14 Things You Might Not Know about Me

Sharing a quick Good Friday 14 Things Friday post. We have a busy weekend with family and friends, as is always the case around holidays in my family. Looking forward to it though and hoping it doesn't rain QUITE as much as is forecasted. Happy Easter weekend!

Here are 14 random facts about me! :)

1) I love classical, orchestral, and instrumental music, mostly in major keys though. I play the piano, the french horn, and the fiddle <-- none of these well enough to play "in public" in my opinion. I sang in a lot of choirs in my youth too and hope to do that again someday.

2) I'm not a very picky eater - the few things I can think of that I don't love off the top of my head are olives, blue cheese, and anchovies (all very easily avoidable) ;)

3) I met my husband online. We met for the first time in person to go out for dinner and then play mini golf. I beat him ;) He says he was distracted. Haha.

4) I used to play ultimate frisbee and loooved it but haven't found the time/drive to get back into it much after having the kids.

5) I do have the time and commitment to practicing yoga once a week though with my wonderful teacher. It is SO good for my mental health.

6) I grew up in the mountains but I'm not great at skiing. I do find it hard to choose between "mountains" and "beach" but I love living close to the ocean now (we can see it from our back deck!)

7) I'm on a pretty strict coffee schedule that I'd like to change someday - one at about 7 am and one around noon. No more, no less, every day.

8) Like many people, the worst years of my childhood were in grade 7-9 (ish) - thank you braces and big glasses and teenage hormones. Also commonly, my "best years" aside from now were probably when I was doing my undergrad at St. FX

9) I'm great at starting projects and less good at finishing them - I'm working at improving this about myself.

10) About 10 years ago I decided I had 3 bands I really wanted to see in person, if possible, and I've managed to see all of them! (Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Coldplay). I need a new list, maybe!

11) I speak French - not completely fluently, but not too poorly, and I'm still working on it because as of September we will have two children in French Immersion at school.

12) I really want to write a book someday but I'm stalling a bit on ideas. I have a few ideas but I haven't given it space yet to grow. Maybe someday!!

13) For the longest time, my favourite season was summer, but I LOVE the fall colours in Nova Scotia so I've changed my mind a bit.

14) I collect postcards and I have them from all over the world - my dad traveled often for work when I was in jr. high and high school so that helped :) I love to send them to people when we're on a trip, even if it's not very far away from home.

14 Audiobooks on my To-Be-Read list

Phew!! I am happy that it's the weekend today. This week has felt busy (it hasn't been, really). I think I've just felt a bit lazy and scatterbrained after last weekend. I need to get my act together and do some cleaning and meal planning/prep this weekend. Can't wait. :) I plan to have a girl's night tonight by myself (haha) and I'm taking Molly to a movie tomorrow that I won advanced tickets to see! It will be fun. Sunday we are planning to purge things in the basement which is kind of fun in its own way ;)

I intended to post this last week but here it is now. Here are 14 books I can't wait to listen to (hopefully this year!)

1) Britt Marie was Here by Fredrik Backman - this is the last of his books left for me to read until the new Beartown book comes out (no info on that yet). I already know about Britt Marie from the grandmother book, but I need to prioritize this asap!

2) The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker - I have this ARC from Netgalley (they "granted my wish" a month or two after the book came out) but I think audio will be my way to consume this one.

3) The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - After I loved Circe on audio, I can't wait to listen to this one too. My library doesn't have it and isn't getting it though, so I need to find another way to get it :)

4) 11/22/63 by Stephen King - I have read exactly 0 Stephen King books. His books are NOT my preferred genre but I've heard this one isn't too scary so I have it in my Audible library to get to at some point. It's super long though!!

5) Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy - I have this on my kindle and I just can't quite seem to push through so I'm waiting for it from the library to listen to. We'll see. It is definitely really good, I just don't pick it up for some reason.

6) Becoming by Michelle Obama - I've heard this audiobook is fantastic and the best way to "read" this book - narrated by the author!

7) On the Come Up by Angie Thomas - I love Bahni Turpin as a narrator and I loved the audiobook for The Hate U Give. I have this from the library right now so I will start it asap.

8) Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin - Intending to listen to this asap too - I have read all of her books and enjoy them immensely.

9) I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes - this has been on my TBR for far too long. I hear the audiobook is fantastic.

10) Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend - After loving Nevermoor, I can't wait to listen to this one when it's my turn from the library. I have it on my kindle too.

11) Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery - after absolutely devouring Anne of Green Gables narrated by Rachel McAdams, I am dying to re-read the whole series. LOVE these books sooo much.

12) Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor - I also plan to listen to the first in her first series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

13) Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - this has been on my TBR for a million years and the Maggie Gyllenhaal version is apparently fantastic. I just need to start it.

14) Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke - another book that has been on my radar for ages because it is marketed as an adult Harry Potter (LOVE). I'm next in line for this one at the library so hopefully it'll be soon!! :)

So, are any of these on your list?! What do you think??

14 Great Valentine's Day novels

It's no secret that I like to read romance books - particularly romantic comedies. These books are relaxing and fun to read (for me), and I have a few to recommend in case you're in the mood for a book like this during this "month of love" (my 7 year old's words, not mine ;)) Here are 14 books to check out if you want to add a bit of romantic fiction into your February line up!!!

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
I loved this book so much and the epilogue for this story is in Sally's newest book, 99 Percent Mine. Such fun characters and fun banter. Most people I know who don't like romance have enjoyed this one too - I like her second book almost as much  even though it is totally different. She is also a super sweet person - I'm in her facebook group and she chats with her fans A LOT so I love that. 



Anything You Can Do by R.S. Grey
this one is my favourite of hers - I'm a bit over her more recent books but this one was hilarious to me. Two doctors - old rivals - the ending melted my heart a little bit...I'm probably due for a re-read :)






Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

I recommend this book constantly, and I loved it so much. I really liked her 2018 book, How to Walk Away, too, and I've heard great things about her upcoming Things You Save in a Fire (I am waiting another month or two to read the ARC). Happiness for Beginners is a bit of "Wild" mixed with younger brother's best friend and WOW, it is a great book about character development and the setting and characters are incredibly fun. To illustrate how much I love this book I'll just tell you that I bought 4 copies of it on BookDepot and currently I have none of them in my home - I gave three away and lent the other one (which I need to get back soon because I miss it!!!)

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

In the past 12 months, I have devoured almost all of Christina Lauren's recent standalone novels and I can't quite pick a favourite (if I had to, I might say that I found My Favorite Half-Night Stand to be the funniest), but this one is emotional and so good. Josh and Hazel and Roomies are great too. They can do no wrong, in my mind.


Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

I loved this entire series, but this one is probably my favourite. If you like historical romance, I highly recommend the whole series. They don't really have to be read in order, but they probably should be read in order up until this one at least.




Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I will admit that I've only made it to book 4 in this series, but for a time, it kept my interest and I loved the time-travel component. It's hugely popular for a reason, I'd say.




Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

I loved this book and read it in a day and a half. It reminded me a lot of Jane Austen's novels. It was very funny in parts and actually even a bit more approachable than some of the "classics" although I have a feeling that's because it was written in 2012 and not in the 1800s ;) I loved the Regency setting. It was a beautiful story. Though I'm in the minority, I also really enjoyed her second book, Blackmoore.

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

I loved this book. It was hilarious. Sophy's character is quite unique compared to other women in this time period, and I thought that was great. She really seemed to help people enjoy their lives more, and you can't help but love someone like that, right??


Persuasion by Jane Austen

Like maybe half of the Austenites on the planet, my favourite of hers is Pride & Prejudice (it's just THAT good!) but this is probably my second. I loved this book so much and I think about it often. I'm re-reading it very slowly at the moment, actually, with a more critical eye. I mean...does English literature get any more romantic than this quote:



I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in

F. W.

I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never. 

The Knitting in the City series by Penny Reid

Penny Reid's books are VERY funny. I adored this whole series but my favourites were probably the last couple - as usual in most series :)





After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I love everything TJR has written, but this one about marriage was interesting and tugged at the heart-strings. It was SO highly readable.






Hate Notes by Vi Keeland

This book surprised me in the best possible way. It was funny and fun to read. And on Kindle Unlimited!!






A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole

I think I liked this one a bit more even than the first in this series, but they are all good. The third comes out this year!!

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

This was such a great historical romance. This whole series is adorable.







See anything here worth adding to your TBR? Any thoughts on any of these books? Happy Friday!! I started Verity last night so I know what I'm doing this afternoon and this evening!!!

14 Things Saving My Life Right Now

Happy Friday and HAPPY February!!! As my 7 year old said this morning, it's the month of love!! Lol. January felt like the longest month ever - I have no idea why. I think we were all a bit low-grade sick with colds off and on and got a bit cooped up after some really really cold weather too. So I'm happy enough to say hello to February - a month with tons of birthdays in our family and friends and a holiday. :)

Every year, Modern Mrs. Darcy shares the things saving her life every winter season and I love reading everyone's small things that make this season a bit more bearable. I'm combining it with 14 Things Friday here!!

1) Peppermint tea - I've had a cup almost every night in the month of January - either this or sleepytime tea. It feels like a warm hug before bed :)

2) Dark chocolate - a square a day is a nice little treat and fits with our current eating plan

3) Getting outside - I am not one to enjoy being outdoors in the winter, but we've made more of an effort this year - the girls don't care too much if it's cold so I've bundled up as warm as I can and watched them play on playgrounds or walk around and we've taken them skating too :)

4) My magic bag - I couldn't live without this microwaveable warm thing around my neck most evenings

5) A cozy blanket - I have one on the couch and two on my bed and it is SO nice.

6) Extra quality time with my husband - since my hubby and I are both passionate about hobbies that are sort of solitary (reading/playing video games), we don't always hang out together for long every night when we're home. We do chat a bit after the kids are in bed or maybe watch a show but then we normally just move on to our own activities and call it a night. I've tried to play board games with him a few times now or just sit and have a longer conversation than usual because hello - built in amazing friend who lives with me and loves me more than anything? I need that these days more than ever :)

7) Chatting with friends - I have made more of an effort to text friends from time to time and see people in person. In the past, it's always been easier to see big groups of friends at once but now I'm realizing maybe coordinating that can be hard and since I am pretty free, I'm trying to spontaneously see people here and there when I can.

8) Planning the spring and summer -we booked a camping trip for the long weekend in July and we're making some other fun plans - I need that to keep me going these days :)

9) Exciting extended family news - my little brother got engaged last weekend! We get to plan a trip out west (presumably) for his wedding and I can't wait

10) Yoga and meditation - taking the time for self reflection is never a bad thing

11) Rest - usually, when I have down time at home during the day (when the kids are at school - that's my most productive GO GO GO time but a few times lately I've just allowed myself to rest and read a book and it has been so nice.

12) Dance parties - 3/4 people in our family love pop music (my husband does not) so we've been dancing quite a bit after supper and it is so fun :) My girls are currently obsessed with this song and this one too after hearing them in the Cinderella musical they saw in December.

13) Trying new recipes - in so many ways, winter feels like I have more time. I think it's because we do have more activities in the summer and we also do more spontaneous beach days/plans with friends and family etc. so I definitely have more time *at home* during the winter and I've tried a few new recipes that we love. I can share them if there's any interest!

14) The furriest sweater ever - I went through the first two weeks of 2019 freezing in my own home despite wearing multiple layers and keeping the house at a decent temperature. Finally, I broke down and drove to the mall at 9 am on a Saturday with the sole intention of buying a thick polar fleece sweater of some kind. I ended up with this SUPER FURRY, incredibly warm pullover and I have to say I haven't really been too cold since then. Haha. Wearing this sweater makes me feel like Telly from Sesame Street :)

See what I mean?! lol

Hope you all have a great, cozy weekend!!!! :) I have a few books on my horizon as well as some plans with friends and family. Can't wait!! It's going to be a chilly one here! 

14 Random Confessions

It has probably been years since I did a good confessions post, so here's the first one for 2019!!!

A few random confessions from everyday life:

1) I could NOT get into a book at the start of this year. My desire to read was completely gone. I seem to be cured of that for the time being, but it was weird and I didn't like it.

2) I was doing super well with Yoga with Adriene's 30 day Dedicate challenge but I've missed 3 days and I cannot stop coughing (it is truly so annoying) so I might end up behind a bit. Here's to finishing strong!

3) If I am really into a book, I treat the fictional characters as real people and talk about them as such. Luckily, I have some good bookish friends who tolerate this strange behaviour on a regular basis.

4) All I can think about this week is summertime

5) Sometimes I forget that not everyone is a voracious reader because most of my online friends are big readers and usually have a book on the go. It is always weird to have conversations with friends in real life about books because I am terrible at recommendations without knowing someone's taste.

6) I make 2 meals for supper every night - we all eat the same meat or bulk of the meal but the girls don't like sauce and we try to eat mostly low carb. It is quick and easy for me now but I know this kind of thing doesn't work for most people.

7) On that note, my daughters have gotten into the (maybe not so great) habit of having ketchup with most of their suppers...so I guess they do like some sauce, haha.

8) I am feeling uninspired to do things outside the house in January but also starting to get a bit bored and stir-crazy inside so we are trying to strike a balance this weekend

9) I have dropped at least 10 food items (like entire containers of food) on the floor by the fridge this week. This is a sign that I need to wash the floor AND reorganize the fridge...

10) I did some doodling with monograms this week and accidentally used my maiden name for my initials. We have been married for almost 7 years so my initials have been that way for a long time but I did not even realize the mistake until the next day...

11) We are still singing Christmas songs for bedtime snuggles with my 4 year old and I am not sad about it one bit

12) I got a lot of my basic knowledge of the classics from Wishbone :)

13) I still remember the password for my first Hotmail e-mail address and that address is long gone so here it is: bradpitt (because hotmale) haha. I think this was my dad`s idea which is kind of weird because I was like 12

14) I had a moment in the past week that really forced me to realize who my few top friends are - there were three people I reached out to instantly for advice about something that happened (nothing bad!) and that was a nice realization :)

Bonus confession: I wrote this entire post with my keyboard accidentally set to French - I need to google how to fix it. Oh well!!

14 Things I am Anticipating in November

Here are 14 minor events that I am really looking forward to in November this year! It is not typically my favourite month, so I'm trying to make it a bit more fun than usual this year :)

1) Taking Molly to her first "family" Cape Breton square dance this weekend and listening to some great fiddle music :)

2) Seeing The Crimes of Grindelwald in theatres with Brian

3) Finishing our Christmas shopping

4) Doing some writing (NOT Na-no-wri-mo - cannot commit to that, but working on a few things)

5) Getting into my TBR-in-2018 list and crossing off some books

6) Molly's first step-dancing recital and her first piano recital

7) Seeing some friends we haven't seen in months

8) Working on Christmas cards to send out to family and friends

9) Getting Brian to 3d print a bunch of Christmas earrings for me

10) Reading The Kingdom of the Blind, Nine Perfect Strangers, and hopefully Mariana Zapata's new book!

11) Brian's work Christmas party seeing the Towers of Tomorrow lego exhibit at the Discovery Centre

12) Working on creating some special one on one time with each of my children

13) Eating a lot of yummy soups and drinking a lot of tea :)

14) Working on my sleep - I have woken up with a lot of neck/back pain lately and I think I need to do some yoga before bed

14 Things I'm Thankful For

Finally back for a 14 Things Friday post!! Blogging has been a bit low on my priority list lately...unfortunately. I'm still trying to keep up with reading other blogs but haven't had much time in my own space here.

It's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend here so I wanted to share 14 things I'm thankful for - some of these are pretty random or inconsequential but this is what I came up with! We have been trying to share 3 good things or 3 things we are grateful for each day at the supper table and I have to say that it really does shift your perspective! There are some days when I have a hard time coming up with things but it helps me to focus on the positive, and the same for the kids.

1) My health. My family's health. We are so blessed to have healthy children and healthy parents.
2) Fall colours. Seriously, this is the most beautiful time of year to live in Nova Scotia and I plan to soak it all up this weekend.
3) Coffee. Because it makes me a better person ;)
4) Living close to family. Well, not all my family - but to have both of our parents here and all of our daughter's grandparents - WE. ARE. SPOILED. and I am so grateful.
5) Books - because they bring me so much joy and endless hours of entertainment AND my children love them too. Talking about books with others too has brought me some wonderful friendships!
6) Music - it always has the ability to lift my mood.
7) Friends - we have a few fun things lined up with friends this weekend and there's just nothing better. I have some really close friends nearby whom I value deeply but I also have a few online friendships that are just as special!
8) Canada - no country is perfect but I love mine.
9) Work - the ability to afford our lifestyle while also working only part-time and having special time with my children is something that is making my life better the last year.
10) Yoga and the joy it brings
11) Laughter - the best medicine and I LOVE my daughters' giggles :)
12) Chocolate
13) Leggings - the most comfortable thing to wear :)
14) My bed, especially at the end of a long week like this one :)

14 Current Random Obsessions

It's been awhile since I've shared 14 Things Friday...summer vacation and the subsequent recovery from it has gotten the best of me!

It's a long weekend here and presumably elsewhere, and I can't wait! I am solo parenting for 2 nights but we are going to still try to keep busy :) AND school starts next week! I can't WAIT to get back into a routine. Even though September is busy, it's one of my favourite months of the year. I just love fall. (Can't complain about this summer either though). Anyone have any fun plans for Labour Day?

1) To All the Boys I've Loved Before (the book and the movie on Netflix). SO good. Awesome characters and really cute and funny. Other Netflix movies I've enjoyed lately include Set it Up, The Kissing Booth, Like Father, and Guernsey.

2) Travel Mug French Press - I have had this for over 10 years and we have finally ditched the Keurig completely and turned to a French Press for coffee all the time... this mug is AWESOME.

3) Ignore It! - My new parenting plan. I am sick and tired of always wanting to yell at my kids and I really think that a lot of concepts in this book make sense to my psychological brain. This is the same kind of concept that @simplyonpurpose talks about too - IGNORE junk behaviour and give a lot of positive reinforcement to good behaviour. Makes sense but not super easy to do...

4) Bubly (or any sparkling water - I'm not picky) I want to try LaCroix but it is proving difficult to find in Canada :)

5) Dark Chocolate

6) Our heat pump AKA air conditioning in the summer

7) Ikea Reusable Bags - THE BEST and biggest bags to fit all of our Costco stuff

8) This song

9) Homemade Greek Yogurt in the Instant Pot - so good

10) Showering at night - I never used to be an evening shower person but it's for sure growing on me - and makes me feel great getting into bed.

11) This yoga video

12) My rash guard that mostly prevented sunburn all summer!

13) Kale caesar salad

14) The Beach...because summer in Canada only lasts so long!