Well, first things first.
Birchie arrives today. I repeat: Birchie touches down in Nova Scotia later today! Woot, woot!
The weather looks perfect and I cannot wait to get out and explore. (And also just hang out and talk in person!)
It’s been a week of slow recalibration. I stepped down from my university role at the beginning of August, but since they didn’t manage to get their ducks in a row with hiring a replacement, I’ve been helping with the transition into the term. BUT today is officially my last day after over 16 years in this position. Another woot, woot! (Honestly, I suspect I will still help periodically in the coming weeks because I don’t want to leave students in a lurch and September/October is the absolute busiest time of my academic year.)
I also spent a lot of time getting the house back in order. There was so much laundry and the floors all needed to be mopped and it feels like a literal full-time job to stay on top of food prep and groceries and cleaning and life admin.
YOGA CLASSES
I have a particular instructor I really like at a local yoga studio, and I went to two of her sessions this week. Her evening warm VinYin class was everything I had hoped for and more. I love combo classes: Vinyasa to warm up and then Yin to deep stretch all the stiff bits. The Vinyasa portion definitely left my core sore the next day!
Later in the week I went to a straight Yin class. Next up, I think I’m ready to attempt hot power Vin. Wish me luck.
INDY’S AWESOME WEEKEND
Indy had a spectacular weekend.
He was invited to a sleepover on Friday night (and by invited, I think he may have invited himself). He went over for supper and didn’t come home until after breakfast the next day.
Then Saturday afternoon he went with the same friend to a family member’s pool and got to play there for hours.
And Sunday he served as a ball retriever at the local university soccer game. His club partners with the university, so he got a sideline view and I got a free ticket.
GOOD SCHOOL TRANSITION
We’re still in early days, but this time last year most school afternoons ended in tears. This year? ZERO TEARS. It has been such a relief to have both kids happy and settled. (For now.)
I’m also loving the staggered start. Indy eats breakfast while Belle does her morning ablutions, which means no fighting at the table between a chatty younger brother and a still-waking-up teen sister and there have been limited squabbles over the bathroom.
I send Indy out the door and get to sit with Belle while she eats breakfast, and we chat before her day starts.
Verdict: 10/10 for the kids being at two schools!
GOOD BOOKS
Having an abundance of good books is a double-edged sword because I have been feeling some reader anxiety over the number of books on my TBR. There simply isn’t enough time and I want reading to be fun, not stressful.
After a year of waiting, The Women finally came in for me at the library. I devoured chunks of it while waiting for the soccer game to start (and again at halftime).
I had a few mixed feelings about how things wrapped up, but overall it was epic, and I can see why demand was so high for this book.
But my favourite book of the week was The Enchanted April.
It was so gentle and light and, well, enchanting! I feel like someone specifically recommended this; whoever it was, thank you. It was exactly the book I needed.
HAPPY THINGS IN BLOGLAND
- It’s official! Ernie’s family has grown by two. Rae and Kay’s adoption has been finalized. What a special day for the whole family.
- I am fascinated by behind-the-scenes anything, and really enjoyed getting an inside look at Jana’s creative process for a commissioned line drawing (here, too)!
- Kate’s family beach trip looks like it was a total blast.
- I cannot get over how perfect the finisher’s medal is for the Sydney Marathon (Melissa’s husband ran it this year).
- Lisa lives in a fun neighbourhood and her family made the most of that last weekend. As an added bonus, her oldest son won a coveted trophy…
- I’m living vicariously through Kae’s fall-decorated home. She asks “is there anything better than a perfectly clean, neat house on a Saturday?!” and I’m struggling to come up with any answer that is not “a perfectly clean, neat house on a Saturday?!” though last week I eschewed cleaning and read a book and ignored the wet footprints all over my floors.
- Photo projects are so much fun; I loved reading about Engie’s week in the form of pictures.
- I appreciated the little reminder from Laura that people are a good use of time!
- Jean shared some great wisdom in this post: On Getting Rid of Old Skirts, Old Hurts, and Other Things That No Longer Serve a Purpose
- Kyria surveyed some bloggy friends about their experience living in a different country/culture and it was FASCINATING.
- Coco and her family enjoyed a spontaneous weekend trip to Pirenopolis.
- Jane Austen paid a visit to Michelle’s dollhouse (the gnomes were delighted to have company).
- Not only did Catrina crush her recent race (3rd place!), her blog friend Elke turned a sunrise hike photo into a beautiful work of art.
- The response to my announcement of the October edition of the Cool Bloggers Walking Club was such a Happy Thing. One little challenge has been pointed out. If people learn about it after we start, they may be less inclined to join. So…if you are planning to be a Cool Walker (blogging optional) and want to invite a friend to join please tell them now(ish), not a week into the walking challenge!
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- The smell of freshly mopped floors.
- Getting on top of the backlog of laundry.
- Rain! We had a downpour one night and after an incredibly dry summer, it was such a relief.
- Opening windows and letting cool, refreshing breezes blow through and air out the house (which has been largely shut up for the last few months trying to keep the heat out and the cool in).
- I complimented Joy on some nail polish she’d been wearing and she let me borrow the shade to try it for myself.
- Speaking of Joy, she’s been clearing out her closet and asked if was interested in trying this dress. It is so comfy and feels perfect for fall. Plus, I like when dresses are high enough in the neck I don’t have to worry about flashing the world when I bend over; ditto the length. This one ticks all the boxes.
- Overnight oats.
- Using up miscellany in the fridge.
- A new duvet cover (100% cotton, on clearance, exactly the look I wanted, spotted by John).
- Our neighbour’s cucumbers. While I type this sentence I am eating an entire cucumber as part of my lunch and it is the sweetest, crispest cucumber I’ve ever tasted. Such a delight.
- An evening walk with Joy.
- A phone call from my parents.
- Bridge jumping! I took the kids three more times and it is getting COLD, but they persevered and still managed to have a good time. What a huge hit that has been this summer.
And that’s a wrap. Next time I post, Birchie will be in Nova Scotia! Stay tuned for all the details about our shenanigans and hijinks.
Happy weekending friends.
Your turn.
- What are you are most looking forward to this weekend?
- Best meal you ate all week?
- What’s the last book you couldn’t put down?
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I had to laugh about your suspicion that Indy invited himself for a sleepover; that is exactly the type of thing our son used to do. I’m so glad the kids are happy at school this year, that must be such a relief for you. That dress looks great on you. I love clothes that are easy to wear, that you can do what you need to do without worrying about anything moving out of place.
We went out with the kids for G’s birthday last weekend to a new restaurant near us, and it was fabulous. We went to their wine bar which was fancy enough but they have a fancier restaurant that just G and I will try sometime. This weekend I’m looking forward to catching up with running club and also getting the garden tidied up. I started the job today, so I’ve got a bit of a head start.
It has been such a relief. Grade 6 was tough, Grade 7 was okay, and Grade 8 was brutal. To have a child no dreading school everyday is simply lovely.
Good luck with the garden!
What a nice round up of happy things! And you’re leaving the university job now- a big change! So glad Belle has had a great transition to high school- smooth mornings make the day easier.
I couldn’t put down Nesting and Death of the Author. I had an easy afternoon of waiting around, so I indulged my impulse to just keep on with them. I think I’d still give both 3/5 stars, but they were worth reading.
A big change, indeed. I just got notice that my e-mail access is gone which for a split second felt jarring and now feels liberating!
Birchie + Nova Scotia = the dream team! Can’t wait to hear about all the fun you two get up to. 🎉
And congrats on officially wrapping up your university role after so many years – what a milestone! It must feel like both a relief and a big shift.
That copy of “The Enchanted April” looks absolutely dreamy, it has a fairy-like charm, and the slightly battered edges make it all the more inviting. Exactly the sort of book I’d want to pick up just for its look. Did you find it at the library?
I’m off to Salzburg on Sunday, we will start our multi-day hike on Monday. Can’t wait!
Wishing you a weekend full of Birchie-shenanigans and crisp autumn walks!
I loved the cover of The Enchanted April. It fit the mood of the book so well.
Yup, that’s a library copy. I cannot for the life of me remember who recommended it, but it happened to be available and I enjoyed every minute. Nothing much happens in the book, and I can see if I was in a different mood not liking it at all, but it was like a warm, cozy drink of hot coffee. So comforting and soothing.
Enjoy the hike. Looking forward to reading all about it.
so nice to receive a blog friend! I would love to receive guests to brasilia and take him/her to Pirenopolis! enjoy!
I like the color of your nails, very spring and cute!
I’m so excited!!! This will be the fourth blog friend I’ve gotten to meet in the last 15ish months and next month I get to add two more (Kae and SHU). I love it so much.
YOU READ ENCHANTED APRIL!!!!!!! It was a favorite back in my college days, and Pearl was the recommendation source! It’s been so long that I don’t remember very much about it, but I do remember that it was delightfully good.
And you read The Women which I am also excited about. We’ll discuss soon!
Squeeeeee I am at the airport soon to be on a plane!!!
Delightfully good sums it up!
I just saw a text from your airport wait. One leg down, one more to go and then it’s party time. Which, in my world, is sipping a sparkling water on the deck and talking about books. Sound good??
BIRCHIE!!!! You are going to have the best time together. I adore her.
That dress is super cute, it looks great on you.
I’m so happy you’re doing yoga. I hope you continue to love it!
So, your questions. Today I am giving an afternoon fondue party for one of my friends’ birthday, so that will be super fun. Then on Sunday we are celebrating a certain son’s 20th birthday! (Jake) (I don’t know why I said certain son) (how many brackets will I have here). Best meal I ate all week…it was just a regular one in the Boyhouse, we had a stirfry on Monday, wraps on Tuesday, big salad and homemade bread on Wednesday, pasta salad yesterday…today is Greek salad and hummus so that will probably be it!
I have been on a ROLL with books – I had three five stars in a row. Earlier this week I reread Sandwich, which I love. Newman has a new book coming out next month and I wanted to refresh myself.
Sometimes yoga doesn’t seem to fit my routine too well, but I love that I’m confident enough in the poses to keep going back to it. It’s there when I’m ready and available!
What a fun weekend! Enjoy the parties!!
20. It sounds so old, and yet I’m only a little over 5 years away from that myself. WHAT THE WHAT??? How did that happen.
Isn’t it simply wonderful to have a series of great books. There is something uniquely satisfying about finishing a great book and being rewarded with starting an equally good one.
Omg BIRCHIE!!! I can’t wait to hear all about this visit. That is definitely the biggest Happy Thing. Also- isn’t it nice when both kids are happy??? I love those phases (they never last long enough…)
I’m so envious of your weather- I LOVE when we can finally open the windows after summer- for us, it happens a lot later, sigh.
I lvoe that dress- very cute and fall-ish, and yes it looks super comfy!
I still can’t believe Birchie is going to be here in a few hours. It feels like a dream. I’m so happy there is no waking up to do. It’s real and IT. IS. HAPPENING.
I feel like kids are constantly go through some phase and when both happen to be in a happy/content phase it is MAGIC. That said, I know that magic dissipates quickly, so I am not holding my breath it will be here for the long haul. But I am very much enjoying the peace and enthusiasm while it lasts.
The weather is so perfect today. Cool, sweater weather this morning and warming up into full sunshine this afternoon. But you get the last laugh in the dead of winter, Jenny, when you can still go outside in shorts and a T-shirt.
Thanks for highlight Paul’s trophy win! He is still so pumped about that win – it was so unexpected!
Have the best time with Birchie! You’ll love her! I wish I could teleport myself to join you two! The thing I’m most looking forward to this weekend is my 10 mile race tomorrow. It will be one of my slower races which is fine. I’ve enjoyed training for it but will be glad when it’s behind me and I can drop the long weekend runs! I like the challenge but I’m ready to switch it up and plan to do some Orange Theory Fitness workouts instead of long runs.
My meals were very meh this week since I was at a conference. But one more I had breakfast at the hotel and the fruit plate was amazing!
I read “If You Live Here, You’d Be Home By Now” during this work trip and found it so engaging/hard to put down. It’s a memoir about the author’s decision to move his family from the DC area to a very remote town in NW Minnesota. He worked for the Washington Post and wrote a story about the county in the US that was ranked as the worst place to live due to environment/climate factors. And then a bunch of residents from that county responded and invited him to visit, and they ultimately decided to move their family there.
I wish you were here, too! But I’m excited to hear all about your race. It’s a bummer the weather forecast isn’t better, but I know you’ll make the most of it and I hope it’s fun!
I have that book (Live Here) on my TBR! So I’m glad to hear you really enjoyed it. The premise sounds fascinating.
I think I recommended The Enchanted April, Elisabeth, so glad you enjoyed it so much. I have the film from the 1990s still to watch on DVD, it was when Joan Plowright who plays Mrs Fisher in it died earlier this year I think that I commented about it.
Thanks you, Katherine! It was the perfect book for me to read as I transition into a new season (literally and figuratively). I’ll have to watch the film!
YAY FOR BIRCHIE TIME! I hope you have an amazing visit. I am positive you will, with lighthouses and the ocean and the woods and some ice cream. I also wish I could transport myself and join you.
I wish I had enjoyed The Women more than I did. I liked it well enough, but overall it is kind of meh in my memory.
I just finished listening to Foreverland, which had funny moments, but I didn’t love it. It’s a memoir, about married life, and I found a lot of it relatable and it made me feel seen sometimes. But I guess that’s not my favorite genre. I prefer a novel, with a story and a conclusion and a plot. I just started a new audiobook, The Anomoly, which starts with a dog getting hit by a car, so that’s upsetting. And weird, because my last dream this morning involved a dog getting hit by a car, though eventually it turned into a cat, and it survived. Weird dream, weird coincidence since I started the book a few hours after I woke up.
This weekend is not going to be busy, I don’t think, and I’m glad for that. I want to see the new Downton Abbey movie, and am looking forward to watching the 2nd episode of GBBO tonight. Or maybe tomorrow, Friday night is dinner out, and our daughter will probably be in bed by the time we get home (She’s 85 and goes to bed super early).
We are set to visit a lighthouse TOMORROW! We’ve already crossed ice cream off the fun list (though I suspect there will be more than 1 trip out for ice cream).
I liked The Women but didn’t love it. I really enjoyed the insight into Vietnam, but found the second half of the book dragged a bit. That said, I’m really glad I read it and it was engaging.
I have The Anomoly on my pile of books (teetering) to be read.
I’m not sure if you’re making a joke, or if it’s actually 25, not 85…either way, I’m with Maya in liking an early bedtime.
I see someone else recommended the film version of The Enchanted April, and I second that suggestion. Beauty scenery and atmospheric filming add to the gentle story.
I so appreciated how “gentle” this story was and I’m happy to hear the movie follows the same template. It’s nice to take an exhale and sink into a book/movie that doesn’t cause you to think too deeply or get anxious over any of the plotlines.
Wow, there are so many good things in this post! I feel uplifted like a balloon! Hooray for the job being over! Hooray for Birchie’s visit! Hooray for school being awesome! It was wonderful to read this!
Awww. What a sweet image of this post being a helium-filled balloon! That’s boosted my spirits, Michelle <3
And Birchie is here!
Isn’t it the best, when kids are feeling well in themselves and happy going off to school?
I confess, I’ve been reading the Percy Jackson series. I totally get why my son loves it so much, it’s very action driven and the good guys always win. And there’s a bit of nuance in it, and if course all the Greek mythology elements to explore. I also finished ‘I who have never known men’ which was a very compelling and interesting read, and such a very interesting thought experiment!
It really IS the best. Especially when compared to last year when things were so sub-optimal in terms of class configurations. And middle school is…tough. Onward and upward.
I haven’t read any of the Percy Jackson series, but I’ve been reading to Indy at night and should think about getting one of those books for us to read together.
My neighbour gave me two cucumbers from his garden this past week, and man, are they ever tasty and sooo, crispy! I’ve been making salads and sandwiches and even sneaking a few slices at breakfast. Who knew cucumbers could bring such pleasure 🙂
I am looking forward to getting the dirt and grass seed planted by the end of this weekend and hoping to see grass sprigs in the next couple of weeks. This is the second round of this routine since March and I am getting tired of literally waiting for the grass to grow LOL!
I read The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka and was so surprised, and delighted isn’t the word because of the topic, but it was the right book for me to read right now. I picked it up because my daughter was a lifeguard and currently works in aquatics at a rec centre. The first half of the book is about a group of swimmers, often referred to by name and lane number, who are concerned about a crack discovered at the bottom of the pool. Then the book takes a turn and focusses on one of the swimmers and her decent into dementia. The author captured everything that I’ve been feeling about the topic as our family is dealing with my mother’s dementia. So for me it was a fantastic book, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend to everyone.
Happy things this week are the announcements of Cool Bloggers’ Walking Club by you and Cool Bloggers’ Book Club by Engie. I always look forward to both of those events.
I hope you have a wonderful time with Birchie. I really enjoyed reading her reviews of B.C., my home province, and am excited to read about what you do together in your province. How cool to see both coasts of Canada so close together!
I have always liked cucumbers but these are next level. I chatted with my neighbour and apparently he planted a new variety this year. I knew they tasted better than ever before! He promises there will be more to come.
I enjoyed The Swimmers. It was like nothing I had expected and very thought provoking.
Yay for Cool Blogger’s Clubs!!! And I am thrilled those are happy things in your world (they are in mine, too).
Oh man, there are so many great things here: Birchie’s visit, cucumbers with vinegar (that reminds me of my Mom; she used to make that all the time), hot yoga (I only tried it a couple times and it was good but sweaty!), end of summer swimming…etc. etc.
My happy thing this week is that I am in the mountains! Also, I found a MTB friend and we have been riding together! It has been a while since I’ve been on any trails, but it has been fun exploring the area and being on the bike again!
My mom is the one who did the cucumber + vinegar thing in my house. We had them constantly and it is still a beloved go-to for me.
I’m nervous about hot yoga but I’m excited to try it.
You’re back on a bike! Birchie and I were talking about her getting to meet “Bob”…
Have a wonderful visit with Birchie!
I’m glad to hear your school year is off to a good start and that the morning routine with the kids gives you one-on-one time. I was the annoying perky morning sibling as a kid – sorry to my sisters! It was so hard on me to be ready to go and chat and plan the day and have them barely awake and really cranky, but as an adult who’s routinely woken up by her kids before she’s ready, I’ve developed sympathy for how annoying I must have been to them haha!
Making this a combo comment for the instapot and thrifting posts:
As I was using the instapot to cook beans from totally dry to cooked for supper literally the night before you posted I thought “I wonder if Elisabeth has decided to get an instapot yet.” Then the next morning, there was your post!
Re thrifting: Our major appliances are almost all Facebook marketplace finds, and we actually replaced our washer this week for $310 including delivery and removal of the old one, and it’s bigger than the old one! The old one actually made us money when we got it – sold its predecessor for $300 (it was a big, modern one that sucked for cleaning cloth diapers), and bought it for $200. Normally I wouldn’t have paid the guy selling our new one the $50 he increased the price by to deliver it and take away the old one, but my husband has a hand in a cast and we couldn’t wait to replace the machine until the whole axe-ident severed tendon situation is over…
The visit has been spectacular so far! And we have two more full days of adventuring ahead of us this week (and another one next week!!)
Yes, morning personalities can vary widely and it is VERY apparent who is/is not a morning person 😉
Sometimes you really do have to throw money at a problem and your poor husband’s accident is a very big problem. Definitely the right decision!
Definitely a joke, she’s 29. We got home from dinner at 7:45, and she was going to bed.
Love it!
Hi! I found you via a blog comment rabbit hole and love the happy things round up! (I am staunchly anti-Kristen Hannah but LOVED The Enchanted April.) It seems like you’re building a really cool community. This week’s meals and weekend have been mediocre (boo germs), but I just started Backman’s My Friends, and it’s fantastic so far!
Hi Lauren. Welcome!
The Enchanted April was such a refreshing, palate-cleansing read. And there’s a modern retelling (Enchanted August) that I’m going to check out next.
My wait time for My Friends is sooooo long on the holds list; I have heard nothing but great things about the book so far.
The cover of that copy of Enchanted April is gorgeous. I’ve never read the book, but a friend and I rented the movie at a cottage many years ago, and it was perfect for us, AND a community theatre that my friend’s dad was involved with put the play on, so I went with girlfriends. The play was really well done, with the added hilarious delight that my friend’s dad played the way-too-old-looking husband of a beautiful young woman.
I have brunch with some friends who have the same birthday tomorrow – very much looking forward to that. I have been phoning in dinner this week since I’m mostly alone again, but I had some really good grilled pork summer rolls when we ordered Vietnamese last weekend before my husband left.
I absolutely loved the physical copy of the book. It was so charming with the worn edges. I prefer hard cover books but hate book jackets, so this was PERFECT. (Why yes, I am picky!)
Yay for birthday celebrations and pork summer rolls sound delish!
Elisabeth, thank you for including me on Happy Things and the link!
My pleasure. Thanks for posting about the process.
Hooray for the visit from Birchie. I look forward to reading about your adventures. Indie’s weekend does sound ideal. Still enjoying bridge jumping, so fun. I love that your mornings are staggered and that everyone’s school year is off to a good start.
If I read this Friday, I’d have said that going to visit Reg at college was what I was most looking forward to. This weekend, we plan to drive to ND to tailgate and then we’ll race back to be home in time for Curly to go to homecoming. I can’t remember the last book I couldn’t put down. Probably because I fall asleep after I’ve gotten a few pages read. There’s no fighting sleep for me.
The water is getting COLD, but the external temp is really climbing most afternoons.
Falling asleep quickly is a true delight in life! And I can’t wait to hear all about tailgating.
I am so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the yoga classes. I’ve been on a yoga streak for a while – often it’s just 10 minutes a day – but it’s just so good for me!
We made a new recipe – a Southwest Kale Salad – last week and it was delicious. I really love kale as salad (have you tried it) and this is the second one that we definitely make on repeat.
I’m not usually a huge kale fan, but I think it’s because I’ve had one or two I didn’t like and that has made me shy to try again. I really should make another attempt.
Cucumber directly from the plant are another level. I was lucky enough my cucumber produced a lot. I enjoyed it immensely.
What a cute dress you inherited from Joy.
I love the smell of rain and and also the breeze that is dancing in the trees.
Thrifted clothes are great. Free clothes are even better!!!