Spring Bucket List Recap (Complete)

Hello friends. For those that are aware of everything health related going on with me you will know that I made a simplified bucket list for the spring with the goal of enjoying the list before June 21st. My surgery is this Monday! I will be honest I am beginning to get super anxious about it. Before I share my list and what all I did.... if you have had a hysterectomy and have any recovery tips and things that made the recovery better, I would love for you to share.

Without further ado...

Here are some pictures of how I enjoyed my list. It for sure isn't my normal list. I am used to hiking, waterfalls and adventure. Even so, I really enjoyed this slower paced list and found joy in the simple and slower pace in this season of my life. 

The first thing on my list was to make a summer reading list. I thought this would be fun to research, plan and have a good stack of books before surgery that I could have ready and on hand while I recover. I am glad I did this and it was fun watching and reading reviews and making my list. I share my list with you all yesterday. You can check that post here. 

The new spring recipe I tried was Carrie's from Northwoods Scrapbook Blog Homemade Twix bars. They were amazing.

I did a little breakfast picnic with bible reading and journaling when I went to visit a new to me state park which was also on my list. While it wasn't the picnic I envisioned it worked and it was perfect. 

I also got to enjoy an indoor themed picnic for our church ladies summer gathering.

For my one of my fun outings (my goal was one, but I did a few more) I went to a unique fun produce stand. 

My daughter took me out yesterday (Thursday) on her lunch break from work to treat me to a pedicure for my birthday next week and before surgery. We just had time for the pedicure due to her timed lunch break, but I was so thankful to have some time with her. 

I made a fun drink this spring. I did enjoy it and I shared the recipe when I shared about it on this post. 

I finished the first part of the Original Anne of Green Gables. I will complete the LONG series during recovery, but I wanted to watch the first part and I did. :) I always enjoy Anne of Green Gables. My husband joined in with me and enjoyed it so much. He had never watched it.

Spring puzzle was accomplished. It was a little bit of a challenge, but it was a pretty puzzle. 

I was happy to check off visiting a "new to me" state park in Mississippi. About three years ago I set a goal to visit every state park before I turn 50. My goal was to hike at them but unfortunately in our state the trails are not always maintained, and some do not even make it a priority to have any trails at all. Lakes and fishing are a bigger deal. This park didn't have a trail (which even if they had I couldn't have physically hiked) so I enjoyed a breakfast picnic, journaling, driving through the park, walking on the lake pier and sitting in the sun for a bit. I did enjoy this park but probably would not make the drive again to it.

I read these two books. I read more this spring, but when I simplified my list, I wanted to read two more before the end of spring. These are the two I read. They were good then until they started having a little language in the last book. I just thought it was pointless due to the nature and setting of the book. There was no need.  I probably will not finish the series. I did really enjoy them though. The are the Black Feather Mystery of her series. Cozy and sometimes comical simple mysteries. 

For my childlike fun moment.... I walked in the rain and puddles. I loved doing that as a child. My mom would let us play in the rain as long as it wasn't thundering, lightening or cold. I walked in the light drizzle and kicked around in the puddles. It was highly worth it and I believe that while I may look like I was crazy to my neighbors I am the one that was beaming with joy at the end of the day. I can't explain it; it was quite joyful and freeing. 

I finished this wonderful Bible study that I wanted to complete this spring last week. I really needed it and loved it a lot. It is from Daily Grace Co.

I also completed this short BUT MIGHTY POWERFUL booklet (devo) from Revive Our Hearts. It was fantastic and carried me through this rough patch I have been going through. 

My last item on my list was to bring someone JOY! Every bucket list I make seasonally I like to do a Random Acts of Kindness/Bring Someone JOY! I don't usually share what I do because I kind of like keeping it to myself. Sometimes I may share an idea or something I do to inspire or give fresh ideas for others to apply. I will keep private this time what I did, BUT I did several things to bring joy to others. I enjoy doing so. Sometimes it is micro mini things and sometimes it's bigger more meaningful life changing things. :) I would encourage that you listen to your gut, heart and follow the spirit if you feel led to help someone or even send someone a little card or text of encouragement. :) 

Thank you for coming along with me as I share my Spring Bucket List Recap!  

Summer List will come soon!

Blessings, 

Chrissy T

Summer to Be Read List (Simplified)

Hello everyone! One of my spring bucket list goals was to make a Summer to Be Read List and purchase or collect the books before June 22nd. Here are the ones I have settled on for now. I actually have a few more books I plan to read but I will start with these because these books I own or can get access to easily. Also, have a I higher desire to read these books first.

🌞Here are the top choices for this Summer. I am currently reading Lies Women Believe. I am sure you have seen a little snapshot of it here and there this month. It is a read I am taking slow so I know that it will be something read over the summer as well.

This is the newer edition of Susan Branch, The Summer Book. I just love the artwork, recipes and the summer feel it gives. 

This is a collection of many short stories in one book. I love books like this. I think it keeps it interesting and will be easier for me to focus on due to my recovery from surgery.

Same as above this book is a collection of wonderful short stories or snippets from other stories from several different authors.

This book was recommended by a book youtuber that I follow that I "usually" appreciate her taste in books. 

A little overview...

"Mrs England follows Ruby May, a newly qualified Norland nurse in 1904 West Yorkshire, who joins the remote Hardcastle House to care for the England children. As their father charms and their mother withdraws, unsettling incidents and an air of isolation stir doubts—and Ruby’s own past shadows her every move."

I am excited about this book. It is a smaller book which will be perfect for me to soak in.

I think it will be a reminder of the importance of Words. 

Here is an overview of this book...

"Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? distills Dr Julie Smith’s years as a psychologist into quick-access strategies for handling life’s emotional hurdles. In concise, practical sections, it offers tools to manage anxiety, lift low mood, build confidence, find motivation, and respond constructively to setbacks."

I purchased this book back in the fall when my eldest son and I went to a neat bookstore. I never read it. I decided to put this on the list for this summer to be read. :) 

Overview...

"Shady Hollow opens on a tranquil woodland village where animals live side by side—until the body of a bad-tempered toad surfaces in the millpond. Newcomer fox reporter Vera Vixen dives into the investigation, unearthing hidden dangers and town secrets that some will go to any length to protect."

I saw this book on a fellow blogger's blog that she wrote. I have purchased & downloaded the book to my kindle. I am looking forward to reading a fellow blogger's book. 

Please go check out Debbie's lovely blog here. Say hello!

Dianna at Joyful in His Presence blog shared a post on this book and I knew I wanted to read it. 

Check out her thoughts and what it is about here on her blog. Say hello!

While this isn't a long list, I wanted to set myself up realistically due to my surgery and recovery. I do not know how that will truly pan out and so I knew I would feel better keeping things light and simple this summer. As the summer goes and my healing takes place, I am sure more books will be added. I also want to practice really SAVORING a book. I am tired of rushing through books and not really slowing down to soak them in. 

Now, this list does NOT include my Bible Studies and some of my private personal growth books. I also read several short devotions daily all the time. I plan to do another Bible Study by Daily Grace Company on 1 Peter for the Summer. I also have several short devotions as well planned.

I may share a separate post on my Bible Study and devotion plan for the summer but for now here are my books! :) 

Do you have any fun books you plan to read this summer? 🌞

Blessings,

Chrissy T

Just a Little Indoor "Picnic" & Making a Blogger Friend's Recipe

Hello friends! Most of you know I am a Pastor's Wife of a "growing" church plant that is only seven years old. We do a bi-monthly or quarterly connect night for the ladies in the church as well as any friends they would like to invite. I honestly, cannot take credit at all for this event because of my current health (I am usually very hands on) but our lovely ladies event organizer along with some new church members jumped in and made the Summer Ladies Connect super special. I always share our themed fun nights here on my blog because some of you love seeing the special events. 

The theme was Indoor Picnic! It was so nice!!!! We had sandwiches, salads and desserts. We played some wonderful ice breaker games and had a sweet devotion from our Ladies Leader on Finding Joy in the Little Things and Pausing to Do So. 

Aren't these mini baskets they cutest??? They were our "happy" take home.

Our church is not big nor fancy! Again, we are only 7 years old. We actually rent buildings that we have set up and remodeled to work as a church set up. We do have to improvise quite a lot, but we make it work and everyone makes the best of it. 

We do fun door prizes, so the basket above had a lot of door prize goodies!!

I wasn't feeling well AT ALL! I had a set back with my "issue" and I had to rest all Saturday and most of Sunday to be able to attend. I just wasn't feeling like making sandwiches or salads. Really only because I didn't have the ingredients, but I do keep these little party seasoning cracker packets on hand for situations like this. I had a box of crackers, so I whipped these up. Took literally no time. They were a hit and I had hardly any to bring home.

I had bought ingredients to make Carrie's of Northwoods Scrapbook Blog recipe she shared for Homemade Twix Bars a few weeks back. I remembered I had the ingredients and decided to make them for the event. The original plan was to make them for my family but hey they got a few pieces. 

I CANNOT take credit for THIS DELICIOUS and DECADENT treat. Please visit my friend, Carrie's blog for the recipe here. Say hello as well!

This was pretty simple to make but was a wonderful treat. They were a HIT!! The ladies loved them, my family and myself!!!!

This is the result of piece my husband took before I left. LOL!!! Well, he said the Pastor, needed to taste test and approve. LOL! 

After I took this picture, I looked back, and even more was gone. LOL! 

It was a special and lovely evening. I was truly not feeling super but I was so glad I did get to go and have some special time and laughter before my surgery that is in a week from today. I know I will treasure this evening for the next few weeks as I will be limited getting out. 

As always thank you for visiting and commenting. I appreciate you all so very much!

With Love,

Chrissy T

Just a little Outing

My fun outing this month to mark off my Spring Bucket List was to head to Donna's Produce.  We have a very popular Produce Stand in our area. It is about a 30-minute drive. It has flowers, garden decor, a boutique indoors, all the produce, jams, jellies, fermented foods, boiled peanuts that you would want and homemade ice cream.

My husband had a rare day off and we had some lunch at Applebee's and headed to the produce stand. It has been ages since we went. I used to go every fall to get pumpkins and corn stalk to decorate our front entry. I no longer do that, so we haven't been a long time. 

We really just browsed around and looked at things. We ended up getting two tomatoes for tomato sandwiches this week, two bags of boiled peanuts for him and our youngest son (I am allergic to nuts) and we enjoyed a scoop of ice cream. 

I was on the lookout for some lavender, but they didn't have any. I was also looking for a bird feeder hanger, but I found them to be pretty expensive compared to other places. 

I thought this birdhouse made out of birdseed was so amazing. UNTIL I seen it cost $60.00 (US Dollars) Uh, no ma'am. I mean talented but nope. It stayed there. 

They had such beautiful windchimes. I loved this one so much. Once, again it was $60 so nope. :) 

I did enjoy looking at the gardening section. Everything was so pretty. It was nice to take a walk through and get ideas.

I do not use yard decor, but I did enjoy the sasquatch trio being an avid hiker! 

We were getting pretty toasty because it was 96 degrees outside this day. We headed inside to the little boutique to look around and get some amazing ice cream.

I get the same ice cream every single time I come because I have never had anything like it. I chose a mini kids cup today because I was still full from our lunch, but I just had to have some. I actually didn't finish it. My favorite is Blueberry Cheesecake ice cream. My husband got a cone with Black Walnut. 

It was nice little outing. Do you like produce stands? I normally do. I love this place but as I mentioned it has been a long time since I had been here and I was truly flabbergasted at the prices. Even the produce seemed extremely high. I think I will stick to more small produce stands locally and our local grocery store. We will visit again as always maybe during the fall months. :) It really is just a neat place to get ice cream, poke around and get a few things. 

I hope you have a good start of your week ahead!

Chrissy T