10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today is the last day of our spring break, so I'm a little sad that it's over, but I'm also happy that it means we only have about a month or so left of school and work. The countdown has begun! This break was much needed, and we had a blast.  

1. Having the week off for Spring Break was just what we all needed. We spent a lot of time resting and relaxing. It was so great not to stick to a routine (for the most part). I loved being able to take random afternoon naps. The boys especially loved staying up past their usual bedtime. 

2. We celebrated Raphael's birthday all week long. We did our usual birthday tradition (gifts, birthday cake, balloons, and the birthday boy's choice of dinner). We also went to Urban Air over the weekend to continue celebrating Raphael's birthday. It was so much fun.

3. All things Artemis II. I hope Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen know how much joy and wonder they gave the world. It was incredibly extraordinary...miraculous what they achieved. I loved seeing the joy on the faces of the astronauts and leadership during the livestreams. When I found out they would be cut off from contact with Earth for a little over 40 minutes, my heart dropped; when I found out they were safe and had reestablished contact, I rejoiced. Watching the astronauts come back to Earth was amazing. I'm still in awe. They gave me hope for humanity, and also, how cool that they actually went on the far side of the moon! I hope astronaut Koch and all the other women who helped with this mission realize that they've inspired so many girls and women. With all the terrible and scary things going on, the Artemis II was such a gift during these uncertain times. Thank you, Astronauts Wiseman, Koch, Glover, and Hansen. 

4. A must-read: Liz Plank's essay on Artemis II. 

5. Currently Reading: The Best Dog in the World by Alice Hoffman

6. I was feeling a little unsettled and decided to go for a 3-mile walk. It was everything I needed. I came home feeling more at ease. I really need to do this more often. Now that the pollen count isn't as out of control as it has been in the past few weeks, I may be able to go on my daily walks more often.

7. On repeat: The Yawning Grave by Lord Huron

8. John and I went to Trader Joe's over the weekend, and I had a blast picking out new-to-us things. We don't often go to Trader Joe's, so it was a treat to randomly pop in. Also, the employees are just so incredibly nice, and every time I've gone to Trader Joe's, it seems like everyone (including the customers) is in a good mood. 

9. Grocery store tulips. It's the simple things. Always and forever. 

10. This wonderful message.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time... 

Photo by Patrick Langwallner on Unsplash

April 2026 Goals

Happy Monday! We're a few days into April, and we're on Spring Break, so I'm really excited. March was an emotional, strange, and draining month. So I'm hoping April is a much smoother, calmer month.

In March, we were dealing with a lot of allergies due to the nonstop high pollen count. This year, it's hitting Raphael the hardest. We've gotten prescriptions and have been staying indoors a lot. Thankfully, the medicine seems to finally be working. I tried a bunch of stuff I received from Influenster, and a few of the items are things I will actually purchase. March was a slow reading month...I was surprised at the number of books I read. However, a lot of the books I read were really good. I went through waves of grief in March and thought about Mike a lot. I watched a new-to-me movie and listened to a lot of music. I visited my favorite boutiques and was inspired by all the spring products I saw. 

This month, I'm hoping for a calmer month. I'm also hoping to create and play more in April. As we're currently on Spring Break, I'm looking forward to not having to stick to a routine.

I'm looking forward to random naps, catching up on shows and movies, and going on adventures with John and the boys. I'm looking forward to celebrating Raphael's birthday. I can't wait to see what this month brings.

Well, since it's a new month, it's time for a quick recap of last month's goals and a look at my goals for April.

Recap of March 2026 Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library. Raphael and I read a couple of books he borrowed together, but I didn't finish any of the books I personally borrowed. I'm still reading Brawler by Lauren Groff, which I'm enjoying.

• Read 3 books I received from NetGalley: I read Captured Prey by Reno R. Mist, How Lucky I Am by Christian Watson, Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children by Mac Barnett, and We Burned So Bright by T. J. Klune. My favorite read of the month was We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune. In fact, this book will probably be included in my favorite books of 2026 list.

• Make 2 scrapbook/Project Life layouts: I didn't work on any crafty layouts. I just didn't have the energy to work on anything crafty. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: I didn't work in my journal; however, I've been keeping notes on my phone. The notes will eventually go into my sketchbook/journal (I never really know what to call it).

• Try 2 new recipes: I made ground beef sliders using Jacqui Saldana's recipe, and it was delicious! I also helped Gabriel make Latkes for a food project he had to do for a class. 

April Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt

What are your goals for April? How did you do in March?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! It's officially Spring Break, and Raphael's birthday falls during the break, which is nice. We're all so excited. We plan to have a staycation, but haven't set any plans for what we'll do during the break. It'll be nice to just go with the flow instead of having a schedule.

1. It's finally April, and I'm so excited for this month. Spring is in full bloom, and I can't wait to go to the farmers' market, buy fresh tulips every week, and go on more walks.

2. On the wishlist: Rain. The pollen has been out of control, and we've been having to stay indoors a lot. Thankfully, we're supposed to get some rain this weekend, and I'm hoping it'll wash away all this pollen.

3. I signed up for Beth Spencer's Introvert Drawing Club, and I'm so excited to work on a few drawing prompts. I'm really hoping for some more play and creative time in April. 

4. "I miss the pandemic." Same, Danny, same. Seriously, I thrived during the pandemic.

5. A song on repeat: In the Kitchen by Mree

6. Inspired by: Nathalie's mixed media paintings. I'm hoping to work on some mixed media and pair it with some of Beth Spencer's art prompts. 

7. Raphael and I woke up a little early this Saturday morning and got some errands out of the way. There were barely any people in the stores we went to, and we got done fairly quickly. This Saturday morning was quiet and blissful...and for that, I am grateful.

8. I finally caught up on reading a bunch of newsletters on Substack. I think I may make reading Substack newsletters on Saturdays part of my weekend routine. It really was nice to sit for a while and catch up on my favorite newsletters.

9. I've been keeping up with the Artemis II space mission and think the photos are so cool. I also ended up going on a Wikipedia wormhole about space, and it was so interesting.

10. I love, love, love the idea of curating a birthday stocking. With Raphael's birthday coming up, I think this would be a really nice gift idea. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time... 

Photo by Anita Austvika on Unsplash

March 2026 // A List

1. March was a month. As always, it was an emotional month for me. There were good days and bad days. Exciting days and stressful days. Slow, quiet days. And days that felt like I was in a never-ending whirlwind.

2. The waves of grief arrived. It was a mix of sadness and anger. I thought about my baby brother a lot. Mami shared a photo of him with me. My heart broke for her, for Mike, for my siblings, for myself. I can't even begin to imagine how mothers have to cope and grieve the loss of a child. I thought a lot about what Mike would have been like at 28. 

3. March was a month full of appointments. So many emails. A mile-long to-do list. So many deadlines.

4. March was a somewhat slow month for reading. I didn't read as many books as I normally do, but the ones I did read were fantastic. I still can't stop thinking about We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune.

5. Per usual, the return of Daylight Saving Time was and still is irritating. It took me weeks to get used to the time change, and I'm still shocked when I notice it's still bright outside at 7 PM.

6. Another annoyance, the return of the dreaded pollen. It finally arrived towards the middle/end of March. I guess March's parting gift for us all. It's really gotten Raphael this year. But on the bright side, it's supposed to rain for the next few days, so we're hoping it washes the pollen away.

7. I didn't really work much on crafty projects. I can't even blame it on a creative block. I just simply didn't have the energy to do it, even though I wanted to. March was truly an odd month.

8. I tried quite a few new treats. I especially loved trying the seasonal ones I found at Sprouts. I also received quite a few things from Influenster, and it was so much fun trying everything. 

9. Gabriel had a food-related project to work on at home, and it was so much fun cooking with him. He made latkes, and, thankfully, they were so easy to cook. It was also pretty tasty. I was surprised that latkes are sometimes served with applesauce. I may even make a batch again just to try it with applesauce.

10. The boys have been doing so well at school, and I am incredibly proud of them. I can't believe the school year is almost over. It's that time of year in high school when teachers are talking about college and life after graduation... and it's made me emotional. 

11. I found a new-to-me favorite snack. I've been devouring Sprouts' Organic Mini Milk Chocolate Brown Rice Cakes. They are so good and healthier than the other snacks I normally buy. I've packed a bag in my lunch bag a couple of times for work, and I also have a small stash at home. 

12. I made mini ground beef cheeseburger sliders, and they turned out delicious. They were so easy to make and very filling. I'm really hoping to try more recipes. 

13. I watched 10x10, and it was an insane movie. I rarely watch movies and TV shows, but I would like to catch up on quite a few. I think I'm going to make Fridays or Saturdays days when I take an hour or so to watch a show. 

13. I made a couple of decisions regarding my career path, and I'm feeling hopeful. I think 2026 is going to be a big career year for me. I've definitely been working a lot more on trying to get to where I want to be in my career. I've been doing a lot of research and coming up with different plans.

14. I only realized just a few days ago that Easter is so close. I'm not sure why I thought Easter was in mid-April. Of course, I have yet to shop for Easter goodies for the boys, but I will definitely do that in the next few days. 

15. I visited a few of my favorite local small businesses and loved supporting them. I especially loved celebrating the one-year anniversary of Sincerely Yours Bookstore's grand opening.

16. As the month comes to an end, I feel a bit relieved. March was a bit of an overwhelming month. There was just too much going on. And even though there were lots of good days, there were just too many things to do. I'm grateful for the lessons I learned this month, and I think it's wonderful that although April starts in the middle of the week, Spring Break begins at the end of this week. And for that I am grateful.

17. Goodbye, March. I think it was important that I experienced all that I did. A lot of things are starting to come together, and I know it has to be part of my journey. Hello, April. I hope you are a dream. I have such high hopes for you. Here's to calmer, peaceful, and less stressful days. 

Photo by Anita Austvika on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! This was a bit of a busy week, and I'm glad the weekend is finally here. We're all dealing with allergies, so we're planning to stay in this weekend. We'll probably play some video games, maybe a board game or two, watch a movie or TV show, and of course, read a book. I plan to catch up on some Substack newsletters and start reading a new book.

1. This tree diagram and other sketches by Morgan Harper Nichols were really inspiring.

2. I finally found POM teas, and they are so good! I especially love the Pomegranate Elderberry Boost Tea.

3. Harrison Ford's Life Achievement Award Acceptance Speech had me in tears. This was one of the best speeches ever. Harrison Ford is an absolute legend.

4. A song on repeat: Brother by Kodaline

5. Aubrey Hirsch wrote and drew this fantastic piece about ChatGPT Dads, and it was an interesting read.

6. "Little did I know having a girl helped me become a man." These words by Lavonte David made me tear up. 

7. Currently Reading: Brawler: Stories by Lauren Groff

8. On the wishlist: It's spring, and I'm in my floral era. I read about a woman, Rachel Weisel, who makes her own bouquets using Trader Joe's flowers. Now I'm interested in taking her Supermarket Flowers 101 class.

9. I found a Terry's Milk Chocolate Snowball (yes, it was still good) in my candy bowl, and I was so excited (I may or may not have let out an excited squeal). In fact, I'm currently eating a piece as I type this.

10. This upcoming week is the final week before spring break, and I'm so excited. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time... 

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Spring 2026 Bucket List

Happy Friday and First Day of Spring! I absolutely love that the first day of spring is on a Friday! I'm so glad the weather felt very springlike because just a few days ago, it seemed like winter was going to stay a bit longer. The weather definitely gave me (and I'm sure many other people) whiplash. 

This spring, I'm looking forward to the return of my local farmers' market, tulips, warmer weather, and walks along the Silver Comet Trail. I'm also looking forward to trying more seasonal foods, drinks, and treats.

Since it's a new season, you know I had to share my seasonal bucket list, which is a seasonal tradition and ritual I absolutely love. Many of the items on the list have appeared in previous spring bucket lists, but a few are new. Check it out below.

• Read 8 books

• Try 2 new recipes

• Submit a piece to an online publication

• Make homemade strawberry Pop-Tarts

• Participate in at least one Exhale blog hop

• Complete 1 unfinished creative project 

• Try a new art technique

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Participate in a book challenge

• Visit a new-to-me coffee shop

• Go for a family walk every week

• Visit a new-to-me restaurant

• Have a picnic

• Publish a photo essay

• Make a zine

• Watch 2 new (or new-to-me) movies

• Go to the farmer's market at least twice a month

• Make Same-Day Peasant Bread

• Make my own floral bouquet

• Have a movie and board game night

• Dye Easter eggs

• Go for a daily walk

• Buy fresh flowers every week

• Declutter and donate old toys and clothes

• Switch my perfume to a spring fragrance

• Make homemade syrups for teas and lemonade

• Go thrifting

• Visit a museum

• Visit the botanical gardens

• Document our spring adventures

• Continue to work on my 100 Days Project

What's on your Spring bucket list?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Kerri Shaver on Unsplash

Just Four Things

1. Have you watched the psychological thriller film, 10x10, starring Luke Evans and Kelly Reilly? This was such an insane movie. The film is about a man named Lewis who kidnaps a woman named Cathy. He takes her to a soundproof 10x10 room. As the film progresses, you start to understand Lewis' actions.

2. I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune and absolutely loved it! We Burned So Bright is about an older couple, husbands Don and Rodney, who go on an end-of-the-world road trip. They are racing against time from a black hole headed towards Earth, which will cause the world to end. Along the way, they meet various people on their own journeys. Some are in denial, and others have accepted what is coming. Don and Rodney reflect on their lives while also desperately hoping to fulfill their last promise. This was such a beautiful, powerful, breathtaking, and unforgettable read. It's not often that a book leaves me speechless and thinking about it days after finishing the book. The last chapter of the book had me in tears. Do yourself a favor and read this book. 10/10 highly recommend.

*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

3. I recently discovered Clean Skin Club Sensitive Skin Towels (I bought the Sensitive pack and the Luxe Bamboo Box set) in February and have been using these single-use face towels for about a month. I love that you can pair them with a cleanser or makeup remover. Or you can simply use them to dry your face. They are also great for drying your counter. I've been using them to dry my face after cleansing. I haven't tried it with my makeup remover (I don't often wear makeup), so I'll try to remember to update you on how it works with makeup remover when I do. Also, I'd like to note that I still have some conflicted feelings about single-use face towels, particularly regarding wastefulness and the environment. However, I'm happy with my purchase so far.

4. I'm always on the hunt for healthier snacks, and while on a random trip at Sprouts, I found some mini milk chocolate rice cakes. And oh my goodness, these are so delicious! I've tried other rice cakes, but never found one I liked, so I was actually surprised when I picked up a bag of these. Honestly, this was an impulse buy, and I was hungry (don't ever go to the grocery store hungry), but I'm so glad I decided to give these a try. They are so delicious, and I have added them to my grocery list.

What have you been up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...