Mollie Chen

Hi there, We’re back from a wonderful, wonderful week in Maine, where my parents were thrilled to see the kids after far too many months. Lilly got to have Grandpa Jay storytime in real life, my mom took Finn on daily power walks by the ocean, and auntie Annie spoiled everyone with treats. I gave myself a break from email … Continue reading Is that hope I feel? Plus un-lazying my skincare routine and test-driving a new granola

Hi there, A year ago, my sister was in town for some auntie time with the kids. We had kept Lilly out of school and told Jocelyn that she should stay home until we “knew more.” We went to Hi Hi Room for lunch and sat in their empty dining room eating French fries and … Continue reading One year + sharing superpowers and a better approach to “healthy”

My friend Elana has the very good idea that February 1st should be considered the official start of the new year. I’m into it, which means that this past month has really just been practice. So as we enter 2021, I’m hopeful that things will start trending for the better: friends and family slowly getting vaccinated, winter … Continue reading The best thing in my inbox, bedtime upgrades, and why I think Feb 1 is the official start of 2021

December! The end of 2020, a year none of us could have predicted (save maybe Ed Yong). We’re here, and I have no idea how to feel. It’s been tragedy upon insanity upon tragedy, and yet we’ve found plenty of joyful moments with the kids and our community of friends in our 10-block radius. It’s a … Continue reading Socially distanced cookie swaps, delicious food gifts, and goodbye 2020

Here we are, just a week out from Election Day. Finally? I am steeling myself for disaster (like carrying an umbrella when you really don’t think it’s going to rain, right?) but also just want it to get here so at least we know. Besides the future of our country, I’ve been thinking a lot about the … Continue reading One week to go: What to do, stress-bake, and drink in the final stretch

Hi there, Like many of you, I experienced the news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing as a giant, heart-sickening blow. She was such an extraordinary force in so many ways, and I hope that we can carry her legacy on. And like many of you, my next thought was, “Oh shit.” For a year that has already been … Continue reading How to make an impact, what to eat while you’re doing it (cookies), and the comfiest mask

Hi there, It’s been a couple months and a lifetime since my last newsletter. I haven’t been sure what to say, or whether it’s even appropriate to take up space in your inbox (please feel free to delete if you aren’t interested in my voice right now—I get it!). And like many of you, I’ve … Continue reading Amazing Black-owned businesses, antiracist kid books, and tasty things I’m not cooking

It’s hard to believe another month has gone by, and it’s even harder to wrap my head around the fact that things just seem to be getting worse. I don’t know what to do except what we’re doing, which is trying to be responsible citizens, to keep these kids healthy and happy, to and add … Continue reading Swapping baked goods, tip-toeing into birding, and why it’s ok to be happy even when things are terrifying

Hi everyone, We’ve entered week four of #stayhome and I continue to be amazed at how we’ve accepted this as our new normal. As Rob keeps telling me, it’s because we have to—the alternative would be to just melt into a puddle of fear and uncertainty. We are also so vividly, viscerally aware of how … Continue reading What to do with all those sardines, making the weekends more weekend-y, and the cutest hand-washing video