August 2020: Recap + On My Shelves

August 2020: Recap + On My Shelves

Sep 3, 2020

I'd expected August to be another productive month, but instead... I hit a wall. I had no motivation or energy and just didn't get very much done. And that's okay! We still had some fun family adventures, even with my weird mood.

1. Six Months of Our Baby Boy – We adore our baby boy, but we joke about how he's got a sweet and sour personality. He's so happy... until he isn't. And he'll let you know when he reaches that point! August marked six months since his birth, and I can't believe it's already been that long. I love looking back his baby book and writing down sweet things I want to remember, like the way he covers his eyes with his hands when he drinks a bottle.

2. Walking the Dinosaur Trail – Last year, I took my big boy to a nearby trail that had giant foam dinosaurs along the path. It was the perfect local adventure. He mentioned at the time that he wanted to go back with Daddy, too, so I put it on our 20 in 2020 list. We headed out one one August morning that was a little overcast and not quite as hot but were sad to discover that all the dinosaurs were gone. We still had fun, but it was definitely a bummer!

3. Sweetest Brothers – Throughout the month, I write down possibilities for this section of my recap in my blogging notebook. And I typically go through my camera roll, too! I'd planned to write about taking my big boy on a date to the bookstore and to get a Starbucks treat, but I apparently never took a photo. What I do have a million photos of, however, are these two boys cuddling, playing, and making each other laugh. It's one of my favorite things ever.

4. Learning to Swim – We hadn't thought much about swim lessons before, and then I kept putting it off because he hated his face getting wet. But when I read about how dangerous puddle jumpers can be, we immediately signed him up for ISR self-rescue lessons, which teaches kids to swim and float. The lessons last ten minutes a day, five days a week, for 4-6 weeks. It's a commitment, but we're so thankful we did it. He's a swimmer now!

Read 12 Books | Favorites:

Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

The Comeback by Ella Berman

“You’ve always been the one who was brave—no, the one who was sure. 

You’ve always been so sure of the story you want me to tell, 

the story you’ve been asking me for since we were seventeen: 

The story about the things that happened while I was asleep. 

'It’s your story,' you would say. 'If you don’t let it out, it will take over your life.'

But the story is mine only as the victim owns the prosecution, or the whale the harpoon. 

Telling it has always been the privilege of the perpetrators, who have the actual facts, 

and of the bystanders—like you—who believe they know.” 

True Story by Kate Reed Petty

“Maybe that’s the definition of nostalgia: 

getting sappy about things that are supposed to be insignificant.” 

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

“Do not become the ones who hurt you. Stay tender with your power. Never fight to injure, fight to uplift. 

Fight because you know that in this life, you deserve safety, joy, and freedom. 

Fight because it is your life. Not anyone else’s. I did it, I am here. 

Looking back, all the ones who doubted or hurt or nearly conquered me faded away, 

and I am the only one standing. So now, the time has come. I dust myself off, and go on.” 

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

“When I listened to her, I understood: You have to hold out to see how your life unfolds, 

because it is most likely beyond what you can imagine. It is not a question of if you will survive this, 

but what beautiful things await you when you do. I had to believe her, because she was living proof. 

Then she said, Good and bad things come from the universe holding hands. Wait for the good to come.” 

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

“We force her to think hard about what this will mean for his life, 

even though he never considered what his actions would do to her.”

Know My Name by Chanel Miller 

“People do what they have to in this life. We try to get from one end of it to the other 

with dignity and with honor. We do the best we can.” 

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

“I didn't want to accept that in order to move forward, I had to walk through it. 

It was so much easier just to believe there was another path I could take around it 

and that at the end of that path would be the destination I wanted. 

It would be easier to want to end up at a lie, instead of the truth.” 

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

“We shouldn’t judge food until we try it. 

Just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s less delicious. 

Same goes for people.”

A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

“You can desire things that someone else doesn't. 

You can struggle with something that gives someone else joy. 

You can care about what matters to you even if it doesn't matter to someone else, 

and we can all lovingly and compassionately exist together in that tension.”

The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

“Was a person like Merry born with her character, or had it been built up brick-by-brick

 by people who taught her to choose the good, the kind, and the true?”

Old Lovegood Girls by Gail Godwin

“We were always living different versions of the same story.” 

The Comeback by Ella Berman

Y'all, I don't know what happened to me in August! I'd had all this motivation previously and was doing great meeting my goal of blogging at least twice per week, and then it all went out the window. I was a little annoyed at myself because I wasn't in the mood to read or blog or do much of anything. Oh well! Because of that, I only shared five blog posts. I started the month with my July 2020 Recap and followed it up with my August 2020 Goals. I was excited to talk about what I'd read with my July 2020 Quick Lit Part One and Part Two, and then I shared what my sister, Caroline, read in Tales & Tiger Lily: July 2020. I drafted several other blog posts but didn't finish any of them. The creative thoughts were there, but I didn't see them through. September is a fresh start, thankfully.

Favorite Album: EMMA. (Soundtrack) by Isobel Waller-Bridge and David Schweitzer
I will forever and always love the instrumental soundtracks for my favorite costume dramas.

The one for Emma was no exception! I loved the movie and the music.

The Great British Bake Off, Seasons 7-9, starring Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig – I don't know why I find this show as soothing and as comforting as I do, especially since I don't even enjoy baking personally, but I know that I'm not alone. There's something about it that is just so endearing! I love that it's filmed in a tent, the camaraderie between the contestants, and the creativity of these amateur bakers. I wasn't in the mood to read or blog, but binging several seasons of this show was just what I needed. Highly recommend!

Book of the Month: The Comeback by Ella Berman, True Story by Kate Reed Petty, and The Unbecoming of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan

Bookstore & Pre-Orders: Act Like It by Lucy Parker, Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin, We Are Not Free by Traci Chee, A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan, The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi, The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall, The Exiles by Christine Baker Kline, Educated by  Tara Westover, and Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers

Used Bookstore: The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden and The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser, Most Likely by Sarah Watson, The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez, Long Bright River by Liz Moore, The Veins of the Ocean by Patricia Engel, Things in Jars by Jess Kidd, Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, Sunburn by Laura Lippman, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, Age of Light by Whitney Scharer

Gifted: Lost Souls at the Neptune Inn by Betsy Carter

Audible: Igniting Darkness by Rovin LaFevers and Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Kindle: Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon and Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier

READ POST

Tales & Tiger Lily: July 2020

Tales & Tiger Lily: July 2020

Aug 19, 2020

My sister recently joined bookstagram as @talesandtigerlily. Her name is Caroline, and Tiger Lily is her adorable sidekick (pictured above). Since she's discovered a love of reading, I've had the best time talking about books with her. Be sure to check out her introduction post to get to know her better. Once a month, you get a new installment of Tales & Tiger Lily. In each post, she reviews three of her favorite reads from the previous month and ends with a list of everything she read with ratings (and links to reviews, if applicable). Her top three from July:

GODSHOT BY CHELSEA BIEKER

“Anyhow, most people never looked at anyone else with any clarity, one eye forever turned toward themselves.”

A crazy cult story with eccentric characters? Sign me up. Baptism by soda instead of water? I’m here for it. Lacey May is 14 and has grown up in Peaches, California where everyone worships their cult leader and believes that he will help end the drought. She lives with her alcoholic mama but ends up staying with her grandma Cherry, but I wanted to pluck her from her toxic home environment so she could live with me instead. The people of the town are all brainwashed and listen to whatever BS the cult leader preaches, thinking he holds the answers to a better life. Poor Lacey May, how much I wanted to give her a big hug and be her friend. 

But really I would give this book all the stars in the universe. Godshot made me laugh out loud one second, and my stomach twist in knots the next. It will make you feel every emotion under the sun. You will love some characters and hate others, and that is the perfect kind of story to me. This book is EVERYTHING. I’m adding it to my list of favorite books I’ve ever read. | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

FRIENDS AND STRANGERS BY J. COURTNEY SULLIVAN

“As you made your way through life, there were people who stuck, the ones who stayed around forever and whom you came to need as much as you needed water or air. Others were meant to keep you company for a time. In the moment, you rarely knew which would be which.” 

Friends and Strangers is a book about Elisabeth, an accomplished writer and new mom, and the friendship she develops with Sam, a college student she hires to babysit her son. This novel explores modern motherhood, privilege, and how our paths in life are determined by the choices we make.

Where do I even begin? I read some reviews that people couldn’t stand the main character and thought she was a terrible person. I guess those people wouldn’t like me in real life. She has a lot of judgmental thoughts which she tries to replace with the word banana. This made me laugh. Do you know how many times I catch myself being critical? I am also extremely hard on myself. If we really paid attention to the thoughts we have, how many of them are kind thoughts?

I also loved Sam and her desire to figure out the correct path for her life. She is dating someone other people don’t seem like to like, and she doesn’t know how to handle this. Their desire to want the best for her comes out like an attack. Is it best to speak your mind and stop someone from making a decision you don’t think is good for them, or do you trust they will figure it out and make the right choice? 

I really enjoyed this book, but I don’t think it is for everyone. If you are in the mood for a slow burn, character-driven story about life choices and relationships, this is the book to read. For me, it was thought-provoking and one that will stay with me for days. | 🐶🐶🐶🐶.5

EUPHORIA BY LILY KING

“You don't realize how language actually interferes with communication until you don't have it, how it gets in the way like an overdominant sense.”

Writers & Lovers is my favorite book I’ve read this year, so I really wanted to read Lily King’s previous book, Euphoria. This novel tells the story of three anthropologists in 1933 exploring the land and tribes of New Guinea. The trio begin working together, but as they bond with one another, it quickly leads to tension and jealousy.

King’s ability to craft such beautiful prose and transport you into a different time and place is outstanding. The entire time reading this book, I just kept thinking how creative and talented King is as a writer. As much as I loved these parts, the characters’ past losses/struggles and their desire for human connection is what moved me the most while reading this book. There is a lightness of spirit and yet there is such depth to the characters.

I seriously loved this book. I think it was the combination of my love for Lily King’s style of writing, the setting of the story, and her ability to display the vulnerability and desires of humankind. | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

Recapping the Rest of Caroline's July Reads:

The Girls by Emma Cline | 🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The River by Peter Heller | 🐶🐶🐶.5 • Review

The Lightness by Emily Temple | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Barshardoust | 🐶🐶🐶.5 • Review

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia | 🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Whisper Man by Alex North | 🐶🐶🐶🐶

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 (Not Pictured)

I Left the House Today by Cassandra Calin | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 (Not Pictured)

READ POST

Quick Lit: July 2020 (Part Two)

Quick Lit: July 2020 (Part Two)

Aug 14, 2020

I read 18 books in July, and I'm reviewing six of those books today. You can find thoughts on the other books in Quick Lit: July 2020 (Part One), posted yesterday. I'm excited to share the rest of my July reads, which were all so great with only one exception! If you enjoy this feature, check out other readers' reviews at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

LATE MIGRATIONS BY MARGARET RENKL – Another book that was on my radar because of my sister, though I ended up reading it first! She was looking up past Read with Jenna selections, and this one caught my eye. This collection of essays is part memoir and part nature writing but reads like poetry. Renkl alternates between observations on the natural world, primarily from her own backyard, and recollections from her family's history. At first, many of the essays seemed random to me – and I wasn't sure I understood the point. But the more I read, the more I found myself immersed in the beautiful storytelling and keen view of the world. The way Renkl explored loss and grief was so moving that I cried. It was unexpected favorite – a slow, beautiful book to savor – and I So Loved It.

A BURNING BY MEGHA MAJUMDAR – Once again, I read this book because of my sister. A Burning is set in India, and I loved that aspect! It's always fascinating to learn about another culture. This book follows three characters who want to change their station in life – to become middle class, to gain political power, and to find fame through film. But one reckless comment on Facebook spins a web that entangles all three characters in different ways. I loved how the book immediately caught my attention and moved quickly. Even with three POVs, this is a slim, restrained story and does so much without wasting words. I listened to the audiobook and thought the format added so much, too! I wasn't fully invested in the characters emotionally, but I still So Enjoyed It overall.

FRIENDS AND STRANGERS BY J. COURTNEY SULLIVAN – I loved Sullivan's The Engagements but wasn't fond of Saints for All Occasions, so I went into this with low expectations. Thankfully, it immediately became a new favorite! I love Sullivan's writing style, and it worked particularly well for me here. Her characters were well developed, and I was so invested in their lives. Even when I didn't like their decisions, I couldn't put the book down. It's a long and a little slow – there isn't a lot of action – but I loved how it explored motherhood, marriage, class, privilege, and a complicated friendship between a mother and her child's nanny. I'm So Obsessed With It because it worked so perfectly for me but probably wouldn't recommend it to everyone. But it's still on my mind weeks after finishing!

A MARRIAGE GAME BY SARA DESAI – What I expected from this book and what I got were two very different things. I loved the Indian culture, especially any scene involving the heroine's family or their restaurant. But everything else was painful. I should have DNFed, but I was 50% in before realizing just how much I hated it and then had to see how it ended. I wrote a more in-depth review on Goodreads if you're curious, but here are the five main reasons I didn't like it: an asshole hero, a revenge plot that led to an AWFUL conflict, a romance built solely on sexual attraction without much of an emotional connection, being told a character was smart when their actions are the total opposite, and over-the-top awful arranged marriage dates that lost all sense of realism. I So Disliked It.

DEVOTIONS BY MARY OLIVER – I almost never read poetry because I don't "get it" most of the time. But I recently had the itch to try something new, so I picked up this book. It's a collection of Oliver's poems spanning her decades-long career, and it's arranged from most recent (2015) to oldest (1963). It was interesting to read her work in reverse, and I enjoyed seeing what stayed consistent through the years.  She had a deep love and appreciation for the natural world and wrote so beautifully about it. Some poems were very moving but others were a little boring or repetitive. But that's more about me – my general disinterest in poetry and the fact that I'm more of an indoors person – than Oliver's work. She was a gifted writer and this was a lovely introduction to her. I So Enjoyed It.

NOTES ON A SILENCING BY LACY CRAWFORD – In this memoir, Crawford looks back at the time she spent at the elite St. Paul's School, the sexual assault she suffered there, and how that trauma affected her. It's a cerebral memoir – the writing felt literary in its crisp directness and is evidence that education was central to Crawford's adolescence. I loved how it examined power and privilege, silence and speaking out. The non-linear structure did not always work for me, but it's a minor quibble. It's more about the effect of being silenced than an investigation and exposé on the school itself, but I found it very insightful. I'd give this my equivalent to a four stars, So Enjoyed It, though the wording doesn't exactly work here. This was a heartbreaking, important read.

What have you been reading lately?

READ POST

Quick Lit: July 2020 (Part One)

Quick Lit: July 2020 (Part One)

Aug 13, 2020

I read 18 books in July, and I'm reviewing nine of those books today in Part One and six tomorrow in Part Two. What about the other three books? Two are mentioned briefly at the end of today's post: one was a re-read and the other was a graphic novel that I didn't have a ton of thoughts on. The third book was one I loved so much that I'm wring a longer, separate review for it: Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis. I'm so excited to chat about my July reads! If you enjoy this feature, check out other readers' reviews at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

BIG SUMMER BY JENNIFER WEINER – This novel, my first from Weiner, tackles a number of topics – mostly focusing on body image, female friendship,  and influencer culture. The heroine is an adult at the start of the book, but there are lots of flashbacks to her adolescence. I thought this worked really well, and I was very invested in her story! The friendship at the heart of the book is a toxic one, and I could understand how it happened when the heroine was a teenager but less so once she was an adult. Thankfully, the story went in a different direction right around the time I was losing patience with the heroine. I So Enjoyed It overall, especially the way it looked at the pitfalls of social media and a highly curated life. This would be a good beach read – engaging, fun, and fast!

RELISH BY LUCY KNISLEY – When I was looking up food memoirs, I came across this one. It caught my attention because it's a graphic novel, something I've barely read. I thought this might be a fun way to try the genre! The early chapters were engaging, but the book overall felt inconsistent. Many of the stories felt disjointed, unfinished, or... dare I say it... boring. I loved the idea of exploring moments in life through the lens of food, but many of the ones here didn't seem noteworthy enough to share. They felt like the kind of stories that get repeated within a family where the listeners actually know everyone involved. There wasn't enough there to warrant a memoir, for me. I preferred the illustrated recipes over the anecdotes, which was a bit of a bummer. I'm So Okay With It.

SISTERS FIRST BY JENNA BUSH HAGER AND BARBARA BUSH – Since I've been in a memoir mood lately, I was browsing the non-fiction audiobooks available from my library. This was one of them, and I decided to give it a try since I've been enjoying many of the Read with Jenna book club picks. There were a number of things I enjoyed about this book, particularly the look inside a close-knit family. Their love for one another was evident in every story! I did think the writing and editing was somewhat frustrating – for example, the way the stories jumped around meant things were often repeated (perhaps as a reminder to the reader?) and left me wishing the structure was a bit different. But I So Liked It overall and thought it offered an interesting look into their lives.

SEX AND VANITY BY KEVIN KWAN – After loving Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians series, I was thrilled when this new release was announced! My excitement skyrocketed when I learned it was a retelling of A Room with a View, one of my favorite classics. Once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down. I don't think Kwan is necessarily the strongest writer, but there's something about his characters and stories that I find insanely fun and engaging! I loved the nods to the inspiration, the footnotes often made me laugh out loud, and I really appreciated the way Kwan explored identity and racism through the experiences of the mixed-race heroine. I thought that gave it a lot of depth! I So Loved It, thought it was perfectly paced, and give it extra credit for being an excellent retelling.

HOURGLASS BY DANI SHAPIRO – There's a moment in this memoir about marriage where Shapiro talks about how their TV was programmed to cycle through thousands of family photos, at random, jumping back and forth in time. It was a telling anecdote because it's also how this book is written. There's a stream of consciousness to it, and memories aren't shared in chronological order. That would typically bug me, but it didn't here. Perhaps it was Shapiro's poignant observations, her deft maneuvering through the years, her vulnerability, or the loving honesty with which she wrote about her husband, but this book worked for me. I loved that it focused so much on time and memory, and it made me feel so reflective. This was more literary than other memoirs I've read, but So Enjoyed It.

BIG FRIENDSHIP BY AMINATOU SOW AND ANN FRIEDMAN – Before starting this book, I saw another reviewer mention that this was primarily the story of the authors' specific friendship, not necessarily an examination of the general topic, and was glad I went into it with that knowledge. I haven't listened to their podcast, Call Your Girlfriend, so their personalities and backstories were entirely new to me. I didn't always connect with them, which can happen in a memoir, but I loved many of the insights they shared about making a friendship last for the long haul. The concept of stretching within a friendship and repairing a broken one were two chapters that stuck out to me, in particular. I So Liked It and immediately wanted to call my bestie so I could read her my favorite quotes.

THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES BY GRADY HENDRIX – I don't read horror, but I trusted my sister when she said I should try this book. The 90s South Carolina setting was so vivid, and I could imagine the Southern women who populated this small town coming to life before my eyes. I gagged at some of the gore (rats! cockroaches!) and was not a fan of the scenes where the vampire attacks victims, but I did love how Hendrix illustrated that racism and sexism pose as much of a threat to this community as the vampire. The vampire is allowed to go unchecked for so long because no one believes the Black community he targets first or the "bored housewives" who unravel his lies. It was a perfect blend of thought provoking and entertaining, and I So Loved It. 

NOTHING TO SEE HERE BY KEVIN WILSON – This was such an odd, unusual read, but it was on my radar after my sister reviewed it. Though she didn't push it on me, it sounded so quirky that I had to try it! I'm so glad because this ended up being a delightful little story. It was such a fast and short read that I almost felt there should be more to it, but then couldn't think of what I'd add. The characters were well developed, and I loved the story and its conclusion. I thought the voice of the heroine anchored the story really well, and the twins provided just the right amount of spark. The story was surprisingly emotional, and I loved this little chosen family trying to claw their way out of dysfunction. Plus, a lot of the dialogue and the heroine's observations cracked me up! I So Enjoyed It.

KID GLOVES BY LUCY KNISLEY – On the hunt for a few more graphic novels to try, I picked up this one. In it, Knisley chronicles her fertility problems, miscarriages, nine months of pregnancy, and traumatic birth story. There are chapters woven throughout that discuss the history and science of reproductive health, and those ended up being my favorite part of this book. It was so informative! Knisley's pregnancy and labor were interesting to read about, though we had very different experiences. I did find it stressful at times and wondered how I'd feel reading this if I didn't have children or was currently pregnant. I have no idea! But pregnancy really is "nine months of careful chaos," so I respect how this book illustrates that fact. I So Enjoyed It overall. 

Additionally, I re-read American Royals by Katharine McGee, one of my 2019 favorites. After getting a review copy of the sequel, Majesty, I knew I had to re-read this one first. I listened to the audio, which was totally delightful. The drama, intrigue, and creative twist on history still worked for me. It's not a super deep read, but I So Loved It! Check out my original review for the reasons it worked for me, and stay tuned for my review of the second.

I read Go to Sleep (I Miss You) by Lucy Knisley, too. It's a cute little book of illustrations that focus on life with a baby. It doesn't have a narrative and is more of a collection of snapshots from Knisley's first year as a new mom. I could relate to a lot of them! It was a fun, quick read that was just right for this season of my life. I So Liked It, though I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I hadn't recently had a baby. I'm glad my library had a copy!

What have you been reading lately?

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August 2020 Goals

August 2020 Goals

Aug 5, 2020

Many of the things that I wrote about in June remained true in July. There has been a more consistent rhythm to our days, and I love having a flexible schedule to plan around. Even though we aren't going anywhere, it's nice to feel like I have a better idea of what to expect from each day. I can't believe we're more than halfway through the year – and that it's been almost six months since our baby was born. With all the coronavirus stuff, I've had to stop myself from wishing the time away. I want to go back to "normal," but I know that I won't get this time back in my baby's life. It's been such a weird season, but I'm doing my best to give myself grace for all the feelings.

I remember debating whether or not it made sense to focus on goal planning this year, but I kept coming back to the idea that I wanted to spend my days on the things that mattered. My Powersheets haven't given me more time, but they have helped hold me accountable and motivated me to do the little things that add up to the life I want. From meal planning to meaningful moments with my sweet boys, I love looking back at these past seven months and seeing tangible progress. I'm so proud of all I've accomplished!

On My Calendar:
– Celebrating six months of our sweet baby
– A well check doctor's appointment

– Starting private swim lessons for my big boy
– Hopefully a long overdue haircut for me

Currently Obsessing Over:

– I already mentioned this in my most recent So Obsessed With post, but it's worth repeating: the Lindsay Letters Vertical Monthly Creatives Calendar is perfection! I love using a paper planner with a some digital reminders set up on my phone for myself. However, I wanted something to act as a home base for the whole family: things like my husband's ever-changing travel schedule, the boys' appointments, a spot to jot down a quick note or reminder.

– Although it wasn't the prettiest meal, this ground turkey sweet potato skillet was delicious. I'll be making it again!

– I finally watched the new movie adaptation of Emma... three times. I'm not shocked that it got mixed reviews, but I just loved everything about it. Gorgeous costumes and interiors, hilarious moments, and major swoon. 

– The new Taylor Swift album, folklore, of course! I never imagined we'd get two albums from Swift in less than a year. I love moody music, so it feels like it was made for me. I'm in awe of how Swift's sound can change so (seemingly) effortlessly. I think my favorite song is "Invisible String," but there aren't any I want to skip.

– This diamond chain from Helen Ficalora has been on my radar, but lately I can't stop thinking about it...

Yearly Goals:
(These should stay the same all year, so I'll just do month-to-month progress reports!)
– Read through the Bible in one year.
– Read a devotional every morning.
– Track my spending in the Goodbudget app.
– Blog 2x per week.

July progress: 
– Although I caught up by the end of the month, I got THREE WEEKS behind on my daily reading. Oof.
– I managed to stay on track with my daily devotional, only missing a day or two throughout the month.
– This has been easy to stay caught up on, and I'm sure it's because we've barely gone anywhere this year.
– There was one week where I only posted once, but it was balanced out by a week with three posts. Yay!

Revisiting My July Goals:
– Schedule a monthly planning session. / Complete! I did most of it one Sunday and wrapped up the rest this past weekend. I know I'm repeating myself, but this is one of my favorite habits I've developed in 2020. 
– Complete Five Months in the baby's journal + take monthly photo. / All done. I was a few days late on the photo but got it done in time. I had so much to write about this month as our sweet baby grows so quickly.
– Complete Five Months in my big boy's journal. /  Yep, complete. I wish I'd known about this journal sooner, but I'm thankful that I've been able to use old photos and planner notes to fill in these memories.
– Choose and print photos for both Promptly Journals. / I decided to wait until we're done with monthly photos before printing, but I did choose photos for the boys' journals and for the calendar I'll print for 2021. 
– Cull, download, rename, and backup June 2020 photos. / I'm always shocked by how quickly I can complete this task since it's something I used to procrastinate for so long. It feels great to be caught up on photos.
– Go through last few months of photos saved on iPhone. / All done, minus July. I'm waiting until they're backed up on my hard drive and the cloud before deleting them off my phone. But I should be done this week!

– Celebrate nine years of marriage. / Yep, even though it looked different this year. We spent the day with our sweet boys, and then we had a date at home: eating sushi and watching Hamilton on Disney+.
– Prep new 2020-2021 Dapperdesk planner. / OMG, IT'S SO PRETTY. I made a plan for all my notes pages, marked birthdays, wrote down appointments, and did everything to get my planner ready to go for its August start date.
– Catch up on all reviews. / By the end of July, I caught up on reviewing everything I read the month before, a few books that had lingered on my to-do list, and everything I read that month. It felt amazing to get them all done! 
– Review my 20 in 2020 list. / Although many of my goals didn't change much with COVID-19, I wanted to look at our family bucket list for the year to see if anything needed to change. Most of them still work, but I noted the ones that may not and wrote down alternate ideas to consider. I'll reassess each month as needed. 
– Meet with Nick to discuss finance book once he's finished. / My finance goal is that I've made the least amount of progress on. Nick finished the book, but I didn't prioritize chatting about it (though I know he has notes!). Whoops!

My August Goals:
– Schedule a monthly planning session.
– Complete Six Months in the baby's journal + take monthly photo.
– Complete Six Months in my big boy's journal.
– Cull, download, rename, and backup July 2020 photos.
– Celebrate our baby's half-birthday!
– Have a one-on-one date with my big boy.
– Brainstorm family traditions to implement.
– Complete three 20 in 2020 items.
– Read one 10 in 20 book.
– Make a screen time plan for myself and my big boy.
– Start a new evening routine.

Do you have any goals for August?

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