What's Up Wednesday: April 2020
Oh my, oh my…we are saying GOODBYE to April!
This has been a long month and a really long year thus far. Am I right? My heart and thoughts and prayers are heavily laden for everyone effected by Covid-19. Most days it still feels like a far away nightmare and I have mixed feelings about everything re-opening this week and next week, but I too want everyone to get their jobs back and our lives to progress in to some kind of new normalcy.
I was on a writing kick earlier in the month and then all of a sudden my mind went blank, my mood was a hint fowl, my days were consumed with projects, and the monotony began to wear on me. Have you battled some ups and downs in your mood during the quarantine too?
I’m thankful that we seemingly have a light at the end of the tunnel now. HOORAY! That in itself perked me up a bit and I thought I’d sit down to write this post after all.
I am linking up with Shay and Sheaffer to share my monthly recap.
HERE WE GO!!!
What we're eating this week:
This week we will continue to make easy meals out of the food we have on hand. I am CRAVING salads y’all. I desperately want a salad. We haven’t been buying lettuce nor many fresh veggies during all of this and have relied on frozen vegetables and canned vegetables. I already have a list of the places I plan to go get all of my favorite salads over the next couple of weeks. I’m finally at my wits end with cooking at home and will partake in take-out salads every chance possible instead of being fiscally responsible and insisting on using the food we have at home.
ANYWAY…
Our line up this week looks a little like this:
Monday - for the hubs: turkey and beef sausage links sauteed with broccoli in bacon fat, then mixed into a “creamy chicken flavored rice” package. I ate left over Paleo Verde Chile that I previously made and had frozen.
Tuesday - tacos! I marinated beef fajita meet in this delicious Paleo friendly marinade I shared before here. We have some Siete Paleo tortillas in the freezer and an ample supply of various types of beans in the pantry. I may pull out the frozen riced cauliflower and sautee it with a little lime juice and seasoning.
Wednesday - left over beef stew that’s in the freezer.
Thursday - coconut baked chicken with riced sweet potato (I’m going to wing the recipe with just ground ginger since I do not have fresh ginger on hand)
Friday - burgers (bun-less for me) and frozen french fries
Saturday - we may make a reservation to eat somewhere since restaurants will be reopened this week with very limited capacity restrictions.
Sunday - steak and potatoes of some kind
What I'm reminiscing about:
The good ol’ days of date nights and girl nights, vacations and traveling.
What I'm loving:
My sound machine at night, extra cuddles with my pups, and all of the Norwex cleaning items I have been using to clean our house.
What we've been up to:
Spring cleaning, home projects, and lawn mowing.
Selling things I/we don’t need on Poshmark, Ebay, or Nextdoor.
Exercising every day and long walks or bike rides around the neighborhood with the pups.
Virtual wine tastings and happy hour(s) with friends.
Watching Christmas movies at night to lift my spirits.
What I'm dreading:
I dread hearing the news every day and learning what has transpired in our country and world over the last 24 hours.
What I'm working on:
My health and trying to get back into running. Physically it is still a challenge, but I am determined to make progress.
What I'm excited about:
Our girl’s trip to Napa to celebrate my bestie, Emily, getting married this month (April) had to be rescheduled and I am excited that we have picked dates in September and have it booked!
What I'm watching/reading:
Watching: Christmas movies at night. I’ve been working through whatever free Hallmark Christmas movies are listed that I haven’t seen before and will shift into the ones I have seen as well as my other Christmas favorites until life gets back to normal. I realized a couple of weeks ago that I have been WAY too socially stimulated at home with the hubs and my mom temporarily staying with us and I need(ed) alone time in the evenings. This has been my outlet.
Reading: A Nantucket Affair on my Kindle while on the treadmill.
I’m excited to start my new Beth Moore Bible study that I just got in the mail today, too.
What I'm listening to:
Most days the only music I listen to is my half marathon play list when I work out and Hillsong United music if I have any other outlet to put on music. On Monday I actually drove across town and did put on Coldplay’s Ghost Stories as well.
What I'm wearing:
Athleisure most days because I am still outside with the pups and work out during the day.
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I shared a post on some recent Amazon dresses I ordered and loved! I wore one of them yesterday, in fact. And you can see another to the right. >>>
If you didn’t get to see that post yet then click here.
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I also recently ordered a couple of dresses from Nordstrom that I cannot wait to wear out in public! In fact, if* the hubs and I are able to go to dinner this weekend you may just see me in this dress so do not be surprised. I am SO ready to dress up and actually leave the house.
The Reformation Kaila wrap style dress is not currently available in red, but is still available in black and navy. It was 30% off when I ordered them. My suggestion is if this isn’t in your price point then keep checking for it to go on sale! It is super soft, stretchy jersey material so basically the dresses feel like you’re wearing pajamas but look amazing. WINNING!
I think it can be worn with casual sandals, wedges, or dressed up with heels.
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On Easter I made a point of dressing up to go upstairs to the “command center” to watch my church live on the smart TV on YouTube. Because it was such a rare occasion to dress up I took pics of it all!
ON Leopard Block Heels // similar Victoria Emerson bracelet // Kendra Scott necklace
What I'm doing this weekend:
This weekend I am going to work out (back pain permitting), relax in and by the pool, maybe have a date night at a restaurant with the hubs, and watch church online.
What I'm looking forward to next month:
I am not really sure what I am looking forward to next month other than my favorite salads as noted above. My friend’s wedding had to be postponed and upcoming trips have been canceled because of Covid-19. So, that leaves me with an empty schedule, hot & humid weather, and the ability to get creative with my days. I’m counting my blessings.
What else is new:
That’s it for now!
How have you been this month? How have you managed the stay at home orders? I pray everyone is still sane and healthy!
Wishing you all a wonderful remainder of the week!
XOXO
