?
COOKING I’ve been thinking of meals to make and take to friends in need - whether during a loss or after a baby is born or for whatever reason. I will do a round-up this week and post it, so it can live on the blog. Until then, this One-Pan Basil Chicken Meatball dish is perfect for gifting. Some other meals that would comfort and delight are: Thai Beef Basil Bowls, Healthy (ish) Turkey Bolognese, Lemony Orzo Chicken Soup, Sheet Pan Steak and Veggies. Also, when in doubt, take cookies. These cookies are gluten free and AMAZING. Or frozen cookie dough that can be baked up at the last minute.
I would pack them up in these larger glass storage containers. You could even cook it in something like this inexpensive cast iron skillet and leave it with them.
Don’t forget that if you’re heading to a cottage anytime soon, pick up my done-for-you cottage meal plan, complete with grocery list, that will alleviate any decision fatigue when it comes to planning meals while you’re on holiday.
Looking for past issues of A Lovenote? Catch up on what you missed with Episode 29 and Episode 30 and Episode 31.
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Recipes to try this week…..
This week’s meal plan
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