Embracing Homelife: April Ahead

I should get some seeds started this month. 

    You'd think I didn't have four trips in the last year the way I'm coming across as obsessing about no travel in the forseeable future. I just can't leave pup longer than an evening and only when my daughter is available. (Long story short, son cannot do needles). Really though, I know that FOMO feeling is going to hit when my sisters, friends, mere aquaintences take to the roads, sky, and seas. That's how I ended up booking my trip to Greece last July in the middle of the night- and pups meds for the year will cost more than that trip. To combat this, I'm going to intentionally outline my calendar and if there are bare weeks, find local fun to fill the gaps. I'm doing this under the overarching topic, Embracing Homelife. 

    Here's how April looks right now. It's a bit light on weekends but that leaves room for flexibility or just downtime for home projects the last two weekends since the week between is busy. A bit of social fun is mixed in with two community commitments.

April 5: Hosted small Easter dinner + NCAA Women's Basketball final game

April 6: NCAA final basketball championships wat h night

April 11: Family bookclub and cards

April 20: AAUW Spring Dinner and annual meeting

April 23: Power of 100 Women Spring Giving event

Possible April activities include... 

  • Bachman's Garden Center visit with their Bloom event
  • Local Winery afternoon with live music which starts in April 

    Winery just outside of town.

  • Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA)
  • Visit the Como Conservatory 
  • Bird Banding events at local nature center with meet up walk with friends 
  • Local Hootenanny April 25 (local bars host live music that rotates around the city, donation based- proceeds go-to the school district music programs)
  • Niece and nephews lacrosse, baseball, softball, and soccer season starts so will get schedules to get to various games
      Some are specifically happening in April and others of course can be anytime, though April is a nice option. These are in addition to any meet up for walks or coffee with friends, Wednesday trivia and alternating Friday live music at the brewery, Tuesday morning concerts at the art center, and movie nights. There's a semi local wine bar that has complimentary tastings on Friday's and would be a nice night with some appetizers and a glass to purchase along with trying new wines. The hard side of all these options is that I'll have to seek out companions or go alone. That's tough when others are busy with their partners, families, or travelling, another secondary loss in widowhood. I'm holding off watching the last season of Outlander, but may schedule myself to do a rewatch of seasons 1-7 so that will fill voids for weeks, maybe months. What are your best April suggestions? Do you have things you're looking forward to? 


Comments

  1. GinaApril 6, 2026 at 9:35 AM

    Too bad you don't live closer to me - I love visiting wineries and breweries! I have been scouting out things to do, too. That's how I found the book club at a local library. I am right now trying to plan a 3 day getaway to the Texas coast, but also I am finding new parks to visit for lunch al fresco, and thinking about doing some book thrifting. I hate being bored.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 6, 2026 at 10:08 AM

    Would it be helpful or frustrating to plan for trips ahead? We've been big into watching hiking videos, to help plan for our next few trips. We are mostly focused on one big trip per year, with national park trips to fill in the few days a quarter where M has "freebie" vacations. Other ideas: free classes at the library? Not sure if yours offers that. A free trial Y membership, and check out all of the mobility & stretching classes (mine offers this, not sure about one near you)? Signing up for a community college class & learn a new skill? maybe something art related (I'm terrible at art, but think I would like it just the same). My April is going to be: one work trip to London (way less exciting than it sounds, as it's just the airport/office/hotel, no sight seeing + a lot of jet lag) & then on the last day of the month, I'm flying to Boulder to pick up Nick, which I'm very excited about. Bonus that I'll get to see my BFF, as we are staying with her one night. - Hawaii Planner

    ReplyDelete
  3. BelindaApril 6, 2026 at 10:17 AM

    The Bird Banding events sound like something I would love to watch. Hearing birdsongs in the mornings is a sweet sound to me. We currently have a woodpecker that is up bright and early and working hard this morning. Do you have the Merlin Bird app on your phone? It's from Cornell Lab and you can use it to identify any bird that you hear. I really like the app and it's easy to use.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AprilApril 6, 2026 at 10:25 AM

    As you plan out your April, I am at the opposite point of looking at this week, seeing NOTHING planned (other than my husband's teaching; just two afternoons a week for 2 hours) and am cheering. We keep a paper wall calendar on our kitchen table and color code events: pink for me, blue for him, green for us both, and orange for "other" (such my dad's appointments, for which I am responsible). The last several weeks have been so "colorful" that I am thrilled to see just blank white days...! On the other hand, my favorite (locally owned) garden center opens today and I know that at some point soon, I need to get busy planning and planting our 2026 gardens. I don't start seeds inside anymore, but, yeah, there's work to be done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cheryl KimbleyApril 6, 2026 at 10:51 AM

    Sounds like a potentially busy month - lots of fun activities.

    ReplyDelete

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