HOME + TRAVEL

I spent last weekend cleaning up, organizing, and decluttering our upstairs rooms to get them ready to be painted. Taking time to freshen up the house feels like a new start now that we are no longer renting. We can now jump into a few projects knowing we’ll be staying here.

The creator of the YouTube channel I watch, Hamimommy, is moving into a new home. Her tips for cleaning are always helpful, but there were a few tips from last week’s video that really caught my attention.

Using mesh bags from oranges is one idea she had from a past video which I’ve found to work especially well behind sink faucets to clean the base of the faucet. In this week’s video she uses toothbrushes for cleaning around the bases of her sink faucets. She also uses chopsticks covered in a towel to clean windowsills, tops of outlet covers, and baseboards. Genius!

She shares how Koreans often eat a special type of noodle after a long day of moving. Jajangmyeon is a comfort food in Korea often eaten on the day of a move, but I didn’t know much about the history or traditions around the dish. I decided to do a little research and found more information here about jajangmyeon and why finding just the right version might lead to trying every restaurant in the neighborhood in search of the perfect noodle flavor.

You might have noticed that I am in the middle of a deep dive into learning about Korean culture right now. I love learning about new topics or cultures by absorbing information from a variety of sources.

One of the reasons I love learning about different cultures is that the experience helps me to feel and connect with the human element in our shared experience of suffering, loss, transformation, curiosity, growth, and joy.

I prefer a savory breakfast and these recipes are speaking to me right now (especially the bánh khot!).

Have the items in your home lost their luster?

GARDEN

Spring is such an exciting time in the garden. There are surprises popping up daily as I walk around the garden to water. A bud that is closed the day before and begins to open or appears out of nowhere like magic fills me with joy.

Exponential growth of fava bean plants I hadn’t noticed the day before might catch my attention or the way a snap pea vine is putting out tendrils to work its way up a trellis. Everything is eager to open to the sun. Bright, green-tipped trees and bushes dot the forest behind our home. There is an ever-present pulse of life.

WELLNESS

Have you ever played the nice person role? It can be exhausting.

The film, Meskina, features a single thirty-something woman from a Moroccan-Dutch family. The main character trudges through life and relationships with the help of her hilarious sister. The film is a great reminder to follow your passion and to value your unique contributions no matter what expectations society may place upon you.

Healing Your Heart

CREATIVITY

Why kids need to build forts and have special places to use their imagination.

BOOKSHELF

I’m diving into poetry this month with a whole stack of books and poems recommended to me by the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. If you are looking for ideas to kickstart a month of poetry reading as well, Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. March shared 5 Favorite Poetry Collections for National Poetry Month in this week’s blog post.

Poets Amena Brown and Tania Runyan will be in attendance at this month’s Modern Mrs. Darcy book club discussion. (You’ll need to join Modern Mrs. Darcy here to attend.)

COMMUNITY

A neighbor lost a pet recently, and it prompted me to look up ideas for when a pet goes missing. I came across this important suggestion on the Austin Lost & Found Pet website: “Put some of your dirty laundry outside of your home or apartment (or in a kennel if last seen in a park, public space, etc.). The dirtier, the better!” The scent could lead your furry friend back home.

Birding with a purpose.

Enjoy your weekend!

Get involved in your community. VOTE. Speak out. Volunteer. Take action.

“Do your little bit of good where you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” -Desmond Tutu