We of course watched the Bama game on Monday night. It definitely did not go the way I hoped. But we had fun hanging with some friends and having pizza.
One night I made honey butter chicken from the Naptime Kitchen blog. It’s very easy and yummy. We usually have it with rice and naan.
My monstera needs some love. Does anyone have advice or tips?
This week I’m grateful for a walk in the sunshine, lunch with a friend from college, and my new flameless candles to up the hygge in our house.
Happy weekend! Do something that feels like rest to you this weekend.
I don’t love resolutions but I do love a fresh start and reflecting, planning. So here are a few things I hope and plan to accomplish this year.
Give blood. I have never done this. I tried once but my anxiety/heart rate was too high. 😂🤦🏼♀️ To my credit I believe it was before nursing school now I’m accustomed to blood and needles.
Drink more water. I mean isn’t this everyone’s goal. Hats off to you if you are crushing this.
Move my body. Sometimes I get caught up on the yoga/walking isn’t high enough intensity etc. no more just move in a way that feels good. I do aim to do some high intensity but also letting yoga and walking be good enough since they are the movements I enjoy. I would like to try to get to a few aerial classes again.
Replenish the money we took out of our savings/emergency fund for my car. We have one account that’s emergency and like car replacement funds etc. I’d like to aim to replace what we took out for my car in addition to our regular contribution. And or put that money towards paying more down on Ryan’s student loans. Financial long run would probably be best to pay down Ryan’s student loans. I’ll ask Ryan to help figure out if money down is more beneficial than growing our savings which is in stock so it makes money for us.
Put $2k in one special savings account. It’s for a certain thing.
Track every penny we spend.
Purge our stuff. Holy stuff. I thought we downsided and got rid of stuff when we moved from BHM to Beaufort and then when we moved in Beaufort but holy stuff that I had to pack for our recent move. I want to get us unpacked and slowly, mindfully move through purging our things.
On that note, buy less crap. For real the best way to decrease the amount of stuff in our house is to buy less stuff. Be intentional and really think about will it be cherished and used. On that note also buy other people consumable gifts, something they ask for specifically or experiences. Request that people do the same for us. Don’t feel guilty about donating stuff we won’t use or that we do not cherish or is special to our family.
Shop less at Amazon. I feel like I’ve done better at this in the past but this Christmas and in the middle of the move really amped it up. But alas a season and time for everything. This Christmas just wasn’t one of beautifully wrapped gifts and locally shopped items. I barely had my nose above water with the move and nightshift. And honestly in the short time we have been in 2022 I’m learning I might have to use Amazon more than I’d like. Finding groceries here is hard. Even random things like freeze dried raspberries and hangers.
Have less food waste thus save money on groceries.
Aim to only use a max of two rolls of paper towels for the entire 2022. We have reusable napkins that we frequently use but there is still room for improvement on the disposable products. I hate that Covid in general made the world revert back to disposable things. Humans had made great progress.
Buy no candles, wrapping paper, nail polish (besides maybe a few color streets but I really need to work through what I already own), bath/shower products until I completely use what I have.
Read at least 52 books. Mostly for free, by swapping with friends and using the library.
Hang two or three wall bookshelves to have seasonal displays. Normally you see this in children’s rooms. One of my favorite Instagram follows (@beginathome) changes out her kids books for the seasons and I LOVE this so much I thought just because I don’t have kids doesn’t mean I can’t display my adult books in a fancy way and also some of the children’s books I have. I’ve already ordered two shelves from Etsy. I’ll see how they fit the space and possibly order a third later.
Clean and deep clean on a regular schedule thus making a move out clean easier.
Continue my Fabulous Friday blog post. I fell off mid year and definitely love this as a memory keeper.
Complete the photo organizing class and do it. As well as maintain.
Print 2020 and 2021 photo books by July 31.
See belugas in the wild. Summer Canada? We have seen Right whales, Orcas, plenty of Humpbacks and as of this summer two Blues. Belugas are one of the cutest. For our first dating anniversary Ryan surprised me with the Beluga encounter at the GA Aquarium. But I really want to see them in the wild.
Freeze fresh roasted tomatoes in summer for winter homemade soup.
Use Self Care Society membership. I had this membership last year as well but didn’t use it as often as I’d like. They now record the sessions which should be more helpful for accessing at a time convenient for me.
Continue to give through #rileykateslovies and when I feel the nudge. We don’t do a big charitable donation but I do try to give to people I feel need it when I can. Usually I love to do the big 25 acts at Christmas but that was toned down this year just simply because we were in the middle of moving.
Find a green space in Tuscaloosa that’s easy to access and safe. Spend time there. When leaving Beaufort I found myself thinking I wish we had done x more. And while Covid prevented some things, some were just on me. So when making the final moving drive to Bama I thought if we move in a year or two what will I wish we had done. I feel like spending time at the beach was one of my I wish I had done more despite the amount of time I actually spent there. Yes the salt water is definitely better than a green space in Tuscaloosa but I think part of Beaufort’s appeal was that we spent a lot of time outdoors. So I’d like to find a few good parks etc here.
Buy Alabama Football season tickets. Go to a basketball game. Go to one or more gymnastics meets. Again all from my if we moved in a few years what will I wish I had done while living in Tuscaloosa list.
See a show at The Ryman. I wanted to do this before we moved to Beaufort but didn’t. Well now we are close to Nashville again.
Visit New Orleans since we are close again. Eat at Saba. We have eaten at the counterpart in Denver. I’d love to visit the one close by. Also some friends should be there for a few months so maybe we can align our trips.
Take Em to see a mama turtle laying a nest.
Visit Beaufort in particular during the magical part of summer when new nest are being laid and the first ones are hatching. (mid July to early August).
Happy Newish Year! It’s never too late to set some intentions into motion.
And as always seek the everyday magic, make magic if you can’t find it and spread the light. 💗
I’ve mostly been trying to settle in our new place this week. There is still much to do. I also got some pre-employment things taken care of.
I went to the library this week. I can’t wait to spend some time there.
This is a wonderful podcast. They discuss Trauma with a T and trauma with a t. If you are thinking I don’t have any trauma this would not apply to me, well if you have been alive in the past two years a global pandemic counts as a trauma in my opinion.
I attempted a river walk but it was too cold!
The weather has been calling for some soup. After I finally found the complete groceries for it, which was a struggle, I made soup and homemade bread. A yummy winters night dinner.
I’ve finished two books so far this year. I adore Jenny Colgan’s books. I found a new release at the library today that I’m digging into. My first two were audiobooks by her.
I visited Leaf & Petal and TJs while in BHM. The TJs is a bit closer mileage wise than the one in Charleston was. Excited to be able to stop by after work if I want. This room was pure serenity.
If you missed my 2021 Reflection you can find it below this post. 2022 Intentions coming next week.
I hope you and those you love are able to stay healthy and safe.
Happy weekend! We have passed mid September and it feels so strange.
Another spectacular fireball sunrise during Tuesday morning turtle patrol.
Last Saturday I did something I hadn’t done in a while, climbed to the top of the lighthouse. Beautiful, windy views.
This 100 Acre Wood property is so adorable. I wish we could go here.
The trash pandas who we have had no problems with at this house have now discovered how to open our compost barrel.
Morning bird bath.
I’ve been working nightshift the past couple of weeks and this coming week. Man it’s so hard. Here’s to a break soon.
A reminder with all the things and all the Covid. Don’t forget your FLU vaccine. Also I said I wasn’t going to talk about it again because no ones mind is going to be changed by a post BUT I am BEGGING you. If you are unvaccinated for Covid please reconsider not as a political argument but in the name of deaths everywhere that are effecting younger and healthy people more and more. Continue to wear your mask and socially distance and proceed with caution. I know the world has alarm fatigue but please it’s been worse these past few weeks than it ever was previously. Please talk with a trusted scientific health person to discuss your concerns. If you need someone to talk to I have some people I can hook you up with. Ok? I’m PLEADING with you. Please just circle back around every few weeks as this is a developing pandemic and we have new information and more data on the vaccines everyday. Don’t just decide you are not getting it with out reconsidering and researching again every few weeks.
This past week I prepped some lemon chicken soup, apple crisp and sour cream biscuits. I’ve been living off apple crisp mixed with green yogurt. The soup was easy and delicious too.
Happy Weekend! (And Friday ish) I’ve worked night shift this week so it feels like Friday still.
I was feeling a mix of Summer and Fall vibes this week. So I have Summer toes but a pumpkin candle burning and made apple crisp.
This weeks sunrise on turtle patrol was gorgeous.
I snapped this Rosette Spoonbill from our back porch. Definitely a beautiful treat to see.
I harvested my Aerogarden lettuce this week. I made taco salad with it.
A fun weekend with people I love. Again thank God for science and vaccines and the ability to safely spend time with people we love doing things we love. So grateful for love and a bit of normalcy in the turmoil. And also College Football!!!
Burned quickly through two books this week. Both easy and laid back reads.
TS Mindy brought some much needed rain and nightshift sleepy weather.
That’s a wrap on our happenings. Have a wonderful weekend.
This little one escaped from her house and showed up on our porch to visit.
I caught Ryan’s crud this week but luckily not Covid. Small graces. While I was resting I made a few crafts. If you want your team and colors let me know, $20 shipped for a set.
Lisa Frank and Orly have a new collaboration. Childhood nostalgia.
Ems tub paints are the hardest to get clean, probably my fault for letting it sit in there. My advice wash it off that night.
Snagged some Krispy Kreme and got our free vaccine doughnuts. I miss KK so much!
Happy weekend! Enjoy some college football! I’m so excited it feels like I can’t even describe how excited I am.
This week flew by. Last week Ryan was sick and we both got tested for Covid just in case. It was negative so thanks vaccine, especially since I had an exposure. But turn out just the crud and now I have it. So continue to be diligent about those mask and hand washing. Don’t forget your flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine if you qualify.
I worked 2.5 nightshift at the beginning of the week. But still managed to love on some baby turtles.
So many people are feeling burned out and restless or paralyzed with the weight of the world currently. It’s a strong season of both/and. We can be both sad/heartbroken at the state of the world AND be grateful for the littlest insignificant things in life such as the start of college football, cheese boards, and baby turtles. Because the little insignificant things in life are in fact some of the most important. Drawing in gratitude and joy will bring in more gratitude and joy. So friends in a time of great pain don’t forget to seek everyday magic.
I met with my counselor this week and in such a season of unknown she reminded me to get grounded back into a routine (so hard what is that) and practice daily meditation. Another thing I have tried to focus on is what’s a little or big task that will be helpful for my future self. So tonight I got gas, I could have put it off one more day but I didn’t. I also ran to the grocery and grabbed a few things for dinner tomorrow and a super easy dinner Sunday.
Penelope came over to snuggle with me one day.
So this weekend remember find something beautiful, even if it’s just grocery store flowers, and do one task your future self will thank you for.
I few flowers from the garden. Not many flowers this year. Some of my seeds didn’t take but I should be able to get them going for the next few months with our weather.
My aerogarden. Soon I can have a salad.
I’ve started a system to organize my photos so ask me how that’s going in a few weeks.
No cute baby turtles on the beach this week but I did find some good birds. Ruddy Turnstones are not ones I commonly see.
Took a much needed walk with a good friend this week.
I made a different version of the feta tiktok pasta. This is what we call crack cheese pasta because my family refers to Boursin garlic and herb cheese as crack cheese. I take two crack cheeses and grape tomatoes or some tomato sauce put that in a glass dish and bake while your pasta cooks. You just want the cheese warmed and tomatoes roasted/warm/splitting. Mix in a little half and half or heavy cream and add the pasta. Done and delish.
Holy Fridays have snuck up on me for oh a month now. I’ll have to do a July recap soon, but for now let’s just stick to this week.
It’s been filled with work for Ryan and a major migraine. Poor thing. It was rough.
I had some work and visited a bit with family who were in the area.
Of course the best was the little turtle just waiting for me at the top of the nest on Tuesday. Day made. You know I’m a baby nurse truly neonatal intensive care in my heart so like there’s something about baby turtles too! Luckily I got to love on two little ones Tuesday.
And remember I have been trained for this. So it’s not safe to pick up baby turtles on the beach. You can give them your germs and they can give you theirs. If you see little ones alive on the beach please stay with them to scare off the crabs and birds but call the professionals (and yes that’s someone more official and professional than me). Also, please don’t use my photos without permission.
Big plans in the works. Sadly another year without international travel BUT Hawaii feels international. PS: we are both fully vaccinated and have fully refundable flights should we need to abandon plans.
I am making a few of these personalized bracelets to support my crafting habits. If you want one let me know. Baby names, mantras, words of the year and sports teams are common.
PS-college football is around the corner and I literally can NOT wait! We were going to go to the first game in ATL but now don’t feel like we should be inside a stadium full of people. Much to my crushing heartache.
This past weekend we visited family and friends that are family in Atlanta.
I ventured out for some fairy hair and adventure. I swung by the Lilly P store to look for matching outfits for me and Em for an upcoming party. Nothing I loved. I did grab some Antico and there just happened to be a Jeni’s next to the one I went to!
We had three nest this Turtle Tuesday with two amazing king beautiful crawls.
Home grown tomatoes on a sandwich and on a salad! So good.
The rest of the week was filled with work. Ready for my baby bug to visit Tate Camp next week!
The Barefoot Mermaid 