Winter Bucket List Finish Line

And on to 2020! Let’s start the year off right with some fun and some organization! 8/20 completed

Read 45 books - So close! I’ve read 41 books so far this year.
Plan and execute a fun Valentine’s Day Party ✓
Buy and Complete a jigsaw puzzle - Bought one, haven’t actually put it together yet due to moving.
New house vision board ✓
Eat at 5 new-to-me restaurants 1/5
- Plank Seafood - For my birthday day out!
Attend a theater performances
Movie Month February
Weekly Game Day/Night ✓
Make a seasonal door hanger/wreath ✓
Swim at the gym 5 times 1/5
Have an indoor picnic
Host a craft day ✓
Plan a weekend getaway ✓ - Working on planning a reading retreat for June.
Visit a new-to-the-boys museum
Spend an afternoon at a local bookstore ✓
Make ice cream sundaes
DIY Spa Night
Buy fresh flowers biweekly ✓
Go mini-golfing
Make a new dessert

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #5

Reading: Vox by Christina Dalcher. It’s the Girly Book Club selection for March. About 1/2 through and I’m not loving it at all…

Watching: Just about to pull up last night’s episode of The Bachelor. Now that spoilers have been posted, I’m having a hard time staying away.

Listening: Lots of NPR Politics podcasts to catch up on this week.

Making: Pulled pork for dinner tonight. I went easy for today…

Feeling: So so tired. Quentin has been sick this week (a cold) and he’s been waking up in the middle of the night a lot. I’m just so tired today.

Planning: Trying to get the next house projects in line. I want to prep and paint the craft and library room so I can actually use that space. Beyond that, I need to think what to do next.

Loving: I spent yesterday afternoon organizing the hall linen close and the master bathroom closet. They are so organized and pretty right now! We have way more closest space than stuff, but it wasn’t organized yet. Now those spaces really make me happy.

Next up on the TBR pile:

2020 Soups and Stews from Around the World - January and February

Week 1: Poronkaristys from Finland

Basically this recipe was reindeer stew over homemade mashed potatoes with a side of lingonberry jam (we subbed with cranberry jam as the store was out of lingonberry jam). The combination of salty and sweet was perfect! We really enjoyed this dish! The original used a reindeer roast, but those are incredibly hard to find. We went with reindeer sausage and I think it tasted really good.

Recipe used from The Food Dictator

Week 2: Chorizo and Black Bean Soup from Venezuela

This one was a dud for us. Somehow it managed to be both too dry and wet at the same time. I could probably switch out the chorizo and beans to help it along, but we decided the flavors in the broth weren’t amazing anyway.

Recipe used from Closet Cooking

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Week 3: Sega Wat from Ethiopia

This was so incredibly delicious! It’s definitely going into our Top 10 of the year and the regular rotation in Paprika. It might even take the top stop. I added more spice than listed in the recipe and so glad I did! This was so incredibly flavorful and full of spice. Those hard boiled eggs and the injera on the side elevated the dish so much. (Full disclosure: We bought the injera from an Ethiopian restaurant in town.)

Recipe used from The Daring Gourmet

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Week 4: Jani Me Fasule from Albania

Another dud. This turned into a pastey mess with little flavor. Definitely didn’t want a second helping.

Recipe used from Cookipedia

Week 5: Meatball and Couscous Soup from Morocco

Decent recipe but not amazing. I might try and make this again, but add more spice mix to the meatballs and kick up the broth a bit.

Recipe used from Little Spice Jar

Week 6: Mince Stew from New Zealand

Ehhh…. not amazing. This was like a lesser version of my sloppy joes.

Recipe used from All Recipes

Week 7: Asam Pedas (Spicy Tamarind Fish Stew) from Malaysia

This was very interesting… I loved the flavors but not the complete execution. I definitely want to try making this one again with some minor tweaks. All the ingredients besides the fish needed to be in smaller chunks and maybe simmered longer on the stove before spooning over rice. But it was good and we enjoyed eating it as is.

Recipe used from Roti and Rice

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

It’s my birthday! That’s all.

Next up on the TBR pile:

March 2020 Life Goals

Let’s check in on February''s goals and my progress.

Read 15 books - Success!
Week out UnRead Shelf - Success! I weeded out 6 books.
Complete 3 house projects - Fail… I made progress on both wallpapered rooms, but that’s about it. So much time and effort went into other things.
Put in my Ikea house order - Fail. Not Yet.
Secure Reading Retreat lodging - Fail. Not yet.
Plan Birthday day - Success! I have a plan and it’s going to happen this Sunday.
Start the moving process - Success! We accelerated our timeline and moved into the new house yesterday.
MPS move - Fail. Need to do this!
Get rid of stuff before move - Success!
February movie month - Fail… we got very wrapped up in moving.

March’s Goals:

Read 20 books - Want to keep this going and anticipate a higher reading month! I have stack of comics to help push my totals higher.
Put in my Ikea house order - Still playing around the what to order.
Get the Reading Retreat attendance set - Deadline is March 31st….
Secure Reading Retreat lodging - Want to get this done soon.
MPS move - Carryover task
Get the craft/library prepped for furniture and decor - I need to finish stripping the wallpaper and then paint the walls.

Next up on the TBR list:

Winter Bucket List Update #3

And on to 2020! Let’s start the year off right with some fun and some organization!

Read 45 books — I want to start off the year strong with my reading!
Plan and execute a fun Valentine’s Day Party -
Buy and Complete a jigsaw puzzle — I love doing puzzles to relax. I need to find a new good one.
Eat at 5 new-to-me restaurants — Omaha has so many great restaurants and I want to explore a bit!
Attend two theater performances — Our membership to the Rose Theater gets us free tickets to two shows and discounted tickets to one show this season. Now to pick what to see!
Bake some bread — I love fresh homemade bread with some jam or honey and a cup of tea. Winter means baking to me, but I want to branch out from cookies…
Make winter crafts — We can’t really spend a lot of time outside, so it’s prime time for crafting. I need to peruse Pinterest for some ideas.
Create a table centerpiece — I want to decorate the house a bit more now that we’re out of the baby stage. I think I’ll start with the dining room table.
Movie Month January — I’m going to start the season off right with an entire month of (mostly) new-to-me movies!
Weekly Game Day/Night with Arthur — We have a ton of card and board games at the house. I want to start playing more regularly with Arthur.
Try 3 new hot chocolate recipes/mixes — Arthur discovered his love of hot chocolate over Christmas. Let’s explore a bit!
Visit two new-to-the-boys museums — I’m thinking probably SAC and The Durham.
Have an indoor picnic — Weather doesn’t allow for outside ones of course.
Swim at the gym 5 times — The indoor pool is great, let’s attempt to utilize it this season!
Host a tea party! — Part of my attempt to make some new friends.
Make a seasonal door hanger/wreath — We have a hook on our door. I want to decorate it!
Find a great coffee shop for me! — Not Starbucks, not Scooter’s. Something local and interesting.
Spend an afternoon at a local bookstore — I need to find a go-to place for browsing.
Explore an area of Omaha — Really anywhere that’s outside of our little area of town.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #4

Reading: Picking up The Night Country by Melissa Albert next. It’s the sequel to The Hazelwood. I’m so ready for another dark fairy tale book.

Watching: J and I have watched a few new movies this past week. Jojo Rabbit and Knives Out were the high points!

Listening: Almost current with Dungeons and Daddies. Definitely a great comedy podcast to listen to while stripping wallpaper.

Making: We’re almost at that weird place in moving where I need to be careful what I pack. I don’t want to pack things we currently need (like curry powder that I needed a couple of nights ago). I’ve been making to pack piles and to keep piles. So many piles around the house!

Feeling: I’m so tired most days and yet I’m very motivated to get various projects done before officially moving. I really really want to get that wallpaper off! (And other things)

Planning: As such, I’m trying to line up my next house projects to tackle. I’m thinking about taking off the sliding shower door attached to the kids’s bathtub. They are so cumbersome. I would rather have a shower curtain especially because that will be the place for baths and it would be really awkward right now.

Loving: I’m really trying to focus on one thing at a time right now. When all the stars align and such, I can actually focus for a few minutes. So lovely!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Closets and drawers are emptying slowly… There’s still so much to move over.
I got my first new house items delivered yesterday. So ecited!
I’ve read a couple of shorter books this week and it’s really helped my reading momentum.
Still planning out my birthday day, but it’s shaping up really well.
The wallpaper in the craft room is so much easier to take off than the bathroom.
Shrimp paste is really hard to find locally. I might just need to order it from offline.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #3

Reading: Finally picked up Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Not usually a fan of books in verse, but this one is really good.

Watching: I spent my evening a few nights again rewatching the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. I still really enjoy that movie.

Listening: While doing home renovations, I’ve been catching up with Dungeons and Daddies. Laugh out loud funny.

Making: Arthur’s class Valentines Day party is one Wednesday and I’m in charge of the planning the party. Hence, I have been spending time making goody bags.

Feeling: So very sore. Removing wallpaper is very labor intensive.

Planning: We’re working on getting our move logistics in order.

Loving: Over half of the blue bathroom is wallpaper-less. I’m celebrating that…

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Bucket List Update #2

And on to 2020! Let’s start the year off right with some fun and some organization!

Read 45 books - 19/45
Plan and execute a fun Valentine’s Day Party
Buy and Complete a jigsaw puzzle
New house vision board ✓
Eat at 5 new-to-me restaurants
Attend a theater performance
Movie Month February
Weekly Game Day/Night - In progress
Make a seasonal door hanger/wreath
Swim at the gym 5 times
Have an indoor picnic
Host a craft day
Plan a weekend getaway
Visit a new-to-the-boys museum
Spend an afternoon at a local bookstore
Make ice cream sundaes
DIY Spa Night
Buy fresh flowers biweekly
Go mini-golfing
Make a new dessert

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

I abhor wallpaper…. and unfortunately the people who owned our house put it up professionally. Six hours and I’ve only scrapped off two walls in the bathroom. This is going to be a long process.
I’ve completely forgotten about Valentine’s Day. I need to make the cards for the class soon…
Paint colors are too overwhelming right now. I need to narrow it down.
Dreaming of that Ethiopian stew we had a few weeks back. It was so incredibly good!
Thinking about a massage for my birthday day. Now I need to find a place.

Next up on the TBR pile:

February 2020 Life Goals

Let’s check in on January''s goals and my progress.

Read 15 books ✓
Close on our new house ✓
Restart Quentin’s routine schedule ✓
Go swimming twice - Fail. We didn’t even go once.
Start off our food adventure on a good note ✓
Get my new planner and Memory Planner started ✓
Clean out the basement ✓
Create a home vision board ✓

February’s Goals:

Read 15 books - Hoping to have another good reading month.
Week out UnRead Shelf - February strategy and also would be nice to not move so many books (even if it’s only 10 less).
Complete 3 house projects - These can be small or large, but I want to focus on a few things before we move in. (#1 is probably painting the downstairs half bath white instead of the current terracotta.)
Put in my Ikea house order - I have a cart full that I’l playing with right now.
Secure Reading Retreat lodging - Retreat isn’t until June, but places go quickly.
Plan Birthday day - A friend convinced me that I needed to resurrect my solo birthday adventure day. I’m formulating a plan.
Start the moving process - Not officially leaving our current place until mid-March, but there’s lot to move in the meantime.
MPS move - Arthur will be switching elementary schools next year. Need to understand the process.
Get rid of stuff before move - I have a pile to sell or donate. I’m sure I’ll to it this month.
February movie month - We’re not going to watch 29 movies this month, but I’m hoping for at least 15.

Next up on the TBR list:

Currently #2

Reading: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez. This book is infuriating (in a very informative way), but still makes me so mad.

Watching: J and I binged The Witcher this past week. Oh so good…

Listening: Catching up on my podcasts. I’ve really been digging The To Read List lately.

Making: Working on the overall design for our new house. Been watching a ton of YouTube videos and making wish lists. Closing is this Friday!

Feeling: Unfortunately, I caught that cold that all the kids had. I hate blowing my nose every two minutes.

Planning: Finally nailing down the our activities for the Kindergarten Valentine’s Day party.

Loving: Every once in awhile, my nose clears and I can breathe. It is glorious!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Bucket List Update #1

And on to 2020! Let’s start the year off right with some fun and some organization!

Read 45 books
Plan and execute a fun Valentine’s Day Party
Buy and Complete a jigsaw puzzle
New house vision board
Eat at 5 new-to-me restaurants
Attend a theater performances
Movie Month February
Weekly Game Day/Night - In progress
Make a seasonal door hanger/wreath
Swim at the gym 5 times
Have an indoor picnic
Host a craft day
Plan a weekend getaway
Visit a new-to-the-boys museum
Spend an afternoon at a local bookstore
Make ice cream sundaes
DIY Spa Night
Buy fresh flowers biweekly
Go mini-golfing
Make a new dessert

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Ugh Hannah B! I can’t believe what she did on The Bachelor this week. So wrong.
We had a plumbing emergency last night. So not fun to deal with while finishing dinner and getting the boys ready for bed. Really hoping there’s not too much damage.
After this work project is over, I’m going to craft for like three days straight.
I think I need to do a library ban for February. Not starting the year off reading my own shelves like I wanted.
Winter is a horrible time to attempt making bread. The dry air is killing my rise!
Honda and the DMV finally got their crap together to get our license plates switched over. Waiting 7 months for mine. Ridiculous!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #1

Reading: Wither by Lauren DeStefano. It’s been on my list for years. Finally got around to reading it.

Watching: Letterkenny S8 started out slow, but has really gotten back to its roots in the last few episodes.

Listening: The Dream S2 is all about the wellness industry. Fascinating!

Making: Finishing up a project for J’s company that requires a ton of phone calls. I hate talking on the phone, but I’m doing it…

Feeling: Cold. So cold. Our house has weird cold areas that I always end up sitting in.

Planning: Working on planning some future big events.

Loving: Ending my days with a cup of hot cinnamon spice tea. So good!

Next up on the TBR pile:

January 2020 Life Goals

Let’s check in on December''s goals and my progress.

Book travel hotel - Success
Send out Christmas cards - Success
Look into atheist family group -
Read 10 books - Success
Make a reading plan for January - Success
Figure out a spring routine for Quentin -
Take care of bills - Success
Meal plan for January and February -
Enjoy the season

January’s Goals:

Read 15 books
Close on our new house!
Restart Quentin’s routine schedule
Go swimming twice
Start off our food adventure on a good note
Get my new planner and Memory Planner started
Clean out the basement
Create a home vision board

Next up on the TBR list:

2020 Soups and Stews from Around the World

Last year we had fun trying lots of different Grilled Cheese recipes, but realized that bread and cheese weekly got a bit old. We started kicking around new ideas back in November and pretty quickly stumbled on the Soups and Stews ideas. But then we took it a step further. So for 2020, we are going to try 52 Soups and Stews Around the World. Prepping for this has been a multi step process.

I created a spreadsheet with a list of all the countries of the world separating by seven regions. Our hope is to cycle through regions so we aren’t duplicating flavors. Once I got my spreadsheet ready, I moved on to searching for relatively authentic recipes. I did not want Americanized versions of the recipes but something that residents of the country would eat for dinner. I checked out a ton of books from the library and started searching Pinterest.

As of January 1st, I have a very long list of recipes to pick from. As we’re going to cycle through world regions, I picked out our first seven weeks’s worth of recipes and countries and pulled the recipes. We’ll be doing wrap up posts with our tried recipes and thoughts on each. Here’s hoping that we’ll find some great dishes to add to our regular rotation!

Grilled Cheese Adventures Top 10

Part of my 2019 goals is make a different Grilled Cheese recipe each week. I find grilled cheese to be so comforting, but just cheddar or Colby gets boring after awhile. So, I checked a few books out from the library and make a Pinterest Board with lots of options.

We ended up sticking with our plan for 46 different grilled cheese recipes. I think that is a very respectable showing! We ended up realizing that most of the recipes were variations on ones we had already tried, mostly with less success. I definitely front-loaded the year with those I was excited to try out. We also realized that bread and cheese every week just isn’t our jam. Oh well! It was a good idea and we did eat some good good sandwiches. Plus I now have a fancy sandwich press. Our top 10 sandwiches were will be staying in our recipe box and will make appearances throughout the next year I am sure.

Fancy BLT (Week 4):

2. Buffalo Chicken (Week 15):

3. Brie, Cranberry, and Prosciutto on Marble Rye (Week 3):

4. Johnny Appleseed - Granny Smith Apple, White Cheddar, and Bacon (Week 41):

5. Pizza Grilled Cheese (Week 31):

6. Apricot White Cheddar on Pumpernickel (Week 11);

7. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto and Fontina (Week 18):

8. Spinach and Feta (Week 5):

9. Apple and Gouda (Week 16):

10. Bacon Blackberry Jalapeño Swiss (Week 26):

2020 Goals and Resolutions

2018’s Resolution Message: Usually I make a whole list of goals and resolutions to focus on for the year, but honestly, I’m not feeling it this year at all. Instead of yearly goals, I’m going to try and focus on monthly and seasonal goals. I want to be more intentional with my weeks as opposed to this large, lofty goals.

2020

There are some changes coming this year and I want to go back to having some big goals/resolutions to refer back to throughout the year.

House Goals/Resolutions

Successfully move into our new house!
Make a list of house renovations/projects and complete at least 50%
Create a plan to tackle the house one room at a time

Life Goals/Resolutions

Get back into a gym schedule
Complete our 52 Weeks of Soups and Stews Around the World (adding some permanently to Paprika)
Create a spending budget and stick to it
Create and stick to a new weekly routine for Quentin and Arthur
Plan and complete a fun summer road trip!
Plan and complete a reading retreat!

Reading Goals/Resolutions

Read 200 books / 50,000 pages
Decrease my physical UnRead Shelves by 50 books
Decrease my ebook UnRead Shelves by 30 books
Create a library/reading space in the new house
Follow my reading whims/cravings instead of rigid reading challenges

Craft Goals/Resolutions

Finish all currently in progress projects
Organize a craft space in the new house
Take stock of my supplies and use them!

Next up on the TBR pile: