Every month I join up with Leigh Kramer and others to share about what I’m into that month. With so many options and suggestions floating around on the internet it can be overwhelming to know where to start when you want to try something new. This small list is a few of my favorite things from this month so that if you’re feeling adventurous, you have some place to start. It’s also my reminder to keep looking for all the ways I’m experiencing everyday adventures, even when it feels like life can be a bit mundane. I hope it inspires some new discoveries for you!
What I’m Reading
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The Throwback Special by Chris Bachelder
I would never have picked up this book on its own but after hearing others recommended it, I was sufficiently intrigued. A group of men gather every year to recreate an infamous football play from 1985 when quarterback Joe Theismann shatters his leg. An entire weekend of ritual and ceremony celebrates this 5 seconds of sports history, but more importantly gives a behind-the-curtain look at men and their relationships with one another. This book certainly falls outside my normal reading wheelhouse but was fascinating in capturing a world I’m not privy to – sports and guys. The writing is smart in its use of melancholic humor and at only a couple of hundred pages, it’s a short read. If one of your reading goals is to push yourself to hear from different voices, I think this is a worthwhile read.
For even more book reviews from February, check out March’s What I’ve Been Reading post.
What I’m Watching
Life, Animated
One of the Popcast’s recent Green Lights, this documentary was one of five nominated for an Oscar. As a nonverbal autistic child, Owen Suskind lived in his own world until his family realized that the Disney animated movies Owen loved were helping him make sense of the world and could help him communicate as well. The film chronicles Owen and his family as Owen adjusts to moving out of the house and graduating from high school. Both heartbreaking and optimistic, I found the story really hopeful and enjoyed the documentary both as a parent as an educator. It’s available to stream on Amazon Prime and can also be purchased on iTunes. Such an insightful look into the world of Autism and both the beauty and struggle it can be.
Luke Cage
One of the unending stream of new superhero shows from the Marvel universe, this new series from Netflix is worth checking out. Luke Cage is living in Harlem and working a couple of unassuming jobs but his powers quickly push him towards the unassuming hero role as he takes on the local crime boss’s powerful empire. The acting is well done and the cast includes some well known names like Alfre Woodard, Mike Colter (Lemond Bishop from the Good Wife), and Mahershala Ali. Don’t be turned off by the Marvel name, this show is much less sci-fi or blockbuster action than many of the others. At times this show feels more like The Wire than anything from a comic book and both my husband and I are enjoying it.
Deidra and Laney Rob a Train
This was such a spur of the moment Netflix choice the other night but ended up being a fun and quirky movie. Deidra is on track to be the valedictorian of her class and escape out of the small town she lives in. But, when her mom is arrested after a breakdown she has at work, Deidra is tasked with holding her family together as she cars for her sister Laney and their younger brother. When the bills pile up and they need money, Deidra hatches a plan to steal from the trains that run behind their house. This Sundance winner is an indie comedy that also includes enough heart that you’re cheering for a happy ending. Perfect for fans of Juno or Little Miss Sunshine.
What I’m Loving
Green Smoothies
Kendra from The Lazy Genius Collective, mentioned a few months ago that she had been making green smoothies and it inspired me to do the same. I’ve been fixing them about 4-5 times per week and I do have to say I think I feel a little bit better (might be in my head but I’m ok with that). I use my Ninja blender which makes them nice and smooth and lately I’ve been really simple with just a banana, big handful of spinach, an orange and some almond milk. I finish off with a squirt of honey if my bananas aren’t super ripe. I’ve come to realize two things – 1) I like my smoothies to be cool but not freezing like an iced drink so I don’t use frozen fruit 2) I’m weirdly grossed out when the smoothie isn’t a pretty color so I haven’t been using a mixture of berries since it tends to turn them brown and then I don’t want to drink it. Now that I know my own smoothie preferences, I means I can make them just the way I like them and I reach them as a sweet treat in the afternoon instead of all my kids old candy hidden at the back of the pantry.
Carcassonne Board Game
My brother-in-law and sister-in-law introduced this game to our family and then my in-laws got a set too and we recently borrowed it. It’s a world building board game like Settlers of Catan but seems to go a bit faster and is pretty easy to pick up. We’ve even had good luck playing with our kids (ages 4 and 7) and we can make it shorter for them by using fewer of the cards. There are lots of expansion packs that keep the game interesting but we’ve had lots of fun with the original set. It’s nice to find something that everyone likes to play together and doesn’t make me want to pull my hair out (I’m looking at you Candy Land!) and is grown up enough that even when the kids are asleep, I still want to play with grown ups.
Lush Bath Bombs
I know I’m probably the last to the party on this trend but these things are amazing! My mother-in-law gave me some for Christmas and I just used them recently for a bath. Holy nuggets, for less than $10 I can feel like I took a trip to a fancy spa in my own bathtub. They smell amazing but more importantly leave my skin feeling super soft and moisturized thanks to the oils inside these little magic balls. They come in lots of fun scents and I’ve already dropped some heavy hints to my husband that these would make for a great gift.
From the Blog
A Weekend in Columbus, Ohio with Kids – Plan a weekend getaway for your family in this Midwestern city that offers lots of great places to play and some of the best ice cream you’ve ever tasted!
Road Trip Series for Families – I started a new series this month to help you plan your family’s next road trip. Lots of great advice about what to pack, where to stop, what to eat and how to entertain the kids. Just in time for summer vacation planning.
What did you discover in March? Watching or Listening to anything we have to know about? Make sure and leave a comment with your favorites from this month so we can all be inspired to try new things.
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Carcassonne has entered our household too — and what a great impact it has made! Heavy duty competition to be sure, and lots of fun and strategy! Our new pastor introduced it to us at a church game night, and our youngest son was quite happy to walk away having defeated all the adults and (especially) his three big brothers. (Gloating rights secured for weeks to come!)
I’ve been surprised how much it’s held attention of my two boys and how they can compete at their own level. We play with half the cards so that the game doesn’t take too long. Love the gloating rights 🙂
He loves them, too!
The Throwback book sounds interesting – I always enjoy a book from a different perspective. And seeing as how my daughter & I got tickets for a Twenty One Pilots concert in Columbus this summer, I’ll have to check out your tips! 🙂
We had a great time in Columubs – you MUST get Jeni’s Ice Cream at some point. Let me know if you have any more questions and enjoy the concert!
Carcassonne is so much fun! We’ve got one of those big boxes with 4 or 5 expansions, so endless variety.
I think we may have to upgrade to the expansion packs. I love that it’s different every time and would love to try it with even more options.
Ooooh took lots of notes from this – would love to watch the Life, Animated doco and the Carcassonne game sounds fantastic too. I have been taking a lot of baths in this late stage of pregnancy so also inspired to look for some nice products to make it a more relaxing experience, the Lush bath bombs sound divine!
Glad to inspire some self-care!