Hello hello! Happy Wednesday! We are at the end of the month, the spring season is flying by. Over the past 31 days, we said goodbye to winter and hello to spring! It has been a busy month and whether this is your first time here or you are a long-term reader, I am happy to have you with me as I recap my month with you all today!
Here’s what I have been up to in this month’s Currently.
What I’m Up To:
I began this month by trying a new coffee shop and spending time with friends. I got a blueberry and earl gray pastry which was delicious, but the company with friends is even better.
I began the month by heading down south to Alabama for work. I spent over a week driving down, working in Montgomery and Selma and then driving back. It was a long trip, but very fulfilling. Here’s a look at some of my snapshots. From the food, to a little bit of sightseeing, and covering historic events.
I got to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with our annual parade.
The sun finally came out and I was able to get back outside for some beautiful walks!
I ended the month with my first trip to the zoo this season.
And a local fish fry!
What I’m Reading:
I had some ups and downs when it came to reading this month, but here’s what I read:
Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old- Brooke Shields’ third book, Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old is all about growing up in Hollywood, wellness, aging, life lessons and being comfortable in your own skin. I learned a lot about Shields in her book, but some parts were harder to relate to, just because of where I am in life compared to her. I did like the stories she shared and her message about women advocating for themselves.
An Unwanted Guest– This was a book I started in February and finished in March. An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena is all about a series of guests who come to stay at a bed and breakfast on a winter weekend and one by one they end up dead. Is there one killer or multiple killers, or is it an unwanted guest? It took a little bit for me to get into it, but once I got to the climax, I couldn’t put it down. It was a great winter read.
People Pleaser- People Pleaser by Jinger Duggar Vuolo is the second book I have read by her and it really resonated with me. She discusses being a “yes girl”, people pleaser, and perfectionist and letting go of some of those tendencies. She incorporates biblical verses with questions and stories to help readers see if they are people pleasers. I think she had a great message and it gave me lots of things to reflect on.
Playing with Matches– Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein is all about a matchmaker in NYC. The book was good, but very light hearted and surface level. There was some storylines that didn’t flesh out, but overall, it was a good palette cleanser.
Drowning- Drowning by T.J. Newman was such a intense book about a flight that crashes and a group of people try to survive underwater before they run out of oxygen. This was a story that had me on the edge of my seat. Would not reccommend reading right before you travel, but I stayed up late to finish it.
The Good Sister– I have read a few of Sally Hepworth’s other books, and I couldn’t wait to read this book, The Good Sister. I listened to it as an audiobook as opposed to reading it and got immersed in the book. It’s all about two sisters, one is very manipulative of the other one. The story involves lies, secrets, and challenging of one another. It started slow, but picked up and I couldn’t stop when I started. Such a good read.
The Night We Lost Him– Lauren Dave’s book, The Night We Lost Him is all about a man who dies unexpectedly and it’s up to his two estranged children must work together to see if they can uncover what really happened the night their father died. This book went back and forth between the past and present. I flew through this book and will be keeping my eye out for other books by this author.
You Are Here– You Are Here by Karin Lin Greenberg tells the story of several people and business owners who work at a local mall. Through the book, you see how they are all connected to one another and how their lives evolve when they learn their mall could be closing. The themes of connection, community, and interpersonal communication are found through the book. This was beautifully written and I loved the power of relationships.
Bookish People- Bookish People by Susan Coll was a good book, but not my favorite. It’s all about a bookstore and the shopkeeper as they prepare to host a controversial poet. The book is all about how they prepare for the event and all the different personalities of the store. I thought the concept was cute, but thought a lot of the storylines were hard to follow.
The Messy Lives of Book People- This was the second Phaedra Patrick book I have read. I loved The Messy Lives of Book People. It’s all about a woman who gets hired by her favorite author to clean. When the author dies, she leaves the job of finishing her book to her cleaner. The question is why. There was so many fun connections and secrets all through the book, I couldn’t stop listening. My favorite part? The author’s name was Elspeth. Too funny! I loved this book, definitely a favorite!
What I’m Watching:
The Pitt– This was such a good series that I have been watching this month. It’s a drama about working in the Emergency Department. The Pitt takes place in Pittsburgh and the series follows a medical team from interns, to nurses, and attendings about what a standard shift looks like. This hour-long drama brings lots of interesting cases and patients and from what I have heard, it’s one of the most realistic medical dramas on tv.
The Recruit– The new season of The Recruit picks up right after where the last one ended. I like how this series on Netflix mixes drama and humor every episode. Plus, the casting is well done and the storylines have you wanting more.
What I’m Cooking and Baking:
Overnight Oats– I have been incorporating Chia seeds in my meals more and one way I have been using them is in overnight oats. I like to add some fruit, granola, and some chocolate chips for extra flavor too!
Chia Pudding– Another new recipe for me, chia pudding. My first batch turned out well, but I think I’m going to try to use more flavoring the next time to make it sweeter. But I have really been enjoying the flavor of chia seeds and the health benefits of them too!
Molten Lava Cake– I got this recipe from Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia cookbook and it was an instant hit!
Easy Skillet Enchiladas- I got this recipe from Shay Shull and it was such a fun twist on mexican night!
Chicken, sausage, potatoes, onions, and peppers– Yes, it’s as easy as it sounds, combine everything with salt, pepper, and Italian season and cook for an hour and you have yourself a delicious meal.
What I’m Wearing: It’s the month of the luck of the Irish, so I have been doing my part to wear as much green as possible, even if it means adding some layers.
I also broke out some bold pants for brighter days.
What Inspires Me:
My desk calendar at work always brightens my day with some motivation.
This was such a good reminder when life gets crazy!
A spring mantra
What I Accomplished:
I made it through a long work trip!
Goals from Last Month:
I wrapped up my winter bucket list and will soon start my spring bucket list! Stay tuned for that in the coming weeks!
I also got to dive into my new cook book from Emily Ley! I can’t wait to try new recipes!
Goals for Next Month:
I have so much to look forward to in April including starting my spring bucket list, Easter, family time and maybe even a trip or two! Plus, catching up with friends and more time outdoors. I have missed the sunshine, clear roads, and blue skies! I can’t wait to soak up more rays and spring weather in the coming weeks and months!
Tell me: what were some highlights of your month? Goodbye March and Hello April!