Y’all. How is January almost over? Seriously. How? I feel like this month has flown by – probably because we were having fun and the old truism really holds. This weekend was almost a repeat of two weeks ago; I’m tempted to just tell you to go back and read that post – but I won’t, ha! On Saturday, Nugget and I were up and out the door to the ski mountain. We got an earlier start this time, but still were stuck in the overflow parking when we arrived, oof. (But a better spot, at least.) In between our last ski outing and Saturday’s, I actually bought skis and boots for Nugget. My plan had been to rent his gear this year and buy next year at the very beginning of the season, but the two-plus hour rental line last time we skied changed my thinking – and I worked out that between the cost of the rentals and the skiing time lost waiting on line, the gear would pay for itself if we went two more times. And since I’m planning to have him take lessons all summer at an indoor ski place near us (I know!) he would definitely get more use out of it than that. He was stoked to have his own gear, and he did so great again. We worked on turns (he doesn’t see the utility) and he graduated from the magic carpet to the chairlift up to the very tippy top of the bunny slope, where he was only knocked down by an adult beginner once. My goal for this winter was for him to have fun, be comfortable, and fall in love with skiing – I think I can declare mission accomplished on all three, and we still have weeks of skiing left. Another couple of seasons and he’ll be skiing all over the mountain with me!

I can say fewer words about Sunday, because it was a much quieter and less exciting day. I worked in the morning, then made the usual rounds, darting from swimming to soccer. The rest of the afternoon, I briefly considered doing something productive (like folding laundry) but decided I’d rather read my book and that I work hard and deserve an afternoon off. So, there!

Reading. Pretty decent reading week! I spent most of the workweek over Original Letters from India, which was fascinating (what an adventurous life Eliza Fay had). Wrapped it up on Thursday and steamed through the latest issue of Slightly Foxed that evening. For the end of the week, and the weekend, I needed something light and fun to counteract doomscrolling (if you haven’t heard yet, we have a new rightwing nutjob in charge of Virginia, shivers) – Jeeves was just what the doctor ordered. I know I’ve read The Inimitable Jeeves before, but it must have been over a decade and a half ago, because Goodreads had no record of it; I corrected that. Still in need of light and funny after Jeeves, I decided that now is the time to finish off the last two novels in the Mapp and Lucia series – I’m currently on the penultimate, The Worshipful Lucia, and then I’ll turn to Trouble for Lucia.

Watching. This and that – we’re all bereft after finishing Winterwatch. Several episodes of Gardener’s World on BritBox (Steve won’t admit it but I think he’s getting hooked on Monty Don like Nugget and me). And on Sunday night, we finally started watching the absolutely hilarious Space Force. (Without the kids, obviously.) I laughed until I was literally sobbing and gasping for air.

Listening. I’m about two-thirds (I think?) through The Man in the Brown Suit now, so I’ll probably finish it up this week. While it has definitely been an improvement over In the Crypt with a Candlestick, it’s nowhere near Agatha Christie’s best. I got it on Audible, bundled with 4:50 from Paddington, which should be better – I’ll listen to that next and report back.

Making. Lots of work product last week – it was a busy one. This week will be busy, too. Otherwise, just the usual: breakfasts, lunches, school snacks, dinners, the daily round. And some tentative plans to maybe get back to running in-person races in 2022? I’m turning that idea over in my mind.

Moving. All the cardio, still. Several chilly neighborhood runs, a couple of walks, a ski day with my little buddy. I thought about doing yoga. Does that count?

Blogging. January’s reading round-up on Wednesday; buckle up because it’s a long one. And then back to Olympic National Park for another hike in the Hoh Rainforest on Friday. Check in with me then!

Loving. I recently restocked on my Beautycounter stash – man, do I love that stuff. I use Countertime antioxidant lotion and eye cream every evening before bed and I can’t do without them. They’re light and smooth, not heavily scented (I’m sensitive to fragrance), and I really think they’re doing something. I’ve written about my evening skincare routine in the past and I do sometimes get out of the habit of moisturizing before bed, but I’m trying to be better about that and Beautycounter certainly makes it easy to look forward to those few minutes of self care in the evenings.

Asking. What are you reading this week?