I have no idea what the next year is going to hold, but I work better from a list. Some of these things may not be possible, but they’re written down just in case.

1. Stay cigarette free.
2. Write a short story.
3. Make a knit list. (Finish the list.)
4. Become a morning person.
5. Complete a 100 day project.
6. Update the home master list.
7. Purge the back basement.
8. Take a trip to Maine with Violet.
9. Go hiking.
10. Start and finish the Chicago embroidery project.
11. Make a picture book for each of the kids.
12. Use an alarm clock instead of my phone.
13. Practice unapologetic self-confidence.
14. Camp. (Even if it’s just in the backyard.)
15. Have a treading water contest with Violet.
16. Deep clean/purge bathroom cabinets.
17. Hang pictures in the upstairs hallway.
18. Learn to make a really good homemade spaghetti sauce.
19. Take a class.
20. Floss.
21. Go social media free for at least one month.
22. Get a mole screen.
23. Get a mammogram.
24. Mail one handwritten letter a month.
25. Have a get together at my house with friends.
26. Tend the garden.
27. Take a long weekend in the U.P.
28. Go skiing.
29. Find a sunscreen that I will actually wear on my face. Wear it.
30. Reach my goal for the 2020 goodreads reading challenge.
31. Annual fall trip to Michigan.
32. Have family pictures taken.
33. Unsubscribe from unwanted email lists.
34. Continue writing down weekly intentions list.
35. Make a list of fun “social distancing” activities for the family. Do them.
36. Learn to give myself a manicure.
37. Wear out a pair of running shoes.
38. Practice using procreate.
39. Make a batch of homemade vapor rub.
40. Do some blog housekeeping.
41. Embrace mistakes.
42. Develop a new healthy habit.

I’m sharing two weeks of pictures because I wrote a Tuesday Things post last week and then deleted it but I still like the pictures.

I feel everything these days. Fear, joy, sadness, frustration, contentment, hope, seething rage. Yesterday, Violet said that we’ve had some really good memories that we wouldn’t have had otherwise and my heart filled to bursting.

I decided I wanted to grow a garden – in the same place we took out the garden and added landscaping two years ago. Jesse may have rolled his eyes but he obliged. He and Abram made the beautiful raised beds for Mother’s Day and last Saturday (the day before we were to get a great big rain and warm up) we planted seeds and plants and crossed our fingers.

Reading: I read a compilation of essays called Pretty Bitches edited by Lizzie Skurnick. Some were amazing. I enjoyed some a lot less. I also read The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. It took me a bit to get into it but I stayed up until 1AM to finish it. I have a huge stack that I ordered from our local bookstore of which Save the Plums is at the top of the list.

Watching: We had a gray and rainy Sunday which lent for a television binge. I got all caught up on Mrs. America. As shows go, it definitely has a point of view, but I’m finding it compelling. A friend gifted me a Disney+ subscription as an early birthday present so the kids and I watched National Treasure and have been binging episodes of Phineas and Ferb.

Knitting: I finished my Zauberball socks and while I said my next pair would be this Fern pattern by Knitterella, Violet picked out yarn for some Hermione’s Everyday socks and asked to be bumped up the list. Also yarn for this Veronika cardigan has been stashed for months so I’m hoping to get that wound and caston this month.

So that’s us. What’s new with you? Anything you’re -ing that you want to share?

I love this date. Two of my favorite people in the whole wide world are born on today. I think that means today is good day to have a good day.

1. I’m making a list of books to read. Inspiration from here, here, and I’m so unabashedly excited for this.
2. Morning routine hacks for a calmer day. The second one is literally life changing for me and I hate when I get out of the habit.
3. I’m a builder.
4. Murder hornets, UFOs, and coronavirus conspiracy theories (the lack of a link is on purpose). 2020 can suck it.
5. So some random things that make me laugh/smile.
6. What are you proud of?
7. 68 pieces of unsolicited advice.
8. I’ve probably shared this before, but I still like it.
9. Just wow. You know I love a pretty picture.
10. This is my new alarm song.
11. Adele’s weight loss is none of your business.
12. Ordered this for Violet, but may do it myself.

Happy weekend!!

Happy May Day!!

1. How to keep a journal during the pandemic (or any time, really).
2. The Great Empty
3. Online workouts.
4. Was glad to find out I wasn’t alone.
5. Yes. This.
6. And this.
7. People draw car logos from memory.
8. Wanna color?
9. A short history of personality tests.
10. Queen Elizabeth II style.
11. I’m a witch.
12. These reminded me of the six word sad story project. (Some were *really* good.)
13. Ideas for fun isolation dates.
14. Stories are important.
15. This is adding to my list of content to watch.
16. Pretty.

Hope you have a weekend! Stay safe and healthy out there!

• 

• 

I meant to sit down and write all day yesterday, but didn’t. I’m doing it today. Our weekdays all run together. Someone is usually on a screen and there are times (like, right now) that we all are on our own individual screens in our individual corners. Sometimes I feel a little bit like 1890 and 2020 have merged in the most pleasant and bizarre ways.

The days take forever to pass but whip by (much like when my kids were little). We do school. We make food. Today, we had cake for lunch. We snuggle. We play games. If it’s nice, we play outside. Sometimes, even when it’s not nice. But, I can’t say a bad thing about our weather. It’s even been nice enough that we’ve opened windows which is glorious. And when I saw Violet in that tree I had to grab a picture because it reminded me of a younger Violet in a smaller tree. It happened so fast. (Speaking of taking forever to pass but whipping by.)

Watching: I finished Little Fires Everywhere. It was so well done. I may even like it better than the book? I just think Kerry Washington nailed the role of Mia so beautifully. I was also introduced to “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and have watched a total of three episodes. One from the current season and then the first three. I’m going to use this list from Kari find some movies for the weekend.

Reading: I’m currently reading Mrs. Hancock and the Mermaid. It was my BOTM pick awhile ago and I’m not going to be able to finish I don’t think. I *did* finish Anna K. I also read A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler which of the three listed here would be the only one I would even come close to recommending.

Needlework: As I’m still knitting the same pair of socks I was knitting (though I am on the second in the pair), but am doing other projects, I’m changing my “knitting” section to needlework. I finished Washington D.C. and ordered/received the floss for Chicago so I’ll probably be starting that sometime next week. After sewing masks, I found some cute pillowcase kits to give a try. I’ve done my first one and they are super simple to make. After I finish the remaining ones I think I’ll probably put my machine away because I like the finished product, but don’t *love* sewing. No matter how much I try and make myself.

Making: Besides the aforementioned lunch cake, I haven’t been doing a great deal that’s new or exciting in the kitchen. I keep telling myself that *this* is the week I’m going to try my hand at bread making (and at the rate we’re eating sandwiches, I really should) but then I don’t. If I do eventually get around to it, I think I’m going to try Josey Bread Baker’s method.

Listening: This, this, and this. I also made this COVID-19 themed playlist in a fit of dark humor.

So that’s me. I hope you are all well and good. What have you been watching, reading, making (or other -ing)? I’d love to hear!!