Emily Hassell Mumford

Pajamas, a book, and some light rain: elements of a quiet summer day.

My oldest daughter, reflecting on her summer job in a very, very busy restaurant: “My life would be so much easier if I could just be mean to people.“ As the mother of teenagers, I couldn’t agree more.

His eyes look like gemstones. So pretty!

Rainy day cuddles… although the young one’s ultimate goal was to wake up his brother and take over the chair.

When I quit drinking caffeine, I expected headaches and brain fog, but didn't know that withdrawal can also make you feel low. It took about 2 weeks, but then the sun came back out. It was worth it! I just wish I'd known to expect it. (Hope this is helpful and not... something negative.) Good luck.

The loons are home! They just flew in today and are being so noisy, announcing their arrival like royalty. Loons are the number one best part of living on a lake in northern Minnesota. Spring!!

Oh. It’s snowing. So… never mind with the whole “the lake is finally thawing” post from Saturday. I forgot we live in Duluth.

A little glimmer of open water along the shoreline. The thaw is finally happening!

And it’s big! Bigger than my hand. A big meaty bite of tropical fruit flavored pizza!

So utterly repulsive that I immediately bought it for my daughter. There’s a bag of goo for “sauce”! A big patty of… something… for the crust. Cheese and pepperoni gummies! A true American abomination! I love it so much. 🤮 😂🤮😂

Aw, don’t worry. That squirrel is a Minnesotan and therefore bound by local law to be super nice. It might offer to share its meal though so be ready for that.

Took a big trip to the DR to celebrate a big birthday. I’ll miss this backyard spot for the rest of my life. What a world we live in.

Home for a minute and wanted to document this greatest ever photo of sibling rivalry. Brotherly love 😂

I guess, as with Greenland, America has claimed this French word as its own. 🙄

CO-SIGNED

Proving that you can do anything anytime at the airport, the woman next to me just cheerfully ordered a vodka soda and bourbon with OJ at 8 am.

Fingers crossed! This one was a baby koala, always attached to some part of my body, so the indifference hits hard. But, it's still funny (in the scope of living with teens). 😂

Trying to find a slow cooker recipe for tonight and I’m tired of thinking about food, tired of cooking, tired of every recipe on the planet. 100% ready for space-age nutrition delivered in a tube or a dried puff.

Maybe I need a nap?

Nothing quite like the burn of texting “love you” to your teenage son and getting the response of “alright”

My cat vibing with Flow. Loads of entertainment for the humans.

Even better is if said nap happens in a room adjacent to the gathering so you get props for attending, but are actually tucked away in a nook with the puppy.

I love a good cancelled plan, but playing with a new puppy definitely wins. No contest.

Waiting at the dealer while my car is serviced and there is a deeply irritating woman watching sitcoms on her phone, volume high. A guy just sat down nearby, taking a call on speaker, volume even higher. She is shooting him dirty looks & turned up the volume on her show. How dare he.

That little smile!

We shook Texas a year and a half ago, but the mullet stuck. 😢 At least he shaves his upper lip most of the time.

Ugh, I know. And it's still snowing this morning in Duluth.

The minute I get distracted by Bandit’s cuteness or absorbed in what I’m knitting that little paw snakes in to attack my needles or ball of yarn. He’s a sneak, and we named him well.

... I receive a text from the instructor, checking whether I like the class bc "my observation is that you're a pretty quiet person!" Wait a minute, hang on, I'm a social BUTTERFLY in your class! I flit, flit, flit around. I talk. I ask questions. I even tell stories! Obv I'm not fooling anyone. 🤦‍♀️😂🦋

lol, the bone-deep challenge of being an introvert. I attend a pilates reformer class, and consciously push myself to be outgoing. It's a great class, w/ nice people. Sometimes I even leave feeling like I talked *too* much, & feel a little embarrassed. Did I monopolize the conversation? But then...

I was trying to take a picture of the tulips—I mean, look at them!—but my dog was anxiously nosing my arm and trying to insert herself into the frame, and I decided she was right: the world absolutely does need extra beauty on this Monday morning. So here it is—March tulips AND Folly’s sweet face.