Winter Recap

With winter FINALLY ALMOST GONE and spring on its lovely way, I thought it would be fun to provide a recap of some things that were accomplished this season. I never usually keep a record like this, but with writing one I can feel better knowing that I didn’t just sit inside for four months and do absolutely nothing. Winter is always an unenjoyable time for me, and being that this year I didn’t have to work or go outside much, I had to be creative with how to use my time indoors. I really missed the opportunity to have lots of greenery in the apartment, so that will definitely have to go on the list for next year!

Winter recap –

recipes made [some new, some old]:

+ veggie soup (x4)

+ pizza dough (xWeekly, almost)

+ spinach, mushroom, and zucchini lasagna

+ veggie bean burgers (x3)

+ salsa (x2) [recipe found here]

+ chocolate chip/butterscotch chip/flax seeds/walnut cookies

+ walnut rum wafers ( - rum + cocoa)

+ chocolate cut-out sugar cookies (for Christmas)

DIYs:

+ heart garland [diy found here]

+ recipes listed above

household / homemaking:

+ rearranged apartment (x2) [related post found here]

+ simplified “stuff” and gave away many items [related post found here]

+ hung holiday, seasonal decorations & memorabilia

+ framed artwork, hung pictures/memorabilia

+ got rid of cable and internet

+ bought a small Ivy plant

baby v:

+ eating some solid food

+ cut two (bottom) teeth

+ crawling

+ completely transitioned to her own room and bed :( - done with decorating & set up

+ doing cloth diaper laundry ourselves (no more service)

+ photoshoot session

+ smiles for the camera/phone when you hold it up to her and say “cheese!”

personal / husband & wife:

+ virtual marriage retreat with Pope Francis (National Marriage Week) [post found here]

+ Lenten daily devotional [related post found here]

+ read Cuckoo’s Calling

+ completed lots of word search puzzles

+ celebrated A’s 26^th birthday (a one year subscription to Reader’s Digest & Clarks (lifetime guarantee) socks were my gifts to him)

+ re-vamped the blog a bit more/decided on a style (still hoping to have an actual website soon) / made a Facebook page for the blog for easier access

+ visits with/from family and friends

+ decided to go as organic as possible after reading an Organic Living book received for Christmas

+ watched movies / my favorite: The Grand Budapest Hotel

+ found some direction in terms of career / excited for the new possibilities! Now it’s just about implementation and acquiring clientele – expected to be a continually developing process

Now it's time to create a list of all the things I am looking forward to and hope to accomplish this spring! What are some of your winter recap moments?

Heart Garland DIY

Perhaps it looks a bit childish, but it's the thought that counts, right? :D

I have had TONS of leftover, unused coffee filters sitting in my cupboards for months. I have been brainstorming other ways to make use of them, and with Valentine's Day coming up, I figured it would be simple enough to cut out some hearts and put them on a string. So, there ya have it. And with the intention of having perfectly shaped hearts, I was able to use a lot of filters as it took a few tries to get the right heart! Get creative and think of other ways to shape the hearts, other string colors to use, and other times of the year to hang up some heart garland.

What are some other ways to use unused coffee filters?

Seven Day Virtual Marriage Retreat

National Marriage Week began on February 7th and ends February 14th. A virtual retreat with Pope Francis was created and can be found here (Marriage Retreat #2). Please take some time each day for seven days to pray for your own marriage and also the marriages of those around you. Even those dating or engaged can participate in the retreat.

A and I are behind on starting the retreat (this weekend was filled with sickness and restless nights), so although our day one starts today, we will still take time each day to pray for our marriage. And just in time for Valentine's Day, too! What a better way to celebrate :) Especially since our marriage is still fresh, we believe it is very important to begin praying for and strengthening our marriage in these early years to ensure a lifelong union bound in love, friendship, trust, and faith.

More resources about National Marriage Week, mass readings and prayers, and even Catholicism in general, can be found on these websites: usccb.org and wau.org. I am also available for questioning or discussion :)

From our wedding day: November 2nd, 2013 - Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

 Grand Rapids, MI

A Valentine DIY

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner (I know you've been counting down the days), you might be looking for a gift idea. Well, this DIY is cute and simple. And if you’re like me and have little to no crafting talent, it is also very easy, fun, and cheap! This gift is also perfect for any other occasion where you might want to let someone know how much you love them - such as a birthday or anniversary. AND, it can be a gift for anyone: a spouse, a friend, a loved one, or your children.

I made this for A as a birthday gift a few years ago, and while it can be difficult to come up with 52 ideas (not that there isn't that much to love about him, but that sometimes things become redundant!), he appreciated the time and thought put into each card. And since I am also terrible at figuring out gifts to give to people, it was easy for me to obtain the supplies and make the gift itself.

Supplies needed:

+ a deck of cards

+ a fine tip permanent marker

+ a list of 52 Things I Love About You

Simply write "52 Things I Love About You" on the card box, write a phrase on each card with a marker, shuffle the deck and place back into box, wrap it up (if you so choose), and give it to a lucky person!

In the end, this gift would cost you the price of cards ($3?), and some time spent coming up with loving ideas about the person you’re giving the gift to! It’s a very thoughtful gift that anyone is sure to enjoy! Afterwards, use the cards for a card game, carry one on your person to serve as a reminder, use a card as a bookmark, or even place one on the fridge.