TTT: Non-Bookish Hobbies

Today's topic is "Characters I Would Name A Pet After," but I'm actually writing about a topic that I didn't get a chance to participate in two weeks ago: My Non-Bookish hobbies. 

Exploring/Traveling: I (used to) love to explore new places and travel near and far! I usually took at least 2 vacations a year- one around my birthday in December and another around March/April. They weren't always far- sometimes it was just a weekend getaway or day trip, but I miss it. My last vacation was Jamaica last December. This year we were supposed to go to Iceland but alas... we did make it to Vermont though! That was new, and so much fun since our friend has a house there and was able to show us around! 

Blogging: I've been blogging here for 11 years, but definitely more consistently in the last oh... 6 years? I love writing and sharing, and reading others blogs! I've also met a lot of great people through blogging (IRL!). it's just great seeing so many different perspectives and lifestyles and I love what they share in general. 

Planning and Organizing: This should probably be broken up into two categories, but they seem too similarly related. Planning... in my planner. Meal planning, monthly planning, trip planning... I love making plans and having things to look forward to. As for organizing, I mean specifically in my house- or your house if you'll let me! I'm always researching new organization tools or ways of thinking (The Home Edit really spoke to me!). I've also been known to, um, "update" a fridge or closet or shelf if I'm in your house... 

This was my last home addition- a shelving unit in my cabinet so I could see cans easier... thanks Home Edit :) 

Binging TV Shows: Blue and I often go into "Hibernation Season" right around now every year, but this year has been The Year of the Binge for real. I don't even know how many shows we binged, but definitely ALL of The Sopranos (6 seasons- I had never seen it), ALL of Wentworth (8 seasons? Whaaa?!), Emily in Paris, Love Life, High Fidelity, Dead To Me, Little Fires Everywhere, Upload... and so many more, I can't even remember. We just started The Undoing this weekend, and I still need to watch Cobra Kai and The Mandolorian, among others (I'm sure).

Drinking... Craft Beer! I enjoy craft beer and I love checking out new breweries with friends. Recently my friends and I found a trivia night at a new brewery and it was so much fun! Now it's getting a bit cold out, but hopefully I'll still find some new brews and do an at-home tasting! If you are also a beer aficionado, you can find me on Untappd: @Lildesiqua

Eating... or Dining at New Restaurants: I mean I do like eating, but not in like, an unhealthy way (unless there are carbs involved. In which case I've been known to eat an entire box of pasta in one sitting, given enough time and stretchy pants). But I like trying new foods and new restaurants, especially local ones that can become favorites. They don't have to be fancy either- this was a new hot dog joint we'd heard about and finally decided t check out even though we could't eat indoors at the time- in the car works too! 

Seeing Musicals and Concerts: Definitely concerts more than musicals because they're more accessible (and cheaper), but I truly love both. But as much as I miss Broadway, I know I won't be heading there even when they do eventually open their doors again :(  

This was the last live show I saw- a showing of Star Wars with a live orchestra in February. 

Ok now these last three were definitely a stretch. I don't do any of them consistently. In fact, I've had the same jigsaw puzzle sitting on my table since last winter. So maybe I should just call these "seasonal" hobbies? I definitely do all of them more in fall/winter than the rest of the year! 

Baking: I used to love backing, and now I just do it on occasion. I don't even like sweets, but sometimes I like to bake treats for others. These are black bottom chocolate chip cheesecakes. They're super easy to make- here's the recipe if you'd like to try them out!  

Scrapbooking: I found an album I'd bought a few years ago, bought some scrapbooking supplies (washi tape, stickers, background paper), got some photos printed, and made about 5 pages.... last year. Haven't touched it since. A work in progress?! 

Puzzles: I've literally had this guy sitting around since last winter, but maybe I'll finish it this year?! 

What are some of your non-bookish hobbies? 

Do we have any in common?

Linking up with Jana! 

10 on the 12th: Thanksgiving

Today I'm linking up (late) with Leslie and answering 10 questions about Thanksgiving. My family is still trying to figure out just how we're going to celebrate this year, amid a recent rise in Covid cases in our area. My mom hasn't even been inside my apartment since March, let alone eat inside a restaurant, so this will be interesting. Some of these may be repeats from the Monthly Musings post, but I still wanted to answer all the questions! 

Will you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade? Football? 

Usually I do watch the Macy's Day Parade. For the last few years I've wanted to go watch the balloons being blown up the night before, but that hasn't happened yet and certainly won't be happening this year either. The NYC Mayor said that, 

"It will not be the same parade we're used to. It will be a different kind of event. They're reinventing the event for this moment in history," said de Blasio. "You will be able to feel the spirit and the joy of that day on television. Online. Not a live parade but something that will really give us that warmth and that great feeling that we have on Thanksgiving Day." {via}

I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I guess I'll find out on Thanksgiving! Sometimes I'll watch football, depending on how's playing. Usually there are movies at night, like The Family Stone. 

Who does the cooking? Fix anything ahead of time? 

If we don't eat at a restaurant, we order in. I've made Thanksgiving exactly once, and it was terrible! I didn't take the turkey out in time so it was still frozen on Thanksgiving Day and I didn't know that they were insides and long story short, we didn't wind up eating until 9pm! So now we go out or order in!

What time do you eat the big meal?

Whenever it arrives?! Usually late afternoon, around 4pm.

Do you set a formal table or keep things more casual? 

We keep things very casual since it's only me and my mom.

Is the food placed on the table or served buffet style?

Regardless or where we eat, it's usually placed on the table. 

Ham or turkey? What’s for dessert? Who carves the meat? 

TURKEY! Since it's takeout or restaurant, some chef somewhere cuts the meat lol, and there isn't a wishbone but if there was I would most certainly wish on it! I love pumpkin pie for dessert.

Does your family have a Thanksgiving tradition? 

We say grace before eating on Thanksgiving, and list some things we're grateful for that year. We don't stay up or go out for Black Friday- I'm more of an online or Cyber Monday shopper! 

Yay or nay to leftovers? Favorite leftover recipe? 

I love leftovers on any day, but ESPECIALLY Thanksgiving! Usually I just make a sandwich with all the fixins', but I would love to try this Turkey Empanada recipe one day- maybe this will be the year! 

What will everyone wear? Dress up or comfy? 

Jeans and sweaters for us! 

For what are you most thankful this year?

My health, my family, and my friends. And having a job, especially one that allows me to work remote at least part of the time. 

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year?

Linking up with Leslie! 

October Reads

I have been having a really hard time focusing on reading lately. I mean, I had 2 DNFs, and I don't think that has happened to me all year. November doesn't seem to be going much better either. Also, October just seemed to fly by. Here is what I managed to get through. 

Upright Women Wanted - Sarah Gailey: 4 Stars

library e-book

I don't even remember requesting this Western novella, but it was great! Set in the near-future America, Esther is a stowaway who has "hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her—a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend," whom she was also in love with. She joins them to try to "fix" herself but finds that they are not at all what they seem. I don't think I've ever read a Western before, but I loved the character and world-building, the action shoot-em-up scenes (done by women), and the touch of romance. I also thought it was the perfect length. 

"Keep fighting. It will be hard, and it will be awful, and it will be worth it. Don’t give up, even when it feels like dying. Don’t give up. This is only the beginning."

The Rule Of One - Ashley and Lauren Saunders: 3.5 Stars

Kindle Unlimited

This dystopian story was well written, but a little too realistic. In a not too distant future, the U.S. starts microchipping its inhabitants, building walls around the country (huh...) and enforcing the "Rule of One"- meaning one child per family. The Director of this initiative has twin girls, so he has developed an elaborate system: the one non-microchipped one follow the micro-chipped one's daily activities and they switch off daily until one day someone in an authoritative position finds out. The girls take off with their father's directions to safe houses all the way to Canada, where they will be safe. But will they make it? 

This fast paced novel kept me interested throughout, and I'll continue reading the series. This came recommended to me by Blue, and I agree with her when she said that the alternate narratives between the twins was superfluous- it added absolutely nothing to the story until the very end. 

Head Over Heels - Hannah Orenstein: 3 Stars

Netgalley

Once I started skimming the overly-technical gymnastics terminology, this got much easier for me to get into. I wanted a bit more from Jasmine and her relationship with Dmitri once they married. I hated how Ryan refused to listen to Avery about how she was treated as a young gymnast by this "superstar" trainer until he saw the one he treated his current gymnasts. I also didn't like how Avery yoy-yoed Ryan around during their budding relationship. While this gave a nod to a serious topic, I think it just barely skimmed the surface rather than fully delving into it head-on which seemed lame. All that aside I will admit that the relationship between Dimitri and Avery felt icy and completely realistic on all fronts. 

DNF:

Woman Last Seen In her Thirties - Camille Pagan: I couldn't connect, but this may have been a timing issue on my part vs. the actual story. I put it down for now, but may pick it back up. 

Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh: The latest from the author of Hyperbole and a Half (which I enjoyed), I just didn't find this graphic novel to be as funny as the first, and I was looking for funny. This just seemed a bit absurd and nonsensical. But again, may try giving it another shot. I placed it back on my holds list. 

Book Stats (previously /now)
Total number read: 47
Netgalley: 13 / 14
Owned: 5 /7 - no change
Non-Fiction: 6 / 7 - no change
WOC: 10 / 11 - no change
Given Away: 29 / 37
 

Currently Reading: The Flight Attendant - Chris Bohjalian

On Deck: Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers and We Have Always Lived in the 
Castle by Shirley Jackson
What are you reading?
Linking up with Steph and Jana!