Like many women these days who are trying to juggle a career and a family at the same time, it seems like I hardly have time to myself. From the moment the alarm goes off at 6:30 AM, I’m up preparing breakfast and school lunch for my children and the typical chaotic morning begins.On most days, I go straight to gym after dropping off the children at school. To be honest, I absolutely dread going especially when I had less than 5 hours of sleep. My mind is telling me I need to work out while my body wants to go home and stay in a warm, comfy bed. I usually start working around 10 AM, either testing new recipes or starting a new post. Meanwhile the house is untidy, the clean laundry waiting to be folded is piled on the sofa, and dust waits patiently as it sticks itself all over the whole house. As a mom and a wife, I honestly admit it’s hard to do everything well. Before I started Just One Cookbook and when my children were younger, my home was definitely cleaner, laundry was always folded immediately, and I had bit more time to myself. Unfortunately the reality is that I have less and less time (at least I feel that way). So these days, after having a light lunch while responding to emails on my iPad at the same time, I give myself a 15 minute break. These 15 minutes belong to myself – no emails or social media. I pick my favorite tea of the moment, heat the water in my electric kettle, and pick a few cookies out of the cookie jar. This is one of the moments I look forward to the most during the day, just sipping my tea, enjoying the cookies, and doing a little light reading. I try not to think about everything else that I had to do that day or week, and just let my mind clear.
Among our snack choices, there is one that’s especially dear to my heart. It’s the very first American cookies I had at my host family’s house when I moved to the United States, and that’s Pepperidge Farm® Milano® cookies. It was my host mom’s favorite cookies and it was always in the pantry. I still remembered the moment I tried it the very first time. I loved the crispy light wafers sandwiched around the delicate chocolate fillings. Simply irresistible! When my 15 minute break is up, I have about 1 hour of work time left before the chaos resume. My afternoon is soon occupied with driving to karate lessons, swim class, and art class, doing homework, and preparing dinner. At least I know for tomorrow, I will still have my 15 minutes of sanctuary and me time.
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Cookies and English tea makes a perfect afternoon.
Love reading in the evening.
In order to relax, I always brew a cup of herbal tea and read a good book, although it’s getting harder and harder to find time to do so. 🙂
I enjoy just being with myself with a cup of coffee and looking at pictures of my kids.
I do just about the same thing. In the evening after dinner is cleaned up, I make myself a cup of early grey tea with a few shortbread cookies or biscuits. It is my favorite time of day since I get to relax and not think about work or packing (currently in the process of moving). Living abroad, I do miss Milano cookies. The mint flavor is one of my favorites!
i like to play some Lego games on WiiU when I have about 30 minutes. Or look at Facebook when I have just a moment.
I lie on the sofa and watch at least a little of my favorite soap opera.
I look out and enjoy the plants, flowers, and the peacefulness of my yard.
I totally understand what it is like. In my house it is common to see pile of clean clothes on the couch waiting to be fold, sort and put away. The toy room is a mess and the house is not in the cleanest and tiniest state that I would like. But I try of have a half hour breakfast which I will enjoy my coffee and read a good book but most of time I will end up browsing through cookbook.
I enjoy myself by taking a break to listen to music. I follow a lot of cover artists online so I like calming down by seeing updates from my favorite cover song artists. It’s really fun to listen to what new song that they’ve sung ( ´∀`)
The new layout looks wonderful, Nami!
I like to make myself a cup of hot coffee and unwind.
Milanos are a favorite of our family, too!
I, too, enjoy my “moment” when the house is empty on weekdays. I love a cup of coffee and refrigerated Mint Milanos or (I newly discovered) Raspberry Milanos. A great mental break!
Thanks for your wonderful posts. I really enjoy reading them. They also serve as a great break for me!
Like to settle down with a good book.