Currently #74

Currently

Feb 25

Hello everyone!

It’s the end of the month, per usual, January took FOREVER and then February blitzed by. A lot of that was due to the fact, I traveled a lot, had some extra appointments, and had lots of family visiting. Overall, it was a great month but I’m so happy to be one step closer to spring and warmer weather. It was a cold month, let’s get to it.

What I've Been Up To:

The month started out cold, lots of days in the negative temps, but we got some sunshine which made a world of difference.

We watched lots of Olympics, starting with the opening ceremonies.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day early with unexpected visits from all my brothers which was so fun.

We decorated for the holiday with some simple, cut out hearts and enjoyed lots of sweet treats.

We also watched the Super Bowl and enjoyed all the snacks that come with it.

We got more snow as the month went on.

I traveled to New England for a weekend away.

A snowy, snowy end to February.

What I'm Wearing:

I have been trying to think spring and that means wearing some lighter colors, like blue and white.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I wore LOTS of red, white, pink, and purple.

What I'm Reading:

Due to travel, I had a lot more time to read, so I had a great reading month.

Loving Your Epic Small Life- Fiona Ferris’ Loving Your Epic Small Life is one of her many books about French living and lifestyle. I love this topic and I am always looking for different books to read about how to elevate my life and small changes to make. I read a chapter a day for this book and thoroughly enjoyed it, rather than rushing through it at one sitting.

None of this is True- I read None of This is True by Liza Jewell. It was a mix of a thriller and mystery. It’s about a woman who meets a podcaster and she wants to be the subject of her next podcast because she claims she has led an interesting life. As the story unravels, people learn about this woman’s life but questions how much of this is true. I liked the book, but found a few loose ends that weren’t tied up.

Ready or Not- Cara Bastone’s Ready or Not is all about a young woman who gets pregnant unexpectedly. The story follows her through her pregnancy and her relationship with the baby’s father, her friends, and crush. I read this book while I was traveling, it was light and fun and an easy read.

The 7 1/2 Lives of Evelyn Hardcastle- This was the first book I read by Stuart Turton, The Seven and a Half Lives of Evelyn Hardcastle. It was good, but not great. There were a lot of characters and a bit confusing since the protagonist changes characters through the book. I I really loved the premise of trying to find a murder and the clues that came through the book, but it was a lot to digest.

Daydream- Daydream was the first book that I read by Hannah Grace. It was okay, but not my favorite, mostly because it was a bit too Young Adult for me. It’s all about two people who meet in college, start out as friends and fall in love. It was cute, but predictable. There were some R rated moments that I wasn’t expecting, but it helped pass the time during a month of travel.

The Only One Left- Riley Sager’s The Only One Left is a thriller that I finished in two sittings. It’s all about a young woman who goes to care for a woman who is rumored to have killed her family. However, as her caretaker learns, there’s a lot more to the murders than people can expect. There were so many twists and turns that I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I will definitely be reading more of Sager’s books.

The River is Waiting- The River is Waiting was the first book I read by Wally Lamb. I had heard such good and heartbreaking things about it, that I put off reading it. But once, I started, I couldn’t stop. It follows the story of a father who finds himself in an impossible situation. The book follows an accident, a court case, and prison sentence. It’s raw and heartbreaking, but also beautiful with the themes of forgiveness and repentance. I didn’t like the ending and felt like it wrapped up too quickly. Even though it was a difficult book to read, I’m so glad I finished it.

Jump and Find Joy- I love Hoda Kotb and have read several of her books. I finished Jump and Find Joy and loved it. I read a little bit every morning and it was the perfect way to start my day. It’s all about different ways to make the change or jump you have been putting off. Kotb shares her own stories and stories from friends and other contributors about ways they took leaps in their lives. Such a motivating and positive book to pick up.

What I'm Watching:

Bridgerton-I got all caught on season 4 of Bridgerton which was such a treat. I loved the Cinderella-esque theme found throughout this season. Plus the casting, storylines, and settings, kept me hooked. I love when a show transport you to different times and places and you can totally escape reality.

The West Wing- I started watching The West Wing and really have been enjoying the show. Although it’s an older show, it’s fast paced, well written, and great casting.

I also have been watching all the Olympics. The figure skating was some of my favorite events to watch!

What I’m Cooking and Baking:

It was a great month in the kitchen.

Turkey Meatballs- I tried slow cooker turkey meatballs from the Simplified cookbook and really was pleased with how they turned out. They were healthy and hearty and full of flavor. My favorite part was that I could make them and let them cook all day and they were ready to eat when I needed them.

Chicken Broccoli Squares- This was a twist on Chicken Squares from the Simplified cookbook as well. I decided to add the broccoli for some extra veggies. This would make a great appetizer or lunch snack too.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins-I had a lot of apples and wanted to use them before they went bad. I decided to make apple cinnamon muffins from Mix and Match Mama. They would make a great fall treat, but I would enjoy them year round.

Buckeyes-Peanut butter and chocolate is always a favorite combo of mine. These are sometimes my first choice at a party, so I was very excited to try them on my own. This recipe from the Simplified cookbook was so easy to make and it gave me dessert for over a week at lunch-yum!

Cranberry Almond Granola- One of my favorite treats is granola and yogurt and fruit. Instead of buying granola from the store, I decided to make my own. This would be perfect for fall for a treat. I got this recipe from Mix and Match Mama.

Apple Kale and Cheddar Salad- In the dead of winter, I was craving something fresh and that came in the form of this healthy and hearty salad. I also threw in some of my almonds from my granola for an extra crunch.

Spinach Sausage Balls- My contribution to our Super Bowl spread was these easy Spinach Sausage Balls from Mix and Match Mama. They were a great game day snack but would also be a great addition to your lunch or even breakfast.

Honey Garlic Shrimp- I was looking for a new recipe for a shrimp stir fry and loved this recipe from Half-Baked Harvest. Very flavorful, I added rice and veggies to the shrimp.

Cupid Crunch-This was an easy snack to pull together before Valentine’s Day. It’s a recipe from Mix and Match Mama and it’s a combination of sweet and salty mixed together. I couldn’t top munching on it

Red Velvet Brownies- This was another Valentine’s Day recipe by Mix and Match Mama. I am a sucker for anything red velvet and this hit the spot. I loved the richness and flavor that came with these brownies. A perfect Valentine’s Day or Christmas treat!

Ramen Chicken Soup- I love a warm and hearty soup and this didn’t disappoint. I added chicken to the recipe from the Simplified cookbook for some extra protein.