Friday Favorites #8
TGIF! The boys don’t have school today so it’s nice to have a chill morning. Some plans over the long weekend include making bunny cookies, dying Easter eggs, and seeing the new Mario Bros. movie. We will celebrate Easter Sunday just us as we already celebrated with extended family in Ohio.
I missed last Friday so there are a few favorites included from last week too. I hope everyone has a lovely Easter weekend!
Lake Thaw
You know it is officially spring in northern Michigan, when the lake begins to thaw! It started to break a little on Monday and more as the week went on. Ryan thinks it will be completely thawed by his birthday on the 15th. We shall see! While the frozen lake has its own beauty, nothing beats the blue flowing water under a clear, sunny sky. We’re ready for you summer!
Homemade Maple Syrup
Our neighbor down the road taps maple trees and offered some sap to Ryan to make our own homemade syrup. He explained the steps and Ryan got the whole family involved. The boys were very excited to watch, learn, and help during the process. We boiled it on the grill for several hours, then transferred it to the stovetop. There were a few mishaps along the way, but I think we did a pretty good job for our first time. It smelled and tasted wonderful. Pancakes are definitely on the breakfast menu this weekend!
Dip Manicure
It has been A LONG time since I’ve had my nails done. I don’t even think I had them done in 2022. In the past, I have always done a gel manicure but have heard all the hype around dip so had to give it a try. So far, I am loving it! The process was a lot quicker than gel and I love the finish on my nails. It’s been two weeks and they are holding up well. If I can get close to four weeks, it’ll be totally worth it. I forgot how much I love the feeling of having my nails done!
Amazon Legging Dupes
My daily uniform has changed over the past year since I am currently not teaching. Right now, I tend to gravitate towards leggings for effortless comfort and style. When my friend Haley was in town last, we were talking about Lulu dupes, and she shared these leggings with me. They are so buttery soft and comfortable! I love pairing them with these slouchy socks.
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
Sarah Addison Allen is one of those authors that feels like the comfort of a warm cup of tea. I have read First Frost, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and Garden Spells. Her books captivate you with endearing, quirky characters, southern flavor, and a touch of magic. It’s a genre that perhaps isn’t for everyone, but I adore it, especially after reading something more on the heavy side. Lost Lake is also on my list to read this year.
I finished Other Birds over spring break. It is Allen’s latest novel, published last year. Recent high school graduate Zoey arrives to a small island town in South Carolina to claim her deceased mother’s condo. There she meets a group of quirky, eclectic residents each with their own dreams, secrets, and stories. Add in a few ghosts with an invisible bird and you have a whimsical, heartfelt story of love, loss, and family.
First Grade Published Book
On the way home from school yesterday, Lucas kept telling me he had a big surprise in his backpack. When we got home, I was told to close my eyes and he revealed a book his class published! It warmed my heart to hear and feel his pride in it. I cannot say enough how wonderful Lucas’s teacher is this year, and I know she has been part of God’s plan for us up here. Lucas immediately wanted to read it to me (his reading progress still astounds me) and he’s been reading it on and off ever since bringing it home. It’s a first-grade keepsake we’ll cherish forever.
