What made me cry, what's saving my hair, and what I can't stop eating
the weekly r.e.p.o.r.t 07.10.26
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.
I haven’t been so incredibly moved by a book series in a really long time. I like to joke at my book club that I don’t trust authors that aren’t dead yet (aka contemporary fiction is questionable these days!). It is truly difficult to discuss the Wingfeather Saga without giving away the plot, but let me just say that the four book series touched my soul.
I would describe the series somewhere between Narnia and the Shire. It has the childlikeness of Narnia but the adventure of Tolkien. When an author can capture the attention of both children and adults, you have a really winning book. My children have listened or read the books multiple times now and keep going back to them. I don’t think they understand the deeper meaning of the series but it is one that will grow with them. As they live more life, face more hardships, and grow older, they will see how they can trust “the maker” through unimaginable heart break and find him good, the sacrifice and price of redemption, and daily struggle of the Christian walk.
I loved this series so much that I ended up purchasing a reading journal so that I could capture all my thoughts. I have all my digital marginalia in GoodReads and many notes on my phone from the books that I have this year, but wanted a more permanent place to gather my thoughts. I have looked for awhile on one with prompts that I liked and found this inexpensive one on Amazon. It has been a delight transferring my thoughts and notes to all the twenty four books that I have read this year. I like that there is an index in the front so that you can easily find your books!
Last week I shared my Patriotic Summer Salad, and I have had that on repeat. The dressing is simply too good and it’s just so fresh for summer with all the fruit. I finally perfected a chicken salad recipe that I like that I will be sharing later on the blog. Chicken salad is so personal, right? I prefer a chicken salad chick texture, and it’s taken me awhile to find a flavoring that I like.
Patriotic Summer Salad
This patriotic summer salad is one of my favorite things to bring to cookouts, pool days, and backyard dinners because it looks beautiful, feeds a crowd, and takes almost no effort to throw together. The combination of sweet berries, creamy goat cheese, crunchy pecans, and tangy poppyseed dressing feels fresh and festive without spending hours in the ki…
I have kind of felt like I have been treading water the last 6 months but have slowed down and tried to make time for more fun. My kids asked to bake muffins this week and were determined that we make the flavoring blueberry oatmeal. Somehow I whipped this together, and they turned out great. Now, I’m going to tweak the recipe for later on, because I learned a new technique in the process that makes fluffier gluten free muffins! I think they will become one of my meal train go to’s!
Are you familiar with the “petite keep trunk”? They make custom embroidered metal trunks for keepsakes. It seems like every influencer owns a custom one for each of their kids. I think they are beautiful but the price tag is hefty and I honestly see a lot of puckering in their embroidery. I have been on the hunt for a small one in that style to store my finished needlepoint projects where they can live decoratively. In my search, I stumbled upon this “dupe” at Dillard’s that is so incredibly pretty! They have two versions and I love both of them.
If you have been a long time subscriber, then you know I used to love a bleach and tone ha! I have been trying to grow the bleach out for two years now and grow my hair in length. I started using Oway’s hair mask a few months ago and it has SAVED my hair. I really don’t believe in a lot of hair products but I hardly get any split ends now. It has been especially helpful with the chlorine. I coat my hair with it once a week for about 5 minutes and use it after swimming every time. My hair is so soft and the longest that it has been in years even with all my postpartum hair shed.
If you love to needlepoint or want to try, Penny Linn just had a massive restock on canvases that have been out of stock for like 6 months including my favorite Evelyn Henson bunny. Evelyn Henson is one of my favorite artists and most of her canvases are back in stock after a long wait. I stilled missed out on the heron canvas, but many more of hers are in stock!
Let me know any of your recommendations below! I would love to hear them.
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