November 2020 – The Salty Exchange

Kendall On Gratitude

November 25, 2020November 24, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

I think it is safe to say that at the beginning of 2020 we all had very different expectations, hopes, dreams, and ideas about what the year would hold for us. And then it was all shot to sh^*. Suddenly life became about simply staying alive, having toilet paper, and enjoying life to the fullest with very little movement… literally. In the midst of this chaos, I woke up in the wee hours of the morning a few months back. I rarely have nightmares but this particular early morning had dealt me a doozy of a dream. I woke up and cried. I cried for all of our worries, our family, our safety, our sanity, and for a general feeling of despair. My husband held me and did his best to soothe me. And, he did. He has this magnificent way of calming me; of steadying me. My husband always tends to say what people need to hear. After my cry, I still felt overwhelmingly worried about our current state of affairs BUT, I also felt something new. I felt thankful.

In that moment I felt thankful for the little bit I do have in my life. This is the year that I actually began to like myself again; to have confidence again. I have the love of a wonderful man, the sweetest daughter, and a devoted dog. Everything I truly need can fit on our bed. This year has made me thankful for the life that we lead in all of the small ways. Our lives and our family are FAR from perfect. We have struggles, we have worries, and we have fears. The past two years have really tested us as a family. And yet, here I am- thankful for it all.

2020 was the year of empathy for me. So much has happened… We here at The Salty Exchange believe in equality. Our hearts literally broke as we continued to see Black life after Black life taken by those who are supposed to protect us. Shari and I felt a deep sense of hopelessness and have tried to figure out what we could possibly do to help make sure the police forces of our country make good and necessary changes to do their jobs better (I personally think it comes down to leadership) and what we could possibly do to help our brothers and sisters in humanity. We still don’t know what the answer is. But what Shari and I did decide to do is to get educated. We have educated ourselves through reading, listening, and asking questions when we have them. We discuss our questions, the issues, and our ideas weekly. For this, I am thankful. I have become less of a passive citizen. I am still figuring it all out and hope to only get better at being an ally to all of those who feel unseen, unimportant, and discriminated against. I am thankful that I can still learn.

This was also the year of really stepping up to support small business. Vermont rallied during this pandemic. Local businesses were, of course, affected. Our community tried its best to shop local, eat local, donate to the food bank, shelter our most vulnerable populations, and follow the guidelines set in motion by our state leadership. Overall, we did a decent job. We want to protect ourselves, our friends, and yes, our economy. Sometimes that doesn’t just mean shopping locally or donating locally but it means getting informed about the different industries and their struggles. It was eye opening. It was eye opening to see people of all different backgrounds- rich or poor, average, working, unemployed, etc. try to help make a difference wherever they could. I am thankful for that. I am thankful to have experienced that. I am proud to call Vermont “home” now.

And finally, I am thankful for technology. FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. I have some great memories of using these platforms to communicate with friends and family. Before my dad came out to Vermont in September (don’t worry, we all quarantined and got tested before mingling), we would FaceTime him EVERY day at 8 am PST. I am so grateful he is here until after the holidays. Rosemary is getting so much grampy time and he isn’t alone anymore. He has a pod with his daughters. I am thankful my sister lives .2 miles away and that I had her close during all of this madness. Even though she lives close, we still video chat multiple times a week. I am thankful that WhatsApp has allowed me to have wine nights with my girlfriend, Paulina, who lives in Spain. It’s been a sanity saving grace. Creating The Salty Exchange with Shari has been one of the funnest parts of this year for me. I am thankful for Shari. Shari is the kind of friend you can talk to about anything and because of FaceTime, I have been privileged enough to do just that with her.

Wherever you find yourself this Thanksgiving, please stay safe. Follow the damn rules. If we don’t protect ourselves responsibly, some of this 2020 madness will never end. So- suck it up. Find what you are thankful for in the smallest of places because when everything else is stripped away- that’s what matters. That’s what Thursday should be about.

Shari On Gratitude

November 25, 2020November 24, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

In honor of Thanksgiving this week, Kendall and I decided that we would each write a post on gratitude. What are we thankful for in this season? We ask this while fully understanding that 2020 has been an abnormally hard year for many.

“It’s impossible to feel sad or have any negative feeling when you’re grateful. If you’re in the midst of a difficult situation, look for something to be grateful for.” – Rhonda Byrne

I am naturally an optimistic and happy person. But I’d be lying if I told you that I haven’t had a lot of tough moments and seasons throughout my life. Reminding myself what I am thankful for has been something I have done for years and at the beginning of quarantine back in March 2020 I wrote a list of what I was grateful for. Here is a small sampling of that list:

– Facetime dates with friends

– The (short) morning commute from my bedroom to the office

– Bike rides through an empty campground

– Card games outside with neighbors

– Experimenting with vegan recipes

– Produce box deliveries on Wednesdays

– Finding out how it feels to cancel all my plans and feel surprisingly content with that

Looking back at that list, I can’t help but smile because during that time it was hard to find the good on a daily basis. I am proud of myself for making this list and slowing down long enough to be grateful for these things while also re-planning our wedding, learning how to work from home, and struggling with all of the changes. Summer then brought a loosening of restrictions and more outdoor activities which relieved some stress. But now, here in Washington state, we are in quarantine 2.0 and it feels like a really good time to write out another gratitude list. Here is what I am currently grateful for:

– Connecting with friends on Marco Polo (app)

– Almost fully healed sprained ankle

– New office space in the dining room (I love it actually)

– Borrowing the neighbor dog and taking her for a walk

– Decorating for the holidays

– The smell of slow cooker meals, homemade bread, and seasonal treats

– Family Board games

– My job and thoughtful coworkers

– Our family’s health (I am so grateful we are all healthy)

– The Salty Exchange, a creative outlet with a fantastic friend

Those are just a few of the MANY things I am grateful for. I often just sit at my desk daydreaming and feeling grateful for specific people like my husband, my stepchildren, my parents, my brothers’ families, and my friends. If there is ever a time to stop and reflect on what you are thankful for, it is now. Happy Thanksgiving, no matter how different the holidays look this year… I guarantee we all have things to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving Edition: Kendall’s Homemade Mashed Potatoes

November 19, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

It blows my mind when my family tells me that as a small kiddo (we are talking the ages of maybe 2-3) I didn’t like mashed potatoes. Like, seriously… WHAT was wrong with me. I never turn my nose up at a starch or carb. Evidence of which is on my hips.

Anyways, my mom made the BEST mashed potatoes. When she died, I vowed to figure out how she did it and replicate it. Some days, I get it just right while others, I am left wondering what I did differently. Cooking is sort of magical and even if you have a recipe, you are using your imagination to add a little more salt there or an herb as a garnish over here. It’s… fun! Thanksgiving cooking… it scares me. I am so afraid of disappointing people so I stick to my lane and I am always responsible for mashed potatoes.

Everyone has their own recipe for mashers. And in all honesty, all of them are really good. Some people add a hint of lemon or garlic while others keep the skins on or use a medley of different potatoes. Without further ado, here are my tips and tricks and recipe for mashed potatoes!

Things To Consider:
Mix it up! A lot of people I know are married to the idea that you can only use one kind of potato for mashed potatoes. My friends, this is simply not true! I love to use a medley of red, gold, AND russet.

Watch the water! One of the biggest mashed potatoes fails happens because the potatoes boil too long. Stand at attention and check your potatoes every few minutes once they’ve started really boiling. Set a timer on that smart phone if you need to… just don’t get lost and start thumbing through Facebook or Instagram because then you will really forget to check on the coveted Thanksgiving side dish.

Once they are perfectly boiled and you are mixing them together, do me a favor. DO NOT OVER MIX. That’s when the texture gets all goopy instead of whipped.

Ingredients:
4 Medium Russet (or baking) potatoes
3 Medium Yukon Gold potatoes
3 Medium red potatoes
*Mix up the medley however you want, just know you want around 5 pounds of potatoes total
8 Tablespoons of butter
1 cup of milk
Salt (I use Johnny’s Seasoning Salt because my mom did but you can also use something like Lawry’s or plain ole’ regular salt)
Pepper
Electric mixer of your choosing

Instructions:
Peel and cut the potatoes up into even sized pieces. Mine are usually about an inch thick.
Put the potatoes into your pot that you will be using for boiling.
Fill the pot with cold water until the water sits about an inch or so above the potatoes.
Throw some salt in your pot- about a tablespoon or a tablespoon and a half.
Turn the heat on high and start boiling.
Once you get a good rolling boil going turn the heat down just a smidge to keep the boil consistent.
Here is where it gets tricky, but you HAVE to watch your potatoes. In theory, your mashed potatoes should be done in about 12-15 minutes. But they might be done as soon as 10 minutes or take longer than 15 minutes. Every stove top is a little different… so watch them. The test for me is being able to take my wooden spatula and cut a potato piece in half… that shows they are soft enough.
Once your potatoes are soft enough, drain the water. Transfer your potatoes to whatever bowl you will be using for mixing.
Drop your butter in and let it melt within the hot potatoes. Also, at this stage, season with salt and pepper.
Start mixing! Once they are almost to your desired fluffy goodness point, slowly add the milk (you may not use all of it) and finish mixing.
Adjust salt and pepper to taste!

Then eat and eat and eat and don’t let anybody make you feel bad about it.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Thanksgiving Edition: Shari’s Green Bean Casserole

November 19, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

When Kendall and I decided to share a pre-Thanksgiving recipe, I thought it would be super easy to choose my favorite to share with you. I was mistaken. There are too many dishes that I love and must have at the dinner table including (but definitely not limited to) stuffing, sunshine jello, salad, dinner rolls, and our family pickles- check out Shari’s family recipe here! The reason I ended up choosing the Green Bean Casserole is because it makes me think of Thanksgiving and we (my husband and I) have been asked to make it the past several years.

The beauty of the Green Bean Casserole is that you can buy all the ingredients from the store and throw it together super quickly OR you can make it from scratch. This year I told my husband that I wanted to make the cream of mushroom from scratch and he said, “Well, we don’t use cream of mushroom soup”… WHAT?! It’s true!! I just forgot. Below is the recipe we have been using the past few years and everyone raves about it! Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Ingredients:
3-4 cans cooked & cut green beans – Green Beans (our family cans our own green beans so I will be using two jars of those)
1 small Onion
3 tbsp Butter
1 tbsp Flour
4-6 oz Sour Cream
1 dash of black pepper & salt

Topping:
1 container – Fried Onion Pieces (Trader Joe’s 8 oz can)
1 small package of Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees F.
Saute (finely chopped) onions in butter until they are translucent.
Add in flour, stir.
In a large mixing bowl stir together green beans, onion mixture, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly.
Pour mixture into the casserole dish and add toppings (optional) fried onions and/or cheese on the top.
Bake for 15 -20 minutes.

Serve immediately!

Kendall On Parenting: The Struggle Is Real

November 12, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Today’s post is short and sweet.

Ok everyone- parenting is a freaking trip. As the mom of a 2 year old, life is always exciting. They are learning so many fun things. They are also learning how to throw tantrums. Today, Rosemary threw a total hissy fit during lunch and, to this moment, I am not entirely sure what was wrong. She was so upset that she took her pasta sauce and smeared it all over her face. She then proceeded to take her fork and hit her table, herself, and me with it. I was trying to grab said fork away from her and was using my best and most firm voice that usually makes others straighten up and listen but this little girl could have cared less. Throughout all of this, she was screaming and crying. This isn’t abnormal for her or for the age. Some days, she just needs to tantrum. That’s fine. Usually I can cope with it and redirect. But sometimes, I really just want to scream and hide somewhere watching Netflix, eating chips, and drinking wine. Classy- I know.

Homer gets me.

Despite these trying moments, I am fiercely protective of my kid. We had an amazing 18 months of mutual devotion. For her first 13 months, I was her food source. Then I was her snuggle buddy and protector. Now I am pretty sure she hates me. She would rather play and walk with everyone else. I kind of hate that. By “kind of” I mean greatly. I greatly hate that she doesn’t really ever seem to want me anymore. She is independent and off to the races. And truthfully, that is so lovely. I couldn’t be prouder of her independence, her curiosity, and her smarts. I am just jealous that sometimes she wants others more than me. I grew her, birthed her, and fed her; I want to be important to her for a bit longer before I am cast to the side.

Alright, my dramatics aside: she loves me. I know this. I know that she is going to leave home and be her own woman. That is GOOD. That is how it is supposed to be. I want her to have everything she sets her mind to (I know, I know- not possible but I still wish it). More than anything, as her mom, I just want to be able to keep up; no shrinking away from the tantrums, no jealousy over who she prefers over me in the moment. I am always looking for ways to keep it “fresh.” By that I mean that I am always looking for ways to teach R new things. Thankfully, there are so many resources these days to choose from that showcase the different styles of play and learning… but the downside is that there are a lot of resources these days to chose from that showcase the different styles of play and learning. It can be a bit over saturating and make me feel more pressured to pick the “right” approach. After all, none of the different methods are going to make her better than any other kid- it really just comes down to me picking the right activities for us and what I can realistically help create with and for her. The journey to trying to be a good mom is a daily one that I take. Staying home with Rosemary is one of the hardest and most privileged things I have ever done. I never had the desire to be a stay-at-home-mom. Like, ever. It’s just something that has happened through a series of life things. I struggle with it- see my previous post on the decision to stay home. I am not an Instagram worthy mom. I sort of just go with the flow and let Rosemary lead me and from there, I make plans and buy books/toys accordingly. And still, I always feel like I am not doing enough as her mom. For that matter, I always wonder if I am being enough. I know I could be more patient, more creative, and more spontaneous. We are working on it or should I say, I am always working on it.

As I am writing this, I just heard Rosemary say, “I want mommy. Where’s mama?” I AM MELTING. MELTING. It’s not often she asks for me but that could be because I am always around. Rosemary is my heart wrapped up in flesh and bone. She is what makes me want to not just be a better mom, but a better human. With that said, if she could ease up on her tantrums, I would not object.

Shari On Simplifying Her Home And Food

November 12, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Lately I have wanted life to slow down a bit. But wait! COVID happened… hasn’t my life already slowed down? Yes, it’s definitely true that my life is much “slower” than it was this time last year. I am thoroughly enjoying less on my to-do list but what I mean by “slow down” is to actually simplify; “live off the land” type of simplify. I have been craving the hygge I referred to in my previous post. There is something soothing about this fall to winter seasonal transition; Thanksgiving, Christmas, Holidays, gratitude, family, friends, warm home cooked meals, dark nights inviting candles to be lit and fireplaces to roar. Yes, I am craving simplicity.

My favorite Instagram accounts to follow lately are farming (Ballerina Farm) or food (The Food Nanny) accounts. I look forward to their daily Instagram stories and seeing what they are making from their own home grown resources. Recently, in an Instagram story by The Ballerina Farms, the farmer, Hannah, laughed because she realized she hasn’t been to the grocery store in nearly 10 weeks… 10 WEEKS, Y’ALL! She then followed it up with a picture of her dinner plate with rice, fresh mozzarella, fresh bread, and a vegetable medley – it looked delicious. Instantly I was inspired to think of what I could make in my own farm to table way.

Before you try and give me a wake up call, I am three steps ahead of you. I am not looking to start a farm, even though I LOVE animals and grew up in the country… it’s not my desire to take care of animals all day, it is literally a full-time job. Maybe someday I can talk my husband into getting some chickens and a dog but we’d have to have a decent amount of land for those dreams to become a reality. Trust me, I am a realist.

So how can we get the farm fresh, simple, warm and cozy feel in our own lives? That is what I have been asking myself a lot lately. With holidays coming up, warm meals on repeat, and outside getting colder and darker daily… What can I do to bring warmth and resourcefulness to my family and little home?

Here’s what I have come up with so far:

Farm fresh eggs: Source eggs from someone local. I have a friend that I am going to pay for her farm fresh eggs as much as possible. Her chickens are currently laying more eggs than her and her husband can eat so my money will help pay for some of her chicken feed. Win/win!

Dutch Oven: Cast iron meals, umm yes please…I have been loving the Amazon Basics Dutch Oven – one pot can heat up amazing homemade meals. Soups, stews, pretty much anything you can think of! I will be saving for a Le Creuset at some point though.

Kamut Flour & Fresh Bread: Yes, bread made from scratch…this one is a new adventure for me, I am planning on making homemade sourdough and I am nervous and excited. I have an amazing cookbook and Instagram account I follow and every day I feel a little more ready to make the plunge. My food scale comes tomorrow and I am anxiously waiting to get started.

Dandelion Organic: Local vegetable delivery. I have been getting vegetables delivered to me for nearly two and a half years now. I skip weeks based on meal planning but I love getting fresh produce. I substitute out whatever I need and love adding in local seasonal veggies to my weekly meals.

Unscented Candles: That is right, I said unscented candles purely for the flicker and the glow. There is something that warms me up from the inside out when I burn real candles. I love the glow, the wax, the fire, the ambiance…it’s a mood… a mood I love.

Those are just a few ideas I have come up with to help myself keep it simple and find the farm fresh resources around me. I am curious if any of you out there have any other tips and tricks to enhance and embrace the basics for your life?

Kendall’s Spaghetti

November 5, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Growing up, spaghetti was a big deal in my house. My mom made delicious spaghetti. Like, really good. I mean, I liked it, but my dad? He LOVED it. After my mom passed away, my dad, sister, and I were sitting in the funeral home waiting on our coordinator and my dad started crying. Seeing him cry, I asked, “Dad, do you need a minute?” His response? “I just realized I will never get to eat your mom’s spaghetti again.” As you can imagine, the days after my mom’s sudden death were really emotional. But this moment made me laugh- hard. It made me start thinking about all of my mom’s signature dishes that I wouldn’t ever get to devour again. It was emotional. Food brings us together. It’s an essential part of living our lives and it can be super connective.

As hard as I try, my spaghetti will never be my mom’s. And this is ok. I still make good spaghetti. My husband also has an obsessional connection to my spaghetti; so in a way, I feel close to my mom when I am making it. I am not making it because I want it, I am making it because I want my family’s tummies to be satisfied. It comes from a place of love… which Italians will tell you is the best way to prepare food.

Kendall’s Spaghetti:

Ok, I am terrible with measurements because it changes depending on how many people I am cooking for- so adjust as you see fit. ALSO, I can make homemade spaghetti but usually I don’t budget enough time, so the below is the easier way- with canned sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste!

The below recipe will comfortably serve 2-4 people depending on how hungry you are.

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds of ground beef
16 oz of spaghetti pasta (a whole box- yep, just do it)- if your local grocer is out because people have stocked up on their COVID supplies, linguini will do too.
8 oz. of sliced white mushrooms
1 yellow onion finely chopped
¼ cup of dry red wine
Thyme
Oregano
Dried basil
Red pepper flakes
Garlic powder OR real garlic (about 2 cloves minced)- you can pick or use both
Salt
Pepper
Parmesan
2.5 oz. to 3 oz of canned tomato paste
20 oz of canned tomato sauce
15 oz of canned diced tomatoes

Process:

I like the meat in my sauce to have really good flavor, so I always toss it into the skillet first on medium heat and liberally season with salt, pepper, and ALL OF the seasonings mentioned above (EXCEPT red pepper flakes- unless you want to, of course). Season to your tastes. As it cooks, keep stirring it up and adjusting the flavor as you like. When the beef is about 5 minutes from being done, toss in your onion and minced garlic (if using). Let it all cook together for about another 5 minutes on medium heat.

At this point, start heating up your heavily salted water for pasta (should taste like salt water).

Right as that is all finishing, toss in your wine and let it stew for a few minutes before adding in your canned tomato goods. I like a really thick sauce which is why I use so many variations of tomato! Once all of your tomato is in the pan with the meat, season again with the above seasonings- use what you want and how much you want… taste it as you go. Then, once it’s all assembled, let it simmer for 30 minutes.

Once your pot of water is boiling, get your pasta in there and cook until it is your desired texture. I prefer a firmer noodle but my 2 year old likes it a bit on the soggier side.

Once everything is done, mix it all together in a big bowl with some parmesan. Dinner is served!

THIS IS NOT A FANCY RECIPE. This is a really simple recipe that is meant to get dinner on the table quickly. For a truly homemade from scratch spaghetti recipe, tune in next month. I only make it once a year!

Enjoy!

SHARI ON BEING SCANDINAVIAN & EMBRACING HYGGE

November 5, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

At work I am on the Wellness Committee and someone suggested we do our next “corporate challenge” on the Danish concept of Hygge. This is a concept I am very aware of with my Scandinavian ancestry and involvement with a local Scandianvian group here in WA. If you follow @thesaltyexchange on instagram you might remember that when I took over the stories on Monday, November 2nd I took a picture of my Zoom board meeting with the Daughters of Norway. I got involved with the Daughters of Norway back in 2012 after helping with their annual Scandinavian Fair. I worked as the event coordinator for the venue where they hosted their annual event (since November 2010). Over the years, I got to know the ladies (who I lovingly referred to as my “Nanas of Norway”) and every year they would invite me to attend their monthly meetings. Finally I did and I have been a faithful attendee ever since. They have become friends and family that I never knew I needed and have taught me about Scandinavian traditions not just from Norway but from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.

Regardless of how excluding the name of the organization can sound, it is extremely inclusive. Even if you aren’t Scandianvian but are married or related to someone with Scandinavian descent, you can join! Their purpose is to celebrate the traditions, customs, and stories from their homeland. As a natural leader, I was asked to be on the board relatively quickly. I think they liked the idea of getting some of the younger generation involved. So now 7+ years later, I have served on the local lodge (Nellie Gerdrum #41) board since 2013 in various positions (Trustee, Vice President, President, and currently as Judge). I, along with the current President, am hosting a virtual Scandinavian Fair this year due to COVID cancelling the 21st annual in-person event and already our little local lodge has reached over 200,000 people from all over the world with our Virtual Scandianvian Fair facebook event (event link will have archived videos and content after November 7th, 2020).

My top takeaway from being a member of this amazing group is the passion that comes from learning your heritage and taking part in celebrating it. A concept I heard years ago was the Danish word Hygge. I loved that it incorporated so many of my favorite parts of being Scandinavian and most of all that it isn’t really so much of a word but more of a feeling. See a rough translation below:

[hu-guh] noun

A calm, comfortable time with people you love, a complete absence of frustrations or anything emotionally overwhelming. A quality of coziness that comes from doing simple things. Often enjoyed with good food and drinks, warm blankets and candlelight.

Also known as the Art of Happiness.

Happiness… who doesn’t want more of that in their life, amiright?! There are a lot of ways you can incorporate hygge into your environment, especially during the winter months…from décor (add candles), crafts (make a wreath), cooking (see Glogg recipe below), reading (set aside time to relax), etc. The list of things that are considered ways to bring you joy and happiness is extensive. Some of my favorites are lighting a candle (no scent, purely for the flickering lovely light), making a home cooked meal (I prefer easy and in the crockpot), reading a good book while curled up in a cozy blanket, or even turning on my “fireplace” (a heater that looks like a fireplace) and wearing my fuzzy socks are all ways in which I find my hygge in the midst of the colder seasons. Year round I enjoy hygge in playing outside, painting, gardening, crafting and doing this…co-blogging for The Salty Exchange by sharing what I love.

Here are some of my favorite resources to learn more about Hygge:

Beginners information on hygge:

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-year-of-hygge-the-danish-obsession-with-getting-cozy

How Hygge Can Help You Be Happier

Ideas for hygge at home:

10 Ways to Hygge Your Home

Shari’s favorite books on hygge:

Scandinavian Gatherings by Melissa Bahen

The Little book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

Making Winter by Emma Mitchell

The perfect season to make a pot of gløgg (a spiced drink that Scandinavians associate with hygge and also Shari’s favorite part of German traditions too):

Package up some DIY holiday hygge

Happy Hygge to all, and to all a good Fall & Winter!