Friendlier

Family life latelyWe chat about what's going well and not so well in our families these days, as well as share some optimism about things that have been hard in the past and aren't any more.Life latelySarah's children are out of school and summer has begun!Abby is eagerly anticipating a friend group camping trip to Rickwood Caverns State Park.Reading latelySarah read the nonfiction book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.Abby enjoyed the spicy romance Scandalized by Ivy Owens, which is a pseud for Lauren Billings (half of romance-writing duo Christina Lauren).Eating latelyAbby is very into these probiotic sodas from Trader Joe's.Sarah introduced her children to cinnamon sugar bagels, and they are a hit.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!

ObsessionsWe share what we've been into lately, from camping to curry. Links mentioned:1000 Hours Outside podcast about campingWhere Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping by Stephanie and Jeremy PuglisiLife latelyAbby's family is down to one car after the Volvo's transmission died.Sarah graduated from library school!Reading latelyAbby listened to You Need a Budget by Jesse Meacham and Sarah read the YA historical fiction novel We Are Not Free by Traci Chee.Eating latelySarah is making curry with these curry pastes.Abby was delighted when her favorite vanilla creme donuts were back in stock.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

We chat about how good we are at getting things done, which tasks are easy for us to start and finish, and whether anything helps us check things off our lists.Life latelySarah (along with all of Bloomington) is prepping for April 8's solar eclipse.Abby got a puppy, Edie.Reading latelySarah highly recommends the YA novel, In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner (especially the audio version).Abby has been slowly making her way through the first three books of the Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen.Eating latelyAbby hacked a grocery store cookie cake for Pepper's birthday.Sarah tried out this Pad Thai recipe.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!

Life latelyAbby is feeling good about their family's summer plans.Sarah's kids are enjoying some winter hobbies.Reading latelyAbby read True Biz by Sara Nović and Sarah read S.K. Ali's young adult novel Saints and Misfits.Looking ahead to turning 40As we enter the last year of our 30s, we look back over the last decade, look ahead to our 40s, and share how we hope to celebrate our milestone birthdays.Eating latelySarah tried two new focaccia recipes but had the most success with this one from Alexandra Cooks.Abby shares about a new Trader Joe's product: garlic asiago cheese dip.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!

Life latelySarah is thankful that January is behind us, and night shift is going surprisingly well for Abby.Reading latelySarah read (and loved) The Good Part by Sophie Cousens.Abby listened to Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann.Religion and spiritualityWe discuss our experiences with religion and spirituality, growing up, today, and how we think about religion and spirituality as parents.Eating latelyAbby ate Torchy's Tacos every day she was in Texas and has no regrets.Make-your-own sushi is a big win at Sarah's house.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!

New year’s intentions, 2024We set our intentions for the year, share our words for the year, and discuss specific goals in various categories.Life LatelyAbby is looking forward to time with family over the holiday (plus Tex-Mex!).Sarah shares to home winds: the headboard Neil made and all the secondhand plants.Reading latelyAbby found a new romance series by Sarah Estep--the Brunch Bros.Sarah read the technology parenting book Growing Up In Public by Devorah Heitner.Eating latelySarah found success with a traditional caramel recipe and Abby enjoyed apple cider caramels made by a friend. We recommend this thermometer that attaches to the pan.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

We look back on our respective years, talk about how we did with our intention words, and do a lightning round of favorites from 2023.Life latelySarah recommends the Fantastic Fiction website.Abby is leaving the leaves this year.Reading latelySarah read the nonfiction book The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World by Max Fisher.Abby enjoyed the first two installments of the Wilmot Sisters contemporary romance series by Chloe Liese.Eating latelyAbby is very into Cherry Cordials, the best seasonal Little Debbie.Sarah has significantly upped her bean game.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!

Our year in books, 2023We share the highs and lows of our reading year as well as our favorite books in various categories.Life latelyAbby loves her new Pact sweaters.Sarah is cozying up with the Calm Christmas podcast.Reading latelyAbby read the spicy romance novel (set in Bloomington!) How Not to Fall by Emily Foster.Sarah read Michelle Huneven's novel Search.Eating latelySarah made cranberry orange bread and Abby wants you all to know about shrimp toast.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. Thank you for listening!

We give an update on the state of clutter in our homes and discuss how we think we might manage it better. We'd love your ideas! (And here's the podcast Sarah mentioned: A Slob Comes Clean)Life latelySarah ran a half marathon—yay!Abby built a screen door.Reading latelySarah read the satirical novel Wellness by Nathan Hill.Abby enjoyed the first two mysteries in the Jane Austen-inspired Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney series by Claudia Gray.Eating latelyAbby tried out a new spinach dip recipe, and it was a hit at her work potluck.Sarah and E made some yummy mint brownies (similar to this recipe, just swap ganache for mini chocolate chips).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!