Okay so April happened, then May did too. I never got around to finishing the April R.E.P.O.R.T. so buckle up, I combined it with May’s.
Reading
More Thank You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez. I was on page 5 for several weeks and reached page 20 around the end of April. While it took me a long time to get into it, I knocked it out within a week when I did. It’s a book you want to pay close attention to because there are several important details throughout. I love a book with a good twist, this one has several. Highly recommend.
Eating
I got really into cooking again in April. Maybe it’s the new space or the time I have from working remotely, but I was cooking up a storm. Baking, even! I’ve been trying to factor more protein into my diet and my go-to meal is chicken sausage (I usually go spicy), zucchini, and onion fried on a skillet, then over cottage cheese.
When going out, I resort to the 3 Bs: Brisket, Birria, and Beer cheese. I seriously cannot get enough – tacos, nachos, the works. I even renamed my foodie page, from Cola Eats to Biscuits to Brisket.
Playing
The theme for April: concerts.
I’ve always loved concerts, but they can get expensive once you factor in travel, transportation, lodging, yadda yadda. But, when you live somewhere that has amazing concerts, those concerns become a thing of the past. I saw Hozier and Chris Young back to back and both were such amazing experiences.
May’s theme: thrifting.
We already know I like to decorate on a budget. Goodwill, Facebook Marketplace, yard sales, all of it. I’ve recently acquired large plants and planters, furniture, and cookware. I’m still on the hunt for wall decor, and I’m having a good time sifting through items that have so much character, specific to this region. Stay tuned.
Obsession
Where do I start? Here’s a list.
- Badlands Beadwork. Cute hand-beaded jewelry from eastern Montana. I struggle to find accessories I like, but these are so fun and add so much to any outfit.
- Hozier. I’ve always been a fan, but seeing him live changed something in me. He was one of the best live performers I’ve ever seen, yet so humble. He introduced his entire band several times throughout the performance and said “thank you so much” after each and every song.
- Living close to family. I haven’t lived in the same city, county, or even region as family in years. It’s so nice to get together for dinner, drinks, or even just hanging out.
- Urban Gardening. I’m back at it with another patio set up. My cucumbers are coming in strong, peppers shortly behind. I also planted a wildflower mix in a few different pots – and one of them has been claimed by a dove! (Pictured below.) One of the main benefits of wildflower mixes is to support pollinators so it’s really cool to see how it’s benefitting Tweety in its own way. I like to think we have an unspoken agreement that it can raise its chicks there if it prevents bugs from entering my home.
Recommendation
I think at this point we all know that Teflon is bad. I’ve wanted a cast iron skillet for years and years, but I never got around to it. Now, I have a glass stovetop which makes me nervous to combine with a cast iron. So I did the next best thing. A stainless steel pan.
I had been looking casually online for one, but they can get pricey. Then one day I was scrolling through TikTok when I saw someone found a whole set at Goodwill. Naturally, Goodwill is where I went for lunch in hopes I’d have the same luck. I didn’t find a whole set, but I did find a $100 pan for $6 and I was giddy. It’s really all I’ve cooked with since getting it and it’s crazy how much better my food tastes. I’ve always been weird about the crusties that would form when I was cooking, especially eggs, but those are a thing of the past.
It’s time to make the swap. Your nonstick pans are no bueno.
Treating
Working from home, wherever that is, is such a blessing. It’s incredible how much more time in the day there is once commuting is taken out of the picture.
That being said, I do find myself getting squirrely. I started this new habit of working from a new coffee shop every Friday as a treat. It not only supports my caffeine fix, but also gets me around other people, and an excuse to venture out into the city. I’m 3 weeks in and there’s no sign of slowing down.
Shut Up Madi 