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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.
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
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.
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.
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…
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.
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
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.
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…
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
07.06.25 | Jurassic World Rebirth
I can be real enough to say that my chief interest in this movie was Jonathan Bailey. I have not kept up with the Jurassic Park films, although I have certainly seen the first one. The plot in this new movie was interesting enough, and though I would have liked more from the ending, I’m not mad at it. The music in these films always gives me all the feels.
I can be real enough to say that my chief interest in this movie was Jonathan Bailey. I have not kept up with the Jurassic Park films, although I have certainly seen the first one. The plot in this new movie was interesting enough, and though I would have liked more from the ending, I’m not mad at it. The music in these films always gives me all the feels.
07.05.25 | Painting with a Twist
Bob Ross’n with my sister and my cousin at Painting with a Twist. I am not a natural, but I am trying to embrace all of my happy little accidents.
Bob Ross’n with my sister and my cousin at Painting with a Twist. I am not a natural, but I am trying to embrace all of my happy little accidents.
07.05.25 | Mario Kart
I haven’t played this (or any) game in years - since before I started driving. I had hoped that as a now-experienced driver, my skills would have improved. They have not - LOL -but I had fun all the same.
I haven’t played this (or any) game in years - since before I started driving. I had hoped that as a now-experienced driver, my skills would have improved. They have not - LOL -but I had fun all the same.
07.04.25 | Barbara Walters
Watched the new Barbara Walters documentary with my sister tonight. It felt a bit like a stroll down memory lane - seeing all those familiar faces from a time when television and journalism were something else entirely. I appreciated hearing Barbara’s story for many reasons.
Watched the new Barbara Walters documentary with my sister tonight. It felt a bit like a stroll down memory lane - seeing all those familiar faces from a time when television and journalism were something else entirely. I appreciated hearing Barbara’s story for many reasons.
07.03.25 | Partenope Ristorante
I’ve been hearing about this restaurant for well over a year, since we got one in Richardson. Today I finally went, and I was not disappointed. I had the Penne Di Parmigiano e Funghi with chicken (an upcharge) for lunch, and the Torta Pistacchio e Ricotta for dessert. Delicious. And the ambience was perfect - quiet, cozy, aesthetic - even the bathroom (the tile floor in there is gorgeous). Partenope is officially on my Richardson Lovelist.
I’ve been hearing about this restaurant for well over a year, since we got one in Richardson. Today I finally went, and I was not disappointed. I had the Penne Di Parmigiano e Funghi with chicken (an upcharge) for lunch, and the Torta Pistacchio e Ricotta for dessert. Delicious. And the ambience was perfect - quiet, cozy, aesthetic - even the bathroom (the tile floor in there is gorgeous). Partenope is officially on my Richardson Lovelist.
07.02.25 | Bluebonnet Reading List
As part of a unique professional development experience, I’ve signed up to read at least 5 books from the Texas Bluebonnet Award List and select a favorite. It is a wonderful opportunity to earn PD credit for doing something that I enjoy and to come across new titles to add to my instructional library or suggest to students. My top pick so far is The Liars Society - a fun and intriguing mystery.
As part of a unique professional development experience, I’ve signed up to read at least 5 books from the Texas Bluebonnet Award List and select a favorite. It is a wonderful opportunity to earn PD credit for doing something that I enjoy and to come across new titles to add to my instructional library or suggest to students. My top pick so far is The Liars Society - a fun and intriguing mystery.
07.01.25 | Sonic Picklerita & Tots
5-minute drive-in adventure at Sonic. These pickle-flavored summer features were interesting.
5-minute drive-in adventure at Sonic. These pickle-flavored summer features were interesting.
06.30.25 | Potter's Wheel
Tried Adult Wheel Night at Quiggly’s Clay House. One of the best things I've tried so far. Hadn't thrown on the potter's wheel since high school, and it was just as enjoyable as I remembered. Already looking forward to next time.
Tried Adult Wheel Night at Quiggly’s Clay House. One of the best things I've tried so far. Hadn't thrown on the potter's wheel since high school, and it was just as enjoyable as I remembered. Already looking forward to next time.
06.29.25 | Hosting My First Poetry Book Club Meeting
First time hosting my Pages & Poetry Book Club meeting at Bibliobar. We had a small but mighty crew for our first meeting. We read lots of sad poems and a few happy ones, and connected in that special way that book clubs and poetry allow—looking forward to the next time.
First time hosting my Pages & Poetry Book Club meeting at Bibliobar. We had a small but mighty crew for our first meeting. We read lots of sad poems and a few happy ones, and connected in that special way that book clubs and poetry allow—looking forward to the next time.