SCENES FROM A WEEK, WEEK 7

We've now been semi-quarantined for 50 days. I've been listening to the podcast Staying in with Emily and Kumail and they talked about how we're in a place in society right now that is a little numb to everything. How when people were first being quarantined they were setting up routines that helped them through the work week and to feel their healthiest, but those routines aren't working quite as well right now. That makes a lot of sense to me. I was really trying to keep a daily photo journal but at some point I kind of stopped? Because it just all feels the same? I don't know guys. I think I need a nap and a new book and maybe a cookie.

The girls came to see what we were cooking for dinner. Not chicken, thankfully. 

Ava made matcha chocolate scones the other evening. SUPER simple and so delicious. Recipe is from Tokyo Kitchen. 

I was reading the latest Lady Darby book and Ava finished up the Harry Potter series this week.

BABY BUNNY SWEETNESS.

I did a home Lego coding virtual lesson for students this week. 

Ava's art teacher sent postcards out to all her students to send on smiles to others! Such a fun project.

Another virtual Scout Camp out this weekend. Dylan was able to participate with a couple other boys and still practice social distancing.

My current project. Stay tuned for the finished project.

PINS + LINKS

Happy Friday! It's been an interesting week around here. I lots of new ideas I'm floating and we're settling into our spring schedule which means baseball, baseball, and more baseball. Even though it was a busy week, it was a MUCH better week than last week. Last weekend I did all the things I said I wanted to and it made a huge difference in this week.

Wine + nap + prayer & meditation + a good book = a much better me.

Let's hope this weekend is as restorative!

Here are some of the things I pinned this week:

1. Shrimp and Whole 30 grits? Yes, please. 2. I think I might want to add a floral skirt to my wardrobe. 3. I've been daydreaming about cabins again. 4. I think I want to go full on Southern and paint my porch ceiling blue.

Links I'm Loving:

I'm listening to The Practical Minimalists podcast and it's so good.

I want a recipe box to organize all the random recipes I have laying around, but it's so hard to chose because I like them all.

I just ordered Joy the Baker's new brunch cookbook.

We're starting to plan a camping trip here with some of our best friends and I CANNOT WAIT.

So tempting!

Just ordered my second clean out kit from ThredUp.

This is a great piece about moving by one of my favorite bloggers.

I've been trying to find the perfect crossbody bag.

I think I'm going to try the gluten free bread recipe from my Against All Grain cookbook this weekend.

My favorite city written up in my new favorite magazine.

Have a fabulous weekend, ya'll!

FOR THE LOVE OF FRIDAY

Hello! I know, it's been forever  awhile. I was doing things like...moving.

But! We're all settled in, and I'm planning (hoping?) to be writing and reflecting more here. Let's do a  For The Love Of Friday post, to get back in the saddle, yes? Let's ease in.

Reading: I've been reading the Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny and am currently on number 9. I love these books, but especially how the author's story telling has sharpened over the series. The first books are good, solid story telling, but the last couple are amazingly well written.

I'm cooking out of Run Fast, Eat Slow. EVERY SINGLE RECIPE so far has been delicious.

Current Favorite: Flu Fighter Chicken and Rice Stew

I'm also browsing my trusty copy of McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container book. It's my all time favorite gardening book and I cannot wait for spring to get here!

(It slowed last night. This followed: 78 degree temperatures, high winds, rain, and tornado warnings. All in the past week.)

Listening: The Minimalists Podcast. I'll be writing about it more (hopefully), but we've been on a huge get-rid-of-all-the-things kick, so I've been drawn to this podcast. It can be a little...wordy?...but the overall theme is enjoyable. And I do love the home tour on their website!

Wearing: Neal got me a new Kate Spade watch for my birthday (because I may or may not have dropped my other one in a gardening box, which he then found a week later) It's the horoscope line (Capricorn for the win!). It's no longer available on the Kate Spade website, but you can get one-half off!-at Nordstrom Rack. Despite normally having my phone with me, I love wearing a watch.

Want List: Le Creuset Skillet, & new converse. 

Come back Monday, and I'll have some B+ Goals for you (hopefully)!

B+ GOALS: MARCH

We're finally done with February, the longest short month of the year! Let's check in with February's Goals:

1. Keeping my car clean. Yeah, we'll go with a C- here, because while I cleared out all the trash the first week of the month, that was the only week I made an extra effort. It basically stayed clean this month but mostly because we've had mild weather. Womp womp.

2. Get a haircut. A+! Did it, love it!

3.Work on active listening. I really worked hard at this one. I actively stopped what I was doing to listen to my kids and my husband. This is a goal that is a constant work in progress. B+.

4. Daily Chores. This worked out so well! My chart made things much easier, plus I would included my "Daily Chore" in my bullet journal everyday as part of a things to do list. A+

5. Figure out a work plan for the Etsy shop. Um, I figured out my shipping days schedule and managed to miss it only once. Still need some work here, plus I really want to roll out some new designs that I've been thinking about. C

So! March's goals are:

1. Stay on top of our schedule. The husband was away for over a month and with him coming home our schedule got out of whack. (Not complaining! It's totally a normal part of military life.) It's time to ease back into our regular daily routine.

2. Stay on top of orders and figure out a work plan for the Etsy shop. Like I said, I want to roll out some new designs, and just overall focus a little more on the shop. I also need to stay on top of orders because there are weeks that I feel like I'm scrambling and overwhelmed to get everything out on time.

3. Run at least 1 time a week. Oh it seems so small doesn't it? ONE time a week. But getting to the gym (the weather is still too cold for me personally to run at 5am in the morning outside) is not an easy feat. Saturday morning run is my goal. I like to listen to Sarah R Bagley podcasts while I run, which makes it feel like indulgent me time.

4. Start working on a community project that I dreamed up. Details to come!

5. Finish the last two books in my Reading Challenge. I'll be honest, I am dreading Great Expectations.

Don't forget to check out Sarah R Bagley and E over at Teaching Sam and Scout for their B+ Goals!