7 Things to Tell You

Stuff to make your life easier & your table longer

ONE

I planned your dinners for the month of April. It’s $3 and all of the links are clickable! This is one small way we try to live an intentionally. It helps us stay on track financially (vs ordering take-out last minute way too often), so adding an extra mouth (or three) to feed isn’t a huge stretch. I hope it helps yours and provides a bit of relief from decision fatigue :)

TWO

Did you know that I helped four women become published authors in the last year? If writing a book is a dream you have, let’s chat! Your story is worth telling. If you have a desire to serve people through your words, but feel like you’re “nobody…” I can assure you that every author faces imposter syndrome and thoughts like Who am I to ____.

THREE

• Do you feel like your faith is evolving and you don’t have a place to process it?

• Do you have a creative dream that’s itching to be scratched?

• Do you feel like you need to make changes to your life but don’t know where to start?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, please join me for one (or all three) of my upcoming Longer Table Talks.

I’m co-hosting these virtual safe spaces with my friend and fellow author, Mallory. We are putting so much into these conversations and follow-up resources—I promise it will be worth an hour of your time.

FOUR

Mother’s Day is just around the corner! I made my own fun gift guide where I hint to E one particular thing I want & share the ideas I have for my own mom and MIL!

FIVE

A longer table life is beautiful, but it doesn’t come without pain. Birthdays are when grief hits me hardest. I know all of our long-term former foster kid’s birthdays by heart. We always call and send a gift. For a variety of reasons, we aren’t always able to get in touch, and when that happens it wrecks me. I ask myself, “Will they think I forgot their birthday?” / “Do they have a clue how much I miss them?” / “Will they forget about us?” I worry. I sometimes cry. I write terrible stories in my mind. But then I remind myself of the redemptive moments and happy memories— I remind myself of the truth that keeps us going: it was worth it and it’s still worth our efforts today.

PS. you heard it here first: new Get Too Attached merch coming back to the shop soon!

SIX

I’m detaching from my phone a lot more frequently and for longer periods of time with the help of Aro. Ever heard of it?! Code MANDA gets you the first month free for an annual membership. If you value presence and life off-screen, try it. You can cancel anytime if it’s not for you. (Thank me later!)

Aro is the white box that’s so much more than just a box…I share more about it in tomorrow’s A Longer Table podcast episode!

SEVEN

I’ve been keeping a secret from you, which has made it hard for me to show up fully. But that’s going to change real soon. I will always share good & bad news with you before I post it publicly. Thank you for being part of my “inner circle” here.

PS.

I’ve published two books, so if you’re not sick of me or we have a lot in common or you are just nosey to find out what went down in my marriage, give them a read! Space is an incredible 30 day reset for anyone who’s super bored or super busy. Soul Care to Save Your Life shares all of the most important lessons I learned in my twenties (mostly) the hard way.

PSS.

ICYMI, here’s a letter I sent out last week in response to the tragedy in Nashville:

"I don't understand your stupid beliefs"

Love & avocado toast with red pepper flakes,

Manda