As the school year comes to a close, it seems like a good time for some self-reflection. My thoughts are caught between the present and the future. As a teacher and a mom, the school calendar has always been my marker. The academic year is scheduled, rigid, and busy, whereas summer days are more fluid. I thought it would be fun to chat with you about my life right now, and hope you will share what’s going on currently in your life.
Let’s get chatting. Here we go:
What I am reading~ I just finished three books: Undone: A Story of Making Peace with an Unexpected Life by Michele Cushatt, The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines, and At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider. All three were great reads, and I would recommend each one! I have just begun reading a book that is yet to be released and can’t wait to tell you about it.
What I am excited about~ Two things: Emily graduating from high school and a trip to the East Coast for Lauren’s graduation from Navy Officer Development School. We will begin in Rhode Island, then drive through Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and end in Maryland.
What I am shopping for~ Dresses for the graduations!
What I am enjoying~ Burning candles. I have tried some different scents from various companies. I have so many favorites!
What I am watching~ My husband and I watched/finished Lost (yeah, I know it’s an old show!) and This is Us (we are getting caught up.)
What I am working on~ Creating more margin in my day for silence and “whitespace.”
What I am trying~ Different brands of dry shampoo. Do you have a favorite?
What I am planning~ Our summer schedule. There are a few small trips in the works, and we plan to spend part of the summer in Southern California where Tony is currently working.
What I am wearing~ My husband is an excellent gift giver and loves to buy me things I would never buy for myself. He has bought me a few pairs of these shoes, and I am wearing them regularly. These flats are so comfortable.
What I am listening to~ Podcasts. I have roughly fifteen different ones I subscribe to, but I listen to some much more frequently than others.
What I am missing~ Time for coffee dates with friends. I hope to catch up over summer.
What I am learning~ The art of hand lettering
What I am using~ Argan oil. It has been windy and dry here, so my skin is soaking it up.
What I am wondering~ Why I didn’t find this treasure sooner.
What I am dreaming of~ A getaway with my husband.
What I am practicing~ How to make the perfect gluten-free chocolate chip cookie 🙂
What I am waiting for~ Summer for so many reasons: to see my husband more often, to read through a stack of books I have been saving, for warmer weather, and for fruit salads!
Can you tell I am excited about summer? How about you?
***
Flowers bloomed in full array,
Bright rays of sunlight spilled
Upon my garden on the hill.Once upon a summer day,
Thunder rumbled and prolonged its stay,
But after the rain tumbled down,
This summer day wore a glorious rainbow crown.
Let’s chat about what you are currently up to. Please share in the comments or reply to me in an email. I would love to hear.
Fun post, Natalie. What candles brands do you recommend? I’ve been having trouble finding good ones lately. The ones I’m finding the scents are overbearing so I haven’t bought any new ones in a while. Also, what are some of your favorite podcasts? I love listening to podcasts as well. Recently I’ve been enjoying The Lazy Genius Podcast, The Simple Show, and NPR’s Hidden Brain.
Thanks, Kate! I can send you links to my favorite candles. I only burn vegetable or soy candles with mild scents. My favorite podcasts are The Simple Show, Coffee + Crumbs, The Slow Home, Relevant, Stuff You Should Know, Hope*Writers, and a few different pastors. I want to listen to NPR’s Hidden Brain.
Yes I’m so excited for summer- I’ve
homeschooled for two years and am ready to finish- we already enrolled the kids in public school for the fall. My oldest will be in second and my middle in K- the two year old still home with me.
We love to swim in the summer – my mentor dad lives on a lake about 10mins away and we spend most summer afternoons there. It is simply glorious. However summer doesn’t provide much reprieve for my home based business – so I find myself wishing for more time to do things I love like garden and soak up the outdoors.
We also spend two weeks of our summer at a property on a lake in Maine that has been in my family since the 1960s. It is the perfect relaxing vacation of space for a quiet heart!
Hi, Naomi! Homeschooling is hard work, isn’t it? I have homeschooled on and off over the years so I can imagine your excitement for summer 🙂 Swimming in the summer is the best! Both lakes sound wonderful and will provide great memories for your kids. Enjoy xo
Loving these ideas of fun things to try. I love burning candles!
we are kindred spirits, Jules!
I like chatting! Sometimes I get carried away. I love your heading picture.
What I am looking forward to? vegetables! vacation! a visit with mom and sister!
I am excited, but also nervous about our ladies tea this Saturday. It has been a lot of work for me; but God was on my team! This is not something I could do on my own. Excited to seeing ladies I have not seen in awhile!
What I am working on? re-creating used greeting cards- currently 2 thank yous for our caterer and speaker. Working (in my brain at least) on developing some freebies for my blog.
Dry shampoo? really?
Please visit! You might find the post “Fertilizer” relatable. 🙂
thanks for the breath of fresh air!
Hi, April! Your ladies tea sounds like such fun! I love the idea of re-creating used greeting cards. It seems crazy to toss out cards that cost anywhere from $3.00-$6.00 for a one time use. I pray your vacation and time with your mom and sister are refreshing and fun xo