The Girl's Guide to DC
Issue 63: Call Your Grandma
Welcome back to Girl’s Guide! Are you enjoying pumpkin spice season as much as I am?
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Don’t Forget to Call Your Grandma!
Don’t forget to call your grandma on Sunday, which is National Grandparents Day. There, I just made you look like the world’s best grandchild!
If you’ve been blessed to have living grandparents, there’s probably a lot you’ve learned from them, whether you’ve realized it or not. Some of our grandmothers like to give us pithy words to live by, while others like to lead by example. Either way, they always have some great advice — and that’s why I’m asking readers to send in the best advice you’ve gotten from your grandma (or a grandma-like figure in your life!) to be featured in next week’s Girl’s Guide.
Send it to me at girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com — I can’t wait to read what y’all send in, from funny to sweet to everything in between!
In the meantime, enjoy some of the lessons I’ve learned from my grandma:
Muffins aren’t just for breakfast.
How can you talk about your grandma without also talking about all the delicious food she makes? My grandma Susan is known for her sweet potato muffin recipe, which she says she’s been making since the 1960s.
Yes, the muffins are great for breakfast, but we rarely have a holiday meal where they’re not a featured side — we eat them like rolls with our Thanksgiving turkey and green bean casserole! Sure, it’s a little unconventional, but it’s what we do. Traditions around food are something that brings us together as a family.
If sweet potato muffins sound yummy to you, I’m including the recipe below.
Susan Hill’s Sweet Potato Muffins
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup sweet potato (baked and mashed)
1 1/2 cup plain flour
2 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup pecans (optional)
Directions: Mix ingredients together. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Wear bright colors, be happy.
If it’s a special occasion, you’ll probably find my grandma in bright fuschia, teal, or a shade of purple. She’s not afraid to be bold! Anytime I’m tempted to purge my closet of fun colors after seeing one too many pics of influencers in completely neutral outfits, I remember how wearing bright colors can boost your mood and make you seem more approachable. Some colors just make us happy, you know?
Share your passion with others.
My very talented grandmother has been playing piano or organ every Sunday in church since she was a little girl – and her talent is definitely a gift to others! She taught me how to play piano when I was so small that my legs were nowhere near touching the pedals. I’m always really glad when I get to hear her play in church (the last time was this past Easter).
Not all of us feel like our talents translate directly into giving to others – but I promise that you will feel so rewarded once you figure out your “niche.” Do you like to bake? Start gifting your neighbors with muffins and cookies! Do you love to write? Start putting your thoughts out in the world! Are you just a really organized person? There are countless church programs and ministries that could use your logistical mind.
So, there you have it – my lessons from my grandma! Don’t forget to send yours in to girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com!
Interview with Bridget Hobbs
This week, I’m excited to introduce you to Bridget Hobbs, a DC gal who has a warm smile for everyone she meets! Connect with Bridget on Twitter and Instagram.
Why do you love your neighborhood?
I live near Old Town Alexandria, Va., arguably the most charming area in NOVA/DC. Some of my favorite evenings are spent bopping in and out of the shops along King Street, grabbing a sweet treat, or going for a jog along the water.
What does your life look like right now?
I like to start my mornings with a workout at Orange Theory before heading to my office, where I work in public relations. In the evenings, I usually meet up with friends in Old Town or stop by my church to wind down from the busy day and pray.
What’s your beauty routine like?
I moisturize my face in the mornings and use a retinol serum in the evenings. I think bronzer is a lifesaver and like to have fun with different lipstick shades. I tend to buy mostly Neutrogena and L’Oreal products and have especially loved clay or charcoal masks lately!
What's your favorite DC hidden gem?
I've discovered lots of little-known, designated picnic spots along the Mount Vernon Trail, especially in the half closest to Mount Vernon. I'd highly recommend loading a backpack, going for a joyride, and finding your personal favorite!
What are your tips for making friends in the city?
Say yes to the happy hour! Facebook's "Events" page is a great resource for finding activities that align with your interests. Get involved at your church. Invite someone to join you for a coffee or walk around the monuments.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned over the course of your career?
Stay eager to learn. Seek mentors, ask questions, and work hard.
The Haps
Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II passed away yesterday at the age of 96, leaving an amazing legacy behind. Many Americans (including myself!) became better acquainted with her through Netflix series The Crown, and if that show is any indicator of reality, she was not only gracious but tough as nails. Looking at photos from the beginning of her reign to now is truly amazing to me — check out this article from Politico for photos from her visits with U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Joe Biden.
“Modernizing” Emily Post
Emily Post’s Etiquette has been continuously updated for the modern age — but does adding such mundanities as the proper etiquette for tipping your Uber driver miss the point of Post’s writing entirely? Nic Rowan tackles this question in The American Conservative — the piece is paywalled, but you can also find it in the September/October print issue of the magazine.
Here are more links to what I’ve been reading, listening to, and baking (yes, baking!) this week:
Queen Elizabeth II Will Always Be Remembered On One D.C. Street: Did you know Queen Elizabeth visited with the residents of Southeast DC in 1991? Pretty cool!
Girlboss, Interrupted: The Case Against the Sexual Revolution with Louise Perry: Host Helen Roy and author Louise Perry talk about everything from falling birthrates to elder care to Derry Girls as well as Louise’s new book.
Blueberry Cookies: I’ve made this recipe several times now, and Nick has declared them his favorite cookie because they taste like eating the top of a blueberry muffin. I recommend pulsing the blueberries in a blender instead of just mashing them! Oh, and I use unsalted dairy butter.
Bulletin Board
Congrats to MAX and ALEXANDRA PROWANT, who got married on Saturday, September 3, in Alexandria, Va. Congratulate Alexandra on Instagram!
Congrats to ISABELLA REDJAI on her new position as Booker/Associate Producer for Unfiltered with Dan Bongino! She previously worked on Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy. Congratulate Isabella on Twitter.
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.
