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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

Currently # 31

Hi all! Happy Wednesday! It makes me sad to think that we are already at the end of July. This summer is flying by. With summer more than half way through, I’m doing my best to make the most out of August and September with the nice, warm weather before the seasons change!

As always, it’s time for Currently, a look at my life over the past month. These past four weeks have been filled with walks, picnics, pool days, grilling and indulging in all the summer foods and friends!

What I’ve Been Up To: I’ve been doing everything in my power to be outside, from walks on weekends, to eating meals outside, going for ice cream dates and just reading outside. Our summer season feels so short, so I try my best to take advantage of the sunshine, blue skies and warm weather. I’ve also enjoyed a lot of time at home with events slowing down, it’s been nice to have a more open schedule.

I’ve enjoyed lots of summer walks in the morning, afternoon and night.
I’ve also enjoyed grilling at the parks after a long walk

What I’m Wearing: I’ve been teasing it for a while but NEXT WEEK will be my summer dress round up. It’s been so fun to try new dresses and styles all summer long. In other clothing choices, I’ve been wearing lots of short sets for walks, some t-shirt dresses for evenings out and then I’ve been rotating some graphic tees as well. I like to keep it simple in the summer with easy things to throw on so no matter what I’m doing I’m comfortable, especially on days off.

An example of an outfit that I would wear on a day off!

What I’m Reading: I finished The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and I didn’t know what to expect about this girl who never ages. I really enjoyed following the story as it begins in the 1700’s and continues to present day. There’s mystery, romance, suspense, and some magic too. When Adeline makes a deal in the 1700’s it has lasting effecst that she was never expecting. I love how the book jumps through time periods and you get to see her in different places and times. Even if you don’t read this book, I encourage you to read a book from a genre you typically don’t read, you may surprised about what you enjoy.

I also finished The Paris Library this past month. This historical fiction book goes back and forth between the 1940’s in Paris and the 1980’s in Montana. It follows the story of a woman who works in a library during World War II and then flashes forward to her life in the 1980’s living in the United States. Again, there’s some mystery and intrigue and some romance. I love how the book goes back and forth between time periods too!

What I’m Watching: I jumped on the band wagon and binged “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Amazon Prime. It was a great coming of age series that had a lot more depth than I was anticipating, there was lots of lightheartedness but also drama and suspense. Definitely worth the watch this summer.

I’ve also been watching another drama, “Maid” on Netflix. It tells the story of a young woman who hits rock bottom and looks to start over by working as a maid. It’s definitely a heavier show, but really good.

Besides tv shows, I went to see the new Elvis movie and I was blown away. I really enjoyed the storyline, the iconic music and learning about Elvis. It was worth seeing it on the big screen.

 

What I’m Loving: LOTS OF WALKS! I’ve been doing my best on my days off to take longers walks. I’ve ventured to Pittsburgh for a day trip to the zoo and a park.

One of my favorite exhibits at the zoo.
And a walk by the water.

I’v traveled to Bemus Point, New York for a morning at a State Park there and then enjoying the beauty.

Sweet summertime in New York.

I’ve also enjoyed fairs, festivals, live music and food trucks this summer. All things on my bucket list too!

Local fairs
And festivals
Concerts by the water
Food truck treats!

I also went strawberry picking last month and made a lot of different tasty treats with my haul.

Such a fun activity!

I made strawberry jam, strawberry and lemon bread and then strawberry shortcake too! Yum!

The haul!
Strawberry jam!
Strawberry and lemon bread
Strawberry shortcake

What Inspires Me: Summertime means fresh flowers. I’ve been enjoying talking long walks to cut flowers to put in vases around the house. I always enjoy having the smell of fresh flowers in my room and I’ve enjoyed adding them to other rooms in the house too.

Fresh flowers from the garden

What I Accomplished: After a busy first month of summer, I’ve been happy that I got to slow down more this month. There’s been more afternoons by the pool, more mornings spent reading and late nights visiting with friends. 

A summer stroll closer to home!

Goals from Last Month: I had a wonderful time celebrating the Fourth of July with family. I also got to see some relatives from out of town which was lots of fun. In addition to family, I have been enjoying time with friends. From dinners to walks and ice cream runs, it’s been great to get outside and spend time with friends. I’ve also been lucky to see friends I haven’t seen in a long time. It was so great to catch up in person and the visit was long overdue!  I am looking forward to more time with friends next month.

Fireworks on the Fourth!

Goals for this Month: I really want to cross off the final things on my summer bucket list. I’ve been doing well so far, but there’s a few things I’m looking forward to checking off-some of them are new things to me too! I’m also really just looking forward to relaxing and enjoying summer days and nights too. Soaking up summer is what it’s all about. 

Sweet summertime!

How are you planning on spending the last full month of summer? I know you can catch me outside! Let me know how you will be spending summer in the comments below!