February Happenings

Happy Leap Day! The second month of 2020 is already over…

It’s been a while since I’ve done any type of “monthly recap” post. I posted these regularly in 2017-18, but time & other factors caused me to get out of the habit. SO! I would like to revive them with a few format changes. I plan to post at the end of each month with a few updates on what I’m reading, blogging about, and maybe what I’m eating and watching.

on the bookshelf

Currently reading: If For Any Reason by Courtney Walsh

Recent additions to my TBR/shelf I’m super excited about: Kings Falling by Ronie Kendig, Chasing the White Lion by James R. Hannibal, and Becky Wade’s new (free!) novella Take a Chance on Me.

on the blog

Most visited new reviews:

  1. Review & Interview: The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews
  2. The Solid Grounds Coffee Co. by Carla Laureano
  3. Follow the Dawn by Rachelle Rea Cobb

Other popular posts:

  1. Favorite Quotes from The Blue Castle
  2. First Line Fridays # 31: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
  3. Favorite Quotes from Persuasion

on the screen

howard's end still

I finished watched some great British drama this month, including the one and only season of Sanditon and the newest Howard’s End miniseries. I enjoyed them both. I know Sanditon is polarizing, especially with its ending, but I liked it and think it ended with enough hope. Now I need more Theo James in period dramas! Howard’s End was the first rendition of this classic I’ve ever seen, so its story ups and downs were fresh and interesting. I really really loved Margaret, though I didn’t always like the choices of the other characters and the way they drove parts of the story.

Fun movies I watched for the first time include Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks-starring and directed, hilarious “normal life” humor) and Timeline (GERARD. BUTLER. on a horse.).

in the kitchen

I had some amazing raspberry oat bars from Whole Foods I’m scheming to recreate in my kitchen. I have a couple online recipes and the ingredients list. I’m going to science!

Grocery store adventures: I can’t find buckwheat flour anywhere local. Buckwheat pancake and waffle mix, yes. Buckwheat groats, yes. I’m wanting to make the Buckwheat Blueberry Breakfast cake from this novel.

I DID make crepes a couple days ago, using Alton Brown’s recipe from his Good Eats show. I posted a pic on Twitter… and Alton tweeted back! I kinda fangirled over the kitchen nerdiness of it all.

Your turn! Tell me: what have you been reading, watching, and eating this month?

February Happenings

Ah, February. The shortest month. The month for all things chocolate and heart-y. And for my family, a big month of birthdays. On the blog today, I’m looking back at some fun that happened this month!

textgram_1519787518.png

on the bookshelf

Only a few new books on the shelf this month….. which is probably a good thing. I need to catch up! The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin, As Easy As Riding a Bike by Bell Renshaw, Embers by Ronie Kendig, Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano.

on the blog

Most popular posts:

  1. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Best On-Screen Rom-Com Couples
  2. First Line Fridays ❤ Valentine’s Day Edition: The Breath of Dawn
  3. Favorite Quotes from “Persuasion” by Jane AustenLove in Three Quarter Time

Most popular reviews:

  1. Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan
  2. The Cupcake Dilemma by Jennifer Rodewald (+ Author Interview)
  3. Music Review: “Whole Heart” by Passion Music

on the screen

Gifted

Gifted (2017) I finally watched this family drama starring Chris Evans. It was as delightful as a movie concerning a custody battle could be — and I mean that in the best way. Tiny moments of humor added levity to an otherwise thought-provoking story line dealing with questions of purpose, normalcy, and the importance of childhood.

I’m also working my way through the 2008 biographical miniseries John Adams. By next month’s recap, I’m sure I’ll have several thoughts on it!

What have YOU been watching?

around the web

With Valentine’s came some super fun romance-related posts! Like Carrie’s themed KissingBooks 101 “lesson” and Andi’s “guess that author” list!

The INSPYs are in full swing, as the advisory board members have been saying on social media. (FYI, INSPYs are the “bloggers’ award for excellence in faith-driven literature”). On March 1, potential judges can apply to participate in choosing the 2018 winners!

YOUR TURN! What exciting things happened for you in February?