If you walked into my kitchen right now, you’d probably want to turn around and walk right back out. Or, if you’re one of my people, you’d just push a stack of mail aside, find the one clean-ish spot on the counter, and ask where I keep the mugs.
It’s Saturday, June 20, 2026, and around here, that means the usual "managed chaos" of 31:13 Studios is already in full swing. My coffee has been reheated three times and is currently sitting abandoned next to a bowl of half-eaten oatmeal. Outside the window, the ducks are having a very loud meeting about the state of the grass, and inside, the decibel level is somewhere between "energetic playground" and "construction site."
This is the reality of the "Small Batch Life." It isn't always curated. It’s rarely quiet. But it’s ours, and honestly? I wouldn’t trade the mess for a Pinterest-perfect pantry any day of the week.
The Case of the Missing Blueberry
Let’s talk about the cat. We have a ginger cat who firmly believes he is the quality control manager of this entire operation. If there is a recipe being tested or a snack being prepped, he is there, hovering just out of reach but close enough to be a hazard.
And this morning, while I was trying to get a head start on some pantry staples, I made the mistake of leaving a small bowl of fresh blueberries on the edge of the counter. Big mistake. Huge.
I heard the tink-tink-tink of rolling fruit before I saw it. By the time I turned around, the bowl was tipped, and a dozen blue projectiles were making a break for it across the floor. The cat? He was just sitting there, looking incredibly smug, batting one last blueberry back and forth like a tiny, edible hockey puck.
I spent ten minutes on my hands and knees retrieving them (because we don't waste produce in this house, even if it has been cat-handled). I counted eleven. I knew there were twelve.
I checked under the fridge. I checked the toaster. I even checked the cat's water bowl. No blueberry. It wasn't until two hours later, when I went to put on my slippers, that I found it. Squashed. Right at the toe.
If that isn't a metaphor for Saturday mornings, I don't know what is. You think you’ve got everything under control, you’ve accounted for all the variables, and then life hands you a squashed blueberry in your slipper.
Life Runs Through the Kitchen (And Over the Grass)
The ducks are currently the main soundtrack to our "Simple Saturday." If you’ve never owned ducks, imagine having three or four very opinionated toddlers who also happen to be obsessed with mud. They are loud, they are messy, and they are absolutely hilarious.
Watching them waddle past the scattered kid toys in the yard reminds me why we do things the way we do. We lean into the natural-minded side of things: the sourdough experiments, the freeze-dried treats, the whipped tallow skincare: not because we’re trying to be perfect, but because these things actually make our lives better.
Even when the yard is a mess of bicycles and duck feathers, there’s a system to it. It’s a lived-in documentary of a family that’s actually using their space. We’re not chasing a curated life; we’re chasing a life that feels like us.
Studio Life: Where the Magic (and More Mess) Happens
While the kitchen is the heart of the home, the studio is where the "Small Batch" part of our brand really comes to life. And let me tell you, the studio is currently looking like a science experiment gone right.
We’ve been deep in the lab (aka the other side of the kitchen island) working on some new things for the shop. If you’ve been around for a while, you know we’re all about things that make life a little more fun and a little easier.
Right now, the workspace is covered in labels, glass bottles, and some of the most vibrant fruit powders you’ve ever seen. Why? Because we are officially working on DIY Kits!
Specifically, we’re finalizing the Dirty Soda Kit and the Tropic Fusion Kit.
We wanted to create a way for you to get that "treat yourself" drink experience at home without needing a million individual ingredients or a PhD in mixology. Think creamy swirls, tropical vibes, and of course, a little something crunchy on top.
I’ve been testing the Tropic Fusion recipes all week, which means my kids are basically 40% pineapple at this point. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. These kits are coming to the shop soon, and I can’t wait to see how you guys use them to make your own "midday chaos" a little more refreshing.
Progress Over Perfection
The reason I share the squashed blueberries and the muddy ducks is that I know how easy it is to look at the internet and feel like you're failing because your house doesn't look like a museum.
At 31:13 Studios, our whole philosophy is progress over perfection.
Maybe you didn't get to the deep cleaning this week. Maybe your weekly menu template is still blank and you’re having cereal for dinner. That’s okay. The goal isn't to have it all together; the goal is to keep moving forward, trying new things, and finding the joy in the random ideas that start with, "I wonder if this would work…"
Sometimes it works (like our freeze-dried Skittles: total win). Sometimes it doesn't (like the time I tried to make a sourdough-based laundry detergent… let's not talk about it).
Managing the Chaos
So, how do we actually "manage" the chaos without losing our minds? It comes down to simple systems that actually work for real families.
- The Kitchen Inventory: I don't care how messy the counters are as long as I know what’s in the pantry. Keeping a printable kitchen inventory helps me avoid that 5:00 PM "what's for dinner" panic.
- Small Batch Wins: We focus on small-batch products because they are manageable. Whether it's a jar of dipping oil or a single tray of freeze-dried taffy, doing things in small bursts makes it feel like we're winning.
- The "Good Enough" Rule: If the ducks are fed, the kids are loud (which means they're healthy), and there's a fresh batch of treats in the freeze dryer, it’s a good day.
What’s Next?
As we head into the afternoon, I’m going to attempt to clear the blueberry stains out of my slipper and get back to those DIY kit labels. And tomorrow, we’re gearing up for a Sunday Reset, which mostly means doing a quick straighten-up, figuring out the week ahead, and pretending for at least five minutes that we have it all together.
If you’re looking for a way to add a little fun to your own managed chaos, keep an eye on the shop. Between the upcoming Dirty Soda kits and our current stash of freeze-dried candy, we’ve got plenty of ways to help you celebrate the "Simple Saturday" life.
Thanks for sitting across the counter with me today. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think the ducks just found the blueberry I missed.
Stay curious, stay creative, and remember: progress, not perfection.
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