{"id":6243,"date":"2026-02-26T04:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T11:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=6243"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:40:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T23:40:56","slug":"february-recap-reflections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/02\/26\/february-recap-reflections\/","title":{"rendered":"February Recap &amp; Reflections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I\u2019m still figuring this out, but here is what captured my attention in the midst of this busy month.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI love that you wear an apron unironically.\u201d I said while chopping celery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat? What does that even mean?\u201d my sister Mandy laughed and looked a bit perplexed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s just that whenever I do anything in the kitchen, I have to put my apron on so I can actually enjoy cooking and meal prep without feeling like I will make a mess all over myself. And I like that you do that too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, yeah, that makes sense.\u201d She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While we worked on party food prep, we shared stories of cooking, dishes, and our beloved aprons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s in these moments when I feel seen and grounded. Having a large family of my own, close extended family, and a connected church community are so important to me. It can also mean that some seasons are incredibly busy. My February was one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Some Highlights:<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>My <strong>Bullet Journaling and my many lists<\/strong> helped me stay calm and organized this month. I had several events that I hosted and made food for that needed my full gambit of organizational skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In my kitchen<\/strong> \u2014 Speaking of food, I made some excellent dinners and meals for crowds that I am proud of. Let\u2019s see\u2026 there was a special dinner with turkey and Swiss pinwheels, college hangout night with a taco\/burrito bar (with nacho cheese fountain!), game night Italian pasta with sourdough pizza rolls, Birthday goodies for a family party, and a coffee &amp; pastries bridal shower for Mary. Being solidly in the moment, not many pictures were taken but here\u2019s a few:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"6244\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-747x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-747x1024.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-219x300.jpg 219w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-768x1053.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-1120x1536.jpg 1120w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-1494x2048.jpg 1494w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-1560x2139.jpg 1560w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260207_210358814-EDIT-EDIT-scaled.jpg 1867w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" data-id=\"6245\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260217_021755717-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260217_021755717-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260217_021755717-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260217_021755717-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260217_021755717-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260217_021755717-2048x1542.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260217_021755717-1560x1175.jpg 1560w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>My Book Basket:<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With the calendar being so full this month my audiobook list has been my companion while cleaning, prepping food, and baking.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/alisonwoodbrooks.com\/conversation-book\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>TALK<\/em> <\/strong>by Alison Wood Brooks<\/a> was my favorite audio read this month!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I also DNFed a few books that were not the right fit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Faith-Womack\/e\/B0FXWRFL8K\/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>No More Boring Bible Study<\/em><\/strong> by Faith Womack<\/a> \ud83d\udcd6\ud83d\udcdd(subtitle: Why Taking Scripture Seriously Is Easier and More Exciting Than You Think)I found this excellent book and have really enjoyed underlining it. I am hoping to use it with teens &amp; college students as a book club this summer! This is the way I approach Bible study. Love it!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>a YA selection<\/strong> for buddy reading with Kyle (age 11) this month was <a href=\"https:\/\/jennielsen.com\/ascendance-trilogy\/the-false-prince\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>The False Prince<\/em><\/strong> by Jennifer A. Nielsen<\/a>. We enjoyed making predictions and then having much debate over the twist at the end. I liked book 2: <a href=\"https:\/\/jennielsen.com\/ascendance-trilogy\/the-runaway-king\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>The Runaway King<\/em><\/strong><\/a>more in some ways because I understood the characters in a deeper way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I have also been listening to <a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/101234\/9781982135164\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Joyride<\/em><\/strong> <\/a>by Susan Orlean.\ud83c\udfa7 This was another recommendation from the podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com\/p\/books-weve-loved-lately\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Books We\u2019ve Loved Lately!<\/strong><\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/open.substack.com\/pub\/midlifeladyleisurepursuits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits<\/a>. It\u2019s a memoir from famous <em>New Yorker<\/em> writer and author. The book feels like a time machine to the &#8220;golden age&#8221; of journalism and I\u2019m enjoying the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s nostalgia. The book is bit long (almost 15 hours) but it has been interesting to hear how her writing process evolved over time. I also got a stack of her books from the library and I will add a few to my March basket. \ud83d\udcda<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Confessions:<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I did not get to read<a href=\"https:\/\/aestheticsofjoy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Joyful<\/em><\/strong> by Ingrid Fetell Lee<\/a> \ud83d\udcd6. It is still in my basket and will move over to next month.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I decided to DNF <a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/726207\/jane-and-the-final-mystery-by-stephanie-barron\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Jane and the Final Mystery<\/em><\/strong> by Stephanie Barron<\/a> \ud83d\udcd6 after getting a chapter in and feeling lost. It\u2019s been a while since I\u2019ve read an Austin novel and the language threw me off. It will wait for me on my shelf for now. \ud83d\ude1c<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I was a bit sad by the lack of response to <a href=\"https:\/\/open.substack.com\/pub\/embracinghome\/p\/giveaway-your-feedback-needed?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&amp;utm_medium=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>my Giveaway post<\/strong><\/a>. I do have a few readers that are excited to try out the course and give feedback but I was hoping for more. If you missed it, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.substack.com\/pub\/embracinghome\/p\/giveaway-your-feedback-needed?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&amp;utm_medium=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">check it out <\/a>and send me a note if you are interested, I still have 2 spots left. (I also totally get that this is a busy season.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I\u2019ve been tiered lately. School mornings are hard. Making a special effort to give myself grace.\ud83d\udc99<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My Crafting &amp; DIY decorprojects have been fun to work on but not exactly Pinterest or photo worthy and I\u2019m fine with that. \ud83d\ude01<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the Arizona desert\/Phoenix area, it feels like there is this weird pressure to spend as much time outside as possible while its nice out. (Especially when the rest of North America is covered in sleet and snow.) I have been taking long walks often but I\u2019ve also just enjoyed having my windows open.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a class=\"image-link image2 is-viewable-img\" href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!II8K!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F99b70df9-3a52-4541-b967-b6f3b3796459_2048x1365.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!II8K!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F99b70df9-3a52-4541-b967-b6f3b3796459_2048x1365.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">photo by Mary Edwards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reflection Prompts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What do I want more of next month?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What felt nourishing that I want to repeat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What am I still thinking about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you kept something small and meaningful going this month, that counts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019d love to hear what you stayed with. There is beauty in repetition. Share your reading list or what hobby caught your attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/my-september-personal-curriculum\/comments\">Leave a comment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\ud83d\udcd2<em>Have a beautiful day! &#8211;<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a class=\"image-link image2\" href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!BDIV!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F900c4a26-c203-4bfa-b1c2-fb0952102de5_1456x258.webp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!BDIV!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F900c4a26-c203-4bfa-b1c2-fb0952102de5_1456x258.webp\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u2733\ufe0f<em>Check out my latest creative project!! You are gonna love it!<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!AZCP!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2e6f9408-362c-46b6-bb8b-3d46af4721fe_6912x3456.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mark-s-school104.teachable.com\/l\/pdp\/how-to-build-a-personal-curriculum\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019m still figuring this out, but here is what captured my attention in the midst of this busy month. \u201cI love that you wear an apron unironically.\u201d I said while chopping celery. \u201cWhat? What does that even mean?\u201d my sister Mandy laughed and looked a bit perplexed. \u201cIt\u2019s just that whenever I do anything in&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/02\/26\/february-recap-reflections\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2026-02-26 04:40:34","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[692,37],"tags":[49,733,559,305,717,721,712,485,614,610,695,719,178,706,235,50,742,731,730],"class_list":["post-6243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-intellectually-alive","category-seasonal-planning","tag-books","tag-february","tag-growth","tag-learning","tag-monthly-curriculum-recap","tag-my-learning","tag-my-personal-curriculum-plan","tag-my-reading","tag-new-hobby","tag-new-years-resolutions","tag-personal-curriculum","tag-personal-curriculum-planning","tag-personal-growth","tag-personal-learning","tag-planning-for-the-new-year","tag-reading-stack","tag-recap","tag-spring-curriculum","tag-winter-curriculum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6243"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6243\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6246,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6243\/revisions\/6246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}