Friday Things #374
1. I am so saddened by everything happening in the world right now, as I’m sure many of you are, as well. I am praying for everyone’s safety, for peaceful hearts, and that you can find a little sliver of sunshine here on Brown Eyed Baker ❤️️
2. The boys were so insanely excited about the rocket launch last Saturday. They were incredibly disappointed that it was called off on Thursday and couldn’t wait to watch. I actually had butterflies in my stomach while watching it take off, and holding my breath a little, too. I’m so glad everything went smoothly!
3. This little girl is so spirited; she definitely gives her brothers a run for their money! I just adore this picture of her 💖
4. What’s your quarantine status where you live? Are you still sticking to home or are you moving about a little more now? We’re still being extra cautious but have spent the last few Saturdays at my in-laws, where they have a huge driveway perfect for Big Wheels and a vast yard with big shady trees. My mom and sister have gone over too, and my grandma joined us last week; the weather has cooperated and we can at least see each other and visit while spreading out outside.
5. And on that note, if you need a mask for yourself or a kiddo, please check out my friend Jen’s Etsy shop. You may remember me talking about our dear friends from DC who have come for all of the kids’ baptisms and whose daughter was Joseph’s first little lady friend 😍 She made masks for hospitals and healthcare workers and graciously sent us a package for ourselves and the kids, and is now selling them on Etsy. Joseph rocked his at his first allergy appointment back this week, and she even has a super cute baking themed mask :)
(Isabelle’s sunglass-ed photobomb in this picture is everything 😂)
6. I asked awhile ago for cutting board recommendations and wanted to update you – I ended up buying two Epicurean boards and so far I am loving them. They’re really gentle on my knives, are easy to clean, and I love how slim they are for storage. So far, so good! 👍
7. Summer flavors are in full swing and if you’ve never made my super easy refrigerator bread and butter pickles, NOW IS THE TIME 🥒😎
8. I love this guide to organizing your fridge. I always keep condiments on the door, but I keep the meat in the bottom drawer to keep it contained, not on a shelf, and I keep my milk on the top shelf. I also keep my berries on the shelves. Do you have a system for organizing your fridge?
9. We tried watching Downton Abbey awhile back and couldn’t get into, but we started giving it another try last night.
10. These furry pals are wishing you a wonderful weekend ❤️️
Michelle, AMEN to your post of today! That is exactly what is wrong with the country. If you do not participant in the narrative you are immediately ostracized. I love your blog and God bless you and your wonderful family!
Michelle, I have been following you forever. I look forward to all of your blogs on Friday and Saturday. I’m always so excited to see what you and your family are having for your Sunday dinners. You inspired me to do the same. Do not let these haters get to you or your family. I’m so sorry they did this too you. Do not change a single thing you do. We all love it. Keep your chin up. We all do just need a cupcake.🧁 🧁 ❤️❤️
“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” – Acts 2:48
Don’t ever change. What you do here is exactly what we all want. You and your beautiful family is a breath of fresh air and I’m so thankful I found your site.
…….I do know what you are going through. My 23 year old daughter is in law enforcement and it scares me what people are saying to her now. I just pray she stays safe and everyone can realize how much she cares about EVERYONE.
I want to commend you for your statement sent out today. Everything doesn’t have to be political!!! I don’t read recipe emails for politics, I read them for recipes and I have been hitting the unsubscribe button of those that include polotical content. am an adult and I think I can think for myself! It appears some people cannot tolerate anyone who does not parrot their way of thinking. Thanks for sticking to your values. These bullies need a little more tolerance.
God bless you and your family! So sorry to hear how cruel people were to you and your family in your June 7 post. That is very sad. I just had to comment here. I actually thought it was refreshing that you weren’t commenting. This is a recipe website and that is all you need to say. Good for you for not allowing bullies to push you around!
Michelle….I was so saddened to read your statement on June 7th and to realize that you have been the recipient of such cruel and senseless backlash. I do not come to your site/blog for political or social justice commentary. I come for your humor, lovely recipes and adorable photos. Your children and dogs are adorable. My own children are grown and my Goldens have passed on, so seeing yours brings a smile and joy to my heart.
It is so hard not to be wounded by such ugly comments, but I beg you not to be. Clearly, you are a kind and loving person. Never forget that.
Sending hugs and love to you and your family.
I so very much appreciate you and your blogs for providing a haven to escape to, in times of heaviness and troubles. I thank you for providing such a place. I’m so disheartened that because of this, you have been senselessly attacked by some readers. You and your blogs are a breath of fresh air; a respite from the all that’s going on around us; a place of refreshing, to give us that little something we need, before we get back into the wars of the world. I thank you deeply.
Thank you Michelle for sticking to your values. I don’t have to turn to social media to be told how to think or what to do.
Well said Carol!!
Thank you keeping this site about food and family.
I need your thoughts, I am going to our first book club, in person, sort of. We are sitting behind out cars in a parking lot. I usually bring a dessert ( the past 6 meetings, they have been one of your recipes, all have been a hit) but can I do that does not include a lot of post baking touching?
Thanks
Kathie
What about cookies in little baggies? You can use tongs to get in bags once cooled. What a great book club!
We are slowly coming out of “quarantine mode” in our state. After almost three long months, it’s nice to get out a bit more, and the warm days are a blessing! 😎 My husband and I are in our early 60s and bought a pair of bikes for leisurely riding, but to mainly help work off the COVID 19 pounds! We binge-watched Homeland (again), and Bosch. Have not tried Downton Abby. I was going to attempt some homemade bread recipes, but could not find yeast at all! Of course, this week it is finally in the store, and the nice weather is calling me outside!
Stay true to yourself and your blog! I have enjoyed reading your blog for years, and have made many of your recipes. No one has the right to pressure you, or guilt you into being anything otherwise. I come to find recipes, and get enjoyment from your cute family and dog stories. I would never come here to look for political opinions or insist you make a statement on sensitive issues. There are plenty of other places on social media for people who need those outlets. Thank you for sharing so many delicious recipes! Please keep them coming!!
Dont let them bully you, Michelle, we love what you do, stand your ground. God bless and protect you and your family.
After reading your June 7 message “A Statement” I sat at my computer and cried. I am so very sorry and deeply troubled that you and your family have been needlessly insulted, bullied, harassed and threatened. Your “Statement” said it perfectly. I have always look forward to your positive and informative Brown Eyed Baker messages and wonderful recipes. You and your sweet, special family bring me so much joy and I appreciate the helpful & valuable information you provide to all of us. Don’t change a thing, Michelle. We need more positive communications in this troubling world and I look forward to your messages. So “Thank You” for all that you do.
Your daughter looks so grown up, but then still those cute chubby baby thighs. Downtown Abbey was my favourite, probably not for everyone but i did manage to get my English husband to the movie at the theatre and he liked it and he had never watched an episode. Thank you for making the copycat Krispy Kreme recipe – those things were soo darn good and froze so well.
I applaud your response to the recent bullying and embracing the focus of your platform which is to feed our love of cooking, food and goodies. These blogs are an escape in my life, a place I go to find new recipes that allow me to spend quality time in my kitchen and this puts me in a happy place. It’s my therapy and my release from stresses of everyday life.
It takes courage to stand up to those that criticize and even more courage to stand by what you believe your platform should be and what is was meant for. So sorry you have had to deal with such ugly, disrespectful and hateful comments. How does that even solves any problems? Keep doing what you’re doing, we come to your website for just that!!
Love your response at top of page. I have felt pressure also and i appreciate your calm. I am not a bad person and don’t need to be categorized as a bad person for not living an exclamatory life. I am sorry that those who say the want change find it easier to criticize you. That Is not love.
I have to say that it breaks my heart that you have had these horrible comments said to you and that your children have been affected. With all the ugliness in the world, I for one look forward to your blog as an escape and I thank you!! Not every forum is the place to express your personal
views. I’m happy you have stayed true to yourself and I’m grateful!!!
Michelle, you have always put forth a kind and quiet grace. That you mention the world’s current sad situation and offer hopes and prayers for its betterment should be sufficient. Just as people grieve in so many different ways, we react and express complex feelings in just as many. Bless you and your lovely family.
Don’t give a second thought to some who admonish you to see the world through their glasses.
Downton abbey was one of my all time favorites! Stick with it.
Michelle, I’ve followed you for years, and I’m disappointed that you deleted mine and other comments asking you – mostly politely! – to take a stronger stand, like other bloggers have done. It’s time for all of us to do what we can to elevate Black voices.
Sally, It’s possible that your comment ended up in a thread that had spiraled way out of control and got completely deleted. As you can see, other polite have remained here.
your children are so cute and I am in love with your dogs
Hi Michelle, I love the picture of you daughter with those rocking sun glasses. The boys look so excited watching the shuttle take off. I missed it but saw it later on the news. Joseph looks so cute in baseball mask. I just ordered face masks from Etsy. I saw the baker masked and custom ordered a few. Plus a few others. Thanks for the suggestion. I printed your recipe for Easy Peanut Butter Cookies and will make them soon. They looked so good.
Take care and be safe.
Chill! You wont make the world a better place with harsh comments, for a start. Baffles me..people preaching about building eachother up and respecting everyone for the person they are- come to social media- everyone rips eachother down. !!
Ive got to be honest here….Michelle never takes a hard stance on anything…AND THATS OK….i remember the day after the 2016 elections ppl were losing their minds (me included) and all the blogs i followed had something to say..either happy or how the rug was pulled out from their feet. But Michelle continued as normal. And i kinda understand…u dnt want to alienate any reader from either side of the political spectrum. Most of us keep our political affiliations quiet at work esp if we know we are in the minority. But the simple thoughts and prayers sentence felt disingenuous …. its like u were trying to staddle both sides of the pendulum and in the end ended up looking self-centered.
Anyways, i am and will always be your loyal reader. Hope u take these comments as constructive criticism.
That’s not constructive criticism. It’s rude and belittling. A food blogger does not have to come out with political statements….ever! I’m sure Michelle is used to this and doesn’t need defending. However, it is definitely only your opinion she came off disingenuous and self-centered. I didn’t feel that way at all. I found it to come across very sincere. But then again I wasn’t looking for someone to fit my narrative/
A.Y – Let me guess…u would have been happy if she said ‘All Lives Matter’ right? Dont deny it…ur bias is showing. Also if u read the other comments, there are many ppl who feel the same way. And again, i did mention food bloggers dont need to come out with any statements about anything except for food..then she should have not mentioned anything… this thoughts and prayers sounded fake..of course IMO.
No, your assumptions are showing and that’s sad. You misjudged my family demographic and my support of BLM. This conversation…again is not helpful.
Get bent. You need social advice and commentary from a food blog instead of a brief respite from everything in the world right now?? She doesn’t have a responsibility to provide any guidance other than her blog if she doesn’t choose to. You’re the antagonist here.
BEB is probably the only blog i follow that has taken this long to say anything so it’s disappointing that she took this much time only to say the absolute least. I disagree with you on one thing, I don’t think she’s trying to straddle both sides. I think her empty platitudes make it very clear what side she is on.
Michelle, if that’s not how you feel, think about how your comments look to your followers, particularly your Black followers, and do better.
WOW!!! I’m so sorry readers of your blog think we need anything from you other than cooking ideas and the added bonus that we get to know BEB’s family just a little bit. Continue on Michelle. I for one don’t need anything but what you’ve always been giving us–which is your cooking/baking expertise and a little bit of your personal life. Enjoy your weekend and please don’t quit blogging.
Yes to everything. I’m sorry for the response to your comment of sympathy!! If it’s any comfort..I expect whatever you said wouldve been subject to criticism..even if youd stayed quiet! Hope your family stay healthy..and your children are just adorable!! Joseph looks so grown up!
Agreed! I luv the blog and visit for food inspiration and the warm family vibe she provides. Her blog is not here to solve all the worlds problems or address them. It’s about food and family. If you don’t like it, go elsewhere. I am a loyal fan and appreciate all your recipes. I’m very sorry some people on social media feel bullying others is taking a stand and making a difference in the world. Try spreading more love and less hate! It’s a much more productive way to improve our world.
Beautiful pics of your children. Isabelle is so pretty. She is looking more and more like you by the week. Such a sweet pic of the doggies with their big smiles.
I just wanted to say thank you for being my escape. I have 4 kiddos, own our own business and trying to do the best we can in this crazy world. I thoroughly enjoy your blog and can not even count how many of your recipes I have tried throughout the years. I feel your site/blog etc allows me to find my happy place. I am originally from western P.A., as well as my husband (Dusquene grad). I relate to your stories and recipes. In a time when it seems so easy to put people down…I just wanted to share some kindness and say thanks!
So refreshing and kind. Made me breathe more softly after reading your post.
I look forward to your Friday Things each week & love the rainbow picture!
Please enjoy your wonderful family & weekend. So glad you all are able to start spending time with family again!
❤️
Michelle,
Your children are just beautiful and I love reading about their adventures! I have a grand daughter and grandson who also keep me hopping. Love the recipes you provide. Next week I am going to tackle Chou pastry!
For tv, stick with Downton Abbey, it’s great and my favorite is Outlander. The books are awesome but the show is marvelous.
Have a great summer and stay healthy. It’s already hot here in NC!
Best- Donna Lipka
I love the pictures of your kids and your recipes.
Love your rainbow photo.
Hang in there with Downton Abbey. The first three seasons are great. Four and Five not so much. Then six neatly wraps it up.
The pictures aren’t loading for your pickles FYI.
Hope you stick with Downton Abbey!!!! Best show EVER.
Beautiful pictures of your family as usual!!
Great pictures, thanks for always being a bright spot for me! Love Downton Abbey! The cast is great and writing spectacular. So much sharp wit. Maggie Smith is superb.
I’d just like to say that I am 42 years old and I want your daughter’s outfit, glasses included lol! She’s just darling 😁