Happy Friday! I am only working half a day today because Jack has an orthodontist appointment. I was going to pick him up in the middle of lunch, but made it work to pick him up before lunch so we can eat together. I can’t wait. We’ve had a great week and I have a some favorites to share with you. Let’s get to them!

Favorite 1: SUNSHINE!! Oh my goodness, that sunshine is feeding my soul! The temperature was in the high 70s yesterday and it made such a difference in our moods. The kids came home and went right outside. I headed right out at the same time! I read on the deck for over 30 minutes (Declare It Day goal accomplished for the week!)

I am still walking outside for a few minutes after lunch when it isn’t raining and I love it. It gives me such a sense of calm and reset for the afternoon. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner.

Favorite 2: MOM!! I spent the morning with my mom on Monday and it was a great time. We went shopping for new light fixtures in my kitchen and dining room. Then we went to a fabulous garden store and bought plants and pots. While we were at the garden store, they were filming commercials and news features. Kerry, the person who is always on tv invited us on the set, asked to take a picture with us, and gave me some wonderful plant recommendations.

And then we hit up Trader Joe’s. I didn’t have a list. My mom didn’t really have a list. We let Trader Joe’s tell us what we needed. It was so fun! This seasoned popcorn is so delicious!

Favorite 3: GAP & OLD NAVY! I ordered a “tennis” dress on Amazon last summer and I liked it just fine. I wouldn’t buy it in another color but I love the idea of it. I was reading Anne’s blog and she shared an exercise dress from the Gap. I dashed right over and found out they came in tall. I am not tall (5’4.5″) but I have a really long torso. The dresses came yesterday and I am loving them! The pink one is so cute! I’ll wear this light blue one to work in the spring and around town all summer long. I might even get it in another color. The navy one didn’t come in tall, but I think it will work for some summer fun.

Favorite 4: DONATING BLOOD! I haven’t given blood in a very long time and I decided it was time to start again. I found a close blood drive last Saturday and signed myself up. I stopped years ago because I was borderline anemic and I got really lightheaded afterwards. My diet is much more balanced now, so the anemia wasn’t a problem. However, I did get really lightheaded and they had to lay me down, put a cold towel on my forehead and behind my neck, while someone gave me a juice box. It was a little embarrassing, but that won’t keep me from donating again. After about five minutes or so I was ready to move to the snack table and felt much better. I forgot how it can make you feel a little weaker afterwards. It took me a good two days before I felt great walking my regular 15 min/mile pace. The blood donor app is pretty cool, too. You can track your blood and they hold all of your stats in there.

Favorite 5: CLOTHES! I am still trying to wear everything in my closet. The weather has made it an interesting task. The temperature is bouncing all around lately.

A friend gave me this dress last week because she just didn’t love it. Well, I thought it was pretty cute!

Favorite 6: BOOKS! I read an interesting book this week. I’m not sure why I picked it, but I am glad I did. It was The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly by Margareta Magnusson. I loved the little reminders to enjoy life and look for joy in all the small moments. I didn’t find it sad or depressing. I actually found the book uplifting and full of hope. The author also wrote The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning which I haven’t read but I do think is intriguing.

I finished Endless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand this week. It is no secret that I love her books. This one felt like a love letter to her devoted readers. It was so fun to go back and revisit some favorite characters. If ‘you’ve read Elin’s books, be sure to check this one out!

I have a few more books to read before the end of the month to meet my February reading goal. Luckily, our weekend is pretty calm so I can get some good reading time in!

Declare It Day
What’s Up Wednesday
Monthly Musings

The number one thing I am looking forward to this weekend is a dishwasher delivery and installation. I am also excited for Jack’s basketball playoffs. They have a game Saturday and hopefully two games on Sunday. We’ll see my parents for a bit on Saturday. Jeff and I are going on a date night Saturday evening because miraculously we don’t have anything on the calendar! Woohoo! Have a great weekend full of sunshine and books!