I went down to the Bay Area to visit my parents for the weekend. One of my 2020 resolutions was to make it a priority to spend more time with my parents, but as we know it wasn’t the easiest year to make that happen!
So my 2021 goal is to visit as often as I can – and sometimes without kids or husband. 🙂 It’s a pretty special thing to get to be with your parents without distractions – I hope it’s setting an example for my girls and they will do the same someday!
And speaking of examples – My Dad was so cute in the photo above as I was taking it, he wouldn’t stop complimenting my mom on her “good looks!” He finally stopped enough to smile for the photo!
An Instagram friend reminded me of this quote…
“The evident, profound love of a father for a mother is the greatest gift a father can give his children.” which is so true!
I am soaking up the time with them to just talk and hang out, playing gams with my mom, and the Bay Area sunshine in the backyard… oh and the DoorDash sushi/bagels/food!
We also got a visit from their good friend and neighbor, Michael Osborne, who is a renowned artist and designed the “LOVE STAMP” several years for the United States Postal Service! This was his first in 2002 and he gave us sets of the stamps signed with the original envelopes with the date of issue stamp on it. We bartered for a signed Five Marys Ranch Raised Cookbook!
And had a bunch of visitors bringing their Five Marys boxes back to my parents front or back porch for us too – I got to meet a few of them and signed a cookbook for Sonia who was decked out in Five Marys for the drop – I love it!
We are so thankful for customers making the effort to return our boxes – the custom insulated liners inside can be used over and over and we are so happy to reuse them again and again! Here is our page with all the ways you can return them – if you are near the Bay Area, you can always drop off here on the porch! *(or return via the USPS or UPS – check this page!)
You asked for more music recommendations – so I updated my “Five Marys Favorites” SPOTIFY playlist for you…. HERE it is! There are some good ones added to the list and I pretty much listen to it non-stop.
Bitsy and the PUPPIES are doing great! She continues to be a very doting mother and the nine pups (7 girls and 2 boys!) are thriving. We’ve been giving her extra protein puppy food and cottage cheese everyday to keep her milk supply up and prevent calcium deficiency.
We got 9 little rainbow colored collars for the puppies to put on soon to start telling them apart. I can’t wait to see their personalities coming out as they turn into playful little fluff-balls!
A lot of you have been asking about this Carhartt jacket. Brian still wears his well-worn Carhartt duck jacket that my mom fixed for him over this one – but he LOVES this lightweight layer jacket for warmth in the cold mornings and to take off his bigger jacket as it warms up during the day. It’s pretty beat up – so I just got him the same jacket in blue! We gave the same jacket to my Dad in orange for Christmas and he’s worn it EVERYDAY, so I gave him the blue one this weekend too and my mom is very happy he can alternate colors! 🙂
We are hard at work on the “Animal Veterinary Science” workshop for M5 Ranch School that is releasing Monday! This is our longest and maybe most informative video lesson and the activities are really great! Are you in M5 Ranch School yet?
We cooked this delicious 3-rib Five Marys Prime Rib that we dry-aged an additional 35 days in our DRYAGER – here’s the post on how and why we dry-age if you missed it! This was such a yummy and simple meal with the veggies and potatoes roasted right on the same pan. I’ve been using this YUMMLY thermometer to cook to the perfect temperature and it’s impressive. It sends notifications right to my phone when it’s time to flip or turn the meat, when to take it out, how long to let it rest and when it’s ready to eat! The prime rib was done to the perfect rare-ness and made a delicious meal, with leftovers for my family while I headed out of town!
I also shared my favorite GREEN JUICE recipe and juicer recommendations in a blog post here. It’s so easy to make and I promise it tastes delicious! It’s my favorite time of year to reset with green juice every morning – it is so refreshing and keeps me full until lunch!
We also dyed easter eggs early to experiment with natural plant dyes and to show off my favorite vibrant Ukranian dyes – it was amazing to see all the results! I posted a whole blog post HERE all about it and with links to order the dyes, order soon to get in time for Easter weekend April 4!
Look at those colors!!!
Enjoy your week and I’ll catch you next week for another weekly wrap-up! Thanks for being here and reading!
-Mary
PS did you catch this post with Tiny Tess and Beau throwback photos?
It’s a good one!
Very active week for y’all!! I’ve truly enjoyed each day shared. “Home Alone” has gone beyond the movie theme. He could of used the DoorDash.😊
Your blogs are the best and make my day, you are truly an inspiration. 🥰
Mary… always love your trips home to your parents! Thanks for sharing! Listening to boots and bangles makes me feel as if I know them! 😂 You are blessed with great parents and a good hubby! You deserve it! The best part of you is that you inspire and teach others! It shows you don’t take anything for granted! You and your girls brighten my day!
What a busy week! Love the goal of spending time with your parents! Thanks for sharing!