Key Ingredients v.8

Irises. Slow Mornings. Reading: This American Ex-Wife and First Lie Wins. Drinking: a Saffron Manhattan.

We are having a moment to honor the beauty of late spring. My Mom reminded me that last year (here in New England) we had an unexpected frost and none of these particular flowers bloomed. The rhododendrons and irises that did not reached their full potential in 2023, well look at them now. (Is this a metaphor for life?) You love to see it!

Add to that all the landscaping and care we took cleaning and mulching our garden beds. Hours of raking, pruning, and piling up debris. And 6 yards of mulch y’all!

🏡🚸🌼 FOR THE KIDS

Slow mornings with the boys.

Slow mornings is perhaps an overused social media antic. Everyone is ordering you to have a slow morning. Around here, we really do let ourselves have that. It’s not an epiphany, nor is it a content reel, it is just…life.

Now that it is warm enough, our slow mornings blend with the blooms. If the kids see me head outside to sip my coffee in the sun they join me. If this sounds too idyllic, life has its moments! There’s still screen time and the get ready for school hustle.

Best summer pajamas. We’ve got the warm pretzel and the deep sleeper too.

We’ve eased into June with the final NASA GK soccer “game”, some one-off swim lessons, biking as a family, playing with the neighbors, our first visit of the season to Mad Maggie’s and a cookout at my sisters house.

If you have kids, how are you slowing down to spend time with them lately?

---

🛂 We made an appointment to get Camden a new Passport. For kids under 16 they expire every 5 years. (You can not simply renew, you need a brand new application.)

• Fill out Form DS-11 and print it. Have your child’s Social Security Number and existing Passport number handy.

• Schedule an appointment at USPS. Both parents need to be present with valid identification. Bring your child’s Birth Certificate and existing Passport.

These steps are the same if your child is getting a passport for the first time!

If you don’t have a printer at home, the DS-11 form saves as a PDF so you can print it once you have access to one.

---

📚 READ

This American Ex Wife by Lyz Lenz.

Picture this. In the midst of a tough marriage, her bad day is at that point where the toddler has smeared poop all over the nursery and the baby has not slept. She had a lil bit of a breakdown and took the night off for composure and recovery. In her moment of greatest need, of despite needing someone to care for the children just this once, it was about being seen, appreciated, cared for mentally by her husband. He lent her zero compassion, and instead told her she needs to get her shit together. However that vivid turning point scene went exactly, you’ll have to read. I wanted to give her a hug but even more than that I wanted to send someone over to teach him how to take out the trash. (This sounds like a figurative statement but it is literal.)

Lyz bears it all. But she does it in a mindful way — where she does not bash her ex-husband, with whom she has two children. She simply tells her story. Like it happened. She played the cards as they were dealt until she stopped the hand that was dealing her the bad cards. She might bash a few of the males she has relations with post divorce though. Go

lyz

!!

In this book, every sentence hits. It is quotable, succinct, and to the point great storytelling. I flew through it and have a feeling you will too.

---

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Another fly through. I love when you can dive right into a fast paced read — one that keeps you on edge, but not overly anxious. First Lie Wins delivered the twists at every turn, and quite a few of them. The storyline was well woven and smart — I certainly didn’t predict the grand finale of (multiple) shockers at the end. Let me know if you figure it out first. I could totally see this book becoming a movie or a series.

---

☀️ On my reading list for Summer 🏖️

• Real Americans by Rachel Khong

• This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

• Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

• Funny Story by Emily Henry

• Swan Song by Elin Hildebrand

• Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

What would you add?

---

🥃 DRINK

34 Park in Andover has a drink we love called the World Traveler with Dexter Bourbon, Thomas Tew Spiced Rum, Azaline Saffron Roux Vermouth, Honey and Orange Bitters.

The idea of a Saffron Manhattan where the exotic saffron spice lends harmonious elements of bitterness plus a tinge of earthy-sweetness is assuredly appealing.

Now to figure out if anywhere local sells the vermouth!

---

🍒 SO INTO

Velvet Caviar // Mon Cheri Cherry iPhone Case

I was originally coveting a clear pink neon case but the cherry bunches spoke up. Velvet Caviar touts Pretty Yet Protective — I can attest the case quality is both durable and sparking daily joy.

claim 30% off here.

---

I write this newsletter in my free time for a good time. If you like what you read, clicking the❤️ button at the top or bottom of this email never gets old, in fact it makes my day! It also makes it easier for others to find this publication. (You may have heard of a little thing called an algorithm. It it is alive and well on Substack based on engagement!)

You can also support my newsletter by re-stacking, sharing with your friends, or leaving a comment. Thank you endlessly!

If you’re new —