Midnight Book Releases, My Kids Favorite Breakfast, and Something I Should Own By Now
the weekly r.e.p.o.r.t. 06.05.26
What is the Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T? I wanted to create a fun weekly format to share food, reads, hobbies, items, shows and more that I’m currently loving or making my life easier. I see “Efficient Kitchen” embodying the whole home as well as the people in it. I also want to hear from YOU. What are you enjoying? Comment on the post anything you’re loving in a R.E.P.O.R.T category.
“There are all kinds of courage,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to our friends…”
I finally finished my read aloud of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone with my eldest, and it was probably more impactful as an adult than as a teen. It was an absolute delight capturing her face as answers to her questions were revealed. Most of us are so familiar with the story by now, but she’s really only seen the movie covers in a drawer.
I fear with the all the advances in technology, it will become rarer and rarer that we get such excellent literature. I don’t know if enough time has passed since Harry Potter was written to call it a classic, but it was a joy in my teens/early adulthood to watch the series unfold and be a part of midnight book releases and the anticipation of waiting a year until knowing the next part of the story.
With kids home for the summer, I’m focusing on keeping the hungry kids fed in June. I posted my family’s favorite breakfast on Tuesday. If you’re a long time follower, you have seen me make pancakes and freeze them over and over again. I got tired of that while pregnant, so I found a faster way. These are thick and fluffy gluten free pancakes and my kids love them. You can even grab them on the go and eat them in the car if you’re in a rush.
Whenever someone wants to start meal prepping, I recommend to start with breakfast. You can start your day a little slower, less rushed and calmer with breakfast ready to go. I know some of my recipes for big breakfast bulk prep can be more time consuming, but you’ll have this one done in under 30 minutes.
One of my greatest joys in motherhood is getting to experience things that I would have loved as a kid. My eldest had a birthday recently, and we got to celebrate her over the weekend by going to the American Girl Doll store for a birthday event. As a child, I remember the Chicago store opening and really wanting to go so badly, and we are so fortunate to live semi-close to one of the five stores.
I will cherish our experience, because she’s truly old enough now to appreciate the history told through the character’s stories. I really dislike how the original books are out of print (don’t buy the books from the store, they are condensed versions), but I have collected the historical doll books through the Facebook groups and Thriftbooks.com (my favorite place for out of print books).
While I was there, I was easily persuaded by the clerk into purchasing The Making of American Girl. This is a MASSIVE coffee table book, but I was so incredibly impressed with what I learned about the company that Pleasant Rowland started. Pleasant was originally a textbook author. She and her friend Valerie Tripp wanted to tell history through stories.
“Our books do not reflect a perfect world— they can’t, because they reflect history, and history is often gritty and hard.” -Pleasant Rowland
If you have read the books, you know that there are tough stories about escaping slavery, disease and hardship, war, economic depression, but at the center of the stories are young heroines that can help young readers hopeful that even through hardship, life can be good. They each have a birthday and go to school and celebrate holidays providing ways to connect with young girls today who also share those events.
I have so enjoyed this season of motherhood even more than the voracious and brief princess phase (enjoy that one while it lasts— it’s so short!). Sharing something from my childhood and seeing it again through fresh eyes has been so fun.
I realized that I’m almost forty, and I do not own a proper vase. I always forget to look at Mark & Graham except when I get an ad, but they are way more my style than Pottery Barn. They have so many nice customizable gifts that would make great housewarming, couples gifts, or newly wed presents.
I loved this cheese board for serving. It’s customizable and reasonable for such a cute item.
I’m also loving this customizable BBQ Carving Board. It would be an amazing Father’s Day gift for a Dad or Husband who enjoys smoking meat, or cooking a lot of steaks. My husband prefers boards like this with the grooves to catch run off juice. It’s maple, which should hold up well.
I don’t know how I lived so long without an immersion blender. I finally asked for one for Christmas two years ago, and I use it almost daily now. I make almost all my own sauces and I find it makes any recipe with a lot of eggs easier to work with. I have found so many uses for it. I highly recommend having one in your kitchen.
I have recently started watching The Forsytes on PBS Masterpiece Theater. I’m really enjoying that show so far. I always have a hard time finding a really enthralling historical fiction TV show that I loved. The Guilded Age has been one of my favorites, and it is hard to find some that good.
I did watch The Count of Monte Cristo mini series on Masterpiece as well, and it honestly made me so mad. The acting was good, but it watered the plot down to about 25% of what happens. I could do a whole Ted Talk on this, but I will spare you. Just read the book, it’s life changing.
Lilly Pulitzer is having 40% Wear Now styles with free shipping from today until 6/8. If you loved anything in last week’s report, check it out now.
Burt’s Bees Baby is having 15% off their sport collection
Maisonette is having their Summer Baby Event through 6/7 with up to 40% off
Bauble Bar: $50 viral phone cases
Let me know any of your recommendations below! I would love to hear them.
*This post may contain affiliate links at no extra charge to you. All opinions are my own.