dessert

5 PRODUCTIVE WAYS to banish cabin fever + the Crepe challenge

10:13 PM


Cabin fever. We all get it. That urge to suddenly get out somewhere and go on some crazy adventure, and not sit inside the house with complete patience. And it hits us right about now.
Unfortunately, spring likes to take it's time (not like most of us) which leaves the door shut, the windows closed, and either the view of naked trees or frosty white for our eyes to see through the windows.
It has a very annoying effect to it; suddenly we are all ready to burst outside and do something crazy, just because.

Well, if you know you've got a little more time to wait, then, this post is for you.

There's something about coming up with new things, making new things that just refreshes a person. Trying new things as well. And why not reap the benefit of a useful skill or well-made product? Hey, you may even be able to sell it.

#1 Learn to Crochet


Knitting or crocheting is an amazing skill because you can make just about anything with it. From baby booties to boot cuffs, to even a hat or scarf, it's fairly easy and simple to learn. If you want to tone down on your cost, buy yarn from the thrift shop (just trust me on this one; yarn for $0.50 is better than yarn for $5.00).  The best part? You can crochet WHILE WATCHING T.V. I mean, you can be making yourself a cozy warm hat while watching I Love Lucy (it takes not quite as long as you would think before you can just feel the rhythm of the yarn & needle, and don't even need to look). 
cheap cost + your own handmade clothes, no brainer.


#2 Map out your Spring Garden



This year I'm revisioning watermelons and cucumbers to have sort of a 'trellis teepee' growing method. Look up 'growing cucumbers (or watermelons) vertically' on Pinterest, and you'll see what I mean. Both of them rot easily, so growing Sugar Babies and cucumbers without touching the ground sounds like a *MIND BLOWN* idea. Maybe thinking of planting, vegetables and construction will help you forget it's still winter. And by planning now, you'll not only be ready when the weather turns warm, but you'll also have saved a bunch of time.

A good way to be prepared is by learning what grows in your area. You can also save more money by buying seeds (slightly risky, but then you might be paying $0.20 over $3.00) and trying your green thumb. If you're looking for an easy flower to grow by seeds and to plant around your garden, Marigolds are thee way to go. I grew them into hedges last year, no kid.

#3 Take the Crepe Challenge


I've been on Pinterest (surprise surprise) and these A-MAZING Crepe recipes were just jumping out at me. I managed to convince Mom (after all, their so thin if you mess up you aren't wasting much money) to teach me. It was a blast. we just made some batter, poured it into the bottom of the pan, and flipped it, then done (SO much easier to flip than an egg).

After, we rolled them with a filling of berries and banana-cream cheese and a sprinkling of chocolate chunks. I was surprised, but three of those were super filling. You all need to go an' try to make some crepes because let me tell you, it's fun. 

#4 Set an Exercise Goal


#1 reason for cabin fever, can't wait till spring. #2 reason, not enough exercise. All that cozy winter time do-nothing schedule makes your body extra full of energy. 
Solution?
Workout. I find ballet (or just dance) workouts on Youtube that get me stretched and tired. And shaking, no kid. It's an amazing, COMPLETELY FREE and actually fun way to test your endurance. Totally worth a try or two.
Pluuussss, why not get in shape for summer and spring? Yep, you can do that hard stuff while it's still chilly outside an' save the fun part for the warm weather. I'm probably around a couple inches from my right split. 0_O.

More importantly, back to my last post, is being thankful. We are so blessed by God that we have no idea. It's amazing when we open our eyes and see everything, starting at the glorious fact that Jesus died for us. For you. He loves you. He made you.

Do you have cabin fever?

Are you anxiously waiting for spring?

Autumn

Beauties of November // HITTING 50K & WINNING NANO...plus other stuffs

11:03 AM


#1 Handing out food at church
. THERE WERE SO MANY TURKEYS-AROUND 200-300-of them *whew* It was actually tons of fun to bring grocery bags full of food and heavy turkeys to people. And to refill tables with boxed brownie mix.

#2  WINNING NANOWRIMO WITH 53,034 WORDS
 AAAAAAAAAHHHH. I STILL CANNOT FULLY COMPREHEND IT! I WON I WON!!!! *throwing chocolate chip cookies in the air* *throwing book pages like they do in the movies*.

Image result for tangled  gif

*squeals* *I can't believe I DID THIS!*

#3 ENDING GIFT OF THE SEA
OKAYYY (doesn't know how to repeat the above squealing again). GIFT OF THE SEA is ended. Just like that. Boom. Wow. But....first draft, riggghhhttt?




#4 Thanksgiving
Which is always an amazing time. The FOOD smelled SO good, and we had pumpkin pie & stuffing (my Mom and me make the best, by the way) &  watched the dogggg showww on T.V. And, by the way, I skyped a really awesome person on her birthday the day before ❤ your the bestest!



#5 French & double Pirouettes
(just kinda figured those go together) My double pirouette is not as good nor as perfect nor as balanced as I would wish it be right now (and what's with this I can hardly do it while someone is watching me thing? I mean come on!) But French is coming along quite fine.
 *Que Passepartout trying to speak French in Around the World in 80 Days*

Oh, yes. I ALSO PUT MY FOOT ON OUR MANTEL. *Amazed emoji*

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#6 Walking on the biggest sandbar ever
I have lived right on this beach my whole life...and never do I remember being on such a HUGE SANDBAR...





#1 Falling out of a pirouette & landing on my tush
Which, technically isn't the funnest thing ever. #lookingupfromthegroundlikeatoddler.

#2 Sprinkling the dance floor with bobby pins
I. HAVE. A. LOT. OF. HAIR. OKAY? So it takes a lot of...okay, a ton of bobby pins to hold it all up in one little ballerina bun. And when you are turning your head at the rate of a second, bobby pins are just going to shoot out everywhere. I'd just prefer them to at home, not at the dance studio. It's like I leave a trail, and suddenly there is some little girl behind me trying to hand back a bobby pin or so. *head in hands*



#1 The story that inspired the Sound of Music, the Story of the Trapp Family Singers. I haven't finished it yet-yes, because of nano craziness this month-but so far I've enjoyed it's little humorous tidbits and heart-felt holiday reminisces. AND of COURSE #2 my own book! Still working on that cover, so, don't worry that hunk of draft up there isn't final. This whole writing journey has been fun. I'm about to see where editing will take me...hopefully to a printed copy of the first draft of Gift of the Sea.



#1 For the EPIC Masquerade/costume/theme Christmas party I'm planning for my youth group!!! Ah! It's a *toy* theme, so you dress as your favorite childhood toy. I'm deciding whether or not to be a wind-up doll, or a stuffed animal. I believe I'll choose the wind-up doll in the end. 

#2 For completing my first crochet project
As shown below, this is the little fellow I'm knitting for my niece. She is going to be wearing either a pink sweater or a pink dress, and a pink scarf. IT'S SO CUTE!!


#3 For buying a print copy of Gift of the Sea...and Christmas
What else could any writer be excited for then her own book in her own palms? And also...I've been listening to Christmas music.

How was your November?
What would you be at a Toy Masquerade??

Pets

Fluffy Blizzard Photo shoot With Sam

8:33 PM



Sam is quite obsessed with snow. When he gets excited he starts prancing around...it's adorable. He also enjoys a good game of 'catch the snowball' and running after us on the sleds.













The stream in our backyard made a perfect picture, being so icy and fragile. Sam's secret to paying attention in photos is his utmost favorite item; his lacrosse ball.




Which picture was your favorite? What makes your dog excited?

Pets

Fluffy Blizzard Photo Shoot With Mocha

6:57 PM


The Blizzard came. It was nonstop from 1 p.m on Friday to around 10 p.m on Saturday. We have about a foot of soft, fluffy, snow. Unfortunately, it stopped us from going to March for Life, but I have to say snow is wonderful all the same. Though it's not the kind for snowballs and snowmen, it's great for sledding...and for taking photos of a little rabbit in a brown fur coat.















Mocha is not always such a poser...sometimes he acts just like a five year old child. Him and Sam like to play in the snow a lot, matter of fact.





Did you all get snow? Thanks for reading and God Bless!

letters

A Pinch of Powder

6:18 PM


It finally snowed here. Actually, this is number three snow, but the only one that has stuck good. Snow is so...quietly beautiful. It's soft, and gently it falls, with not a sound, though it slowly builds up feet tall.











Tomorrow starts all the snow. Well, we didn't get snow on Christmas and were getting it now. A blizzard, to be exact. Maybe there will be some more snow pictures...? Even, maybe, a certain black-and-white pooch and brown-and-white bunny will get their very own winter photo shoot.



Stayed tuned & happy sledding!