March Recap

I feel like I just did the recap for February! But that's probably because I wrote it super late. So here we go again, this time, for March! 

We spent all of March at home, which was nice. And now has me itching to go on a trip. 

Tyrell came to visit for a few days, which was fun. Although he spent most of his time hanging out with old mission buddies, so I didn't get to see him much. The butt. 

I finally hung up curtains in my bedroom. I am amazed at how much better the room looks. It's like we actually live here! I'd share pictures, but I haven't put laundry away in.... a few days. And I'm not going to show that on the internet. 

Halfway through March I finished reading Mrs. Hemmingway by Naomi Wood. This deserves it's own post, but I will say this: Hemmingway was a jerk, and I think his 3 (!!!) wives were more interesting than he was.

I shared some Instagram photos of my current huge craft project. Last year, I signed up for Mollie's 50 States Stitching Club, and since then, I've been slowly cranking away at it. I finally cut out the strips for the quit, and this is what I chose: 

These pictures aren't great, but that's what happens when I stay up too late crafting. 

I also started working on a new screenplay. It's coming along very slowly, but I'm just glad to be doing something I love.

And, to round out the month, here are few fun things from around the internet: 

I think that this DIY herbal foot soak is so pretty! 

Modern Mrs. Darcy put together a perfect spring reading list. Some I've read and some I haven't. It seriously has me thinking of putting together my own little list. 

This March quote is the perfect way to end this post: 

{Via Thyme is Honey}

Sunday Confessions: Blogging for Me

Blogging has changed a lot since I first started writing here a looooong time ago. It used to be something that people did for fun, to keep their friends and families updated on their lives. Personal blogs used to be really big, and I loved being able to keep up with my friends and whatever they were doing. 

Then things changed.

Blogging turned into something people could make money at. Soon, instead of fun, personal posts, bloggers were writing about crafts and recipes and anything else that appealed to a wider market. Then they started hosting ads on their pages. Next came sponsored posts. And now, we are where we are. People are blogging for money, and taking high profile sponsors. Every post had to be Pinterest worthy and appeal to everyone.

And I don't like it. 

I used to love writing about the random things that happened to me. I wrote honestly about my life. So when the era of big bloggers started, I thought I'd try my hand at it. I wrote a post or two that maybe could have been popular. But I didn't like how it felt. I wasn't saying things that I really thought, I was saying things that I hoped people would like. I wasn't being true to who I was. 

So I'm changing it. 

I've started doing monthly recap blogs because I like to. Sure, I was inspired by some popular bloggers, but I genuinely like looking back through the past 4 weeks and remembering the adventures I had. I've written about goals I've set, because that's something important to me. I want to start writing blog posts about dream vacations, short stories, and just random things because that is what I find interesting. That's what I like writing about, and I don't care if it makes me popular or not.

And I don't expect it to change. 

It's clear that blogging is now it's own beast, and that there's no way to control it. I don't expect to change the world of blogging with my little stand. I'm going to keep writing for me because it's how I want to grow as a writer, not because I want a thousand followers or to become popular on Pinterest. I just want to be a better writer. And when I start listening to me, and stop writing for other people, that's when I write the best. 

February Recap

I was all set to put up a recap for February during the first few days of March. And then my computer charger died. Turns out, those things are kind of hard to come by, and it took almost a week to get a new one. And now, here we are, reading a monthly update two weeks later than planned. 

Compared to January, February was nice and relaxing. We didn't make any big trips this time, just a long weekend up to Bear Lake to visit with family.  

For Valentines, we went out to our favourite local Italian restaurant, then browsed around the bookstore. Nothing too exciting, and it was nice and quiet. I was worried everywhere would be crowded, but aside from a bit of traffic, we had no problem getting a table. 

A few weeks back, the Relief Society had a crafting activity. Ever sense, a few of us have met on Thursdays to work on projects and chat. It's been really nice, and I've been making some serious progress on my biggest craft, an embroidered quilt. 

My little sister came through town on her way to chase the perfect wave. Even though I only got to see her for half an hour, it was awesome to get together and share a cheeseburger. 

I didn't meet most of my monthly resolutions, which is kind of a downer. I had dinner with a friend, but Luke and I didn't get to see any of our couple friends. I also didn't try any new recipes. I didn't get around to seeing a new release movie, but I did watch two "classics", Riding in Cars with Boys and Almost Famous. Neither of which was anything like what I was expecting. Almost Famous was a bit full of itself, but was kinda fun if you're into early 90s rockers. Riding in Cars with Boys wasn't nearly as scandalous as it sounds, and was a great story about a woman who's life doesn't turn out the way she dreamed it would, but it still works out okay. 

I started reading One More Thing, which I'm loving. I'm really starting to get into short stories, and this collection was a great one to start with. 

And to finish off, some fun nonsense from around the web: 

I bought this day planner, and I love it! You know I love London themed anything.

Used books are fun, but sometimes the covers are falling apart, or creep me out a little (this Great Gatsby cover is made of nightmares), so when I get a free moment, I really want to try this tutorial for covering books in a new fabric cover. 

Because Spring, That's Why

Since I don't live on the East Coast, the weather this winter has been, to put simply, mild. Warm, even. But not quite so warm that I can pretend it's spring. And it's driving me crazy. I want to wear a light jacket and cute flats and sleep with the window open and eat ice cream outside, dang it! So here are some pretty pictures that remind of spring. 

This colour palate is so perfectly springy. Plus ice cream! And sprinkles! 

via design seeds

Spring seems like the best time to try out this fancy blackberry limeade, right? 

via Cook Like a Champion

I'm really loving this simple dress. It's not very colourful, but I think the floral lace makes it count as an Easter dress.

via JCPenny

And these little bowls are perfecct for Easter candy, er, I mean fresh berries. 

 

via ModCloth

I want a little English country garden so bad! Nothing seems more spring-like than that.

via Chatelaine

January Recap

Since it's already a week into February, I guess I should post my little January recap. 2015 started off with a bang as I finished the holiday season, traveled back to Provo, and then headed off to Las Vegas for a work trip. 

Back in Provo I settled in for a long, cold winter. Surprisingly, the weather has been springlike, and we spent a few afternoons in the park. In January! 

Sunday afternoon in the park with a flying machine for Luke and my new adventure 

pack-sack from Ty and Charlotte.

I've gotten back in the habit of reading, finishing Pretty is what Changes by Jessica Queller, and starting on Yes Please! by Amy Poehler. 

I watched too much Netflix, including finishing Friends, Muppets Most Wanted, and The Hobbit.

Although I put up my new years resolutions just recently, I was making progress on them before that. We spent an evening with some couple friends while we were in Vegas and I hung out with an old friend up near Salt Lake. Luke and I went on small dates each week. My favourite was when we went out for lunch on a Friday. We also went on one big date, to see BYU's musical production of The Count of Monte Cristo. 

And just for fun, here are a few things that I found fun and interesting: 

I bought this London planner, and I love it!

This list of things to do alone really caught my eye. Because sometimes it's nice to just be by yourself.

I'm not sure this counts, with the non-winter we've been having, but I get grumpy when I'm cold...

via Buzzfeed

My 2015 Resolutions/Goals

Last year, I never got around to recording my New Year's resolutions. I meant to, but I just never got around to it. After a few months, I told myself that I would just do a "theme word" for the year, like some of this big fancy bloggers. Borne out of necessity, my theme was "travel", since I did quite a bit of wandering. 

This year, though, I have a ton of things I want to work on. Probably more than is reasonable. But here's my goals for the year. Some of them are going well, while others are giving me something to work on right away.  

Creativity
Complete this reading challenge

See a new release movie once a month 

Watch one classic movie a month 

Personal Development 

Blog at least twice a week

Finish all the projects I started in 2014 (and before, if I'm being honest)

Try one new recipe a month                   

Health

Go on a walk every day

Do yoga three times a week

Do some type of cardio workout at least twice a week 

Relationships

See friends once a month

Go on one big date with Luke once a month

Have date night once a week 

Eat breakfast together once a week

I have more, but I'm really trying to put a cap on my goals so I don't overwhelm myself and burn out by February. So yeah, that's what I'm working on for 2015. I know is kind of past the resolutions sharing part of the month, but I'd love to see what you're working on this year! 

2014 Year In Review

Last year was quite a year. From moving across the country to starting a new job, it's been an intense 12 months. 

Luke and I celebrated New Years in Provo before heading off to New York City. We had a great time exploring the Big Apple, visiting the NYPL, walking around Central Park, and seeing the sites before heading home.

We came back to Provo at the end of March. We settled in, and finally started unpacking and setting up in our new apartment. Luke geared up for spring classes, and I applied for a new job. After two successful interviews, I started working at Owlet as an office manager. It's been a huge learning experience, and I enjoy working there.

Summer was very busy, and super fun. It started with my first smartphone (and thus my first selfie) We went up to Bear Lake, then travelled on to Waterton. We made another trip back to the lake when my family came down, and all the in-laws hung out together. Basically, summer was awesome.

Fall was quiet. Luke worked hard to finish up his last undergraduate class, and I got into a good rhythm at work. I talked about hosting a Canadian thanksgiving, but that didn't happen. Instead, my parents came down at the start of November for my cousin's wedding.

The year ended in a rush as Luke finished his class and graduated!! Things got busy at work, but everything got wrapped up before we headed out to celebrate Christmas with our families.

2014 was full of lots of travel and lots of family. I can only hope for the same for 2015.

Being Back

I got sucked into the December vortex. Between year-end tasks at work, two holiday trips, and the actual holidays, time got away from me, and it's amazing I got anything done at all. But here I am, ready to go with the new year. 

I have lots of things to write about, and lots of motivation to carve out time for writing. Here's to a new year full of interesting things!

Coming Up For Air

The last few weeks have been a crazy whirlwind. Work has kept me so insanely busy I don't even know how to describe it. I have worked Saturdays. I have come in early and stayed late. I put in a 17 hour day. 

And now, things are finally slowing down. For once, I came home with enough energy to clean my kitchen. I feel like a real person again. I can spend time on house projects. Maybe even make plans with friends. I could decorate for Christmas! 

It feels so good to slow down and catch my breath. I'm definitely not one of those people who can push themselves to their limits day after day. I like working hard, and I like to be busy, but I don't like my life to be taken over by one thing. Balance is key for me, so I'm hoping that this is a long-term change, not a short-term lull. 

My Fall Reading List

I read a lot of fluffy, fun reads this past summer. And now that fall is going full tilt, I found I've kept on with those fun reads. That is, when I've been doing any reading at all. But fall, for me, always feels like a more serious time, mostly because I associate it with going back to school and learning new things. So I thought I'd give myself a little challenge and pick some more difficult books to work through. 

My only criteria for deciding what books to put on the list were 1: do I actually want to read this possibly challenging book, and 2: will I enjoy it wrapped in a blanket while drinking some peppermint tea? 

Anna Karenena. I've been wanting to read this for a long time. The story sounds interesting, and I love a good dramatic novel. Everyone I've talked to about it has loved it, so I'm really exited to get started. For an added incentive, I promised my friend Jason that I'd read it, so now I have to follow through. 

Anne of Green Gables. I love Anne. I've seen the movie countless times. Last summer I read a biography on L. M. Montgomery's life and where she found inspiration for Green Gables. When I was in grade 4, I started reading the book, but never finished. This fall sounds like the perfect time to curl up and read about Anne, Marilla, Matthew, and everyone else on the island. 

Austenland. It is a true fact that I've never finished a Jane Austen novel. I've started Pride and Prejudice three times. I once almost made it through Sense and Sensibility, but then I had to return the book to the school library. I like Jane Austen a lot, but for whatever reason I have a hard time finishing her books, so this seems like a step in the right direction. I loved the film adaptation, and I'm hoping that the book will be just as good. 

Northhanger Abbey.  Fall seems like the perfect time for a good gothic novel. I don't know why, it's just one of those things. Besides, it looks like it could be a quick read, which should increase my chances of finishing something by Austen.

Yes Please. Amy Poeler is one of those women who I'm going to follow forever. She is funny and smart, and has an advice column for teen girls. If her writing voice is anything like her real voice, this book is going to be fantastic. 

Bird by Bird. My aunt first introduced me to this little book on writing a few years ago. I finally bought a copy and plan on working my way through it slowly. This is a book I don't want to read and be done with. I want to pour over it, making notes in the margins, so I probably won't finish it for a while. 


The more I sit and think about the books I want to start reading, the longer the list gets, so I should probably end the list here. I love getting book suggestions, so please leave your favourite fall books in the comments! 

Book: Revenge Wears Prada

I started reading this book on a cold February day while I was in New York. I was supposed to meet Luke for lunch, but he got delayed, so I went to the library to kill time for a little while. I only made it through the first few chapters before I had to leave, and I finally got around to finishing it up in August. This book is the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, which I read last summer, so I kind of knew what I was getting into. 

The story picks up 10 years in the future, where Andy is now running her own magazine, planning her perfect wedding, and no longer has any contact with Miranda Priestly at all. As it turns out, her new mother-in-law hates her, which introduces some good conflict early on. While this conflict is a slow burn during the first half of the book, it isn't until about halfway through the novel that anything really starts to come of it. It's also at this point that we find out Miranda wants to acquire Andy's new magazine, and is relentless in her pursuit. 

I won't give away the juicy bits, as they are pretty stellar, even though it was a bit obvious what was coming. The climax and resolution comes fairly late in the novel, but it comes in spectacularly, with Andy finally speaking her mind and standing up for herself. The novel wraps up on a hopeful, but uncertain note as Andy considers her future possibilities. This ending makes me think that perhaps someday there will be another sequel, but I'm not holding my breath. 

If you're looking for a dramatic read that pulls you in, this is the book for you. It's a page turner, but there are a lot of pages. It's not a quick read, but it's hard to put down. If you need a little more drama in your life, this is the book to pick up.