I’m not sure when you listen to podcasts but most people I know are listening to something at some point these days. I usually listen when I’m driving or doing a solo walk or workout… basically when I’m alone. When my family is home, it’s impossible to focus on anything because everyone is talking and always, ALWAYS asking questions. I once tried having a single ear bud in my ear so I could pause and answer questions as needed but I think I got through about 6 minutes of a podcast in 60 minutes of living and breathing and felt like my head was going to explode!! So I stick to listening when I’m by myself!

My picks have shifted over the years as my interests have changed and definitely since covid has hit. I don’t really want more inner transformation (ha!) or information. I want to laugh. I want to feel happy. I want something that’s going to make my day better. I do listen to podcasts that focus on personal growth, etc. but they’re not my main “go to” picks these days.

Here are my favorites right now, saving my all-time favorite for last…

1. 10 Things to Tell You: Hosted by Laura Tremaine, this podcast focuses on asking good questions and creating opportunities for good conversation and closer friendships. A lot of her episodes focus around 10 ideas on a theme. I always like a good count down! Laura’s thoughts and ideas are creative and I relate to much of what she talks about. She also loves to read and talks a lot about books, which of course, I love.
2. Armchair Expert: Dax Shepard & Monica Padman team up on this podcast and are really funny. Dax asks the very best questions, even questions I couldn’t imagine asking someone and pulls it off without a hitch. Monica fact checks what was talked about and ultimately, keeps Dax in check. Their line up of guests is diverse and keeps me coming back!
3. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend: Conan O’Brien is such a funny guy and I love his style of humor. He shares the podcast with his assistant Sona Movsesian and producer, Matt Gourley, who provide the perfect balance for Conan’s very bizarre sense of humor. Their chemistry is fabulous.
4. The Happiness Lab: My husband found this one when the host was a guest on another podcast. We started listening and both burned right through it. The podcast centers around real research on happiness and what actually makes you happy. I listened to the first 10 episodes in a couple days and it sparked something in me that has helped me to focus on gratitude and finding small joys throughout the day. It was much needed. (If you do give this a try, start at the beginning because it’s in the order it’s in for a reason!)
5. Smartless: Ok so this podcast is basically my crush podcast and all-time favorite right now. I swoon every time a new episode drops. There have only been a couple episodes where I didn’t laugh SO hard. It’s hosted by Will Arnett, Sean Hayes & Jason Bateman who are all friends and basically have zero problem throwing each other under the bus. And they do. Often. It’s so funny, sarcastic and their guests are interesting. It’s everything I want in a podcast these days.

So those are my tops listens right now but I also listen to these ones when I’m in the mood for it:

• For the Love with Jen Hatmaker
• Unlocking Us with Brene Brown
• We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
• Sibling Revelry
• Goop
• How I Built This

What do you listen to? I’d love to know.

xo Bonnie

I wrote this last week in the middle of the night when I was having a hard time sleeping and didn’t end up posting it because I was up to my eyeballs in 15 hour days of kids at home. But now I’m sitting in a coffee shop and nobody is asking me for a thing so I figured I’d post this even though we’re not longer in covid isolation! 🙂

1. My husband is quarantined with covid right now. Don’t worry, he’s doing ok and on the mend. At this point, he’s basically binging Narcos and asking me to send up popcorn.
2. Quarantine for my husband means I have been parenting my kids alone for the past several days. School is canceled. It’s raining outside A LOT. I’m not binging anything. But I am making popcorn.
3. Actually, I did convince my boys to watch all three Princess Switch movies on Netflix this last weekend. Through our 19 days of being at home, I’ve figured out that Owen kinda loves to snuggle and watch G-rated cheesy Christmas movies with me. It’s the best!
4. About the solo parenting… I’m not complaining because I know some people do that all day, everyday. I just like my husband and miss having him around. And it’s nice to have someone on my team at home because that’s what I’m used to.
5. On the subject of teams, I’m excited for basketball season that starts this weekend and if we’re lucky, my boys will be playing their games. (** they got to play!) It’s been a long time since they played basketball because of covid so the skills are rusty but the enthusiasm is real.
6. There’s something about being on a team that feels so good. It feels like belonging and a space to have fun, make friends, make mistakes and still get a high five when the clock runs out of time. It feels like community. And a sense of community makes me feel happy… even joy filled.
7. And don’t we all just want to feel that? Joy is defined as ‘a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.’ Nothing about that sounds bad. It sounds like what every person (who has their basic needs met) is looking for.
8. And I don’t mean joy as in that fabulous sweater you found on Black Friday or the bliss of that perfect bite of your favorite something… although those are perfectly joyful. I mean, yes!! I love food, fashion and a good deal. All good things!!
9. I guess the idea that I’m leaning towards is a deeper joy. It’s rooted in connection to yourself and others. It’s what real, authentic community feels like. It’s the kind of joy that warms from the inside and lasts long enough to share.
10. I’ve been thinking a lot about the ingredients of community, belonging and a joy filled life. It may just come down to this: We grow roots, we are grounded and find meaning when we share who we are with others and are generous with what we have. Joy doesn’t seem to be had in the getting but in the giving. Where will you find joy today?

I’ve been a reader ever since I was little… my favorites were Berenstain Bears and Little Critter books and eventually I graduated to Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and in my teens… embarrassing to say… Danielle Steele and all the drama fiction of the 90’s. I remember my Omi being thrilled that I’d become an avid reader because she was as well. There was always a stack of books waiting to be read on a table in her home. I am now that person. I have a stack by my bed and I add to it often so that there’s always something to look forward to reading!

I’ve read 24 books so far this year and I’m on track for my reading goal of 30 books for the year. I know some people who read much more than me and some who read less. I’ve just found that 30 books is a comfortable pace for me. I’ll do a best books of 2021 at the end of the year so I’m going to save those titles but I thought it would be fun to write about some of the other books I’ve enjoyed so far!

1. The Little Book of Hygge: This was a gift from a good friend and I honestly loved it. Hygge (Hooga) is all about creating a cozy, warm, welcoming and connected environment and it named all the ways we try to make our spaces and our experiences satisfying. This was a great gift and a good read, especially in the winter!
2. The Lion’s Den: If you’re looking for a vacation/beach read, this is a good one. It’s entertaining with plenty of drama. Set on a yacht on the Mediterranean, it’s got untrustworthy friends, a sugar daddy, some thugs and a great escape. I enjoyed it!
3. 28 Summers: I’m hesitant on how to rate this book. I tore through it and thought about it when I wasn’t reading but I also had a few conflicted conversations with my husband about the story because it’s certainly not the life I would choose and I couldn’t understand why the characters would make the choices they did. Regardless, I read it very fast, which is always a good sign that I’m into the story.
4. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: I could write a blog post on this book alone. The amount of quotes and dog eared pages in my copy are proof enough that this was a good read. I’m not sure what category it fits into but let’s call it an autobiography of sorts. The author is a therapist who writes about the journey of a few of her clients as well as her own deep dive into therapy. It’s written in first person, like a story and I was hooked from the beginning. I laughed out loud a couple times and had a good cry at one point too. It’s relatable and entirely engaging.
5. Florence Adler Swims Forever: Set in Atlantic City in the 1930’s, this book is about a Jewish family and the consequences that unfold from their decision to hide a tragedy that occurs within the family. I found the characters to be interesting and I learned more about the struggles of Jews trying to leave Germany during the rise of the Nazi party. It’s a good read and had a satisfying ending!
6. Beach Read: At the beginning, this book was a little hard to find that rhythm I look for in a good book. I felt like it bumped along for a bit but then there was a noticeable shift and the author found her stride. The story is about 2 authors who are each struggling with writers block, while at the same time working through big life changing events in their own lives. There’s romance and vulnerability, some unexpected turns and a couple tear jerk moments.
7. How to Stop Time: The plot of this book was unique and I really liked it. The main character is someone who realizes he does not age at the same rate as those around him. He must continually re-invent a new life for himself as people start to notice that he’s not growing old. It’s a book motivated by love and a desire to be known, despite the risks.

Well those are just a few of the books I’ve read this year. If you read any of these, I hope enjoy them! What are you reading these days? I’m always looking for good recommendations.

xo Bonnie

We visited Bend, Oregon this year and I honestly had no idea what we were heading to. All I knew was that my husband said there was good biking there and whenever I mentioned our upcoming trip to other people, they would say it was a really cool place to visit. Because I am who I am, I did my research, made a few dinner reservations and decided that whatever Bend was like, we were going to have a good time.

Well, it turns out that Bend is a totally fabulous smaller city that I feel has mastered the art of being “cool” if there is such a thing. The downtown area was thriving and filled with good restaurants and little shops to look through and as the town is situated on the Deschutes River, there were parks next to the water. We found plenty of amazing places to eat outside the downtown area as well and I loved the lack of chain restaurants in the city center. There were so many locally owned restaurants and owners who clearly cared about good design because their buildings and decor were an extension of the food served. I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road as I drove through town because I didn’t want to miss anything.

A view of the Old Mill District from the Deschutes River

We rented an Airbnb for our stay and I’m really glad we chose the area of town we did. I’d recommend staying on the southwest side of Bend if you can. It was less than 5 minutes to everything we wanted to do and closer to Mt. Bachelor, if you’re into mountain biking or skiing.

Where to Stay

2 star: If you’re tight on cash, there are a couple options that offer the basics in updated spaces. The one I noticed that stood out was LOGE Camps. This updated motel caters to people who bike or ski. There’s a gear rental shop on site and the location has direct access to the biking trail system in the area.

3 star: There are a bunch of chain hotels in the area but if this is your price range, I’d pick DoubleTree by Hilton downtown. It’s walking distance to lots of great restaurants and breweries plus just a few minutes drive from the Old Mill District, Old Bend and the River West area restaurants.

4 star: There’s one 4 star accommodation in downtown Bend offered by the Oxford Hotel. It’s a boutique hotel and has amenities like free cruiser bikes, a spa and electric car chargers on site. There are no 5 star accommodations in Bend but the out of town 4 star options are actually cheaper than the 3 star options in town. Tetherow is a nicer option and it’s only a 10 minute drive to the downtown area and offers an outdoor pool, 3 restaurants and a golf course. Sunriver Resort is 20 minutes out of the downtown area and it offers quite a bit on site. There are 10 restaurants, 4 golf courses, biking trails… the list goes on. Both of these resorts also offer vacation home rentals.

Airbnb: We wanted the option of a kitchen for my non-stop eaters so we opted for a condo but I did look at all these options and even visited some of the properties I mentioned or drove past their locations.

Where to Eat

Wild Rose Northern Thai Eats: I feel like every Thai place I’ve ever eaten at has not been a northern Thai restaurant. Everything on the menu was unfamiliar to us but everything we ordered was AMAZING from this family owned restaurant. It was packed and people were arriving constantly for takeout. This was our favorite dinner out and I’d recommend it to anyone!

El Sancho: If you like tacos (I’m not sure who doesn’t) then you need to eat here. We did twice and it was delicious both times. The menu had plenty of variety but it also felt very simple & fresh.

900 Wall: We ate here on a Saturday night and it was delicious. Their focus on fresh, local and organic (when possible) ingredients is always something I like to look for when we travel. As much as I enjoyed my own meal, my son’s burger was absolutely the best of the main courses we tried and our charcuterie and other appetizers were a highlight! They had a kids menu as well which isn’t always offered at places that are also serving as organic and local as possible.

The Lot: This spot is actually a food truck lot with a covered eating area (doors that close in winter and heaters) with an on site taproom that serves beer, wine and other drinks. It was a great spot to relax and everyone in our family found food they loved. My favorite was A La Carte where I ordered a curry bowl that was delicious and I wish I could do back for the Blame Canada Fries. They looked just about ridiculous in the best way.

Deschutes Brewery: This place is famous around the country for their beer so my husband insisted we try it. The menu is pretty standard pub food but we all enjoyed our dinner. If you’re a beer fan, you should at least stop by for a drink. I tried the Cherry Cordial Sour and it was a good one. The Black Butte Porter was also good but I only tried a sip of that from my husband’s tasting flight!

McKay Cottage Restaurant: This place was highly recommended by a friend for brunch so we decided to try it. We arrived to the largest crowd of people waiting for a table at this ‘no reservations’ breakfast spot. At first I wanted to leave when we found out our wait for a table would be an hour but then a server came around taking orders for very large brunch drinks. We waited happily in the sun with our oversized mimosa & bloody Mary while our kids played and it was definitely worth the wait. Everyone agreed it was delicious!

We would’ve tried more restaurants if we’d stayed longer. There were places we drove by that I was curious about but I literally couldn’t eat anymore.

Things to do:

Tubing the River: This is an absolute “must do” when visiting Bend. It takes a couple hours and there are some little rapids to ride about halfway through the float. My kids carried their tubes back to try it again! Grab a couple drinks, a hat and enjoy!

Shopping: There weren’t a ton of amazing clothing shops but there was one shop downtown, Jack & Millie’s, that I loved and wanted to own almost everything in it. The downtown area also has a few home stores, a toy shop, bookstore and lots of other little shops that fun to walk through. There’s an area called the Old Mill District with chains stores like GAP and American Eagle plus a movie theater and some restaurants. If you venture further out from downtown, you’ll find Target, etc.

Local events: The farmer’s market is small but had plenty to offer. We saw everything from local honey and meats to whiskey and the best greek hummus and pita chips. There’s also a local event that happens in the summer every thursday night at Drake Park called Munch ‘n Music. We found vendors, live music, 20+ food trucks and more bouncy houses than I ever imagined possible in one place. It was much better than we expected it to be!

Mt. Bachelor: If you like downhill mountain biking, the lift is running in the summer. The locals were thrilled with this place. I personally found the riding pretty difficult here as the dirt was sandy and unstable. I just kept thinking how lucky we were in the Pacific Northwest to have the trails we have. In the winter, Mt. Bachelor is the 6th largest ski resort in the U.S. There are no accommodations on site but Tetherow and Sun River Resort are both about a 20 minute drive away.

Golf: There are plenty of golf courses in the area, so if you’re a golfer, you’ll find something to do! We didn’t do any golfing on this visit so I don’t have much more to say than that! 😉

– – – –

Well that’s a small guide to Bend, based off our trip there this summer. Where have you been recently that you’d recommend checking out? I’m always up for adventures, big or small!

xo Bonnie