lifestyle

NaBloPoMo Complete!

by

 

NaBloPomo 2023

NaBloPoMo is ovah!!! I did it! Posted everyday this month. The past couple of days, I thought I wasn’t going to make it. But it worked out.

As I’d hoped, NaBloPoMo has helped me get back on track with my blogging. If I can blog everyday for a month, I can certainly blog twice a week.

And that’s my new goal for a regular blogging schedule. Twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday. I may veer from that if something unexpected comes up, or if I am away on vacation. Traveling more is a big goal for next year! I should be able to schedule posts ahead of time if needed, so hopefully it won’t be an issue.

I started using the Notion app recently and it’s really helping with keeping track of my goals. It’s free and I’m enjoying it more than expected. I know I mention YouTube all the time, but lots of vloggers use Notion. Starting this past October, I tried it as well. Actually, I use the app on my phone and the desktop version too.

Many of the vloggers also do a 5:00am morning routine, but I’m not there yet. Who knows though? Maybe I’ll try it for a week and see what happens.

So far I’m just using Notion to do a monthly reset. It’s quite useful in letting me define short and long term goals by reflecting on the prior month. What worked. What didn’t. Then deciding how I can tweak things to work better for the upcoming month.

December starts tomorrow, so it’s time for another monthly reset.

SKUBB Storage Solutions

by

SKUBB under bed storage

When I look back at what I did this month, one of the biggest themes will be organizing. I got rid of a lot of old storage items that no longer worked well for me. Then found new ways to organize. From adding a clothing rack with shelves, to adding bins and other containers to my fridge.

For the longest time, I’d been storing my off-season clothing in a very large suitcase that I had stopped using. The way that I stored it in my last apartment, the suitcase was out of the way and I hardly ever had to deal with it.

Where I live now, it was in the way everyday and constantly annoying me. Then I realized that the wheels of the suitcase were literally disintegrating, leaving trails of black plastic whenever I moved it. That was the final straw. Time for a change!

I needed to figure out a different way to store these items, but wasn’t sure what I needed. Within a couple of weeks of realizing this, I saw a YouTube video showing under bed storage using SKUBB storage cases from IKEA. I ordered two of them right away. What a joy to throw away that old suitcase!

Storing off-season clothing is so easy now. With all the changes I’ve made recently, I’ve actually freed up a lot of space. This makes my Virgo brain very happy!

Dinner Tonight + Book Goals

by

dinner tonight

This was my dinner tonight! It was very good, but spicier than intended.

I sauteed Vidalia onions and orange peppers in olive oil, then seasoned with garlic powder, lemon pepper and balsamic vinegar.

When I cut up the onions and peppers, I kept the scraps and boiled them in water to make a vegetable broth. The basmati rice was cooked in the broth, along with a bit of of butter and a chicken bullion cube.

Imitation crab pieces were added to the onions and peppers right before removing from the heat. I buy the fake crab every few months, but don’t think that I’ll continue. I did a quick search and found an article stating that they are extremely processed.

Which I knew, but I didn’t realize exactly how much less healthy they are compared to real crab. Again, this should have been more obvious to me. The calories are about the same, but there is way less protein and nutrients than real crab, but more carbs. I think I’ll buy canned crab from now on instead. Although, I guess I should look at that label too!

+ + +

Now to books! Since this year is wrapping up, I have some more book goals. I need to start and finish a book, so I can return it to the library. It’s called, “The Comedy of Error: Why Evolution Made Us Laugh,” by Jonathan Silvertown.

I’d like to read five more books before the year ends. The number is rather random and pulled from the air, but it feels doable and a decent amount. I’m not yet sure what the other four books will be, but I have a few in mind.

One book that I’m really interested in reading is a novel called, “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I heard a lot about this book from several YouTubers and was reminded of it again today. Apparently it’s part of a series of four books. There seem to be a mix of reviews, but I’m definitely feeling a pull to read it.

This book seems to have everything that I love. Coffee, cafes, time travel and short stories. The story is about a small cafe in Tokyo where people can time travel. But they have to return before the coffee gets cold.

This reminds me of a Korean drama on Netflix called Nine Time Travels. Nine magical incense sticks allow the main character to travel back exactly 20 years to the day. But he returns when the stick stops burning.

The Wild Dahlia in Easton

by

The Wild Dahlia in Easton

Yesterday, I wrote about the amazing food at The Farmer’s Daughter in Easton. But I didn’t mention that this part of Main Street in Easton is quintessential Americana. It feels like a village in a Hallmark holiday movie. A quick search reveals that many movies have filmed in Easton, including this particular area.

With the holiday season upon us, the decorations will only add to the atmosphere, helping to increase the romance of it all. Lots of local shops are all within walking distance, so if you visit the restaurant, take some time to stroll around the area and do some shopping.

My friend and I decided to do the same after our meal and happened upon the cutest little flower and gift shop called The Wild Dahlia. We were told that their main business is as a flower shop for weddings and events. Their Facebook page shows that this Friday they’re offering a Wreath Workshop. Cue the bouncy Christmas music!

When you walk in, it smells amazing. Besides selling flowers, they also have candles, perfumes, soaps, lotion, jewelry, cards, and so much more. It’s really the perfect gift shop. I got a candle and some lip gloss too. If you’re looking to support a small business while doing your holiday shopping, stop by The Wild Dahlia in Easton.