Saturday, February 28, 2026
It’s a rare Saturday post coming at you so I can link up with Jenn!
Something I loved
Gosh, this month went by quickly! I love looking back at my February photos to jog my memory. I also love referring back to my February goals list to see how I did. I had a full month and feel very blessed. I also did really well on my goals list. We had a cold month and our electric bill doubled what it was in January!
I loved having fires in my fireplace on the cold and snowy weekend days. I loved having my Valentine’s decor up, too.
I loved all my themed meals I tried to make.
Since the Olympics was set in Italy, I went to World Market and got a few authentic Italian things.
Here was my cacio e pepe for the opening of the Olympics. I didn’t watch as much as I thought I would. I am more a Summer Olympics gal! I can’t wait to make cacio e pepe again.
I loved making my German Valentine’s meals and my attempt at Mardi Gras gumbo. Oh well. I love a theme and would you believe I have been making themed meals for Tom since we were dating? I had a little one-bedroom apartment and made him some funny themed meals in my tiny kitchen.
I loved one on one time with friends this month. I went to a Galentine’s event with my friend Jessica and we ended the night with the best lemondrop martini.
A nice happy hour and meal with my friend Jennifer:
I had a consignment shopping day with Katie and a plant shopping day with Kara. I had a lunch and shopping day with Beth, and finally a happy hour with two high school girls that live nearby.
Something that sustained me
The sun – even when it was cold, we had a lot of sunny days. Even when I’m just in my car picking up groceries the blue sky and sun help me!
My reading life – check out my February books
A bit more routine – albeit a loose one
A joyful attitude – more joy and less sadness
Phone calls and texts with family and friends – along with in person time mentioned above
Something I’m carrying forward into March
Learning how to better parent adult children
Worrying about what is mine to worry about – I can make a problem mine very easily
Matching energy – I had some let downs with people in my life in February. One person lied to me and one person didn’t make it seem like I was important in their life. So, I need to take these actions at face value, realize those actions are about the other person and not me, and spend my energy elsewhere. I think?
Something I’m making space for this month
More walks outside alone. I love walking EO, but I also need to walk alone.
Music. I am playing more music at home, and I am also anticipating some live music opportunities coming up. The music rather than a podcast has really lifted my spirits. Sometimes I think we have too much talking and not enough music in our lives, no?
Well, my Four Somethings got deep real fast!
What is something you would share with me today?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
How fun that you got authentic Italian things during the Olympics! I loved watching a lot of the sports – ice skating is my favorite. I’m happy to see more sunlight the past month too. It’s refreshing in so many ways. A couple years ago I started doing a morning walk alone. I felt a little guilty not inviting my husband along, but it has been SO nourishing to do it by myself. Good for you!
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Thank you! They say seeing sunlight first thing is so good for you!
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The matching energy lesson is a good one. I am always trying to remind myself of this, but it is hard for me. I recently deleted a lot of podcasts because it was too much and I enjoy music more overall too. Would love to talk again soon!
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YOU helped me with that! It is hard. I find myself deleting many, too.
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I haven’t listened to much music lately. I need to do that as well as soak in some Vitamin D! I’ve had to let go of relationships in the past, but I don’t think I was as fast at doing it emotionally as I”physically.”
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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Yes to both! I agree – it takes some time.
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I thought this month flew over too! I am imagining our gas bill will have doubled too with our heating being on so much! Your themed meals are a lot of fun and it sounds like you’ve had a lovely time with your friends. We didn’t have many sunny days in February but when they happened I really appreciated them. Ahh! It is hard being a parent to adult children, I am learning that and always seem to make their problems mine. Sometimes I need to take more of a step back.
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Sadly you are probably correct. Thank you! We had so many sunny days! It really affects me.
It really is. I am currently making one of their problems mine. Arggghhhh when will I learn.
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Oh yes, our electric bill was really high this past month too! But Jan-March are always the highest electric bills of the year so it’s not real surprising. I love all your themed meals; I used to do that a lot more but it’s a habit I started getting out of.. mostly because no one really even seemed to notice I was making themed meals!
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That is true. Thank you! Awww – if you like the themed meals you can do them for you! Ha! What about an Irish meal this month?
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We’ll definitely make a corned beef and cabbage dinner and probably sheppard’s pie this month– right around St. Patrick’s day but I gave up on the green/mint desserts.
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Yeah not big on those!
I also need to do shepherds pie.
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What a great post. Wishing you a beautiful month of March.
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Thank you and same to you.
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I loved all of your answers to the prompts. I think we can all better learn how to parent adult kids; I know I can! I was talking about this recently with someone, how my role has changed in their lives. I’m more of a friend/listening ear/encouragement than a mom at this time in my life. It’s not to say they don’t still need me as a mom, they do, but they also don’t always need my words, you know? Graham reached out to me recently about needing help, and you know I always jump at that opportunity. But that’s such a rare thing that I never want to mess it up.
Friendships as adults can be so complicated; I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been hurt recently. We learn a lot about people and ourselves in those moments; I’m proud of you for realizing this and moving on, realizing it’s about them and not you. Deep isn’t a bad thing, my friend! I think that we all need to write like that from time to time.
I’m so glad you linked up today! I hope you’ve enjoyed every moment of your weekend. xoxo
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Well said! I think you are playing the role of adult parent confidante well! You are one I look to for example.
Thank you. I was hurt but realized it was on them and I can walk away or lower my expectation.
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I definitely embraced the sunshine this month too. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until after all the snow melted. I’m sorry you had people let you down …it’s crazy to me that adults can be that way. You are right about matching energy though…you do you!
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Yes! We did have a lot of sun!
I know – it’s mind boggling to me when I have been a good friend and they don’t match that. It’s not that hard.
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I agree! And I’m sorry you’ve been treated that way.
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I agree, this month did go fast! I also LOVE walking outside and the days we had warmer weather (40s and 50s) with the sun out, I found a way to get out and walk! I can’t wait for spring and daily walks again. Have a great month!
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Yes! Such a treat to walk outside.
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The lessons you’re learning are important!
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Thank you! I agree.
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