Happenings Around The Nest - Week 5
Welcome to this week's Happenings Around the Nest!
Each Friday I share little pieces of life from our home - the projects we're working on, family moments that make me smile, and a few thoughts that have been on my mind. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for what's been happening around here this week.
Mom's Recipes
This week I brought home something very special, a stack of vintage cookbooks and a collection of my mom's handwritten recipe cards. My mom passed away just four months ago, so having these in my hands feels like holding a piece of her.
She loved to cook. Every night at 6:00, without fail, we sat down as a family to a full meal she had prepared. It was more than just dinner; it was her way of caring for us, trying out new recipes, and creating one of the traditions I cherish most from my childhood.
The cards are smudged with butter stains and filled with her familiar handwriting ( along with my Gram's), each one a reminder of her love for cooking and for family. I can't wait to go through them, test a few, and start sharing some of these classics with you on the blog.
Piccalilli
One of my little obsessions from growing up is Piccalilli. Everyone on my mom's side of the family would not be caught dead without a jar sitting on the refrigerator door, ready for a sandwich, a hot dog, a burger, or alongside any sort of meat. It is definitely a New England thing, and along the way I have discovered quite a few people who have never even heard of it. For those unfamiliar, think of it as a tangy, slightly sweet pickled vegetable relish that is bright, flavorful, and a little crunchier than your usual relish.
My brother lives in Denver, and every time he comes out to visit, he buys several jars to take back with him because they are just not available where he lives. I love these little regional quirks. They are a reminder of home and always spark a fun conversation when someone tries it for the first time.
I am dying to know, are you a Piccalilli fan, or completely unfamiliar with this Lydon family staple?
"No Make up Mondays"
Around here, Monday has earned a nickname: No Makeup Monday. It's not glamorous, but it's one of my favorite days of the week. After walking the girls with Ray, I come home, throw on my comfiest sweatpants, pile my hair on top of my head, brush my teeth (non-negotiable), and get to work.
It sounds like a lazy day, but honestly? It's the opposite. Monday is my power day. With no distractions, no errands, and definitely no makeup bag in sight, I knock out a big chunk of my to-do list. I do everything in my power not to schedule appointments or meetings on Mondays - it's sacred time for getting things done.Ā
By the time dinner rolls around, I usually feel more accomplished than any other day of the weekā¦ all while looking like I could star in a "before" commercial (and trust me, I would nail the part). Ray's used to it now, but in the beginning he would walk in on a Monday night and ask if I was sick. I think he's finally learned that this is just my "get stuff done" day.Ā
So while the name might make it sound like I'm lounging on the couch, No Makeup Monday is really the secret weapon behind everything else that gets done around here.
What about you? Do you have a day like this - where you can forego the primping and priming and just get to work? If not, I highly recommend!!Ā
NO IMAGE FOUND, lol š
All in all, it's been a week of good memories, family flavors, and my little life hacks that keep things moving. Here's to holding onto the past, enjoying the present, and maybe sneaking in a little Piccalilli along the way!
Missed the last few weeks? Catch up here!
Hope your weekend is full of fun and good moments!
Itās funny hearing you talk about Piccallili ā¦ itās actually a British thing! I grew up eating it and my mum still occasionally makes it. Although I lived in the US for over 20 years (including four years in Massachusetts), I
have not come across anyone who really has heard of it! Looking at your jar I think the British version is differentā¦itās a yellow color with cauliflower florets, shallots , green beans and curry spices and not really a relish
Hi Amanda, Thanks so much for sharing! I love hearing about your experience with Piccalilli. It is so interesting how some foods are household staples in one country but totally unfamiliar in another. You are right, the British version sounds quite different from the jar I had here in the US. I love that it is bright yellow with cauliflower, green beans, shallots, and curry spices. That sounds delicious and really distinctive. It is fun to see how recipes evolve and adapt depending on where you are.