The past week has been crazy, hasn’t it? I’ll be honest, when I first scheduled this “Crumbs” chat on my calendar life looked nothing like it does right now. Toilet paper wasn’t scarce, Zach and I (and everyone else) could still go out to eat at any restaurant we wanted whenever we wanted, and school was still in session. Jobs weren’t on the line, or gone.
I went back and forth about whether I should even publish this post or just cancel it, but with all the social distancing currently going on right now, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to pause and connect a little bit. Safely, through our computer screens. And if you are strictly here for the recipes, no worries, you can check out my double chocolate chip cookies. I just published a new video for them today.
Barring current events (we’ll touch on those in a minute), life here has been pretty sweet. Luke will be 4 months old tomorrow and it both feels like he’s been here forever and like it’s barely been seconds since he was born.
Watching him grow is the best, and as cliche as it sounds I feel so heart-burstingly grateful and blessed to be his mom! I’m obsessed with this kid and his silly sense of humor. He laughs a lot, sleeps well through the night (I’ve heard sleep regression is a thing so I’m just grateful while it lasts) and is just a joy.
Also, does his hair look red in that photo up there? Some days it’s unmistakably blonde and other days it looks a little red! Strawberry blonde? Whatever color it is I love his baby hair!
With everything that’s been happening in the world I’ve actually been busier than ever.
Lots of people are looking for recipes right now, and basics like my homemade biscuits and homemade pizza dough are popular. While I’d planned most of my recipes for the next few weeks in advance, I’m trying to shift gears now and share more of the types of recipes that people are looking for. I have a pantry-friendly cake recipe coming up later this week and am putting the final touches on a sandwich bread recipe! Tell me, what would you like to see?
I’m also planning more baking competitions in my Facebook group. Last week we did a bake-off with a $100 Amazon gift card prize and I’d like to do more of those in the future, it was fun seeing what everyone baked and makes for a nice distraction!
Self-isolating, are you doing it? You should be (if you can, I’m very grateful for all of those who have to be on the front line!).
Zach and I work from home already so that hasn’t changed for us and we don’t plan on going out at all until we run out of food. My sister is also staying with us and self-isolating here. Her fiance is a police officer at high risk of being exposed to the virus himself, so before everything began she checked into our house and is camped out here until everything finally blows over. She’s been a great help with Luke (she can get him to nap so easily while I would struggle with him for hours) as I work on perfecting new recipes for the blog.
I don’t have to tell you that life is definitely stressful right now. I’m resolving to read less news and more fiction, though somehow they are seeming more and more alike recently. Currently accepting any recommendations for good books, good movies, fun multi-player video games or good Netflix series (ones that aren’t depressing!) to get us through this time.
What are you doing to keep your sanity and remain calm right now?
Stay safe, stay home (if you can), and wash your hands! 💜
Maria says
Hey Sam! Love, love, love the Great British Bake Off on Netflix. It’s the most stress-free, relaxing, quintessentially British show and plus…baking! I can’t recommend it highly enough. As far as suggestions for new recipes, what do you think about lemon meringue pie?
Sam says
Hi Maria! I have definitely caught a few of those baking show episodes. Sometimes they stress me out because I just want the contestants to succeed all the time!! I have been thinking of making a lemon meringue pie. It’s been on my list for a while. 🙂
Kathleen says
Hi Sam. Baby Luke is sooo adorable. Thank you for sharing pictures. What a blessing that you and Zach can be home with him all day. Your recipes are the BEST and I always go to your site when I’m looking for something to try. Happy day to you and your special family. Hugs. Kathleen ❤️
Sam says
Thank you so much, Kathleen! We truly feel blessed. I appreciate your support. Stay safe. 🙂
Mary says
It looks like Luke will be “chip” off the old block the way he is eyeing that chocolate chip/m&m cookie. Thanks for the post to brighten these days of self isolation and keep the recipes coming. I am doing a lot of baking these days as a stress reliever. Take care.
Sam says
😂 He will probably be in love with cookies way too early! Baking is a great stress relief. Stay safe! 🙂
Liza says
Definitely a redhead in these pictures! That’s great that you have family staying with you, helps to feel less isolated and lucky Luke, getting to spend extra time with his aunt!
My husband is a police officer as well (Raleigh, NC) so his schedule hasn’t changed. I teach and school is closed, so I’m isolating here. I’m very happy that the yoga studio I attend has moved all their classes to Zoom, so we can all continue our practice at home! Baking this week will include your banana bread to send in to work with my husband. I made your Congo Squares for them at least once a month and they LOVE them! Thank you for continuing to share recipes!
Sam says
Thank you so much, Liza! And thank you to your husband for his community service. I hope everyone stays safe! 🙂
Angela Stevenson says
Awwww! He’s the sweetest! Thanks for sharing and all your great recipes too! Enjoy and be well! 🙂
Sam says
Thank you so much, Angela! 🙂
michelle says
So glad to finally see a photo of your beautiful baby! Yes we are in a world, one I never imagined I see in my life. Chaotic, scary, and unknown. I sure hope we can gain a grip on this sooner than later. In the meantime I have been baking and cooking many of your recipes. And…. gaining a few pounds as well. To everyone get outside and take a walk, not in group but solitary and think about all we have in the US, not what we don’t…. toilet paper lol. Enjoy time with your families without distractions of the constant newscast.
Sam says
Thank you for the advice Michelle! Sometimes it’s so hard to remember to think about all the good things in life. Stay safe! 🙂
Liz says
Thanks for your continued posts; it’s helping to keep things normal. I’ve tried several of your recipes and have yet to be disappointed. We are in the “older age” category (I hate to admit it) but are coping pretty well, staying at home and are well stocked. I made sure I stocked up on the baking essentials. I like you, want to read and watch more uplifting books and movies instead of watching news all day, it can get you down. We watched a good movie yesterday called “7 days in Utopia with Robert Duvall, a very upbeat and feel good movie and we have Instant Family to watch later today, supposed to be very heart warming and funny. I believe Mark Wahlberg is in that one. Your son is gorgeous, I’d say strawberry blonde. I miss that age, my grandson turns 15 today! Wow, how time flies, enjoy every minute.
Sam says
Thank you so much, Liz! I will definitely check that movie out. I definitely try to take the time every day to just stare at Luke and appreciate his existence. Happy baking, and stay safe! 🙂
Lily says
Your baby is gorgeous 🙂
Thank you so much!! love your recipes.
Sam says
Thank you so much, Lily! 🙂
Laura Ostman says
Thank you for the picture of Luke. I’ve been curious about how much he’s grown. 💓 You and Zack are truly blessed !
I’m hooked on free cozy mysteries on my Kindle, especially those that have cats and or dogs to help solve the murders. They usually run in series and it’s best to begin with book one.
Please stay healthy and safe.
Sam says
Thank you so much Laura! We do feel truly blessed. I haven’t heard of that series of mysteries before. It sounds very interesting. I will have to check it out. Stay safe! 🙂
Janet says
Luke is just so adorable!! Growing so fast. I’m sure he is a ray of sunshine for you and Zach in these crazy times. God bless your lovely family!
Sam says
Thank you so much, Janet! Stay safe. 🙂
Sue says
Your little one is so cute! Such big blue eyes! And his hair has some red in it, I think, in your photo. I have 2 grandchildren with red hair, fabulous people!
I REALLY enjoyed your potato soup! I had ladies over for a rustic Irish luncheon and tea and everyone thought it was the best potato soup they ever had, thank you!
I like what recipes you suggest to us, they are new and fresh to my household and not the same old thing, but I guess since you have asked, I would like even more soup recipes.
Keep taking good care of yourselves, and God bless your brother in law during these hard days, but I’m with you, we’ll get through this together. Thanks for all you do, it’s a joy!
Sam says
Thank you so much, Sue! I am so glad everyone enjoyed the soup so much! Soup recipes are definitely on the list to make. You can never have enough soup right?! 😉 Stay safe! 🙂
Kayla says
Hi! I’m so glad you published this post. It helps us all to know we’re not alone in this. Luke is adorable! My brother is watching a Netflix series called You. I don’t really know what it’s about but apparently it’s really good. And if you do watch it he says season 2 is even better. As for games, I would go with the classics! Mario Kart and Wii Sports are what I’ve been doing. Also quick question. I made your homemade brownies 2 nights ago but as I was melting the chocolate chips and butter the chips wouldn’t melt. They just kept separating from the butter. Eventually I just went with it and added the cocoa powder and suddenly everything looked good and the chips were melted?! I have no idea why that happened but if you know please share! The brownies were still amazing and we’re sort of an early birthday treat because mine is tomorrow. Ok sorry this is so long and chatty. 😅. Thank you again for this post!
Sam says
Thank you so much, Kayla! I will definitely check out that show. The chocolate chips not melting sounds a little weird. It may have been due to density differences in the chips and the butter or maybe the chocolate seized? I’m not quite sure but I’m really glad they turned out and thank you so much for your support. It really means a lot to me. 🙂
Yolanda says
Virgin River on Netflix is only one season long. ( I watched it all in one day while working) . It is scout a Nurse Practioner who mores to a small town to heal from some losses in her life. Big city girl meets no where country life. I liked it
Sam says
Thank you so much for the suggestion, Yolanda! I will definitely check it out. Stay safe! 🙂
Kayla says
It was weird. I’ve made that brownie recipe so much that it was weird. I was making sure to stir frequently so the chocolate didn’t seize. Maybe there chocolate chips were just bad?
Sam says
That is also a possibility. I’ve also had problems with generic chocolate chips at times as well.
Leanne says
To stay safe and sane, I am reading books, playing computer games, working on puzzles and making lots of bread. The bread I have mostly been giving away to friends, neighbors, postmaster (small post office). Started doing that on hearing grocery store bread shelves were empty. Please, stay home & stay safe.
Sam says
Sounds like you have a lot to keep you busy, Leanne! That is so nice of you to be making everyone bread. Stay safe! 🙂
Kassandra Naylon says
Getting your recipes everyday makes my day! Stay safe!
Thanks
Sam says
Thank you so much, Kassandra! Stay safe! 🙂