February’s Best: Your Monthly Guide to Good Things, Travel, Books & More
A monthly list thoughtfully curated to bring you good things to see, buy, read, and watch.
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As I pen these words, a dusting of snow still graces the hills outside our windows, a stark reminder of winter’s lingering grip. Yet, my mind has already leapfrogged into full spring mode, buzzing with exciting garden plans, eyeing the formidable task of spring cleaning (those windows, oh my!), and dreaming of lighter, warmer attire. It seems I’m choosing to simply bypass the remaining chill and embrace the promise of renewal. This anticipation for spring is a familiar annual ritual around here in March.
Perhaps my intense “spring fever” is a direct result of our wonderful escape to Southern California during the last week of February. The contrast couldn’t be more striking; while snow fell at home, we basked in sunshine and mild temperatures. It was truly a breath of fresh air and a welcome break from the Pacific Northwest winter. This month’s “Good Things List” is brimming with treasures from that trip and other discoveries. I’d absolutely love to hear about any good things you’ve encountered recently in the comments below!
February’s Good Things List: Curated Favorites
A Refreshing Southern California Getaway
Our mid-winter escape to Southern California was primarily motivated by a desire for a surf trip for my husband and daughter, but it turned into so much more. We managed to snag direct tickets to John Wayne Airport via a budget-friendly airline – and honestly, can I just say how utterly glorious it is to fly direct everywhere? The reduction in stress and travel time is simply unparalleled! Our accommodation was a charming two-bedroom Airbnb, offering a delightful peek-a-boo view of the ocean, perfectly situated for our beach adventures.
While my family braved the waves, my role as the designated photographer and beach-walker was equally enjoyable. I reveled in long, peaceful strolls along the shore, soaking in the surprisingly warm February sun. We hit the jackpot with the weather; most of our days were filled with glorious sunshine and temperatures comfortably in the 60s. This was a stroke of immense luck, considering the “atmospheric river” had unleashed torrential downpours the week prior, and the week following our departure brought significant cold and heavy snow to the mountains. It truly felt like we found a perfect, sunny window.
Beyond the surfing, which they enjoyed immensely at Doheny State Beach Park (just a convenient 5-minute drive from our rental), I found myself utterly captivated by the vibrant coastal lifestyle. Watching people engage in beach volleyball, leisurely biking along scenic paths, enjoying brisk walks, and, of course, surfing, highlighted such a refreshing contrast to our typical February routine back home. It was a wonderful change of pace and a fantastic opportunity to observe a different way of life.
During our stay, we took a delightful excursion to the historic San Juan Capistrano Mission, spending ample time exploring its beautifully preserved grounds and the charming town that surrounds it. Most of the mission’s buildings are faithful reproductions of the originals, standing alongside the poignant ruins of the main church, tragically damaged by an earthquake in the 1800s. Walking through the courtyards, you can truly feel the weight of history and the enduring spirit of the place. The architecture is stunning, offering countless photo opportunities and quiet corners for reflection.
Without a doubt, what enchanted me most about the mission and the entire Southern California area during our visit was the sheer abundance of flowers blooming in February. It was an absolute joy to see such vibrant life, especially the magnificent roses, in full bloom amidst the historic stone. The fragrance and color were simply intoxicating, a true balm for winter-weary eyes.
Beyond the mission, our itinerary included a visit to a lively local farmers market, where we sampled fresh produce and artisanal goods. We also explored the picturesque pier at San Clemente, which was a mere 10-minute drive south, offering stunning ocean views and a quintessential California pier experience. We ventured north to Laguna Beach for a memorable dinner with our niece and continued to Newport Beach to meet up with a wonderful online friend. The ease of navigating between these beautiful coastal towns made our trip even more enjoyable.
Traveling during the off-season was a brilliant decision. We experienced pleasantly light traffic and, most importantly, no overwhelming crowds at any of our destinations. This allowed for a far more relaxed and authentic experience, free from the usual tourist hustle. We genuinely loved this particular region of Southern California, appreciating its convenient proximity to a multitude of attractions and diverse activities, making it an ideal destination for a peaceful yet engaging getaway.
Embracing Eco-Friendly: My New Natural Bristle Brushes
In my ongoing commitment to reduce plastic waste in our home, particularly in the kitchen, I’ve been slowly but surely replacing everyday items with more sustainable alternatives. This month, I focused on kitchen brushes. I invested in a lovely set of wood and bamboo-handled brushes, all featuring natural bristles. This simple swap aligns perfectly with my goal of creating a more eco-conscious and visually appealing living space.
When these new brushes arrived, I was immediately struck by how charming they were. Their rustic aesthetic and natural materials felt so much more inviting than their plastic predecessors. I was so taken with their appearance that I decided to give them a prominent place by my kitchen sink. Instead of relegating them to the dark depths beneath the sink – where the rather unsightly plastic brushes used to reside – I arranged them artfully in a small pitcher. This not only makes them easily accessible for daily use but also adds a touch of natural beauty to the countertop. The only exception is the largest natural bottle brush, which, due to its impressive size, still resides under the sink, patiently waiting for its turn.
This decision to display the brushes meant I needed a cohesive way to organize them alongside my soap dispenser, sponge, and the trusty Bubble Up brush. I rummaged through my kitchen wares and pulled out a small, round cutting board that wasn’t getting much use. To my delight, it provided the perfect compact platform to hold all these essentials. The arrangement is not only incredibly functional but also genuinely pleasing to the eye. It’s a small change, but one that brings a daily dose of satisfaction – useful and cute, a winning combination in my book!
For those interested in making a similar eco-friendly upgrade, here are the Natural wood/sisal/bamboo kitchen brushes I purchased:
- Pot Scrubber Brush (a versatile workhorse that conveniently comes with two extra replacement heads, ensuring longevity).
- Sisal Bottle Brushes (a set of various sizes, with the largest one being incredibly effective for bigger bottles and tucked away for space efficiency).
- Brown Cup/Bottle Brush (a similar design to the one pictured, perfect for glasses and mugs, providing gentle yet thorough cleaning).
February Reads: Diving Into New Worlds
While this image might suggest a lighter reading month than usual – I typically devour or listen to around eight books – I actually managed to get through six books in February. The visual is a bit misleading because three of them belong to the delightful Stella and Lyndy mystery series; to avoid repetition, I’ve just shown one cover to represent the entire trio. It was a month of engaging stories, some truly captivating, and one that fell a bit short.
Murder at Keyhaven Castle, Clara McKenna, Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. Along with its delightful companions, Murder at The Majestic Hotel and Murder on Mistletoe Lane, I successfully concluded this charming mystery series that I enthusiastically mentioned last month. Narrated by one of my favorite voice artists, Sarah Zimmerman, these books are pure escapism. In Keyhaven Castle, our beloved protagonists, Stella and Lyndy, finally tie the knot amidst a puzzling crime. Their honeymoon then takes them to the grand Majestic Hotel, where another intriguing mystery unfolds. Finally, we join them for their first Christmas celebration on Mistletoe Lane, complete with festive cheer and a dash of danger. These books are truly fun reads, perfect for unwinding. They feature a cast of interesting characters, lighthearted yet engaging mysteries that keep you guessing without being overly dark, and a sweet, evolving love story that forms a lovely backdrop to the investigations. If you’re looking for cozy historical mysteries with a touch of romance, this series is a fantastic choice.
Blandings Collection Vol 2: Blandings Castle Books, P.G. Wodehouse, Narrated by Stephen Fry. I believe I’ve raved about this collection before, but Brian and I finally finished listening to it this past month, and the concluding stories had us in absolute stitches! Oh goodness, Wodehouse’s satirical take on Hollywood in the 1920s is nothing short of hysterical. We suspect much of it is inspired by his own experiences writing for the early film industry, which only adds to the brilliance. As always, Stephen Fry proves himself a master narrator, effortlessly bringing each eccentric character and absurd situation vividly to life with his incredible range of voices and impeccable comedic timing. It’s truly good stuff for anyone who appreciates classic British humor and masterful storytelling.
The Flying Circus, Susan Crandall. I have fond memories of thoroughly enjoying Ms. Crandall’s previous work, Whistling Past the Graveyard, so we eagerly picked up The Flying Circus based on that positive experience. While I didn’t connect with this novel quite as deeply as her previous one, it still offered a very interesting and immersive dive into the incredibly early days of aviation. The narrative explores the fascinating world of “barnstorming” shows, spectacles put on by former WWI pilots using decommissioned planes. Crandall’s descriptions are remarkably well-researched, often based on real-life planes, pilots, and the daredevils of the era – both men and women who would bravely walk on canvas wings in flight, often without any safety belts! The story follows a compelling trio – two young men and a courageous woman – detailing how they come to know each other and form a flying team. What truly held our attention were the serious issues and complex backgrounds the author gave them to overcome and deal with, adding a rich layer of human drama to the historical context. My primary critique, however, would be the rather abrupt ending; it felt rushed and somewhat jarring after what was at times a more leisurely, meandering middle section of the story.
The Secret Life of Flora Lea, Patti Callahan Henry. Well. This book, despite accumulating a plethora of positive reviews on Amazon and requiring quite a wait from the library, unfortunately just didn’t resonate with me. This was surprising, as I’ve genuinely enjoyed Ms. Henry’s other works. My main issue, first and foremost, was that the central premise of the story felt utterly unbelievable, as did the subsequent explanation and resolution – a significant hurdle for me to overcome. However, an unbelievable premise doesn’t always deter me from finding enjoyment in a narrative. In this particular case, I also found the main character rather unlikable, and her actions often felt contrived or simply out of character for what I would expect in a realistic scenario. Furthermore, the narrative tended to drag, repeatedly revisiting the same images and memories without significant progression, which led to a feeling of stagnation. The introduction of an American writer into the plot also felt somewhat forced and didn’t truly enhance the overall story in a convincing way. Ultimately, I abandoned the book about three-quarters of the way through and simply skipped to the end, finding little motivation to continue through the repetitive sections.
Watching: A Fun Spy Rom-Com
Argylle, in theaters (now streaming on Apple+). I’ve been quite dismayed to see this movie receive so many negative reviews, because Brian and I thought it was an absolute blast! The director, Matthew Vaughn, explicitly set out to create a PG-13 spy/romance film – the kind he could genuinely enjoy watching with his daughters, reminiscent of the fun, adventurous movies from the 1980s. And frankly, this is precisely the kind of refreshing, lighthearted entertainment that is sorely needed in today’s often overly serious cinematic landscape. So, a huge thank you to him for delivering!
The film is packed with numerous comic-book-esque, utterly over-the-top action sequences and plot twists that simply had us laughing out loud. It’s clear that the movie isn’t taking itself too seriously; it delightfully spoofs and pays homage to the more intense, gritty spy thrillers (think the gravity-defying stunts of Tom Cruise’s *Mission Impossible* series, but with a humorous wink). It was also incredibly refreshing to see a woman of a more “real” size, Bryce Dallas Howard, confidently and charmingly play the romantic lead. Her chemistry with Sam Rockwell, who was an absolute hoot and delivered a wonderfully quirky performance, was palpable and genuinely enjoyable. If you’re looking for a film that prioritizes pure fun, laughter, and a bit of playful espionage without the heavy dramatic weight, *Argylle* is definitely worth a watch. Don’t let the critics deter you from a good time!
And that wraps up another exciting edition of the Good Things List!
If you’re eager to discover more of my cherished finds and recommendations, you can always explore all the previous Good Things Lists here. I genuinely value your thoughts and would love to hear from you – whether you’ve tried any of these recommendations or have some fantastic things you’d like to recommend yourself. Please share your insights and comments below!
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