Perfect Date

For the past couple of months I've been part of an Instagram book club with Megan Walker to read her books, Lakeshire Park and Miss Newbury's List, in preparation for her book, The Duke's Bargain, which comes out on May 5. It has been wonderful learning behind the scenes details from Megan as well as hearing experiences from other readers. Do you know how many of us have memories of berry picking from our youth?

When I found out Megan was coming to Utah to do an event at the Provo Library with Joanna Barker and Esther Hatch who both had books come out recently, as well as several other authors, I made sure to get a ticket. 

The event was a speed-dating/speed-friending kind of event. The authors each spent six minutes at a table with readers who got to ask questions and chat before they rotated to another table.

I loved how it was done because I got to chat with some authors I hadn't been able to chat with before.

Afterward was a Q&A session then book signing.

 

Before the event started, I met up with Amber from that same book club and we hung out the whole time, both got our hugs from Megan Walker, and got to be each other's picture takers with the authors (I didn't get pictures with all the authors but that's okay). It was fun.

Book Club Buddies!

I got a bunch of swag (not all pictured. Let's just say I have plenty of bookmarks to lose now), and got The Duke's Bargain (before release date) by Megan Walker, 

 

and If You'll Have Me by Esther Hatch, 

 

and A Love Most Daring by Joanna Barker. 

Those last two books I really got into when I read (or listened to) them earlier- see my March 30, 2026 post about A Love Most Daring.

 

I also got pictures with Jennifer Moore 

 

and Jentry Flint 

 

and Arlem Hawks.

 

It was a fun way to do an author event and I'm so glad I went.

I love events with the Provo Library.

 

P.S. That day was the perfect date to do this event since April 25 was Perfect Date Day. The speed-dating style fit right in with it.   

Jeremy took the kids out that morning for some birding. Their weather was not too hot and not too cold. It was also Celebrate Trails Day so they walked around the visitor's center at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

P.P.S. Since April 25 was also World Penguin Day, we ate fish sticks. Even though it was National Plumbers Day, I did not wear my Mario shirt to my event. I wore my Gentlemen's Gamble shirt. 

 

Date Night!

Because it is an absolute must for me to see Jurassic World movies in the theater, my husband is such a sweetheart and takes me.

I, of course, wore my Jurassic Park shirt and my amber necklace. We ate pizza and had a nice chat before watching Jurassic World Rebirth and got a few fun pictures.

I did enjoy the movie but the absolute best part of the whole thing was spending time with my husband. He's my best friend. 

Perfect Date

April 25 was Arbor Day. I went for a walk in a place with trees... and birds. I got to see a couple of spotted sandpipers and killdeer. So many killdeer. 

It was a beautiful birding morning. 

 

April 25 was also Perfect Date Day because, "it's not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket." Jeremy and I went on a date. We stopped by the library to pick up Miss Congeniality (which we never got around to watching) and went to Deer Creek Reservoir to eat dinner in the van and look for loons.

We found one that Jeremy named Claire. Think about that for a moment? Classical music fans? 

Claire the Loon. 

The weather was just right for wearing our light jackets.

 

At home the kids ate fish sticks and watched The Super Mario Bros. Movie for National Plumbers Day, World Penguin Day, and National Telephone Day, all on April 25.

Mostly Valentines and Galentines

Galentines!

Nichole and I took some bonding time together near Valentine's Day. It was actually on February 11 which was Peppermint Patty Day. We went to the Orem Library and picked up a movie to watch. It was Follow the Fleet with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Then we had some fun with shadows in the park. It was one of the last days they had the lights on. 

We stopped by Winco and picked up some peppermint patties (and other treats since Nichole doesn't actually like peppermint patties) then we went home to watch our movie. 

Jr. made us some popcorn. What a sweetie.

Love bonding time with my gal. 

 

February 13 was National Tortellini Day. I made Hamburger Soup and added tortellini to it. 

February 14 was Valentine's Day of course. Here's how I celebrated:

When I sent the kids off to school in the morning, I encouraged them to spread love and kindness.

I went on a walk by the lake and got to see some cool ice stacks. I saw a bald eagle in a tree as I was looking around.

I stopped by the library to pick up a book on hold, the movie, Penguin: Spy in the Huddle, because I completely forgot to get it for Penguin Awareness Day in January, and my own "Blind Date with a Book." The book turned out to be Meet Me at the Museum, which I still haven't read because I've been reading so many other books.

I said "Hi" to Libby the Librantula. I always love it when she's out where I can see her.

At home I cleaned up the aftermath of Valentine box construction. I love to see the creativity in my family.

This is how Lucky's Rockhopper Penguin box turned out. 

Jeremy helped Lucky design Valentine's for the kids in his class. Each design had a different bird with courtship info about that bird.

I baked bread.

I made sack dinners for Jeremy and Nichole to eat at Life, The Universe, and Everything symposium they went to again this year.

Jet and I picked up Nichole to take her to the conference with Jeremy.

We had heart shaped pizza for dinner. The boys made sure I cut it in a zig zag way. Oh no. It's a broken heart.   

I got to listen to Jr. Jr. and Jet laughing together and just being plain cute.

 

February 15 was National Gumdrop Day. I forgot to get the gumdrops out for that holiday so we had gumdrops the day after with cookie candy flowers the boys put together.

 

February 16 was National Almond Day so I had a salad with almonds in it for lunch. 

I had Jr. make a Valentine's dinner for Jeremy and me since Jeremy wasn't available on Valentine's Day. Jr. made Ogre Stew from The Fablehaven Cookbook.

Wow. Plenty busy around Valentine's we were.