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The Monthly Gather

a joyful hospitality newsletter

May 2025

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The Monthly Gather brings intentional, joyful living tips straight to your inbox: a new seasonal recipe, hospitality insights, upcoming events, and current media obsessions. A few random anecdotes, no doubt. As always, I hope this brings you joy. Thanks for spending time with me.

Let's get into it.

Spring has been a whirlwind... am I right? My good intentions to take a day trip to the Tulip Festival have not come to be and that pantry re-org my kitchen so desperately needs? Nope. Not even close to tackling that. Yet somehow, in the messiness and the erratic pace of things lately, there is joy to be found. Let me show you.

This season, I’m learning to let go of the vision I had for certain things and instead letting them be exactly what they are. Like, my inability to keep a tidy kitchen, as one small example. Or that there are certain people I used to call at 6am who aren’t here anymore and my brain hasn’t quite made sense of it. And the fact that my tiny yard will not miraculously become the lush five-acres of wild flowers and veggie garden beds I dream of. I can still plant a few Dahlia tubers, expand my herb planters, and make the most of the little outdoor space I have. There’s a lot of peace in letting things be what they are and embracing them fully.

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I’m also learning the importance of packing a fully stocked wagon (any other baseball or select sports moms out there?!) full of “if this, then that” gear and all the snacks one mid-sized SUV can carry. It’s a bit hectic, but we're getting into a rhythm. I used to dream of this season, and here I am living it fully, crazily, imperfectly, and not wanting to take a moment for granted.

Regarding Mother’s Day: Raise your hand if you need a beach right now? This Mother’s Day I’ll be pulling the aforementioned sports wagon around ball fields south of Olympia. And while I do love a sunny spring day at the park, there will not be brunch and certainly not mimosas. But, you know… go team!! (Please don’t take my snark for lack of gratitude. Both can exist in the same space, and I find they often must.)

If this “holiday” brings up lots of feels for you or it doesn’t look how you wish it did, you are not alone. Let’s be sure to make a little space for ourselves, wherever we’re at. Deal? #hostyourselffirst

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Now, let's make something delicious.

May Recipe Feature: Cherry Almond Scones ​

These scones are simple to make and bring one of the most epic flavor combos straight to your brunch table. Rich and delicious cherry-almond flavor, without a nut in sight. I hope you love them!

Joyful Living

I only share tips, stories, experiences, and products I authentically believe in. Here’s what I’m wild about at the moment:

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• Hosting Tip to Slow You Down (a bit): This week, I’d love to invite you to pull out a candle, place it on the dining table, and light it right before dinner. No occasion, no explanation needed. Whether it’s dinner for one or dinner for a crowd, it will elevate your meal and your ability to be present.

• Kitchen Gadget of the Moment: Anchor Hawking Glass Mixing Bowls These bowls nest tidily one inside the other and make baking and meal prep an absolute dream. They're also somehow still made in France. Très Magnifique! I scooped mine up from a local Spokane kitchen shop, The Kitchen Engine (available in-store!). You can also find them at most major kitchenware outfitters.

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• Currently Listening: If you're looking for a lullaby: Mon Rovia is a Chattanooga-based Liberian folk singer with an Indie-folk, Americana sound. His music is lyrically heavy in places, rightfully so based on his story of displacement and adoption during the Liberian war, yet his message is hopeful and soothing, something we could all use a bit more of.

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Mon Rovîa Top tracks PREVIEW     1 crooked the road. Mon Rovîa 2:55 2 To Watch the World Spin With... Mon Rovîa 2:32 3 Rust. Mon Rovîa 3:35 4 City on a Hill Mon Rovîa 2:50 ​

Upcoming Events

I’ve highlighted a few events and roundups I'm excited about in my neck of the woods. Check them out!

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• ​Space 802 here in Snohomish is hosting a Mother's Day Market complete with seasonal florals, locally made jewelry, and other delights. If you're reading this hot off the press, there's still time!

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• Do you know about The Pantry Seattle? They're a community kitchen with an incredible offering of foodie classes and events. Cookbook potluck dinner club? Yep! They have that. It's on my hit list for later this year to take a class or attend an event. You should join me!

Until Next Time...

I hope you’ve found this read a meaningful, heart-felt use of your time. I am delighted to be a small part of the beautiful life you’re creating for yourself.

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As always, if there's something you would like to see included in a future edition of The Host Notes' Newsletter, give me a shout! I'd love your feedback and I'm on the lookout for local product and business features.

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cheers & gratitude,

amber dawn

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Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links included in this newsletter may be affiliate or partner links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. I only feature things I genuinely love and believe in.