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        <title><![CDATA[Peanut Butter Fingers - Living a Life Fueled by Healthy Food and Fitness]]></title>
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        <lastBuildDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:27:03 +0200</lastBuildDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Sarasota Easter Weekend]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07h9rVCd9FZqZ8Fvt3lNLz6I</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/Nq2_ALnduNP0YeeecvinT2W0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Sarasota Easter Weekend" title="Sarasota Easter Weekend"> <img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/261P_3CBsPG9zqwAqu8Tr2W0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Sarasota Easter Weekend" title="Sarasota Easter Weekend"> <p id="top" />Hey friends! We are back in North Carolina after spending five days in Sarasota, Florida visiting my in-laws. We left right when the boys got out of school on Wednesday and arrived home yesterday evening.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186095 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="Chase Ryder Rhett" width="397" height="529" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></a></p>
<p>We filled our days with lots of sunshine, beach time and family time with Nona and Papa!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186104 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-766x1024.jpg" alt="" width="397" height="531" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-766x1024.jpg 766w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-768x1026.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-1150x1536.jpg 1150w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco.jpg 1497w" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></a></p>
<p>While living far from any family can be challenging for a myriad of reasons (us missing them and not seeing them all the time being #1), Ryan and I have said repeatedly that we&#8217;re really lucky both sets of grandparents live in places that are a blast to visit. You won&#8217;t hear us complaining about mini vacations to see family at the beach in Florida, that&#8217;s for sure!</p>
<p>Now that the boys are older and travel is a little easier, trips to Sarasota for Easter have become somewhat of a tradition for our crew. While the timing of our trip (aka spring break) means Sarasota is quite busy, our main goal is to spend time with Les and Diane, so we don&#8217;t feel overly obligated to see and do all the things while we&#8217;re there. (We&#8217;ve done a lot over the years though and do have some solid Sarasota family-friendly recommendations if you&#8217;d like to check them out here: <a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/sarasota-with-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarasota with Kids</a>.)</p>
<h3>Thursday &amp; Friday: Peachey&#8217;s, Payne Park, Mote Aquarium &amp; Crescent Beach</h3>
<p>Our first full day in Sarasota was Thursday and started on the highest of high notes with a trip to Peachey&#8217;s, a local family-owned bakeshop in the area.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186093 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-790x1024.jpg" alt="peacheys sarasota" width="396" height="514" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-790x1024.jpg 790w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-231x300.jpg 231w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-768x995.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-1185x1536.jpg 1185w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco.jpg 1543w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p>OH MY GOSH, you guys.</p>
<p>Our family loves scouting out local doughnut gems when we travel (mainly because we&#8217;re awake so early and they&#8217;re often the only places open before 8 a.m. &#8212; but also because we love doughnuts) and when Diane raved about Peachey&#8217;s, we knew we had to give it a try.</p>
<p>We ordered one of each doughnut (they have four flavors every day) and on a whim threw in a soft pretzel because it looked so good. When I tell you this was the best soft pretzel I&#8217;ve ever had in my life, I mean it. The pretzel was doughy and buttery with the perfect subtle sweetness and saltiness that had our entire family singing its praises. The doughnuts were incredible, too!</p>
<p>Fueled by dough and sugar, we made our way to a Payne Park where the boys enjoyed climbing all over the circus-themed playground.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186106 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-881x1024.jpg" alt="Julie Chase Ryder Rhett" width="400" height="465" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-881x1024.jpg 881w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-258x300.jpg 258w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-768x892.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-1322x1536.jpg 1322w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186112 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-697x1024.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="582" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-697x1024.jpg 697w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-204x300.jpg 204w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-768x1128.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-1046x1536.jpg 1046w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco.jpg 1362w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p>The rest of our Thursday passed by in a blur of swimming, a stop in downtown Sarasota for ice cream and relaxing on the swing in Les and Diane&#8217;s backyard.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186113 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="391" height="521" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px" /></a></p>
<p>Friday morning we walked around the trails at Urfer Park before setting out to visit the new <a href="https://mote.org/location/mote-science-education-aquarium/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mote Science Education Aquarium</a>. The previous seaside Mote aquarium was a favorite of our family&#8217;s for years so we were all really looking forward to visiting the new facility.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186091 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-648x1024.jpg" alt="new mote aquarium" width="396" height="626" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-648x1024.jpg 648w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-190x300.jpg 190w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-768x1214.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-972x1536.jpg 972w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco.jpg 1265w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p>It was beautiful and a great stop for our family. We spent a little over two hours at the aquarium and the otters, penguins, touch tanks and large tanks filled with sharks were highlights for our crew.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186101 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="528" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186102 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-767x1024.jpg" alt="mote aquarium sarasota " width="396" height="529" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-767x1024.jpg 767w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-768x1025.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/20...]]></description>
                <pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:19:46 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Sarasota Easter Weekend]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hHxMuUGPewkvHVhF0_XvMh</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/261P_3CBsPG9zqwAqu8Tr2W0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Sarasota Easter Weekend" title="Sarasota Easter Weekend"> <p id="top" />Hey friends! We are back in North Carolina after spending five days in Sarasota, Florida visiting my in-laws. We left right when the boys got out of school on Wednesday and arrived home yesterday evening.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186095 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="Chase Ryder Rhett" width="397" height="529" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9397_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></a></p>
<p>We filled our days with lots of sunshine, beach time and family time with Nona and Papa!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186104 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-766x1024.jpg" alt="" width="397" height="531" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-766x1024.jpg 766w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-768x1026.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco-1150x1536.jpg 1150w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9619_vsco.jpg 1497w" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></a></p>
<p>While living far from any family can be challenging for a myriad of reasons (us missing them and not seeing them all the time being #1), Ryan and I have said repeatedly that we&#8217;re really lucky both sets of grandparents live in places that are a blast to visit. You won&#8217;t hear us complaining about mini vacations to see family at the beach in Florida, that&#8217;s for sure!</p>
<p>Now that the boys are older and travel is a little easier, trips to Sarasota for Easter have become somewhat of a tradition for our crew. While the timing of our trip (aka spring break) means Sarasota is quite busy, our main goal is to spend time with Les and Diane, so we don&#8217;t feel overly obligated to see and do all the things while we&#8217;re there. (We&#8217;ve done a lot over the years though and do have some solid Sarasota family-friendly recommendations if you&#8217;d like to check them out here: <a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/sarasota-with-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarasota with Kids</a>.)</p>
<h3>Thursday &amp; Friday: Peachey&#8217;s, Payne Park, Mote Aquarium &amp; Crescent Beach</h3>
<p>Our first full day in Sarasota was Thursday and started on the highest of high notes with a trip to Peachey&#8217;s, a local family-owned bakeshop in the area.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186093 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-790x1024.jpg" alt="peacheys sarasota" width="396" height="514" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-790x1024.jpg 790w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-231x300.jpg 231w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-768x995.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco-1185x1536.jpg 1185w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9417_vsco.jpg 1543w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p>OH MY GOSH, you guys.</p>
<p>Our family loves scouting out local doughnut gems when we travel (mainly because we&#8217;re awake so early and they&#8217;re often the only places open before 8 a.m. &#8212; but also because we love doughnuts) and when Diane raved about Peachey&#8217;s, we knew we had to give it a try.</p>
<p>We ordered one of each doughnut (they have four flavors every day) and on a whim threw in a soft pretzel because it looked so good. When I tell you this was the best soft pretzel I&#8217;ve ever had in my life, I mean it. The pretzel was doughy and buttery with the perfect subtle sweetness and saltiness that had our entire family singing its praises. The doughnuts were incredible, too!</p>
<p>Fueled by dough and sugar, we made our way to a Payne Park where the boys enjoyed climbing all over the circus-themed playground.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186106 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-881x1024.jpg" alt="Julie Chase Ryder Rhett" width="400" height="465" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-881x1024.jpg 881w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-258x300.jpg 258w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-768x892.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820-1322x1536.jpg 1322w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9483_vsco-e1775476990820.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186112 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-697x1024.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="582" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-697x1024.jpg 697w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-204x300.jpg 204w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-768x1128.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco-1046x1536.jpg 1046w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9470_vsco.jpg 1362w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p>The rest of our Thursday passed by in a blur of swimming, a stop in downtown Sarasota for ice cream and relaxing on the swing in Les and Diane&#8217;s backyard.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186113 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="391" height="521" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9493_vsco-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px" /></a></p>
<p>Friday morning we walked around the trails at Urfer Park before setting out to visit the new <a href="https://mote.org/location/mote-science-education-aquarium/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mote Science Education Aquarium</a>. The previous seaside Mote aquarium was a favorite of our family&#8217;s for years so we were all really looking forward to visiting the new facility.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186091 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-648x1024.jpg" alt="new mote aquarium" width="396" height="626" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-648x1024.jpg 648w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-190x300.jpg 190w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-768x1214.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco-972x1536.jpg 972w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9521_vsco.jpg 1265w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p>It was beautiful and a great stop for our family. We spent a little over two hours at the aquarium and the otters, penguins, touch tanks and large tanks filled with sharks were highlights for our crew.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-186101 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="528" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9533_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-186102 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-767x1024.jpg" alt="mote aquarium sarasota " width="396" height="529" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-767x1024.jpg 767w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-768x1025.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco-1151x1536.jpg 1151w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_9529_vsco.jpg 1499w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p>And I couldn...]]></description>
                <pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:19:46 +0200</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Sports, Egg Hunts and Birthday Parties… Oh My!]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07joDn3wUzSZxZBRA-3kjB8m</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/wR6idiyYgIjBPQefPaOwXmW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Sports, Egg Hunts and Birthday Parties… Oh My!" title="Sports, Egg Hunts and Birthday Parties… Oh My!"> <p id="top" />It was another sports-filled weekend over here but it was a good one, as we filled our days with a lot of outside time and family time. Friday night had us going in opposite directions for the big kids&#8217; soccer games (Ryan and I alternate who goes with which kid each week) and Rhett and I had fun cheering for Ryder before we all met back up at home to eat Five Guys and watch a little March Madness before bed.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9214.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184886 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9214-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="389" height="519" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9214-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9214-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9214-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9214.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px" /></a></p>
<p>Anyone else out there have kids who are super into March Madness? Everyone in our family filled out brackets, including my parents, in-laws, and sister which is making it all the more fun!</p>
<h3>Saturday</h3>
<p>Saturday morning began with staggered workouts for me and Ryan. I used to take weekends completely off from workouts but ever since I began doing Madeline Moves workouts last fall, a Saturday workout will pop up here and there. I often have a workout I have to skip during the week for whatever reason and use Saturdays as my make-up day. I&#8217;m finding I thoroughly enjoy the feeling of an unrushed weekend workout.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/e7bb0cd2-ce17-450e-b277-b820cddb2a3c.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184884 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/e7bb0cd2-ce17-450e-b277-b820cddb2a3c-576x1024.jpg" alt="" width="374" height="665" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/e7bb0cd2-ce17-450e-b277-b820cddb2a3c-576x1024.jpg 576w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/e7bb0cd2-ce17-450e-b277-b820cddb2a3c-169x300.jpg 169w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/e7bb0cd2-ce17-450e-b277-b820cddb2a3c-768x1365.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/e7bb0cd2-ce17-450e-b277-b820cddb2a3c-864x1536.jpg 864w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/e7bb0cd2-ce17-450e-b277-b820cddb2a3c.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px" /></a></p>
<p><em>(Still loving my <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-39662060" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Stakt mat</a>! Code PBFINGERS15 should still work for 15% off, I think.) </em></p>
<p>Also, if anyone is interested in joining me for the upcoming spring Madeline Moves challenges, this is how I first discovered the <a href="https://www.movesapp.com/?via=julie-fagan" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Moves app</a> for workouts and it&#8217;s what hooked me on their incredibly well-rounded programming. I&#8217;ll share the date when signups open!</p>
<p>After my workout, I took a quick shower and got dressed before our morning plans took us to Rhett&#8217;s preschool.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/9439f2aa-5c69-4410-9488-cae0e9d37190_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184878 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/9439f2aa-5c69-4410-9488-cae0e9d37190_vsco-576x1024.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="713" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/9439f2aa-5c69-4410-9488-cae0e9d37190_vsco-576x1024.jpg 576w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/9439f2aa-5c69-4410-9488-cae0e9d37190_vsco-169x300.jpg 169w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/9439f2aa-5c69-4410-9488-cae0e9d37190_vsco-768x1365.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/9439f2aa-5c69-4410-9488-cae0e9d37190_vsco-864x1536.jpg 864w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/9439f2aa-5c69-4410-9488-cae0e9d37190_vsco.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a></p>
<p><em>(Top: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-49725112" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Aerie</a> / Tank: Target but old / Jeans: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-49724964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">FRAME</a> &#8212; 50% off through tomorrow and my absolute favorite denim. I sized down to a 26. / Clogs: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-49725274" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Birkenstock</a> / Bag: Clare V. &#8212; gifted but sold out &#8212; <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-49960466" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">this one</a> is similar) </em></p>
<p>Rhett&#8217;s preschool hosts a huge Easter egg hunt every year and it&#8217;s such a fun event!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9234.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184885 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9234-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="393" height="524" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9234-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9234-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9234-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9234.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px" /></a></p>
<p>They have bounce houses, a coffee truck, crafts and activities for the kids and our whole family enjoys it so much. Can I tell you how sad I am going to be when our preschool days are behind us? I cannot think about it too much &#8212; we&#8217;ve been at the same preschool for 9 years! &#8212; otherwise I&#8217;m a bit of a mess.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9236.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184880 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9236-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="398" height="531" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9236-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9236-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9236-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9236.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p>Once we made it home, we all dug into lunch before Kristin from <a href="https://www.thewoofpacknc.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Woof Pack</a> came over for our weekly one-hour training session with Comet. I will shout Kristin&#8217;s praises from the rooftops because she is helping us so much. Comet is a wonderful puppy but very much a puppy and with such a high-energy dog to train, professional help has been so worth it for our family. I read two books on vizsla training before we hired Kristin and nothing can replace in-person help and guidance from a professional who has so much passion for their job and endless knowledge and experience with all sorts of dog breeds, obstacles and antics.</p>
<p>We continued to work on the <a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/normalcy-is-creeping-in/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">skills we&#8217;ve been working on</a> only this time we also added some leash training into the mix.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8f4a9800-6b7d-4ae4-87b8-2d80c71d51ce.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184879 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8f4a9800-6b7d-4ae4-87b8-2d80c71d51ce-576x1024.jpg" alt="" width="397" height="705" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8f4a9800-6b7d-4ae4-87b8-2d80c71d51ce-576x1024.jpg 576w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8f4a9800-6b7d-4ae4-87b8-2d80c71d51ce-169x300.jpg 169w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8f4a9800-6b7d-4ae4-87b8-2d80c71d51ce-768x1365.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8f4a9800-6b7d-4ae4-87b8-2d80c71d51ce-864x1536.jpg 864w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8f4a9800-6b7d-4ae4-87b8-2d80c71d51ce.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></a></p>
<p><em>(Pic of Ryder with Comet after school pickup on Friday. He said, &#8220;Mom, I hope Comet lives to be 203.&#8221; Me too. Thank God for Comet, especially over the course of the past three weeks.) </em></p>
<p>After our session with Kristin, we had less than 5 minutes to get out the door to make it to Chase&#8217;s flag football game.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9271.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184881 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9271-673x1024.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="603" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9271-673x1024.jpg 673w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9271-197x300.jpg 197w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9271-768x1169.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9271-1009x1536.jpg 1009w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_9271.jpg 1206w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a></p>
<p><em>(Sweatshirt: Aerie but old / Sweatpants: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-49769636" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon</a> &#8212; the pair that fits similar to my beloved <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-45910071" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ruti pants</a> but thicker and warmer. I&#8217;m in a medium. / Shoes: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-49775464" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nike</a> &#8212; size up!) </em></p>
<p><a href=...]]></description>
                <pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:52:02 +0200</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Things I’m Loving Friday #587]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07gnhTqez8JbxbzHazzVaGnc</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/64B01irZlUC73spmo6HY5WW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Things I’m Loving Friday #587" title="Things I’m Loving Friday #587"> <p id="top" />Friday is here and, along with it, some H-O-T weather. Our big kids will be playing soccer tonight in 85-degree sunshine and likely sweatin&#8217; up a storm. Is the weather all over the place where you are? We had 50-degree days on Monday and Tuesday and then BAM. Such is spring in Charlotte, I guess.</p>
<p>As for the weekend, it&#8217;s another sports-filled weekend with some Easter egg hunts and dog training sprinkled in. I hope to share more on Monday but until then, keep on scrolling for this week&#8217;s roundup of favorites, Things I&#8217;m Loving Friday style.</p>
<h2>Things I&#8217;m Loving Friday</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<h3><a href="https://amzlink.to/az00JXgOcoxN1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">JUNO Clean 10 Cleansing Balm</a></h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/390c0b31-0cc1-45c4-bcf7-d2c441b9eb89_vsco-1.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-184200 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/390c0b31-0cc1-45c4-bcf7-d2c441b9eb89_vsco-1-758x1024.jpg" alt="JUNO Clean 10 Cleansing Balm" width="400" height="540" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/390c0b31-0cc1-45c4-bcf7-d2c441b9eb89_vsco-1-758x1024.jpg 758w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/390c0b31-0cc1-45c4-bcf7-d2c441b9eb89_vsco-1-222x300.jpg 222w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/390c0b31-0cc1-45c4-bcf7-d2c441b9eb89_vsco-1-768x1037.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/390c0b31-0cc1-45c4-bcf7-d2c441b9eb89_vsco-1-1137x1536.jpg 1137w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/390c0b31-0cc1-45c4-bcf7-d2c441b9eb89_vsco-1.jpg 1206w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p>
<p>Okay friends, THIS is a recommendation I&#8217;m particularly excited about. You know the ELEMIS cleansing balm I&#8217;ve loved for years? The <a href="https://amzlink.to/az0zlp9bhc5cE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">fragrance-free version</a>? I saw <a href="https://amzlink.to/az00JXgOcoxN1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">JUNO Clean 10 Cleansing Balm</a> pop up on Amazon and it seemed so, so similar. It claimed to melt off makeup and I loved that it&#8217;s made with only 10 clean ingredients and (drumroll please), it&#8217;s only $12.74!!! Whaaaat!? Compared to the much heftier price tag of ELEMIS ($70+), I figured it was worth a shot. And you guys, it&#8217;s fantastic and works the same way as the ELEMIS balm. I massage it gently onto my face (without water) to begin to dissolve my makeup. I then add a splash of warm water to emulsify and then wipe everything away with a damp washcloth. It&#8217;s been such a great find I&#8217;ve already ordered 3 times!</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h3>Absolutely Mindy Radio Show (Sirius XM)</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/absolutely-mindy-show.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184207 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/absolutely-mindy-show.jpg" alt="" width="287" height="287" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/absolutely-mindy-show.jpg 350w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/absolutely-mindy-show-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/absolutely-mindy-show-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 287px) 100vw, 287px" /></a></p>
<p>There is so much we love about The Absolutely Mindy morning radio show. We&#8217;ve been avid listeners for years and I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ve ever taken the time to give it a dedicated TILF shout-out. Clearly that had to change! The show is upbeat and joyful and does the best job at inspiring fun and silly conversations between me and the boys on the way to school. The host, Mindy, is so creative and original in her topics and just a little ray of sunshine! It&#8217;s truly the only reason we keep our Sirius XM subscription. If you have Sirius, you can listen to it every weekday morning on channel 134 from 7-10am(ish).</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h3><a href="https://amzlink.to/az0emGxze1hLK" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Problematic Summer Romance</a> by Ali Hazelwood</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/problemtic-summer-romance-book.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184201 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/problemtic-summer-romance-book-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="261" height="392" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/problemtic-summer-romance-book-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/problemtic-summer-romance-book-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/problemtic-summer-romance-book-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/problemtic-summer-romance-book.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px" /></a></p>
<p><em><strong>Genre: Romance / My Rating: B+ </strong></em></p>
<p>Woo-weee that was a steamy one! I adore Ali Hazelwood&#8217;s romance novels and the way they often marry the worlds of academia or science with romance and light beachy reads. After Pepper died, I was in no place for a heavy novel and when this one became available through my local library, I immediately dove in. It was a fun little escape of a book though it admittedly did have a bit of an &#8220;ick&#8221; factor you may have to overcome at times as there is a 15 year age difference between the two main characters. (The author does her darndest to squash this, especially making sure to reiterate there was no romantic interest when the main woman was a minor.) It wasn&#8217;t my favorite Ali Hazelwood novel but if you like her other books, you&#8217;ll find this one enjoyable as well (and may recognize some characters if you&#8217;ve read <a href="https://amzlink.to/az04apmhsIBid" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Not In Love</a>).</p>
<p><em>From Amazon: </em>Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life. Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him. It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life. But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists. When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h3>Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BUTTERNUT-SQUASH-30.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-184262 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BUTTERNUT-SQUASH-30-683x1024.png" alt="" width="395" height="592" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BUTTERNUT-SQUASH-30-683x1024.png 683w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BUTTERNUT-SQUASH-30-200x300.png 200w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BUTTERNUT-SQUASH-30.png 735w" sizes="(max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px" /></a></p>
<p>Earlier this week, I spent some time combing through Amazon’s Big Spring Sale and have some of the stand-out deals listed below. I&#8217;m only highlighting items we have and love (or items I bought) and I take your trust in my recommendations seriously. It&#8217;s me behind all of these links (still a one woman show over here) and that feels important to me, as I know there are so many people with teams behind them selecting links for big sales like this. I really hope this is helpful to anyone out there looking to do a little springtime shopping or even some Easter basket prep for next month!</p>
<h4>Kids</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://amzlink.to/az0d8Wt3lNSBT" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Watermelon Ball Pool Toy</a>:</strong> The BEST pool toy! Our boys flip for it and kids at the pool always want to play with it. You can pass and bounce the ball underwater! We have both sizes and they tend to play with the smaller (6.5&#8221;) size more.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://amzlink.to/az0xsWYiZfLuA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Glow in the Dark Zip String</a>:</strong> I&#8217;ve heard the BEST thing about <a href="https://amzlink.to/az043T0UP1qR4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Zip Strings</a> and got the <a href="https://amzlink.to/az0xsWYiZfLuA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">glow-in-the-dark version</a> for our boys&#8217; Easter baskets.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://amzlink.to/az0Xx6NIXMYq2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Maamgic Swim Trunks</a>:</strong> These pass the hand-me-down test and the compressive layer helps with chafing if you have especially active kids who like to run on the beach.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://amzlink.to/az0XUslp8jBIV" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Magentic Tiles Idea Book</a>:</strong> I put this in the boys&#8217; Easter basket last year and it breathed new life into their magnetic tiles!</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://amzlink.to/az0EqsHDofag6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Adidas Crew Socks</a>:</strong> $10 for 6! Chase has these and they&#8217;ve held up well....]]></description>
                <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:00:25 +0200</pubDate>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07gnhTqez8JbxbzHazzVaGnc</guid>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Normalcy Is Creeping In]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hNkBQxF4ufwOoS0YcuoUPp</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/2jycloFPxqtH1VJMuoRNgGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Normalcy Is Creeping In" title="Normalcy Is Creeping In"> <img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/ZdQ-IR8e1RswA7LVPyXL0WW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Normalcy Is Creeping In" title="Normalcy Is Creeping In"> <p id="top" />The weekend has come and gone and it was a decent one. We are slowly finding our groove. Aside from a very, very vivid Pepper-related dream that wrecked me in the middle of the night on Friday, normalcy felt like it was creeping in. We are welcoming it with open arms and talking about Pepper with more fondness and less sadness every single day, even though it can very much still feel like a gut-punch that swallows me whole at times.</p>
<p>Our weekend technically began on Friday as all three boys had the day off from school. We spent the morning at home and headed over to my friend Lauren&#8217;s house where they hung out with her kids and a babysitter Lauren arranged while she and I had hair appointments. Guys, I think I&#8217;ve cracked the code on the misery that is long hair appointments. I get my hair done about every 6 months and now Lauren and I tag-team our appointments. (Lauren goes more often than me, but I pop in when I want my blonde freshened up.) Our friend Emily does our hair (she staggers our color) so it feels like an extended coffee date + catch-up time with two friends I look forward to rather than dread.</p>
<p>Friday night we did the soccer circuit for the big kids who had games on different fields. Shame on me for thinking I cracked the multiple-kids-in-activities-code by booking Chase and Ryder&#8217;s soccer practices and games on the same nights only to have Ryder&#8217;s practice day changed at the last minute and every single one of their games scheduled to take place on opposite fields. Ooph.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-183630 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p>
<p>At least they&#8217;re both enjoying it!</p>
<h3>Saturday</h3>
<p>Saturday morning was low key and began with <a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/how-to-make-german-pancakes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">German pancakes</a>, alternating workouts for me and Ryan and fishing at a local pond.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-183631 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="fishing" width="398" height="531" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p>The boys are increasingly excited that &#8220;fishing weather&#8221; is back (aka the fish are actually biting again) and I&#8217;m convinced Chase would begin every single morning with a rod and reel in his hands if he could.</p>
<p>Eventually we made it home for lunch and some very early Easter egg decorating.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-183625 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="automatic easter egg decorator peeps markers" width="398" height="531" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p>The boys were begging to use the <a href="https://amzlink.to/az0E1OwG6hLDJ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Peeps spinning egg decorator</a> I bought last year again after they saw it among our Easter decorations and I figured why not? It&#8217;s a really cool little find and rapidly spins the egg as you hold various colored markers in place to decorate it. (I also much prefer it to dyeing eggs from a mess and set-up perspective.)</p>
<h4>Dog Training</h4>
<p>After lunch it was time for Comet&#8217;s second official training session with Kristin, the trainer we hired from <a href="https://www.thewoofpacknc.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Woof Pack</a>. She&#8217;s been fantastic and all of her knowledge and tips are so fascinating to us. According to Kristin, our primary goal (which we are wholeheartedly aligned with) for our high-energy vizsla is for Comet to learn to be content &#8220;just existing&#8221; which, if you have a high-energy working/hunting dog, you know can feel a little lofty as they&#8217;re kind of insane and want to insert themselves into the mix of everything.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re currently in the beginning stages of teaching Comet &#8220;place&#8221; so he&#8217;ll learn a spot he needs to go to and wait or rest when we tell him (when young kids come to the door, when he&#8217;s jumping too much, etc.). Comet is so smart and learns quickly which is wonderful but he also has an ongoing case of FOMO so staying in &#8220;place&#8221; will be a challenge for him. He genuinely seems to love his training time and everything we&#8217;re learning from Kristin is so incredibly helpful. Working with a dog trainer feels very new to us and Ryan and I both already feel like it&#8217;s been worth every penny to have professional guidance, especially for a larger family dog.</p>
<h4>Flag Football</h4>
<p>After Comet&#8217;s training session, we didn&#8217;t have too much time before we had to load up the car and head out to a local athletic park. Chase is trying a new sport this spring &#8212; flag football &#8212; with a bunch of the boys from his school. His coach is next-level amazing. I wish I could copy + paste his emails and coaching philosophy here because he is a true gem who &#8220;gets it&#8221; and prioritizes teamwork, leadership, encouragement and love of the game all while helping the kids grow and progress. So far Chase is really enjoying it.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-183632 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-985x1024.jpg" alt="flag football" width="381" height="396" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-985x1024.jpg 985w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-288x300.jpg 288w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-768x799.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-1477x1536.jpg 1477w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco.jpg 1923w" sizes="(max-width: 381px) 100vw, 381px" /></a></p>
<p>They played a team who has been playing together for years and won the championship last year so we were actually pleasantly surprised when they lost by only two touchdowns. It&#8217;s been fun to watch Chase try something new and we&#8217;ve also enjoyed connecting with school friends and parents outside of the classroom.</p>
<p>Saturday night was all about March Madness &#8212; we all have brackets and the boys are so into it &#8212; and chill time at home.</p>
<h3>Sunday</h3>
<p>Sunday morning was a good one and began with the early service at our church.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-183626 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-576x1024.jpg" alt="" width="398" height="708" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-576x1024.jpg 576w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-169x300.jpg 169w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-768x1365.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-864x1536.jpg 864w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p><em>(Top: <a href="https://amzlink.to/az0p3zlrjKJMi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon</a> / Drawstring Midi Skirt: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48776769" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ann Taylor</a> / Bag: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634601" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Madewell</a> &#8212; this is the <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48776671" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">updated version</a>) / Slides: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634623" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Beek</a> / Bracelet Stack: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634585" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bauble Bar</a> / Hoop Earrings: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634657" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon</a> / Phone Case: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634703" target="_blank" rel="...]]></description>
                <pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:43:05 +0200</pubDate>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hNkBQxF4ufwOoS0YcuoUPp</guid>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Normalcy Is Creeping In]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07gBgPEd0n5pbuOUGFZEdowZ</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/ZdQ-IR8e1RswA7LVPyXL0WW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Normalcy Is Creeping In" title="Normalcy Is Creeping In"> <p id="top" />The weekend has come and gone and it was a decent one. We are slowly finding our groove. Aside from a very, very vivid Pepper-related dream that wrecked me in the middle of the night on Friday, normalcy felt like it was creeping in. We are welcoming it with open arms and talking about Pepper with more fondness and less sadness every single day, even though it can very much still feel like a gut-punch that swallows me whole at times.</p>
<p>Our weekend technically began on Friday as all three boys had the day off from school. We spent the morning at home and headed over to my friend Lauren&#8217;s house where they hung out with her kids and a babysitter Lauren arranged while she and I had hair appointments. Guys, I think I&#8217;ve cracked the code on the misery that is long hair appointments. I get my hair done about every 6 months and now Lauren and I tag-team our appointments. (Lauren goes more often than me, but I pop in when I want my blonde freshened up.) Our friend Emily does our hair (she staggers our color) so it feels like an extended coffee date + catch-up time with two friends I look forward to rather than dread.</p>
<p>Friday night we did the soccer circuit for the big kids who had games on different fields. Shame on me for thinking I cracked the multiple-kids-in-activities-code by booking Chase and Ryder&#8217;s soccer practices and games on the same nights only to have Ryder&#8217;s practice day changed at the last minute and every single one of their games scheduled to take place on opposite fields. Ooph.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-183630 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8836_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p>
<p>At least they&#8217;re both enjoying it!</p>
<h3>Saturday</h3>
<p>Saturday morning was low key and began with <a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/how-to-make-german-pancakes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">German pancakes</a>, alternating workouts for me and Ryan and fishing at a local pond.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-183631 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="fishing" width="398" height="531" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8959_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p>The boys are increasingly excited that &#8220;fishing weather&#8221; is back (aka the fish are actually biting again) and I&#8217;m convinced Chase would begin every single morning with a rod and reel in his hands if he could.</p>
<p>Eventually we made it home for lunch and some very early Easter egg decorating.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-183625 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-768x1024.jpg" alt="automatic easter egg decorator peeps markers" width="398" height="531" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8962_vsco.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p>The boys were begging to use the <a href="https://amzlink.to/az0E1OwG6hLDJ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Peeps spinning egg decorator</a> I bought last year again after they saw it among our Easter decorations and I figured why not? It&#8217;s a really cool little find and rapidly spins the egg as you hold various colored markers in place to decorate it. (I also much prefer it to dyeing eggs from a mess and set-up perspective.)</p>
<h4>Dog Training</h4>
<p>After lunch it was time for Comet&#8217;s second official training session with Kristin, the trainer we hired from <a href="https://www.thewoofpacknc.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Woof Pack</a>. She&#8217;s been fantastic and all of her knowledge and tips are so fascinating to us. According to Kristin, our primary goal (which we are wholeheartedly aligned with) for our high-energy vizsla is for Comet to learn to be content &#8220;just existing&#8221; which, if you have a high-energy working/hunting dog, you know can feel a little lofty as they&#8217;re kind of insane and want to insert themselves into the mix of everything.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re currently in the beginning stages of teaching Comet &#8220;place&#8221; so he&#8217;ll learn a spot he needs to go to and wait or rest when we tell him (when young kids come to the door, when he&#8217;s jumping too much, etc.). Comet is so smart and learns quickly which is wonderful but he also has an ongoing case of FOMO so staying in &#8220;place&#8221; will be a challenge for him. He genuinely seems to love his training time and everything we&#8217;re learning from Kristin is so incredibly helpful. Working with a dog trainer feels very new to us and Ryan and I both already feel like it&#8217;s been worth every penny to have professional guidance, especially for a larger family dog.</p>
<h4>Flag Football</h4>
<p>After Comet&#8217;s training session, we didn&#8217;t have too much time before we had to load up the car and head out to a local athletic park. Chase is trying a new sport this spring &#8212; flag football &#8212; with a bunch of the boys from his school. His coach is next-level amazing. I wish I could copy + paste his emails and coaching philosophy here because he is a true gem who &#8220;gets it&#8221; and prioritizes teamwork, leadership, encouragement and love of the game all while helping the kids grow and progress. So far Chase is really enjoying it.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-183632 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-985x1024.jpg" alt="flag football" width="381" height="396" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-985x1024.jpg 985w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-288x300.jpg 288w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-768x799.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco-1477x1536.jpg 1477w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8979_vsco.jpg 1923w" sizes="(max-width: 381px) 100vw, 381px" /></a></p>
<p>They played a team who has been playing together for years and won the championship last year so we were actually pleasantly surprised when they lost by only two touchdowns. It&#8217;s been fun to watch Chase try something new and we&#8217;ve also enjoyed connecting with school friends and parents outside of the classroom.</p>
<p>Saturday night was all about March Madness &#8212; we all have brackets and the boys are so into it &#8212; and chill time at home.</p>
<h3>Sunday</h3>
<p>Sunday morning was a good one and began with the early service at our church.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-183626 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-576x1024.jpg" alt="" width="398" height="708" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-576x1024.jpg 576w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-169x300.jpg 169w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-768x1365.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco-864x1536.jpg 864w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16cbdb4b-0de2-4d1b-92c8-38f5c22aa85b_vsco.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p><em>(Top: <a href="https://amzlink.to/az0p3zlrjKJMi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon</a> / Drawstring Midi Skirt: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48776769" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ann Taylor</a> / Bag: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634601" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Madewell</a> &#8212; this is the <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48776671" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">updated version</a>) / Slides: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634623" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Beek</a> / Bracelet Stack: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634585" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bauble Bar</a> / Hoop Earrings: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634657" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon</a> / Phone Case: <a href="https://go.shopmy.us/p-48634703" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Velvet Caviar</a> &#8212; code PBFINGERS20 saves 20%)</em></p>
<p>One thing that really stuck out to me from Sunday&#8217;s service was this sentiment: &#8220;You can...]]></description>
                <pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:43:05 +0200</pubDate>
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            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Things I’m Loving Friday #586]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07jb4Ee4p-j-p-3Vkp6vYVr0</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/gHHfvUkZ6b7UFF-JnBKA3mW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Things I’m Loving Friday #586" title="Things I’m Loving Friday #586"> <p id="top" />Hey guys. How are you? Really, I&#8217;d like to know. I&#8217;m doing okay all things considered and had some decent days sprinkled into some more challenging days. (Wednesday was a bit of a beast, as it marked one week since Pepper&#8217;s passing.) I&#8217;m doing my best to embrace things that bring me joy right now &#8212; family sleepovers, meeting friends for walks with Comet, decorating for Easter, reading, eating ice cream for dinner &#8212; and felt pulled to sit down and share my usual Friday blog post this morning. During normal weeks these posts encourage me to look for the little joys in everyday life but during heavier times, they&#8217;re honestly a bit of a lifeline for me to share more about the good and the challenging-but-good I&#8217;m noticing around me.</p>
<p>I hope you all have a wonderful, sunshiny weekend. I will never run out of &#8220;thank yous&#8221; to say to all of you for showing up for me in the most encouraging and supportive ways. Thank you, a million times over, for caring for our family and our Pep-Pep so much.</p>
<h2>Things I&#8217;m Loving Friday</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<h3>The Vet and Veterinary Staff Who Cared for Pepper</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8c0fafb0-adbe-4d38-83af-7598fa3b7ec6-e1773927810638.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-182932 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8c0fafb0-adbe-4d38-83af-7598fa3b7ec6-e1773927810638-815x1024.jpg" alt="" width="394" height="495" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8c0fafb0-adbe-4d38-83af-7598fa3b7ec6-e1773927810638-815x1024.jpg 815w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8c0fafb0-adbe-4d38-83af-7598fa3b7ec6-e1773927810638-239x300.jpg 239w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8c0fafb0-adbe-4d38-83af-7598fa3b7ec6-e1773927810638-768x965.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/8c0fafb0-adbe-4d38-83af-7598fa3b7ec6-e1773927810638.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 394px) 100vw, 394px" /></a></p>
<p>After Pepper&#8217;s attack, my friend Molly did not drive us to Pepper&#8217;s normal vet but to the closest vet because we knew the most immediate care for Pepper was paramount. The veterinary team&#8217;s response to Pepper that day is something I will never forget. They were swift and immediately responsive and so deeply empathetic when she passed. I am sure they see horrific things regularly and deal with the passing of beloved dogs all the time, but the way they made me feel left me feeling like Pepper was a one in a million dog. They all cried with me when she died.</p>
<p>The vet also offered to make three Pepper pawprints for our family when I broke down telling her about our three boys who absolutely adored Pepper. I had no idea these pawprints would be so meaningful to the boys. They clung to the idea of these pawprints and when we picked them up the day after she died, everyone in the vet&#8217;s office cried again. And so did we. They included a little glass vial of Pepper&#8217;s fur in with her pawprints that just about destroyed me. I am so grateful for the people who give so much of themselves in professions that deeply impact others.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h3>Finding Sadie/Dog Grief Notes</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8934.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-182760 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8934-612x1024.jpg" alt="" width="397" height="664" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8934-612x1024.jpg 612w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8934-179x300.jpg 179w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8934-768x1284.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8934-919x1536.jpg 919w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8934.jpg 1196w" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></a></p>
<p>On Wednesday, exactly one week after Pepper&#8217;s death, I was struggling with &#8220;at this time last week x, y, z&#8221; thoughts that were rather miserable. &#8220;At this time last week the boys were saying goodbye to Pepper before school and had no idea that would be the last time&#8230;&#8221; &#8220;At this time last week I was leashing Pepper up for her last walk&#8230;&#8221; Ya know, highly unproductive, incredibly painful thoughts that just make everything feel worse? Yeah, those.</p>
<p>Anyway, as I was working my way through those thoughts and also struggling with feeling the temptation to &#8220;dumb down my grief&#8221; because it feels so massive following the loss of a pet, I remembered feeling a similar way after Sadie died. I listened to podcasts and read about pet grief years ago and thankfully took some notes I found in my phone from 2022 that were very helpful for me to re-read. My third note in particular, the one about the temptation to compare our grief to seemingly larger grief, hit me like a ton of bricks and felt like a gentle reminder from myself that it&#8217;s okay to be devastated by the loss of a dog. It&#8217;s okay to feel really freaking sad about losing an animal who was so ingrained in your everyday life. It&#8217;s okay to cry when you call out to your dog to come lick your yogurt container because it was something you did daily for 3+ years. It&#8217;s okay, its okay, it&#8217;s okay.</p>
<p>Also, this quote one of you sent me instantly made me sob because yes, yes, yes:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8941.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-182771 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8941-976x1024.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="419" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8941-976x1024.jpg 976w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8941-286x300.jpg 286w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8941-768x806.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8941.jpg 1165w" sizes="(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px" /></a></p>
<p>I will never, ever be okay with how Pepper died but she is so deserving of all of my tears and all of my grief.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h3><a href="https://amzlink.to/az0WQXeNuRe6k" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Escape from Mr. Lemoncello&#8217;s Library</a> by Chris Grabenstein</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8951.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-182930 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8951-768x1024.jpg" alt="lemoncellos library book" width="326" height="435" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8951-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8951-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8951-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8951.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px" /></a></p>
<p>I may have formed an odd attachment to this book because it truly helped buoy our boys through the first few days after Pepper&#8217;s passing. Chase said it&#8217;s one of the best books we&#8217;ve ever read aloud together and both big kids really loved the way the book incorporated various puzzles into the story. It made the book feel like such a fun, interactive read and we&#8217;ll absolutely be reading the additional books in this imaginative series.</p>
<p><em>From Amazon: </em>When Kyle Keeley learns that the world’s most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, he’s determined to be there! But the tricky part isn’t getting <span class="a-text-italic">into</span> the library—it’s getting <span class="a-text-italic">out.</span> Because when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must catch every clue and solve every puzzle to find the hidden escape route.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h3>Nathan Evans Pandora Station</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8940.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-182772 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8940-932x1024.jpg" alt="nathan evans" width="364" height="400" srcset="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8940-932x1024.jpg 932w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8940-273x300.jpg 273w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8940-768x844.jpg 768w, https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_8940.jpg 1206w" sizes="(max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px" /></a></p>
<p>Who knew sea shanty/pop-folk music would be what carries me through heavier times but my gosh, I adore Nathan Evans and the whole Nathan Evans station on Pandora. It&#8217;s very catchy and just upbeat enough not to depress me but also not too upbeat that it annoys me. I absolutely adore Nathan Evans&#8217; voice so, so much. We actually discovered him through our boys&#8217; children&#8217;s music station (we ALL love the song &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP-7GNoDJ5c" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Wellerman</a>&#8221; if you and your kids want to listen) and when we realized he makes music that&#8217;s not just for kids, Ryan and I began streaming his music regularly and enjoying it more and more.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h3>Love Story (FX/Hulu)</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/love-story-show.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-182937 aligncenter" src="https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/love-story-show-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="456" height="342" srcset="https://www.pbfingers....]]></description>
                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:57:47 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[What Has Helped Us Most]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hXs93RzAgapz_7JE5fHT_C</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/U6UEYa2B7x_104yDf_WQmGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="What Has Helped Us Most" title="What Has Helped Us Most"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:06:06 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[&quot;Something Must Be Special About That Dog”]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hXs93RzAgap0LVxs5HAIk-</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/U6UEYa2B7x8wA7LVPyXL0WW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt=""Something Must Be Special About That Dog”" title=""Something Must Be Special About That Dog”"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:44:34 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Losing Pepper]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07iwLwQZCgPds-JLQaPFxyaH</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/NSwZOVJ-Ogb104yDf_WQmGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Losing Pepper" title="Losing Pepper"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:22:30 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Basil Seed Pudding]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07jaQd9U_8VzFwE5gLTSm6nv</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/JrWxQZOfGS3zYRx9KIsm12W0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Basil Seed Pudding" title="Basil Seed Pudding"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:03:12 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Things I’m Loving Friday #585]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07jaQd9U_8VzF-cLJFo2FbkV</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/JrWxQZOfGS2oAfInpRtayGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Things I’m Loving Friday #585" title="Things I’m Loving Friday #585"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:22:20 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Week of Weeknight Meals: February 2026]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hPuMcpoBxlr2gdGGFF4uP9</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/XgaNVHiAuxSrUuZzCrSnaGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Week of Weeknight Meals: February 2026" title="Week of Weeknight Meals: February 2026"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:00:20 +0200</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Dog Training, Flag Sparring and a Sleepover]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hyXZSi76073eJbjYuwjDrD</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/nUinCAwViWKJxze1iuSTpGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Dog Training, Flag Sparring and a Sleepover" title="Dog Training, Flag Sparring and a Sleepover"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:58 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Things I’m Loving Friday #584]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07gyeCAX20w4Xhf8vwH-iTCL</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/fwWbBThlE0kg1G_uCY-NL2W0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Things I’m Loving Friday #584" title="Things I’m Loving Friday #584"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:02:43 +0200</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Whole Wheat Banana Muffins]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07gmhAcnn_JbG4_WJTM0D8x6</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/vG0uE39GkmbisQCz_WqMcGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Whole Wheat Banana Muffins" title="Whole Wheat Banana Muffins"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:39 +0200</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Currently: February 2026]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07jHDz86LM3waBC-a7y5nHsW</link>
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                <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:00:20 +0200</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Things I’m Loving Friday #583]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07hmKtqKxL7sg72NAkc2lMb5</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/Wn5EPygergEwA7LVPyXL0WW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Things I’m Loving Friday #583" title="Things I’m Loving Friday #583"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:43:53 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Charlotte to Northern Michigan to Las Vegas and Back]]></title>
                <link>https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/rEWKlIZB07iSfdU-cD8bu5iXrAn1AUt_</link>
                <description><![CDATA[<img src="https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-loaded/v1/m_5zFX8YZMAn4Ps_BbHsaGW0GqTRQSgk" border=0 width="1" height="1" alt="Charlotte to Northern Michigan to Las Vegas and Back" title="Charlotte to Northern Michigan to Las Vegas and Back"> ]]></description>
                <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 04:27:12 +0200</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[High Protein Breakfast Casserole]]></title>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:00:51 +0200</pubDate>
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