School's just about out and we're ALMOST officially in summer, and the Fishes are diving into wedding season — the good, the bad, and the budget-breaking. From bridesmaid dresses you’ll “totally wear again” to $750 trial hair appointments, the sisters reflect on how weddings have changed and whether they’re still worth all the fuss. Plus, Kathy shares a real-life Italian wedding menu made with 4,500 hand-rolled gnocchi (and yes, you get the recipe).

They also tackle Bush Apple Beer (aka BAPL), the return of the Swatch Watch, customer service fails, and whether it's tacky to charge your wedding guests admission. Spoiler: it is.

What’s for Dinner: A sweet story and the gnocchi recipe from Isabella and David’s wedding. Perfect for a cozy night in with your partner… or a really ambitious weekend project.

Summer Brides, Swindlers & Swatch Drama

Producer Tim grabs a mic and joins the Fishes for a fast-paced, no-filter episode full of laughs, opinions, and family chaos. The crew tackles everything from the Great Swim Shirt Debate to camel toe controversies and whether or not you should ever go sockless in sneakers (spoiler: hard no from most of us). They dish on guilty pleasure TV binges, dream celebrity swaps for their husbands, and the most ridiculous advice they’ve ever received as moms and wives. Plus, Tim makes the case for a sister team on The Amazing Race — and we’re kinda here for it.

What’s for Dinner?
The gals are craving Shake Shack-style smash burgers, and thanks to Linda’s tip from TikTok, we’re learning how to get that perfect griddle crisp at home. Spoiler: it involves onions, two spatulas, and a very hot pan.

Luckily, Linda discovered a total gem: Nicole McLaughlin’s Smash Burger recipe from AllRecipes, which has now become our new summer food goal. Grab your griddle, two spatulas, some thinly sliced onions, and get to smashing. Here’s the full recipe:
👉 Homemade Smash Burgers by Nicole McLaughlin [https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8489146/homemade-smash-burgers/]

Trust us — this is girl dinner done right.

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Monetization ID: RPQ16FXRJDG9LJME

Smash Burgers, Swim Shirts & Sister Shenanigans: A Visit from Producer Tim

This week, the Fishes are serving up wisdom, laughs, and a big ol’ side of reality as they tackle what it means to be part of the Sandwich Generation — that squeezed-in-the-middle season of life where you're caring for aging parents while still raising (or launching) your own kids. Special guest and longtime friend Jane Mlenar joins the pod to share her candid, moving, and often hilarious experience navigating elder care, college kids in crisis, and the emotional load that comes with it all. Plus, we talk sourdough starters, Cuban sandwiches, and why jalapeños do not belong in your wine.

💛 Lynne’s Care Package Picks

When her in-laws needed support, Lynne sent love in the form of food — and she highly recommends both of these services:

 * Spoonful of Comfort [https://www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/] – Gourmet soup, rolls, and cookies delivered in a beautifully packaged box. It’s thoughtful, comforting, and ideal when someone’s going through a rough time.
 * Southern Baked Pie Company [https://www.southernbakedpie.com/] – Delicious savory and sweet pies, including quiche and pot pies, that ship beautifully and taste homemade (without the cleanup).

Whether someone’s recovering, grieving, or just plain overwhelmed, these are two solid go-to’s for sending something that says “I’m here for you.”

🥪 What’s For Dinner: Cuban Sandwiches

Inspired by our conversation on sandwiches (literal and metaphorical), here’s a crowd-pleasing Cuban sandwich recipe to add to your meal plan this week.

Cuban Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients:

 * 1 loaf Cuban bread (or French bread, if you must)
 * Yellow mustard
 * Sliced dill pickles
 * Swiss cheese
 * Sliced cooked ham
 * Roast pork (leftover or store-bought works!)
 * Butter for grilling

Instructions:

 1. Slice the bread lengthwise and spread mustard on both sides.
 2. Layer ham, roast pork, pickles, and Swiss cheese.
 3. Close the sandwich, brush the outside with butter, and grill it (panini-style if you can) until golden and melty.
 4. Press it hard — the flatter, the better.
 5. Slice, serve, and watch it disappear.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special but doesn’t require a full kitchen takeover.

Stuck in the Middle: The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide

This week, the sisters are cooking up more than just dinner — they’re diving deep into family traditions, cherished recipes, and the sweet stories that keep generations connected. From legacy apple pies and strudel to the hilariously disastrous tale of a DIY patio project gone wrong (spoiler: there were scissors and spray paint involved), this episode is full of laughter, warmth, and a few tears. They also weigh in on meaningful gifts for teenage boys, share their thoughts on the new Pope, and test out some fancy new nail polish. Come for the Eggs Benny, stay for the Crisco cookies. It’s classic Fish.

Head to http://www.threelilfishes.com/shownotes for this week's recipes.

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Tradition, Paint Fails, and a Side of Grasshopper Pie

Graduation is near, the dorm checklists are growing, and the Fishes are deep in their feels. This week, the sisters are joined by special guest Hanna Bankier, founder of Birdy Launcher, who shares wisdom and real-world tools for moms navigating the emotional rollercoaster of launching kids into college, adulthood, and beyond.

They unpack:

 * Why “empty nest” doesn’t fit
 * How to prepare your kids and yourself for the launch
 * Letting go without losing the connection
 * Managing the grief, guilt, and (yes) unexpected joy of this life shift
 * And reimagining who you want to be in this next phase

Plus, they toast Mother’s Day with a mimosa recipe, discuss Eggs Benedict ambitions (and potential disasters), and share a sweet holiday jingle that might just make you cry in your car.

It’s a love letter to moms in the thick of change. Pour the coffee, grab a cinnamon roll, and jump in.

Head to http://www.threelilfishes.com/shownotes for this week's recipes and find more about Hanna at http://www.birdylauncher.com/freeoffer

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Episode 58: Launching Birdies & Poaching Eggs

Your kid gets a tattoo. Or disappears on a 12-hour solo road trip. And doesn’t tell you either one’s happening. Sound familiar? This week, the Fishes tackle the tough stuff—what it feels like when your kids are technically adults, but still your kids, and they start making big decisions you’re not part of.

They get honest about:

 * Navigating “adulting” kids and the grief of being needed less
 * Supporting choices you might not agree with (hello, surprise ink)
 * Building trust for the real conversations
 * Promposals, dorm prep, and the emotional chaos of senior spring
 * And yes, the Amazon wish list is back—and it’s dorm-ready

In What’s for Dinner, it’s a comforting, creamy Chicken Tetrazzini straight from Nancy’s mother-in-law Judy. One pan, freezer-friendly, and full of love.

Letting go isn’t easy. But talking about it helps. Jump in.

Head to http://www.threelilfishes.com/shownotes for this week's recipe and the 3LF dorm checklist

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Monetization ID: RPQ16FXRJDG9LJME

3LF 57: Tattoos, Road Trips & the Art of Letting Go

This week, the sisters dive into the idea of legacy—from heirloom lamb cake molds to meaningful graduation gifts. They swap stories about baking blunders, busted molds, and the ink-stained mysteries only teenage boys can create. Then, they welcome special guest Sarah Riley, a private jeweler (aka “the secret jeweler”), who shares thoughtful, timeless ways to mark life’s milestones—like graduations and Mother’s Day—with jewelry that tells a story.

They cover:

 * Gift ideas for boys and girls that don’t break the bank
 * Why gold prices are sky-high (and how to turn old earrings into cash)
 * The truth about lab-grown diamonds
 * And how to season your cast iron lamb cake mold so your sheep comes out whole next year

In What’s For Dinner, it’s all about comfort and ease with a classic baked ziti recipe—perfect for feeding the family or stashing leftovers for a busy week. One dish, minimal effort, maximum satisfaction.
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11688/baked-ziti/

Legacy isn’t just what we leave behind—it’s what we pass forward. Jump in.

To contact Sarah sarahmriley@comcast.net

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Monetization ID: RPQ16FXRJDG9LJME

Legacy, Lamb Cakes & the Secret Jeweler

This week, the sisters are feeling... fried. Between busted deviled eggs, failed bread experiments, spring break chaos, and trying (and failing) to quit Amazon, it’s a miracle anyone made it to Easter brunch. They share kitchen disasters, kid drama, and a few sweet traditions—including the legendary lamb cake and its not-so-legendary decapitation. Plus, the Fishes weigh in on spring break homework, and Netflix' Million Dollar Secret, and whether coconut oil can save your baking (spoiler: it can’t). And in a rare moment of calm, they celebrate Rory McIlroy’s emotional Masters win and the full-circle moment that brought tears and memories of chipping balls into washing machines.

Grab your mimosa and join the chaos. It’s messy, it’s real, it’s sisterhood.

Rory Clip
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIaJj81N_h4/?igsh=MXQzeDVvd3B6cTMwag==

Harvard Health-Seeding Doubt The Truth About Cooking Oils [https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/seeding-doubt-the-truth-about-cooking-oils#:~:text=Repeatedly%20heating%20unsaturated%20oils%20up,food%20consumption%20and%20heart%20disease]

What's For Dinner
Million Dollar Pound Cake [https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/million-dollar-pound-cake]

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Monetization ID: RPQ16FXRJDG9LJME

Eggs, Exhaustion & Easter Expectations

With Lynne out sick this week (curse you, COVID!), her daughter Sarah steps in as a guest Lil Fish — and she delivers. Along with Grayson from TCU, the kids get real about freshman year, frat life, tiny dorms, and the roommate roulette. Secrets are spilled about how to make the most of your college experience, avoid the senioritis spiral, and keep your GPA (and sanity) intact. Plus, the sisters dish on TV twists in The White Lotus finale and the new Netflix show Million Dollar Secret, “Senior Assassin” chaos, and the lip balm that might be better than Aquaphor. It’s fun, it’s honest, and it’s all very Lil Fish.

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/how-to-fight-senioritis-and-get-to-graduation

Kathy’s Lip Balm [https://summerfridays.com/products/lip-butter-balm-pink-sugar?variant=40057385680973&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=20410527802&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BPk1z67riKAcoSfiejrxvIA1erYUt5lyaevbo3TDNRRGqwJ_cWd_GBoC6ooQAvD_BwE]

Nancy’s Lip Liner [https://www.ulta.com/p/peel-off-lip-liner-stay-n-pimprod2037645?sku=2609006&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&cagpspn=pla&CATCI=&CAAGID=&CAWELAID=330000200002998867&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BAtEostA85_0jSPV7IaAN1x5AjDN0C56yQTJ2qTfhX1wYc6gj39yGxoCVEoQAvD_BwE]

What’s For Dinner:
Find a Trader Joe's hit the frozen section. We like Garlic Naan and Soup Dumplings

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Monetization ID: RPQ16FXRJDG9LJME

Senioritis, College Kids, and the Bee’s Knees of Lip Gloss

This week, the sisters take on a bold experiment—the 30-Day Amazon Challenge! Can they resist the urge to add-to-cart for an entire month? From impulse buys to retail therapy, they get real about their shopping habits, the convenience trap, and how online spending affects their lives.

But that’s not all—party planning is on the agenda, and the sisters ask themselves: Are they meticulous organizers or full-blown control freaks? From guest lists to décor dilemmas, they break down the fine line between throwing the perfect party and driving themselves (and everyone else) crazy.
It never rains in Southern California until you're camping the Santa Barbara Zoo with fourteen Girl Scouts.  Nancy tells us all about it and shares a secret about what they feed the primates.

Kathy found some good resources for games to play [https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g32052077/best-lawn-games/] and creative ideas [https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g5159/graduation-party-ideas/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_ghk_d_bm_prog_org_us_g5159&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwna6_BhCbARIsALId2Z1wg10ekvliLN_VXP2MNryTZ6hFr2ak2X_38LfsnQU3uidYW1wSoSkaAuO0EALw_wcB] to add to your graduation parties.  

And finally—what do Gene Simmons, JoJo Siwa, Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Shakespeare all have in common? You’ll have to listen to find out! Tune in for laughs, confessions, and unexpected connections in this fun and revealing episode.

What's For Dinner?
Kathy stretches a little this week and makes a new to her recipe.  Ina Garten's Pastitsio
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pastitsio-recipe-1949975

We want to hear your comments and questions! Send an email to 3lfpod@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Instagram @3lfpod and be sure to follow us on our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes [http://www.youtube.com/@threelilfishes]

Monetization ID: RPQ16FXRJDG9LJME


Party Planning for Control Freaks and The Amazon 30-Day Challenge

Three sisters sharing stories & secrets about being women, wives & mothers. Jump into the conversation and laugh along with us as we help each other navigate this modern life.

Nancy

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