The Girl's Guide to DC
Issue 64: Grandma Knows Best
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Grandma Knows Best
Last week, I asked you ladies to send in your favorite life lessons from your grandmothers — you can read the responses below! I also polled my Instagram/Twitter followers to ask who the most iconic grandma in TV or film is — and your answers did not disappoint. Top answers included Emily Gilmore, Violet Crawley, Madea and… Mrs. Doubtfire??
Life Lesson #1: No Bad Days
“Even as a kid, my Type A self tended to be very uptight when things wouldn't go according to plan, and my maternal grandmother — or Granny as we called her — would always say, ‘This is a test. This is only a test. If it were a real emergency you would have been notified.’ She passed away from cancer when I was in high school, but that phrase is something my mom and I especially have carried with us, and we repeat it to each other when things feel like they're falling apart, which always prompts a laugh and fond memories — and reminds us that even when the dog shreds your favorite pair of shoes, you blow a tire, or you drip coffee on your white blouse first thing in the morning, things really aren't that bad.” - Kylee Griswold
Life Lesson #2: Getting Older Is Just Part of Life
“My Nana’s advice on accepting the realities of aging was ‘Everything drops, falls to the floor.’ One of my favorite lines of hers! She passed away in February at the age of 93, a very witty woman.” - Carmel Richardson
Life Lesson #3: Cherish Motherhood
“I had a great aunt in the Netherlands, Tante Anne, who was like a grandmother to me. She became 102. Tante Anne lived on a houseboat — all the way until her death! She passed away in 2016, but I still think of her often. She once told me that the years when you have small children at home are the best phase of your life. She'd been through pretty much every life phase there is, so she would know. I have small children now, and when I think of Tante Anne I try to lean into the happy moments with them.” - Emma Freire
Life Lesson #4: Always Be Fabulous
“I have two fun tidbits from my Nana. She is absolutely iconic and unironically up and goes to Paris when something goes wrong the way that the mom does in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
I always remember being out shopping with her one Saturday and she said, ‘Every woman should always have a pair of sunglasses.’
Another time I was visiting her after a friend's wedding and I had my nails done for the wedding. She said, ‘Catherine, I love your nails. How often do you get them done?’
And I said, ‘Oh, not very often to be honest, about a few times a year, whenever I have a wedding to attend.’
And her disdainful response was, ‘Oh. Well, when I was in my prime I was religious about going to the salon every two weeks.’
I think my mother would have been insulted by the comment but I was just so in awe of how cool she was and it gave me something to aspire to!” - Catherine Francois
The Haps
Rebuilding Notre Dame
Remember the devastating fire that damaged the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019? The architects leading the restoration process will be in DC later this month to discuss their work — find out how you can attend the Sept. 26 lecture at the National Building Museum here. The lecture, the first of its kind in the U.S., is co-sponsored by The Catholic University of America. Click here to find out if you can attend for free if you have a connection to CUA. H/t Washington Review of Books
Another Reason to Eat at Chick-Fil-A
In case you needed yet another reason to get Chick-Fil-A — the team members TRULY go above and beyond, at least in the case of a Florida mom facing a would-be carjacker. A Chick-Fil-A employee tackled the man, who allegedly threatened the mom and her infant with a stick, and the crisis was averted. I hope this employee gets free nugs for life!!!
Here are more links to what I’ve been reading (and cooking!) this week:
To Be Present or Post?: My friend Patricia Patnode’s latest article for The Conservateur is about how social media molds our minds. Follow Patricia’s work on Twitter.
Hurts So Good: Suzy Weiss writes in Common Sense about young women who feel trapped by chronic pain — and in some cases, can’t quit the social media attention that posting about their pain brings.
Chicken and Potatoes with Dijon Cream Sauce: I am making an effort to use my Dutch Oven more, and this was the perfect recipe, especially since I already had most of the ingredients on hand.
Recipe Corner
I loved hearing from all of you who made my grandmother’s sweet potato muffin recipe from last week! I baked up a batch myself after last week’s newsletter.
Speaking of recipes — I’m collecting your favorite quick and healthy lunch recipes for an upcoming issue of Girl’s Guide. Send your favorite recipe to me by replying to this email.
Bulletin Board
Congrats to LUKAS DAVAZ and AUDREY CONKLIN, who got engaged this past weekend along the Skyline Drive in Virginia! See Audrey’s post here.
Congrats to MARY MARGARET OLOHAN, who joins Daily Signal as Senior Reporter! She was previously reporting for The Daily Wire. Congratulate Mary Margaret on Twitter here.
Ask Evie
Have a question you want me to answer in the newsletter? Click this link to send your question anonymously! You can read my most recent Ask Evie column on the age-old networking vs. date debate here.