Currently :: March 2020

Good morning, friends, and happy March! This February was a little bit a lot nuts. Between having two unforecasted trips show up, bouncing back and forth between cold and warm weather, starting to get a fitness plan together finally, and enjoying time with my two favorite Valentines and a lot of friends we haven’t seen in a while, life was busy.

As we ride out the last bit of winter {that damn groundhog better be on his game this year, because I’m ready for an early spring!}, I’m working on a few more warm and cozy recipes to share as well as some lighter and fresher goodies for spring.

Here are a few highlights from February!

1. My offspring is going to be a giant. At 19 months old, he’s just a little bit more than half my height, continuing his trend of being just over the top percentile line in height, about 85th percentile in weight, and just plain massive in head size. Yikes.

2. February can be so ridiculously gloomy. To avoid the moody mid-winter blues, I’m really trying to focus, as my Norwegian relatives do, on embracing the koselig – the cozy. Think curling up in blankets with a book, enjoying the warmth of candles and the fire, hot chocolate – the things you need winter to enjoy.

My Norwegian relatives also have a saying, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.” I’ve explained this to friends who ask how in God’s name I go running in 10-degree weather. Bundle up. Trust me.

3. If the photo collection for this past month seems all over the place, it is. In February, we visited Orlando twice, once for work and once for fun, and I went up to New York as well {and stayed in the gorgeous and scenic Bear Mountain Inn, pictured above}. Busy!!!

4. I’m pretty sure Secrets of the Empire at the VOID in Disney Springs is the coolest mission I’ve ever taken part in. And I think I can say I’ve done some cool stuff over the course of 18 years in the Army. Epic. If you haven’t tried it yet, do it.

5. I’ve managed to get out and run 3-4 times every week since the middle of January despite being a traveling fool this month! My favorite part so far? The sunrises. I love seeing the sunrise.

And I’ve been taking running selfies after I finish each run. Why? I’m thinking of stringing the lot of them together in a quick video in the hopes of seeing a change in mood and change in my face as I {hopefully} slim down a little!

6. I have an Instant Pot that I have never used. I feel like I should give it a try – but then I have to set aside enough time to learn how to use it instead of throwing stuff in my Crock-Pot or on a sheet pan and sticking it in the oven. Honestly, I’m halfway tempted to put it up as a giveaway. Never used, don’t really feel like I need it. Thoughts?

7. I’m really inspired by Betsy’s #NoShop19 project and thinking about doing something similar for the rest of this year. I wear a uniform everyday, so that makes it especially tempting to buy new clothes for conferences, business meetings, and social events.

So maybe instead of buying something new, I reward myself for wearing the clothes I already have by socking the money I would have spent into savings. Same goes for buying house stuff {we do not need anything for the house except paint}. Put it in savings. We have some big plans in the works next year that will require those savings – and require us to cut down on stuff, so this seems like a win all ’round.

8. What’s for dinner tonight? Grilled citrus salmon tacos with black bean salsa. Taco Tuesday, y’all!

9. Spring is this month, you guys! There are buds all over the trees and my bulbs are starting to poke up out of their flower beds. I’m actually looking forward to getting out there with mulch and an edger to clean up our yard. And I’m really really ready for fresh produce!

What are you guys up to this month?