Welcome to Life at Number Eight — my monthly series where I recap the month and catch up on what’s been happening.
And just like that, another month has passed. For me, March marked the end of summer: my calendar is filling up and, happily, the last few days have brought some cool breezes.
Maybe it’s a Queensland thing, but our social lives get busier as the weather cools. The milder sun makes it possible to enjoy being outside without the harsh heat, and to me this is the best time to visit this state.
March was relatively quiet both on the blog and in real life. Here are the highlights.
March, The Month of Birthdays
March is the big birthday month in my world.
It began with a trip to the Gold Coast for lunch with my mum at Rick Shores in Burleigh. It was a last-minute idea so we arrived at opening time without a reservation and hoped for walk-in availability.
We were seated at a bar-style table overlooking the restaurant and out toward the ocean — the view was the main draw. Our friendly waiter recommended a few dishes to share, including their famous bug rolls.
The setting felt glamorous and celebratory, but the food left me a little underwhelmed. Given the reputation and price point, I expected more. The signature yellow curry was too sweet for our taste.
The following weekend it was my birthday. I asked for one thing: a break. My thoughtful husband surprised me with a night in the city at the new W Hotel. The modern room, a huge bathtub and river views made it a perfect mini getaway.
After cocktails at the pool bar, we had dinner at Three Blue Ducks — a restaurant I’ve loved since first visiting The Farm in Byron Bay. Their Brisbane location did not disappoint in terms of atmosphere or approach. We ordered ribeye, local Moreton Bay bugs, chargrilled octopus and a side of broccoli and asparagus served with an olive tapenade that almost stole the show. I was too full to try the dairy-free dessert, but everything else was a treat.
Most Popular Blog Post
This month I only published one blog post (not counting these monthly recaps), and it wasn’t even a new recipe — it was a roundup of 25 incredible vegan desserts.
I’ve been working on recipes in the kitchen but felt uninspired by my photography. Rain and overcast weekends meant limited natural light, and I wasn’t happy with a couple of shoots, so I chose not to post them. I plan to rephotograph those recipes and share them soon.
Rather than disappear for the month, I put together a collection of inspiring recipes from around the web. Hopefully the short break has recharged me and I’ll return next month with fresh, motivated content.
What I Read This Month
Reading dropped off a bit in March — I finished only two books. I spent more downtime in front of the TV, so my reading slowed. I’d like to rebalance that in April.
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion (2019)
I was excited for the third book in the Don Tillman series. This final chapter focuses on Don, Rosie and their son Hudson as they navigate school years and identity questions.
Simsion subtly explores the idea of autism in the series without leaning on labels; here he digs into how a diagnosis affects the individual and how others perceive them in social settings like school and work. Hudson is an insightful, precocious child and Simsion continues to create rich characters woven into touching, humorous storylines.
I really enjoyed this conclusion to Don Tillman’s story and recommend the series for its warmth and clever character work.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain (2012)
This book felt transformative for me. I’ve always known I’m an introvert, but Cain introduced me to the idea of being a highly sensitive introvert. Her descriptions — vivid dreams, difficulty with intense on-screen violence, needing more time alone to recharge — resonated deeply.
Cain explains that this temperament is biological and not a flaw, and she reframes introversion as a strength that can thrive in leadership and social situations when needed. Introverts often prefer deeper, smaller interactions and perform better with autonomy — points that helped me better understand myself and others.
If you’re an introvert (or you live or work with one), this book offers important insights and practical perspective on how to support and appreciate different temperaments.
What I Watched This Month
Queer Eye
I binge-watched three seasons and loved it. It’s a show about people and small, meaningful changes that encourage self-care. Each episode explores themes like acceptance, grief, love and identity, and the Fab Five are candid about topics such as religion, politics, race, addiction and family.
There’s far more substance than I expected, and watching the transformations brought me a lot of joy.
Beyond The Curve
This documentary examines flat-earthers and the rise of “globe deniers.” It follows self-proclaimed leaders of the movement and their attempts to disprove established science, experiments that inevitably fail, yet are reinterpreted to fit conspiratorial beliefs.
What’s concerning is how these beliefs influence children and erode trust in education. The film made me uneasy about the potential long-term impact when scientific literacy is undermined at home.
The Umbrella Academy
I was drawn in by the show’s unusual premise: in 1989, 43 infants are born to unrelated women who hadn’t shown signs of pregnancy the day before; seven are adopted by a billionaire and raised to save the world. Thirty years later, the siblings reunite after their father’s death.
It’s less like X-Men and more a strange, compelling story about family dynamics with a superhero twist. The soundtrack is excellent and the music choices add clever emotional texture. Overall, it’s an enjoyable and unusual escape.
What I Listened To This Month
I’ve wanted to add a music section to these recaps for a while. Every month I find a song I obsess over, even if it’s not on the radio. Music matters to me, so here’s one I loved this month — it features incredible vocals and always gives me feels.
What’s Coming Up?
April looks busy. We’re celebrating our 5-year wedding anniversary this weekend — I can’t believe five years have flown by — and I finally get to see Book of Mormon, which I’ve wanted to see for years.
I’m hosting my first dinner party. We usually do low-key BBQs, so this will be a fun change: a small group of friends, good food and wine. Then there’s Easter and a long weekend camping trip — a much-needed switch-off in the middle of nowhere with close friends.
I hope to get back into a regular posting routine, though a few busy weekends may make it tricky. I’m still finding the balance between life and the blog and learning what’s sustainable without feeling overwhelmed. I’ll keep working on that.
Sally x