Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite things from the past few months! Read to the end for a quick note on what I’ve been up to and thinking about these days 🙂
And as always, feel free to share some of your favorite things in the comments below!
Please note that some links are affiliate links which means I may get a cut if you order something, but don’t worry, I only post stuff that I actually use and like.
Bethany’s Best
Books
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
This graphic novel has been just as much fun for me as it has been for my just-turned-seven year old! We’ve read through the first three books in the series together and it’s been a fantastic mix of humor, action, and sleuthing. With all the catchy visual aspects of a graphic novel this is a great read for both reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike.
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
I’m pretty sure anything by Brandon Sanderson is worth reading and this is no exception! I love that the magic system in this world involves the use of color, that’s not something I’ve seen a lot of… and I’ve read a lot of fantasy. 😉
Music
Bollywood
I’ve been listening to Bollywood dance music when cooking or doing various things around the house and the energy and emotion is all just so great. Next on my list is to actually *watch* more Bollywood films so if you have any recommendations, please share them below!
Happy by Pharrell Williams
This song is one my my kids go-to favorites and one I certainly don’t mind singing along with! Sometimes some good cheery music is just what you need. Check out the video featuring the Minions, too!
Movies
Iron Man 3
So yes, I’m behind the times on Marvel movies. But I really enjoyed both the action-movie aspect of Iron Man 3 (I’m a sucker for watching action movies) as well as the mental health aspect to the story. Mental health issues don’t always get much screen time so I appreciated that being included in the film.
Food
Grilled Corn on the Cob – Kitchn
So I had no idea it was this easy to grill corn! I could throw it on the grill along with some burgers and make everything at the same time. This has been a summer favorite for sure.
Classic Dinner Rolls – All Recipes
These rolls are pretty simple, don’t take all day, and go with everything! They may be my go-to recipe as we head into soup season. (Speaking of which, if you have any soup recommendations definitely share them below!)
Play
Hopscotch Rug
We do a lot of chalk-drawn hopscotch outside but this rug has been a favorite way to bring that play inside on rainy days!
Set Card Game
This classic is great for a variety of ages and number of players, and it’s good (fun!) practice for teaching kids about patterns and categorization.
A little note from Bethany 🙂
It’s been a whirlwind summer here with lots of playground visits, a camping trip, and then a family move! Yup, half my life is still in boxes 😉
Moving has actually been a really great prompt to think through routines and what is (or isn’t!) working well and evaluating what is really important. Goals and priorities get reexamined. I’m still mulling over some of these thoughts and it feels healthy and good to take that time to settle in, review what matters, and set up my next steps.
Sometimes I’m hesitant about disrupting my routines even if those routines aren’t ideal.
But soul-searching doesn’t mean inactivity- in fact I think sometimes taking a break to re-calibrate can be vital to staying healthy and to ensure our projects match up with our core values and goals.
So I’m taking some deep breaths and gearing up for jumping back into my projects as fall hits. If you’re needing a break these days, feel free to join me! Sometimes I need to remind myself that hitting pause now and then isn’t a bad thing but instead can be just another way of moving forward.
Take care, friends, and be well!
Bethany
PS: A few more of my favorite things: my window plant (miraculously still alive!) and ceramic fox were some of the first objects to be moved to the new house. 🙂
