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!

Winter Bucket List Update

Hello sweet friends! Hope you're all doing well! I'm back with some Winter Bucket List updates today. I completed all but 1 of them! Honestly I didn't realize until now that these were mmostly centered around the holidays, but that's okay. I'm hoping to finish that last one next month and be hold myself more accountable for the one below it- you'll know it when you see it. So without further ado...

Deck the halls- completed! Below is my little tree, but I also decorated my bar cabinet and wrapped a lit garland on my porch railing outside. 

Have a holiday movie night, with hot cocoa and footie pajamas- completed, but unfortunately no pics!

Read some cozy Christmas-themed stories- completed, I read 7! I read The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss, 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston, Blue Christmas Balls by Nick Spalding, You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs, (my reviews of those here!), This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens, Mind the Gap, Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, and In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren (my review of those here!). 

Set some New Year/monthly goals- completed! You can see my list here! 

Start a new holiday tradition- completed! We decided to start the Icelandic tradition called "jolabokaflod" of giving (and reading!) new books on Christmas Eve. I love it! You can learn more about it here! 

Drive around looking at Christmas lights - completed! Found a whole street right in my town! 

Read a self-help book- no. I started several but couldn't get into them. Maybe this month! 

Accomplish 5 to-do items I've been avoiding- in process? I probably did but now I can't remember! 

"Home Edit" my apartment and Blue's kitchen- (this will probably forever be) in process! But I'm having a lot of fun with this one! Here's the latest- I 2 reorganized Blue's kitchen cabinets!

Create a 2020 recap of GOOD things- completed, but not yet posted! 

Did you make a Winter Bucket List? How are you doing?

Linking up with Leslie! 

10 on the 10th: Questions About Love

Hello again sweet friends! Phew, posting two days in a row after nearly a month of silence- who am I even?! But I couldn't miss an opportunity to join my friend Leslie and answer some questions about love! So without further ado...

How romantic are you? What is a romantic gesture you have made in the past?

Oooh I'm not very romantic! I suppose I do little things, like picking up her favorite candy when I'm at the store, doing the dishes when she cooks, leaving love notes in random spots... one Valentine's Day I made a Reese's bouquet out of Reese's individually wrapped peanut butter cups and dollar store flowers that I ripped the flowers off to use the stems... that one was a real winner! 

What’s the best relationship advice? Is it something you’ve learned or advice that was given to you?

Give each other some space, especially when angry. Relatedly, always have 2 bedrooms or an extra room for that space! Personally I like and need some space, so I learned that one (or rather taught the other person!). 

When did you give your first kiss? How did you feel about it? At what age did you begin dating?

I think I was about 10? I kissed a guy friend in his treehouse and he was so shocked that I was never invited back! I had my first "real" boyfriend in high school, so about 16? 

We're in the top right, our friend was jokingly strangling him!

What makes a relationship healthy?

Communication, compromise, shared responsibilities, honesty, trust, and mutual respect. 

What’s your love language? What is your partner’s or best friends? You can find out here.

Mine is acts of service and quality time. Blue is quality time and physical touch. Though I think we both don't mind presents, especially random ones not holiday/birthday/anniversary specific. I was overjoyed when Blue presented me with The Home Edit and The Home Edit Life books the other day! 

Who is one couple you know that you admire in terms of love?

My friends Jenn and Dave, because he is a handful and she has so much patience... and she can talk SO MUCH and HE has patience! Also they are both remarried and interact with their former spouses because of their kids, so being able to do so with grace is pretty admirable. 

Who is your favorite celebrity or fictional couple?

Michelle and Barack Obama and Franky Doyle and Bridget Westfall (from the Australian show Wentworth) 4eva <3

Name a flavor or food you love. A scent you love. An activity you love doing?

I love chicken parmesan and Italian food in general... and Mexican... and Indian! I'm a savory over sweets person. My favorite scents are rose, clean linen, and BBW Mahogany Teakwood. I love reading, organizing, reading about organizing (lol!), traveling (HA), and checking out new restaurants and breweries.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Do you think people are made for each other as in soul mates?

I believe in lust at first sight, but not love. Love needs to grow. I somewhat believe in soulmates, but more so that a person could have more than one soulmate. 

In a Covid-free world where money is no object, what would you like to do for Valentine’s Day weekend?

A getaway, preferably somewhere warm but really anywhere I don't have to wear a mask or be afraid to breathe in the wrong direction! Especially since it's a 3-day weekend with President's Day. 

Are you a romantic? What's your love language?

Linking up with Leslie!