Currently June 2022

Currently | 6.28.22

I spent most of June indoors. Every weekend was dedicated to catching up on dozens of blog posts in draft (check out the giant lists of posts I published at the end of this post). I made a commitment to finish my articles from my last trip to France and Portugal before my next trip to France and Portugal this fall! That's what happens when you have a full-time job and a full-time passion!

Don't feel too bad for me as it has been horribly hot and humid and I planned to use the horrible weather to get a leg up on writing so that when the weather turns nice again we can get the hell outside!

Summer has brought summer storms and the power grid here in North Carolina (as in much of the East Coast) is a complete joke! We had the power go out for 10 hours one Friday night this month and I thanked the Universe for our new Generark Solar Generator which kept us (reasonably) cool without A/C powering our fan. We used it for small appliances as well!

We also picked up another new device, a portable car jump starter battery pack, after our truck battery died twice. We only have 1 car, live out in the boonies, and can't risk that happening again. It worked so brilliantly that it is a new addition to our essential gear for camping and road trips.

Lastly, there are no words to describe the shock, shame, and anger I feel to be living in a country that rolled back its laws protecting a woman's right to choose. I am at a time in my life when the window for me to have children has come and gone, but I have nieces, I have colleagues, and I have empathy for women from different socio and economic backgrounds who now have this to contend with as well. No words.

North Carolina peaches and tomatoes are where I am currently finding solace.

Now, onto June and what's been happening in the Misadventures world.

Watching | SciFi and 1883!

We are voraciously watching Star Trek Strange New Worlds, a series that feels very Star Trek-ky. I love Captain Pike and Ethan Peck's Spock is perfect! On a similar note, Obi-Wan was well done. But the show that stole my heart this past month was 1883.

First off, anything with Sam Elliott is going to be watched. (Yes, I even tortured myself with more-than-one-too-seasons of the Ranch just to see him!) But the story and writing were brilliant. Raw. The violence was a reflection of the brutality of the time and not the gratuitous violence that I sometimes think Yellowstone has.

Elsa's monologues were a poignant narrative that pulled me in.

I started watching Julia on the plane to Phoenix in May, but then Mr. Misadventures kept looking over my shoulder in keen interest he had not displayed when I mentioned wanting to watch it (I love Julia!) so I hit the pause button until we could watch it together which we did this month. I immensely enjoyed it, even though it focused on her post-Paris life (you can still read about her Paris life here) and I want more!

Can't Wait to Watch:

• Top Gun Maverick
• Top Chef Season 19
• Season 4 of Yellowstone

Reading | Paris Books

The thing about so many people around the world loving and living in Paris is that there is never a shortage of books! I am working my way through the Cara Black series and finished Murder on the Ile Saint-Louis, but then paused on Aimee Leduc to read something else.

I started with the new Dinner for One: How Cooking in Paris Saved Me from Sutanya Dacres and then moved on to American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee. I've read American Royals and American Royals II: Majesty and think the series could just keep going… I am now starting The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley.

Up Next…

• The Winemaker's Wife – a story split between Champagne (France) in the 1940s and New York in 2019.
• Every Summer After – reminds me of 28 Summers.
• The Paris Bookseller – the story behind the famous Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris.
• Where the Crawdads Sing – takes place in North Carolina so I feel like I need to read it!

Best Bite | Keto Blueberry Nut Granola

I have been eating a bowl of NuTrail's Keto Blueberry Nut Granola Healthy Breakfast Cereal every single morning! It is low carb, has a great balance of sweetness, and pairs perfectly with almond milk. I add a teaspoon of chia seeds and collagen as well. You get the best deal on the blueberry at Costco. We have purchased a few other flavors on Amazon and Walmart carries them.

Working On | 2023 + 2024 Plans

The world isn't going to travel itself. Just kidding. But seriously, Mr. Misadventures and I are putting our tentpole trips onto the calendar so that we can begin planning and budgeting. We had already purchased are flights and paid for most of our accommodations for our trips this fall last year.

We are also obsessed with planning and organization so I am already working with a 2023 planner. I am sharing the one I created and am using which you can pick up for $1.99!

J'adore | Lots of things at the moment!

I have caught up on a ton of J'adore round-ups that I had been wanting to share. There is one for camping, a new travel edition, national parks, and updates to my eco-friendly beauty products. Have a peek, especially if you are looking for a gift for a friend or family member and want some inspiration.

Feeling | Cautious

First, it was the Queen (reference here), then gas prices, and now, inflation. I, like everyone else, really want to get back out in the world, travel, see people, etc. but I am still very concerned about all these things in the long term, so I am trying to proceed with caution in the short term!

Loving | French Chicken Salad

Well, yes. I do love French chicken salad, but what I actually mean is that I am super excited about my French recipe collaboration with Heather of Fit Mama Real Food. Our first project was this French chicken salad recipe and we will be bringing a new recipe every month! 

Published in June

• Best Ice Cream in Paris
• How to Stay Cool in Paris
• Renting an Apartment in Paris for Holidays
• Paris 8th Arrondissement
• Paris 12th Arrondissement Guide
• 16th Arrondissement Guide
• 20th Arrondissement Guide
• Your Guide to Parc Monceau
• 9 French Pharmacy Skin Care Must-Haves
• Paris Metro Guide
• Paris Train Stations
• Airports Near Paris
• French Chicken Salad
• J’adore – National Park Edition
• J’adore – Camping Gear
• J’adore #89: Travel Edition #8
• Toddler Activities Tuscon
• How to Save on Summer Travel This Year

That’s my month, what’s CURRENTLY going on with you?

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