Advent Calendars, Thanksgiving Recipes, Discounted Uber GC, 20% off Alaska Airlines and More

The holidays are coming up! Isn't that crazy? But stores are starting to put out holiday merch (alongside the Halloween stuff), advent calendars are selling out (more on those below), and it'll be mid-December before we know it. Aside from the OXO food scale* I mentioned recently, the only thing I'm pretty sure I want is this spice rack organizer* (I have to measure my spice cabinet to make sure it will actually fit and do what I think it will do for my spice organization). What's on your holiday wish list this year? (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

I love a good advent calendar, and I was so excited to see the Fishwife 12-Day Advent Calendar* because we love Fishwife tins in our house. But it's $150 and I think it's only worth about half that. Even with a small upcharge for the presentation, it's probably not worth more than $100. So I had to pass. However, if someone you know loves Fishwife, the calendar does come with some special items that might make it worth it, like Bag Balm x Fishwife and an adorable Fishwife keychain. 

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned Lovepop* before - they make fabulous stationery, including fun pop up cards that make birthdays and other occasions feel a little more special. Especially if I'm just sending someone a card, and not giving a gift, Lovepop is fabulous. Right now, they too have advent calendars,* some of which are selling out. If my kids were younger, I'd be all over these.

Capstone Wealth Partners has a handy table listing common mistakes families make on the FAFSA and CSS Profile.

The College Funding Coach discusses how to balance college planning and retirement planning.

Here's a useful site that discusses races where Democrats could make a gain against Republicans.

Greater Good discusses the pitfall of losing "productive friction" because of artificial intelligence, especially as it relates to children.

This LA Times piece about being wife, husband and husband's girlfriend (because of Alzheimer's) was really wrenching and yet, full of true love.

The Kitchn has a roundup of slow-cooker Thanksgiving recipes (because your oven is full of turkey, of course).

Speaking of Thanksgiving, here's my Thanksgiving Pinterest board, full of recipes, next-over ideas and crafts. (I know Thanksgiving is a month away, but I spotted fresh cranberries at Trader Joe's the other day!)

Costco has two $50 Uber gift cards for just $79.99. (These make great gifts for college students.)

Not that the Dodgers have been winning, but Panda Express did extend their $7 plate when the Dodgers win at home during the postseason. Fingers crossed this continues to be relevant!

I loved this unexpected story about the father-son relationship that Bill Parcells has with Jacoby Brissett.

Since Hawaiian Airlines merged with Alaska Airlines, I've become quasi-obsessed with maximizing miles and points. And I fly a lot on both Hawaiian and Alaska, so a 20% off a flight coupon? Yes please! Just sign up for updates on the forthcoming Atmos debit card by October 31 (you'll need your Atmos Rewards number, and if you don't have one, it's free to join right there).

A Quick Update + A Huge Link Roundup

Just when I was getting back into the groove of blogging again, I got Covid (yes, a couple of days after I got the booster) and when I felt better, I discovered that the website redirect wasn't working and ChiefFamilyOfficer.com landed on a GoDaddy holding page. To be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to figure that one out - I'm going to attribute it to Covid brain, because eventually I did. Here's hoping it stays that way. 🤞 So now I've got some catching up to do:

Capstone Wealth Partners has some suggestions on where to look for info about colleges when federal databases can't be relied upon.

I'm not a cat person but I do love animals, and the LA Times has tips on how to prepare your home to foster a cat.

I'd never heard of "rustout" as opposed to burnout, but now that Greater Good has explained it, I think at least half of the teachers I know have it.

Hip2Save suggests baking tubed cinnamon rolls in log form, which never would have occurred to me but makes sense if you like pull-aparts.

Hopefully the humidity is back to normal levels here in LA for the long haul, but just in case, the LA Times has tips on coping with a humidity wave (is that a thing?). The explanation for why humidity is so much worse than dry heat makes sense (basically, your sweat can't evaporate).

Also weather-related, the LA Times has tips on preparing for El Niño. I particularly like the tips at the end about grabbing your dirty laundry basket if you're evacuating quickly (it will contain a mix of seasonally-appropriate clothing that fits) and storing original documents in the freezer so they can be located easily if emergency services has to clear your house for you.

Magellan College Counseling explains the "dilemma" of the safety school.

Honolulu Civil Beat shares the story of King Kamehameha, the origin of the state anthem Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī, and the German bandmaster he hired who ended up loving Hawaii so much he stayed for the rest of his life. (This version of Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī is my favorite.)

Until I read this Kitchn article, I had zero idea that you can use club soda as an egg replacement.

The Kitchn also has a recipe for 2-ingredient high-protein flatbread. (I'm skeptical, so let me know if you try it.)

Momables has recipes for make-ahead turkey wraps, which are perfect for school (or work) lunches.

Be More With Less reflects on 16 years of a 33-item wardrobe. That is far too minimalist for me, but it is a reminder that I do want to cull my clothing.

David Lebovitz has a chocolate olive oil spread recipe that I am definitely making soon, now that I'm recovered.

Grace Burrowes has a super helpful question to ask at the end of something.

One-Bowl Banana Bread

I've shared my family's banana bread recipe several times over the years, but this is the version I always look up. Over the years, I've found that more than not, I make a half recipe (now a full recipe here), and better yet, I've simplified it to only require one bowl. However, this one-bowl version does require a scale. This* is the scale I have and it's only $14.95. At that price, I can't complain but I will anyway - the buttons are finicky and it usually takes me multiple tries to zero it out, and I've lost the little rubber protective feet because they kept coming off. So I've got this OXO scale* on my wishlist, but it's $64.95 so I might be asking for it as a gift later this year. (Links marked with a * are affiliate links, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

One thing is for certain - baking with a scale instead of measuring cups is the way to go. Not only is it simpler (one bowl!), it's more accurate, which means that your baked goods will simply be better.

There is one caveat to a one-bowl recipe with wet ingredients if you're using a stand mixer: when you take the bowl off to add ingredients, drippage may occur. I scrape the beater as thoroughly as I can, then put a paper towel under the beater to catch any drips while I weigh out the flour.

One-Bowl Hanalei Plantation Banana Bread 
Makes 1 large loaf or 12 muffins

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar (see note 1)
2 eggs, preferably at room temperature (see note 2)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
200-225 grams very ripe bananas (approximately 3) (see note 3)
180 grams (1 1/2 cups) all purpose flour (see note 4)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Diamond brand kosher salt (see note 5)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 1 loaf pan (or line 12 muffin cups).

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well and scraping down the sides after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.

3. If using a stand mixer, move the bowl to a scale. Add the bananas to the butter mixture. If using a stand mixer, return to the bowl to the mixer. Beat well until bananas are fully incorporated and scrape down the sides. 

4. If using a stand mixer, move the bowl to a scale. Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the banana-butter mixture. If using a stand mixer, return to the bowl to the mixer. Beat just until flour is incorporated. If using a stand mixer, remove the bowl from the mixer. Use a rubber spatula to make sure all the ingredients at the bottom of the bowl are well incorporated. 

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If making muffins, fill muffin cup almost to top. Bake 23-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)

Variations: Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or responsibly sourced mini chocolate chips to the batter before dividing the batter among the pans.

Notes:

1. For greater depth of flavor, use 40 grams of dark brown sugar and 65 grams of granulated sugar.

2. Eggs should be at room temperature for best incorporation. To quickly warm them, put them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. However, if I've left the butter out for a while on a very warm day, I'll use cold eggs since the butter is often too soft and the cold eggs harden it just a bit.

3. Bananas vary so much in weight that weighing them instead of going by quantity makes sense. Also, bananas past their prime are often a mix of perfectly ripe spots and spoiled spots that need to be removed so weighing is actually easier. You can also use frozen, defrosted bananas - just pour out the liquid before weighing them. 

4. I love Hayden Flour Mills White Sonora All Purpose Flour, which is what I used here. Flours can vary slightly by weight but you should be okay using the same weight of a different brand.

5. Diamond brand kosher salt* is made up of bigger flakes than other salts. If using a different brand or table salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon.

Random Roundup: Move Photos from Your Phone to Your Computer, Tips for Locals, Vanilla Cake Showdown & More

Let's kick this week off with a PSA: CVS has the new COVID shot and I had no trouble getting it this past week. It did make me feel a little sick for a couple of days, but my husband only had a brief headache and then was fine. For what it's worth, last year, my husband felt a little sick and I was fine ... go figure. 🤷We'd already gotten our flu shots, because I made the kids get theirs with us before they headed off to school (and experienced no ill effects from that one). Here's to a healthy fall and winter for everyone! (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Do you like to move photos off your phone on to your computer? I do it all the time because I find it easier to do Poshmark and Vinted listings on my laptop than my phone. So I was thrilled to learn that you can buy flash drives that allow you to transfer files from your phone. I got this one* which has lightning, USB A and USB C connections. (Yes, my phone is old 😂)

Greater Good Magazine has a helpful FAQ for how parents of teens can handle common, difficult situations. (My kid doesn't seem motivated about college; my daughter and her significant other just broke up; etc.)

The LA Times has an inspiring first-person account about calling out a racist stranger in a restaurant.

Magellan College Counseling says what every college counselor says about where students should apply to college (i.e., to a range of schools - not just the selective ones!).

For bakers, Kitchn did a vanilla cake recipe showdown (I've only made the RecipeTin Eats recipe, a few years ago, and it was the best vanilla cake I've personally baked).

If you're local and like artistic activities, check out Forager Crafts - I've taken two classes there so far, and they've been great. Plus the store itself has some great stuff.

Also for locals, another great source for news is Los Angeles Public Press.

NYT Recipe Roundup: Mostly but not all meatless

What I serve for dinner changes dramatically when the kids are home, with their different likes and dislikes. It's frustratingly difficult to come up with meals that all four of us will enjoy, but when the kids are at school, my husband and I have gone mostly meatless, with a lot of tofu and beans in the rotation. So you'll see a lot of those below. This is an NYT roundup because my husband regularly sends me New York Times Cooking* recipes so I make a lot of them. My dad shared his NYT subscription with me so I don't have to keep logging in, but you can likely access NYT recipes for free through your library (Angelenos can go here). (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Chickpeas al Limone with Burrata - This was super easy using mostly pantry ingredients. The directions are a little vague on when the chickpeas are done simmering, so I let them go until the beans started popping (there was still some liquid in the pan - I used a 3-quart cast iron braiser*). By itself, the chickpeas are just okay, but with the burrata, they were delicious.

Spicy Green Curry Steak - I use Mae Ploy Green Curry Paste,* which is fantastic - spicy but also tangy, and my older son calls this the best steak I make (which is saying something, if I do say so myself).

Seared Tofu with Kimchi - I really like this dish because it's so easy. It's great with rice, but for a truly low carb meal, you can serve it with tofu shirataki noodles.*

Turkey-Ricotta Meatballs - These meatballs are perfect for people who don't like tomato sauce, because they have a lot of flavor from the herb butter.

Refried White Beans with Chile-Fried Eggs - Protein lovers will want two eggs, otherwise this dish is perfect (and perfectly easy).

Sheet-Pan Bibimbap - I made this on repeat for a while, until we'd had it so often that we got sick of it. This is my favorite gochujang paste.

Cheesy, Spicy Black Bean Bake - This is another super easy recipe made from pantry ingredients.

Sheet-Pan Ratatouille with Goat Cheese and Olives - I make this every three to four weeks, because it's not just delicious, it's an excellent way of eating lots of vegetables. For me, the olives aren't necessary, but the goat cheese definitely is.

Tofu Scramble - Another super easy tofu dish that three out of the four of us really like.

Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma - I can't begin to count the number of times I've made this recipe. It's so good and the leftovers are great too.

Brussels Sprouts Buried in Cream - The recipe name says it all.

Eleven Madison Park Granola - I have to confess that I've never made this recipe exactly because I don't bake with nuts and I strongly dislike coconut. I've subbed in some ground flaxseed and hemp seeds, and tripled the pumpkin seeds. It's the best granola I've ever made (but it's probably also the highest in sugar and fat).

Brownies - My younger son wanted to make brownies so I decided to try this recipe. It was amazing warm, but I have to confess that my favorite brownie mix* is better, especially at room temp.

Roundup: Young Adults in Hotels, Local News, Mistplay Update and More

I'm an empty nester again, since both boys have now returned to college. The house is a little too quiet and my heart aches noticeably, but I also feel energized to do the things that I put off or aside while the house was full and there were more demands on my time. (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Stella misses her brother!

- One of the things I had to do in getting the kids ready to head off again was set my 19-year-old up with a night in a hotel the day before dorms opened. He could have flown in on the day of, but logistically, flying in the day before made more sense. Most hotels have a minimum check-in age, and at a lot of them the minimum age is 21. For large chains, each hotel should list the minimum age on their details page, but I called the hotel I booked for him out of an abundance of caution and was told the minimum age is 21 even though the website said 18. Because the hotel is located within walking distance of his school, they immediately made an exception and said he'd have no problem checking in (and he didn't). So I'm sharing my story in case it's relevant for someone else.

- Speaking of college: Do you have or are you a student thinking about transferring colleges? Here's a great guide to transferring you should read before acting.

- For locals: Have you heard of LA Material?* They're a new-ish local news site that does fantastic work, and we need this kind of news to hold our leaders accountable.

- Update on Mistplay,* which I mentioned last week: I had a game fail to credit me points, so I contacted customer service and they credited the points manually. That was great. But then it happened again in another game and this time I didn't hear back, so I'm not sure I'm going to keep using them. (Missing game points has happened to me multiple times in Fetch, the other app I mentioned, and I've never had trouble getting those credited by customer service.)

- One of my favorite authors, Grace Burrowes, blogged about accomplishing something that makes a tangible visible difference as way to re-set and comfort herself when she feels overwhelmed. I've used the "just do something" strategy, but haven't thought about focusing on something that make a difference for a while, which I will do next time. The insight into her cavernous purse was fascinating too. (Ever since my kids were born and I had to lug a diaper bag everywhere, I rarely carry a purse - usually I just tuck my wallet, phone and keys into pockets.)

- Scripts are always helpful. Here are some possible calm responses when your teen is being difficult.

Finally, if you've driven down Beretania Street in Honolulu and wondered about the restaurant 8 Fat Fat 8, Onolicious has a review so I finally got to satisfy my curiosity. (I cannot tell you how many times I've driven past and wondered what it's like.)

Getting Ready to Apply to College 2026

Students are heading back to school, and a certain group of students known as high school seniors are about to enter an incredibly busy season. Not only do they have difficult classes (AP Calc kicked my butt back in the day), but it's also time to start applying to college. So here are a few tips for seniors that they might hear repeatedly or that might be new to them. And I've got some tips for parents too. 

• Check in with your counselor. It might be the college counselor or your guidance counselor, depending on your school's staff, but someone is going to be writing you a recommendation. It can be brief and superficial, or it can be in-depth and personalized. It's in your best interest to make sure your counselor knows you. Your counselor might even offer to let you have input on the recommendation they write for you. And do everything you can to make it easier for them, like completing a brag sheet.
  
  
• Ditto regarding the teacher you asked for a recommendation. Unless none of the schools you apply to require a teacher recommendation (for example, you're only applying to public colleges in California), you'll need at least one (some colleges require two or even three). Hopefully you asked a teacher before junior year ended but if you didn't, now's the time! And if you did, now's the time to check in with that teacher. Ask what they want from you. If they are vague, you can offer to complete the Common App's brag sheet.
  
  
• Apply to a range of schools. Apply to your dream school for sure - but if it's an Ivy or other super selective school, be realistic about your chances of getting in (for every 100 kids who apply - and almost all of them will have equally competitive applications - less than 10 will be admitted). So make sure you also apply to schools that are likely to let you in (which is actually most of the colleges in the U.S.).
  
  
• The range concept also applies to affordability. Apply to USC, where the cost of attendance is over $100,000. But run their net price calculator so you know what to expect in terms of a financial aid package. And apply to other schools that you know your family can afford. (I have an upcoming post on that topic.) The key, however, is to make sure that every school that you apply to is one you'd be happy to attend if it's the only one that admits you.
  
  
• Know your deadlines. Every college has its own application deadline, and you absolutely need to get your application in on (and preferably before) that date. But the financial aid application probably has a separate deadline and you don't want to miss that one either. (Also, it's best to get the FAFSA done earlier rather than later in case you're applying to a college that doles out aid on a rolling basis.) There may be other deadlines too - for scholarship applications, audition-based majors and more. Make sure you know when things are due.
  
  
• Some of my favorite FREE resources where they've probably answered any question you might have:
  
  - Getting In: A College Coach Conversation podcast: I've been a listener for years, and the experienced college admissions professionals on this podcast offer a wealth of information on just about any college-related topic you can think of.
  
  - College Essay Guy: While CEG's greatest area of expertise is the essay, you'll find free resources related to the entire application.
  
  - uAspire: They nail down the basics of financial aid, including a helpful checklist and links.
  
  - California Student Aid Commission (CSAC): For California residents, CSAC is crucial. They have all the info on California's state aid, such as the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship. Most of the top in-state private schools are participating institutions, so eligibility isn't limited to those attending a UC, CSU or community college.
  
  
• Tips for parents:
  
  - Let your student lead. We are not applying to college, they are. While you are a huge part of it, especially when it comes to money, it's their life. Ask them what they want from you. Something that works for many families is scheduling a weekly conversation about college applications, and avoiding the topic the rest of the week.
  
  - Speaking of money, have "the conversation" early. Now is the time to let them know what you can afford, what you are willing to pay, and how much you expect them to contribute. Don't find yourself in late April breaking your child's heart by telling them that you can't afford their first choice school. Make them aware of that possibility now, and let them know that they need a scholarship to make it affordable.
  
  - Also related to money: Prepare to file the FAFSA and, if necessary, the CSS Profile. Know what information you'll need to fill out the forms, such as which account balances you'll need to report (but you'll want to check those balances on the day that you're completing the FAFSA, not today). If you have a business that you'll need to include as an asset, make sure you know the valuation or get one now. Get your FSA ID now if you don't already have one (you'll need it to log in to complete and sign the FAFSA). Help your student get theirs because they'll need their own FSA ID. 
  
  - Make sure your student knows how proud you are of them, that you understand how stressful the application process can be, and that you're there for them. The best thing one of my kids said to me when I mentioned how scary heading off to college can be and that it's ok to struggle was But I know I have you and Dad always. That sense of security and love will get them through anything.

Do you have any college application-related questions that you want me to address?