Currently

Reading ... in the Bible I'm making my way through Matthew while still tucking in a few Psalms every day as well.

In other books I finished Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë a few days ago. I've been trying to read more classics this year and this one has been on my want to read list for years already. I ended up really, really disliking it, but somehow managed to read the entire book.

The characters were miserable, unlikable, and in the end had no redeeming qualities. I'm confused how it's viewed as a beloved love story. 

Writing ... a few letters, a smattering of text messages, some journaling, and editing and polishing up a first draft.

Watching ... The Boy in Striped Pajamas. Steven's history curriculum suggested we read the book and when I went to request it from the library and saw there is also a movie based on the book I decided to get both. 

I liked the book better, but the movie was good too. We watched it as a family and it had all of us reaching for tissues.

Listening ... to some instrumental music. I'm finding it a nice background noise as I write and go about my day.

Baking ... I haven't baked anything recently other than sweet potatoes. 

Sharon sent me a recipe today for some filled bread/rolls along with the plea that I make them. 

I'll have to see if I can figure it all out tomorrow. It's in a different language which makes it a bit more challenging.

Cooking ... tonight I made our favorite fried chicken once again. It's been close to a year since the last time I had made it so was a treat for all of us.

Feeling ... sleepy, but at the same time already eager for tomorrow. I love mornings and new days.

Disliking ... distracted drivers. We were driving along with the flow of traffic, which was heavy, when all of a sudden someone who wasn't paying attention to the road drove right into the back of us. 

Thankfully we are all okay. The only lingering thing is the uneasiness I feel when ever another vehicle gets a little too close for comfort.

Loving ... grandchildren. They are a delight and I love it whenever we get to spend time together.

Playing ... most recently a memory game with our grandson. It was the best of times. He was concerned I didn't have as many matching sets as he did. He started splitting his sets every time he made a match so that we can both have a card.

It completely melted my heart. 

Cleaning ... I need to wash a few windows and spray some spider deterrent. I had run out of the spray earlier this year before I got all of the windows done and the windows that didn't receive the treatment have spiders wanting to hang out there. 

It's time to remedy that.

Currently

Reading ...  in the Bible I needed some Psalms to start my day.

In other books, my most recent one was Bridge to Terabithia. It's one that we've had for years, but I had never read.

Yes, it's a children's book, but I was a sobbing mess by the time I got through it. I had gone into it with zero expectations, but it is now one of those books that has left a permanent mark on me. How had I never read it before?

Writing ... lesson plans for our new school year that we're kicking off next week. Text messages. Lists. And that's basically it.

Listening ... to the sound of the dryer as it is drying the third load of laundry of the day. It drowns out most other sounds other than the occasional passing vehicle.

Baking ... I want to bake apple and peach pie later on. I need to get apples first when I go on our grocery run later today.

Cooking ... on the menu, Comfort Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Salad, Dinner Rolls, and then the aforementioned pie for dessert.

Feeling ... a little bit drained, thanks to still not being quite back to a hundred after reading Bridge to Terabithia.

Disliking ... bugs splattering on the windshield when I drive, 

Loving ... that I have a windshield to protect me from being splatted by those bugs.

Playing ... most recently a Bible Trivia game and UNO No Mercy.

Cleaning ... I really need to tackle the basement. We got it dried out after it flooded, but it's still dirty because of what the floodwaters left behind.

Currently

Reading ... in the Bible, 1 John. So encouraging!

In other books my most recent read was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It's a book I've kept hearing about for years already and I kept thinking I want to read it someday.  That "someday" happened to be this week. 

It wasn't quite what I expected, but I was enjoying it quite a bit. This evening LV and Steven went fishing, Sharon was grabbing some work after classes, and with the house empty and quiet I decided to settle in and read the remaining 25% of the book. I had heard from some of my reader friends how they had to cry when reading this book, but I was starting to think there must be something wrong with me because though I was touched multiple times, nothing was inducing tears ... until it was. I don't remember the last time I cried this much while reading a book.

I still haven't fully recovered. 

Our home library has only books we truly love, and I think I just found the next book I need to add to it.

Writing ... menu plans, lists, and some letters.

Watching ... Steven and I have been watching an episode of Storage Wars after lunch for the past week or so. 

Listening ... to the birds singing. We have quite a variety of birds that hang out in the trees around the house, and they sing most beautifully. I especially like listening to them in the mornings when their songs seem to be at their sweetest.

Baking ... most recently I made a Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake on request for a birthday. It turned out fabulous. There's still a small piece in the refrigerator waiting to be enjoyed. Cheesecake isn't my favorite dessert, and I also never crave peanut butter in desserts, but somehow I still thought this is really good.

Cooking ... Eggplant Parmesan, Meatballs with an Orange Mustard Sauce, and a simple salad.

Feeling ... there's this sense of happy hopefulness. Like there's something good waiting just around the corner of life and I'm just waiting to see what it might be.

Disliking ... mud. I'm very thankful for all the rain we got, but mud is another story. Steven came in completely spattered in mud earlier today so some pre-rinsing of clothes needs to happen before I do the laundry.

Loving ... the beautiful spring weather we're having.

Playing ... today Steven and I played several rounds of Dutch Blitz. I used to dominate that game, but not any longer. I've come to the conclusion that he's better than me at every single game we have that's not strictly luck based.

Cleaning ... today I deep cleaned the refrigerator. I was going to clean one of the lazy susans as well, but oopsies, I finished reading that book instead.

X ~ XLR8

     Words beginning with an "X" are a bit more challenging and I have at various times during previous A-Z challenges simply resorted to using words beginning with ex and placed a heavier emphasis on the x part of it. 
    Today however I decided to turn to a little game Steven used to love playing.
    

    XLR8 was simple enough to play being very light on strategy.
    Most of the time it was only Steven and I playing it, though it can be played with up to six players.
    You start with the little speedometer at zero and five cards in your hand. On your turn you play a card and then draw another. The MPH cards helped you accelerate your speed. You play the card and turn the wheel on your speedometer to indicate your new speed. First one to get to 200 MPH wins.
    Included in the cards were caution cards. When played,  all your opponents had to reduce their speed to 25 MPH. Blow Out cards could be played on another player making them have to return their speed to zero. A Pit Stop card has the player of your choice have to skip a turn. A rare 2x or 3x multiplier card allowed you to double or triple your speed.
    This game appealed to Steven because of speed and racing. 
    I enjoyed it a lot because it was an easy one to pick up and play when ever, and the adding and multiplying was a nice bonus to slip in something educational while having fun.
    This little game won a creative child Game of the Year award back in 2008, I can see why.  
    The only complaint I have with this one is that instead of a game box it comes in ziploc "chip bag" of sorts. It works, but it's not my container of choice.

U ~ Umbrella Plants

    Umbrella plants, also known as May Apples are on the list of my favorite things in spring.
    It wasn't until after we were married that I found out that they produce flowers. I had never examined them closely enough to see the delicate white blossoms hiding under the umbrella like leaves.
    That first spring after we got married LV came into the house one day with a freshly picked bouquet that included the flowers from the umbrella plant.
    I was absolutely delighted with it.
    Every spring after that as long as we had access to umbrella plants he would present me with another bouquet. I loved each and every one of them.
    Currently the hill behind the house is covered in half grown umbrella plants. And after 25+ years of having an annual bouquet, I'm thinking it's fait to assume that before too long I will be getting another one.