No.05: Summertime ABCs

ART HISTORY – I took a handful of art history classes in high school and college and really enjoyed them.  I unfortunately don’t have any real art talent, but I love to learn from the masters anyway.  I’m slowly working my way through a HUGE Jackson Pollock biography and it’s so interesting and so sad.

BABIES – I’m an auntie!  My brother and sister-in-law’s first baby was born at the end of June and he is so teeny and perfect.  He is only six months younger than P and we’re already dreaming about what these cousins will be up to as they grow.

COBBLER – I’ve been making up for lost time in the kitchen and baking all of our favorite summer treats.  We had our first blueberry peach cobbler of the season and the kids devoured it in one sitting.  And now I’m researching all the fruity desserts.

DAVE RAMSEY – Moving is so expensive, no matter how cheap you try to be.  We took a few months off, but Mark and I are back on the Dave Ramsey train.  We’re adding a “home improvement” line to our budget (because I want to decorate/paint/DIY all the things!) but also want to attack our car payment and student loan debt.

ENOUGH – I recently read the article, The Problem with the “What Else?” Mindset, and it really struck a chord.  The beginning sentences totally describe me: “I am an inveterate planner. Which means I spend a lot of time thinking about what’s NEXT. Probably too much time. And when I finally accomplish all those things I was planning to do, I spend little (if any) time acknowledging what I’ve achieved. Because I’m already thinking about what else I could be doing.”  I’m ready to make a change.

FRONT PORCH – I’m in love with our huge front porch!  It’s currently pretty bare, but I have big plans for a line of rocking chairs and a swing someday.  For now, our two soccer/camping chairs get the job done.

GRILLING – Mark’s specialty is brisket (which we’ve already had twice since moving in!), but I’ve also been adding burgers and hot dogs to the dinner menu and they hit the spot.  So easy and good.

HAIR – Mine is getting out of control.  I’m in desperate need of a haircut.  I don’t mind long hair when I take the time to blow dry and style, but yeah…that rarely happens unless I plan to leave the house.  Thinking about going back to my long bob soon.

ICE CREAM – My favorite dessert and one of the things I was most upset about never having when going dairy free.  Mark and I have been exploring other options and thankfully, there are tons of pretty good alternatives.  My current fave: So Delicious’ Cashew milk Salted Caramel Cluster.
(Side note: I’ve been almost 100% dairy-free since April and it’s making all the difference.  Before that, my symptoms were everything from nausea to an itchy rash and it was miserable.  I’m bummed to miss out on milkshakes and cheeseburgers, but it’s worth it.)

JET.COM – Our closest grocery store is about 15-20 minutes away, so I’ve been so thankful for Jet!  If I can get my act together and start planning meals a month in advance, I think we’ll save even more money by taking advantage of their wholesale section.  Much less temptation than Costco!

KINDERGARTEN – Sophie juuuust makes the cut-off for Kindergarten this year (she turns 5 at the end of September) and I just can’t believe it.  Where did my baby girl go?  She is SO excited to begin and oohs and ahhs over every book that arrives in the mail.  We’re going to take it slow and learn at her pace.  She did request to start a few math pages last week, though, so maybe we’re going to go faster than I thought!    

LISTENING (to podcasts) – I was able to listen to a few while unpacking: (1) On Documenting Life by the Second, (2) The Domestic Church, and (3) 100 Creatives #25: Crystal Moody.

MEAL PLANNING – Trying to get back into the routine after months of living off of processed junk and fast food – a house on the market is awful for your health, hah!  I’ve been on a roll with planning our week out in advance, so now I’m ready to step it up and work toward an entire month.  It’s not exciting work, but I know I’ll appreciate it in the end.


NEW NEIGHBORS – TJ and I were on a walk to the mailbox when our neighbor drove by and stopped to chat.  He told us all about the neighbors around us, swapped phone numbers and even gave us most of the fresh corn he had just purchased at the farmer’s market.  I could just cry at how friendly and welcoming he was.  One more thing to add to my gratitude list.

OUTSIDE – We may have been city slickers, but I think we’re catching on to this country life pretty well.  The kids spend hours driving down our subtly sloped driveway in their plasma cars.  I was cleaning one day when I overheard someone yell, “Don’t hit the grandma!!”  I peeked out the door and discovered their elaborate chalk-drawn road, complete with innocent pedestrians.  It was awesome!  This week, Mark brought them home water guns and they’ve been soaked more than they’ve been dry.  As for me, I’ve often left the to-do list behind to push the baby in the stroller or read on the porch.  The fresh air has done as all good.

PAINT – The previous owners painted the entire house a warm tan, which is fine, but I’m already brainstorming cool whites and it’s a little overwhelming.  I want something that is really light, but has hints of blue and gray in it.  No luck on my search yet.

QUIET – Pondering this quote from Mother Teresa: “In the silence of the heart God speaks. If you face God in prayer and silence, God will speak to you. Then you will know that you are nothing. It is only when you realize your nothingness, your emptiness, that God can fill you with Himself. Souls of prayer are souls of great silence.”

RUNNING– I’m dying to get back into it, but dreading starting from scratch.  The first few weeks of reminding your body how much you love this is just awful.  I’m hoping to pep myself up by signing up for a 10K.

SPANISH – On a whim, I decided that I’d like to improve my Spanish skills.  So random?!  I took three years of Spanish in high school, but haven’t spoken it AT ALL since then.  I found an app and have been practicing everyday…and it’s fun!  

THE NIGHT SHIFT –  Mark and I watched the first two seasons on Netflix and just started Season 3.  Like all medical shows, I can only watch about half of it – the other half is through my fingers (I’m not a fan of blood) but it’s so good.  Minor side effect: with every pain or headache I have, I immediately think that I’m in desperate need of a CT scan and/or may be dying.  Thanks, Night Shift.

UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (A Series of…) – D and I are reading the series together this summer.  It’s not exactly fine literature, but I’m enjoying the memories we’re creating: comparing the book with the Netflix shows, making predictions about how Count Olaf will look in Season Two, etc.  D has even bounced into the living room way after bedtime to tell me that I WILL.NOT.BELIEVE what just happened in the story.

VINTAGE – For the past few years, I’ve searched for cool vintage pieces for Big White Farmhouse, but never for myself.  Time for a change!  Lately, I’ve been browsing etsy and making a wishlist.  Not sure exactly what I’m looking for, but I’ll know it when I see it.

WATER – Ahh, I need to be better about this!  I’ve been trying to reach for a glass of iced water vs. coffee, but it’s slow going.  I did find a new La Croix flavor, Pineapple Strawberry, that is delicious.

and X…Y…

ZZZZ’s – With all of the outside play, the kids have been sleeping like rocks at night!  I, on the other hand, have room for improvement.  I keep getting a second wind at night and am staying up way later than I should.