My best friend's porch swing
This month has been all about front porch weather. I want it to stay in the 60s and 70s forever! It's normally much warmer in Nashville by now so I am cherishing every true Spring day we have.
Read and Reading
I've never listened to Amanda Palmer's music, nor did I know much about her before reading The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help but she gave me much good food for thought and I'm convinced there was one line written just for me. I think I'll be a better writer and creative person as a result.
The Precious One is such a great example of why I love reading de los Santos. She creates such interesting, layered characters and their respective voices are incredibly clear, especially those of our alternating narrators Taisy and Willow.
The more I think about Scarlet (Gaughen), the more I love it. Such an inventive retelling of Robin Hood's tale, in which Will Scarlet is actually a lady thief. Gaughen gives us such a clear and compelling voice throughout the narrative. Lady Thief was a fantastic follow up and I'm so happy Lion Heart is due out May 19. I can't wait to see how the trilogy ends!
You can see all the books I've read at Goodreads.
Currently reading: We Make the Road By Walking (McLaren), Amazing Grace (Norris), De Niro (Levy), Strong Inside: Perry Wallace the Collision of Race and Sports in the South (Maraniss), Are You My Type? Am I Yours?: Relationships Made Easy Through the Enneagram (Baron and Wagele), Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith (Cannon, Harper, Jackson, Rah), Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church (Evans), A Door in the Hive (Levertov), Cooked (Pollan), Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life From Dear Sugar (Strayed)
(I read 12 books this month.)
TV:
Must-see TV: Madam Secretary, Jane the Virgin, Real Housewives of New York, Scandal, Once Upon a Time, Being Mary Jane, Southern Charm, Outlander
I am so happy Bethenny is back on RHONY.
Once Upon a Time has had some incredible twists this season. I just love this show so much!
Music:
I saw Ryan Adams at the Ryman. A friend had an extra ticket and I'm so glad it worked out for me to go. Incredible show!
Listen to the What I'm Into 2014 playlist. Here's the What I'm Into 2015 playlist.
Podcasts:
My friend Megan Tietz started her podcast Sorta Awesome this month and it is completely awesome. Megan has the perfect voice for this medium. I could listen to her talk all day. But another reason I love listening to Sorta Awesome is that my good friends are two of Megan's co-hosts: Laura Tremaine and Kelly Gordon. I love how they let us all eavesdrop on a really great conversation. No matter who Megan is talking to each week, I'll be listening with bells on.
I have been a sporadic Popcast listener for some time but this month I became a subscriber. I don't know why I was sporadic before. I've known Jamie and Knox for a few years and it's fun hearing them spar over the topic du jour. Even if Jamie erroneously threw me under the bus in this episode.
Things I Love:
- Barbara Brown Taylor's books have been a lifeline the last few years and it was a thrill to hear her speak not once but twice. First, she spoke on the themes of Learning to Walk in the Dark at Benton Chapel, and then did a Q&A at a community breakfast the next morning.
- Cuban tapas with the Bogel family. Always good to spend time with that family.
- I went home for Easter for the first time since I moved to Nashville 5 years ago. My time in my hometown was an absolute gift. It went too fast and there wasn't nearly enough time to see everyone but I managed to pack a lot in.
- Like a good auntie, I went to a children's museum with my best friend Erin and her kids and another friend and her kids. My niece-in-love and nephew-in-love have me well-trained.
- Addie was in Illinois visiting her parents so we picked a spot halfway between us and had Lou Malnati's (my fave Chicago pizza!) for dinner. She's so good for my soul.
- Catching up with my old roomie Donna
- I finally got to meet my dear friend Laura's sweet baby. I could have snuggled her all day!
- Going on a long walk with Megan, the same route she takes just about every day. It was chillier than I'd like but the conversation was more than worth it.
- I went to Katherine's church for Easter. So fun seeing her in action!
- Easter dinner with my family- I love my relatives so much and feel so grateful for the time we got to spend together. Plus, watching the kids hunt for Easter eggs was a riot.
- The feeling of satisfaction after filing my taxes
- A final session with my counselor. I owe so much to her for the way she has walked alongside me the last couple of years. It's been good, hard work and her phrases and questions were a big part of that.
- Coffee and fun with Alece
- Getting to meet Tara Austen Weaver! I've read her blog for I don't know how many years so there was no way I was going to miss her stop at Parnassus while promoting her new book Orchard House. The best part, though, was meeting up with her at Thistle Stop Cafe the next day. What a treat to get to know her better! It was like spending time with an old friend.
- Two weeks after I saw her, Erin came to town for a conference. I snagged her for coffee after the last session and then Tracy and I took her out for dinner at Mas Tacos Por Favor. Best Friend Reunion complete!
- Lacy came to town so I met up with her and Abby for coffee. Loved hearing more about her endeavors!
- I've picked up another part-time job, plus another Virtual Assistant client. It's a lot to keep track of but so far I'm making it work.
- Tracy's birthday dinner
- The amount of man-buns at the Ryman
- The BLT Flatbread at Edgehill Cafe. More please.
Favorite Instagram:
This is the first time I've gone back home for Easter in 5 years. Thrilled to be with my favorite cousins! #TheYearOfLeigh
(Dress from Stitch Fix, FYI)
(If you want to follow me on Instagram, my user name is leighkramer.)
On The Blog:
I have a lot of favorite food memoirs.
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What have you been into this month?
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