My Top 10 Favorite Springtime Activities

I can't believe spring is here again! I prefer warmer weather, so I always look forward to the spring and summer months.

There are lots of things I like to do in the spring, but there are some things that are my most favorite to do.

In no particular order, here are my top 10 favorite springtime activities:

1. Gardening
   Gardening is one of those activities that is slow, but shows rewards in the end. It helps me focus on the task at hand, instead of anything else that could be going on. It helps me relax, enjoy the moment, and nurture something beautiful.
   
   
2. Long walks
   I haven't been doing much exercising, which I definitely need to change. Walking is probably one of my favorite forms of exercise, particularly when it is warm outside.
   
   
3. Spending some time out on the porch
   If I want to go outside, but don't feel like going anywhere, hanging out on the porch is my favorite spot for relaxing.
   
   
4. Spending some time at a park
   Parks definitely calm me down, especially when I am having a bad day, so I do try and spend some time at a park whenever possible.
   
   
5. Dyeing eggs for Easter
   This is one thing I will never get tired of doing, nor do I think anyone is too old to dye eggs.
   
   
6. Spending time at the local library
   Whenever I go to the library, I can usually find something new that I would enjoy, and something old that I have always loved, whether it's a book, a movie, or music. There are even some great activities and events that happen there, that interest me. You never know what you will find during each visit to the library, and that's what I love about it!
   
   
7. Bike riding
   Bike riding is probably one of my top few favorite forms of exercise. I'm not into playing team sports (I do like to watch baseball and hockey, but I'm just not into playing sports), so anything that I can do by myself is great.
   
   
8. Going thrifting
   Thrifting is probably my favorite form of shopping, as I don't know what I can expect to find each time I go to a thrift store. I usually don't have a mission of what I want to get in mind, which is probably not a good idea, as I might go overboard with purchases! But, I love finding things that would interest me, that I can give a second chance.
   
   
9. Going to the movies
   I haven't been to the movies since the pandemic started, but before then, I would go to the movies often, mostly by myself. I don't mind going by myself, as I love watching movies, and going out to the theater helps me get out of the house for a while, and chases away cabin fever.
   
   
10. Making s'mores
    I love s'mores, so I make these whenever I can. What's not to love about gooey chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers?!

What do you like to do in the springtime?

My Spring 2023 Bucket List

Spring is on the way, which means it's time for my spring bucket list!

I love making bucket lists, especially for each season, and to try and do as many of them as I can. 

With the way things went last year for me, I want to try and focus more on my mental (and physical) health, so I can be in the best possible place I can be, health-wise. I want to do what is best for me, and what I truly enjoy/love doing.

So, in no particular order, here is my 2023 Spring bucket list:

• Play on a playground
• Plant flowers
• Plant veggies
• Fly a kite
• Dye my hair purple
• Go on 2-3 walks a week 
• Create a fairy garden
• Paint on canvas
• Paint my nails
• Dye Easter eggs
• Have a game night
• Buy myself flowers
• Bake cookies or cupcakes 
• Make fruit smoothies
• Get my hair cut
• Go on a picnic
• Go thrifting
• Find a job that I will love (I had to quit my last job because it was causing my anxiety to get really bad)
• Get my bedroom cleaned up
• Redecorate my bedroom
• Create an exercise routine that works for me
• Create a skincare routine that works for me
• Create a haircare routine that works for me
• Improve my cake and cookie decorating skills
• Learn Spanish
• Donate clothes I don't want anymore
• Donate books, CDs, DVDs I don't want anymore 
• Read 2-3 books a month 
• Read the Bible every day
• Pray every day 
• Have 2 self-care/spa days a month
• Knit or crochet at least one item a month 
• Ride my bike 2-3x a week 

Hopefully I can do at least some of these things this spring, and have an enjoyable season.

What do you want to do this spring?

My March 2023 Reading Bucket List (and February Recap)

How is it March already?! The days are going by so fast!!

February was good, for me, in terms of reading. I completely finished reading the Anne of Green Gables graphic novel, The Hobbit, and Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman.

I was surprised that I was able to read as much as I did, as it usually takes me some time to start something, and then to finish it, as well. But, I am happy with being able to finish 3 books in February.

Now, on to the books that I would like to read this month (in no particular order):

1. The Art of Getting It Wrong: Finding Good in the Misadventures of Life by Stephen Miller
   
   
2. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (I already have read a few pages in this, but got caught up with reading Madly, Deeply, Anne of Green Gables, and The Hobbit, so this book is going on my March list.)
   
   
3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
   
   
4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
   
   
5. Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

So, that is my reading list for this month. Hopefully March goes as well as February did, with reading at least 2 of these books.

I am so glad I decided to get back into reading physical books, especially now that I know I can focus more on what I am reading. I am enjoying it, and am looking forward to all the books I hope to read this year. I do still plan on listening to audiobooks, but I just wanted to include physical books as well.

What do you want to read this month?

Books I Want to Read in 2023

Over the last several years, I have really slacked when it comes to reading. I love books, and reading, but lately I just can't seem to really focus on reading a book for any length of time.

I am hoping to get back into reading, and figure out a way for me to get into books without losing my focus. Books are one of the things that I have truly enjoyed growing up, and that get me inspired to want to write a book of my own one day.

So, without further ado, here are the books that I would like to read this year:

• Dune by Frank Herbert
  
  
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
  
  
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
  
  
• Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman
  
  
• Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
  
  
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman
  
  
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morries
  
  
• Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
  
  
• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
  
  
• The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
  
  
• Inferno by Dan Brown
  
  
• Origin by Dan Brown
  
  
• A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
  
  
• Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith From Fear by Jinger Duggar Vuolo
  
  
• Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden
  
  
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
  
  
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
  
  
• Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic
  
  
• Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
  
  
• The Shack by William Paul Young
  
  
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman
  
  
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  
  
• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
  
  
• The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
  
  
• The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
  
  
• Lyra's Oxford by Philip Pullman
  
  
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  
  
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
  
  
• Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
  
  
• Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard by Tom Felton
  
  
• The Art of Getting It Wrong: Finding Good in the Misadventures of Life by Stephen Miller

I know this is a lot, but I love to read, and hope to get to at least half of these books this year. I may read other books throughout the year, but these are the ones that I would really love to get to.

I always love getting out of my mind and world for a while, and into someone else's. 

What books to you want to read this year? Are you already reading anything?

Movies I Would Like to Watch This Year

I have always loved watching movies, especially when I am having a not-so-good day. It helps me forget things for a while, and I get to be in another world.

So, in no particular order, here are the movies I would like to watch this year:

• Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
• The Marvels
• Indiana Jones 5
• Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
• Dune: Part 2
• Wonder Woman 3
• Babylon
• Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
• Oppenheimer
• John Wick: Chapter 4
• Barbie
• Wonka
• The Meg 2: The Trench
• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
• The Inventor
• Peter Pan & Wendy
• Wish
• Trolls 3: Trollstopia
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2
• Super Mario Bros: The Movie
• The Little Mermaid
• Fast X
• The Hun 2
• The Color Purple
• The Nightingale
• Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
• Dog
• The Bad Guys
• DC League of Super Pets
• Luck
• Samaritan
• The Woman King
• Hocus Pocus 2
• Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
• Black Adam
• The Monkey King: The Legend Begins
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
• Strange World
• Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio
• Avatar: The Way of Water
• Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody

I know this is a lot, but I do watch a lot of movies, so I will most likely be able to get to most of these at some point this year.

I can't wait to watch these movies!

What movies do you want to watch this year?

My February 2023 To Be Read List

For several years now, I haven't done a lot of reading. It's pretty much been listening to audiobooks, and even then it wasn't that much.

For some reason, I have come to not being able to concentrate very long when trying to read a book myself, which is why I turned to audiobooks, but I want to try again with reading books myself.

I have been wanting to get back into reading more regularly for quite some time, and have been looking for book suggestions the last week or so. My go-to has been Goodreads, and have also found reviews for books on Facebook.

I have enough book recommendations to last me probably for the rest of the year (I'm not a fast reader, so these will last me for quite a while), maybe even into next year. Which is good, because there are a lot of books on my to-be-read list, and I want to do a lot of reading!

I am planning on having a list of five books to read each month. If I don't read any of the books for one month, I am going to add them to the list for the following month, until I can actually read them, and then I will add new books in their place, for the following month.

So, in no particular order, here are the books I would like to read in February:

• Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden
  
  
• Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
  
  
• The Hobbit, Or, There & Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
  
  
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
  
  
• Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman by Alan Rickman

I hope to be able to read at least 2-3 of these books this month, and to keep up with reading more regularly.

What are some books that you want to read?

Joni and Friends Family Retreats 2023

Well, it's that time of year again!

Time to sign up for family retreat!

I love going to Joni and Friends retreats every year, although this year it looks like I most likely won't be able to go. A few different personal things are preventing me from going this time, and I will definitely miss it, and am disappointed I can't go, but it is what it is.

Which I am not happy about, but there is always next year, of course.

If you don't know, these retreats are where people with disabilities and their families spend a week relaxing, having fun, and hearing the word of the Lord.

The get filled up with love, acceptance, and the spirit of the Lord at one of the best places ever!!

There are retreats all around the country, as well as other parts of the world, and if you haven't been to one yet, definitely go to one. You won't regret it!!!

To find out more about retreats, you can go HERE, and to find out more about Joni and Friends in general, you can go HERE.

The retreat I go to has a sweet shop, and that is where I have served every time I have volunteered there. I love being in the sweet shop, as I get to see and interact with everyone.

There are also positions for one-on-one buddies for the campers with disabilities, positions in the bookstore, as well as with all the different activities that go on during the week.

If you are interested in volunteering, or in attending as a camper/family, you will not regret it!! It is, in my opinion, the best week you will ever have every year!

My Word for 2023

I have been doing a word of the year for a while now, and it has gone ok, in terms of sticking to my word. But, I can definitely do better.

This year, I have decided that my word for 2023 will be:  SELF-CARE

2022 was on the stressful side for me, and I want to take more time this year, to focus on myself. With having to quit my job, my anxiety being high for a while, and just not taking care of myself, I have decided to put my mental first, and take better care of myself.

Things I would like to incorporate into my self-care routine include:

• A long shower or bath
• Regular walks
• Yoga
• Journaling (prayer, junk, regular journaling)
• Reading
• Going on self-dates
• Painting
• Knitting
• Crocheting
• Watching movies
• Listening to my favorite music
• Play the violin
• Play the ukulele
• Write stories
• Put a puzzle together
• Play a video game
• Paint my nails
• Learn how to apply my own makeup
• Cook
• Bake
• Listen to a podcast
• Naps
• Face masks
• Go thrifting
• Watch a favorite TV show
• Volunteer
• Drink more water
• Talk with friends
• Learn a language
• Have quiet time
• Declutter on a regular basis
• Spend some time with friends and family
• Travel somewhere new

I know this is a lot, but I do not expect to do every single one of these every single day. These are just things I would like to do throughout the year, to help improve my mental health (and my physical health, as well).

What are things you would like to do for your health (mental, physical, spiritual, etc.)?

Current Favorites

It has been a while since I've done a current favorites list, as I was waiting to find out about some new to me things to try before making another favorites list.

I am always up to trying new things (even if I am a bit hesitant with some things), and I love it when something new to me becomes one of my favorite things.

Now that I have tried enough things to make a good enough list to write about, here is what I am currently loving.

• BIC Wite-Out EZ Correct Tape
  A few months ago, I was at Target, getting some things for junk journaling, and came across this form of White Out. I thought it was unusual, but decided to give it a try. It takes a little getting used to, but once I figured out how to use it, I am not going back to liquid White Out again. With the Correction Tape, you apply it where you need it to be, you don't have to wait for it to dry before writing on top of it, and it doesn't make a mess. Whoever thought of making White Out this way is a genius!
  
  
• Junk journaling
  I found out about junk journaling a few months ago, from a YouTuber I like to watch, and have been hooked ever since. It is so much fun deciding on how I want each page to look, and what I want to put in the journal.
  
  
• Get Organized HQ Virtual
  I found out about this conference in 2021, from one of my favorite bloggers. I decided to give it a try, and absolutely loved it! When I found out when the tickets for last year's conference were available, I immediately got mine, and looked forward to it. I learned a lot about organizing, and other topics, and hopefully I can implement some things into my life as soon as possible. I watched the videos that interested me most, and wrote notes that I can look back on when organizing my space.
  
  
• Joni and Friends Planners
  I love planners, so getting the Joni and Friends planner was a no-brainer for me. The artwork, which Joni painted herself, is absolutely beautiful, and it comes with a chronological Bible reading plan for the year, Bible verses, and more. This year's planner is sold out, but you can check out other items in the shop HERE.

• A website called Set It Down
  Set It Down is a craft website, that have macrame kits for sale. I found out about them just before Christmas through an ad on Facebook and it seemed interesting. I bought a snowflake kit, and it was very easy to learn how to do. I have been wanting to learn how to do macrame, so this was a perfect way to start out in this craft.
  
  
• Roll Break
  Roll break is a snack that consists of a rolled hollow wafer, with cream inside. There are 4 different cream flavors: chocolate, hazelnut, strawberry, and espresso. I am not a fan of coffee, so I don't plan on trying the espresso flavor, but I have tried the others, and absolutely love them! I recently found out about this snack, when one of my brothers brought some home after work, and I am so glad he got some.
  
  
• Sherpa Lined Blanket
  One of the things I got for Christmas was a sherpa blanket, and I absolutely love it! It is warm, soft, and cozy, and I have been using it a lot this winter so far. I am so thankful that I got it, and will definitely be using it a lot in the future.
  
  
• The newest tote bag from The Frey Life
  I bought myself the newest tote bag from one of my YouTube channels, The Frey Life, and it is awesome! It is big, so I can fit a lot of stuff in it, which really helps. It is still available, in case you are interested in getting one yourself.
  

What are some things you are currently loving? What are some things that you would like to try?

23 Things I Would Like to Learn in 2023

Since it is now 2023, I have decided to make a list of 23 things I would like to learn this year.

I love learning new things, and expanding my mind. It helps keep my mind active and sharp, and I can say that I know how to do something, once I've learned how to do it.

I love to be creative, so many of the things on my list are ways I want to be creative in my life. I want to enjoy life more, so learning something new everyday is a great way to do that!

So, in no particular order, here is what I would like to learn this year:

1. Sewing
2. Macrame
3. Curling my hair
4. Applying my own makeup
5. Spanish
6. Songwriting
7. Video editing
8. Photography 
9. French braiding
10. Reading musical notes
11. Playing the violin (again)
12. Playing the ukulele
13. Playing the guitar
14. Self defense
15. Managing my money better
16. To be confident in myself
17. To improve my baking and decorating skills
18. How to get and stay more organized
19. To be more confident in my driving abilities
20. To decorate cakes and cookies
21. How to draw
22. How to paint with acrylics and watercolor
23. How to find the best deals on groceries

What are some things you would like to learn this year?