Tiny adventures so far: 103
07.26.25 | Seussical
I’ve heard about Seussical the Musical for a few years now, and today I had the privilege of watching one of my students (two actually) perform it. It was absolutely adorable. I think what they performed was a junior version, so I’m curious to know how it differs from the original.
07.25.25 | Frose Sorbet
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So pretty, and so not for me. It’s alright - Jeni’s makes plenty of other flavors that I love.
07.24.25 | Auditioning
For some time, I’ve wanted to try community theater. It looks like grown-up playtime, and I know that it would be a challenge. A few local shows came up, but my schedule did not allow me to audition. Finally, I came across this opportunity, which is not a play but involves singing, which is just as well, since I love to sing. I was so nervous, and I don’t know how to feel about my odds, but I am so glad to have even tried.
07.23.25 | Mounted TV
No, I did not mount a TV by myself - I’m not qualified or crazy. 😅
After years of resisting a TV in my living room, I finally came around, and in an effort to preserve my current setup, I decided to have it mounted. This is pretty standard for many people I know, but I never want a TV to detract from a present, conversational atmosphere, and the notion of attaching a weighty and pricey appliance to the wall feels too risky. So far, so good… I’m looking forward to the ways a screen in my living room can broaden my hosting horizons, starting with my Hamilton-iversary party in a couple of weeks.
07.22.25 | Lockwood Flight
One of the best things about trying something new every day is the opportunity to try things again and to make a habit out of what was new. Tonight I returned to Lockwood for trivia night, and this time I brought a team. My friends and I cashed in on my trivia prize from last time and shared the Lockwood Flight. My ranking of the included drinks is as follows: 1.) Bourbon Cream, 2.) Honeysuckle Vodka *not typically included, but the usual Vodka was not available, 3.) Hibiscus Vodka, and 4.) Texas Gin, which I personally did not actually like at all (though one of my friends ranked it first - so, ya know - to each his own). We had a great time and did relatively well on trivia. We plan to return and bring that score up next time.
07.21.25 | Local Good Coffee Co.
Local Good Coffee Co. is one of the largest coffee shops I’ve ever been to. I went there to meet a friend who has a toddler and appreciates the play area inside. I loved all the natural light and the spacious layout that includes a range of seating from cozy couches to large tables suitable for work or studying. While we opted to stay inside, I noted the lovely large patio out back. This place is Equal parts coffee shop and community center. I learned that it is part of a larger organization called The Local Good Collective, which aims to meet critical needs with dignity and make it easy for everyone to join in.
07.20.25 | Fable & Fire, Bookshop Bistro
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Brunch with my besties. We took a little joyride to this very cute bistro in Rockwall. 10/10 vibes.
07.19.25 | Feed the City
Today I participated in a “Feed the City” event with my community group. This was a really cool serving opportunity, and other than the fact that it started at 8 a.m. on a Saturday, it was a very easy avenue for doing good. We brought lunch supplies and filled a restaurant with volunteers to assemble sandwiches and lunches. In less than 2 hours, we used all of our materials and made 1,630 meals.
07.18.25 | Peach Roses
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Peaches in summer are delightful all on their own; peach pastries… magic.
07.17.25 | Earring Declutter
A little box of cards for prompting self-care suggested that I declutter a space. I’ve been meaning to organize my earrings for a while, so I bought a spinning stand and made it happen. The reflection that followed was a moment of gratitude for the growth of my little collection. I really love beautiful and fun earrings, so I had gathered many over the years. A couple of years ago my home was broken into and the culprits made off with the majority of my jewelry among other things. Shortly after, my friends surprised me with a lovely gift comprised of a few earrings selected by each of them to jumpstart my collection. It was a moment that I felt very seen and cared for. I’ve continued adding to it since then, and I’m grateful for every little pair.
07.16.25 | Hidden Patterns Coloring Book
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My sister always finds me fun new things to try with colors and art. This hidden patterns coloring book from Lifelines reveals the sort of shading that makes me feel like the expert artist that I am not. I loved watching the patterns emerge and seeing the final product.
07.15.25 | Sara Bareilles & Rufus Wainright Duet
Today, I took a deep dive into various renditions of "She Used to Be Mine" and came across this beautiful and most unexpected duet. It has changed my relationship with this song.
07.14.25 | Babbel
Looking to get more than I’m getting out of Duolingo, though I must say, I still know more words than I knew before using Duolingo…
07.13.25 | Latkes @ Cindi's Deli
I’ve always heard latkes described as potato pancakes. I decided to give them a try at Cindi’s Deli today. I was surprised to find that these were more pancake than potato. I think I expected something crispier - maybe closer to La Madeleine’s potato galette. I also took for granted that when the ingredients listed onions, that did not mean scallions, but yellow or white onions, which I especially do not enjoy. I did enjoy the applesauce combo, which feels strange and unexpected (for someone outside of the cultural tradition), but honestly works.
07.12.25 | Bacon Twists
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I went in search of a good way to incorporate bacon into my brunch spread and came across this fun and tasty idea. This simple recipe involves just a bit of prep time and a few ingredients. I cut my strips in half (a finger-friendly size that effectively doubles your servings) and laid them out on a rack to reduce mess and maximize crispiness. I prepped it while watching the latest season of “The Bear” - my favorite season, which made me feel a bit more like a chef. 😊 The twists make a nice standalone app, but an even better companion to a grazing board or brunch spread.
07.11.25 | Pure Barre
This is the first fitness-related new thing I’ve tried since starting the try-ary. I was meant to try the intro class, but because parking near the Richardson location is insane in the afternoon, I ended up rescheduling to a longer class in the evening. Y’all, I figured it might be a challenge, but I was unprepared. It looks cute (if you’re doing it right - which I was not), but it feels insane. Seriously, this was intense, and I do not feel built for it, but it was definitely good for me. The instructor and participants were very gracious. I ran into a fellow teacher who is now a PB instructor, and she helped me out, which was really nice. I’m gonna try it again (the less intense class), and see where this goes…
07.10.25 | Sudoku
Completed my first Sudoku puzzle! I’ve resisted these for so long because they looked like math (which is not my favorite). Turns out Sudoku is not actually math, and it’s quite fun. I think I’ll stick with the digital version, so that erasing and starting over are easier and less messy.
07.09.25 | Peach Tarts
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The summer version of me that gets to sleep in and relax during the day is a much more willing chef than the school-year version of me. Tonight I decided to try a relatively failsafe recipe for peach tarts.
07.08.25 | Mistborn
Finally started my first Brandon Sanderson book. I rarely read fantasy, and this is not a small book, but it has been so often and so highly recommended to me that I had to see why. I have one month of summer left, so now is the time. So far, it certainly is interesting.
07.07.25 | DIY Hair Treatment
I’m between protective styles and giving my hair a little TLC. This 3-ingredient recipe is supposed to boost moisture, strength, and shine. It feels real weird to put eggs in my hair, but if it helps my hair, it’s worth a try!