As I shared last month, during my slow march away from Instagram, I’m making an effort to keep a brief record of each month in 2026. I haven’t done much writing this month, but I did make some time to sit down today and reflect on my goings-on in February.
I went: On two hikes. Generally, we love hiking in the winter—no bugs (especially my sworn enemy, ticks), fewer crowds, and completely comfortable, if you wear the right gear. After a very frigid January/early February where we mostly hunkered down at home, it was so good to be back outside.
I read: Unlike last month, this was a pretty slow, comforting reading month. I continued two series that I’ve been dipping into over the last year or so: Slough House by Mick Herron and the Lane Winslow series by Iona Wishaw. I finished The Marylebone Drop and Joe Country (Slough house) and The Cost of a Hostage (Lane Winslow).
I ate: Birthday cake with my newly 89-year-old grandmother. Lucky me. Also, hotel room service while we watched the men’s Olympic semi-final game. I know it’s expensive, I know it almost never tastes as good as it would in the restaurant, but goshdarnit do I love room service.
I made: Orange Marmalade Cake (gift link). Per the ever helpful NYT community tips, I skipped the glaze and added all of the marmalade to the batter. The perfect day cake with a cup of tea.
I watched: &Juliet in Toronto with my bestie. Good, good fun, especially if you’re a child of the 90s and early-aughts.
I listened to: The Cool Jazz playlist on Spotify.
Little joys: Sitting on the snowy, foggy beach with my boys.
Looking forward to: Springing ahead and reclaimining some daylight.
Taking pleasure in: My first foray into k-beauty. I took advantage of a recent Stylevana sale and am trying out Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen, K-Secret Extra Illuminating Eye Gel Patches (do eye patches do anything? I don’t know, but I love them), and APLB Azelaic Acid Peptide Ampoule Serum.
Fascinated by: The vagus nerve. After a fainting episode last month (dehydration meets stress, I think?), I’ve been trying to take better care through deep breathing, yoga, and paying attention to food/hydration.
Grateful for: After a bout of pancreatitis and an overnight stay at the emergency animal hospital, our pup’s health is stable at the moment. We know we’re approaching the end of his days (he turns 11 today, March 1), but for now, we’re happy that he’s still with us for snuggles and the occasional day on the trails.
Current mood: Hopeful. I love spring, and here it comes.
My Fine Lines 
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