Reading Recap - October 2024

October was my most productive reading month of the year so far which felt good to keep up with my goal.  Part of it was finishing a lot of books with my younger son and also knocking through some quicker reads to get them off my TBR or back to the library.  Sometimes it just feel good to get through a stack.  

I'm very active on Goodreads here, somewhat active on Instagram here, and linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy on the 15th! 

Other book post this month:

 {9} Boo Books

Now what I've read...

Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
College set, perfect for a fall read.  Former flames get thrown back together in a professional environment.  They are forced to work together.  Sparks fly.  I feel like this is at least the 3rd version of this story I've read this year but this one was seasonable and enjoyable.  3.5 Stars

The Marching Band Nerds Handbook: Rules from the 13th Chair Trombone Player by DJ Corchin
This was a very quick read but humous little "rules" relating to marching band.  Marching band was a huge part of my high school experience and this brought back a lot of those memories.  Perfectly fun to read in October. 3.5 Stars

Harry Potter: A Magical Year by J.K. Rowling, illustrations by Jim Kay
This had lingered on my TBR for quite awhile but I finally checked it out and read it in a couple days, doing about a quarter each day.  It has a Harry Potter quote, from the original 7 books, for each day of the year, a lot tied to characters' birthdays or events like the TriWizard Tournament or whatever.  Some funny, some thoughtful.  4 Stars

Freely and Lightly: God's Gracious Invitation to a Life of Quiet Confidence by Emily Lex
Beautiful water colors and the invitation to do more resting by living a little lighter.  I don't remember anything real specific about it besides the pictures but it was soothing to read.  3.75 Stars

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
This was a long book, 500ish pages and it took a bit to get going.  About a woman who has an "episode" on a plane and goes around telling other passengers at what age and how they will all die.  Finding out you are supposed to die in your 90s is very different from finding out you are going to die at 32, when you turn 32 next month.  Some of the passengers stay in contact after the flight and then they start to find some of the predictions come true which sends everyone into a frenzy.  How did she know all of this???  Keeps up with a few passengers in particular.  Could have been a little shorter but at this length the ending really felt earned.  3.5 Stars

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
I know I really liked the first book in this set but remembered NOTHING about the plot.  This is a follow-up with the same characters but I had to google what the heck their backstory was.  Former couple, gets torn apart right before college.  Later thrown back together and she hates him for leaving her.  They, spoiler, eventually get along.  I don't think it was quite as charming as the first.  Or I just have less patience for YA now. 3 Stars

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
A follow up to Olive Kitteridge which I read last year and liked.  These are more interrelated short stories where Olive frequently pops up but sometimes just barely and other times she's the focus.  Set in Maine which makes me already like it more.  More literary that most of what I read but nice to try different sorts of books.  Really felt for Olive at different points in her life, despite her gruff exterior.  3.75 Stars

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
There was a lot I like about this book.  The cover is blue and I like lighthouses.  The Pacific Northwest setting was a lot of fun and the overall storyline was good enough.  It was one of the most open door books I've read though and I was not expecting that.  Like...I was in shock a few times??  And it was a bit cheesy at time.  Maybe I've been married too long that I'm cynical about this "instantly falling in love" stuff.  It's harder than that you people!  2.75 Stars

The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't by Erin Loechner
This was one of the best books I've read this year and one I think nearly every parent should read, especially if you have young kids at home.  Young being any kids at home, really.  The importance of keeping our kids safe when they are on screens, all the negatives of having kids on screens, and the benefits of a life outside of screens.  This has been heavy on my mind lately, especially since our older son now has a computer he brings home from school every day now for schoolwork.  Just wonderful, empowering, and worthwhile.  Read it if you have kids.  5 Stars

Queens of London by Heather Webb
This was not what I was expecting.  It was about a few females in London between the World Wars.  A head of a crime gang, the policewoman chasing them, a shopkeeper who gets caught up in it, and a young orphans who desperately needs a loving adult in her life.  It's not lifestyles or a time I've read a lot about and I appreciated the varying perspectives.  Interesting and captivating enough.  3.5 Stars

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory by Matthew Kelly
This was a recommended book by our church that we got for free.  I read it over 33 days and it started a little dry but the last 80% was much better than the start.  I especially liked the parts about various saints, I learned many things I hadn't known before so that was nice.  A good reflection book to read for about a month.  4.5 Stars

The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kenda Adachi
I read about 40% of this book while in line to early vote in late October, that's how long my line was.  Standing to read isn't super comfortable so maybe it would have been more appreciated if I had been at home and not partially paying attention to the line as well.  I've been listening to The Lazy Genius podcast for 6ish years now and have read all her books.  I liked A LOT of what she's had to say about time management, expectations, finding what matters, etc.  But also there were A LOT of acronyms in this book which made it nearly impossible to remember them all.  But would also be worthwhile to revisit at some point. 4 Stars

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
I've read this Halloween set graphic novel every Halloween for 6 years now or something.  It's so perfectly seasonal and always bring a little bit of quiet to a day that doesn't have much of it. 4.5 Stars

Verity by Colleen Hoover
This was our book club read-along for October and it was a RIDE.  Good golly...a lot of twists happened in this book.  It was my first Colleen Hoover book and it didn't super make me want to read another of hers but also not super opposed to it either.  Just...wow.  A LOT happened.  Those people were...something.  But good suspense read for October. 3.5 Stars

Finished with Sam and/or Luke
I've been reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with L for over 4 months now...

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett & Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Read to Sam and probably was a little old for him (he said his teacher read the first chapter to them at school and then switched to a different book) but Sam found the tales of grade school kids (maybe 5th grade) trying to be the school prankster pretty funny.  3 Stars

Fabio the World's Greatest Flamingo Detective: Peril at Lizard Lake by Laura James
Sam & I finished this trilogy and he really loved all three of them.  I don't read a lot of mysteries but these felt like the drama of stereotypical mystery book.  They are charming enough and a fun series to read with him.  3.75 Stars

Crimson Twill: Witch in the City, Witch in the Country by Kallie George, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
This were some lightly Halloween themed books to read with Sam.  This is the same author of the Heartwood Hotel books which were the first chapter books I read to each of the boys so we have a fondness for her writing.  Nice read alouds for October with no scares in them.  3.5 Stars

The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson
We've now read this 6 years in a row so apparently it's a tradition.  The Best Christmas Pageant ever is a perfect chapter book and this one isn't quite as good but I think I like it more every time we read it.  It captures perfectly the feelings kids have around Halloween.  4 Stars

That's all I read in October.  What have YOU been reading??

Looking Back at October 2024

October FLEW by, hard to believe we were still in cross country season a month ago!  That feels like much longer ago.  It's nice that wraps up right as the sunset is creeping early AND the temps are dropping.  I'm always a little sad to see that one over but we're already into the next SPORTS season!  Also bought pumpkins, had some cookouts, went to a high school football game, enjoyed the fall colors, celebrated Matt's birthday, AND had Halloween!  It was a month with a lot!

Looking back:
1 year ago: {14} Picture Books About Saints
2 years ago: A Being Green Update (I need to get back to doing these)
3 years ago: Travel: Amelia Island
4 years ago: Basic Buttery Biscuits (I still love these and have a batch in my freezer at this moment)
5 years ago: Creating a Reading Culture at Home
6 years ago: {11} Christmas Things to Think About NOW (I've been working on many of these!)
7 years ago: Miramar Beach, Florida (apparently October is when I've posted about beach vacations...should have gotten OBX up last month...)
8 years ago: Grandma's Sewing Machine
9 years ago: Nurturing My Brown Thumb (I still have that fake plant in the owl planter! It's out right now!
10 years ago: 6+ Weeks on Crutches (this was terrible)
11 years ago: A New Bench for a Simpler Look
13 years ago: Miami!
14 years ago: NYC!

 

1) Trying to fit in some zoo trips while the weather was still nice!  Matt actually made it with us a few times this month.
2) My dahlias still blooming beautifully!
3) Our annual pumpkin buying trip where we always end up with more than intended (I didn't buy this stack)....
4) But did get this mum and at least one of these, I think we grew the smaller one.
5) First hike in the woods for the month...
6) My FAVORITE tree in the whole city in it's prime.  I low-key stalk it for WEEKS to catch it when it's perfect.
7) With my tree.  Obviously needed a selfie.
8) Fall break, spent nearly 2 hours doing Perler beads with Sam.  Yoda took FOREVER but he was so excited about it.
9) Walking home from school, so pretty in October and the weather is so nice!
10) Once again, my blue morning glories ONLY come in the late fall.  Maybe September once or twice but nearly always October.  They are still beautiful though.
11) Even the leaves on the ground are pretty.
12) This was probably walking home from school again, just a different tree.
13) Another zoo trip, fall has the most beautiful light.
14) Hike through the woods #2 for the month...
15) Again, probably walking home from school.  Luckily our neighborhood has a lot of pretty trees.
16) Working with my tree while watching a Hart of Dixie Halloween episode, windows open.  Not a bad way to work.

 

Books finished: 19! My biggest reading month of the year, by far.  Had some shorter reads for myself and got through a few easy chapter books with my youngest too.  That helped.
Miles ran: 33.95! Pretty typical for what I run in October, but, man, I am ready to be done running.  I'm just tired of the time it takes.
Currently watching: We recently finished The Mandalorian series with the boys.  Matt has given up on The Perfect Couple and I still need to watch the last 2.  We just did a bunch of Halloween episodes and also are partway through Ahsoka, which I'm not super into but I just work on my puzzle more while it's on. 
Most read post this month: Unexpectedly, Book Love: The Vanderbeekers followed by Kool-Aid Cookies (which my younger son has been asking to make but we need to have an empty cookie jar first!)

November brings Thanksgiving and A LOT of Christmas prep.  So excited for it!!!

Fall 2024/Winter 2025 Shopping List

Well, it's been a year since I first started ranting about the place non-skinny jeans have in stores and in fashion right now.   And I finally KEPT some of the non-skinny jeans (one pair) that I've bought (of nearly 15 I tried).  A lot of my wardrobe has stayed the same but at least I finally have a different jean cut to mix in.  I don't know if I'll try the wide leg ones, I'm happy with my flares for now but who knows.  A year ago I didn't think I'd try those. 

Checking in my spring/summer 2024 list:

 

1) A dress for a niece's wedding
This was from ThredUp and I wore it to the intended wedding!  Matt & Luke both have blue suits so we all somewhat coordinated.  (Sam was a ring bearer and borrowed a black suit from cousins so he didn't match our color scheme exactly but I wasn't going to buy a suit that he was going to outgrow within a year.  Luke is growing much slower so I did buy him one last year.)

2) 2ish Tank Tops
I only bought one! From Old Navy but wore it quite a bit, I think the colors worked well for me. 

 

 

3) 2ish Crew Neck t-shirts
Bought a Madewell t-shirt from Zappos (in mineral blue, naturally) and 2 from Kohls.  I wore the blue ones a lot more than the green.

 

4) A different cut of jeans
The flares I finally kept!  What finally triggered it was that we were walking home from school and I saw a girl wearing a pair that just hit perfectly and I was finally motivated.  I ordered 9 pairs from two stores within a few days.  It took me awhile to try them all on but found one pair I liked enough to keep and I've even worn them so I am committed now.  I still have A LOT of thoughts of the resurgence of flares but for now, I am tolerating them.  Plus, they keep my ankles warmer than my beloved skinnies!  I still wear skinnies most of the time (just less fabric to deal with!) but flares are a nice option to have too.  We'll see in the spring check-in how much I ended up wearing them!

5) A sundress
I didn't buy one! Just dyed a dress I already had!

I didn't even buy a single extra item!  Has that happened before??  I don't know that it has!!

For my fall 2024/winter 2025 list...

1) A dress for A wedding
We have THREE niece/nephew (not to each other) weddings in the first part of 2025 and I cannot buy a dress for all of these (I haven't for all the past ones either).  It gets challenging because I have an idea in mind that I am going to wear but then we get the dress code and it's cocktail (we have one upcoming that will be the 3rd one) and then my plan goes out the window.  But I THINK I have an idea of what I'm wearing to each unless we get more dress code surprises.  I think I'm buying a dress for one (Matt's goddaughter) and already own something that will work for the others. (I already bought this one, on sale).

 

2) 1-2 sweaters
Still looking for that elusive grey sweater.  I want cable knit or something similar, smooth over lumps and bumps better, and I already own a lighter weight grey sweater.  I did already buy the one above, from ThredUp, which is darn close to my favorite sweatshirt color but in a sweater form.

 

3) Jeans
I could use a pair of skinny jeans, not distressed, that I can easily tuck into boots.  I AM going to keep wearing these boots constantly once it's cold and I want jeans that tuck in easily, which flares won't.  Also maybe already bought these to use up ThredUp credit when I had a code for free shipping.

4) Tops that work with flares??
Do I even know what this is??  No, I do not.  But I *think* maybe tops that hit a little higher??  I am not entirely sure and I do not like the idea of needing a bunch of new tops to work with a different jean cut (partially what kept me from branching out for awhile) BUT...1-2 might be helpful, especially, ideally, if they work with skinnies and flares.  I do not even know what I am looking for but I guess I need to figure that out...

5) Casual Tennies
I still wear my long loved Converse quite often, they are my go-to casual shoe since they are very broken in and very comfortable.  However, broken in also means no longer real clean or nice looking so I've been branching out to nicer (cleaner) tennis shoes too.  I've lately decided to stop wearing these types of shoes with non-no show socks because the youths like high socks whereas in my day, you always had to pretend you weren't wearing them (in my high school days the knee highs were very much a thing but in my adult life, the last 10ish years especially, it was all no-show socks).  ANYWAYS, I've discovered that wearing my, still low cut, white running socks with my nicer tennis shoes also helps prevent rubbing and thus blisters so that has been a big plus as well.  This was not supposed to be about socks BUT about these very cute shoes I bought from Walmart for $20.  Janssen from Everyday Reading talked about them multiple times but I wasn't sold until I saw my sister wearing them (she also reads Everyday Reading) and then I almost immediately ordered myself a pair too.  I get to "plan" for these since I didn't buy them into well into fall and I'm just really late writing this list...but I do think they help update my skinny jeans when I wear this type of shoe AND they work with flares too.  That's the versatility I need in my wardrobe...

I think that's it?  I've been doing much better at sticking to my lists than I was in the beginning and I was just also realizing just how much clothes I already own so I am not super compelled to buy a bunch more.  BUT...I feel like I could also do A LOT of work, shopping, browsing, etc. to update my whole wardrobe but do I really WANT to do that??  Not particularly.  But maybe I will someday!

Spring 2024

Fall 2023
Spring 2023

Fall 2022
Spring 2022

Fall 2021
Spring 2021

Fall 2020
Spring 2020

Fall 2019
Spring 2019

Fall 2018
Spring 2018

Fall 2017
Spring 2017

Fall 2016
Spring 2016

 

Things I Like - October 2024

I always enjoy hearing what works for other people and I like sharing things I like, it's part of the reason I have a blog.  I've been doing these monthly posts for 10 years and they also provide a nice little snapshot in my life at a moment in time! See more here!  Some affiliate links may be included! 

1) Exploding Kittens
One of my goals for the year was to learn a new game with the family every month (I will accept at least getting one of the kids to play with me).  We have a little catching up to do before Dec 31st but this month we learned Exploding Kittens and it has been a big hit.  I bought it 2 Christmases ago I believe but we didn't quite get the rules.  So this time we watched the highly recommended (per the instruction) instructional video and it made SO MUCH MORE SENSE.  We've played more days than we haven't since we learned it a few weeks ago.  It goes pretty quick, maybe 10-15 minutes and we're all pretty equally competitive with it.  It was definitely worthwhile learning how to play.

2) Tru Fru White & Dark Chocolate Frozen Raspberries
I will admit to being influenced to buy those.  Those stupid Stanley stocking videos (WHY ARE PEOPLE SO CRAZY ABOUT THOSE STANLEYS) where they pack the whole darn thing for a movie and these were in a few of them.  They sounded good so I bought some.  You all, they are very very good.  I can pretend they are healthy since they have raspberries in them and they are a perfect little treat, especially in that lull between school and supper.  The bag says they are best 10-15 minutes out of the freezer but I eat them straight from the freezer and they are never too hard to bite.  These are delightful.

 

3) Giant Bottle Brush Christmas Tree
Is it crazy writing about Christmas trees in October?  Sure but I started browsing Target's site for them in August and started buying some in September (and then I just found a bunch of new to me ones on their site last night!!!).  This is GIGANTIC (3 feet) and so sparkly.  I do not know where it is going to go, both during the Christmas season and the rest of the year (it's currently with the vacuum) but I LOVE IT.  The first one I bought came very bent up but the second one (it was 30% off!) was perfect.  I hear they are in stores now so if I get anymore I'll get them there since I can check for damage.  Do I need another? No.  Will I buy one? Probably. 

4) Shiny Christmas Tree
This one isn't giant but is SO SHINY thus SO PRETTY.  I have the 11.5" size and it's going to look beautiful...somewhere.  I am a minimalist about many things but not at all about Christmas decorations.  Or anything Christmas really (although we don't go overboard with gifts).  I am very magpie-ish in that I like anything sparkly or shiny.  And this qualifies. 

5) You've Got Mail
I have a list of movies that I watch each month, every year and have done this for at least 5 years.  Most months have 2 movies and I usually watch them while working from home.  One of October's is You've Got Mail, a movie I probably didn't see until many years after it's 1998 release but that still brings back plenty of nostalgia.  I never had AOL but was a frequent user of AIM for many years at the end of high school and through college which was just such a time.  I love the NYC setting and the mega chain fighting the little indie bookstore just feels so quaint.  It's such a perfect cozy fall movie.  And makes working or folding laundry or eating lunch a little more fun.  (We don't have it on any of our streaming services, I check out a copy from the library each year.)

What have YOU been liking lately???

24 in 2024 - 3rd quarter update

I wish I had a good reason why my list is slow moving this year.  Maybe it's because I've knocked off the lower hanging fruit, per se, of projects and now it's more nitty gritty??  Also, being home all day without kids, during the school year, doesn't quite free me up as much as I thought it might??  Also balancing 2 part-time jobs and various commitments and helping out at school.  Or maybe in 2025 I'll just give myself an easier list!

Original 24 in 2024 list
1st quarter update
2nd quarter update

Inside Home Things
1) Paint kitchen cabinets (0%)
Nothing is happening here.

2) Replace kitchen cabinet hardware (0%)
DITTO

3) Make a gallery wall over the couch (100%)
Did this in the 1st quarter!  And finally reprinted some pictures that I printed the wrong orientation the first time!

4) Hang pictures of MIL (100%)
Finished this is 2nd quarter.

Outside Things
5) Plant Dahlias (100%)
Did this and some came up this year!  It's very exciting.  Now I need to figure out how to winter them. (Is it already too late to do something about that??)

6) Run outside every month of the year (75%)
I am 100% on this through September (and have been running in October).  December is the only remaining month that should be hard.  I nearly always run outside in November anyways. (This was running at the Outer Banks...a post about that trip will be up at some point...)

Nagging Tasks
7) Finish our will (5%)
We need to finish this, so badly.

8) Buy cemetery plots (100%)
We did this in the spring. 

9) Get a dumb phone for home (100%)
Did this in early summer.  It's proven handy more than once already!  And glad it's a cell phone because there are times we can let Luke wander a bit more (like at our high school football game where there are middle school kids all over the place) and just text him when it's time to come back!

10) Sell a Lego Millennium Falcon (0%)
I have wanted one of these out of the house for nearly 2 years.  I need to get that done.

Food
11) Try a new chicken recipe every month (75%)
Have been successful on this every month through September and we have found some new favorites to work into our rotation!  I already have one planned for October too.

12) Make a standard fall/winter and spring/summer menu plan with grocery list (65%)
The spring/summer one is done and I even made a standard grocery list to go with it.  Now that we are back to fall/winter meals I need to finish up that one. 

13) Host 6 Cookouts (83%)
At end of September we had done 5 (we've since done TWO more to exceed this goal!).  We didn't make this one last year so were much more intentional in getting it done this year!  It's one of those things we've longed meant to do but takes some intention to get done.

Fun Things
14) Go on 10 dates (80%)
We had done 8 by end of September (and another since).  Matt has A LOT of days off between now and the end of the year in order to finish school strong but it's not too hard to fit in a breakfast or lunch out too.  Although maybe we should do a few more extensive dates than just a meal out. 

 

15) Eat local once a month (75%)
Had done at least once a month through September.  These are often our dates but sometimes something with the boys too.  There's a local pizza place nearby that we all like.

16) Finish 4 photobooks (2023, Luke, Sam, summer 2024 vacation) (75%)
All are done and here besides our OBX vacation that I haven't even started but trying to get all our other current photobooks updated first.

17) Go to the Farmers Market 6 times (66%)
Have gone 4 times, twice indoors, twice when it was outdoors.  Matt & I walked through the outdoor one a 5th time but didn't buy anything so I'm not counting it. 

18) Get really good at family games we own but rarely play (1/month) (58%)
We are two months behind on this right now although in late September we taught the boys SPOONS and they really liked that one.  I need to plan out our last 5 so it's easier to do one when we have time on the weekend.

Helpful items
19) Buy a grey sweater (to keep) (10%)
I have bought many, none quite right yet.

20) Dye a dress (100%)
I did this the day before school started so I could wear it to the rehearsal dinner for our niece's wedding a few days later.  I was kinda nervous about it but it turned out really well and I got compliments on the color from people who didn't even know I dyed it!  I've worn it many times since, definitely was worthwhile.  (The color recipe I followed was Rooftop Restaurant from RitDye and those are the dyes I used.)

21) Figure out how to use Gmail better (clear-up inboxes) (0%)
I still have many more e-mails in there than I know I need.  This needs help.

22) Fix tags (25%)
I have started writing down the wrong ones when I come across them but need to actually work on fixing them.  A windows update a few years ago but this much harder to sort than it used to be.  I'm still a bit grouchy about it.

23) Art books (10%)
Are these going to be like the end table project that I have on here for years (it's already been on here for years) before it eventually gets done?  Or will it just never get done?  I'm still not sure.  But it's on my list to get to this month.  

24) Make a step on green project at school (50%)
We are working on a BIG step that needs some more time given to it...but it's something I have wanted for years, just need to finish the project!

56% Well, progress since June but not as far along as I'd like!  Maybe some motivation to just get some of these things done in the next few weeks before the Christmas crazy kicks in!