Reading List 2019

Hello!  So,  it's that time of year again!  I've put together my reading list for 2019, and once again, I would love to hear your thoughts!  I'd love it even more if you are interested in reading any of these with me!

In 2019, my goal is to read 43 books.  My goal for 2018 was 56, which I feel wasn't the most realistic goal with everything else I had planned for the year.  I have finished 37 (I think) and I'm guessing I will end the year at 40.

To be honest, I am probably posting the reading list prematurely because - BELIEVE IT OR NOT - I don't have my 2019 goals all planned out yet, meaning I have no clue if I will have time to read 43 books.  (Knowing me, I strongly suspect I will not.)  I  have some ideas, but they aren't finalized.  I will tell you that I have determined the four categories in which I have tentatively set 12 goals.  This reading list will be the first goal in my Learning & Self-Improvement category.

Once again, I have divided the list into monthly goals.  And once again, I'm fairly sure given what I already know about some plans for next year, this monthly organization means nothing.

Anyway, here goes (yes, some of these are books I didn't finish in 2018...whoopsie):

January

How to Get Shit Done - Erin Falconer - finished 1/19/19
The Art of Fiction - Henry James - finished 2/5/19
Hillbilly Elegy - JD Vance - finished 1/27/19
To Cornwall, With Love - Laura Wiser - finished 2/2/19

Goal Update

At the beginning of the year, I posted my ten goals for this year.  I had planned to do a mid-year update in June, but then....I got incredibly busy and haven't blogged since May.  Whoopsie.  However, as we near the end of the year (can you believe it has gone by so quickly?!), I thought I would take some time to assess (and share!) my progress on my goals for this year.

Spoiler alert: I still have work to do.

1) Start this new blog - COMPLETE,

Well, I did start it.  However, I have struggled with what direction I wanted to take it.  No one (except Mom - thank you, Mom!) is really that interested in our trip to Pennsylvania or our day playing mini-golf.  However, people may be interested in travel tips when planning a trip to the Poconos (which I didn't include) or ideas for local fun things to do/good places to eat.  People may be interested in many of the everyday things we do around here: cooking from scratch, fun home decor projects/crafts, big family life (and organization!) and holiday celebration ideas.  I have some other really neat ideas for the blog, as well as a few other social media ideas that I am looking into with the help of family and friends.  I plan on spending some time next year learning more about how to expand on some of these ideas.

Poconos, Cinco de Mayo, and Prehistoric Putt

Hello!

I am trying to fit in a little bit of time to post this evening since it has been so long!

We have had so much fun going on around here that I just haven't had any time.

In April, we went to the Poconos.  We thought we were cool and athletic, so we went on a hike....and got lost in the woods.  Which was totally okay because this region isn't known for having black bears just wandering around or anything.  

Birthdays, Easter, Elephants & Good Books

Oh my, we have been so busy!!  

My birthday was a couple weeks ago, and of course, my wonderful family made it super awesome.  We had ice cream and pineapple upside down cake and Reba tickets and a bada$$ Ninja blender and stuff that smells good, and a SAVANNAH BANANA SHIRT!!!  It was a great time.

We also had a very happy Easter, and hope all of you did, as well.

Spring Candles, Lucky Charms Treats, Sushi, and a Birthday Party!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

Last year, I made corned beef and cabbage....oh my, it was so good.  This year, I forgot to put corned beef brisket on my grocery order and well, we had these Lucky Charms Treats instead.  (Not actually for dinner.  Just dessert!).

We also had these yummy cupcakes!

I guess I forgot to buy St. Patrick's Day cupcake liners.  Whoops.

We have also had a bunch of other wonderful things going on around here.

Cinnamon Rolls, Strawberry Shortcake, Instant Pot, & Slime

Hello!

We have been so busy this week.  Oh my.

Sunday, I made these yummy Easy Overnight Caramel Cinnamon Rolls.  They were super good and so pretty.  I have no clue why I didn't take a picture, but I didn't.  These were made from frozen bread dough, which was great for convenience, but a little difficult to roll out, at least for me.  They were really good, but I prefer making my own dough.

Monday was full of GREAT surprises.  My awesome mom thought I needed this:

I was definitely in agreement.  I haven't used it yet, but what a wonderful surprise to come home to!

Kickboxing, Creighton, and Scary Barbecue

Happy Saturday!

Oh my, we have had a great week!

Monday, we celebrated Cherry Pie day in the most sophisticated way we could:

Wednesday, in keeping with my goal of learning at least one new thing a month, I went to kickboxing with my friends Eloise and Calina.  Oh.  My.  Oh my.  It was amazing and awful at the same time.  But awful in a good way.  Like it kicked my butt.  But I needed it.  And....these:

We went to Impact Kickboxing, which I very, very highly recommend.