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Author: Jess

Wednesday Whimsy #36

Wednesday Whimsy #36

Bonjour and happy Wednesday. Another long, sad break between Wednesday Whimsy posts. I’ve been half-heartedly trying to find French-themed content but most things have been a bust. I’ve tried watching a few French movies on Netflix or Kanopy but haven’t been enjoying them so stop watching. I have been continuing with French lessons though so at least my language skills are (hopefully) evolving. BookParis on Air by Oliver GeeOverall, this is a great Paris memoir read that is funny and…

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Oregon Road Trip

Oregon Road Trip

Once mid-March came and we realized how much COVID-19 would have an effect on not only daily life but vacations (read: a babymoon), we kept our fingers crossed that things would open up enough to take a little road trip while it would still be comfortable for me to travel. Thankfully, by the second half of June our top destination pick opened up for visitors: Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. This has been on our list of PNW things…

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Five Favorite Items from First and Second Trimesters

Five Favorite Items from First and Second Trimesters

I can’t believe I’m already to the third trimester. The past seven months have absolutely flown by and I’m sure being in quarantine and distracted by COVID had a lot to do with it. Since I’m only planning to be pregnant once I haven’t wanted to invest a lot into maternity items, money- and quantity-wise. Maternity and baby items are a lot like planning a wedding: there are countless people and companies trying to tell you what you need and…

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June 2020 Book Reviews

June 2020 Book Reviews

The Boatman’s Daughter by Andy Davidson 4/5 StarsI’ve never before read a dark Southern magical realism book but that’s what this is and I like it. It takes place within a small area in a bayou which gives it a Gothic feel as well. The synopsis didn’t completely appeal to me but the plot is just a means to explore human nature in a handful of very different, messed-up-in-their-own-way people. This is one of the more unique books I’ve read…

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May 2020 Book Reviews

May 2020 Book Reviews

The Cerulean Queen (The Nine Realms #4) by Sarah Kozloff 5/5 StarsWhat a great ending to the Nine Realms series! After I found the first book, A Queen in Hiding, and thought it sounded like a great book, I was so excited to find out that there would be only four books in the series and that they would be coming out in consecutive months. This makes for such a great reading experience; you don’t have a whole year in…

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Suncadia

Suncadia

A few days before Christmas 2019 we decided to join two friends of ours at Suncadia Resort, a snowy winter getaway about an hour and a half from Seattle. We had only been once several years before for a “team building” weekend for a job I previously had. We wanted to go back for a more positive experience and to spend a few days relaxing with our friends.The plan was to spend a half day at the spa getting massages…

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A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods

Before we get too far into Spring I want to share pictures from a park in our neighborhood that is a treat to walk through in all seasons. These are from last fall when everything had died except for the moss and the mushrooms that had just started to show.

Low-tide Beach Walk

Low-tide Beach Walk

Last summer I discovered that the aquarium hosts days where beach naturalists are available in various parks throughout the season to answer questions and track what life they find. I went to one near my house (can you believe I live 15 minutes from this?!) and had the absolute best time. I wanted to volunteer to be a beach naturalist this summer but it happens to coincide with the third trimester of pregnancy for me; not a good fit. I…

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April 2020 Book Reviews

April 2020 Book Reviews

Beneath a Ruthless Sun: A True Story of Violence, Race, and Justice Lost and Found by Gilbert King 3/5 StarsThe description of this book led me to believe that it was largely about one woman’s rape, but it seemed to be about everything but that. That crime was used to kick the book off, but then we learned about everyone and their cousin’s family history. Black, white, lawyers, out-of-town military, law enforcement: no one’s history was spared. There is an…

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