currently || september 2019
Hey there friends. Welcome to September’s edition of currently and some of the things I’ve been up to the last few weeks. I’ve been deep in the throes of school, and now that Labor Day has come and gone, summer officially feels like it’s behind me. I still can’t grasp how summer slipped by so fast, but in the last few days fall has started to peek around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited for the crisp weather, changing leaves, and a season of rest (hopefully!) If you want to join in or see what others are up too, visit the blog in residence, where the currently link up started!
Right now I’m currently:
making || a big decision. 10 years ago I graduated college and jumped straight into grad school. It was a tumultuous time in my personal life, and I felt lost, so staying in the place I had called home for the last four years felt safe. But wouldn’t you know it, God had other plans. Casey came back into my life that year and I found myself completely burnt out on school. So we got engaged, I put my masters on pause, and said I’d finish someday. Fast forward and that someday is hopefully soon. I’ve been contemplating and praying about grad school for years now, trying to figure out exactly what I want to study, and I think I have it narrowed down, so I’ve found myself filling out all the applications this week. I’ll share more of the journey at a later date, but for now, just making the decision to go back feels right.
taking || time for myself. To be honest, I’ve had a rough year. I often write a lot about it over on Instagram, but in a nutshell, we suffered a tragic loss last Fall and right in the middle of our grief, started fostering a teenager. So, life has looked a little different these last few seasons. I’m learning ALOT but mostly, that I have to take time for myself. So I am. Spurts here and there with yoga or coffee. A weekend getaway (of possible.) And lately, just simple moments with essential oils and my breath.
discovering || my craft. My writing journey has been an interesting ride, but in the last few years as I’ve started to take it seriously, I’m understanding the importance of a good habit. For me, it isn’t writing everyday because that’s not possible, but it’s carving out specific times to sit and write. Right now, the majority of my writing time happens in the classroom alongside my students and for that I am thankful. Besides a weekly creative writing club (where my students simple want a safe space to write!) I’m reading some craft books of an evening and enjoying the self-study time.
consuming || this delicious mac & no-cheese. Growing up, one of my favorite meals was a baked mac-n-cheese my mom used to make, but into my 30’s I’ve learned that gluten doesn’t make my body feel the greatest and dairy and I don’t get along. Cue living with a husband & teen who could eat mac-n-cheese every day and I’ve been trying desperately to find a recipe they’ll enjoy. This “cheese” sauce from Oh She Glows has been a clear winner. I sub Avocado oil for the grapeseed and use yellow potatoes, then pour it all over some chickpea noodles. Everyone loves it, and it’s even delicious for lunchtime leftovers!
saving || a stack of middle grade mystery books for later this Fall. I have always loved a good mystery story, and still vividly remember the summer I swept through all the Nancy Drew books at my local library. I’d love to try my hand at writing a mystery, so I have a stack of books just waiting for the weather to shift. Summer encourages me to read light-hearted, feel good, contemporary reads, but once that humidity breaks and the leaves barely turn, I love diving into a good mystery. I have 8 in my pile so far, with a few more in mind, both for pleasure reading and research!
