T.I.L.L. In April

Things I'm Loving Lately

T.I.L.L. is a (newish) monthly post where I shared Things I’m Loving Lately. It’s a short and sweet list of what’s bringing me joy, making me more efficient, or generally adding glimmers of vitality to life.

April went by in a happy blur. This is a transitional time of year for us; winter is over and we’re getting out and doing more things, but without the crazy rush of summer yet upon us. The weather in southern Virginia was unseasonably warm this month, but my flowers and garden vegetables are loving it. Fleurie is three months old now, and while there have been some truly challenging moments this month, there has also been an abundance of delight as I see her learning so quickly new skills like grasping objects, giggling, holding her head up, and going to sleep without kicking and screaming the whole way to slumber. :) It’s a special, once-in-a-lifetime season, and I am trying to be present for every bit of it — the hard and the good.

Here are five things I loved this month.

1. This recipe for honey-garlic glazed salmon. In the interest of healthy dietary choices, Tim and I recently went a bit overkill on stocking our freezer with salmon. We ate it grilled in copious quantities and, as is often the case with too much of a good thing, got sick of it. The issue remains, though, of what to do with all the salmon filets still stuffed in the freezer. I thought maybe cooking it with a totally different flavor profile would help, and found this recipe on a blog post called “60 recipes to convince you salmon is the best fish”, or something like that. Well, I’m sold. Tim and I LOVED this version. It has a sweet, slightly sticky texture and when eaten over cilantro and lime flavored rice is <chefs kiss>. 10/10, will make again.

2. The book Where’d You Go Bernadette?. I was late to the party on this one, but it was a solid 5-star read for me. I loved the format of the story, which is told through newspaper clippings, email exchanges, and police reports that have been gathered as evidence by our narrator, 15-year-old Bee who is trying to solve the disappearance of her mom, Bernadette. The eclectic, free-spirited, visionary character of Bernadette made me laugh so hard, and I was moved by the arc of what to do when creative endeavors fail and our disappointments leave us teetering resentfully on the edge of self-pity that harms others as well as ourselves. The ending was beautiful and hopeful. I’ll read this book again. I see it’s also been made into a movie. Should I watch it?

   

3. These two sets of blue & white dishes (above). Last Saturday, Tim kept Fleurie so I could have some solo time at a local thrift store that I love. It was amazing: two hours to browse at whatever pace I wanted??? Bliss. I was ecstatic with my finds of the day: a huge wicker hamper for $5, a vintage Richard Scarry Puzzletown, a whole stack of books, and the real winner, these lovely blue and white dishes. I’ve been keeping one eye open for some like this for a while now! I love blue on white ceramic; it feels so fresh and timeless to me. These feel perfect for a spring brunch…set on a table spread with my new tan gingham tablecloth. Who wants to come?!

4. This view.👇🏼 For the first time, the flower bed in front of our garage is THRIVING. It was almost bare coming into the spring, but we planted a bunch of perennials and shrubs and it is looking absolutely splendid now. A friend gifted me a David Austen rose several years ago and it hasn’t done much of anything until this spring when I aggressively pruned it; now it is loaded with hot pink buds; the first one bloomed today! The patio peach tree (on the right) is loaded with fruit, and the lupines are going to town. I smile every time I drive past and see this once sad and empty patch now alive and vibrant!

   

5. My daily cold plunge. Is “love” too strong a word? You might recall that I set a goal to cold plunge every day in April. I came very close to succeeding, but had to miss a few days for extenuating circumstances. I’m making them up in May, and anticipate that I’ll be keeping up this habit for the foreseeable future. Cold plunging is uncomfortable, sure, but the discomfort is very short-lived compared to the benefits. For me, that’s been better sleep, relief from muscle aches, and increased energy, especially when I cold plunge in the afternoon, when I am usually my most tired.

April was a good month. If I could add a 6th Thing I’m Loving Lately, it would be to hear your own April T.I.L.L. What’s saved your life this month? Kept your afloat? Made you smile? Left a impression? Please do share!

As always, thanks for reading. See you next time?

✿ R S