Dear ones, thank you for joining me for my winter bucket list: update 02.21.2021. Not a whole lotta progress to report. But there’s still a month of winter left!!
Just a reminder: Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click or make a purchase from a link provided I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
Time to check out this update 02.21.2021.
UPDATE 02.21.2021: WINTER BUCKET LIST
In last month’s update, I wrote that it hadn’t felt much like winter around here. We had had 70*F/21*C afternoons. And I added that I was grateful my winter bucket list didn’t include all kinds of snow related activities!!
Then BAM…the great Texas snow storm hits. Making me wish I had added making snow men and snow angels and having snow balls fights to my winter bucket list.
And then, just like that – *snap* – we are back to 75* today. It’s enough to make your head spin.
Here’s my progress to date.
BODY
- Desert walks and runs – not going to specify how many I do or how far I go. Just need to get back at it. Haven’t started running outside yet but have been running on our mini treadmill. And walking in the living room!! My daughter Brennyn invited me to participate in StepBet with her and we winners for our first challenge. Have started our second challenge this week. You can learn more about StepBet here.
- Implement schedule for using gym equipment – we bought the stuff, now to use it. Ta-da, we are!! I have been running and rowing, PC uses the elliptical and rowing machine. Yay us!!
- Massage and facial – at least one of each. I’m looking at you, Woodhouse Day Spa. We had a fabulous deep tissue massage several weeks ago. And have an appointment for a couples’ massage at Woodhouse in a few weeks. Need to get that facial.
HEART
- Slow dance on New Year’s Eve – you probably remember that PC is not a dancer. Oh, he can but he won’t dance. Going to force this issue, though!! If not on New Year’s Eve, then shortly afterward. This did not happen. For now I am going to give this a big red X but if we do accidentally dance between now and 03.21.2021, you’ll be the first to know.
- Holiday light scavenger hunt – might be a good Christmas Eve activity. We didn’t do this formally either. In driving around the little bit we did over the holidays, I noticed the lights we passed but didn’t check them off my scavenger hunt list. Just didn’t feel much like celebrating this past holiday season so this ship has sailed.
- Game night with charcuterie board – PC loves Upwords and I love Pictionary, maybe the kids can even come. Had done both activities but not together until tonight. Ding, ding, ding – give this girl a checkmark.
MIND
- Craft with Lucia – maybe rock painting or bird feed pinecones. Neither yet. But going to baby sit tomorrow. Will take the supplies to make the bird feed pinecones.
- Work on mosaic – this makes my list season after season. Someday I am going to finish this thing. I am participating in the #100dayproject which has been the inspiration I needed to get busy again on my mosaic. Plus I moved it to the dining room table where there is a lot of natural light. So much easier to see to work on it. I may not finish before spring but I am making great progress. Added blue for the first time last week, you can see the arc of blue on the right side of the photo below. Starting now on the tear-drop shaped brown near the center of the design.
- Finish Winter Wonderland paintings – want to finish my second painting and my sister and I are looking at participating in another of Jennifer Chamberlin’s mixed media classes. This was an absolute delight. So much so, my sister and I have signed up for 2 more classes with Jennifer. Her bicycle collage and her birds. The courses are only $10 but will be going up to $15 on the first of March. I am thinking I might need to go ahead and by the camper course, too.
SPIRIT
- Return to church– as soon as we feel it is safe, and in the meantime, begin watching online again. Have listened to our online church service once recently. Been joining my sister’s Sunday School class on Zoom some weeks. My brother-in-law will be teaching the class for the next month or so. However, once we both have our vaccinations, I would like to return to our church. Hopefully by spring?
- Read a self-help book – suggestions? Just received The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin. Now to start reading it!!
- Pay it forward – hope to do this in a couple of different ways. Have enjoyed doing a couple of intentional things to try to brighten someone’s day. Left diapers and baby wipe on my porch bench (the same one featured here), for a young mom in our community who needed help. Still hope to try out some of these great ideas for random acts of kindness, here.
STOMACH
- Hot chocolate bar or spiced cider – I love my Mexican hot chocolate recipe!! Have you tried it? Check it out here. Would like to make it and try my hand at some spiced cider, too. We did make Danielle’s spiced cider. It was delicious!! Going to continue to mark this as pending, though, because I want to make hot chocolate, too.
- Tamale run and tasting – a local AM radio station conducted a poll to find the 10 best places in El Paso for tamales. I want to determine our favorite. Oh, my gosh, this was so much FUN. We will definitely do this again. Thinking it would be fun to do with other foods, too!!
- Try 3 new recipes – thinking at least one cocktail, one main course and one dessert. Made these white Christmas margaritas. They were really tasty. And just this week, tried a new recipe for pulled pork chili. Hosted a recipe swap and blog hop – Favorite Treats for Your Sweets just last week. You can click here to check out all the scrumptious recipes shared.
STYLE
- Matching holiday PJs – have wanted to do this with the whole fam for a few years but it hasn’t happened. And it didn’t happen again this year.
- Two GYPO winter outfit posts – so many great pieces in the Get Your Pretty On winter capsule wardrobe. Joined my friend Carrie and 6 other bloggers to we revive the Ageless Style series. The theme for our first post was ‘sparkle and shine.’ Each month a different one of us will suggest a theme for which the group will style a look. Our posts go live on the third Thursday. Join us in March!! I have this new phone and when I click on photo, sometimes I actually take these mini video clips. Not sure what I am doing right or wrong. Ha!! Earlier in the season, I shared winter looks here and here.
- Styling winter dresses – it’s been so long since I’ve had on a dress!! If nothing else, I want to style some from my fashion haus for the blog. I did put on skirts for the Ageless Style link up. Alas, no dresses, yet. Will make this happen before the final update on 03.21.2021. At least at home in front of my skinny mirror!!
YOUR TURN
You’ve read my winter bucket list update 02.21.2021. Now you share yours!! Link up your blog post here.
Or share your progress in a comment. We have one more month to go. Let’s work it these next 4 weeks, girls. By my count I have met 9 of my goals, nixed 3 activities, which leaves 6 still lacking that coveted green checkmark. Hope you will come back next month on 03.21.2021 for my final update and the reveal of my spring bucket list.
Thank you for popping in. Wishing you a peaceful, healthy, warm week ahead.
Hugs and kisses,
Nancy
It’s hard to work out at home when you are not used to it isn’t it. Gerben doesn’t like it and can’t bring himself to it. Playing boardgames looks like a thing from the past. As we can’t invite friends over for almost a year now. Have a great Sunday!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
We are pretty much homebodies and rarely have company so, in that regard, the pandemic didn’t bother us so much. But would like to have the family come play games one night. Thank you, Nancy.
Sharon
Love your posts BFF! Gorgeous in your sparkle and shine inside and out! 🥰
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, BFF!! Love you from one mountain to the other one mountain.
jodie filogomo
That snow will make you realize you have to be careful what you wish for, LOL!!!
I love that mini video clip too Leslie. So fun!!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, friend. I love the snow so much but I am ready for spring!!
Joanne
Look at all those checks! That’s fabulous.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Joanne, for cheering me on!!
Donna Connolly
You have LOTS of checkmarks there, Leslie! Congratulations on your commitment to your goals — you remain VERY INSPIRING!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Woo hoo!! Thanks for cheering me on. Now to put checkmarks on the last few activities.
kirstin troyer
I definitely think we are all due to give ourselves a lot of grace….this last year has been so nuts….I mean I think we should always give ourselves grace, but this year more than ever. I’m going to do my update now and post it tomorrow. Kind of a busy weekend and I posted a post already today, I didn’t want to do two.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
No worries. Always post when it works best for you. So glad to have you trying the bucket lists!!
Deb
It’s hard to keep to a bucket list when the rules keep changing for what you can and cannot do! I think you’ve done really well!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! Hoping to check the rest of the activities off by spring!!
Christie Hawkes
First, that is so crazy about the storm in Texas! I am glad to hear you are okay. Also, you started this post by saying you hadn’t made much progress, but as I read through your list, it sounds like you’ve done quite a few the items there. And they sound so fun. Larry and I are still talking about getting some exercise equipment for our Southern Utah home, and the pool is getting ever closer. Hopefully, we’ll have more options for physical activity soon. Though I’ve been loving the numerous walking and hiking trails around here. The charcuterie board looks delicious. And, of course, I’m impressed as always at your artistic endeavors. Enjoy the rest of winter. Spring is on its way!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Christie. Hey…meant to tell you, get that belly button piercing reopened and put a ring in there, girl. Mine closes up and I reopen it!! We have to stay young at heart.
You are going to love that pool. I am anxious to get back to swimming but just hope our summer is a bit milder than last year’s.
Dara
Great job! I haven’t made any bucket lists this year, besides book TBR lists of course!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are a reading machine, my friend. Come do a spring bucket list with me…even if it is a TBR list!!
Danielle
I think you have been making awesome progress!! That mosaic is so beautiful! Can’t wait to see the finished project!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! Finally enjoying the work on the mosaic. Just needed the push of the #100DayProject to get me serious about it again.
Jennifer Smith
I think there are quite a few check marks here! You go, girl! Very productive – and fun – winter for you so far!! (puts me to shame!) That tamale run sounds like a blast!! Gotta give that one a try!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Come on, Jennifer, do a spring activity or bucket list with me!!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I’ve been loving my new treadmill and with it being so cold, it has been getting lots of attention. I do miss running outside, though, especially since I’m training for a half marathon. I need to try your Mexican hot chocolate still! That mosaic is so pretty, wow, so much work and detail! I am glad you are all ok from that Texas winter storm craziness! I can’t believe it is back to warm temps already after that. I am sure it melted quickly!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
We got whiplash from the change in temps…from spring to winter to spring in about 4 days time. Our poor plants are so confused. Running outside is more fun for sure. And I hope I can do that some this summer before it gets hot each day but have enjoyed my treadmill this winter. So proud of you to be training again for a half marathon. Wow. You are amazing, my friend.
Bri Runde
I have wanted to participate in your bucket lists but I feel like my life is so BORING and I would have nothing to report. 😂 You have done great though! Look at your progress on the mosaic! And I love that you did some painting!! Enjoy making those bird feeders today. Hopefully spring will be here soon enough. Glad you stayed safe last week. I thought of you often, Leslie.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Come do a spring bucket list with me, baby girl!! Thank you for thinking of me during the snow storm. We were – thankfully – safe and warm.
ShootingStarsMag
Your mosaic is looking beautiful! I’m glad you are safe and doing well after the huge snow storm. I kind of skipped over Winter for bucket lists, but I do want to make one for Spring!!
-Lauren
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hope you will make a spring bucket list. I have been so hot and cold with blogging and just can’t seem to stay caught up on my blog reading. Hope to do better starting this shiny new month.
Natasha
I need to start thinking ahead so I can make a spring bucket list…
Leslie Roberts Clingan
YES, YES!! Come do a spring bucket list. Actually spring and fall are probably the best seasons to have bucket lists. The weather is so much more agreeable…at least here.
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
I haven’t been able to visit blogs too much lately and I have been wondering how you guys fared with the storm! So glad to hear that you stayed safe and warm – and that your temps are back to normal now!
Your tamale taste testing sounds fun!! I haven’t had a tamale in ages, and now I want one. Lol. We have a fantastic place in Detroit, they are authentic and delicious. Looks like I know what we are getting for our Friday take-out night!
I am glad you are able to see your family more and your game night sounds so fun. I can’t wait until we can do that again with my brother and his family!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I have fallen so behind on blog reading. It is so time consuming. And I wind up pinning things and looking at other posts linked in the original post I am reading so I en dup all over the place. I finally just marked all the blogs I follow as ‘read’ and started fresh today!! Hope you did get some tamales for Friday take-out. It is a shame that we associate them only with Christmas. We need to do a spring break tamale run, too!!
Laura Bambrick
Your massage and facial goal sounds heavenly to me! What a good idea to make a goal of treating yourself! I am jealous of your gym equipment! All I have is a spin bike and I would love a treadmill right now with the icy streets! Hopefully we can all get outside again soon!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Check out my little treadmill on Amazon, Ancheer for less than $300, folds completely flat!!
Lysha
Love your seasonal bucket list posts! I love the Winter Wonderland paintings! That looks like so much fun.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
The Winter Wonderland workshops were so much fun. Come do one of her spring classes with me. $10!!