Begin at Home on Instagram always has the cutest bookshelves in her house for her boys. She refreshes the books monthly and some weekly. I’ve adored this and I started doing it at my nieces house. But I just loved it so much I thought just because we don’t have kids (although we have plenty that visit between Em, M and Ry’s best friend’s children). I decided to do it with my own books and a few books I have for the babies when they come over. Also there are some profound life lessons in children’s books and sometimes I feel adults could use the simple reminders. I found the shelves on Etsy. They were plain wood so I painted them myself. The Garland is also from Etsy. It was one strand but I made it into two.
When it’s not festive I’ll have my to be read or favorites displayed. It’s already brought be much joy looking at it.
The weather has been spring warm this week. Ryan and I took a short walk Thursday. Today we were busy cleaning for our weekend guests.
I’ve almost finally gotten all the boxes unpack and stuff stashed somewhere. I’ve taken a few boxes full to Goodwill and tried to sell some things on Facebook. Now to start the process of picking an area and organizing/decluttering so it will be easier next time we move. And yes unfortunately we had to find this house so quickly that we didn’t find one we adore so we will be on the lookout to move again this summer.
I did some late night closet organizing this week. My sleep schedule has been off but I’m vowing to get back on track this weekend. This house has a lovely huge master closet but no linen closet so we have improvised.
I love FaceTime calls with these sweet feet. I can’t wait to have Camp Tate in a few weeks. I think matching Camp shirts are a need.
Happy weekend! It’s technically Saturday and the weekend snuck up on me and I’ve stayed up too late.
Last weekend we spent some time with some Lovies and one of my favorite cuddle bugs.
We went for a walk on the Riverwalk. I wanted to go again today but it was snowing when I got out of the house. It immediately melted but still too cold to walk.
This week brought February and some of my favorite flowers. This blue vase just begs for some bright yellow daffodils.
I planned our dinners for the entire month and updated our budget. Meal planning and constantly trying to think what’s for dinner hurts my brain so I decided to try again to decide all at one time.
We called my niece Spicy before she was born so I had to get her this cute pepper baby rattle.
This company gives a foster teen their own bag with every purchase. A great Valentine surcee for anyone that still needs one.
I bought a small bouquet of flowers to brighten the house this week but the fruit also brightened it up.
I took a walk this week before it gets chilly this weekend.
My monstera has been struggling I decided to try a new support and soil. Hopefully it will perk up. Trying to give it all the love and humidity and light.
I had two days of work back on the unit with the cutest little patients. Excited to be back with them.
Pretty nails for the weekend. I used to not enjoy purple but I’m embracing it lately.
I made another focaccia recipe this week. We ate it with the two soups I made most recently which I put the left overs in the freezer. They both warmed well even though one was creamy.
I finished this book. I hope she writes a follow up. Also characters from another book of hers show up here and I love that sort of cross over.
Happy weekend! I hope you have the chance to do something you love with someone you love (PS that someone you love can just be yourself!).
It’s been ridiculously cold here some nights this past week, so that called for soup.
I made homemade focaccia. I’ll try another recipe next time.
This coffee table book about Hunting Island is available on the Friends of Hunting Island website. The proceeds go directly back into the state park. You might also find a few pictures and a small story written by me.
This week I’m grateful for a beautiful sunrise and book to listen to while I drive to work, FaceTimes, and warm fuzzy blankets.
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.
2021 came and went in a flash. It wasn’t the beautiful recovery from 2020 that the world collectively dreamed. It was hard, scary, unpredictable, had some losses, broken but it was also joyful, brave, loving, beautiful, full of magic and delights.
My favorite memories include: Em laughing hysterically on the boat on a particularly bumpy day, she loved it. Being in the room when my niece took her first breath. I get to witness this miracle moment for so many families but there was nothing like being there with my sister and brother-in-law. I get to be there for all the others right?!?
One of my favorite purchases from 2021 was a cordless vacuum. It was on sale for around $100. Is it as good as a Dyson, I don’t know but it works well for us. Granted we have no pets or children in our home on a daily basis.
These Vuori joggers are magically soft. They also have pockets so they are my go to airplane pants now.
I didn’t reach my goal of 52 books this year. I think the uncertainty of Ryan’s job applications made it hard for me to focus in the fall. Then I was packing like crazy the last month. Hopefully this year I’ll hit 52. I follow some people that read over 100. PS don’t let comparison still your joy and reading in general is the joy.
Books Read 2021
1. Jan: The Authenticity Project- Clare Pooley:a 2. Body Love- Kelly LeVeque 3. The Cafe by the Sea- Jenny Colgan*:a⭐️ 4. White Fragility- Robin DiAngelo* 5. Feb: The Invisible Life of Addie Larue- VE Schwab:a⭐ 6. Once We Were Here- Christopher Cosmos*:a 🧅 7. Be the Bridge- Latasha Morrison 8. Quench- Dana Cohen MD, Gina Bria 9. A Return to Love- Marianne Williamson 10. March: Feels like Falling- Kristy Woodson Harvey*⭐ 11. The Girl from the Channel Islands- Jenny Lecoat*:a 12. Dear Carolina- Kristy Woodson Harvey* 13. My Oxford Year- Julia Whelan*⭐️ 14. The Paris Library- Janet Skeslien Charles:a⭐️ 15. Growing Boldly- Emily Ley:a 16. April: The Lost Apotecary- Sarah Penner:a⭐️ 17. Get Out of Your Head- Jennie Allen 18. The Rose Code- Kate Quinn:a⭐️⭐️ 19. May: The Gifts of Imperfection- Brene Brown:a 20. The Huntress- Kate Quinn:a ⭐️ 21. June: The Book of Lost Names- Kristin Harmel*⭐️ 22. Bookshop by the Sea- Denise Hunter* 23. The Last Train to Key West-Chanel Cleeton* 24. A Rather Lovely Inheritance- CA Belmond* 25. Essentialism- Greg McKeown 26. July: The Summer House- Lauren K Denton* 27. Hurricane Season: Lauren K Denton* 28. The Ten Thousand Doors of January- Alix E Harrow*a⭐️⭐️(reread) 29. Royal Holiday- Jasmine Guillory* 30. Act Your Age, Eve Brown- Talia Hibbert:a 31. August: Slightly South of Simple- Kristy Woodsen Harvey 32. People We Meet on Vacation- Emily Henry:a 33. The Last Bookshop in London- Madeline Martin*a⭐️ 34. The One Your With- Lauren K Denton*a 35. September: The Bride Test- Helen Hoang*a 36. The Off Limits Rule- Sarah Adams*a 37. The Temporary Roomie-Sarah Adams*a 38. Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice- Brene Brown*a ⭐️ 39. October: On Ocean Boulevard- Mary Alice Monroe:a 40. The Summer of Lost and Found-Mary Alice Monroe:a 41. The Secret to Southern Charm-Kristy Woodson Harvey 42. The Southern Side of Paradise-Kristy Woodson Harvey 43. November: Christmas in Peachtree Bluff- Kristy Woodson Harvey⭐️ 44. December: Written in My Own Heart’s Blood- Diana Gabaldon (reread) 45. The Endless Beach- Jenny Colgan*a⭐️
a is an Audio book *means read for free via Libby, Hoopla, library etc ⭐️is a favorite or better than others 🧅 didn’t love/like, tolerable but not for me
My favorite books were The Rose Code, Christmas in Peachtree Bluff, and The Book of Lost Names.
Despite Covid we were able to travel to California and Hawai’i. Luckily both trips happened in the in between times of Covid waves. We visited Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. The trees were spectacular. We apparently were on an 8 hour whale watching tour with Obama in Monterey. We saw two blue whales and many humpbacks. We were able to watch some incredible feeding behaviors of the humpbacks- lunge feeding, breaching and tail slapping. We had some beautiful produce and I had some roasted garlic and goat cheese from Nepenthe which I had been dreaming about since we visited Cali with Alyssa and Ian in 2015 I think
In Hawai’i we visited Maui and the Big Island. Maui was pretty but the Big Island was definitely our favorite. We drove the Road to Hana one and a half times. This was our favorite thing on Maui. We watched sunrise on Haleakala which was a spiritual experience.
We saw molten lava in an active volcano for the first time ever on the Big Island. Hawaii reminded us of Iceland just obviously tropical instead of Arctic. Volcano National Park was incredible. We did too much hiking one day and exhausted ourselves. Covid and staffing shortages made eating a bit trying at times but it was ok. We saw tons of sea turtles and of course I was in heaven. One morning we grabbed breakfast and ate at a random park by the water. We saw a turtle within touching distance (but of course we didn’t touch!) just having breakfast. Also we saw Banyan trees which are beautiful. They drop roots to support their branches which made for some impressive displays as well as wonderful metaphor about giving yourself the support you need. They spread laterally. It’s really inspiring.
I fulfilled a lifelong dream of being a turtle prober. It was exhilarating. I know it may seem odd to some but I love my sea turtles and conservation.
I made many cheese boards and a few pounds of homemade pesto pasta salad. I also continued to try homemade bread.
We moved to Alabama for Ryan’s job. Thankful he is much happier at this job. I miss the ocean and my Beaufort friends something fierce but it’s also nice to be closer to friends here and family. I’m excited for 2022!
We were able to spend Thanksgiving with Ryan’s family and for the first time in years Christmas with my brother and sister. Emilee visited after Christmas. We had a fun day with Anna, visited the Tinsel Trail, had some deep conversations, Watched Christmas movies and snuggled. Her elves also came to visit.
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.
The Barefoot Mermaid 