lately

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It's been a busy last few weeks but not much has happened really.. 

With school, extracurriculars and the heaps of homework D gets, even on weekends has been keeps our weekdays full. 


My mom visited for two weeks, so that was nice. We tried out a new breakfast place while she was here. Our old go to best breakfast ever restaurant closed :( so we are trying to find a replacement. 

M and I also went out on a breakfast date.. we had decided last month over our birthday breakfast that we were going to make this a monthly thing and well I guess we did it.. now let see how many months we can make it.


We have no vacation plans till the summer.. so I am trying to focus I wanderlust on picking out some fun new destinations. What country or city is on your bucket list?  I have all our travel posts here something to maybe get you inspired. 




D had a map up in his room with pin for everywhere he has been.. there is still a lot of empty places.. so much still to see and explore.


I finished my second puzzle of the year.. Okay, so that is not the whole truth. I attempted a puzzle before this one.. it was an abstract colorful tiger one but it was too hard. I didn't want to admit it initially but at some point I just had to give up. I am not putting together puzzles for the challenge but more for a relaxing activity. So I will be sticking to the 9 year old puzzles for now. 


I just started my March puzzle. To my fellow puzzle doers.. where do you get puzzles from? They are expensive! 5 Below has been my go to place for now. 


We had a girls night on Friday and to mix things up we went to go axe throwing. It was fun and not at all easy.


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Comments

Jennifer said…
So nice that your mom came. I hope you find a new breakfast place soon.

Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer

3/12/2023
The Velvet Runway said…
Great round-up! I have just got back from Spain, and Ireland is my next destination! I love the idea of a wall map pinning everywhere you've been!
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
3/13/2023
Lori said…
My grandparents also had a map showing everywhere they had traveled and I loved looking at as a young girl. I was supposed to go on a trip in 2020 with a coworker to Japan (she is from there) but covid happened so it's still on my list. I love visiting countries with people that are actually from there. Glad you were able to visit with your Mom. We have an axe throwing place also that we need to visit. I'm sure it is much harder than I think.
3/13/2023
Marie Smith said…
Great to have your mom visit! I look forward to your travel adventures this year!
3/13/2023
Salty Pumpkin Studio said…
Happy Mom Visit!
Some libraries have puzzles. I take a chance in the thrift store puzzles, and online at jigsawexplorer.com.
3/13/2023
Debra She Who Seeks said…
Axe throwing! Did you feel like a Viking warrior woman? Bet it was fun!
3/13/2023
karen said…
so happy you had a visit from your mom!! Family is so important :)
3/13/2023
Cindy said…
It sounds like you have been very busy! I love puzzles and yes, they are expensive. I am also picky about which brands I will do. I have gotten some from Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target, Goodwill, yard sales...
3/13/2023
Chatty Crone said…
It is wonderful your mother came to visit. Love too that you go out with you son to breakfast once a month. And wow how many countries and places you have visited. What a wonderful life there.
3/13/2023
Carol On The Lake said…
Puzzles are so much fun. Great family times.
3/13/2023
Kelly said…
I like that puzzle! It looks fun and I agree that they're for pleasure, not torture. I order many online, but also have a brother and a couple of friends who work puzzles, so we do a lot of swapping.
3/13/2023
Laura B said…
Check for puzzle exchange groups on facebook in your area! I've seen one by us so hopefully that helps you!
3/13/2023
Polyester Princess said…
Love that you're doing a monthly puzzle, I haven't done a puzzle in absolutely ages!
How lovely that your Mom came over for a visit, and I'm in awe of all the places you've been. You are definitely more adventurous than I am! xxx
3/13/2023
Joanne said…
I'm so fortunate that we get puzzles from my mother in law frequently and even our local library has them to lend out. Good luck on keeping your breakfast dates going. We have one family vacation planned and then my husband and I planned a couple little mini weekend getaways for ourselves.
3/13/2023
Christina said…
Lovely to have your mum visit. We get puzzles at the charity shop. There is always good ones to be had. I am not sure what charity shops are called over in the US, thrift stores maybe? Travelling.... if only we hadn't so many children to support financially just now.... a well, we do love camping and I think that is probably what we'll do this summer. Have a lovely week x
3/13/2023
carrie@northwoods scrapbook said…
Hello Lovely Lady! Your Mom is so cute. I'm hoping on a sunny getaway next month- need to get away from all this snow! I'm so impatient with puzzles, but my daughter is brilliant with them. ;) Have a blessed week ahead. xo
3/13/2023
Mary Kirkland said…
I love your family picture.
3/13/2023
Rowena @ rolala loves said…
Axe throwing looks like so much fun. I wouldn't imagine it would be easy at all.
3/13/2023
anno said…
So glad you were able to enjoy some time with your mom. Glad, too, about the breakfast date with M. Traditions like that are so important and well worth maintaining.... My former colleagues were always working a puzzle or two on a table set up next to the office kitchen/water cooler. People just brought them in, sometimes traded them, etc., and it was a great way to develop camaraderie. I wonder if you could find a way to trade with friends/neighbors/school parents...

Have a great week -- here's hoping spring is finding its way to you!

Axe-throwing?!!?
3/13/2023
Laura | Everyday Edits said…
Hi Hena Had to stop by and catch up! Your boys are adorable and that pic of you on girls night is too cute. We did a SouthPark puzzle over the holidays in honor of the Colorado boys who created south park (and Book of Mormon) bought a Denver landmark restaurant Casa Bonita (the cheesiest place ever, but it is a tourist spot). I gave up but my youngest was hooked and finished it and then we passed it to one of my brother's kids. I found a few at Homegoods/Marshalls/TJMAXX. They can be pricey. Do you use the puzzle mat under it? Cute pic of your mom and boys too! Still chilly here in CO but the sun is finally melting the snow from January. Reading: I could not get into Daisy & the Six. It's our book club read this month and I cheated and watched the Netflix show. It reminded me of that Almost Famous ... I just didn't care about any of the characters. But the resemblance of Riley Keough to her mom Lisa (Elvis' daughter) ... bittersweet for her success this year. I can't end on that note- um I just started Tuesday Thursdays on Netflix for a fun 22 minute series. xo laura
3/27/2023
Carol Comfort Springs said…
Nice round up - love the quote. We all could use adventures in our lives
3/27/2023
Amy Johnson said…
How nice to have a visit from your mom! It looks like the entire middle of America is empty, and you need to visit us "flyover states".
3/27/2023
Allie NYC said…
Wow you sound like you have quite busy. Monthly Birthday breakfasts that sounds good to me! And that map needs to fill up with pins! : )

Allie of
www.allienyc.com
3/27/2023
Jeanie said…
I'm so glad your mom could visit. It sounds like a wonderful time and how terrific to be together again. I love your puzzles. I got my most recent at Galaxy Puzzle's going out of business sale but I just checked the site and they are closed. My next bet is Amazon or my local bookstore.
3/27/2023
DeniseinVA said…
What fun to try axe throwing! I don't think we have any of those places around here but I haven't thought of looking, didn't know there were even such places. Super family photo you started with. How lovely to have your Mom visit. I haven't bought a jigsaw puzzle in a long time. I downloaded one on my iPad and do those now. You can adjust the amount of puzzle pieces and they go up to 460 pieces.
3/27/2023
Doused in Pink | Chicago Style said…
I've always wanted to try axe throwing! Sounds like a fun night!

Jill - Doused in Pink
3/27/2023
Debbie said…
i always enjoy seeing the boys, you can tell they are growing up!! i get all my puzzles online, and pay too much for them. each christmas, i get one good wooden puzzle that we do as a family. i think the company is wentworth puzzles. i have missed our adventures. between covid and the car accident, things have really slowed down for us!!

i like d's map, that's a great idea!!
3/27/2023
Rainbow Evening said…
your mom looks young.....pretty.
Have a wonderful day.
3/28/2023
Carole's Random Life said…
I do a lot of puzzles. I get most of them from my local library so you may want to see if your library has puzzles to check out. There are also puzzle swap groups that you can find on Facebook to make trades.
3/28/2023
Greg said…
That's always a bummer when a favorite place closes. Yay for finding new ones though :)

Cute puzzle! :)
3/28/2023
Danielle's Sweets said…
I'm with you on traveling! My wanderlust list is too big to mention! It's basically everywhere : ) I love the map idea. I need to do that.
Your mom is adorable! I'm glad you had a nice visit. And nothing better than going out to breakfast!
My dilemma with puzzles is not where to buy them (although 5 Below sounds good, thanks for the reminder!) it's where to do them! I need a table or something so I can leave it out and it won't be in the way. What do you do?
Have a wonderful week. Rainy and snowy here but spring is coming! (hopefully!!:)
3/28/2023
Vix said…
Awww, it's lovely to see your Mum! The axe-throwing photo is fab, I've seen that offered at music festivals, a bit dangerous after a few pints of cider!
I don't do bucket lists, I'm too impulsive. Our next foreign adventure is in the former region of Macedonia (mainland Greece) - 62 days and counting! xxx
3/28/2023
Heather{Our Life In a Click} said…
I've ordered some puzzles from Amazon. I gave up on a ridiculous 1000 piece one I had made from a photo I took. I like simpler ones or it's not fun or relaxing. Axe throwing looks fun but harder than it appears. We've been trying out new breakfast places too. It's fun!
3/28/2023
Jim and Barb said…
You cannot go wrong with a vacation to Utah visiting Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Zion. Also, Yellowstone is a must see at some point.
3/28/2023
the bookworm said…
Nice family pic, grandmas are the best. I love the quote about adventures, it's very true. I've been to Bury the Hatchet before! So fun! I'm from NJ too.
3/28/2023
veronica lee said…
How wonderful to have your mom visit !
Puzzles are such a fun activity.
3/28/2023
Kathrine Eldridge said…
I did axe throwing with my family and it is really hard! So glad you had your mom at home for a while. I am excited to hear about your next trip when that happens. Your travels are always amazing.

https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
3/28/2023
Susuanne said…
I love going out for breakfast! That would be a fun monthly date! I have so many places I want to go. Such a big beautiful world. Prince Edward Island, Canada is on my bucket list. As is Spain and Portugal, Italy. Really I would love to go anywhere.
3/28/2023
Emmylou said…
What a lovely pic of your mom with the boys:) And OMG! That puzzle! Hena...that's awesome:) I'd be doing the one for 4 year olds if I do end up doing one TBH.
3/28/2023
Jodie's Touch of Style said…
I love that you admit to the 9 year old puzzles, haha. Ax throwing has gotten to be such a big thing. I have yet to try it, but I see it in my future,
XOXO
Jodie
3/28/2023
Liz A said…
I've barely been out of California, so I can't help with travel ideas. I'm sure you'll find somewhere amazing to go.
3/28/2023
Shauna said…
Love the puzzle! Looks like a lot of fun times!

Shauna

www.lipglossandlace.net
3/28/2023
Conniecrafter said…
so nice to have a visit from your mom. that is sad your favorite restaurant closed, it will be fun finding your new favorite. Our church ladies tried Bob Evans in our town for the first time and I thought they were very good. That looks like a fun puzzle, I have seen some neat ones at Barnes and Noble but I am sure they were expensive.
The Axe throwing looks like fun!
3/28/2023
Red Rose Alley said…
Puzzles are such a fun activity. I haven't put one together in awhile, but they are relaxing, especially the ones for children. It's nice that your Mom visited. I hope the breakfast place you found was a good one. Nel has a similar map up at her home, and has pinned all the places she's visited. A fun girls' night out, and I've never heard of this sport. Might be something new?

~Sheri
3/28/2023
Carol L said…
You have a beautiful family :)
3/28/2023
Rooth said…
I have so many puzzles that are sitting in my closet - if you were closer, we could swap! We're trying to figure out travel for April (short notice) - any suggestions that aren't an entirely expensive flight?
3/28/2023
Christine said…
Fun times! I would like to visit Australia and New Zealand...hmm.
3/28/2023
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