Happy May Everyone!
At this point though all months are kind of running together for me; anyone else?! Basically I am just going off of my email reminders that it's time for another Currently Linkup with Anne in Residence to remind me which way is up- haha! Anyways, here is what life looks like around here this month...
{Making} Cocktails; is that allowed to count?! I found some cucumber lime vodka in my mom's fridge and used it to make a quite delectable concoction that may have just become my new drink of choice. It is:
- a 6 second pour of Smirnoff Cucumber & Lime Vodka
- a splash of tonic water
- two splashes of San Pellegrino Aranciata
- one small squeeze of simple syrup
{Missing} Our 10th anniversary cruise! We were meant to be setting sail in just two days to celebrate 10 years of wedded blish {it's like bliss, but with that ish life throws in the mix}. I had even bought two cute new suits for the trip, but sadly they will have to wait for their time on the high seas when we rebook with the credit we were given. Thankfully we were able to take a road trip up to my mom's house in TN and the weather has been nice enough to lay out by the lake. I got to pull out my one-shouldered ruffled two-piece and I love it!
{Learning} How to use Facebook Live! We are now on week 4 of our Facebook Live wine tastings for Crimson House. There was definitely a learning curve and I still seem to miss a lot of comments in real-time, but it is getting better with each one. We are using our distributors to come in and share some of the great wines they carry, but I did have the opportunity to do one with mom and it was too funny that I just had to save it to YouTube for the world to have access to! She's a mess, but she's my mama and everything I watch it I crack up. "I smell grapes!" Bless her! She's back for this weeks and I can only imagine what she will say this time!
{Loving} That we were still able to steal away, safely, for a little time away for our anniversary. We basically just moved social distancing locations and we're both working, but the change of scenery is so nice! We plan to take off our actual anniversary and go hiking.
{Reading} All the books!! I have had so much extra reading time lately and I love it! Here are some of the titles I have read {or listened to} during quarantine...
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle- Like being tranported to a real life clue game, this who-dun-it with a crazy twist is perfect for reading while sipping your favorite cocktail from a highball glass. I am also currently hosting a GIVEAWAY over on IG for your chance to win a copy.
In an Instant- This book will really get suck you in quickly and get you right in the feels, making you question what lengths those might go to in order to protect their own children during a crisis. This would make an awesome book club book for discussion points!
The Giver of Stars- This was an escape from Jojo Moyes typical novels and is perfect for book lovers, since it is a historical fiction piece about the Packhorse Library. It took me a little while to get into (though I think it might have been the accent since I was listening), but I ended up LOVING it!
The Daughter-In-Law- This suspenseful novel is one I listened to on hoopla and it is a great break if you are in between longer, heavier reads. Pretty much what you would except from a thriller between a mother and daughter-in-law, with a few interesting twists.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars- I just started this, but am already so intrigued! My mom recommended it to me (after her In an Instant recommendation) and I am already so invested in the characters- a bird researcher going back for her phD after a rough few years, a neighbor from the farm next door known as The Egg Man who has a secret of his own and a little girl who shows up battered and bruised claiming to be an alien who can't leave until she's seen 5 miracle who brings them together. I'm only on chapter 7 and I don't want to put it down!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth- This is the first in a trilogy for those that love dystopian stories like Hunger Games or The Walking Dead. It's a YA novel that's actually the perfect combination of the two, focusing around teens trying to survive in a fallen world filled with zombies. I had read it years ago and Babe and I started listening to the audio version on our way to Tennessee. It's as good as I remember!
Most of these titles are available on Kindle Unlimited (current 30 day free trial)
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle- Like being tranported to a real life clue game, this who-dun-it with a crazy twist is perfect for reading while sipping your favorite cocktail from a highball glass. I am also currently hosting a GIVEAWAY over on IG for your chance to win a copy.
In an Instant- This book will really get suck you in quickly and get you right in the feels, making you question what lengths those might go to in order to protect their own children during a crisis. This would make an awesome book club book for discussion points!
The Giver of Stars- This was an escape from Jojo Moyes typical novels and is perfect for book lovers, since it is a historical fiction piece about the Packhorse Library. It took me a little while to get into (though I think it might have been the accent since I was listening), but I ended up LOVING it!
The Daughter-In-Law- This suspenseful novel is one I listened to on hoopla and it is a great break if you are in between longer, heavier reads. Pretty much what you would except from a thriller between a mother and daughter-in-law, with a few interesting twists.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars- I just started this, but am already so intrigued! My mom recommended it to me (after her In an Instant recommendation) and I am already so invested in the characters- a bird researcher going back for her phD after a rough few years, a neighbor from the farm next door known as The Egg Man who has a secret of his own and a little girl who shows up battered and bruised claiming to be an alien who can't leave until she's seen 5 miracle who brings them together. I'm only on chapter 7 and I don't want to put it down!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth- This is the first in a trilogy for those that love dystopian stories like Hunger Games or The Walking Dead. It's a YA novel that's actually the perfect combination of the two, focusing around teens trying to survive in a fallen world filled with zombies. I had read it years ago and Babe and I started listening to the audio version on our way to Tennessee. It's as good as I remember!
And that's it for me currently!
What having you been doing to stay occupied?
Any great reads you have stumbled upon during quarantine?
I know a lot of people who are using quarantine time to read more. Personally, it's put me in a huge reading slump. It could have something to do with all the school stuff I've been doing for the kids LOL :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, I could see that! Taking on that task has got to be filling up all of your head space
DeleteThis looks like such an interesting reading list. I have to check a couple of them out.
ReplyDeleteThey are all great books
DeleteI haven't read any of these so I'll make sure to check them out
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're missing your cruise but getting away for a bit has to be nice! Different scenery is needed here and there.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks! Yes, the change of scenery has been good for the soul!
DeleteLol I love your wine tasting! How fun.
ReplyDeleteThat drink looks amazing by the way. I think I need one!
And happy 10th anniversary!
Awww thank you! And haha- the wine tastings are a ton of fun for sure!
DeleteFacebook live tastings - what a clever idea! And awww what a bummer about your big anniversary trip. Glad you got to use a bathing suit anyway, and I hope you get to celebrate big soon. Also YASSSSSS to good quarantine I reads. I liked The Holdout and Pretty Things for some thriller-lite type reads. Going to have to check out Evelyn Hardcastle now!
ReplyDeleteI read Pretty Things as well! Will have to look into The Holdout!
DeleteMaking a cocktail definitely counts... although I'm pregnant so mine would have to be a mocktail! Happy anniversary! Shame about the cruise but good you still got to celebrate in your own way.
ReplyDeleteHaha a good mocktail is always great too! Congrats on the baby!
DeleteWhat a bummer - to miss your cruise!! Hope you find a wonderful way to celebrate...congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Some of the restaurants near us opened at 50% capacity. It felt weird to be in a restaurant again, but we enjoyed the evening.
DeleteI loved Where the Forest Meets the Stars! I’ll have to check out your other recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI just finished it! SOOO good! If that's more your style I would recommend In An Instant out all my current reads. Different, but similar writing feel and vibe.
DeleteIn Quarantine condition, I read many books. It all idea get from your service. I can invest my time in good way. Further, you can take advantage from Cleaning Services in Sacramento CA for clean your house. We are always ready for your help.
ReplyDelete