Currently... January 2018

Happy New Year, y'all!!   2018 has arrived.  Along with all the exciting potential that comes with every new beginning.  It's also time to reflect.  To look at what has come to pass and where things stand right now.

Reading:  My current "just for fun" read is Into the Water by Paula Hawkins.  My personal/spiritual growth book is Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Eating:  oh my goodness...  I have overindulged SO much over the past 2 weeks!  I should probably live on nothing but fruits, veggies and a little healthy protein for a while.

Working On:  New items for my Etsy shop.  Setting goals for this new year.

Enjoying: Having my guys home for a couple more days before everyone goes back to work and school.

Anticipating:  2018 and everything it potentially holds!

Feeling:  Very grateful that I have a warm house to keep me safe from this bitter cold.  Brrrr...  Stay warm out there y'all!

What are you up to as 2018 kicks off?

Currently... December 2017

This year is almost over y'all!!  I'm still wondering what happened to November.  I'm pretty sure that just a few days ago it was my birthday and then all of a sudden - the entire month is gone.  It was such a whirlwind.  Besides my birthday and Thanksgiving, the Man of the House and I managed to get away for a few days to enjoy our 25th wedding anniversary.  It was a wonderful month!  And now we have December to enjoy...

Reading:  I've been focusing on a little light seasonal reading right now.  Some Debbie Macomber holiday stories like "Trading Christmas" and "Call Me Mrs. Miracle".  If anyone has any suggestions of books I should add to my To Be Read list in the new year, please leave me a comment!

Eating:  Let's just not even go there.  OK?

Working On:  Pretty much the same thing as just about every one else! Getting my house decorated for Christmas and getting the shopping completed.  

Enjoying:  Listening to Christmas music in the car!  I found the holiday channel on my XM radio and it has been going for a few weeks now.  The family may veto listening to Christmas music in the house before Thanksgiving, but when I'm alone in my car - I can listen to what I want!

Anticipating:  All of the upcoming Christmas festivities, obviously.  But also a little quiet time to relax.  The Man of the House has some time off coming up at the end of the year and I am looking forward to having him home for a little while.  I'm also looking forward to setting my goals for 2018.

Feeling:  As if there just aren't enough hours in the day

How is your December shaping up so far?

Currently... October 2017

October and November are my two favorite months of the year.  Maybe because fall is my favorite season and these are its peak months.  Maybe because during these two months the Man of the House and I both have birthdays and we celebrate out anniversary.  Maybe because of Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Or because it's the calm before the holiday whirlwind begins.  It's probably a combination of ALL those things!

Reading:  My reading slowed down a little in September.  I finished Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris, which I didn't start out liking very much - but ended up enjoying much more than expected.   Since then I have been reading  The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire by Jack Weatherford.  Despite being a little dry and slow going in some parts, it has been quite interesting to see the important role of women in the leadership of the Mongol empire (a historical period I admittedly don't know much about).  Unfortunately, the book had to be returned and had another hold waiting which prevented me from renewing it, so I am having to wait to complete it.  Until then I am reading The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena.  I had plans to read The Boleyn King by Laura Anderson last month, but my hold didn't become available until today.  So, that's next up on the October TBR list.

I am also still working my way through She's Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst with the Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study.  Oh my goodness gracious.  Just...  So, SO good!!


Eating:  *sigh*...  Here we go again.  Honestly, I haven't been eating a ton of bad stuff.  But I haven't exactly been healthy either.  The Man of the House and I are planning to work on that this month.  So, hopefully I'll have something that's not completely embarrassing to report at the beginning of November.

Working On:  You think I'm going to say "washcloths", dont' you?  I don't blame you.  That has been the answer for months and months.  But I am happy to say that NO, I am not currently working on washcloths.  I finally completed my big wholesale order and have moved on.  Right now the popular item seems to be tiger hats.

Enjoying:  Some pleasant fall temperatures. Finally!!  I was so over all those 80+ degree days.  I'm ready for some boot and sweater weather.  I'm such a fall girl.  Seriously.

Anticipating:  Celebrating the Man of the House's birthday this weekend.  And hopefully some more autumn hikes.  I'd like to take the grand kid to an apple orchard for some fall fun also.

Feeling:  hmmm... that's quite a good question.  I haven't really given it much real thought recently.  Which I suppose is a good thing.  If I cant' complain, I must be doing pretty well.  So, there ya go!

The week has just begun and October is already looking like a wonderful month for me!  How is your October currently looking?

Currently... September 2017

September has arrived.  It's almost Fall, y'all!!

Reading:  I did quite a bit of reading in August .  And read some really good books!  After completing My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry and A Man Called Ove , Fredrik Backman has joined my list of favorite authors. I can't wait to read more of his work!  

I just finished Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate - a fictionalized story based on the shocking real life Tennessee Children's Home Society (an organization headed by Georgia Tann which often lied or otherwise tricked birth parents into surrendering their children for adoption.  Even going so far as to kidnap children, or steal newborns while the mother was still under labor anesthesia, later telling them that their babies had died in childbirth.  She then charged adoptive parents exorbitant fees.  It was a terrible story, and a very good book.  Any novel which leaves me wanting to know more about the real life events on which was based is a good book in my opinion! 

Now I'm on to Then We Came to the End  by Joshua Ferris and The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen.  

My non-fiction this month is She's Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst.  I will also be participating in the Proverbs 31 Ministries on-line Bible study based on this book.  

Eating:  Ugh...  maybe I should just stop including this section. It's honestly getting embarrassing to have to admit month after month how terrible I have been eating.  Of course, the easy remedy would be to just start eating better.  But...  

Working On:  I'll give you one guess.  Did you say "washcloths"?  dingdingdingding  You got it!  It seems as if the stream of washcloth orders is never ending.  I also have a newborn football cocoon set to  work on.  

Enjoying:  The feeling I got from doing some good by giving blood yesterday.

Anticipating:  The best thing I am anticipating is that my handsome husband gets home from New York today!  It's only been a few days, but I've missed him bunches.

Feeling:  A little overwhelmed by the "free" time I seem to have during the day now that the grand kid is in kindergarten and I'm not watching him while his mom is at work.  Right now, I have had enough work to keep me busy and occupied.  If things start to slow down, I'm considering finding a knit and crochet group or something to join.

Currently... August

Once August arrives, the entire rest of the year seems to just fly right on by.  Today, it may currently be August 1st, but next thing we know I'll be posting about the holidays coming up and we'll be wondering where the time went.  Well, I plan to take things as slow as possible and really be in the moments instead of anticipating the rest of this year away. Who's with me?  Let's start by pausing to look at what we're doing and how we're feeling right now!

Reading:  I'm finally finishing up Issac's Storm by Erik Larsen.  And waiting to get back to the top of the wait list so I can complete A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

In non-fictio, I am finally reading through The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.  Confession:  I have avoided this book like the plague.  Because some of the things I have seen in reviews sound a little out there for me.  But I have decided to give it a chance, use what (if anything) I find helpful and leave the rest.  Then, I have 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker next in the queue.

Eating:  I had hoped July would be a better eating month. However... beginning the month on vacation - which involved lots of eating out, French toast breakfast (and one with chocolate gravy!) -  the female offspring's birthday, and an overwhelming craving for ice cream - it was not to be.  I did do some breakfast and lunch meal prepping once we were home again.  Which definitely helped keep me a little more on track!  More of that needs to happen in August.

Working On:  Would you believe washcloths?  Yep... more and still.  I've also been hard at work on some bath puff orders and a moose hat.  I took time during vacation to start on a beautiful wrap for myself.  Who knows when I'll get a chance to finish it!

Enjoying:  My new little car.  It is just so cute and I love driving it.

Anticipating:  The male offspring goes back to classes on the 14th.  The grand baby starts kindergarten later this month.  And...  The solar eclipse coming up on August 21!

Feeling:  Honestly... today I'm a little tired.  I didn't sleep well last night.

How about you?  What are you up to as August begins?  How are you feeling?  Anything you're really looking forward to this month?

Currently... April 2017

April has arrived.  Winter is officially over.  It's the month of bunnies, spring flowers, warm breezes, and baseball opening day.  We start looking forward to summer.   We put away the winter clothes and get out our shorts and sun dresses (usually to regret it a week later when we have a cold snap). 

Reading:  Suddenly every hold I had at the library has become available!  Seems like that's always how it works out.  I wait forever and then - BAM! I have a ton of books to read in a few short weeks.  I need to finish Ross Poldark, then I have The Chemist, Three Sisters, Three Queens, and A Man Called Ove.

Eating:  Less. I have been trying to keep up with tracking my calorie intake vs what I'm burning each day.  It's paying off.  I lost 7 pounds last month!

Working On:  Some sewing for myself.  I've been wanting some relaxed, comfy, wide legged palazzo pants and decided I would just make some.

Enjoying:  Having the windows open on these mild Spring days.  Before it gets too hot and they have to be closed again to run the air conditioner.

Anticipating:  A trip to Texas to visit with my baby sister!

Feeling:   A little freaked out that a quarter of this year is already behind us!  2017 needs to just slow it down a little bit.  Am I right, or am I right? 

What are you up to as April begins?

Currently... March 2017

Normally, about this time of year I would write something about looking forward to the start of Spring and warmer weather.  But let's be honest... around here it's felt like March (or maybe April) since January!  For all of you who have actually experienced a winter this year - I hope you are looking forward to warmer weather and Spring days.

March is looking rather quiet right now.  I'm very much ok with that considering how quickly the first two months of the year flew past.  It will be nice to pause and take a few deep breaths.  Of course, one never knows what might pop up out of the blue!

Before that has a chance to happen, let's take a quick peek at what life looks like right now.

READING:  "Still Life" by Louise Penny.  Some time back, a dear friend sent met several books in this series.  Which have been sitting on my nightstand for months.  Time for that stack to move, so I am placing them high on my To Be Read list for this year.

EATING:  As of yesterday - I am reducing/eliminating refined sugar.  So far, I am struggling.  Sugar has a serious hold on me.  It's going to be tough to break this.

WORKING ON:  A lot of Spring and Easter items for my Etsy shop

ENJOYING:  Quiet time in the afternoons.  Each day, I am trying to be intentional about making a block of time when I turn all my electronics off and I take a little while for myself to sip a cup of tea and read or crochet. 

ANTICIPATING:  Um... good question.  I can't think of any specific thing I'm  looking forward to at the moment.  Just a general sense of looking forward to making plans for the Spring and Summer.

FEELING:  Like I really, really, really want a cupcake. Or a donut.  (Did I mention that I'm off sugar?)

What are you up to Currently?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Currently... February 2017

January is over... already?? Well, that certainly didn't take long - did it?  It was a busy, and productive month for me.  I've been getting some decluttering accomplished.  Had my yearly physical, where I found out my cholesterol has improved but is still too high.  Ugh.  (Probably definitely from all that junkie food I was eating at the end of last year!)  I was sick with a virus which gave me a sore throat for a solid week.  We experienced our first snowfall of the winter.  And celebrated the grand kid's 5th birthday.  I can only hope February is just as wonderful - if not even better!

READING:  Trying to finish up an advance read copy of "Full" by Asheritah Ciuciu for a review this month.  Getting ready to start "The Art of Hearing Heartbeats" by Jan-Phillip Sendker.  And hoping to read "Stuart Little" with the grand kid this month.

EATING:  With the exception of the birthday overload last weekend, I have been eating better.  More fruits and veggies.  Making myself eat breakfast - usually oatmeal with berries.  Drinking more water. 

WORKING ON:  Decluttering! Last week, the Man of the House dropped off 3 bags and a box of donations at the local Goodwill.  And there is so much more to go.

ENJOYING:  The feeling after I get up early with the Man of the House and go walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill.  I won't lie... I do not enjoy the getting up that early.  But the feeling afterward, that's a good way to start the day!

ANTICIPATING:  Seeing my better eating habits and more exercise lead to improved cholesterol numbers and hopefully some weight loss.

FEELING: A little tired, probably from staying up too late reading and then getting up early.

What are you up to Currently?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Currently - January 2017

Welcome to 2017, y'all!  Don't you just love a new year?  What better way to kick things off than by taking a quick look at where we are right now!?

READING: Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin.  Not one I will be highly recommending.

EATING:  I have been eating SO poorly for the last few months.  And it shows.  Part of my year of "Simplify" is to simplify how I eat - less processed foods, more fruits, veggies, and grains

WORKING ON:  Starting some decluttering

ENJOYING:  Having my sweet hubby home in vacation for 2 whole weeks!!

ANTICIPATING:  All that empty calendar stretched out ahead of us.  Brimming with promise and unknown adventures, just waiting to be fulfilled!

FEELING:  Super optimistic about the new year!

What are you up to Currently?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Currently... November

Yes.  I read it also... "November".  I'm just gonna sit right here and give y'all a minute for that one to soak in.  Because... November.  This year is going to be over before we know what happened!  But, I don't want to rush things.  Let's just take a moment and really look at where we are currently...

Reading:  The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.  Which I am just about to finish.  After this it's back to The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  I had started this one before, but hadn't finished it before it was due. Because there was a request I couldn't renew at the time.  Therefore it got put on the back burner until I could borrow it again.  I am also reading The Wizard of Oz with the grand kid during his afternoon rest time on the days I have him.

Eating: A lot of junkie food!  I have been very busy with orders for my Etsy shop lately.  And I have been stressed out about keeping up with that, as well as a few family things that have popped up.  Because of this, I have not been eating like I should.  Flavored coffee creamers or sodas to help me keep some very late nights.  Candy.  Donuts.  Some more candy.  Ugh... I have GOT to get back on track!!

Making: What haven't I been making?  Washcloths.  Football snuggly sets for newborns.  A baseball snuggly set.  Tiger hats.  Robot hats.  Washcloths.  Bath poufs.  Facial rounds.  More washcloths. Lip balm holders.  Did I mention washcloths?  As I said... I have been busy!!

Enjoying:  Time with the Man of the House!  Despite my busy schedule we made time to go to Biltmore, went to a concert, and out to dinner.  If it weren't for him, I  would probably be working myself too much without breaks and making myself crazier than I already am!

Anticipating:  The upcoming holiday season!  Seems like a no-brainer, right?  In fact, I kinda feel like right now you're wondering why I thought I even needed to say that.  Well, I did.  It's true.  Let's move on.  I am also looking forward to celebrating another anniversary with the Man of the House on the 21st.

Feeling:  A little tired and stressed out to be completely honest.  I am still working my way through a stack of orders for the shop and not making the sort of progress I want or need to see.  People don't seem to understand that when I say I'm busy, what I mean is "I'm busy".  I'm trying to single handedly run a small business here - and take care of my family.   And, of course, there are holiday plans to be made, which is only causing me anxiety at the moment.


What are you currently up to?  Share in the comments, or write your own "Currently" post and share the link!

Currently... October

October has arrived!  I love this month.  The weather finally starts to behave like fall (usually).  It is always so beautiful with the leaves changing color.  We celebrate the Man of the House's birthday.  And Halloween wraps things up.

What else is going on as we head into this last quarter of 2016?

Reading:  The House at Riverton by Kate Morton.  Somewhat Downton Abbey-ish in the setting, time period and general theme. At least from what I've read to this point.

Eating:  Soups!  The weather has taken a slightly cooler trend and I am ready for pots of yummy comfort foods.   I have two on the menu for this week.   Plus the gumbo we had last night.

Making:  Besides soups? A whole bunch of cotton washcloths for customers!

Enjoying:  Decorating the house for fall.  When the offspring were young, I decorated more in a Halloween theme.  Now that they are older, I stick with a general fall, harvest-y look that can carry right through Thanksgiving.  I'll share more on this later in the week.

Anticipating:  The Man of the House's birthday next week!  Although he hasn't given me any ideas of what he wants to do to celebrate yet.

Feeling:  To say "a mixed bag" might even be an understatement.  In just the past couple of weeks I had my feelings hurt pretty significantly which left me very angry and very sad.  I haven't been sleeping great; so I'm tired.  Which can leave me grumpy. And I've also had some things which have me feeling very stressed.  So... ye.  On the other hand, I've had some great evenings out with the man of the house, which make me very happy and help me relax.  

What are you currently up to?  Share in the comments, or write your own "Currently" post and share the link!

Currently... September

I'm back, y'all!  Tokyo was Amazing, and I can't wait to share it with you.  But, first things first...

Reading:  Just completed Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok last night and began The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.

Eating:  Not much since I got back from Japan.  Haven't had much appetite for the past 24 hours.  Although, I am still kinda craving all the rich flavors I enjoyed while there.

Making:  Have a few standing orders for the shop, so I will be busy with bunny ear hats, football cocoons, and more facial rounds for a while.

Enjoying:  Being back home with my family.

Anticipating:  September has arrived!  Bringing with it all the promise of Autumn soon to come.  Cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, lots of pumpkin everything, and football season!  Yah!

Feeling:  Quite jet-lagged.  Tired, disoriented, and exhausted.

Currently... Things Are Moving Along

August is moving right along, isn't it?   Things are happening and plans are being made, and everything is just so exciting right now!

Reading:  The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.  A fictional account of Earnest Hemingway's marriage to his first wife, Hadley.  It's a bit strange to be enjoying a book so very much when I dislike all of the characters so very much.

Eating:  Spaghetti squash!  One of the zucchini vines we planted began producing something which clearly was NOT zucchini.  After a little research I determined it was probably spaghetti squash and decided to give it a go. And I was very pleased with the results!  What a happy mistake.

Making:  Finishing up a big order of cotton facial rounds for the shop.

Enjoying:  Both of my offspring being in college.   The male is starting his first semester, whole his sister is starting her final semester.  And for the first time ever they are attending the same school!  With the age difference between them the girl started middle school the year her brother started elementary and was in high school before he arrived in middle school.  So this is a new experience for them.

Anticipating:  A trip to Japan!! (insert squeals here)  The Man of the House and I have actually been anticipating this for a while.  I haven't said anything to anyone because until this week it wasn't a certainty.  But now - the plane tickets are purchased, the hotel is booked, and I am crazy excited!

Feeling:  Excited!  A little nervous. Very happy.

What's everyone else up to these days?

Currently... August

It's August, y'all!  And August means back to school time in this part of the country.  Back to school means fall is just around the corner.  And fall means cooler weather!  Can I get an "Amen!"?

But first we've got August to enjoy ...

Reading:  The Aviators Wife by Melanie Benjamin.  So far, so good.  The characters still seem a bit flat to me at this point, but it's still pretty early on.

Eating:  Better!  We fell of the wagon a little bit this past weekend with a lunch at a deli and ice cream with the grandbaby.  But for the most part we are making some better choices.

Totally worth it!

Making:  A chevron cup sleeve.  As well as washcloths, washcloths... and more washcloths for a wholesale order.  Then it's on to cotton facial rounds for another one.

Enjoying:  Spending time with the Man of the House.  Whether it's a day watching the Carolina Panthers practice football and puttering around Spartanburg, going for walks, or watching TV together in the evenings - he's good company.

See what I did there?  "Puttering around"!  We played putt putt.
I crack myself up!

Anticipating:  a little free time.  The female offspring had a couple of weeks off between semesters.  This means Oma doesn't have babysitting duty for a couple of weeks!

Feeling:  Busy...  but good.

Currently... July

I'm still nursing the last symptoms of my July 4th stomach bug, but after yesterday morning, any improvement is vastly better. So, Yah! for that.

Is there any month more summery than July?  June is fine and all... but for a good part of it you're still nursing a bit of a school year hangover.  August has you start thinking toward Labor Day and the autumn months.  But July... July is pure summer.

Who's ready to pause after the holiday weekend and take a look at where we are?

Reading:  Finished The Princes in the Tower and took a day to read Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (cause sometimes I'm  way behind the trends like that...) because I really needed a light, easy, funny read. Now continuing my Anglophile tendencies with Serving Victoria by Kate Hubbard.

Eating:  Not much of anything right now.  I did manage a bowl of chicken soup and a couple of crackers last night.

Making:  Finished the first of two baby blankets (or lapghans) and started on the second, which is a rainbow inspired design.  Can't wait to get them listed in the shop!

Enjoying:  Lower prices on cherries - while it lasts

Anticipating:  Getting back into a healthier eating routine.  Eliminating most processed foods, added sugars, gluten and dairy.  More fruits and veggies.

Feeling:  A little tired.  A little achy.  But much better than I did 24 hours ago!


How are you "Currently" doing?

Currently... catching up

Alright y'all.  I think I'm finally getting a handle on things and getting back to my usual self.  (Not that that couldn't use a little improvement as well, but one thing at a time...)  I've got some good stuff planned in the next couple of weeks.  Updates from the trip to New York.  A retrospective on the male offspring's graduation. Sharing a revelation I recently experienced.  Updates on some previous posts.  I can already tell that y'all are excited.  But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's pause and take a look at where we're at

Reading:  Still reading The Princes in the Tower.  It's pretty good; but so far it's mostly just a refresher course on a bunch of information I already knew due to my small obsession with interest in the Cousin's War and all things Tudor.

Eating:  Ribs.  So very, many ribs!  And don't think for one single minute that I'm complaining about that.  The Man of the House grilled some ribs low and slow for Memorial Day.  This week the female offspring's fella grilled some ribs.  I'm a gal who has a hard time saying no to just about anything that has been cooked outdoor.

Making:  A bath puff for the grandbaby.  He saw me making one for an order and said he needed one.  And how can I refuse that cutie?  Also working on two new baby blankets/lapghan ideas for the shop.

Enjoying:  Pretty much everything about my life right now!

Anticipating:  The raspberries ripening so they can be picked.

Thinking about:  More and more new items for Queen B's Busy Work.  Now I just need time to work on them.

Feeling:  A little embarrassed that I wrote "you're" in last week's post, when it should have read "your".  Be honest...  how many of you are grammer police and were burdened with the effort of not calling me out on that one?

What are your "currently" highlights?  Share them in the comments!

Currently... Monday June 13

Just like that... June is getting away from me.  It was the end of May.  I looked up, and here it is, almost the middle of June! In my defense, the past two weeks have been crazy.  We celebrated the male offspring's birthday, then Memorial Day and the next day the Man of the House and I left at the crack of dawn for 6 days on Long Island.  We arrived back home for he male offspring's graduation week - which means awards ceremonies to attend, planning to be done, graduation and a family cookout.  So... yeh.  Now that I have a moment to stop and catch my breath, I feel as if I went through a sort of time warp.  Which brings us to where I am right now.

Reading:  Just finished by Fortunate Son Walter Mosley and started The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir.  The first was quite depressing, and not at all what I was in the mood for at the time.  Although, I suppose a book about the mysterious disappearance of the boy King Edward V and his younger brother from the Tower of London isn't exactly a cheerful story either.  Anyone got any suggestions for a feel good novel or two?  I think I'm due for one of those next!

Eating:  Between traveling and graduation festivities, I am so far off track right now!  Too many sweet things, salty things, and sodas.  Time to get straightened out.  I think I see a trip to the Farmer's Market in my near future.

Working on:  Getting back into some sort of routine after the past couple of weeks.

Enjoying:  The idea of having two pretty much grown kids!   It is bittersweet not having little ones anymore.  But that's why God made grand babies!

Anticipating:  Short term - going to pick blueberries at my dad's the house.  Long term - the next season of our lives and every bit of potential it holds!

Thinking about:  How to keep the grand baby entertained this summer while still getting some work done.

Feeling:  Right now, I am just feeling exhausted.  Give me a few more days to get caught up and get all the processed sugars out of my system and we'll see where things stand at that point.

What are you're "currentlys" ?  Share in the comments!