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Currently | 80 Hours Below Zero

Currently

Briefly | Minnesota, and most of the upper Midwest, is in the middle of a cold snap. It sunk below zero Friday night, and isn’t expected to get back above zero until Tuesday morning. We’ve got the heat turned up, blankets unpacked, and are wallowing as best we can to avoid truly horrific wind chills.

Reading | January reading has been slow, but I usually expect that because it’s a busy month. I’ve finished three books so far: The Turner House by Angela Flournoy, The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau and Girl Through Glass by Sari Wilson (young ballerinas in late-1970s New York, Jan. 26 from Harper). I’m still slowly working through Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow and just started Negroland by Margo Jefferson.

Watching | I discovered that all three seasons of Happy Endings are now on Hulu. I watched that show intermittently when it was on and always meant to get through it. It’s super weird, but I love the way every member of the cast just commits to whatever the gag is for each show.

Listening | Yesterday while walking at the gym I started The Year of Yes by Shonda Rimes. It’s pretty good so far, although it’s been a little slow to start.

Cooking | I’ve got another crock pot recipe to try today, White Chicken Chili from Iowa Girl Eats. Her recipe for Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is pretty amazing, so I’ve got high hopes.

Blogging | Since I last did a currently post I shared my 2016 bookish goals, some books on my radar for January and February, my One Little Word for 2016, and a review of The Happiness of Pursuit. It’s been a good year for blogging so far, even if my reading is at a snail’s pace.

Promoting | Bryan (Still Unfinished) collected a bunch of one word resolution posts from other bloggers, which is really fun — especially since there are so many great, different words.

Hating/Loving | We had a really fun time last night with friends that included football (what was that Packers-Chiefs game?) and games. But it was also sad because it was a going away party for one of my good friends here in town. She’s taking a great job in Wyoming and I’m so excited for her, but definitely also sad. I will miss our walking talks and having another girl to nerd out about football with.

Avoiding | The blog is telling me I need to do a WordPress update and an update to my theme. Neither one is hard, but they’re putzy and can sometimes turn into a project if the update messes with another setting.

Experimenting | Earlier this month I signed up to be part of Amazon Associates, Amazon’s affiliate program. You’ll see a new disclosure about affiliate links at the bottom of posts and in my sidebar. I don’t expect to make much money, but I thought I’d try it out and see what happens.

Anticipating | We were out well, well past my bedtime last night. I anticipate a nap sometime this afternoon!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links through Amazon. If you make a purchase through any of those links, I will receive a small commission.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Bryan G. Robinson January 17, 2016, 9:12 am

    First, thanks for the promotion. Very much appreciated, and hope others will click through to the other posts once they get to my post. Trying to keep the sharing going and will be adding as I know there is at least one more blogger who still has her One Word post to come. Second, sorry to hear about your friend moving. Hope you enjoy your nap later today. I got up a little too early myself and know I’ll be napping later, after reading more book blogger posts.

  • susan January 17, 2016, 9:25 am

    You mean Packers-Cards game right? Wild game! Can’t believe Rogers threw another TD bomb in the final secs, but Cards prevailed. Crazy. Anyways I can relate about the Cold. It’s freezing here too. 1 degree so far. We are going cross-country skiing nonetheless. I’m curious about what you think about Negroland. I want to read that too! Enjoy your week.

    • Kim January 23, 2016, 5:54 pm

      We were watching the game with some Packers fans, so it was fun to get excited with them (even if they’re not my team!).

  • Lisa January 17, 2016, 2:45 pm

    That Packers game once again reminded me of how much I hate the NFL’s overtime rules. I don’t understand the logic of thinking the flip of a coin should have a major role in determining who will win a game.

    Chernow’s books are so good but they are all slow going, being packed with so much interesting information.

    • Kim January 23, 2016, 5:55 pm

      It is kind of bonkers. I’m glad they changed it so the first team at least needs to get a TD in order to win, not just settle for a long field goal. But maybe it should get changed again so both teams get the ball at least once… tough call.

  • BermudaOnion (Kathy) January 17, 2016, 2:53 pm

    It’s not too cold here yet and I hope it stays that way.

  • Sarah's Book Shelves January 17, 2016, 5:37 pm

    Ugh – I have a Wordpress update due too and I always put them off b/c they inevitably end up breaking something on my blog, requiring hours of tinkering to fix!

    • Kim January 23, 2016, 5:55 pm

      That’s exactly it! The update is fine, it’s just finding the one small thing that it messed up and fixing it that takes forever.

  • Athira January 17, 2016, 7:08 pm

    Stay warm! That windchill does not sound good.

    I generally tend to postpone blog fixes too. Even a small one will always turn into a project so I like to delay it as much as possible.

  • Melissa F. January 17, 2016, 7:13 pm

    We’re looking at -15 wind chills here tonight, so I can relate to the cold that you’re experiencing. I just re-joined Amazon Associates, too. I never made a lot of money from it before, but every bit helps.

    • Kim January 23, 2016, 5:56 pm

      I doubt I’ll ever make much either, but I thought it was worth a try as an experiment.

  • Jenny @ Reading the End January 18, 2016, 10:17 am

    Aw, I’m sorry about your friend moving away! I do not currently have any ladyfriends to watch football with (surprisingly, I had more football friends in New York, where people act like it is insane for ladies to like football), and I miss being able to go to sports bars and watch games with other excited ladies. Alas, alas! When friends move away it is the worst!

    • Kim January 23, 2016, 5:57 pm

      Lady football friends are the best! I’m on the lookout 🙂

  • Chelsey January 18, 2016, 12:06 pm

    Your description of getting out the blankets for the winter chill makes me so happy. It’s freezing in Toronto right now and I absolutely love it. Well, for those who need to drive in it, not so much, but to be curled up at home with some blankets and candles.. and books, of course ..is my favourite time! I’m looking forward to your thoughts on Negroland – I’ve heard great things! I’m also excited to see what you think at the end of The Year of Yes. I tried starting it last month and embarrassingly couldn’t get into it. I put it down with the intention of trying again eventually. Stay warm!

    • Kim January 23, 2016, 5:57 pm

      I wouldn’t be embarrassed about not getting into The Year of Yes — I’m enjoying it on audio, but it’s not the “page-turner” I was expecting it to be so far.

  • Michelle January 21, 2016, 11:32 am

    That drop in temps was brutal, wasn’t it? It is amazing how even ten degrees above freezing feels warm compared to the arctic temps we had this weekend.

    • Kim January 23, 2016, 5:58 pm

      It was in the 20s for several mornings this week and I was just so happy. It’s amazing what starting the day with not unpleasant weather can do.