Every week, it gets closer and closer to spring. The weeds in my lawn are starting to turn green (but the grass itself is still a few weeks out). There was a lovely oriole in our tree when I got home from work one day this week, and I also thought I saw another at my parent’s house, but after about 20 seconds of trying to point it out to them, we all figured out I was pointing to a knot on a branch. So that was cool, too.
In other news, I discovered this Polish proverb on Pinterest this week, which is a comfort when you’re surrounded by drama that’s not created by you. Repeat this, and breathe easier:
Fancy chicken! It’s actually called Chicken Marbella, but I like to call it fancy chicken because it’s fancy and it’s my favorite meal for entertaining, hands down. Case in point: tonight I’m having friends for dinner. I mixed up the marinade last night, so it’s getting acquainted with the chicken in the fridge right now. Tonight I’ll dump it all in a baking dish and roast in the oven for an hour. Then BOOM! Fancy chicken is done.
If you are not yet convinced, drool at this:
SO MANY THINGS. I started and finished The Penelopiad in a day. And also finished the Divergent series. Now I’m working on Mother Daughter Wisdom, which is going to take me a while, but I can already tell it will be worth it. You will also find lots of links below for the other various awesome things I’ve been reading on the internets. (The last two weeks have been so excellent for reading.)
The amount of productive thinking I get done in the bathtub is astounding. For example, last Sunday morning I had a bath and while I was soaking, I was inspired to write new content for my home page and New Reader Orientation page, and finalized my plan for reorganizing the entire category structure. (Note to self: keep a notepad within reach of the tub.)
Never underestimate the power of doing things that don’t have an obvious “point”, like laying in the bathtub or walking around aimlessly outside. We all need unfettered thinking time.
Someone in the last two weeks (god help me, I can’t remember Who because I’d live to give them credit) said something to this effect: you can’t do much in 30 minutes. But with thirty minutes every day for a month, what you can accomplish is staggering.
I love that concept: the thing you’re doing right now tends to FEEL insignificant while you’re doing it . . . but all those seemingly insignificant moments strung together can be huge. And when you think about that, times a lifetime?
I love that.
- Kate Northrup’s article about expressing your thanks, even when you think people don’t need it struck a chord this week. And it dances quite nicely with my own thoughts on feedback. Have you expressed your gratitude lately?
- The new meaning of luxury on The Everygirl. “This is the mantra of new luxury: Life must not only be lived, it must be enjoyed. It must be wholeheartedly embraced. It must be worth it.” YES. THAT.
- Raise your hand if you can relate to Allie’s biggest fear of being disappointing. (Yeah, me too.)
- Need some motivation to declutter your bedroom? Here’s one: it will help you have more sex.
- The key to scaling yourself is letting the ball drop. That’s my kind of thinking. (This whole article is awesome.)
- Someone else’s pain and struggle do not negate your own. Well said, Sarah.
And lastly, Love What You Have is now open for enrollment!
Details + registration here.
Happy weekend, my dears!
