We are just about to wrap up January!
This month has felt so incredibly long to me, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that feeling. I hope the new year is off to a wonderful start for you so far!
There have been some great things and some not-so-good things that have already happened this year for me, but I am grateful for all the things nonetheless! As I’m writing this, I’m waiting on a replacement from Amazon for one of Kyle’s Christmas gifts and sipping an iced capp from Tim Hortons.
It’s a good day! 🙂
There’s not a ton to share this month, but still excited to share all the things with you and can’t wait to hear how your January has went so far too!
What I’ve Been Watching
I enjoy curling up in my chair in the evenings trying to find something good to watch before bed. I like a little bit of everything, whether it’s romance, comedy, true crime, action, documentaries, animated movies, news, etc.
College Football
Somehow I ended up watching almost every single football game all the way through the National Championship – which we (Ohio State) won! So yay! Of course anyone who knows me also knows that I watched the primetime games only up to my bedtime, which means I didn’t make it through the first half usually, haha!
I’m really not into it that much (unlike my husband who likes to yell at the tv, haha!), but it was really fun watching it with him and having some yummy food to go along with it. That’s probably my favorite part, which is no surprise!
P.S. I promise I was rooting for your bulldogs except for the game against OSU, Lindsay! I thought of you each time they were playing!
Gladiator II
Kyle is a big fan of Denzel Washington so we watch all of his movies. I like him too! Sadly, this wasn’t the best movie. The original Gladiator with Russel Crowe was really interesting, but this one really fell flat. It does a good job of continuing the story from that point and making a connection though. I don’t want to spoil anything – let me know what you think if you’ve watched it!
NCIS: Origins
I grew up watching NCIS and will always love Gibbs! This show is a prequel and explores his story, which they really didn’t go into much at all in the regular NCIS show. It’s been on such a hiatus but finally came back on this week, so I’m excited to catch up on that episode. I think they have a really good cast for this one, and it’s so neat that Mark Harmon is a part of the show and does some voice over for pieces of it.
Star Wars Skeleton Crew
Carrie will giggle at this one for sure! I really enjoyed this Star Wars show, even though I was hoping for a different piece of the storyline! Jude Law adds some star power to this one and did a really good job at making me mad, haha. He should be nicer to children! I’m excited to get back to The Mandalorian whenever Disney gets that together!
Billy Wagner Pre-Trial Hearings
You know I’m always following a trial of some sort! I’ve been keeping up with the Pike county massacre ever since it happened. I live in the same county and it’s absolutely tragic. Three of the four family members responsible for the deaths of eight people of the Rhoden family have been sentenced, and the dad is the last one of the Wagner family up for trial now. It looks like they’re going to move this trial out of our county, unlike the other trial for George Wagner, but no solid place or date set for now. There is a new judge over this trial and goodness, he is one tough cookie! He is super rude and it seems he has it out for the prosecution already, so we will see how this one plays out.
Latest Happenings
Some of the things that happened this month!
Buckeye Fun
I mentioned above that we watched the National College Football Championship. These are the goodies I bought earlier that day to celebrate!
I love pizza and usually just get cheese. Kyle loves double pepperoni always! These iced sugar cookies were so yummy. I’m already dreaming of some Valentine’s Day sugar cookies!
Semi-Annual Jewelry Inspection
Every January and July, it’s time to do our jewelry inspection at Kay’s so our warranty stays up to date. My parents and I always do it together and usually grab something for lunch while we’re out. We went to Texas Roadhouse and it was delish! I usually get their grilled herb chicken breast or their grilled pork chop (what I got this time). The pork chop comes with this peppercorn sauce you dip it in and it’s the best! Of course the rolls are always perfect too. Do you have a Texas Roadhouse nearby?
P.S. My ring always looks so shiny after they clean it!
Healthier Meals
I am trying to incorporate healthier meals and ones that will last a little while throughout the week. I’m going to make some cabbage detox soup soon this morning, and I just made two batches of big mac casserole (it’s keto friendly if you’re on that diet!) because a very dear friend of ours requested it. Kyle said this one turned out way better than the one I made late last year (pictured above – I forgot to take photos this time!).
What I’m Working On
I like to pick goals for the house, here on the blog, and just things in general that I can break down over time so they don’t feel as heavy or overwhelming.
January Down Dog Yoga Challenge
I’ve started off this year with trying to be as intentionally goal-oriented as possible! My first of twelve monthly challenges was the Down Dog yoga challenge. I’m writing this on the 30th, but you’ll see this tomorrow and I will have officially done yoga every single day this month! Yay! There have been plenty of times that I wished I didn’t have to do it, grumbled through it even, and sometimes I’ve done it at my mom’s on days I was taking her to an appointment or running errands. I’m proud of myself for staying dedicated!
Growing Our Community!
I mentioned this in my goals for 2025 post last week so this may sound familiar! I am trying to get into a steady blog routine again. You may have noticed on my Instagram/Facebook that I’ve been doing a Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule. I’m continuing my alternating of quotes and photos, and I did a little bio update as well. I’m not totally sure I’m happy with the bio just yet, but I will keep working at it!
If you don’t already follow me on my socials, I would love it so much if you could hop over and check those out! I’m more than happy to give you a follow back if you also have a blog/public social! If there’s anything you’d love to see on my social accounts or here on the blog, please let me know!
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | LTK | YouTube
What I’m Excited About
There is almost always something magical to get excited about, no matter how ordinary it may seem at first!
Valentine’s Day Decor
Are you loving all the bows as much as I am? They’re so pretty and perfect to carry into Valentine’s Day! I have been enjoying all the decor being shared and I think I’m going to put together a few of my favorite things and share them with you here in a gift guide, or maybe in an LTK post.
Onyx Storm
The Fourth Wing was absolutely incredible and while it took me until maybe the second half of it, I loved Iron Flame also. I actually JUST got the Libby notification for the audiobook that it was my turn yesterday, so I’m excited to start it! I usually prefer to read books like this versus listening to them, but I’m going to try it because the list was shorter for the audiobook versus the readable version. Wish me luck! Have you read any of these books?
February’s Monthly Challenge
I’m choosing a different challenge for each month this year since I really want to stay focused on my goals! For February, I’m going to walk/run a mile each day. I’m not sure if I think this will be harder than my daily yoga in January, but I think it makes sense to get my body walking and running more to prepare for my 5K in May!
That’s a wrap on all the things this month, sweet friends! I hope you enjoyed this little recap post today and I can’t wait to start February with you tomorrow!
Ha, ha! I had to chuckle when you said you even did the yoga at your mom’s a few times. You were dedicated! I do think you’ll really enjoy the walking/running, but seriously do it first thing when you wake up!! That way you get it done early and nothing else will get in the way. That is the only way I stay consistent! We have totally different tastes I think in shows, HA! HA!! 🙂 I still can’t decide in I want to read/listen to Onyx Storm. Loved the other two books, tho… but, it is SO SO long. I just wish they’d come out with a movie at this point. Ha ha!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Yes, I will absolutely take your advice on the first thing run/walk!! I noticed the days where I let my yoga go towards the afternoon, I was *this* close to not doing it at all! Ha ha, I knew you’d get a kick out of the Star Wars show! I think you’ll end up reading Onyx Storm soon!! I’d much rather read it than do the audio version, but I’m also interested in seeing what’s happening with the storyline this time, haha. Yes to a movie – we need one!!
Thanks for sharing lovely!
Danielle Writes | danielle-writes.co.uk
Aww, you are so welcome Danielle and thank you for being here!! 🙂
There’s nothing like a sparkling diamond after a good cleaning- the way the light hits it!
Love how you’re getting after your 2025 goals! One of mine was to incorporate some mobility stretching, and I (like Carrie!) find it best if I do it as one of the first things in the morning!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
It is always the best sparkle!! And thank you so so much, I appreciate it tons and that is fantastic advice – I took it this morning when I started my run/walk one mile on the treadmill this morning! Did it as soon as I got out of bed!
I just started hearing about The Fourth Wing so I think I need to get the first book and see what it is all about!
Oh, it is so good Laura! Honestly it’s not the type of book I’d usually go for, but I promise it’s absolutely worth it and you’ll be hooked!
I love picking goals for each month. But i must say sometimes it’s hard to keep up. Love the healthy eating. I also love Valentine decor and creating a Valentine recipe.
Annie,
Annies Food Diary
All the Valentine’s goodies are so fun and pretty! I always love seeing your recipes my dear friend! Yes, you are so right about the monthly goals – life happens and it makes it difficult to keep up some days. I think that’s why I chose just one main goal to focus on per month and I’m sort of sprinkling my mini goals in there. I think as long as we do the best we can, that’s more than good enough. 🙂
I don’t know any of those shows! You don’t like doing a downward dog? It’s a great stretch to do!
Jennifer
https://curatedbyjennifer.com
You always have the best shows though with your dizis!! I seriously need to try one of those sometime! I really don’t mind the downward dog pose, I think I got a lot more flexible with it and can lift both legs higher each time now that I’ve done it for a month, but it was kind of difficult for me to get used to, haha! I agree with you, it really does stretch the muscles! I think I’m going to try to do yoga still a couple times per week maybe this month!
I’ve heard that Onyx Storm is really good. It’s on my library list. That Big Mac Casserole sounds yummy! Congrats on your yoga challenge, and good luck on your February challenge!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I’m listening to it now and it is off to a great start – I hope you’ll love the book when you get it! 🙂 Thank you SO much my dear friend and a huge congratulations to you on your yoga challenge too, and on your February goals – you’ll do fantastic!!
Congrats on completing the yoga challenge. I really love that you’re doing a new challenge each month! That’s an awesome idea and a good way to keep yourself accountable! I have two nephews obsessed with college football, and I drive to the US to watch the games a couple of times a year. It sounds so much fun! Good luck with your February challenge. I’m trying to do more walking, but I’m not a fan of winter, so it’s hard to get motivated, haha. It was nice to catch up with this post; I hope you have an amazing weekend! 🙂
Martha
Such a great round-up. Congratulations on completing your yoga challenge.
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
PS That pizza looks so delicious!
Such a great recap. The Night Watcher is a good series I highly recommend it. That food looked amazing 🙂 https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2025/02/7-reasons-coach-empire-carryall-bag-is.html