Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

What I’m Into – January 2014

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Oh, January.  What a month you were. 

What I Did

emma_project

This month will forever be known as our “the wreck” month.  We spent so much time on Autotrader, Craigslist and in car lots trying to find our next car. 

We also worked hard to get our budget back on track after Christmas last year.  We broke out the envelopes, spreadsheets and watched our mint.com account like a hawk. 

Between me and Lexi both getting sick and several snow days, we also had a lot of family time together.  I realized yesterday afternoon when I went to get the kids from school that I had not been outside my house other than in our yard since early Monday evening!

If you missed the post earlier this week, I knocked out one of my yearly goals this week and finished my first sewing project.  I found I loved sewing and actually, finished my second project this week!  Emma helped me make her a nightgown that you see above.  This second project was actually much easier than the first!

 

What I Listened To

frozen-soundtrack-review

 

We’ve been entertaining ourselves with the Frozen soundtrack.  We love the song “In Summer” most.  We also have been singing “Do you Want to Build a Snowman?” during all the snow.  Did you hear there’s a sing-along version coming out this weekend?  We might just have to go.

 

 

What I Watched

white-collar

 

I know I put this in last month’s post, but we continued to race through White Collar and finished up to Season 4 where Netflix stopped.  We continue to enjoy all of the characters on the show and it was great watching Neal evolve at least a little bit through the last seasons. The relationships are just fantastic–Peter and Elizabeth, Neal and Peter and Neal and Mozzie.  All such great dynamics.

I’m also watching Downton Abbey and Sherlock this month since they’ve been back. I had to rewatch Sherlock twice this week to get everything that happened.  So great.  Sherlock was especially good with the little boy at the beginning and his speech was just wonderful—in an awkward and terrible sort of way.

And here’s something I’m not watching: American Idol.  I got out of the habit with the judges last year and even though I hear good things about the panel this year, I’ve been enjoying all the time I have in the evenings without it.  If there’s a must-see performance, feel free to leave it over on the Facebook page for us all to enjoy.  Jen Hatmaker’s list last night about this season nearly has me convinced to check it out, though.

 

What I Read

 

PicMonkey Collage

The Paris Wife – This might be the first book that I just could not get into and sent back to the library unfinished. I can’t pinpoint one thing in particular I didn’t like. All I know is I spent two weeks making such little progress I decided I didn’t care enough to finish and it was wasting my time.

The Secrets of Happy Families – I mentioned this book in yesterday’s post.  I think it’s a great book for anyone to check out.  While a lot of it deals with families with kids, I can see it being applicable to just about anyone.  We’re all a part of some type of family, yes?

Notes from a Blue Bike – This book by blogger Tsh Oxenreider comes out on Tuesday and I’ll be talking more about it next week.  In short, I’ll say it’s a good one.

 

So, that was my January.  What things have you been into?

 

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Comments

  2. Between sick kids, cold days, snow days and a sprained foot, I swear I barely went outside this month! So feeling you on that!

    I totally understand your reasons for not watching Idol this season, but I have to say I am so pleasantly surprised for all the reasons Jen Hatmaker expressed and more maybe. Also Sherlock? Cannot get enough!

    I totally hear you on The Paris Wife also – I’m not sure I would have finished it if I hadn’t been reading it for book club.
    Jen E @ things momma loves recently posted…What I’m Into Lately: January 2014My Profile

  3. Love your sewing project! That’s something I’ve tried (briefly) and utterly failed! I’ve had The Paris Wife on my list for a while now…not so sure I want to read it anymore after reading your thoughts and the others’ thoughts on it! I haven’t watched AI in several years, and I don’t miss it one bit.
    Stacey recently posted…What I’m Into: January 2014My Profile

  4. I really like White Collar too, although I’ve not been good about watching it. There is just so much great TV out there right now. We watch Elementary and I’m so tempted to jump into Sherlock. I keep hearing it’s much better.

    Way to go knocking out a 2014 goal in the first month of the year!
    Shana Norris recently posted…What I’m Into: January 2014.My Profile

    • Yeah even after watching it twice I’m not entirely sure I get it. I get how he died but now why the guy wanted him dead.

  7. Hiya! We’ve also been enjoying Sherlock. That episode was a doozy! Notes from a Blue Bike is on my to-read list very soon! I’m joining up with Leigh Kramer’s reading challenge this month – only things I already own, but haven’t read yet. I’m excited to finally dig into these books I’ve been meaning to read for so long! Your daughter’s nightgown is adorable – You did a great job! Have a great February!
    Ginger – Just One of the Boys recently posted…In Her Shoes ~ Do Justice, Love MercyMy Profile

    • No, it’s just one of my things–finish a book no matter what! I really am trying to break that habit because there IS so many good ones on my list to read.