Ten years of mothering

And a summer announcement

Hi my dear readers!

Big feelings here this week with Eleanor turning TEN. Nate said it makes him feel old but happy, for me it’s bizarre and happy. Last year, I wept as we crossed the halfway-done-with-childhood milestone. Monday, though, was mostly bubbling with joy and the thrill of double digits and home-run birthday gifts (Crunch Labs, a travel easel). I am grateful my magical child is still a child, still here, always mine.

roses and peonies. tradition!

box-mix funfetti cake that she frosted herself

added some homemade paper party hats to 4x6 photos of her and hung them up around the family room. saving them for next year (and will add more!)

---

mom talk

Crying a little bit about becoming a mother and the fantastic girl who made me one.

---

small announcement

Handpicked is taking a summer break!

Since stay-at-home-motherhood gets turned up to eleven during the summer, next week’s Handpicked will be my last newsletter until my kids go back to school in late August.

It’s hard, because I’ve never missed a newsletter in over five years, but my gut is sounding the alarm that I need to step away from my screen — both for consumption and creation — and fully immerse myself in mothering and householding the next couple months. Most likely, I’ll pop in with a Deep Dive or two, and perhaps a few Notes as well. And if you’re looking for me, I’ll probably be in the front yard negotiating for ice cream sandwiches and hosing off beachy kid feet.

july 4 // kodak portra 160 // manhattan beach, ca // 2023

---

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change, that lives within the means available and works co-operatively against common threats.”
—Charles Darwin

---

today’s bouquet

• Opting out of upgrading. A terrific take on not bothering with biggering and bettering.

• Looping this cover of “Friday I’m in Love” by Phoebe Bridgers (via Joanna probably?)

• I’m taking a day trip to Salt Lake for my cousin’s wedding(!!) and can’t wait to try Crisp and Green. (via Em)

• But why don’t I need a tent dress?

• Actually gasped. Obsessed.

• Found: a healthy pasta that’s not gluey or planty. We added some pesto and buttery whole-roasted garlic cloves… yum.

• Three books I finished in May — they’re all very different:

  • The Social Animal by David Brooks. A fascinating look two human beings growing, succeeding, failing, and continuing to grow, with extremely different backgrounds and values. It’s dense and brilliantly written and reminded me fondly of my sociology classes in college. Recommend.

  • Joy in the Brambles by Ross Palfreyman. Defining the difference between happiness and joy. While the author incorporates the wisdom he’s found within his religion (Mormon, same as me), he’s also packed the book with terrific quotes from folks of all walks of life, including multiple Beatles, Muhammad Ali, and Mother Teresa. Made me cry, and not just because my parents were the couple he showed up for in the aftermath of the Northridge Earthquake. A quick two-hour listen. Highly recommend.

  • Go as a River by Shelley Read. Oh my gosh, this book gave me goosebumps. It’s set in the high mountains of Colorado on a small family peach farm in the mid-1950’s; it colorfully winds through the beauty and horror of Victoria Nash’s coming of age and her unimaginable strength when faced with the impossible again and again. Visceral, unforgettable, intensely beautiful from page one to the very last sentence. Highly recommend.

---

two photos

eleanor, age 3, mixed media // kodak portra 400 // prairie village, ks // 2018

pink lady hawthorn // kodak portra 160 // palos verdes estates, ca // 2024

---

last thing

• Most popular link last week: no-clue crossword.

• Readers today: 1,658

• Grateful for you.