animals

Four Monday Thoughts: Goats, Gardening, Reading, and Matching

It’s the first Monday in August. It feels like a fresh slate for the last full month of summer! Some goals I have for this month:

-Choose a book, topic, or person for my personal Bible study time
-Go on a picnic as a family or go to the Pittsburgh Zoo
-Go through Sadie’s homeschool items + plan when we will start
-Organize our linen closet and bathroom vanity
-Use the sewing machine Jimmy’s aunt gave me

Okay, onto four things I’m thinking about today.

1. Gardening. I’ve been loving not having to buy much produce at the store lately. Our garden is a squash growing machine at the moment, so I roasted a big batch of zucchini and tomatoes yesterday.

Zucchini and tomatoes to bake in oven from vegetable garden

I just slice everything up, coat it in olive oil and spices, and roast at 400 degrees until it’s browned and cooked through.

2. Fun for Sadie. While I was cooking yesterday afternoon, Sadie spent time at my aunt and uncle’s house! They have goats, cows, pigs, chickens, and all sorts of animals, plus lots of land to run around on. I’d love to have a few farm animals and land one day, too.

Kids petting goats

I’m hoping all that excitement and fun she had yesterday leads to her sleeping in this morning 😉

3. Matching. I tried to match with Sadie on Sunday morning for church. We went with the yellow dress theme, lol. Yellow is my absolute favorite color. It’s just so happy and bright 🙂

Mom and toddler wearing yellow dresses

4. Reading. I just finished up The Story of My Life by Helen Keller and was so impressed. I was always awed by how she overcame incredible limitations as she grew up, but was even more wowed that she wrote that book in her 20s, was so tenacious, curious, hard working, and had zero self-pity. Up next, I’m going to be reading this memoir.

What’s the best book you’ve read lately?

Would you rather live in a rural area or city?

What’s your favorite color?

Currently: August 2018

Somehow we are in the double digits of August! I feel like this month is just flying by. I keep seeing fall decorations in stores and it’s making me realize a new season is just around the corner. Here’s what’s currently going on in my life this month.

Current book Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth. Just started this yesterday, but it seems great so far. I think I have a fascination with books about the Amish way of life because I always find myself picking them up!

Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth book

Current song Counting Every Blessing by Rend Collective. Love jammin’ out to this one.

Current beauty product This body wash and shampoo combo. It smells like a Creamsicle!

Current blessing Jimmy. He’s just all around amazing, supportive, helpful, and loving. I am so blessed to call him my husband.

Black and white picture of smiling couple

Current confession I don’t know if it’s being in my third trimester, the heat of summer, or a combo of both, but I officially have cankles. Does anyone have any remedies?!

Current baked good Malted milk chocolate chip cookies. I am on the quest to make the perfect one. I tried a recipe in May, but wasn’t impressed with it. I just made a batch last night using milk chocolate chips and semisweet chocolate chips and they’re much better!

Current drink Coffee, as always! Jimmy and I have been enjoying our Angel’s Cup subscription that I gifted him for Father’s Day, along with Starbucks and Sheetz lattes and frappes as a treat here and there. Jimmy likes anything caramel, and I’m a vanilla gal through and through.

Angel's Cup coffee subscription in Catfinated coffee mug and Starbucks coffee mug

Current fun Scrapbooking. I’ve really been enjoying it lately. Still using the Project Life kits/method, which makes it super easy and relaxed.

Current fact As of August 12th, Mavis has been a part of our family for a year! It feels like just yesterday we brought her home and officially made the Zottola house a complete zoo 😉

Current obsession These pens. I have been a Pilot G2 fan for a few years now, but these are quickly becoming a favorite writing utensil of mine.

Paper Mate InkJoy Pens

Current excitement Welcoming our daughter next month, Lord Willing. It’s surreal to think about! We’re praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby and mama.

Current procrastination Blogging. I haven’t been very great at keeping up lately! I am hoping to post more this week. This space is my favorite!

Current food Black bean soup. I just made a big pot on Saturday and actually took a few photos. Would anyone be interested in the recipe? It’s one of my absolute favorite soups!

Black bean soup with cilantro

Current goal Cleaning and organizing our house. I’m pretty sure this is my goal each month, lol.

Current need I’d love a day spent with my sister. We’re both so busy, but I just love when we get an uninterrupted day to hang out and have fun together.

Current app I’ve been loving using Ibotta for a few months now. Definitely check it out if you’re into saving money!

Tell me something current in your life!