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Currently #42

June, where have you gone?! I can’t believe we are at the end of another month. There were certain times that this month felt slow and sweet and then I blinked, and I was planning things for July. These past 30 days have been filled with lots of walks, books, grilling, sunshine, and summer adventures. I have been making my way through my summer bucket list and doing more things that weren’t on the list. As we prepare to flip the calendar. Here’s a look at what’s Currently going on in my life.

What I’ve Been Up To: Through the entire month of June, I have been marking things off my summer bucket list. From day trips, to picnics, walks and time outdoors, I have done a lot. 

This month, I made a trip to Columbus, where I went to the zoo and state park for grilling and a beach day. 

Columbus Zoo!
More animals- I loved the polar bears!
And gorillas!
And finished the day at the beach!

I also enjoyed playing mini golf and trying a new to me pizza shop and park for a walk.

Pizza in the park!

Picking strawberries was on my summer bucket list and I accomplished that and made seven jars of jam in addition to lots of fresh berries to eat.

Strawberry picking day!
Our haul!
Some of the end results!
And strawberry shortcake too!

Another big highlight of the month was my birthday present from my boyfriend, more on that in the coming weeks!

Here’s a tease for where I went…

I rounded out the month with a trip to the beach to visit family and it was so good to see relatives and get some time by the water.

The shores of New Jersey!
The boardwalk!

What I’m Wearing: Besides your typical shorts and graphic t-shirts on days off, I did a big summer clothing haul at the start of summer and have been wearing new pieces to work. Lots of bright colors and patterns, plus quality clothing coming your way too.

One of my new dresses. I have been wearing lots of pink!

I also have been wearing lots of short sets too! Like this one!

 

What I’m Reading: I got a lot of books for my birthday and have been slowly making my way through them.

I started this month with Best Served Hot. I saw this book on display at the library and was immediately drawn in by the plot and checked all the boxes for a good read! Rom-com, takes place in a big city, and talks about food! The story follows a food critique and a food influencer as they try out different restaurants in NYC, first as competitors and then on a collaborators. The best and dare I say, worst part of the book was the details of all the foods they were tasting. The description was so vivid, which just made me hungry while I was reading.

I also read Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. I really enjoyed her book, Little Fires Everywhere and I was excited to read this book. I will admit, it was a heavier novel, but I learned so much about the Asian American culture and customs. It’s all about the lengths a mother will go to protect her family while doing what she thinks is right. Themes of unconditional love, sacrifice and coming of age are found throughout the book.

I also read Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. This book takes a scientific approach to productivity and time management. I am all about maximizing my time and being as efficient as possible. This book was more research based and didn’t have as many tips or advice about management, but I still found it interesting. I appreciated how the book focused on time management through history and ways we can be make the most of our time on Earth.

What I’m Watching: I haven’t been watching too much tv as I have been doing my best to be outdoors as much as possible. I have watched some good family movies, like Air and A Man Called Otto.

Family movie night!

I also finished the series, Ted Lasso which was really good. I think the series wrapped up very nicely and I like how everyone’s storylines had closure. It was such a fun show to binge and watch week to too.

I also watched The Night Agent on Netflix. This was only ten episodes, with which episode lasting about 45 minutes. It was a mix mystery, intrigue, action, drama, and thriller, those are all good things I’m looking for in a series. I would recommend it if you were looking for a new show to binge watch.

The new season of Outlander is back! I have been making my way through season seven every week when their episodes air. 

Outlander is back!

And Just Like That Season 2. The girls are back with And Just Like That! I really enjoyed season one and have been enjoying what season has brought. It’s also been a fun show to watch weekly. 

What Inspires Me: I’ve been so inspired by summer fun! From outdoor meals, walks, trying new recipes and celebrating milestones.

Walks by the water

I also have been getting my runs in weekly and have enjoyed feeling stronger with each run I go on.

My longest run!
Delicious summer meals!
Picnics by the shore

What I Accomplished: This past month has been all about welcoming summer and really trying to be present in the moment.

Summer grilling and salad

I’m always trying to find time to sneak in time outdoors, whether it’s visiting a bit longer outside after a meal, reading outdoors instead of inside or finding time to go for a quick walk. 

Slow mornings reading outdoors.

Goals from Last Month: I kicked off my summer bucket and have been proud of the progress I’ve made so far which has been a win.

Enjoying all the fresh foods!

Goals for Next Month: Keep enjoying summer! I know it may not seem like much, but I really am trying hard to be present in the moment and soak up the sun, go swimming, grill, go on picnics, and make memories!

More grilling nights with lots of salads and fruits!
And more fresh salads (do you sense a trend here?)

The older I get the more I know how sacred family time is, so I’m doing my best to spend as much time with family as I can!

The beach all quiet in the morning.

I also have a concert planned and plans to visit friends! I’m looking forward to seeing those plans through. Plus, a lot of our local fairs and festivals gets underway in July so I’m looking forward to checking those out too!

Ending June with ice cream.

That’s a look into what’s Currently going on. A whole lot of summer lovin!  How have you been spending your summer? Let me know in the comments below!

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Currently #32

Hey guys!

Happy Wednesday! As we wind down with another month, I’m sharing what I’ve been up to this past month. August was a busy month, from days trips to family vacations and last minute cramming in all the summer fun!

What I’ve been up to-This month was filled with soaking up summer! From bonfires, a trip to an amusement park at home, a family vacation, packing up my brother for college and a weekend wedding, plus add in wrapping up a big work project, August was a busy month, but so fun! It was so good to soak up the sunshine and squeeze in some summer fun!

Summer s’mores and bonfires!
Family trip to the beach!
Fun times being a kid at a local amusement park.

What I’m Wearing– As summer winds down, I’m making sure I wear all my summer clothes, from sundresses, shorts and t shirts and bathing suits! We took our family trip to the beach and it was so good to just wear a bathing suit and shorts most of the trip, it reminded me the days of being a kid. Old Navy had a few great sales that I fully took advantage of. Be sure to stay tuned on a clothing haul post soon!

My uniform for the beach (and most of the summer)…shorts and t shirts!

What I’m Reading-August was such a good reading month! I read three great books back to back! I started the month with Finding Freedom. This books follows the story of Harry and Meghan from when they met to their decision to step back as Senior Working Royals. I’ve always been interested in the Royal Family and found this book to be so enlightening. If you are interested in Harry and Meghan, I definitely recommend this book.

After such a good book, I didn’t know how to top it, well I found it with One Italian Summer. This is one of the hottest books this summer! I’ve been on a waiting list to read it since May. It was definitely worth the wait. It follows the story of a young woman who loses her mother and takes a trip to Italy and learns more about who her mother was as a young woman. I loved the description and how vivid the author makes the setting in the book. I loved the plot twist at the end! 5 STARS for me!

After hearing about this next book for years, I finally got my hands on Daisy Jones and the Six. I loved the way this book was told (it’s told through a series of interviews). The story follows the story of a fictional band and what led to their formation to what led to their demise. I fell in love with the characters and the plot. I can’t wait to watch the series on Amazon Prime.

What I’m Watching: I’ve been spending so much time outdoors, I haven’t been watching a lot of movies or shows this summer. I did recently finish Maid on Netflix which follows the true story  of a young woman and mom who after getting out of a bad relationship must start from the ground up. I shared a bit about it on my last currently. It was definitely a heavier mini series but it’s one that really sticks with you. After hearing a lot about it, I’m glad I got to watch it for myself. 

What I’m Loving: All the times outdoors! From walks to zoo trips, amusement parks, beach days, even just sitting by the pool. I’m doing my best to get outdoors as much as I can before the seasons change.

Time spent reading and outdoors is a favorite of mine in the summer!
Grilling has been another summer favorite!

What Inspires Me: After spending a few days at the beach, I really loved having a few days to slow down. I’ve found that day to day, you don’t realize how busy life gets and how it’s always go, go, go, until you stop to catch your breath. I’m glad I had a few days to recharge and slow down.

It felt so good to relax for a few days at the beach!
Enjoying outdoor dining was another summer favorite!

What I Accomplished: I checked off almost all my summer bucket list options as shown from my post last week, plus I got a few extra activities thrown in too 

Ending the summer months by relaxing at a lake for the weekend.

Goals from Last Month: From a family vacation to entertaining guests, afternoons reading and nights swimming. I got so much in and the good news is just because kids may be back to school doesn’t mean the weather gets cold, I’m looking forward to spending more time outdoors as long as the weather permits it!

Beach days!
And ice cream nights!

Goals for this Month: As much as I hate to say this while still in August, next month, I’m looking forward the transition of one season to another. I’m excited to start thinking about my fall bucket list and still enjoying the time outdoors. I love walks in the fall and seeing the leaves change. Thankfully we still have time before it gets too cold, so right now I’m going to enjoy all the sunshine I can and I hope you will too!

Fun times entertaining this summer!

Enjoy the last few days of August!