HOME + TRAVEL

This week I went by my local bookstore and laughed with the person at the check out counter about how we love the covers of all the notebooks, journals, and spirals and the hilarity of filling out only the first 10 pages most of the time before beginning a new notebook. I’m thinking someone should make 10 page notebooks so that we can all collect more of the beautiful cover designs!

Are you an unfinished journal collector? I’d love to hear in the comments.

I’m a bit of an armchair traveler these days. The cold, overcast days of January have me adding books in translation and travel guide books to my bookshelf, searching out new recipes, learning a language (I’m using Portuguese Lab Academy), and watching videos and films about far away places. It’s a great escape during the cold and dreary days of winter.

One of my recent video favorites is from Hamimommy in South Korea who she takes her daughter to an ice festival. The duck train on ice is adorable and hilarious at the same time. (*link has sound).

I’m keeping my family warm and nourished with a few of my favorite winter recipes.

Tom Kha Gai

Coconut Apple Ginger Dal

Shepherd’s Pie (this is great with sweet potatoes as well)

A recipe I plan to try soon….Vietnamese Hot Pot

GARDEN

After an abundant garden season last year, I’m planning for a more simplified approach this year as we plan more travel.

Our garden is already filled to the brim with tulip and daffodil bulbs as well as poppy seeds that were planted back in November.

Pictured: Iceland poppy in bloom

January and February are good months for cleaning up around the garden and planning for spring.

I found this video on winter pruning in Central Texas to be helpful in understanding how to prune native plants so they will thrive all year. (*video link as sound)

After watching, I’ve got my garden to-do list ready to go. I plan to cut back my Esperanza and flame acanthus to the crown. For our native plants like salvia, mist flower, skullcap, and Turk’s cap, I will cut the stems to a height of 2-4” for smaller plants and 6-8” for larger plants. If you’d like to offer habitat for wildlife for just a little bit longer, wait to cut your natives until late February or early March (which is what I plan to do).

What else is there to do in the garden until spring? Why not take care of some winter weeding, clean garden tools, take inventory of seeds or order seeds, or determine locations for birdhouses to be hung or build your own.

We’re excited to hang the bird houses my dad built for us. We’ve already noticed a wren stuffing alpaca fur from our nesting ball into the hole of our wren house.

Remember: If you find a healthy baby bird on the ground in the spring, leave it there, mom and dad are probably nearby.

WELLNESS

My husband and I are often out walking our dog, Etta, in the morning. A metal statue of Bevo, The University of Texas mascot, sits cheerfully in our neighbor’s year. Each holiday Bevo is adorned with a new decoration. This month, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, he carries a rose bouquet in his mouth and hearts dangling from his ears. It’s a little thing, but makes me smile every time we turn the corner onto our street.

What is a good day?

Why highly sensitive people love to read.

Many healthcare workers, teachers, and our greater community are experiencing compassion fatigue.

CREATIVITY

Bookpeople’s #DrinkABookByItsCover Instagram post popped up on my Instagram feed last week. I cracked up as I watched the bookseller show the cover of the book and then hand it to the barista (in this IG post it was the book Ice Planet Barbarians). What drink to pair with sci-fi romance set in a winter wasteland? Unfazed by this creative challenge, the CoffeePeople barista skillfully pairs this chilly alien and human love story with a Christmas Every Day Tea Latte that incorporates white chocolate, mint tea, and steamed milk.

With my curiosity piqued…I did a quick search and came up with a few other creative pairings for books.

Books and The Perfect Coffee Mugs To Go With Them

Pairing Nails and Book Covers

Pairing a playlist, drink, and a snack with your favorite book (scroll to the bookshelf section)

Share in the comments below what playlist, drink, or snack you would pair with the book you’re currently reading or one of your all time favorites.

BOOKSHELF

Books for Seasonal Transitions

This Christmas, my husband and son surprised me with a brand new Little Free Library. I love being the librarian of this little library in front of our home. Yes, I have my own stamp.

“Freedom to read is a right that must be protected in our schools and public libraries, and we must not give in to the vocal few that want to speak for the many,” stated Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks.

Source: Austin Public Library Statement on Book Banning and Library Censorship

COMMUNITY

When people do not have access to fresh food, the vitality and health of a community is impacted.

Healthy Corner Stores Project in Austin, Texas

Community Fridges in NYC

The 1619 Project and the wisdom of a child (Instagram link)

Chile is taking climate change into their own hands