Monthly Musings About Spring

 

1. Do you celebrate Easter or Passover? What are your traditions?

My mom and I celebrate Easter by going to church and then out for brunch. This year it will be virtual, and brunch at home. 

Me, circa 1987-ish?

2. Favorite Spring tradition?

Spring cleaning! Opening windows and airing the place out! And of course, changing out the wardrobe to add more vibrant colors! 

3. What Spring activities are you and your family involved in?

I can't think of any Spring-specific activities other than going to baseball games and a Spring Break getaway that we usually take in March, all of which is cancelled this year. Does drinking deck beers count?! 

4. What are you most looking forward to this Spring?

A newborn! My niece is due in April so very excited to meet her! Also every other year or so I chop off and donate my hair but I skipped it last ear so looking forward to doing that this year.

5. Do you plant a garden or flowers?

LOL not if I want them to live! I leave the planting to my mom :)

6. Do you decorate your house for Spring?

Not really. I put out one or two potted plants and change out the fleece throw blankets for lighter material ones, but that's about it. My patio furniture stays out all year so it just gets a little refresh. 

7. Do you have a favorite Spring meal?

Again, I can't say one meal scream Spring to me. Though I did learn on St. Patty's Day that I actually like corned beef (still not into cabbage), so I'll say that one! I also tend to eat more seafood in Spring, but that's more because I participate in Lent and don't eat meat on Fridays. 

fried scallops and fries- yum!

8. Does it feel like Spring where you live?

It does! The temps are rising (60's-70's most days), some rain, and flowers and trees are starting to blossom. And more sunshine! I love coming home from work and there still being some daylight left! 

9. Will your Spring look different this year due to Covid?

Yes. In the past Blue and I would go to baseball games and outdoor festivals, but I'm still not ready to be around crowds yet, even with the vaccine!

10. Have you dined outside yet this Spring? 

Yes! We took a ride down the shore to a seafood shack and ate on the waterfront. It was great!

Day trip to Keyport, NJ

What are some of your favorite things about Spring?

Linking up with Patti and Holly!

Spring Bucket List 2021

I started writing this post on March 1. Since then, I've already completed three "Spring Bucket List" items, and am halfway done with another one! 

Looking back, I can't believe it's been a full YEAR that we've been in this pandemic. It's almost cute how optimistic I was when I wrote this post last year... almost. If I only knew what was to come!

 And yet... here we still are...

At least we're not in lockdown (officially, anyway). I realized on March 1st that I haven't eaten inside a restaurant since March 7, 2020 and that boggled my mind. That's not to say I didn't eat out at all (it was al fresco) or see friends (6 ft apart at all times), but just...wow. Anyway, now that I've gotten one vaccine and am scheduled to get the second soon, I'm really looking forward to be out and about more. Here's what I have on deck for this season: 

Take walks with Blue / restart sunset Fridays (weather permitting) - started last weekend!

Sell/donate all clothes in hallway closet by June 20 - clearly I need a firm deadline or this just keeps moving from one seasonal list to the next! 

Sell/donate extra office desk and chair

Get a haircut and donate 12" - I do this about every 2 years, and it's time again! 

Redesign blog

Complete BCBE 14 - Finished on 3/15! I'm onto the bonus round now, but no intentions on completing it, so no real pressure! 

Read books starting with E/F, G/H, I/J, K/L for the Read the Alphabet Challenge - you can see all the books on my Spring TBR here!

Print 2020 Photos

Rollover from last season - publish list of GOOD THINGS that happened in 2020

Try 5 New Recipes - I definitely want to try this easy chicken teriyaki casserole that Joanne shared

Update my resume - scheduled! 

Visit my mom's place and "Home Edit" her space

Get the Covid vaccine - halfway there! I'm scheduled for my second shot on March 29th.

Get my brows done

Rollover from last season - accomplish 5 to-do items I've been avoiding - I think I did this last season but I'm not entirely sure, so this time I wrote down the 5 items so I remember! 

Check out a new restaurant - done! Blue and I took a day off last week and took a ride down to Keyport, NJ for some fish and chips, crab cakes, and ocean air! 

Check out a new brewery - done! That same day we stopped at Four Winds Brewery for a flight before returning home. 

Go...somewhere. Even just for a day trip

What do you have on deck for this spring? 

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Spring 2021 TBR

One thing I always like to see is if I read the books I read from this time last year, and last season. Erm, I only read 4/10 from Spring 2020 TBR...oops! And I read exactly half from my Winter TBR, changing out some books that were meant to be read for a book challenge I'm participating in. I read

BUT! Here's my list for Spring 2021. Let's hope I get at least halfway through, yeah?!

{via}

Every Reason We Shouldn't - Sara Fujimara

Get A Life, Chloe Brown - Talia Hibbert

How Not to Die Alone - Richard Roper

Hummingbird Salamander - Jeff Vandermeer

It Had To Be You - Georgia Clark

Last Couple Standing - Matthew Norman

Written in the Stars - Alexandria Bellefleur

The Chicken Sisters - KJ Dell'Antonia

The Husband's Secret - Liane Moriarty

The Roommate - Rosie Danan

What's on your Spring TBR?

Linking up with Jana!

February Reads

After hitting an all-time high last month, my reading definitely slumped this month. As with last month though, they were all pretty good! Those marked with an asterisk count towards Lauren and Lindsi's Read The Alphabet Book Challenge, where every month you read a book (or more!) starting with a letter of the alphabet. Last month I read 2 books that started with C/D. Here's what else I read in February.

Concrete Rose (The Hate U Give #0) - Angie Thomas: 4 Stars*
library e-book

I was nervous about picking this one up because I loved  the original story so much and didn't want this to ruin my impressions of it. I clearly had no reason to worry though! I enjoyed learning more about  Starr's father, Maverick, and how he grew up. HOWEVER --- I don't know if anyone else does this, but occasionally when I give a book a rating, I look at how others rated it, particularly lower ratings. One thing that I do agree with from those negative reviews is that it skips the part of life where Maverick is in/out of prison. I think that would have been a poignant section to include, but I didn't change my rating based on that exclusion because I didn't eve remember it until someone else mentioned it. 

Behind Closed Doors - B.A. Paris: 4 Stars
own, hardback

What an intense debut. The villain in this was SO unscrupulous and utterly disgusting, I had a hard time getting through this one. The past/present timelines worked in this case and I liked how the protagonist found her courage.

Dear Martin - Nic Stone: 4.5 Stars*
library e-book

What a timely and important story that I wish I had read sooner! Ms. Stone's themes include race relations, police brutality, Black Lives Matter, and also often overlooked themes like micro-aggressions and casual racism.  This is geared towards a younger audience in a way that is relatable (unfortunately) and reads quickly. I totally felt for Justyce and am looking forward to continuing with this series. 

Outlawed - Anna North: 2.5 Stars
library e-book

I really wanted to love this one, especially after all the hype around it. I'm new to Westerns (as in, I've only really read one), but I liked the idea of this one centered around a gang of women taking over the wild West. Unfortunately this one missed the mark. First of all, it's listed as a historical fiction that takes in "The Year of Our Lord, 1894," however it's incredibly historically inaccurate. Overlooking that, there are way too many characters and I couldn't keep them straight (ha)- even when it came to just the members of the Hole in the Wall Gang. Also it wrapped up too quickly in a way that didn't completely make sense. Great idea, poor execution.

Book Stats (Previous/Now) 

Total number read: 9 / 13 

Netgalley: 2/ 

Owned: 2 / 3 

Non-Fiction: 1 (no change) 

WOC: 1 / 3 Given Away: 20 (book drive- no change)

Currently reading: Interpreter of Maladies- Jhumpa Lahiri

What are you currently reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

Prime Purchases

Hi friends! Man, I have really missed participating in this link-up! Now that the Christmas rush (and late presents!) are in the past, I've decided to rejoin! I didn't buy too much last month only because I didn't need much, but what I did purchase made me extremely happy! A lot of organizing purchases this month, but I ain't mad about it! I should mention that NOT all of these are from Amazon, and there are no affiliate links. Let's get to it!

Kelburne Manager's Chair- I needed a new chair for my home office. We're working remote 3/5 days a week, and my old chair was one I "borrowed" from the storage room from work- no one was missing it, and now I know why! Blue originally bought this one for her home office and I thought it was too big and "managerial" for mine... until I sat in it. Oh.Em.Gee. It is sooooo comfy! And it was super easy to put together! Highly recommend if you're in the market for a new desk chair! 

Pot Organizer- I purchased 2 of these, one for me and one for Blue. I love the fact that they're adjustable- the base is two pieces that can be expanded or separated, and then you can change where the slots go to match your pots and/or lids. You can see both ways we "styled" them below. Her is both pieces together (expanded), and mine is broken up in half because my cabinets are narrower. 

2- Tier 360 Lazy Susans- Another purchase I bought 2 of, one 10" and one 12". One fits inside Blue's cabinet, and one sits on my counter. These things are BOMB. Before we both just had our spices one behind another haphazardly in our cabinets- and these make finding spices so much easier! 

3- tier Cabinet Organizer- Should I just admit now that I buy pretty much every organizational tool in pairs?! Well in this case, I bought 4; 2 for me and 2 for Blue. You can see one in action above. Again, it just makes seeing your products easier (and neater!). 

Wire Baskets- I got this one to hang over a cabinet door, and have been putting all incoming mail in it. I think it's meant to go inside your cabinet, but this is how it's working for me. I also got this one to store towels/excess bath items in my closet neatly, but didn't get a pic of that one yet.

Stick-on Push Lights- I got a 2-pack for under the cabinets in me and Blue's kitchen. We both have pretty deep lower cabinets, and I can't see in there well to organize! Hoping these will help but I haven't stuck them on just yet. 

Lamare Weekly Planner Pad- I originally bought this for my niece for Christmas because she loves pink and recently got a new job as a project manager. And then I bought one for my coworker who also just switched positions to be a project manager (and happens to love pink). And then I became jealous and got myself one too! I use it weekly- I love it! The "habit tracker," Weekly Focus, and Top 3 (for the week) really make it different and exceptional. 

Indoor Air Conditioner Cover- Ok, I suppose this is a pretty basic item but I didn't know they existed. My apartment has in-wall (as opposed to window) AC's in two rooms, and I could always feel the draft above and below them (even with the outdoor covers on them). Enter these: inexpensive, stretches to fit your AC unit, and actually keeps the draft out! Winning all around! 

What was your favorite purchase this month?

Linking up with Tanya!