So this is me: January 2024

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

January Daybook

For Today {Tuesday 23, 2024}

Looking out my window

Its been very cold and grey and January. And I'm pretty much over it. Ready for summertime!

I am thankful

Last Wednesday night I came home to a cold house. Rhett was able to come home check out the furnace and we were able to have a service guy come out and had heat before bedtime. Also thankful for the little woodstove in the living room so at least we had a warm spot in the house.

One of my favorite things

I am creating

I'm still working on my springfrost CAL but was feeling left out and behind so I started my new Sungold blanket on Friday night.

I am reading / listening to The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley and finding it delightful!

I am learning

My planner this year includes a New Testament reading plan. I happily discovered The Daily Grace Co is following the same schedule and am very much enjoying the journal and the podcast.

In my kitchen

Last night I made chicken thighs in my slow cooker with Everything Taco seasoning. They came out so delicious!

Tonight I am planning to do Pierogi Casserole and hopefully a Live video of some sort on my FB Amy's Pampered Kitchen stay tuned ;)

Board room

I'm trying to get brave enough to try socks with my new yarn I bought on our December coffee date.

pinned: knit/crochet
source: https://www.cypressandwool.com/2021/10/01/weekender-sock-free-knit-sock-pattern/

Shared Quote

Memories are precious things. Not to be taken for granted. They have the power to bring comfort, to make us smile and feel warm inside. Everyone should take the time to cherish the memories they have and be more intentional about making new, good, and lasting ones with those they love. -All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

A moment from my day keeping cozy as best we can...

Monday, January 22, 2024

Sister Coffee Date- The Cracked Bean

Saturday was our first Sister Coffee Date of 2024. We visited The Cracked Bean Roastery in Syracuse. I met my sister at her house and then we drove to the city together. It was bitter cold and a little snowy.

We got nervous after we ordered and were waiting for our coffees. There didn't seem to be any available seats and it didn't look like anyone was getting ready to head out.

But happily a spot on the couch opened up just as our orders were ready.

Evan was with us this time and good as gold. Chowing down on his snacks while we were at the coffee shop. Laura and I chatted about books and friendship and goals.

I was mildly jealous of the 4 ladies sitting behind me who seemed to be involved in a very in depth book club discussion.

We enjoyed Ham and Cheese Croissants, I had a toasted marshmallow latte and Laura had a cookie butter latte. All was very tasty. I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of the shop.

After we visited the used book store across the street.

I came home with a signed new read by a local runner author I can't wait to dive into.

The snow was increasing by the time we got home. My drive home from her house was anxiety inducing but safe. I was happy to cozy up in the living room by the fire for the rest of the evening while Rhett watched football and I work on my new crochet project. Bruno was pretty happy about it too.

Friday, January 19, 2024

Reading wrap up 2023

I was feeling behind that I had yet to do my 2023 reading wrap up but as it turns out I did it the same day last year so... I guess I'm consistent.

In 2023 I read 106 books. I love seeing the covers of all the books I completed. Although it annoys me that because some are rereads it messes up the order. But they're all there anyway.

My 5 star reads- I really really loved all these books.

My least favorites this year-

Killers of a Certain Age
Yellowface
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good

Almost half my books were digital. Which does not surprise me becaue I can default to reading on my phone anywhere ;). I would however like to read more of the physical books I own (*see 2024 goal below)

Almost 75% of the books I read were from the library or hoopla. (*again happy to support and utilize my local libraries but always want to read more of the books I have collected as of late).

Goodreads is still my go to for tracking but Storygraph has some fun data and charts I'm enjoying like the ones above and below... I also keep my own spreadsheet each year on google. I keep toying with the idea of a physical book journal but never seem to actually do it. I do write the title of the book on the day I complete it, in my planner.

My 52 BookClub Challenge- I completed 50 of 52 prompts, left incomplete was

13. Published Posthumously - had one picked but ran out of time and had to return to library
34. Featuring Mythology - started Olympus, Texas but DNF

My 2023 reading goals:

Read Middlemarch - still in progress
Work my way through the Outlander series again and read the ones I have not read yet.- read the 1st one- started the 2nd so maybe this is more a one a year goal 😅
Read 1 "growth" book a month, personal, home, spiritual or marriage- meh not so hot. Read about 5
50 states challenge- read a book set in each of the United States, I'm ok with this taking more than a year if necessary. I printed a map to color in as I go.- I'm about halfway- looks like I need to concentrate on the Midwest a bit
Maybe read Harry Potter series again- if the mood strikes- again- read the first one
Goodreads goal set at 100, also joined a 52 book challenge group on goodreads with 52 different prompts. 50/52 not bad

2024 Goals!

Finish Middlemarch
2024 52 Bookclub- (read 4ish a month to better keep up, be more intentional choosing- on track so far in January)
Read one growth book each month to go with the attribute of identity I'm focusing on (ie January is STRONG- Rising Strong by Brene Brown)
Read more of the books I already own (in 2023 I read 24 of my own books, 23% overall)
Read a President/First Lady book
A-Z Challenge
Goodreads and Storygraph goal set at 100