Coffee Talk Mom

First Days and Kiddie Pools

For us “retired” moms, the past couple of weeks of “first school days” posts is torture. You see, when you lose something (like first days) you just remember the good stuff. Gone are the memories of “Did you brush your teeth?”, “Gross...go put on deodorant!”, and “You what? Im not bringing your backpack to school !”...Memories are a funny thing...they morph into what is good (I think that is God!) and take on a life of their own. Seeing young moms posting their “first day” photos has me reminiscing about the boys...I always “loved” back to school time and the excitement of new pencils and notebooks...even as a kid...then as a teacher...then as a mom...I recently saw a couple “posting” hilarious “newlywed style” photos of them holding a chalkboard sign reading, “Empty Nest”...That is kind of how it feels. The thought crosses your mind, “What defines me now?”. This is meant as an encouragement to ALL moms. If you have young ones, remember...the time FLIES, then they are sassy ! If you are transitioning into retirement, rest assured that new memories are coming and life will get better...just different. Exhibit A:

Last weekend we had a quick road trip to Santa Fe. We had 1 vacation day (without work) and decided we would go to the pool. This is a HUGE step for CTDad...he is not a pool guy and I am definitely a pool girl. We started at the “slide pool” I think because I miss the sound of kids and people and activity. We BOTH agree that the “adult” pool sounded boring and was further away from the bar. Here we are...without kids...and instead of enjoying ourselves as a couple, we are finding ourselves parenting the kids at the pool. All I could think of was “WALK don’t RUN!”, and “For the love of everything holy lady...watch your 2 year old by the edge of the pool!”. About an hour in, it dawned on us that the “adult” pool may be where we belonged. We sauntered over with our heads bowed to avoid the eyes of the parents at the pool and felt like two kids sneaking in to the “adult” area. I hate to admit it, but suddenly, I found myself reading my novel and wading into the water without wrecking my frizzy hair, and when a high pitched little girl was screaming outside the walls of our sacred space, I looked at CTD and he looked at me, and we just smiled.

Through the good and the bad...the tears and the smiles...this one’s for you. Hang in there Moms!

CoffeeTalkMom

FAVES and RAVES

It’s hard to believe it’s August and summer is quickly fading. I have tried some new recipes, products, and places and thought I would share a couple with you!

First, I would never be on board with this one, but the bottom line is…it works. I have always looked at my boy’s eyes with envy. Of course, they have the longest lashes, and I have next to none. Isn’t that always the way it works? I have had this product since my friend Aimee shared the name with me, and in the past couple of weeks, I have had multiple comments from people asking if I had lash extensions myself. It does cost about $50 on Amazon, but worth every penny (after water, electricity, and groceries of course). It’s called LASH BABE. You apply it once a day to your upper lashes and within about 4-6 weeks, you start to see an improvement. Once you get the lashes you want, you can just use it every couple of days to maintain. It doesn’t sting, it’s easy, and it works!

Now that you’re spending a bunch of money on your eye lashes, you can save some money on wine. It started as an “oops” purchase at COST CO and turned in to my favorite Sauvignon Blanc wine. It’s KIRKLAND brand, and it’s amazing. If you can get past the bottle and the cheap vibe with your expensive friends, it rocks! Lucky for us, most of our friends don’t care if it’s free! CTDad also bought a case of Kirkland mixed-case beer for CTSon as a blind taste-testing game, and it was darn good as well. Gordon Biersch happens to make it. #enjoyable

If you have known me for very long, you know I like to bake (not as much now that the kids have flown to coup). This summer, I tried a new recipe for a COCONUT CREAM CAKE. It’s also easy, and, with a couple of tweaks, I have made it my own. I have only made a “poke” cake a couple of times, but this one is great. Make your favorite white or yellow cake mix. I made one in an XL pan, so I used a white cake mix, a butter yellow cake-mix and combined the two in the same bowl. Bake the cake as directed. While it is still warm, take the back of a wooden spoon and make pokes all through the top. In a separate bowl, combine a can of sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream (not coconut MILK). Drizzle that mixture all over the warm holy cake…(no, it’s not religious!). Let it sit and then cover and refrigerate. Right before serving, cover generously with REAL whipped cream. For a cake this size, I fill my cream canister twice. If you like coconut, it IS a religious experience!

Being in Lone Tree has me missing my millennials. Sometimes I just need a good bearded barista with an attitude and a canvas backpack. That’s why I find myself at MONK & MONGOOSE coffee for an occasional fix. The people are super nice, good coffee, and a garage door. I mean, what else do you want? If you need more, it has a chandelier, fireplace, and concrete floors. NOW I’m talking!

What books have you all been enjoying? I have to admit, it’s been all I can do to get the house in order! I am on the waitlist for ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE. What do I mean, waitlist? If you haven’t already joined your local library, get on it! Now you can download books for free. Sometimes the popular ones are out, but you place a hold and behold, an email comes that you are ready to download the title. It’s pretty cool, and, in general, I’m sick of paying the high prices for Kindle books that I know I will only read once. Now…I KNOW I will like this book, because you can also download a sample and I can hardly wait to finish the book! Most libraries use OVERDRIVE or LIBBY. If you can't find it there, try HOOPLA...another recommended app!

Sick of running around, travel, and just want to chill?
CTDad and I have had a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE movie marathon of sorts. We have made it through the 5 (YES, 5!!!) over the past couple of weeks in anticipation of a movie this weekend. Personal opinions about Tom Cruise aside, that man is a machine! We joke that we couldn’t have done those stunts in our 20’s…none-the-less 50’s!! Go Tom!

Enjoy the Summer!

CoffeeTalkMom