April 2020 Highlights

This might have been the strangest April in a long time (ever?). I typically enjoy the month, but was very happy to see it end this year. Despite its strangeness, there are definitely highlights to share! I didn’t write one of these in March and regret it – I love being able to look back at the month and find those sparks of joy sprinkled throughout.

Tomorrow I’ll use this to link up with Ginny at Small Things for her monthly Yarn Along. Ginny’s blog is beautiful and I admire her ability to find joy in every day life. Please go visit her!

On the 15th I’ll link up with Anne Bogel at The Modern Mrs. Darcy, where so many readers share the books they’ve been loving lately. Have you visited Anne? She’s a Reader (with a capital R) and has a warm and inviting blog.

Favorite Books

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I found April to be a hard month for reading, but I did really enjoy a couple of books.

I continued my year long dedication to Anne with Anne of Windy Poplars. Anne found a lovely house to live in while teaching in Summerside and waiting for Gilbert to finish medical school. There’s a hilarious cast of characters, as usual. I was worried that this book was going to be one long letter to Gilbert, but luckily it wasn’t. I love Montgomery’s ability to describe a setting – she’s such a kindred spirit and knows exactly what I’m looking for in a dreamscape.

The Brave Learner was a great parenting book, with or without the element of homeschooling in your life! Julie Bogart is an awesome advocate in the homeschooling world. Everything she writes welcomes the secular family into the fold and she genuinely believes in the power of love.

Hobonichi Layouts

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My Hobonichi Weeks was a constant companion. It kept me on track, grounded, and feeling accomplished despite the strangeness of the month. I continued writing short updates about each day on the left side of the spread. On the right side I tracked my weekly tasks, my daily habits, and my writing time each week. I love the weekly format because it allows me to adjust and tweak daily without worrying about the blank spots a monthly tracker would create.

Knitting Progress

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It’s so fun to see these updates side by side – you can actually see growth each week! I worked diligently on my Birkin sweater in April. My goal was to finish it by Mother’s Day, which isn’t likely to happen. But that’s okay because I’m really enjoying this project!

Morning Pages

April saw a return of morning pages for me! I’d stopped for three weeks in March and early April due to an illness, but I started again on April 6 and didn’t miss a single day after that! I continue to appreciate how much this practice helps me stay centered and calm throughout the day.

My materials for morning pages are simple – this inexpensive lined notebook and my favorite Pilot Precise V5 pen are all I need.

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How was April for you? Are you glad that it’s over? Or did you find way to savor as much of it as you could? I’d love to hear from you!