The Little Things
I was asked in a meeting the other day:
what would you title this chapter in your life?
the funny thing is, the whole theme of writing my own book and having to let go of my own story has been a big part of my learning during this covid time. so when I heard this question, I sat there for a bit, and a couple things crossed my mind, but landed on “the little things”. I think this season of life is revealing to me all the things that I’ve been leaning on. All the things that I thought would make me content, but still left me feeling dissatisfied. In the past couple months, a lot has happened - there are a lot of things that I hope I remember and a lot of things that will gone with the wind. I think that when I look back at this time, I won’t remember the wishes to be on a plane or sit inside a restaurant. I won’t remember the endless thumb scrolls or the Netflix shows I binged. I think I’ll remember the nights on the couch with my dad and the long afternoon walks with my mom. I’ll remember the late night conversations by the lake (chicago or Texas) and mini trips to nature to escape the chaos. I’ll remember the BLM signs all over the city and the vulnerable conversations. Even through all the madness, I’m thankful for this time. Although, nobody would have wished for this storm, we know that God can teach us something throughout it. I believe He is teaching me to cherish these little things:
family meals
if one thing is for sure, it is the Bedells can eat (and drink). Here are some of my favorite meals from being down south:
Skillet nachos - always a staple.
Solo Cinco De Mayo - with homemade tortilla chips.
Zucchini & mushroom pie - zucchini? good. mushrooms? good. phyllo dough? goooood.
Dump pasta - a weekly go to for Dave and I
PIZZA FRIDAY - a Mikeezy tradition that the rents & I adopted
PIZZA FRIDAY x2 - with sourdough starter dough
RGE nola - I got Dave & Mikeezy hooked
Summer’s candy - homemade whipped cream with sourdough cinna balls
Aperol Spritz - need I say more?
Cedar Creek Brews - I will also choose a stout, even in the summer
Salty Donut - you may want to try all of them, but the traditional glazed will get the job done
DQ - because you don’t turn down ice cream with pink&white cookies
celebrating family
A memorial weekend celebration aka: Erin’s bday
Celebrating my cousin & his bride to be with homemade “his & hers” props
Cindi retires and we celebrate with her favorite food of all time - mac & cheese (4 ways)
Honoring Dave for being a stellar dad with Pappy syrup - IYKYK (and if you don’t just click the link)
health
If you pass out a couple times while living under a medical professionals roof, they will make you get all the tests until you have an answer. So after 30 days of a heart monitor, half a dozen EKGs, a few IV pricks, one tilt test, my first anesthesia, a loooong day at the hospital, some of the best medical professionals ever, and a whole lot of bills…we figured out I have a form of syncope and essentially I just need to consume more salt.
the great outdoors
From Texas heat & high UV rays to the city skyline - I am lucky to have some pretty amazing views either way. Oh, I also went rappelling at Devils Lake in Wisconsin - thanks to my friends who essentially talked me off the ledge.
community
I literally don’t have words to describe this amazing community that I’ve been lucky to build in just one short year. It obviously looks a little different these days, with all outdoor gatherings and extra masking - but I’ll take it to be surrounded by these people.
Closing down the park, buying my first house plant (Z baby), sending off my bride to be, basking in golden hour, twinning in all black, celebrating baby Soto, enjoying new music in the backyard (check out Johnny Swim), trying new pizza spots (although I didn’t get the pickle za), welcoming in another Bedell girl, and learning to let people in.
puppy love
I mean…need I say more?
chi-town food
finding a balance of home cooked meals, takeout and patio eats
Green goddess bowls (1-3) - everyone stop what you’re doing now and get this bowl now.
Supporting local businesses: Need books? SemiColon. Need raw goodies? Ingrained. Need good food? BGabs. Need coffee? Momentum. Need resources to find minority owned business? Check out Refine CLTV. Eat Uncooked - their sesame noodle bowl was AMAZING, oh and vegan. #winning
5 Rabanitos - Mole pork tenderloin from an authentic gem in Pilsen
Morning strolls & lavender honey scones at Lincoln Park Farmers Market
Spoke & Bird eats in the middle of the park - the food is great and Im obsessed with their turmeric tonic
La Luna - music was a little intense, but so were the flavors. ALSO, my cocktail came in a pot and I now want all of my drinks that way.
Roots Pizza - knocking off another pizza spot off the list. Now, it was a solid hand tossed pan pie, but a little soft and I’m not the biggest fan of the cut style. Needless to say, I’m still searching for my fav.
La Mejikana - I loved all the vibes for this place, just make sure you order the mushroom turnover.
a good selfie
whether its a new Duke tshirt, accepting the biker shorts, being back home, embracing my yall, loving on my bestie’s wallpaper, or documenting clean hair & makeup - there’s always time to take a selfie.
church
my family. my home.
I don’t have enough words to express the love I have for this home. I sound like a broken record, but I am so thankful for this community, this family, this home. I am thankful for the leaders in this home to challenge and push us to be better sons & daughters of Christ. I am thankful for the willingness to be vulnerable, to connect and grow with one another. During this wild time, for whatever reason, I have grown so much closer to those in this house. I have been able to dive in with those around me and witness change within those around me and within myself.
the opportunity to learn
let’s not waste this opportunity.
lots & lots of books:
Wild at heart - This is a must read, for all men and all women looking to love & care for men
Uninvited - “Living Loved When You Feel Less Than” , is there a book more perfect for this time?
Three women - A deep dive on sexual and emotional lives of three women
. Get Out of Your Head - The title says it all
Lying - Quick read to stop those little white lies
Mother Night - Standard Kurt Vonnegut
Tattooist of Auschwitz - If you haven’t jumped on this bandwagon yet, jump on
Gone at Midnight - When your best friend ships you a book, you read it
Slice Up Your Life - back into the podcast game
Black Lives Matter - there is a whole lot to learn right now. I know that I have a whole heck of a lot for me to unpack within myself, to research and to talk about. The most important thing we can do is start.
the living word
not a little thing at all.
