Friendlier

What's getting us throughInspired by episodes from the Girl Next Door and Lazy Genius podcasts, we share the big and small things that help us get through when life feels overwhelming. Links mentioned:Abby's new water bottleZapp's sweet creole onion chipsTrader Joe's ice cream sandwichesSimple cheese dipLife latelyAbby made some living room updates by adding this ottoman and lampshade.Sarah shares her water woes.Reading latelyAbby found a contender for best non-fiction of the year: Raising a Rare Girl by Heather Lanier.Sarah listened to the YA mystery One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus.Eating latelySarah's eating roasted root vegetables with sausage for a delicious fall bowl.Abby has found the perfect brownies: Ghiradelli's dark chocolate premium mix.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss the ways in which people being snobby about books has affected us and our kids. Things we mentioned:Read Aloud RevivalHot and BotheredSagaDogmanThoroughbredLife latelySarah is in between trips, having just completed one home to see family and looking forward to a week away with Neil.A neighbor’s tree fell in a storm and took Abby’s chicken coop roof with it.Reading latelySarah finished a gripping travel read: Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews.Abby read The Fixed Stars, the latest memoir by Molly Wizenberg.Eating latelyAbby has been eating frozen stuffed hashbrowns from Jimmy Dean and Sarah enjoyed a coconut veggie rice prepared by Neil.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss our organizational style, the easiest and hardest areas for us to keep organized, organizational aspirations, and tools that help us keep it together. Links mentioned:Home EditFair play cardsTough Lough Self-Care ChallengeLife latelyAbby is loving overalls.Sarah had to re-book a vacation rental after a tree fell on the original.Reading latelyAbby the sports romance Kulti by Mariana Zapata.Sarah read Zakiya Dalila Harris's novel The Other Black Girl.Eating latelySarah's enjoying Spindrift seltzers in the summer heat.Abby's family found new baked potato toppings: barbeque pork and okra from her garden.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We share our back to school routines, what school looks like for our kids this year, and how we are feeling about going back to school as adults. Links mentioned:Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner by Amy SchwartzThe Day You Begin by Jacqueline WoodsonLife latelySarah is going to make more masks for her children so she doesn’t have to panic wash them at night.Abby and Andrew are watching (and loving) Ted Lasso.Reading latelySarah finished a great summer read: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.Abby flew through the YA graphic novel series Heartstopper by Alice Oseman.Eating latelyAbby shares a blueberry muffin recipe and Sarah’s family enjoyed stuffed shells.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Enneagram 8 experienceWe discuss our thoughts on the Enneagram and our experience as type 8s.Enneagram InstituteFree Enneagram testThe Honest Enneagram by Sarajane Case (who also runs @enneagramandcoffee)Life latelyAbby is feeling anxious about COVID again, thanks to the delta variant.Sarah reflects back on the summer.Reading latelyAbby read Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu.Sarah finished Let's Talk About Hard Things, written by Anna Sale, host of the Death, Sex, and Money podcast.Eating latelyTrue to form, we each share a cheese-heavy recipe: fancy cheese dip (Sarah) and a one-pot mac and cheese (Abby).If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss our gardening history, current status, aspirations, and favorite and least favorite things. Take a photo of a plant you love and tag us (@friendlierpodcast) in your story on Instagram!Life latelySarah is moving into a new role at work.Abby loves the Tushy she got for her birthday.Reading latelySarah listened to What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon and Abby read C.L. Polk’s The Midnight Bargain.Eating latelyAbby’s been enjoying avocado toast with sunflower seeds and Sarah is into salads lately, including one from the co-op with spinach, goat cheese, blueberries, and red onions and a homemade one with spinach, pepperoncini, olives, tomatoes, and feta.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

2021 updateWe do our annual mid-year review, reminding ourselves of our goals and intentions and checking in on how things are going halfway through the year.Life latelyAbby is making her way through nursing school prereqs.Sarah is thankful the Brood X cicadas have come and gone.Reading latelyAbby is reading the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese, and particularly recommends and Always Only You and Ever After Always.Sarah loved everything about The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow.Eating latelySarah made a French toast casserole and Abby enjoyed a traditional broccoli salad.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss our currently reality, whether it matches how we imagined life in our mid-thirties would be, and our hopes and dreams for the next ten years.Life latelySarah’s been optimizing routines, inspired by our discussion in our last episode.Pepper got his first haircut!Reading latelySarah listened to A Burning by Megha Majudamar and Abby read TJ Klune’s The Cerulean Sea.Eating latelyAbby shares a strawberry cake from Smitten Kitchen and Sarah enjoyed Swiss mushroom venison brats while camping with friends.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Routines: the ideal vs realityWe discuss our ideal morning, afternoon, and evening routines and how it compares to our current reality. Links we mentioned:Previous routines episodeThe Skimm and What A Day newslettersLife latelyAbby is back at an in-person yoga studio.Sarah applied to library school for the fall.Reading latelyAbby listened to two slow burn romances by Mhairi McFarlane: Don't You Forget About Me and If I Never Met You. Sarah enjoyed Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano.Eating latelySarah made applesauce oat muffins and Abby tried a new meatball recipe.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss the everyday things that might not sound like superpowers at first, but definitely make our lives easier, as well as basic things that we’re really terrible about.Life latelySarah’s kids have been watching Alone with Neil.Abby recently installed this sandbox (a gift from her sister) in the backyard and her kids are into it.Reading latelySarah read the own voices YA novel Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez, and Abby listened to A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende.Eating latelySarah made salmon bowls from the Dinner Illustrated cookbook, and Abby found a takeout pizza that’s a hit with her family in Birmingham.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Splurging and savingWe discuss our general approach to purchases, three areas or items where we've splurged or saved, categories where we'd like to splurge or save more, and our splurge regrets. Links mentioned:Female altar form sculptureSwimsuit from Unique VintageJade yoga matLife latelyAbby just got back from a weekend away with friends.Sarah gives an art shelf update, which she first talked about in our state of our home disorganization episode. The one she bought is no longer available, but it is similar to this one.Reading latelyAbby read the YA fantasy novel Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and Sarah listened to Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell.Eating latelySarah enjoyed corn and green chili enchiladas from the Dinner Illustrated cookbook.In an unexpected twist, Abby is recommending a vegan cheese dip. To make, toss the following in the blender:2 cups raw cashews3/4 Cup Oat Milk (her friend uses Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend)2 tbsp olive oil1/4 Cup fresh squeezed lemon juice1/4 cup nutritional yeast1 1/2 tsp sea

Life latelySarah’s family is recovering from illness.Abby is enjoying her newly-installed ceiling fan.Reading latelySarah loved listening to Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue and Abby was thrilled to read the third installment Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters trilogy–Act Your Age, Eve Brown.Connecting with our partnersWe share how we like to connect with our spouses, what forms of connection don’t work for us, and connection aspirations. Links we mentioned:SplendorAzulBoggle with FriendsEating latelyAbby has perfected her spaghetti making process and Sarah is eating a lot of Trader Joe’s spring rolls.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our camping livesWe discuss camping in our youth (including one memorable backpacking trip together in college), what we love about camping, what we could do without, and our favorites tips and resources. Links mentioned:Kelsey's camping packing listKitchen chuck boxAbby's family's tent, cooler, techni ice, and sleeping matsLife latelyAbby is trying a new skincare routine, inspired by Sherry of Young House Love.Sarah played the piano every day in March as part of Ali Edward's One Little Word class.Reading latelyAbby read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson and Sarah read Three Women by Lisa Taddeo.Eating latelySarah made an Instant Pot Oreo cheesecake and Abby's family is enjoying kale from their garden.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Now that we are a few months into the new year we wanted to check-in with each other to find out what has and hasn’t been working in our lives. Links we mentioned:Yoga With Adriene 30 Day ChallengeThe Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Linda Yan GlaserThe Penderwicks by Jeanne BirdsallEmmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne JonellLife latelySarah got a new bike (after leaving hers in a park last summer–whoops).Abby’s hens have started laying eggs!Reading latelySarah read The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon–an enemies to lovers romance with a podcast premise.Abby loved the latest sci-fi novel from N.K. Jemisin, The City We Became.Eating latelyAbby found an easy blueberry muffin recipe and Sarah tried the TikTok pasta.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-ou

Things we hate, media editionWe spend a portion of every show talking about what we love in the books we read, but what about what we hate? We share our dislikes in books, favorite and least favorite romance tropes, books and shows other people loved but we couldn't get into, and what we don't enjoy in movies we watch. Links mentioned:Hamnet by Maggie O'FarrellGold by Chris CleeveSuch a Fun Age by Kiley ReidThe War That Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker BradleyOne to Watch by Kate Stayman-LondonThe Power by Naomi AldermanCourt of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (and the newest book in the series Court of Silver Flames just came out in February)The Goldfinch by Donna TarttCourt of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasGilmore GirlsFleabagArrested DevelopmentLife latelyAbby ticked a box on her pandemic bingo card: rearranging her house.Sarah created new shelves on Goodreads for her family's read-alouds and Friendlier reads (including specific shelves for books recommended by her and Abby).Reading latelyAbby read

A week of breakfasts and lunchesWe love to talk about food and share another installment of a week of meals, this time focused on our breakfasts and lunches. We were originally inspired by The Mom Hour's episode of a week of dinners, and have previously recorded our own week of dinners and a week of snacks. Links we mentioned:Coconut Baobab granolaSpicy cashew butter dressingBiscuit breakfast casseroleLife latelyNeil finished building the kids' Christmas present: a new playset!Abby is doing a deep dive into camping gear in preparation for an upcoming trip.Reading latelySarah read the crime thriller Take It Back by Kia Abdullah.Abby read Ink and Bone, the first of the Great Library series by Rachel Caine.Eating latelyWe both share cookie recipes from Sally's Baking Addiction: soft molasses cookies for Abby and caramel stuffed Nutella cookies for Sarah.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendl

Talking to kids about tough stuffInspired by a listener question, we discuss how we talk to our kids about tough stuff--politics, current events, race, gender, sex, cancer, and death. Inspired by a listener question, we discuss how we talk to our kids about tough stuff--politics, current events, race, gender, sex, cancer, and death. Links we mentioned + books our families love that we didn't list in the show:Conscious KidBlack Lives Matter book list with links to read-alouds of each book curated by Phoebe DefinoOwn Voices in children's literatureSomething Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, Ann Hazzard, and Jennifer ZivoinRuby Bridges Goes to School by Ruby BridgesThe Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael LopezThe Name Jar by Yangsook ChoiClubhouse Mysteries by Sharon DraperI Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer and Christopher EliopoulosNot My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia HiggenbothamThe Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj MuhammadThe Book Itch: Freedom

Entertaining ourselves and our people at homeWe've had a lot of time at home, and more to come this spring. We share how we've keeping ourselves and our families entertained, the best and worst of our time at home, and our entertainment aspirations as we look ahead. Links we mentioned:Aaron's Thinking PuttyBoggleQuixxAzulSplendorCarcassoneDrawfulCodenamesTemeraire books by Naomi NovikSchitt's CreekWandavisionBridgertonThe Penderwicks by Jeanne BirdsallThe Vanderbeekers of 141st by Karina Yan GlaserLife latelySarah and Neil are having weekly meetings to check-in with each other about parenting.Abby and her family said good-bye to their beloved cat, Zeda.Reading latelySarah read Kate Elizabeth Russell's intense novel, My Dark Vanessa.On the lighter side, Abby read Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade.Eating latelyAbby has an easy Trader Joe's dinner to share and Sarah's family is trying take-out from new-to-them local restaurants.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, em

Mood boostersWhat better time to discuss mood boosters than the middle of a pandemic + the gray days of winter? We share our favorite mood boosting activities, products, and foods. Links we mentioned:SAD lightcards: tarot, goddess, and animalPoshmarkLife latelyAbby has been listening to The Bengsens.Sarah's kids have started finger-knitting, inspired by Hyacinth from the Vanderbeeker novels.Reading latelyAbby read Weather by Jenny Offill and Sarah finished This Place: 150 Years Retold, a graphic novel anthology.Eating latelySarah made chopped a whole lot of veggies for this roasted butternut squash and parsnip soup.Abby combined these two recipes to make creamed spinach and eggs.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The state of our home (dis)organizationWe discuss our home organization wins, challenges, and inspiration. We may not have many tips to offer, but there's plenty of commiseration to go around. Links we mentioned:Abby's tool organizerArt cabinet Sarah hopes will solve her family's craft area problemsYoung House LoveClutterbug podcastLife latelySarah is facing down the gray days of winter.Abby is loving Bridgerton.Reading latelySarah fell hard for the young adult novel You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson.Abby read Yaa Gyasi's new novel, Transcendent Kingdom.Eating latelyAbby is eating lemon cookies to brighten up the winter days while Sarah is cozying up with corn chowder.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.