Lately I've Been . . .

Watching . . . 

Smallville.  Actually, John and I have been watching this, off and on, since the summer.  We started Season 10 tonight.  I wasn't sure about the series at first, but now I'm kinda hooked.  (Basically, the series just gets better as the seasons progress.  Better writing, better acting, etc.)  Have you seen it?  Any recommendations for what we should watch next?

Reading . . .

I just finished this book on my iPad's e-reader app.  The book was good, but I'm not sold on e-readers yet.  Everyone seems to rave about What Alice Forgot, by the same author.  Perhaps I should read that one, too?

Eating . . . 
I feel like a "bad" food blogger, because I've been cooking and eating beautifully lately, (largely due to the fact that I've started counting calories after the holidays, as I unfortunately jumped a pants size this fall, and just generally feel unhealthy and out of shape,) but haven't had the motivation to photograph our meals.  Blame it on my ancient camera, blame it on poor nighttime lighting, blame it on what you will.  Got any motivation for me in that department?  :)

Drinking . . . 

Tea.  Cups and cups of tea.  Mostly herbal.  Did I mention I quit coffee this fall?  And it stuck.  I have a cup every now and then, (usually when John makes it on the weekends and has a surplus half-cup,) but mostly stick to black tea.  I have about a half-box of black tea left, then I wean further off the caffeine onto green tea, where I think I will hold steady for quite a while.

(The fact that it's freezing in my office has only contributed to my increased tea consumption.)

(Did I mention I took a new job this fall?  I don't think I did -- I've been working at a nonprofit in Minneapolis as an "Early Childhood Specialist" since mid-August, and I love it!  I'm out of the classroom, but still using my training and education to benefit high-needs children and their families.  I largely do home visits, during which I work with parents to complete developmental screenings on their children, and I also facilitate parenting groups!  It's awesome.)

Listening to . . . 

Classical MPR, The Current, and the Saturday morning bluegrass show on Jazz 88.  I really enjoy classical music in the kitchen.  What do you like to listen to while you are cooking?

Planning . . . 

An upcoming trip to Seattle for work!  I will be in training the majority of the time I am there, but I will also have the opportunity to see a friend of mine who moved there a year and a half ago, and hopefully meet a long-time blog friend, too!  I haven't flown in years, and I'm kind of excited about this!  Woo-hoo!

Looking forward to . . . 

Feeling healthier in the coming months.  I have only been cleaning up my diet for a few weeks now, and I can already feel a difference.  I have also been making more of an effort to fit in exercise, and am thrilled that I found a low-cost yoga class across the street from my apartment twice a week!  Yoga is amazingly powerful for me, (strength training and flexibility in one, plus a healthy dose of meditation/spirituality,) but I have zero motivation towards a home practice.  I am also excited that a group of friends and I have returned to our weekly walk tradition.  Being an introvert who is a socially-motivated exerciser is kind of weird, but it works for me!  Anyone else need that buddy or class to exercise?

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So, what have you been up to?

Lately I've Been . . .

Watching . . . 

BBC's "Planet Earth" series.  We've finished two discs so far, about six episodes total, with many more to go.  (Good thing I spread them out in my Netflix cue!)  We have been enjoying them, both for pretty pictures and learning opportunities, and sometimes an excuse to take a nap on the couch.  :)  We tend to enjoy the "making of" spots at the end of the episodes more than the actual episodes.

Eating . . . 

Magic Kale Salad with tempeh bacon

And Buttermilk French Toast

Planning . . . 

On taking better care of myself this spring.  I've been lucky in the past, having lots of walking naturally incorporated into my daily routine.  With this new job I started in October, not so much.  :(  I'm scheduling weekly walks with a small group of friends, and also hoping to slowly reintroduce yoga into my week.  I'd like to work my way up to three times a week!

Reading . . .

Either the Harry Potter series start to finish, or the Anne of Green Gables series start to finish.  I need a brain break and some de-stressing!  Which series should I read first?

Inspired By . . . 

People who cloth diaper their babies.  I fully plan to cloth diaper my own children someday, whenever that may arrive, but lately, we've generated a LOT of laundry, just the two of us.  I couldn't imagine laundry for a family, PLUS diapers every few days!  Wow.  Major props to those of you out there who manage to stay on top of that.  :)

Excited About . . . 

Our garden!!!!!!!!  Seriously, it's worth that many exclamation points.  The snow is finally, finally, FINALLY starting to melt!  We're getting some spring things started inside, and hoping to till in a bunch of compost in a couple of weeks.  Fingers crossed!

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So, what have you been up to?

Lately I've been ...

Watching . . .
Nothing, believe it or not! We moved last weekend, and still haven't had a chance to fully unpack. The TV's buried there, somewhere ...!

Eating . . .
Toast, pizza, and Amy's microwaveable meals. Oh, and some fruit. :) Can't wait to find my kitchen this weekend!

Planning . . .
Our garden! We are working on a massive expansion this year, which may include a few small CSA shares for friends/family. We discovered this amazing program online that has made mapping and planning so simple! We ordered our plants from our farmer friend last week ... now all we wait for is the snow to melt!

Reading . . .
Martha Stewart's recent special publication on "Cakes and Cupcakes." Most are WAY out of my league, but John has his eye on a giant chocolate chip cookie cake for his birthday next weekend! We'll see what I can do about that. ;)

Inspired By . . .
People with more patience than I. Truthfully, I haven't been feeling very inspired lately, what with the stress of moving. Throw in a case of strep, and I'm pretty much maxed out! Soon, I hope to be back to my old self.

Excited About . . .
Finally getting settled into "home" with my husband!

So tell me, what have you been up to?

Lately I've been . . .

Watching . . .
"Stranger than Fiction."  While John and I don't watch TV, we do enjoy a movie occasionally, often over the weekend.  Blockbuster's within walking distance of the apartment, and this was John's pick this week.  Cute.  Loved Maggie Gyllenhaal and Emma Thompson.

Eating . . . 

Homemade apple crisp . . .

Tofu Steak with Miso and Ginger, carrots glazed with honey and lemon, and brown rice . . .

Whole-wheat spaghetti with homemade mushroom marinara and Nate's Meatless Meatballs . . .

Planning . . . 
On moving in a couple of weeks!  John and I decided until after our wedding to "officially" move in together, as we had so much else to do to get ready for the wedding.  So, in a couple of weeks, I'll be calling Saint Paul home.

Reading . . . 
The latest issue of Mother Earth News.  We just started subscribing to this magazine, and seriously, it's like someone went inside my head, tallied up all of the things I'm interested in, and wrote a magazine about them.  Lucky me!

Inspired By . . . 
Three-year-olds.  They drive me completely bonkers most days, but then they say things like, "Teacher Catherine, I missed you when you were on your moneymoon."

Excited About . . . 
Our garden this summer.  We're going to till up the whole backyard and grow as much food as we can! I'm going to get heavily into preserving this year -- canning and freezing for sure, and maybe some drying.  Those of you that grow a lot of your own food, what would you recommend?

So tell me, what have you been up to?