Welcome to February, friends! I hope
you have had a good start to this new month and that wherever you are, you were
able to see some sunshine this week. It broke through here for most of February
1, and I could have cried with joy. I have missed it so, and it was so good
to see it. If social media is any indicator, many people were happy to see it! As
you settle in on your day today, whether it is sunny or cloudy, here are some
items for your perusal.
ONE.
Monday I shared with you my first three books completed in
2024. Out of curiosity, I went back to the website where I found the book
challenge I started in 2023 to see if there was a new challenge for 2024, and
there is! It’s right here. Some of the categories are the same as last year, but
some are new! I mentioned that the first book I read this year was actually
from last year’s challenge, and as I looked at this new challenge, I see that
for me, it could also complete the first category of 2024: a book you meant
to read last year. And since The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is
fantasy, it could check off category 47: a genre you don’t usually read.
And technically, since Vantage Point talks about restorative health, it
could fall into the category of: a book about mental health. See how I’m
already on my way, quite by accident? Anyway, even if you don’t officially take
the challenge, you might get an idea or two for something to read this year. BONUS:
If you’re looking for a different way to keep track of the books you’ve
read, here’s a printable bookmark where you can write them in as you read them!
TWO.
In the spirit of more fun finds, I wanted to share with you
this link that my sister sent my way this week. I’ve been working on
my gardening plan for this year, and she found this post with some good ideas
of how to plant square-foot-style. I was especially glad she sent it, because
in all of my planning, I entirely spaced that I wanted to try
strawberries this year! I was so focused on thinking about what I planted last
year that I forgot to think about things I wanted to try for the first time. I
do love strawberries. Another fun find? Prayerful Planner, which is where I get
my beloved day planners each year, is running a warehouse sale right now. This is usually when I get my planner, because I purchase
the undated versions and start them in June. The prices are really good, and I
think they have some super cute covers this year! This will be my third year in
this planner, and I have not stopped loving it even a little bit! BONUS: If
you live in the same general area I live, did you see this adorable
Valentine’s Day idea from Steele Farms? Cupcake bouquets and
gift cards for the Flower Patch when it opens! If you need to drop a
not-so-subtle hint to your sweetheart about a gift for Valentine’s Day, this
could be it! Gifts for now AND later.
THREE.
Earlier this week I told you we’ve been doing an additional
night at the gym each week. I really love being able to get out of the house
and use equipment we don’t have here, but I am also aware that at some point
during the year, I probably need to add some workouts at home. A few days ago,
one of my Sunday School friends shared a link to this set of workouts for women – done by a Christian trainer who
incorporates Scripture memory into the workout times! To be fair, I haven’t
done any of these yet, but I did check them out and they look good! Sharing
them with you in case you need a new at-home option!
FOUR.
As I’m looking ahead to Valentine’s Day, I’m not sure yet
if we will want to go out to eat or make our own food at home. We usually stay
home to avoid big crowds, so I’ve been taking a look at some healthy food
options for the evening. Dashing Dish is still one of my favorite go-to stops for
healthy recipes, and Katie has a
whole round-up of Valentine’s Day recipes right here. And if healthy recipes aren’t necessarily important to
you, but you think breakfast in bed sounds pretty amazing, then check out these breakfast recipes. I was drooling over quite a few of them! BONUS: Here are some fancy table settings
for Valentine’s Day. I’m not sure we have
enough plates and candles to pull off versions of some of these, but they sure
are pretty. I should do better with the table look if we end up staying home!
FIVE.
Yesterday I wrote about memories of mealtime from when I
was little. As I told you, even though we don’t have kids of our own, Ryan and
I make it a priority to eat together every night, and when our godson is here,
we also make mealtime together with him a priority. Though I realize some might
consider the thoughts in this post to be old-fashioned, I love it. This is what family
mealtime means to me. If you need something that feels a little more modern,
try reading this one. It even has conversation starters included at the end!
(If you’re not used to eating together and don’t know what to talk about, this
can help get you started!)
SIX.
I know it’s February now, but this post about a cozy January home is so pretty, so I am sharing it
for your viewing pleasure. Her decorating style isn’t exactly the same as mine,
but I still found it warm and lovely.
Here are this past week's capsule wardrobe adventures!
Saturday, January 27, 2024:
Sunday, January 28, 2024:
Monday, January 29, 2024:
3 comments:
Love the conversation starters! My sister has a box like of things like on her table!
Aren't they fun!? Ryan and I have had some great impromptu conversations spurred on by little things like this!
I looked at the Valentine's tablescapes and they are pretty. However, I don't think I own enough dishes to recreate one of them!!!
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