Currently in ... October

Its almost Hallowe'en!  Time to stock up on lollies and check out the spooky Netflix offerings.  I'm thinking The Burbs :)  Most of my thinking has shot ahead to Christmas though and I'm enjoying the possibilities.

Reading: I just finished reading a book called Lagom and I'm about to start on a different book called Lagom.  I've also got two murder mysteries sitting on the table waiting to be opened.

Watching: The Good Place and Greys Anatomy are back!  I'm also re-watching Psych, I miss those guys.

Feeling: I'm a bit up-and-down right now and trying to work through all my feelings.

Thinking: Christmas 2014 was epic.  It was so good that it broke Christmas for me for years because I couldn't come close to recreating it's magic.  I'm now ready to try.  It won't reach 2014 levels, but I'm seeing it as a practice year for 2019.


Anticipating: Christmas markets!

Listening to: Spotify playlists.  I love to put on one of the Focus playlists and get cracking.

Planning: I'm planning on buying sparklers when they are for sale next month.  Fireworks and sparklers are only on sale for about 3-5 days at the beginning of November, once a year.

Working: Working on my Holiday Council Q4 goals.  I'm a total HoCo convert now.

Wanting: I priced up some new outdoor furniture, rug and bbq.  I want those things and the $2500 to buy them!

Needing: I really need to get out of the house and have some fun!  Maybe mini-golf?


Grateful: Super grateful to Kane for painting the room that is our home gym.

Wishing: I'm hoping its going to be a good summer.

Virtual Coffee Date

I'm a big fan of the virtual coffee dates that Amber does over on her blog.  So here goes my version.

If we were having coffee today I'd tell you that my cat, Lazuli, died last week and Kane and I were both devastated - still are.  It's surprising how much space a little cat took up in our lives and we both deeply feel the loss.

If we were having coffee today I'd then quickly change the subject so I don't start crying again, and tell you that I went to a new knitting group that just started at the library.  I bought some beautiful new yarn when I was on holiday in Scotland and I'm looking to knit a cute cowl.

If we were having coffee today I'd tell you that I had a great holiday in Scotland and Norway and that the highlights were attending my nephews wedding, going to an ice hockey game, visiting all the Oslo museums and going on an evening fjord crab buffet cruise.

If we were having coffee today I'd tell you that I'm currently reading Beartown and the story revolves around a junior ice hockey team.  I'm also following the NHL that just started its season last week.

If we were having coffee today I'd confess that I had not been very good with exercise and that I was going to have to pull out of the half marathon because I'm not even 5k ready.  I definitely over estimated my abilities and I need to get into a consistent running habit for at least 1 year before I can think of entering a race again.  I have been doing daily squats for the past 3 weeks though - I started with 1 and now I'm at 22, tomorrow will be 23 etc.

If we were having coffee today I'd tell you that I really want a new car.  I'm used to tiny, manual cars but I took a Hyundai Kona EV for a test drive and I loved it.  I'm now trying to work out how much I can sell my organs for in order to be able to afford one!

If we were having coffee today I'd tell you how much I am loving this spring weather.  I love all the cosy things I get to do (and eat! and drink!) in winter, but it gets to feel too gloomy after a time.  I try to get out and go for a walk most lunchtimes and the temperature is just so perfect right now.

If we were having coffee today what would you tell me?

Currently In ... May

I thought I would just sneak this in here while I'm preparing the next installment of China Adventures!

Reading: I'm still reading Beowulf, I took an enforced break from it while someone else had the copy requested and checked out.  It's such a chore though, but I'm determined to get through it!  I'm also reading Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin but I'm feeling the need for some light, fluffy, fiction - any recommendations?

Watching: Just finished Jessica Jones season 2 then I caught the first 2 episodes of Cobra Kai and I'm on the second season of The Expanse.

Feeling: Brain Drain!

Thinking: I'm doing really well with my focus on weight loss, running and health in general.

Anticipating: My choirs concert at the end of the month.  It'll be bitter sweet though because the choir leader is moving away so it will be the last time singing with these wonderful people.

Listening to: Headspace and meditating about 4 times a week.

Planning: All the running plans, schedules and workouts in preparation for the half marathon at the end of October.

Working: I'm stripping wall paper in the little room that will be our gym area.

Wanting: A large bock of time where I can do nothing but read easy fiction and play video games.

Needing: A running backpack.  I used to have a camelbak, but I seem to have lost it :( I've been researching running backpacks but I'm stuck on trying to make the right choice.  Any recommendations?

Grateful: So grateful for my beautiful life.  Just the other day, after Kane and I had arrived home for the day and as I was turning the key to my house, I was swallowed up by the beautiful feeling of luck and gratitude for all that I have.

Wishing: I was back on holiday in China!
 

Currently In ... February

Reading: I'm reading 2 books at the moment.  Beowulf is slow going as I'm reading it in short busts at lunch times.  The language requires a lot of concentration, but it's something I've been wanting to read for a while.  A Killer Crop by Sheila Connolly is a cosy mystery in a series that I enjoy.  The light fiction is a perfect read after some translated Old English epic poetry!  I'm particularly enjoying this one as it is set during apple harvest season and I love reading about the autumnal colours.

// Azzy Cat on my book //

Watching: Like the rest of the world, I'm watching the Olympics.  I'm also catching up on Elementary.  I previously watched up to season 3 and have binge watched half of season 4 so far.  I'm clearly in the mood for cosy mysteries!  I recently bought the complete series of Gilmore Girls second hand, so that will be due a rewatch sometime soon.

Feeling: Definitely feeling the benefits of regular stretching.  I've added in clams, calf raises and squats to my Stretch and Strength Mondays and so far I'm running pain free - yippee!

Thinking: Maybe I should have a go at writing a cosy mystery?

//Murder, She Wrote //

Anticipating: I'm so excited for our anniversary holiday to China.  We picked up our visas earlier this week *squee*

Listening to: In the car, it's learn Mandarin in 40 minutes - Its a lie, it's taking way longer than 40 minutes. At home, I've been listening to a lot of Moby on Spotify recently.

Planning: I'm now planning my next knitting project.  I've finished with the bandana cowl and I'm ready to start something new, I just don't know what yet - time to visit Ravelry and indulge in photos of gorgeous creations.

// Knitting //

Working: I am Decluttering all the things! I have got rid of so much stuff it's unreal.  We used to live in such a small place that we had to be ruthless and discerning about what we keep, but since moving to a house it has become a magnet for clutter.

Wanting: I'd like to do something fun outside of the house this weekend but I don't know what yet.

Needing: I need to reboot my morning and night-time routines.  I've gotten a bit lazy of late and I think I need to institute a tech free hour right after I wake and before I go to sleep.

Grateful: So grateful for my beautiful life.  Just the other day, after Kane and I had arrived home for the day and as I was turning the key to my house, I was swallowed up by the beautiful feeling of luck and gratitude for all that I have.

Wishing: Really wishing my cats would stop bringing bugs into the house.  They don't kill the bugs, they just bring them in to play with them and then Kane and I have to keep the cats out of the way while escorting the bug back outside.  Cicadas and Mantid are current favourites.

// Mantis //

Currently In ... April

Oops I completely missed out a Currently In March post!

Reading: Nothing at the moment, I'm in between books.  I've finished Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell and I'm about to start reading Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

// Image from Goodreads

Watching: Being Erica, it's about a 30 something women whose therapist lets her time travel to fix regrets she has from her past.  I've binge watched season 1 and 2 and I'm starting on Season 3.

Feeling: Stressed and pulled in too many directions!  I know I do this to myself - I've just taken on the role of my Lions club president too!

Thinking: about doing some baking for the Lions event this weekend and also for my own freezer.  I would love some ginger cake right now!

Anticipating: Wanderlust 108 at the end of the month.  Looking forward to a day of running and yoga.

// Image from Wanderlust Eventbrite Site

Listening to: Spotify playlists.  I found a couple of good ones while reading Eleanor & Park so I was listening to the Smiths, Joy Division, U2 and the Cure.

Planning: A cinema trip since I just won a survival tool and free tickets to see 10 Cloverfield Lane.

Working: on a community cookbook as a fundraiser.  We've had one very productive meeting so far and it's set to be a really fun and tasty project.

Grateful: To the City Riding Workshop leaders on Sunday for a great introduction to cycling in the city.  It was a fun day, even though most of it was done in the rain, and we learned some invaluable skills.

// Cleverhood Electric Houndstooth Rain Cape

Wanting: A fancy rain cape like one of the ride instructors had.  It looked like a Sherlock Holmes style cape with part of the check pattern being reflective in the right light.

Needing: To lay off the junk food.  My diet was going so well but I've just been stress eating for too long now.

Loving: Apples and all things apple related!

Wishing: My friends all the best with their new baby!

Currently In ... February

Happy February!

Life seems to have picked up a little speed this month with Lions club and figure skating classes starting back.  There are a few more social events on the calendar for this month but I'm being mindful of my goal to keep the social commitments to a maximum of 3 per week.

Reading: The Makers of Scotland: Picts, Romans, Gaels and Vikings by Tim Clarkson, it's very interesting.

//Image from Goodreads

Listening to: the audiobook Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan.  It's a scifi detective noir style story.  It's a bit raunchy in places, maybe too raunchy to be listening to on the bus! but hey, no one else can hear it :)

//Image from Goodreads

Watching: The X Files.  I was a fan of Mulder and Scully back in the day but I had my doubts when I heard about this new season but so far I'm loving it!  The Rhys Darby episode is funny and silly and reminds me of some of the fun ones they used to do like Bad Blood with Luke Wilson and Dreamland where Mulder switched bodies with one of the Men in Black.

Feeling: Sore, but good sore.  I purchased 12 half hour sessions with a personal trainer to help me start strength training and see her twice a week.  I'm mostly a weakling and tricep dips are the worst!

//Image from Google

Thinking: About hosting a clothes swap party in a month or so.  It's just an idea I'm mulling around right now.  My wardrobe needs a cull so I'll be clearing out stuff anyway and then I'll be looking to get a few new pieces for the new season. Since I'm not a big fan of shopping anyway, a swap party seems like a good idea.

Anticipating: There are lots of good things coming up this weekend but the star of show will be Kane's citizenship ceremony.

Planning: a celebratory lunch for after the ceremony and then a trip to the Auckland museum to see the Air New Zealand exhibition.

Loving: the bright pink running tights I bought for the 10k race on Valentines day.

They are so pink!

Grateful: for my health.  I was chatting with a class instructor at the gym who's been collapsing, it sounds like its been happening her whole life, and she has to wear a heart monitor for the next 4 weeks as part of an investigation into her heart function.  I feel guilty and mad at myself for abusing my own heart with too much food and not enough exercise but also grateful for the opportunity to change this.

Wishing: everyone a happy Valentines day :)

Currently In ... January

And just like that it's mid-January.  Goals and resolutions are still at the forefront of my mind, so my thoughts have tended to be in distance planning mode; there's quite a lot that I want to get accomplished this year.  Most of my friends only started back work this week, whilst lots of other people have gone or are still on their summer holidays.  January feels like a settling in/preparatory period after the new year gearing up to all systems go come February when the schools and universities go back and traffic chaos resumes.  Here's where I'm at currently:

Reading: Yay I finally finished Death of a Christmas Caterer and now I'm on The Method by Juli Zeh for a book club meet up I'm attending in February.

//Image from Goodreads

Watching: I've watched a couple of movies recently, one was Hot Pursuit which was silly and the other was Ant Man which was good fun.

Feeling: A little bit stressed out, it's been a weird week and my schedule's been all over the place so I'm really looking forward to a relaxing weekend! 

Thinking: That instead of buying a new hand bag I could just reduce the amount of stuff I carry around and switch to one I already own.

Anticipating: My first race of the year next week.  It's a 5k and some friends are doing it too so it's going to be fun.



//Image www.albanylakes.co.nz

Listening to: Spotify acoustic playlists.  I've been working out of my home office and it's nice to have some soft background music playing.

Planning: All The Races!  I need to rein myself in!  I've only purchased entry into a few so far and I have the trail series and two others in mind and I need to leave it at that.  I'm also looking at my training plan to see what I need to do there.

Working: On my goals for the year.  I'm just finishing up the decorating of the office, progress has been made in the garden and I've increased the distance on some of runs.  I'm considering adding in another run day.

Wanting: To try out more slow cooker recipes.  I really enjoyed the Mushroom Stroganoff recipe from Amuse Your Bouche, (even if I did use Philadelphia cream cheese instead of sour cream) and I loved how easy it is to set cooking and then go do other things.  I need to hit up the library for a recipe book like this one:



//Image from Amazon

Needing: A new wallet and a separate card wallet - it's ridiculous the amount of loyalty cards I have and tote around with me all the time.  I need a wallet for the basics and my current one with all the cards removed is all bent of out shape now.

Loving: My new sideboard - haha I'm like a real grown up :)  The old IKEA one is now in my office and the new one fits so well.

Grateful:  For bloggers. I'm still catching up on some blogs but I learn new things all the time.  This week I got a great list of self care things to try, a salad dressing recipe I want to make and I learned about the One Little Word project.

Wishing:  That summer wasn't rushing by so quickly, I haven't done any summery things yet but we have 2 public holidays on the first 2 Mondays of February and I plan to make the most of them :)

How's your January going?

Currently In ... December

Ah December, how I love this month.  I've had lots of fun times these past few weeks and now I'm looking forward to having a nice quiet week leading to Christmas.  I don't have New Year plans yet, but I'm not concerned about that I'm just looking forward to nice break.

Reading: Nothing yet, I have Christmas themed mysteries to read and I'm looking forward to a quiet week where I can read them!

Watching: Star Wars!  Kane and I had a lovely date night and saw the movie in Imax.



Feeling: Relieved to have completed all my Christmas shopping and nervous as I hope everyone likes their gifts.

Anticipating: Christmas and all the food!  I love preparing and eating Christmas food.

Listening to: Serial podcast!  Season 2 has just started :)

Planning: Ok, this might be shocking, but I still don't have my decorations up despite planning on having it done last weekend!  I can't complain because I have been busy with fun things and social engagements.  My new plan is to simply having them up for Christmas even if this means doing it on Christmas Eve.

Wanting: To watch Christmas movies and I hope to get to do that all of Christmas week :)

Needing: Nothing, I feel quite contented but I wouldn't turn down a glass of wine and a bubble bath :)

Grateful: For all the fun times of late.  Sometimes when I'm in the thick of it I forget to enjoy it, so I'm taking a moment just to be grateful for good friends, the opportunities to attend rock concerts, participate in choirs, and Kane with whom I get to share it all.

// Me and the ladies of NFA (No Fella A cappella)

//At the AC/DC concert

Wishing: My in-laws had sent more Orkney oat cakes, they were delicious and I can't wait until we go to Orkney next year.

Your turn, what are you currently reading, watching and listening to?

Hello December!

I am so pleased to have met the posting deadline so now I can relax a little and enjoy the festive season!  It's our first month of summer and it's starting to warm up.  There are lots of lovely things on my calendar for this month so I'd thought I'd share some of the things I'm planning and looking forward to.

Starbucks Red Cups

I like to kick off the season with one of the festive Starbucks lattes in their famous red cups.  This year I had the panettone latte and it was lovely.

//Starbucks Panettone Latte

Barbeques

I went to my first Christmas BBQ of the season last night and it was so fun.  We took with us some vegetarian quarter pounders and a tub of Swedish ginger thins and we enjoyed some potato salad, tabouleh and ice cream Christmas pudding.  I loved the ice cream pudding and will need to try that at home, its vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, fruit mince, nuts and red and green candied cherries, all mixed and shaped into a pudding bowl.  And there are more BBQs to come!

Reading and Relaxing

Now that I'm finished with the physical shops and only have online shopping left to do I'm looking forward to lying out on my lounger and reading the two Christmas themed books I got from the library.  Both are easy read murder mysteries.

//Image from Goodreads

Music Concert

Kane and I are going to see AC/DC this month, it's going to rock!

// Image from acdc.com

Star Wars & Christmas Lights

Last year we went to see the Hobbit on Christmas Eve and then we went to Franklin Road which is famed for all the houses having very elaborate light decorations.  This year we are going to see Star Wars on opening night and then taking the trip to see the lights, it's such a great way to get in the holiday spirit.

Beach Trips and Ice Cream Cones

One of the best things about living at the coast is access to the beach!  Ours is a pebbly cove but there is a lovely sandy beach a short bike ride away that receives regular visits from an ice cream van.

Sherbet dip + flake = yum!

There's also a newly created foreshore recreation area a little further away that I'm keen to explore.

Community Choir Concert

My community choir is putting on a little concert for friends and family and I'll also be performing a couple of songs with my a cappella group too - it's going to be so much fun!  Of course, I'm crazy nervous too, especially of the a cappella songs because there are only 6 of us and we all have our own individual parts, there's nowhere to hide!

We also have to wear a white t shirt and jeans.  I'm liking these 3 styles but I haven't decided which one to buy yet.

//Images from Portmans

Midsummer and Christmas

We celebrate with food!  Most of our traditions revolve around food in some way and this is no exception.  We've tried our traditional Christmas dinner which was just too heavy and too hot for summer and we've tried a lighter summer seasonal meal which didn't feel very Christmassy at all, so now we try to incorporate the best elements of them both into our Christmas day celebrations.  However, we save all the best traditional winter stuff for our midwinter Christmas which has become really popular here and it's one of our new traditions that we love - we get to have two Christmases :D

Putting up the Tree and Decorating

I haven't got around to putting up the tree or decorating yet but I plan to do that at the weekend.  I like to put on some Christmas music and have some Christmas mince pies or stollen or panettone or some other festive treat and just have fun.



Happy festive season!  Do you have a favourite festive food or drink?

Currently In ... November

 

Reading: Right now I'm reading Rosemary Conley's Amazing Inch Loss Plan.  I also got an Isaac Asimov book from the library too but I haven't started it yet.

Watching: I watched hockey on the NHL app for my phone whilst on the bus yesterday - I love living in future!  Lately I've watched the first episode of Man in the High Castle and the first few episodes of Super Girl.

Feeling: I've been burning the candle at both ends so I'm feeling tired.  I get a night off tonight and even though there are a million-and-one things I could and should do, I think I just need a quiet night.

Thinking: It's time to try and lose some weight.  I love food and I eat far too much of it.  It's going to be a hard task but it's important.  That's why I've got the Rosemary Conley book, it's a low fat calorie controlled diet and with my family history of cardiovascular disease and gall bladder issues this heart healthy approach should be just what I need.

Anticipating:  The start of the Christmas festive season!  I'll be putting on some festive music and writing out my cards then soon it'll be time to dig out the decorations.



//Santa and Reindeer above Farmers Dept Store



//Doves and Baubles across Vulcan Lane

Listening to: Not a whole lot.  For some reason my podcast app is playing up.  My whole phone is playing up, it's like it knows a new model is out and it's almost Christmas.  It's an Apple conspiracy.

Planning: My black Friday shopping list.  It's not a thing here but I noticed last year how it's much cheaper to buy stuff from the US in the sales and have it shipped to me :)  We don't have Gap here and I love their jeans so that's something that's definitely on the list!

Working: Last week I started with a running/fitness coach who's focus is on helping women get into running and build healthy habits.  Right now we are working on the consistency habit.  I'm also working on redecorating my home office.

//Image from Moxiee Running

Wanting: I read the books and I've seen the other movies in the cinema so I'm keen to go see the last Hunger Games movie: Mockingjay part 2.  Maybe I'll take Kane for a Friday cinema date night.

Needing: My morning routine really needs a shake up.  I've gotten into a bad habit lately of just staying in bed after I wake up checking out social media on my phone and before I know it I've wasted huge amounts of time!  I also need a new phone :(

Loving: I'm loving yoga and my yoga studio.  I managed crow pose for the first time recently so I think I'm getting a tiny bit stronger yay :)  I celebrated by buying a new pair of Wunderunder leggings today.



//Lululemon Britomart

Grateful: for Earl Grey tea.  I drink a ton of this stuff every day and it helps me get some incidental exercise as I walk back and forth the kitchen and - I hope this isn't TMI - also the ladies room.  It's reported to lower cholesterol as well as fight anxiety, depression and stress but I started drinking it because that's what Cpt Jean-Luc Picard drinks in Star Trek:TNG and I really love the taste.

Wishing: If wishes were horses poor men would ride.  I was thinking about this yesterday and imagining what a world overtaken by horses would look like.

//The friendly neighbourhood horses

Are you going to see Mockingjay Part 2?  What is your favourite beverage?

Currently In ... October

I've had a fun October so far, but I can see things starting to speed up real soon with the Christmas season approaching.  I had such a good Christmas last year I don't think it will be possible to recreate it, but I'm hoping to get close and that involves planning, organisation and getting started early.  But I'm getting ahead of myself, here is my snapshot of where I'm at right now:

Reading: Brooklyn by Colm Toibin.  I just got this from the library and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it.



\\ Image from Goodreads

Watching: All the shows!  The Muppets, Greys Anatomy, Big Bang Theory, Castle, Fargo, How to Get Away With Murder, Agents of Shield, Black List.  Continuum has just finished and Grimm will soon be starting.  I also went to the cinema at the weekend to see The Martian and I quite enjoyed it.



\\ Image from IMDB

Feeling: Very happy that NZ beat France to get through to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup and very disappointed that Scotland missed out by 1 point and a dodgy ref decision.

Thinking: that it's only about 9 weeks until Christmas and there's a lot of things I want to get done before then so I need to start making lists!

Anticipating: The holiday weekend coming up and then the Auckland 12k the week after that.  I'm full of nerves about the 12k because I'm not ready.  I've revised my plan to be a run 3/walk 2.

Listening to: Ryan Adams version of Taylor Swifts 1989 Album to see what the fuss is about.  I like Taylors better.

Planning: A Hallowe'en date night with some decorations, a home cooked meal and a movie.  I'm not sure what to watch yet though as Scream is about as scary as I can go.

\\ Image of Neep Lanterns by Paul Stainthorp

Working: On being consistent with my workout schedule.  It's a struggle but it needs to happen.

Wanting: A new spring jacket for those surprise showers and little gusts of wind.

Needing: A pedicure.  My tootsies aren't feeling the love right now, so tonight I'm going to soak, scrub and moisturise, and paint my nails.

Loving: Plan free weekends!  I'm keeping plans to a minimum for the foreseeable future.

Hope you are enjoying October!  Do you have Hallowe'en plans?

Currently in ... September

September is rushing by far too fast, I can hardly keep up!  Here's where I'm at right now:

Reading: Quiet by Susan Cain, it's about being an introvert in an extroverted world.

Watching: The Rugby World Cup!  We all have rugby fever here in New Zealand.  I'm also watching Continuum, which I think is on its last season and I'm eager to find out how its going to end!  We watched the first few episodes of season 2 of Community and I've watched a couple of movies lately.  We did an Evil Dead and My Name is Bruce double feature, then last Thursday we watched About Time which was laugh out loud funny and heart warming.

Feeling: Happy that my new furniture arrived and looks amazing. Also, I'm feeling pleased with myself that, after weeks, I finally sent the 3 blocks of chocolate to family and didn't just eat them myself :)

Thinking: About a costume for the Ekiden relay race in a few weeks.  We have 2 teams of Heroes and Villains.  I think I'm going to go as Susan Storm from the Fantastic 4.

Anticipating: The spring equinox, because then I know that my days are getting longer and summer is just around the corner.  I also love seeing all the autumn and winter things that the Northern hemisphere people get up to.

Listening to: Starr Struck Blog podcast, I'm on the last episode of season 1 so I'm almost up-to-date.

Planning: I have 3 big projects on my mind; the garden, the office, and removing wall paper and repainting all rooms.  It's a bit overwhelming, so I'm trying to figure out a course of action.

Working: On my housework routines with the end goal of having a clean and tidy house on autopilot.  I've reached a sweet spot where the house is always surface clean and tidy so I'm ready to start adding in more tasks.

Wanting: To cycle more than using the car.  I did my first night time cycle at the start of the month to my Lions club meeting.  As I started out there were a couple of flashes in the sky and after I arrived at the hall it really started with the thunder and lightning and it poured down.  My cycle home was very wet which I was ok with, but I wasn't quite prepared for how cold it was!  The past two weekends we've cycled to do our weekly grocery shop and run errands and I love it.

Needing: To get my skates sharpened!  It's almost end of term so I'll get them sharpened before the start of next term.

Loving: How light it's getting in the mornings, but daylight savings will be kicking in this weekend so we'll lose those lovely light mornings again, for a few more weeks anyway.  I'm also loving seeing all the baby ducks around my neighbourhood, (I worry for them too, with the cars and peoples pets), they are so small, fluffy and cute.

Wishing: That the aforementioned plans of garden and decorating were already done!

How's your September going?  What are you currently anticipating, planning and/or loving?

Currently in ... August

Here we are halfway through August and I bought some Halloween decorations at the weekend.  I've been doing a lot of mid and long range planning lately so it's quite nice to stop and look at what's happening in the present.

Reading: Nothing! I'm in a bit of a slump at the moment but I'm waiting on Quiet by Susan Cain from the library so perhaps that will get me back into the habit of reading.

Watching: just Suits since True Detective has finished and I watched all of season 1 of Community.  I'm looking forward to watching season 2 and also the next season of Fargo when it comes out.

//Image from Den Of Geek

Feeling: much calmer and more productive since I tidied up my house - it's like I decluttered my mind at the same time :)

Thinking: about what I want to do for my birthday that's in 2 weeks.  Almost certainly birthday breakfast pancakes!



// Pancakes from earlier this month

Anticipating: the 6k race on Sunday - I'm a bit nervous about it as my training has been a little haphazard lately.

Listening to: lots of podcasts; Starr Struck blog, Radiolab, Dear Sugar and This American Life

Planning: on doing some redecorating but I don't know where to start!

Working: on my to do list and routines.

Wanting: Santa toilet seat cover and bathroom set.  I've wanted one since last Christmas and I even dreamed about it last night!  There's also reindeer, snowman and other winter and Christmas themed ones - I want them all!!

//Image from Amazon.com

Needing: a nice relaxing night in, maybe with some good food and wine, to enjoy a warm fire and the last bits of winter.

Loving: that Spring is right around the corner and I get to put away my winter coat and boots yay!

Grateful: that even though my problems cause me stress, in the scheme of things, they are really very small.

Wishing: I'd been able to go snowboarding this winter, but I've actually had a really good winter.  Maybe we'll go to the indoor snow sports centre in summer instead haha.


What's your favourite thing to do/eat/drink/etc. on a relaxing night in?

 

Currently In ... July

 

Reading: Mort(e) by Robert Repino - it's about animals and I'm scared it's gonna be sad.

Watching: Wayward Pines.  I binge watched the first 9 episodes and now I'm waiting for the series finale.  I've had lots of interesting discussions with people about it.



//Image from Overmental

Feeling: A bit fatigued lately.  Some things seem to be more of an effort than usual, I'm hoping I can shake off whatever it is.

Thinking: About the 5k that's coming up next week and trying not to freak out about it.  I did much better than last year in the 2.5k but I don't feel as fit for the 5k as I did last year.

Anticipating: The pub quiz tonight but sadly it might be our last one for a while as we have other plans next week and then Kane's indoor soccer, which has been on hiatus for term, starts back.

Listening to: Podcasts!  I haven't gotten into any since Serial but I thought I should try out ones that I've seen other bloggers recommending and so far I quite like the Dear Sugar one and have listened to two episodes of that.


//Image from Dear Sugar Radio

Planning: On baking a cake for the SciFi meetup group quiz night.  I'm going to make a ginger loaf and I think I'll make two :)

Wanting: To cook more.  I haven't made any proper meals for a while and I feel guilty about that.

Needing: To save money for a planned trip next year.

Grateful: To Kane for already getting our ice skates sharpened, that's one less thing I have to think about this week.

Wishing: For a dry day on Saturday as I'm working our Lions Club barbeque at the community market day to raise funds to help those in need in our local community.


What's going on with you currently?  Got any podcast recommendations or recipes I should try?

Currently In ... June

Here we are in June and just days away from the shortest day.

Reading: I haven't started a new book yet, but I looked out Northern Lights by Philip Pullman to start reading. 

Kane read the His Dark Materials trilogy a while ago so we have all the books in our house and I've been meaning to read them for some time. 

Also, The Forever War by Joe W Haldeman is ready for me to pick up from the library.

Watching: Again, I have quite started watching anything yet.  I finished Game of Throne, season 1 of Friday Night Lights and Daredevil.  True Detective is starting soon and I think there is a new series of Orange is the New Black to watch.  I expect I'll be starting on season 2 of Friday Night Lights soon and I've got season 2 of Vikings to watch too.

Eating\Drinking: Got some excellent food and mulled wine at the Lions Club Midwinter Dinner on Wednesday.  I look forward to Kevin's slow cooker mulled wine all year!

Feeling: In the mood for a cosy fire, a purring cat, spiced rum and a good book

Thinking: About a birthday gift for Kane

Anticipating: Midwinter - I love having 2 Christmases a year :D

Listening to: Taylor, Carly, Lana and Haim

Planning: A midwinter feast!

Needing: To sort out presents for several up coming birthdays and post a baby gift.

Wanting: Some new workout clothes.

Loving: How everything is really starting to come together now at choir.

Wishing: That housework faeries were real things.