Would You Take Your Child on a Dangerous Adventure?

A while back you may remember seeing Eric and Charlotte Kaufman in the news because they had to be rescued with their two young children by the coast guard on a family sailing trip across the Pacific. Their story made headlines across the country as everyone from the hosts of The View to the NY Times commented on their supposed poor parenting and ill fated adventure. The Kaufman's had not granted any interviews until their story ran a couple of weeks ago on This American Life. Ira Glass interviewed them about the details of their trip and what went wrong in a segment titled "Call for Help."

Being that I've attempted to sail a boat exactly two days in my life I was surprised by how riveted I was by the story, and even more, how much I felt like I related to the Kaufman's. As I read through their family blog I found myself asking, why am I so interested in this story? Why do I relate to this so much? And in the end, I think there are two reasons. One is that I like adventures and I wholeheartedly believe that children benefit from living a little bit outside of the box. It was a good reminder to me that bringing Myles on some adventures, whether that be travel, a concert, heading out on the water or into the mountains... or just staying up past his bedtime, is good for him and something that vibes with our family culture.

But upon reflection, I think the larger reason I was so drawn to the Kaufman's story is that on some level parenting itself is a "dangerous adventure." There is huge potential for failure, embarrassment, inconvenience, and loss, but also mystery, excitement, wonder and novelty. I don't think most people enjoy having to "call for help" but having a child makes it nearly impossible to avoid. I relate so much to Eric and Charolotte because even though I never plan to sail across the Pacific, I can taste what it would feel like to try something risky with your kids and to fail.

Being adventurous when you have children takes a lot of guts and since Mylo was born I have been mostly afraid to push the conventional rules of society and parenting. I find the Kaufman's story inspiring...here's to all the parent's out there on this "dangerous adventure."

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Jenny's Favorites: May Edition

May, the first month this year that I've been home more than traveling! Woohoo! Here are some of my favorites, old and new, that I've been enjoying this month.

1. My "gardening" this spring has consisted of buying potted basil from Trader Joe's and planting it in my raised bed. It's been alive and growing a whole month. VICTORY.

2. For those few moments in life where I feel the need to be fancy/feel like a grownup lady, this lipstick has been a great spring-y color, not too intense.

3. I've been on a This American Life kick...from the family stranded at sea (which Teresa blogged about) to the twins separated at birth, I just can't get enough. For some summer nostalgia, check out this one on camp.

4. Loving this foundation from Chanel. If you're in Seattle, go see Teresa's sister Laura at Nordstrom downtown. She's our makeup guru :).

5. Smoothies have become my go-to for breakfast, either berry or a mix of greens and things. This chart has been helpful.

6. Seattleites, you MUST try Six Strawberries Ice Pops! My favorite is the Cafe Vita.

7. Birkenstocks are back! I retrieved my old pair from my parents house a few months ago, patting myself on the back for begin such a cool middle schooler (haha). Jason noticed them in our bedroom last week and asked when I'd managed to go shopping. My reply, 1998. Boom.

8. This month I've been filing my favorite Fiesta bowl with these. #healthysnack

9. I've washing my face with a konjac sponge for the past couple of weeks and I'm sold. I'd wanted to be a Clairsonic person, but with traveling so much, I ended up giving mine to my mom. This is a much better fit for me.

10. THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER! Well, for anyone else out there who wants to scratch their eyes out of their head from allergies, then you to, will love these eye drops.

11. Since the 30/30 Project is working with Partners in Health on it's first clinic being built in Malawi, I finally read Mountains Beyond Mountains. I have to admit, this has been on my "to read" list since college, I just tend to stick with fiction, so I never got around to it. I love that it's a fairly easy read and it's incredibly encouraging to see that people, non-profits, governments, all working together can make changes in the world, both big and small.

12. The music of Astrud Gilberto has been the soundtrack of my life this month, I find the tempo and her voice soothing, perfect for getting me through spring cleaning. (Can't quite place her? I'm sure you've at least heard this one.)


Monday Motivation



Friday Roundup

Happy Friday! It feels like summer is officially here, can't wait to soak up some sun this weekend.

Here are some links to get us started:

This made me tear up a little. Love that Mylo will get to watch Reading Rainbow.

This looks delicious and healthy.

Interesting stuff. 

Are these really back in style? I'm tempted, would you wear them? MK and Ashley did with socks!

Cute kid and great cause.

Hilarious speech, watch now.

Super cute idea for scattering during the exit at a wedding.

This movie looks funny, love Tina Fey.

Bold and bright London townhouse.

Yummy for summer.

30 day-trips from Seattle!


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Project Pinterest: Ginger Ale

I decided to start of my summer of crafts, creating and DIY with something super simple- a simple syrup. 

Jason and I drink a TON of ginger beer/ginger ale. I tell myself it's "healthy" since it has real ginger in it. 

When you buy the good stuff, made real ginger, it isn't cheap.  So it's something I've been wanting to try making for awhile.

I'd been eying a couple of fairly intimidating recipes- involving food processing and straining and things. A lot of steps and a lot of dishes to clean in the end.

Then I discovered this recipe from David Lebovitz, which is SUPER simple. You don't even have to peel the ginger!  

Once you make the simple syrup it'll keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Just mix it in a glass with some ice and sparkling water. Adjust the amounts based on how gingery you like it. I like it with a bit of lemon or lime squeezed in. 

It's perfect to turn into a mixed drink as well, just add your favorite liquor. 


Getting a Summer Glow

I am extremely pale...like, VERY, very pale. And as hard as I may have tried in the past, I don't get tan from the sun. So in order to get a "summer glow" I need to resort to self tanners and bronzers without turning the dreaded orange. This summer I'm going to try out Dr. Dennis Gross' self tanning "Glow Pads." My sister is obsessed with them because they give an even, natural looking tan and the alpha and beta hydroxy mean that you don't have to exfoliate first -- plus they help with aging and provide a smoother skin. I'm sold! I'll let you know how it goes...

Any other sunless tanning products that you love out there? I've been using the Jergens Natural Glow after I shave which makes me ever so slightly less pale. :)

Wedding Wednesday: A Moment


The best wedding photos capture the moments in which you see love.

We're working on our new website, and I LOVE this moment captured from Christian & Jaclyn's ceremony. Much more to come soon, when the new site is live! 

Photo: Studio JKoe