10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! This week went by pretty fast. I'm excited for this weekend. I'm hoping to spend some time at the pool and possibly watch Remarkably Bright Creatures or Off Campus.

1. I won a Goodreads giveaway and received my copy of What If We Get It Right? by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. I'm excited to read it.

2. I tried Trader Joe's S'mores Clusters, and oh my goodness, they are so good! I definitely plan to buy another bag or two.

3. Currently reading: Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

4. I finally bought some really big storage containers and can't wait to put them to use. I'm still decluttering, and these containers are going to make things so much easier to organize a couple of spaces.

5. On Repeat: "Cherish You" by Mikky Ekko. I first heard this song while watching Voicemails for Isabelle. The soundtrack for this movie has some really fantastic songs.

6. We started back-to-school shopping (I know...I'm so sad summer break is almost over) and I'm so happy with how much we were able to save. We still have a bit more to do, but I'm excited to see how much more we save. 

7. Inspired by: This journal by Magdalena, Ammie's Hobonichi Cousin daily pages, and Karenliz's art journal pages.

8. On the wishlist: Have you heard of the Buddha Board? This thing looks so cool. I love that you can draw something and then it vanishes depending on how much water you use. This seems like such a useful art tool.

9. Random afternoon storms. One of my favorite things about summer is the storms that come out of nowhere. Pair it with a favorite candle and a good book...and it's perfection.

10. I have a better idea of what my next steps are for my career, and I'm excited (and a little nervous). The past few weeks have been very eye-opening. Although there were some stressful days, I think everything that happened needed to happen. I'm feeling a bit more at ease, and I'm so thankful for that.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash

July 2026 Goals

Happy Wednesday! We're eight days into the month, and I'm just now sharing my monthly goals. This month is going by so fast already.

June was unexpectedly busy and at times incredibly stressful. We were busy with home repairs, and we also had a ton of appointments. I'm glad we got all of the appointments for June out of the way before school starts back again. 

Even though June didn't go as planned, there were some great days. One highlight of the month was celebrating Father's Day. We spoiled John with some gifts. John and I also went out on a date. I got to see my youngest niece and nephew. They have gotten so big, and it was nice to see the kids all together. I participated in my first online focus group, and it was so interesting. 

This month, I'm really hoping for a slower month. I'm a little sad that summer break is almost over, and I'm determined to have a less stressful month. I'm looking forward to celebrating my wedding anniversary and going on a nice date with John. I'm looking forward to more decluttering around the house. I'm impressed with how much I've gotten done. I'm also looking forward to continuing my low-spend summer. I really like that I've been intentional about my purchases this summer, and I'm hoping this continues after the summer as well. 

I'm planning to continue to take it easy on my monthly goals. Although I should have more time this month to work on my goals, I don't want to stress about it. Since I've mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's have a quick recap of last month's goals and check out my goals for July.

Recap of June Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: Raphael and I read several books from the Pigeon series by Mo Willems. I also read Love Poems by Rupi Kaur.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read Cloud Runner by Jo Harjo. I absolutely enjoyed this collection of poetry. The way Harjo put her grief into words was powerful, sad, and at times heartbreaking. I also read Bad Bunny by Lexi Davis. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I did not make any layouts or anything crafty. June was an insane month, and I was so busy with a bunch of things that I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on any crafty projects. I'm glad I didn't forget to make anything; I just simply did not have the time. 

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe: I completely forgot about this goal. Honestly, even if I did remember, I did not have the energy to even try a new recipe. I mainly stuck to our favorites, but we also had takeout a couple of times. 

July Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe

• Work in my journal/art journal

• Watch or stream a movie

• Enjoy the rest of our summer break

What are your goals for July? How did you do in June? 

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Can you believe it's already July! We're already five days into the month! It seems like this month may just fly by as well. I hope you all have been enjoying your summer. However, you decided to celebrate the holiday and long weekend, I hope you were all safe and had fun. 

1. We celebrated Mami's birthday. It was nice seeing my sisters, nieces, and nephews. The kids have gotten so big. 

2. I read Julia at the Drive-In by Rainbow Rowell and really enjoyed this short story. This story is part of the Edge of Everything short story collection.

3. It was strange to even think about celebrating the Fourth of July. We kept it low-key, but John and I did go on a little day date. We even snuck in some errands too. 

4. I put a few books on hold at my local library, and I'm so excited because Austin Kleon's latest book, Don't Call It Art, is finally in transit to my local library. I should be able to pick it up in the next few days. 

5. On repeat: Angels by Khalid. Love the entire album, American Teen.

6. John and I finally went to The Salty. We bought the Boston Cream Pie and Traditional Glazed donuts. The donuts were massive and so good. 

7. I'm always inspired by Katie Licht's collage books. 

8. On the wishlist: I need a new bookcase and a couple of storage containers. I'm still in decluttering and organizing mode, so the storage containers will actually be useful. The bookcase is both a need and a want...my current one is broken.

9. We've been eating so much fruit this summer. My favorite in recent years has been Rainier cherries. So good!

10. I'm really thankful this was not such a busy week. It was just what I needed. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

June 2026 // A List

1. June...June was absolutely not what I expected.

2. I spent way too much time sending emails and resolving what seemed to be a never-ending issue. I don't think I've ever spent so much time sending emails in June as I did this year.

3. There's a frog that we hear at night, and we're pretty sure it's in or near our patio area. I absolutely love hearing it. 

4. I'm not a big sports fan, but just like the NBA Finals, I've been enjoying all the World Cup videos and memes. I love how excited everyone is, and it's a nice reprieve from the news and the state of the country.

5. I had way too many appointments this month, but I'm glad we got them out of the way. I'm really thankful that July will be a month with very few appointments.

6. I've been more mindful of my spending and am trying to do a "low-spend summer". So far, it's going great.

7. I love that my Instagram feed is showing recipes and lots of crafty, artsy content. 

8. We celebrated Father's Day and John. We gave John a couple of gifts. John and I went on a date and decided to go to the Corner Taqueria.

9. We've borrowed so many books this summer. I've already completed my local library's summer reading challenge.

10. I highly recommend putting Cloud Runner by Joy Harjo on your TBR list, requesting it at your library, or preordering it. I was so lucky to get an advanced copy and absolutely loved it. 

11. Amy Turn Sharp shared a really great idea on her Substack newsletter, Warm Hands.

12. I wasn't in the best mood in June, and I'm still sad about it. I'm hoping for better days in July.

13. I don't normally watch a lot of movies or series, especially during summer, but there are quite a few I'm hoping to watch in the next few weeks. 

14. I've been dreaming of autumn. 

15. I have a couple of big decisions to make...and I'm a bit anxious and excited about them.

16. May the next month continue to bring this sudden creative surge that I've been looking for and waiting for. Here's to hoping I actually work in my journal.

16. So long, June. You were a month. Hello July. Although I don't associate you with lazy days, I'm really hoping for a much more peaceful and less stressful month. 

Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Can you believe we're at the end of June? I can't believe we're just days away from July. This week was incredibly busy and at times very stressful. In fact, the entire month has been busy and kind of stressful. I'm glad this month is almost over. Although the month has been...a month, I've been making sure to think about the things that made me happy every week. Doing this has really helped me remember that good things still happen, even if it's something small.

1. I think my creative block is going away, and I'm so excited. I think decluttering definitely helped bring that creative spark back.

2. This made my heart smile.

3. Decluttering! I am still decluttering a room/area almost every day. I've donated so many bags of stuff and tossed out a lot of things, too. I shredded so much paperwork and was honestly shocked at how much stuff I had saved that we no longer needed. I may reopen my Etsy shop and sell some of the crafty things I no longer use. Maybe I'll make some ephemera kits? If you're interested, please let me know. I have way too much stuff. 

4. On Repeat: Another Brick In the Wall, Pt 2 by Pink Floyd

5. Malaka Gharib's Summer Worksheet. I plan to fill mine out soon.

6. On the wishlist: Don't Call It Art by Austin Kleon 

7. I found a new-to-me New York Times series called Metropolitan Diary. I'm enjoying this series a lot.

8. Currently Reading: I'm slowly reading What Are You Waiting For?: An Anthology, edited by Kathy Curto. I've also been catching up on a lot of Substack newsletters by my favorite writers and artists.

9. "If I am being honest, the only people I listen to are women." - Amy Turn Sharp

10. I looked at my July calendar and am happy that I don't have a lot planned for the month. I'm hoping for a less chaotic and less stressful month.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Tetiana Padurets on Unsplash

Summer 2026 Bucket List

Happy Monday! Yesterday marked the first day of summer! Although it's felt like summer for weeks, there's just something about the official start of a new season that makes me excited. As always, I love to mark the beginning of a new season with a seasonal bucket list. Although I usually don't cross everything off my list, it's always fun to make one. Of course, my bucket list includes a bunch of my traditional must-do activities, but I also included a few new things. I may or may not update this list in a few weeks if I come up with anything new. Check out the list below.

• Read 8 books

• Read the Edge of Everything short story collection

• Try 3 new-to-me recipes like this one

• Publish 1 personal essay or micro-memoir

• Drink more water

• Watch 2 movies

• Create a photo essay

• Participate in a creative class

• Declutter a room or area a week

• Collect things to donate

• Start a new TV series 

• Complete my library's book challenge

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Make 2 layouts

• Order photo prints

• Make s'mores

• Eat Rainier cherries

• Go to Food Truck Tuesday

• Play more board games and card games

• Learn more about my library's resources

• Spend less

• Go for more walks 

• Visit more local events

• More afternoon naps

• Make a mini book

• Work on meal prep

• Take more photos

• Look into selling books on Pangobooks

What's on your summer bucket list?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Matthew Brodeur on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! It's been a very busy week, and I'm so glad that it's the weekend. Today, we went to visit my mami and got to see my nieces. Tomorrow is Father's Day, so we'll be spending the day celebrating John. 

1. I finally got a notification from my local library about a book I've had on hold for months. I was so excited to pick it up.

2. This unpublished speech by Andrea Gibson. Simply one of the best commencement speeches I've ever heard.

3. The absolute accuracy. #CardinalSigns

4. On Repeat: Jessie Murph's album, Sex Hysteria (Deluxe)

5. Inspired by: Karen Liz's pumpkin card. And Carlotta Klee's landscape drawing hack.

6. On the wishlist: I'm on the hunt for a new pair of black flats. If you have any recommendations, please share them.

7. John and I went on a date and also celebrated Father's Day a day early. We went to the Corner Taqueria and enjoyed a nice late lunch/early dinner. 

8. Currently Reading: Coffee + Crumb's 2026 Summer Collection. I always enjoy reading the seasonal essays, poetry, and other works by the various writers. I've been slowly reading through the collection. 

9. Some wonderful life advice: "Do what you have to do until you're able to do what you want to do."

10. As you may already know, my local Barnes & Noble is closing, so they are having a massive sale. A week ago, I had my eye on a study guide and decided to not buy it. Fast forward to this weekend, and I was delighted to see it was still in stock, so I quickly purchased it.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash

Atlanta Mom Blog

Happy Wednesday! I'm over at Atlanta Mom with a new post. I'm sharing a list of summer family-friendly movies. Feel free to check out my post and tell me what you think. You can check out my previous posts here. 

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy Last Week

Happy Monday! I meant to share this post over the weekend, but unfortunately, we were dealing with some internet outage. Right when I was about to hit publish on this post...the internet went out, and it's been off and on for the entire weekend. This also made me realize how much we rely on the internet. On the bright side, my screen time decreased, so I'm counting that as a win. 

1. My sleep cycle has been off, but it's been nice being able to sleep in. Just one of summer break's perks. 

2. I'm not a basketball fan, but I've been enjoying seeing how excited New Yorkers are for the Knicks. Also, congratulations to the Knicks! 

3. Inspired by: Michelle Rial's chaotic Overthinking Children's Book Venn diagram

4. On Repeat: A mix of Fleetwood Mac, Lord Huron, Sufjan Stevens, SYML, and Lana Del Rey

5. I've been on the hunt for new-to-me recipes, and this one-pan cheesy pasta bolognese might be one I make in the next week or so.

6. This made me laugh. Also incredibly accurate for the weekend, especially on Saturday. The high temperature was 91 degrees, but it felt like it was 95.

7. This is such a beautiful short film of Oliver Jeffers sharing the story behind TIME AND SPACE. The watch is stunning, but expensive. However, it's still on the wishlist.

8. Currently Reading: My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

9. I was finally able to go to the salon to get my hair done. My hair definitely needed some TLC. I got my ends trimmed too. It was also great to catch up with my hairstylist.

10. I'm close to completing my local library's summer book challenge!

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! It's finally June! May really flew by. I can't believe it's been a week since June's arrival! So far, we are enjoying our summer break. It may not be officially summer, but it definitely feels like it. This week was a bit of a slow week, but I absolutely loved it. I'm really looking forward to slower days in June and all the adventures we plan to go on. 

1. I recently learned about The Strangers Project and think it's such a cool project. The Strangers Project was founded by Brandon Doman. Brandon collects handwritten stories by strangers. None of the stories is submitted online or via mail; they are written in person and are anonymous. Although the Strangers Project is based in New York City, I would love for there to be a pop-up in my city soon. Check out the Strangers Project Instagram page here.

2. Unfortunately, our local Barnes & Noble is closing. This particular bookstore's architecture and design are gorgeous, so it's a bit sad that they are going to tear it down to make way for a gas station. John and I stopped by since they are currently having amazing deals. We found some great Father's Day gifts and birthday gifts for my father-in-law. We also bought a few books for the boys, a really cool planetarium projector for Raphael, and I stocked up on greeting cards for upcoming holidays and birthdays.

3. I recently learned I won a copy of What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson from a Goodreads Giveaway. I'm so excited to get my copy. 

4. On Repeat: Petit Génie (Italian Remix) by Jungeli feat. Imen Es, Lossa, Rhove, and Germo67

5. I received Katie Licht's latest analog newsletter, and it was so incredibly relatable.

6. On the wishlist: Rowan Semi-Precious Custom Layered Bracelet by BaubleBar

7. On the Summer Bucket List: Visit the High Museum of Art to see Amy Sherald's exhibition, American Sublime and Los Porfiados (The Stubborns) by the Chilean creative studio, gt2P.

8. Currently Reading: Love Poems by Rupi Kaur

9. Inspired by: Yin Goh's journal flip through and Elyssa's drawings of people

10. I've been participating in my local library's summer book challenge, and learning so much about the many resources my library offers. It seems like almost every day since the challenge started, I have learned something new. I'm blown away by all the things available. I'm especially excited about the different library databases offered. From education to career to genealogy and so much more, there is such a wealth of information to be learned from the resources offered.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash

June 2026 Goals

Happy Thursday! Can you believe it's already June? We're halfway through 2026, which is wild. Honestly, I'm glad May is over. May was an absolute whirlwind of a month. It was a fun month, but there were some really stressful days mixed in, along with some tears. Some happy tears, some sad tears. Such is life. 

In May, we celebrated Michael's birthday. We also celebrated Mother's Day and started celebrating a bit earlier. We went to Mami's the day before Mother's Day and spent time with her. Then John and the boys spoiled me on Mother's Day. The boys also had their award ceremonies, and we are so proud of all they have accomplished this school year. 

I also had a big decision to make related to my career, and I feel so much better now. I have a few plans set in place, and whichever option I choose, I feel so much more at ease. A not-so-great moment was having to deal with car maintenance. We had to get both our SUV and car serviced in May, and the amount we had to pay was unexpected, but we got it done. I'm glad it was taken care of, and we won't have to worry about it in the long run. We are also getting a few home things taken care of, which was and is still a bit annoying, but we're hopeful it'll all get finished in a few weeks.

This month, I'm hoping for a slower month. With the boys and me on summer break, I'm looking forward to not having to stick to a routine. I'm looking forward to going on adventures with my family. I'm looking forward to eating all the summer fruit and treats. I'm looking forward to working on a few creative projects. 

This month (actually, this summer), I plan to take it easy on my monthly goals. Although I should have plenty of time to work on goals, I just want to have a more carefree summer. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get most of my goals done in May, but I need to remember that May is an extremely busy month for me. Of course, since I mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's have a quick recap of last month's goals. Then let's check out my goals for June.

Recap of May Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson. Raphael and I have been on Mo Willems kick. We read It's My Bird-Day!, The Pigeon Has to Go to School, and Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems. We also read Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Kobina Commeh.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read Notes on Love: Poems and Photography by F.S. Yousaf, Words to Love a Planet by Ella Frances Sanders, This Is Terrible, This Is Wonderful by Rani Ban, and The Best Dog in the World: Essays edited by Alice Hoffman.

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: So this did not happen. I was way too busy in May. This time, I can really say that there just simply wasn't enough time to work on many of my creative projects. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: This also did not happen. Again, see the explanation above.

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt: Ugh. This also did not happen, and I'm a bit disappointed I didn't work on any prompts. This was probably the main creative project I was hoping to work on, but I didn't get to it.

June Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe

What are your goals for June? How did you do in May?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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May 2026 // A List

1. Maycember! Maycember! What an absolutely hectic month it was! This month was chock-full of events. Award ceremonies. Car and SUV services. Orientations. Mother's Day. Michael's birthday. It was a month.

2. This year marked Michael's 16th birthday. 16 years old! How did my oldest son get so big! He's old enough to learn to drive (cue the panic and hyperventilating). We did our usual birthday traditions and had so much fun celebrating his day. 

3. We started celebrating Mother's Day early by visiting Mami that Saturday. The next day, John and the boys spoiled me with gifts. John took me out on a date where we spent the afternoon at the Marietta Square and went to a few shops. We finally got to go to this adorable little coffee shop called Tuesday, where I tried their latte and their special Mother's Day syrup. We also got a couple of BonBon candies, which were delicious. 

4. May was another big month in making plans regarding the next steps for my career. There were hours spent on research and making various plans. Things are coming together. I'm both scared and excited, with a heavy dose of feeling hopeful.

5. The boys all received awards at their schools. I was and still am incredibly proud of them. Their award ceremonies were wonderful. It was lovely seeing them be recognized for their accomplishments.

6. I absolutely love graduation season. The looks on the parents' faces. The look on the graduates' faces. The awards. How everyone cheers everyone on. The energy. The hope for the future. With everything going on in the world, I love that everyone comes together during graduations.

7. May was also full of surprises. I saw a coyote in our neighborhood. A coyote! I didn't even know we had coyotes in our part of the state. It was so bizarre. 

8. Another highlight was the start of farmer's market season. I even got a free Smyrna market bag, which I plan to use every time I go to the market.

9. My little sister came to visit, and I got to see my nephew and niece. Oh, how they've grown so much. The kids had so much fun spending time together. 

10. I finally bought a new printer, only for it to not work. The hunt for a new printer continues. Maybe I'll find one in June?

11. Also, a gentle reminder to please remember to check out your local library and check out the resources they offer. While John and I were running errands, I remembered I needed to print a document...and of course, my printer is not working. So we quickly stopped by the library, printed the things I needed, and also picked up a book I had on hold. 

12. May was another month full of lessons, and I'm so grateful for them. 

13. Now that we're on summer break, I'm really hoping for some much-needed rest and calmer days. It'll be great to not have to be on a routine. 

14. So long, May. As always, you were an absolute whirlwind of a month. Hello June. Here's to "lazy" days ahead. May you be a month of rest and relaxation with a mix of fun-filled days.

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! This is the first weekend since the start of summer break. My little sister is coming down to visit and is bringing my nephew and niece with her. We're planning to meet up at Mami's house to spend time together. 

1. We're officially on summer break, and I'm so excited. I really needed this break, and I'm looking forward to all the adventures we'll go on. I'm hoping to catch up on a few shows and read a few good books.

2. I received some happy mail from Haley Weaver. I always enjoy the letters and surprises in each seasonal mailer. I plan to use some of the things in my journal and may even add something to my scrapbook.

3. New favorite: Chobani Cookies & Cream Creamer. This is such a delicious creamer. I've been using it in my morning coffee every day. I think this may be Chobani's best coffee creamer to date.

4. Why Do Children Always Collect Things?

5. On repeat: Dai Dai by Shakira and Burna Boy

6. Summer Reading challenges. I plan to join my local library's summer reading program and can't wait to begin. The New York Times also announced its Summer Reading Bucket List. I plan to try to join in as well.

7. A must-read: A Stirring Story by Melanie Dale

8. I've started slowly decluttering, and it's been so nice seeing more newly-opened space. I love the feeling of being more intentional about what I bring into my home. 

9. I'm also hoping to stick to a no-spend/low-spend summer, so I've been looking up different lists of ideas to help assist with this goal.

10. Summer is off to a good start. I'm still waking up really early in the morning, but it's actually been really nice. I've been enjoying my coffee while the boys are still asleep and catching up on some reading and chores. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Zoe Richardson on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at a new-to-us local coffee shop to celebrate the end of the school year and work. New seasonal drinks and treats are now being served everywhere, so I'd probably order something from the seasonal menu. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we did our usual last-day-of-school celebration by getting takeout. I also bought some really delicious sundae cupcakes that remind me of summer. I'm so excited for summer and can't wait to see what we end up doing during the break. The boys are so excited, especially since they won't have to get up so early. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so proud of how far my sons have come this school year. They have all grown so much and have been doing so well. I still can't believe that I will now have two kids in high school. Time is going by so fast. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this time of year always makes me emotional. I love all things graduation season. The excitement of completing college. The realization of the hard work and sacrifice it took to get to the end. The sheer pride and joy in the eyes of the graduate's family and friends. The absolute joy of the graduate. Whether the graduate completed kindergarten (or elementary school), middle school, high school, or college, I am always so excited to see everyone celebrating.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that one of the things I plan to do this summer is to continue decluttering a room everyday(ish). I know some rooms may take more than a couple of days, so I'm going to dedicate time to a specific room or area until it's done. My hope is to either donate a lot of things or possibly even sell some stuff. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I still have some big decisions to make. I've been going through waves of excitement and slight panic. I'm still not ready to share all the details, but currently I'm feeling both excited and nervous. The other day, I saw a meme/post that said, "How traumatized are you?" and the response was, "When good things happen to me, I get nervous." This was so relatable.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up. As always, these coffee chats are always a highlight of my month. I hope you enjoy the rest of your month, and if you have started your summer break, I hope it's off to a great start. Here's to all things summer. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! This past week was so busy, and I was so excited once it was Friday. We had a few celebrations and award ceremonies. An appointment. Some meetings. Field trips. All the things! So it was really nice to take some time to relax this weekend and not stick to a routine.

1. Michael and Gabriel had their school Honor award ceremonies this week. I am so proud of both of them. They have grown so much. I still can't believe that Gabriel will be going to high school, and soon Michael will graduate from high school. Time is flying by.

2. Inspired by: Tracey Holdyk's camp journal. Elyssa's drawings of cats and still life. Flowers...especially tulips. All things graduation season. Get Messy May prompts.

3. There are three new RYZE latte flavors available in stores! I bought their Matcha, Chai, and Ube Vanilla coffee lattes sticks and can't wait to try them. I'll probably try the Chai latte first. 

4. On repeat: Piece By Piece by Pharell Williams. I first heard this song while shopping at Old Navy, and it's been stuck in my head ever since.

5. I tried Trader Joe's Patio Potato Chips, and they are so good. I loved the different flavors that were in the bag. The Homestyle Ketchup chip caught me off guard. The Patio Potato chips reminded me of the Lays All Dressed potato chips. 

6. I preregistered for my local library's Summer Reading Program, and I can't wait to get started. I participated in last year's program, and it was fun. I even earned a free mug. 

7. On the wishlist: This shirt from Long Story Books

8. I am currently working on decluttering one room (or an area of a room) each day, and it's been nice getting rid of a lot of stuff. On Saturday, I went through a ton of papers and shredded them. It was so nice to have a clearer workspace. I also realized how much stuff I've been holding onto that I didn't even need. My paper shredder definitely got a workout, and I ended up having two big bags full of shredded paper.

9. I went to the Smyrna Market and got a free tote that I plan to use whenever I go to the farmer's market. It's a really nice size. While at the farmer's market, I bought some peaches, blueberries, sourdough bread, and my favorite lemonade tea. I plan to use the bread to make some BLTs for lunch. I'm going to use the blueberries to make a blueberry syrup. I may try to find a dessert recipe for the peaches, but I'll probably have a few packed with my lunch for the upcoming week.

10. We are just days away from the last day of school! I'm beyond excited! 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Masaaki Komori on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! This week has been a busy one with lots of celebrations and end-of-school-year events. I was pretty excited for the weekend so I could get some much-needed rest and relaxation. 

1. We celebrated Michael's birthday! I can't believe he's 16 years old! I've been thinking about the day he was born and how much he's grown. Yes...there were a few tears. 

2. Teacher Appreciation Week was really nice. I gave the boys' teachers a little gift. Their teachers gave us sweet Thank You cards that I'll be adding to my scrapbook. 

3. A new favorite: Milani Cosmetics Highly Rated Lash Extensions Volumizing Tubing Mascara. I received this from Influenster and was surprisingly pleased with it. I don't normally wear makeup, especially mascara. The other mascaras I have tried usually flake or clump, but with this Milani mascara, I didn't have those issues. It also stayed on all day and was so easy to take off. 

4. Kate Baer's poem, Childhood. Short, but beautiful. Such nostalgia. 

5. On Repeat: Kaleidoscope by Chappell Roan

6. John and I went to the cutest little coffee shop. I had been wanting to check out Tuesdays Coffee + Shop for the longest time, so I decided to go on Mother's Day for a treat. I tried their iced latte with their special Mother's Day strawberry syrup, and it was so good. We also bought some BonBon's Sour Blackberry Fish, BonBon's Sour Peach Fish, and BonBon's Chocolate Wafer bar while at the coffee shop. I haven't tried the candies yet, but I'm excited to try them this coming week.

7. Currently Reading: My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. I'm planning to read the rest of the books during the summer. 

8. Inspired by: Julia Polinsky's (@juliagetscreative) take on the Messy May journal prompts. Love this one so much. 

9. We decided to celebrate Mother's Day early. On Saturday, Mami invited us over for brunch. We exchanged gifts and spent time together. It was a low-key, but perfect start to Mother's Day. John and I also went on a date. We went to a few shops and got some coffee and pastries. 

10. We are so close to the end of the school year, and I'm getting more excited every day. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Zach Camp on Unsplash

May 2026 Goals

Happy Wednesday! Woo-hoo! It's finally May! I'm so excited! May is one of my favorite months of the year! We have so many things to look forward to in May, and I can't wait.

April was such an overwhelmingly busy month, but it was a good one. In April, we celebrated Easter and had a small but fun Easter egg hunt for the kids. At one point, John and I actually forgot how many eggs we hid, but eventually the boys found them all. We also celebrated Raphael's birthday. We did our usual birthday traditions and went to Urban Air to celebrate. I was (and still am) obsessed with all things Artemis II. I still can't believe that astronauts orbited the far side of the moon. I received some incredible news and have to make a big decision soon. Even though it's great news, it did make me a little anxious, so I did a lot of research and went for long walks to help settle my mind and body. On one particular day when I felt really unsettled, I went for a walk, listened to Lord Huron, read about Artemis II, and took some random photos, which was the perfect way to destress. April was an eye-opening month full of lessons and, honestly, a breath of fresh air. I fully believe that everything that happened in April needed to happen. It was a long time coming. 

This month, I'm looking forward to celebrating Michael's birthday. I can't believe he's turning 16! Where has the time gone? We will be celebrating all month long. I'm also looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day. I've already bought Mami's gift, and I can't wait to spend time with her.

I'm looking forward to celebrating my sons' teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. I'm especially looking forward to summer break. I'm incredibly excited and have been counting down the days.

Of course, since it's a new month, it's time for a quick recap of last month's goals. Then we can check out my new goals.  

Recap of April Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: I read Brawler by Lauren Groff. Brawler was such an interesting read and kind of a dark read at times. With that being said, if you need trigger warnings for your books, you may want to check the triggers first. Raphael and I read Fish Friends Forever by Kerry Ferguson, The Hole by Lindsay Bonilla, and The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer. I found it funny that we read The Shortest Day during spring. We had the book placed on hold with the intention of reading it on the day of the winter solstice. However, it took forever to finally get the book.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: One Moment: Poems by Luis Muñoz and Axolotl-Ella: A Sort-of Cinderella Story by Kate Messner. One Moment was a nice collection of poems. I loved that the original Spanish poems were included alongside the translations. Overall, the translations were solid. Axolotl-Ella was such a cute read. I love a Cinderella retelling, so I was excited to dive into this one. The illustrations by Lian Cho were amazing. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I didn't work on this at all. I have all my photos, so I just have to put them where I want and then work on the journaling.

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: Unfortunately, I did not work on this either. I simply did not have the time and, quite honestly, the energy to do anything really creative this month. 

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt: I remembered wanting to do this, but I need to look at all the different prompts and decide which one I want to try first. I'm hoping to find some time this month to work on a prompt or two.

*With how busy I was in April, I'm not surprised that I didn't really cross out all of my goals for the month. In fact, I'm surprised at the number of books I read. Normally, I read way more, but even reading took a bit of a backseat.

May Goals

• Read 1 book 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 May? How did you do in April?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Dhony Koswara on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! It's finally May! I'm so excited. It's going to be a busy month with school events for the boys and work stuff for me. Although I've been counting down the days until summer break since last month, now I can really say that the countdown has really begun. 

1. After getting some big news and having to make a big decision, I started to feel a bit anxious. I've been considering all my options and, thankfully, was able to have a really refreshing and much-needed conversation. The conversation and information I received definitely eased a lot of my concerns, and now I feel a little more at ease. I'm not ready to share the big news or my decision just yet, but I will soon.

2. Get Messy May has officially started. Get Messy May is a free month-long daily(ish) art challenge. Each daily prompt is hosted by a different artist. I know I won't complete each prompt every day, but I hope to work on them throughout the month. I think I may just pick the ones that catch my attention.

3. "When you have nothing left to give, let yourself receive." - Nicola Jane Hobbs

4. I received my copy of Beth Ann Fennelly's Heating & Cooling. I can't wait to dive into this book. I really am intrigued by the micro-memoir format.

5. On Repeat: Bayou by Mountains of the Moon

6. My youngest nephew is turning five, and I can't believe how time is flying by. It's been so fun watching him grow. My baby niece is also growing, and I'm excited to share that she is starting to say a few words. 

7. Hallie Bateman's latest legal pad newsletter. I love this hand-drawn newsletter format.

8. On the wishlist: Susan Alexander's Real New Yorker Bag. This would absolutely be a splurge, but it's so cute.

9. I went to the first day of Smyrna Market season and bought some treats. I ended up buying some sourdough bread for the week along with some pastries from Bonnin's Bakery. I'm so glad that I was able to get some Black Butterfly Lemonade from Soul Food Holistic Healing. I also bought a breakfast sandwich from Martha's Boy. I was planning on buying some fruit as well, but we still have enough for the week. I'm thinking of going back later today to buy a few extra fruits like blueberries and strawberries to make some homemade syrup.

10. Michael's birthday is coming up, and it's a milestone birthday! I'm really excited and have already started making preparations for his day. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Anita Austvika on Unsplash

April 2026 // A List

1. April, oh, April. To say it was a busy month would be an understatement. There were peaceful days and stressful days. April was a month full of laughter and tears. So many celebrations and good news.

2. We celebrated Raphael's birthday and had a blast celebrating all spring break. We did our usual birthday traditions, which always bring me so much joy. We also went to Urban Air and had so much fun. 

3. April is also my big brother's birthday month, and this year was a milestone birthday for him. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see him, but we sent him a birthday greeting, of course.

4. We always have a low-key Easter, and I absolutely love it. We had a small Easter egg hunt and had so much fun. At one point, John and I actually forgot how many eggs we hid. 

5. April was a month of making some big decisions. The possibilities that can arise from these decisions are fairly amazing, but it's also so nerve-racking to think of what could go wrong. This definitely made me a little anxious, and I admit, there were a few tears from the stress. However, I am feeling hopeful and a bit more at ease.

6. Surprisingly (but also not really due to certain things that happened), it was a bit of a slow reading month. I didn't read as many books as I normally do, and I'm ok with that. The books that I did read were all great. 

7. I celebrated Indie Bookstore Day by purchasing a book on Bookshop.org and supporting one of my favorite local bookstores, Sincerely Yours Bookstore. Then I went to Sincerely Yours Bookstore for a quick visit and ended up buying a really cute hairlip.

8. We all started to feel a bit better from the pollen, but unfortunately, I ended up getting sick with a really nasty cold. I'm starting to feel better, but the first few days were absolutely awful. 

9. April was a month of wonder. I am still in awe over the Artemis II mission. I still can't believe that the crew orbited the far side of the moon. I'm so proud of Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. 

10. I started counting down the days until summer break, and I'm so excited that we are so close to it. 

11. I didn't really work on any creative projects and barely shared anything on this space. I'm really hoping to have some time during the weekend, and it's another reason why I'm excited for summer break. I've been wanting to create, but haven't had the time.

12. Things that have bought me joy throughout April: tulips (always and forever), Trader Joe's, Noah Kahan's The Great Divide (especially End of August), and my family (for infinity).

13. April was a month full of learning and so many lessons. I am so grateful for all of them, even the ones that made me emotional. Even the ones that were difficult and scary.

14. So long, April. Thank you for everything. The good and the bad. It was an eye-opening month for sure, and I'm so grateful for the lessons I learned. April, you were such a gift. Hello May. I have such high hopes for you. I'm hoping for good days and good news. Here's to hoping I continue to learn and grow in May. 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at a new-to-us little coffee shop. I'd order an iced mocha latte and a sweet treat. Lately, I've been drinking more refreshers, so I'll definitely order one of those to go. We'll enjoy our drinks and treats indoors and then go for a walk around the area since the weather has been nice.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm starting to feel better after being in pain for about a week and a half, followed by an awful cold. And let's not forget how exhausted I was feeling, too. I'm not sure what in the world was going on, but I finally went to see my doctor, and I'm so thankful to be feeling better. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I received some really good news, which is now stressing me out a bit. It's a huge decision I have to make and is related to my career goals. I'm not entirely sure what direction I'll take, but I've been doing so much research, sending emails, making phone calls, and the list goes on and on. I'm not ready to share much more information or details, as I'm still processing and figuring things out, but I'll definitely share more soon.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you this past weekend was, for the most part, a relaxing and chill one. On Saturday, I celebrated Indie Bookstore Day by ordering a book on Bookshop.org and selected one of my favorite bookstores, Sincerely Yours Bookstore, to support. A few hours later, I decided to head over to the bookstore and bought a really cute hair clip. Then on Sunday, John and I went to the Spring Jonquil Festival and walked around for a bit. I was really excited for this festival because it means the Smyrna Market will be back. In fact, the first day of the market is on Sunday, May 3, 2026. I can't wait to buy some local foods, drinks, maybe some honey, and a couple of gifts for the boys' teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you it's been kind of a slow reading month, and it's not really bothering me because the books I have been reading are pretty great. I picked up a bunch of books I had on hold at the library, and I'm still reading a lot of books I received from NetGalley. I've been really trying to read more of those, so I can review them soon. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I haven't really been watching much TV or movies. However, I'm really looking forward to watching Remarkably Bright Creatures, which is the film adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's novel of the same name. I haven't read the book yet, but it's on my TBR list. I usually try to read books before the TV show/film adaptations, but I think I'm going to make an exception this time. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to meet this month. We definitely cut it really close, and I'm in shock that we're just days away from May. I'm really excited for May's arrival because it means we only have a few weeks of school and work left. Then it's summer break! I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the month. I can't wait to catch up again in May. 

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! This was another somewhat long week. I ended up getting sick towards the end of the week, but it's been nice having some time to rest. This weekend is the Spring Jonquil Festival, and I'm hoping I feel well enough to go. 

1. I usually dread Mondays, but Alessandra Olanow's list of how she feels on Mondays was so relatable. Also, it made me laugh. 

2. I finally picked up 107 Days by Kamala Harris at my local library. The wait list was really long, so I was especially excited when I received the notification that I could pick it up. I can't wait to dive into the book.

3. Resting. After dealing with some back and hip pain followed by an incredibly awful cold, I'm so grateful to have had time to rest. I plan to rest some more over the weekend, and I'm excited about taking an afternoon nap. 

4. On repeat: Noah Kahan's newest album, The Great Divide.

5. Reminder of why I prefer to donate directly to charities. 

6. I'm so grateful for modern medicine. I came down with an awful cold and was prescribed a few things. I had a great chat with my doctor and learned a few new things about vitamins, exercise, and more. 

7. I'm always anxious when I have to go to the dentist, but I had a great dentist appointment this week. My hygienist and dentist were so incredibly kind (as usual) and patient. 

8. The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage in California, closed the front entrance of its hotel entrance to protect a hummingbird's nest that was built on the door handle. I thought this was the sweetest thing ever, and I also learned about the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. 

9. On the wishlist: GoNanas Strawberry Crumble Cookie Mix and Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix. I was so excited when I found out they have new cookie mixes.

10. I just realized there are only 18 more school days left. We're all excited for summer vacation. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! It was a long week, so I was excited when Friday finally arrived. I had a great weekend with minimal errands and chores. It was nice to lounge around at home. However, we also took advantage of the nice weather, and thankfully, the pollen count wasn't as high as in the previous weeks.

1. After a long and exhausting week and even more exhaustingly long Friday, I just got amazing news! I'm not ready to share yet, but it's related to my career goals and the next steps in my career. I'm beyond excited and now a bit anxious, as it's a huge decision to make. 

2. To celebrate the good news, I went to one of my favorite bakeries, McEntyre's, and bought a few sweet treats. I even bought a couple of their "last chance" donuts, and they were so good. It made me think about food waste and how restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores handle unsold items before they close.

3. Which brings me to my discovery of Too Good To Go. This company was founded in Copenhagen, and its goal is to fight food waste. Too Good To Go connects shoppers with local restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and other businesses to buy food at a discounted price. Shoppers can buy surprise bags, which are filled with food that is still good to eat, but would otherwise go to waste or be thrown out since it wasn't sold at the end of the day.

4. On repeat: Menina de Vermelho by MC Menor JP, RAMONMIX, and The Ironix

5. Currently reading: My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

6. The Children's Place and Old Navy have a few good deals going on right now. At the Children's Place, there's an extra 25% off sale and free shipping. Also, if you have any "Place Bucks", now is the time to use them. I believe the sale ends tonight. I bought the boys several basic T-shirts in various colors. I plan on purchasing a few pieces of summer clothing at Old Navy. Also, if you have Super Cash from Old Navy, you can use it until April 26, 2026. Plus, you can combine your Super Cash with other deals. 

*This is not a sponsored post at all. I just really like The Children's Place and Old Navy. And your girl loves a good deal or two.

7. I made a really good chicken Alfredo pasta bowl, and I made enough for leftovers for lunch. 

8. On the wishlist: Commercial Soda Can Sealer. I would make so many canned lattes.

9. I've been watching Lauren Sephton's (from BrightMomentCo) baking videos. Now I want to try so many recipes. I definitely have to try the wild blueberry vanilla coffee syrup.

10. I lit a new candle this week, and it was a nice little pick-me-up. I've been enjoying lighting my candle in the evening while I watch a show, read a book, or listen to music while folding clothes. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time... 

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

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