Well, this month is chugging right along. I am finding it hard to believe that next month is May. It feels like once we hit mid-May, there won’t be much stopping until September. Our family already has lots of fun things planned for the summer – including some rest time – but it’s still planned!
But for now, it’s still April and here are some Happy Things from my life this week.
EASTER WEEKEND
It’s the most important weekend on the calendar for me and the messages at church did not disappoint.
On Saturday I needed to spend an extra $1.35 to get a points deal on groceries, so I added some chocolate eggs to my cart. John hid 10 mini eggs per kid and…that was it in terms of treats. I really enjoy not feeling the pressure of preparing Easter baskets. I know it’s a beloved tradition for so many people, but our kids seem oblivious to the consumerism and I intend to keep it that way.
No Easter decor this year, no pastel outfits (though I did paint my nails in a cheery purple – Lacey Lilac by Sally Hansen).
- Friday morning: Good Friday service, then helped set up for the church-wide breakfast on Saturday.
- Friday afternoon: A sunny family walk (I’m a cool walker after all…)
- Friday evening: Hosted some friends from church for supper. They stayed well into the evening and our combined group of kiddos spent the entire evening outside, which was perfection! Simple food, fun company, and an easy vibe.
- Saturday morning: Volunteered at the church breakfast. I was in the kitchen the whole time (so were John and Belle), and I loved it. I much prefer being behind the scenes. We fed over 200 people and helped with prep, serving, and cleanup. I was exhausted afterward. Indy had friends over in the afternoon, and I snuck in a nap.
- Sunday morning: Church in the morning, then another nap and a short walk.
- Monday: The kids spent eight hours outside – doing trick shots, filming movies, and generally being hilarious and loud. John and I voted (hooray for democracy!), I batch-cooked for a week of solo parenting, and finished a book.
FRAMED ART
When we travel, our go-to souvenir has become art. We always buy unframed pieces so they fit in carry-ons… but then they have a tendency to sit in a drawer for the foreseeable future.
Finally, I got my act together and framed everything from the past year.
Clockwise from top left:
- A streetcar print from Portugal
- A line drawing from an artist in Paris (we got to watch him draw and he signed it in front of us!)
- A watercolour from Barcelona (purchased directly from the artist)
- A folk-art block print from Barcelona
- A tiny watercolour from Nazaré, bought from the artist on the boardwalk by the famous beach.
This layout had been the same for years, but this week I added another shelf on the opposite wall which had been empty since getting rid of the treadmill.
(Do not ask how long it took me to hang solo – but I did it!)
It made sense to display our Paris LEGO set over our toy storage.
The main photo ledge got a refresh too. I’ll keep tweaking it – it’s not quite right yet – but it feels so good to have these pieces framed and visible.
YUMMY TACOS
A few months ago we tried a new taco spot a few towns over, and were smitten. We’ve been hoping to return and finally made it happen at the end of last week. The ingredients are fresh, simple, and delicious.
I had to laugh at the coffee mugs for sale and thought immediately of Nicole (and her love for morning coffee) and Kae (and her love of nachos).
The Front Porch Peach Lemonade from Hitchhiker Beverage Co. was unreal. It tastes like sipping a fresh, juicy peach. I think they’re available in Sobeys across Canada, though I’ve never gone looking for them. We usually just get water at restaurants but the server recommended this and I’m so glad we bought it. Apparently the raspberry flavour is even better but I find that very hard to believe.
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- Thrift score. I have been looking for a) more sports bras and b) ones with non-removable liners – why is the latter SO HARD TO FIND? Does anyone else feel like kicking a hole through the wall every time they have to replace sports bra liners after they go through the washing machine or is this just me? Anyhoo. I found two brand-new exercise tanks at a thrift store last week. And – can you believe it – they have sewn-in cups?! I used a 20% off coupon to lower the price a bit further. It is so satisfying to fill a missing hole in one’s wardrobe and even more satisfying to do it at a thrift store.
- Outside time for the kids. Admittedly, if they’re not outside they’re probably inside on screens (IXL/YouTube/Minecraft). But…they have been outside so much. Hours and hours and hours.
- Peanut butter and banana + peanut butter and chocolate toast = perhaps my ultimate comfort food.
- Eufy, our beloved robovacuum, did a heroic job cleaning Indy’s floors. I moved his bed and the collection of dust-covered miscellany was astonishing. I picked things up, pushed a button on Eufy, closed the door, returned to magic. I’ll write more about Eufy soon (Engie, you asked!)
- My Yeti mug. I brew in a regular mug, then transfer to my Yeti. It keep drinks the perfect temperature for hours.
- Go As A River. Recommended by Ernie…and now me. (I know Lisa loved it too!) Trigger warnings do apply – I’ll write more about this in an upcoming book recap.
- LEGO on sick days. When Indy knocked on my door early yesterday, I just knew. Sure enough, he was congested and had a sore throat. This meant audiobooks, PJs, and LEGO. Cozy and creative.
- The first sip of ice-cold sparkling water.
- Our POÄNG chair. It’s so comfy.
- Making soup first thing in the morning so supper is ready before the breakfast dishes are done.
- Sunshine.
- Friends writing great blog posts. Nicole encouraged everyone to embrace their beauty, Jenny channeled her inner Winnie the Pooh, and Kristen asked readers about their strong feelings on inconsequential topics (I chimed in that I didn’t think toilet paper placement was inconsequential).
Your turn.
- What’s brought you joy this week?
- Do you have any favourite travel souvenirs?
- What’s your go-to comfort food these days?
- Are you someone who hangs art right away—or lets it sit for months like me?
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Coree
That sounds like such a nice week – although I hear you on the chaos of the next few months. Lovely to have the time outside / be able to shove the kids out the door. It sounds like the neighbourhood situation is improving? I love your space and framing artwork. For your rejigging of the main shelf – clock in the middle, smaller pictures on either sides, bookend with the larger portraits? We brought these amazing tree prints on our anniversary trip and now have to figure out how to hang them (after a very pricey framing. That’s maybe a May project – I’d just like the sitting room done by the end of the year – needs some shelving in the recess and the artwork up.
The stupid sports bras liners are the bane of my existence – once I had my mum sew the liners in a bunch of them, it makes them a bit lumpy but I never wear anything super tight anyway.
We had such an amazing time on our trip and a bumpy reentry – at least for me, with a pile of marking awaiting me. But yesterday, I did school pickup and let T run around the park rather than dragging him home. I couldn’t possibly stare at the screen any more and I had a good long chat with a mum I’d like to know better. Then we went to the library and got some graphic novels and books on ancient Egypt (their subject this term).
I’m volunteering for our town zero-waste event tonight and tomorrow, so long days carrying stuff/being on my feet, but I feel like that’s a good antidote to staring at my screen and bemoaning the state of higher education. And Sunday we need to sort our lives out before a month of chaos – MIL here, my trip to Berlin, a work trip, dad here, T’s 2 night Scout camp, etc.
I keep feeling like we’re gaining on summer but have to keep reminding myself… there’s May AND June – schools don’t get out til the very end of June. I’ve got way too much annual leave so am taking almost 4 weeks off this summer. TBC on whether I’ll be climbing the walls – but we’re in Portugal and then Norway for much of it.
Elisabeth
The neighbourhood situation is…I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s not “settled”, but it is forever altered and in a form of dormancy. Every time I see my kids outside playing freely it brings a smile to my face and it feels like a healing balm on a wound!
I had my mom sew in my liners, too! But they never felt quite right (the bumps did bother me) and eventually I got rid of them 🙁 I just don’t know why 99/100 sports bras have removable liners. No regular bras are like that. I am wearing one of the new ones now and it’s so comfy AND I’m palpably excited to wash it and not have to fight with anything.
I generally struggle with re-entry after a trip. There is always so much to get caught up on and I’m always sad to be back to “reality.” Gold stars for prioritizing some activities that will give you a break from screens and marking and get you moving and back into the flow of life at home.
Your summer plans sound great. Having family in Portugal is lovely. What a great spot to visit in the summer, especially since you know of some gorgeous beaches that are off the regular tourist radar. Norway looks beautiful. John is there this very second, but I’ve never visited before and it’s on my list. The fjords look other-worldly.
mbmom11
You had so much nice happy this week!
I woke up to gentle rain , with a cat curled up next to me. It was so calming to snuggle and listen to the rhythm of the falling rain. We also have beautiful flowering trees in my yard and next door, so it’s a beautiful week.
I have 2 weeks left of my semester- I need to stay focused! Yesterday my class detoured into talking about novels ( and I teach math- whoops! My fault – I told them they could get earn extra credit point if they suggested a novel a high schooler might enjoy/find worthwhile.) . However, some of the students were very passionate about their choices, so it was fun.
Enjoy the weekend!
Elisabeth
You do have beautiful flowers in your yard. Thanks so much for sharing those with my earlier in the week. I am living vicariously through you as we still “just” have crocuses. They are beautiful, but I’m itching for big, gorgeous tree blooms!
Tangents are fun and I’m sure your students appreciated a bit of a distraction.
Michelle G.
I love your new art and your display shelves. Your room looks so cozy and calm. I like to hang new art right away. My favorite travel souvenir is enlarging a photo I took and putting it in a frame. I also like mugs and magnets. You’re right that small things are much easier to bring home. The nicer weather brought me a lot of joy this week. I’ve been picking up sticks and getting the lawn ready to mow because the grass is growing! I think I can actually see it growing!
Elisabeth
I really enjoy our family room. It’s a fun spot to hang out and nothing feels “precious” – we purposefully bought a rather inexpensive, industrial-fabric sectional so the kids can be…kids on it.
My favourite mug of all time came from South Carolina. It is one of my great joys in life that I bought a mug. New! As a thrifter, that’s unusual but it really is the perfect size and feeling and it makes me happy every day when I use it.
I did a stick collection the other day, and now it’s time to get out the rake for smaller things. I actually saw a lady in our neighbourhood out with her lawn mower yesterday!!
Birchie
I don’t buy a lot of souvenirs, and I do not need any more coffee mugs, but I might possibly leave NS with a nacho coffee cup.
I love the banana & choc PB toast combo.
TGIF!
Elisabeth
I have eating plans when you’re here, Birchie. And the taco shop is on the list!!!!
Katy @Practical Walk
Oh yes, I love seeing kids playing outside! It makes my heart happy!
Happy things from my week:
-Spring flowers
-cool clouds
-rain!
– Plants in the garden growing
-Bruno our loving dog
– Ladies Bible study
– coffee
– modern medicine
– my daughter’s cute hair cut
-my son’s new hobby of drawing dragons
Elisabeth
What a wonderful list of happy things, Katy! I’ve been making a point of enjoying spring flowers on my walks this week.
Jenny
Elisabeth, I once wrote an entire blog post on those stupid removable sports bra liners. I hate them so much!!! (Well- actually I think the post had a couple other things that annoy me- but the bra thing was #1). WHY. Why, why, why.
I’m glad you had such a nice weekend! For us, it’s a race to the end of the school year now. Our kids are done at the end of May- eek! But then it’s summer and you know what happens after summer… pumpkin palooza and then the best season of all (yes- this actually is how my mind works. It’s practically Christmas again.)
I LOVE the artwork you brought back from your travels. And I love how Legos featured prominently in this post. I think I’ve mentioned it but my son is 22 and still loves Legos. Indy in his pajamas building Legos just looks so fun and cozy.
Elisabeth
It must be a man that is at the bra factories designing these things. What woman would do this??? NONE.
It’s practically Christmas again! Ha. Jenny, I laughed out loud at this one.
I buy John a giant LEGO set every year for Christmas and every year it’s his favourite gift 🙂
Nicole MacPherson
Your house looks great!!
Mmm coffee. Where would we be without coffee? Well, I would be in prison because I’d have probably stabbed someone.
Did that get dark? It did. Let’s move on!
So many happy things here! I want to tell you something – my kids never, not once, got an Easter basket. I used to hide chocolates around the house, so they could hunt for eggs and so forth, but that was it. And I like it that way!
Elisabeth
That did get dark quickly. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you hadn’t had your full compliment of morning coffee yet? Ha.
I really appreciate there is no pressure to go buy and surprise at Easter. Glad it works for other people, so happy that’s not something I started with my own kids!
Central Calif. artist Jana
It pleases me that you buy art as a souvenir when you travel. However, you travel so much that it seems your walls would be very full. What do you do with it all??
Thank you for telling us about Go As a River. I just ordered a copy from the library (and entered to win one on GoodReads, but nobody else can do that now or my chances will be too slim!!)
What is that funny-looking piece of chocolate on your comfort food sandwich (which looks scrumptious)? Seems like dark chocolate. Seems like it would be a biting annoyance, hard and cracking in the wrong places inside bread.
Elisabeth
We tend to buy small pieces and so far we haven’t run out of space but it IS inevitable…
There are definitely trigger warnings for Go As a River in terms of language and racism, but both “fit” with the historical time period. If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it at much as I did.
The chocolate is actually wafer thin pieces that melt into a puddle of deliciousness. They are from Denmark (I had my brother bring a lot over when he came at Christmas and then a neighbour was there for work and brought us back another few packages)! When they get put on warm toast they maintain their shape but are completely soft and gooey and rich and delicious. Seriously – SO GOOD.
Ally Bean
What’s brought you joy this week? Sunshine!
Do you have any favourite travel souvenirs? No, not the souvenir type I guess
What’s your go-to comfort food these days? Creamed chicken on biscuits
Are you someone who hangs art right away—or lets it sit for months like me? Art sits for months, sometimes years before I hang it.
Elisabeth
The sunshine here has been truly wonderful. It felt like so much rain and cool temps and just yesterday I caught myself complaining (in my head) about how hot it was outside. Am I never satisfied??? But what a delight to see the signs of spring and summer.
Alexandra
This week’s joy has got to be the couple of days of mild warm weather and sunshine, and a couple of walks around our local park.
As for comfort food? During winter, that’s soup and during summer? It use to be ice cream, but that’s off the menu since a while, so I have to go with iced lollies, especially homemade fresh fruit ones.
And that’s a yes to buying art as a souvenir from all our trips. Not that, like you, they get framed or hung right away. There’s still a pile awaiting framing in the office that might, one day, get hung on the wall. One day, right?
Elisabeth
It is so easy to buy the art, but then framing and finding a place to hang it feels like far more work!
Alexandra
Never mind the fact that framing sometimes costs twice as much as the artwork itself cost. I buy pre-mades on sale when I can.
Elisabeth
I know! Custom framing is sooo expensive.
Suz
I love this post. So many lovely things to enjoy and to be thankful for. I love, love LOVE that you collect little pieces of art on your travels; this is brilliant. I would never attempt to hang a ledge myself; you are my hero.
I find that the bra pads are usually just a waste of my time and toss them.
I have had more joy than not this week; so many things to be thankful for in my life.
Elisabeth
It is embarrassing how many things went wrong hanging the ledge but in my defense it really is a two-person job and I was too stubborn to wait for a helping hand.
Lisa’s Yarns
I love the artwork and how you’ve displayed it! I usually try to get an ornament from the places we travel to but I sometimes forget!
My comfort food is peanut butter toast with banana. If I could have gluten, it would be pasta with Parmesan. There is GF pasta but it often tastes different/off so I rarely buy it.
The best part of my week was meeting 2 bloggers and a reader while I was in the Detroit area!
Elisabeth
We bought an ornament in Barcelona last year and I bought one in Australia, but I feel like the ship has sailed on making that our official souvenir since I’ve haven’t done it from the start. I knew someone that always bought a magnet and their fridge was COVERED. The minimalist in me could not handle that.
Peanut butter and banana on toast is one of the single best things IN THE WORLD. I could eat it every morning for breakfast and never, ever tire of it.
Elinoora
I had never heard of sports bra liners before – I guess it’s not a thing over here? Or is it not a thing for those of us with F+ cups?
I like to bring back things we will use on daily life, like a towel or a funky spoon. Then I get to use them all the time and they can bring back happy memories. Although I confess, from this trip I’m coming back with more 😆 I found a great pencase, which zips open and then stands up. And you can put your phone in it as well so it stands up!
I also got a few small things to hang on bags and zippers, and some fabric and embroidery kits (hello kitty Sashiko kids for my youngest! I’m excited to do this together with her once we’re home).
Elisabeth
Consider yourself lucky. The liners are removable in most sports bras (so they slide in and out a little opening). This means if you wash them with the liners inside they either bunch up OR come out. It is such a nuisance.
I’m curious about this pencase and have a hard time visualizing it! If you see this comment, I’d love for you to e-mail me a photo.
J
My husband and I have such different taste in art, I’m always afraid to buy any of it when we travel. Maybe someday we’ll see something we both love.
When my daughter was younger I used to do a family Easter basket, and it had items in it for all of us. So maybe a shirt, a bottle of wine, a coloring book…some chocolate. It was fun. We never did egg hunts because my in-laws did them at their house, just plastic eggs filled with little chocolates. My MIL is from Guyana in South America, and there the big thing on Easter is to fly kites, so we would do that as well if the weather cooperated.
Elisabeth
John and I are a fairly good overlapping Venn diagram for art (and music and movies). There are outliers, but our overlap is big enough we don’t really need to worry about picking anything too extreme for mutually displayed items.
I have never heard of a family basket. Now that’s genius!!
And the kite-flying sounds like a perfect Easter activity.
Ernie
The sports bra thing – OMG. Elisabeth – you wanna source a bra making outfit and get our own sewn-in-cup sports’ bra business going? I have one bra that I’ve had for probably over 20 years. It’s in bad shape, as in – I cannot wear it to a workout class because if anyone catches a glimpse of it thru an oversized armpit opening, I’d be mortified. But it’s an all in one deal and I can’t get rid of it. Why is this so hard to find in the stores or online? It exhausts me. Those shoved in bra pad thingies get all bunchy and never lay right. *sigh*
Since it’s still ‘this week’ – I’d say what brought me joy was sleeping in the hotel room last night in Milwaukee for 9.5 hours. Ah. I needed that. Oh, and a new book club member joined our group when I hosted on Thursday night. This book club is an alum group from my college. Great woman. I so enjoy them. I’m usually the youngest one in attendance. This new member is about 10 years older than me, but she’s delightful and was so interested in the revolving door of my home, watching as each of my kids came home from their sports/activities. She texted me Friday morning first thing to wish Curly and I luck on our college visit and games. So sweet.
I bought really cute artistic renderings while in Vancouver. They’re displayed on the older girls’ desk in their room. I intended to hang them, but I haven’t. I wish I’d bought similar type of souvenirs in the other countries we’ve visited. I guess one more reason to go back. 😉 I love your collection and well done on the shelf. I wait till Coach has time to mount stuff like that and that can be a long wait.
Comfort food? Hmm. I do enjoy chocolate covered quinoa crisp things that I bought in a bag from Costco.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Go As a River. I was a little disappointed with the second half of the book/the ending as I was with the first half, but beautifully written and so engaging. I sometimes feel like authors race around to tie up all the loose ends, but maybe that’s the publisher insisting on that.
Elisabeth
I know the sample size of my blog is small but HOW CAN BRA MANUFACTURERS NOT BE LISTENING. I am just over the moon I found comfortable bras with fixed liners. I bet I will be wearing it for years until it’s threadbare. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a tag so I don’t know the brand or else I’d likely be stockpiling them.
Hooray for a good, long sleep.
I really enjoyed the book. I know what you mean about the second half of books feeling rushed (I think that happens in 75% of books!), but aside from a few quibbles I thought it was just a delight to read (I mean – it’s sad and touches on HARD topics, but I thought the prose was just gorgeous).
Melissa
I finally found a sports bra that isn’t rubbing to the point of drawing blood so I quickly went out and bought another one. It does mot have removable liners. Totally agree about the liners, ditto in swim wear.
Your Easter weekend sounds wonderful. We only made it to our Good Friday service because we flew out for London on Saturday.
We have a plan to get tiles as souvenirs to hang on the rendered wall near our BBQ and got one rom the Camino (the same design as the trail markers) but it is still waiting to get hung. I often get books as souvenirs or tea towels as they pack well. From London I picked up a journal from a cute stationary store.
Elisabeth
The tiles sound so fun and whimsical since there will likely be so many different styles.
I bought nice Parisian soap this trip and I loved giving that as a gift since it was practical and it made my luggage smell sooooo good!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Bringing back at from places you have been is such a great way to remember it. I remember when my family was in Israel that we bought a pice of art and a talk with the artist and every time I really look at it at my parents place I remember that. Just lovely.
I should probably do that too. When we were in Gdansk earlier this year we found some artistic postcards from many cities and we discussed if we should get all the ones we’ve been to but in the end decided against it. But I would love to do something like that.
You know I am so impress you finding all these thrifted clothes. It’s a skill I really admire. Maybe one day I dive deeper into that. Right now I have not been successful and many of the stores just smell so weird. It’s such a turn off for me and my migraine brain.
Also I want to hear more about that book. I have seen it somewhere so it’s moving up on my TBR.
Elisabeth
It’s such a delight to be able to buy art straight from the artist while travelling!
I will be coming back to talk more about this book in the next week or two.
Stephany
Go As A River was one of my favorite books last year! And then I was able to convince my whole book club to read it, and everyone raved about it. Such a powerful story!
I have so many prints that I’ve picked up while traveling that I need to frame and hang up, and I keep putting it off. I love the way you’ve displayed yours!
Elisabeth
I’m not surprised you liked it! I don’t remember you mentioning it but I’m sure it flitted past my radar. I’m so glad that it came back on my list because I LOVED IT!
Joy
Glad you found those bras too! The removable cups are absolutely ridiculous! Tell me you don’t employ women on your design team without telling me.
This and pants that are tight on hips/thighs and gap at the waist seem to be a common issue for the women and girls I know, and yet they continue to manufacture this nonsense! 😖
Elisabeth
If only women ruled the world, MANY THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT. First up, sports bra liners…
Well, you know I’m with you on the pants thing. My best hack is to wear dresses because they solve all sorts of problems, but alas that’s not realistic for a big chunk of the the year here in Canada.
NGS
We have lived in our house for almost eight years and there is are still major walls in our house with no art on them. I just hate making decorating decisions. I know it’s fun for some people, but honestly it stresses me out.
I try not to buy things when I travel, but postcards get me every time. LOL. I am so predictable.
Elisabeth
I don’t enjoy hanging things OR making the decisions, but I like the result.
Listen, postcards are a great souvenir. I think your choice should be celebrated!