Joy Comes in Threes | Vol 05 🐌

What I’m loving, reading, watching, and listening to this spring.

Welcome to Joy Comes in Threes, a seasonal roundup of my newest favorite things. 

I share three things I’ve been loving, reading, watching, and listening to lately, and a few rhythms and routines I’ve been experimenting with.

This spring has been one for the books. We’ve hit our stride with home renovations, and it feels like our long-awaited progress is finally visible. Everything from clearing away wallpaper to preparing the walls for paint helps us envision what this humble home will become.

It’s not for the faint of heart, and we are by no means expert DIYers, but we’ve found a life-giving way to work on house projects without sacrificing rest and community.

With summer on the horizon, I plan to wake up earlier, prioritize walking meetings, and enjoy the great outdoors whenever I can—greatly inspired by the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge.

Here’s a look at my other spring favorites:

What I’m loving

Joining friends for nontraditional networking events

I love it when business friends become your IRL friends, especially when they love Jesus and live 10 minutes away. This recently happened with my new friend Christine (pictured above), a Squarespace website designer who invited me to a Spring Soiree event at a curated home goods store. I haven’t attended many post-pandemic events, so it’s been nice to ease back in.

My luck struck twice this spring with another invite from my friend Shannon, a brand strategist who also lives in the next town over. We went to an incredible AMPLIFY event where Christian business owners offer their expertise to select Christian nonprofit organizations. I left feeling so inspired and already plan to go to their next quarterly gathering.

Visiting local coffeeshops

I’m known for my love of hot chocolate, but after buying a Coffee Compass passport offering BOGO drinks at participating local cafes, it seemed like the perfect time to acquire a taste for coffee. I tend to order lavender lattes on repeat, but it’s been fun to try different seasonal flavors. My favorite coffeeshop so far is probably PILLLAR in Northeast Minneapolis for its skater punk vibes and community advocacy.

Visiting friends and meeting babies (!!)

We seem to be in the season of life where many of our friends are having their first child, and we’ve been over the moon about it! As if we needed another excuse to take a weekend getaway to Milwaukee or a quick day trip across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Whether it’s holding a little one for the first time or watching them scoot around the carpet, we embrace any opportunity to see them grow and develop.

What I’m reading

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

I typically reach for standalone novels, but when I heard about this charming novella series, I had to see what the hype was about. Set in the late 1800s, the series follows a sassy twenty-year-old woman named Emma who is facing a dire financial situation (through no fault of her own, of course).

With themes of love, loss, independence, and found family, this series feels like a warm cup of tea. I’m currently on the fifth novella. The author is currently working on the ninth but plans to release over twenty installments of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. I have a feeling it’ll be worth the wait!

Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

Are you looking for a theology book with all substance and no fluff? This is IT. Celebration of Discipline takes a deep dive into multiple spiritual disciplines—categorized by inward, outward, and corporate practices. I can’t believe I found it in the $1 hardcover bin at a local bookstore. I’ll reference it for years to come.

Heart the Lover by Lily King

THIS. BOOK. It’s a complete masterpiece from start to finish. In a world of AI-generated slop, Heart the Lover reminds you that really good writing still exists. I loved the character dynamics, pacing, academic setting, and even the unconventional love triangle that evolves throughout the decades. It’s literary fiction at its finest. Read it, please and thank you.

What I’m watching

Company Retreat (Amazon Prime)

I’ve been reaching for books more than TV shows lately—a habit I’d very much like to continue—but the entrepreneur in me LOVED Company Retreat. The show follows a guy who’s hired as a temporary assistant to help with a hot sauce company’s retreat. The catch is it’s a fake company, and every employee is an actor—but him. The ending is so heartwarming, and the whole show made for great TV.

Caroline Winkler

There’s something about interior design YouTubers that really scratches an itch. Maybe it’s because I used to watch HGTV growing up, but YouTube creators like Caroline Winkler offer a fresh take on interior design trends and tastes. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, which I love, and she often features her fiancé in videos like this one: Mixing Interior Design Styles.

Darling Desi

Wait, two YouTubers this spring? Yup! If you’re looking for beautiful cinematography, curated aesthetics, and a heavy dose of seasonal whimsy, you have to watch Darling Desi’s videos. She releases only one video per month, but this production schedule allows her to create the highest quality videos. When you watch How I Romanticize Spring, you’ll see what I mean.

What I’m listening to

Victory Garden album from Young the Giant

Any time I’m cooking or driving in the car, you can almost guarantee Young the Giant’s newest album, Victory Garden, is playing on repeat. Bitter Fruit has mass appeal, but I find myself belting out This Too Shall Pass more than a healthy amount. They’re coming to Minneapolis in August, so I may need to snag tickets in honor of my dad, who loved them, too.

Real Time Creator podcast hosted by Alison Kinsey

Alison may be a close friend, but her Real Time Creator podcast is truly unlike any other. Inspired by her story of being laid off from a multiple-six-figure-salaried job, Alison documents her journey of taking a long-overdue career break. I recommend starting with her first episode before you dive into the full archive.

Freaks & Geeks playlist

Freaks & Geeks has a special place in my heart for its nostalgic charm, complex teenage characters, and memorable soundtrack. Although the show was (tragically) canceled after one season, this Spotify playlist helps me relive the show’s best moments all over again.

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A season to remember

What have you been loving this spring?