Currently #64

Hello everyone and happy end of April! These spring months seem to be flying by in the blink of an eye. This month was a busy one with the changing of the seasons, family activities, a weekend trip, and Easter. Plus, we finally got spring weather which was a huge win! Here's a look into life over the past 30 days, buckle up, it was a busy month!

What I'm Up To:

I began the month by helping my mom with some much-needed spring cleaning of the storage section of our basement. We had bags of trash to throw out, so many cardboard boxes to break down and LOTS of items to donate. It was so good to clear a lot of things out and give to those in need.

April also brought some time with family and activities which is always a good time. 

I also enjoyed lots of time outside

After months of snow and ice and cold temperatures and staying indoors, I was finally able to get outside for comfortable walks and runs. I look forward to more daily walks before or after work and taking my dogs out for longer than a few minutes, we have been cooped up for far too long.

Outdoor walks and runs are back and in full swing!

Here's a look at one of my recent runs

Another sure sign of spring was seeing the first blooms of the season, such a simple JOY!

First signs of spring

I managed to get away for a long weekend in April which was so nice!

I also got to celebrate Easter with my family which was such a special treat!

Easter treats

Egg dyeing

Easter dinner

I’ve been able to enjoy lunch outdoors again! Such a treat!

Time by the water for outdoor walks were back this spring!

So MANY signs of spring!

What I'm Reading: This month was filled with so many books, from reading them on my phone to actual books, and listening to audiobooks. Here's a look at what I listened to and read!

I didn't buy this mug, but it made me laugh!

The Burnout- I have read some of Sophie Kinsella's books and had this on my to be read list for a while. The Burnout is all about a young woman working in a corporate job and as the title hints at, she has a nervous breakdown and gets burnout. It leads to her taking herself to a favorite childhood vacation spot, but it's not as she remembers it. She runs into old guests and hotel staff, and it brings up a lot of memories for her. She reunites with another former guest and sparks fly as they are both recovering from being burnout. However, when they find clues around the hotel, questions about their past start to rise. They must make the decision if they want to return to their old lives after getting time away. I found so many parts of this book relatable. I also loved the nostalgia or remembering the good old days of childhood. This book got 5 Stars from me.

How to Solve Your Own Murder- I heard about this book , How to Solve Your Own Murder Kristen Perrin from The Lazy Genius and decided to listen to it as an audiobook. Typically, I only listen to audiobooks when I'm on a run or in the car, but with this one, once I started, I was looking for every opportunity to listen to it. It's all about a girl who gets told the fortune about how she will die and she becomes obsessed over it. Months later, one of her close friends goes missing. As the man dies as an old woman, clues start to resurface connecting the missing friend and the old woman. Was she murdered and did her fortune of how she would die come true? It's up to her great niece to connect the clues. There was a huge ensemble of characters and they all had different motives. I was hooked with this book and if you pick up to read or listen to, I think you will be too. 5 stars from me!

The Identicals- I read The Identicals by Elin Hilerbrand on my phone between appointments and on the treadmill and whenever I had down time. I really enjoy Hilderbrand's books because they are the perfect mix of a beach read with substance. The book follows two sisters who reunite after a falling out. One lives on Martha's Vineyard and the other lives in Nantucket. They decide to swap places for a summer and it's interesting to see the connections they make and how they are similar, yet very different. I really loved the storyline and how it all wrapped up. One of my favorite parts is how Hilderbrand will write chapters from the perspective of the island, so creative.

Die with Zero- Bill Perkins' book Die with Zero is all about living life to the fullest and spending as you go through life. He describes how to live your life to the fullest and not wait until you are old to do the things you love or want to do it. Shay Shull recommended it to me and I was so glad I read it. It was eye opening and gives you a different perspective of living. Highly recommend even if all the ideas don't apply to you.

The Faculty Lounge- I listened to The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu as an audiobook and really enjoyed this book. It takes place over the course of a school year and follows several teachers. Each chapter focuses on a different teacher and their background and why they got into education. I really enjoyed learning about all the characters and the dynamics of working in a school. It was fun to listen to, but I think I would have preferred to read it.

Slow Dance- Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell was a book I listened to as an audiobook. It was good, but not great. I thought the plot was good about two high school friends who reunite years later. There were a lot of sub-plots that made the story feel all over the place and some characters that I wasn’t a huge fan of. I think I may have liked it better if I read it as opposed to listened to it. I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator. But overall, it was a good listen.

The Frozen River- The Frozen River by Ariel Lowhon took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked. It’s all about the midwife in a small town in Massachusetts. She keeps a very detailed journal which ends up being a huge help with a man winds up dead in the frozen river. There’s a bit of mystery and intrigue to this novel. It is based on the life of a real midwife which I thought was cool. I haven’t read a whole lot of historical pieces, so this was new for me. After hearing so much about it, I’m glad I was finally able to read it for myself.

The Vacationers- I heard about The Vacationers by Emma Straub from the podcast, Books, Beach, and Beyond. The story follows a group of grown family members and friends going on vacation for two weeks together in Spain. Over the course of two weeks, the reader gets to see the family dynamics and personalities evolve. Secrets come out, relationships are formed, some are even broken, but a lot happens over the course of two weeks. I loved learning about each of the characters and their storylines and the the setting of a tiny island off Spain sounded dreamy. This book was so much more than just a light read.

What I'm Watching: 

With Love, Meghan- This month featured the end of me watching "With, Love, Meghan." It was a great show to watch to escape reality for a while. There were parts that weren't realistic, but I loved learning different things about hosting, cooking, and entertaining. This show truly allowed me to escape, and it was very aesthetically appeasing. I will definitely be watching season 2. If you watched it, what are your thoughts on it? Loved it or could have done without it?

The Residence- Switching gears to entertainment. I started to watch “The Residence” on Netflix. It’s produced by Shondra Rhimes and it’s all about a staff member (the Chief Usher) who dies in the White House. They bring in a quirky detective to get to the bottom of the murder while a State Dinner is taking place. It’s a comedy with lots of familiar faces popping up. I love the “Who Done It” aspect with the levity. There is some harsh language, but I really enjoyed watching it at the end of the day.

What I'm Cooking: It was a great month for me in the kitchen. Since we last caught up, here's what I have made.

This cookbook has been a favorite for me

French Onion Dip Sliders- These were a hit from Emily Ley's cookbook. They were super simple to make, just put the meat and seasoning in the crockpot for the day and then assemble the sandwiches before eating. I've been loving Emily's cookbook and her easy meals.

Asian Salad-This was a flavorful salad I made from Joanna Gaines' second Magnolia cookbook. I added shrimp to mine for some extra protein and it was a hit again!

White Chicken Enchiladas- This was another hit from Emily Ley's cookbook. It was an easy meal that fed everyone and there was leftovers.

Cheeseburger Salad- This was also from Emily Ley's cookbook, it was an easy assembly meal that everyone could pick and choose what they wanted on their salad.

Roasted Broccoli Salad- This was a hit for a side from Mix and Match Mama. We ate it with our Easter dinner and it was delicious for leftovers too.

Pear, Apple, Cranberry Crisp- This was part of our Easter meal too! It was a huge hit, full of flavor and (kind of) healthy too! Recipe from one of Ina Garden's cookbooks.

Molten Lava Cake- This was a requested dessert for Easter dinner

Monte Cristo Sandwiches and Arugula Salad- The sandwich was a recipe from Jessie James Decker’s Just Feed Me cookbook and the salad was from Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia cookbook, a perfect spring meal.

Edamame Stir fry and Egg Roll Bowls- These were a tasty and easy meal to pull together thanks to Emily Ley’s cookbook.

What I'm Wearing:

I have been wearing lots of monotones

I've also had to wear some sweaters with chilly temps

Bright and cheery for spring

What Inspires Me:

Spring, spring, spring! Need I say more? After a long winter, I love this time of year!

Spring has spring with outdoor walks

I have also been inspired by longer runs outdoors.

Some weekly motivation from my desk calendar.

What I Accomplished: I have been making my way through my Spring Bucket List and plan to continue to check things off in May. 

I loved being able to get outside for longer runs

Goals From Last Month: It was a busy month of activities, travel, family time and holidays, but it was so worth it.

Simple vignettes to usher in spring

A beautiful day to get outside

Enjoying time by the water

First ice cream of the season

A beautiful sunrise run to start the day!

I also enjoyed a trip to the zoo this month

Goals for Next Month: May will be just as busy, if not busier. I have graduations to look forward to, weddings, Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer and my birthday to look forward to! What a month!

Ending the month with some positvity

That's a look into what I'm currently up to. Lots of spring moments and memories. Tell me, what stood out to you this past month! I would love to know! I hope you have a great rest of your week and I will see you back here for another Friday Favorites!