2017 Travel Bucket List

Sometimes, you just need a separate bucket list. While I've got my winter goals, several of which I've already completed, but I felt like I needed a separate list for the places I want to go this year. There are definitely a few! Some of these have been on my list for a bit but this year, I've got a new ride and I want to pack on some miles. Who's with me?

Iceland - We leave in 10 days for the country of sheep and geysers! We have our snow boots and our plane tickets and we're ready to start out the year with our most epic trip yet.

Newport Aquarium - I've been to the aquarium in Gatlinburg twice but I've heard that the Cincy aquarium is amazing. It's been on my bucket list for a few years so hopefully this year I'll make it.

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry - While I've been to Chicago a few times to visit family, I've never actually played the tourist. And I'd like to! I would especially like to visit this museum because museums are awesome.

Visit Chicago Family - Some of the best trips are quick weekends away to visit family. I plan on road tripping up at least once to visit my nieces and nephews this year.

Lincoln State Park - It seems like I start looking forward to next year as soon as I leave LSP. It's the annual Watkins vacation destination and it's the most wonderful relaxing experience ever. No cell service, no TV, just family and books and all the entertainment the state park has to offer.

Where are you wanting to go this year?

(Image via @helloemilie)

Living Room Reveal

Before and afters are just the best, aren't they? Especially when it's your own house! Last year our big project was combining our parlor and living room and golly is it different! Here is a picture I took just a few days after we got the keys in the spring of 2014. 

2017 Resolutions

Time for another goals post. (Because you know I'd rather call them goals than resolutions.) I've discovered I do like blogging about my goals for the year for a few reasons. One, it feels like getting some accountability, whether you guys are asking me about my progress or not. Two, it's easy to find and see what my goals are in the middle of July when I've been slacking and can't remember. Three, it's fun to look back and see how I did when I'm making new goals! Here's a quick recap on last year. We went to at least two new places (camping in MO and at the Indiana Dunes). I read 7.5 books which was okay but still needs improvement. There were a lot of days I had to be cheerfully intentional with our living room torn up and Dearest Carl working away. And then I started in on the last one and ultimately failed. But you can't win them all, right?

Moving on to this year. Dearest Carl and I sat down January 1st and talked about all our goals for the year, including personal goals, travel goals, house projects and everything else you can think of. Then we laid them out by month and by the end, it felt so good! We are on the same page, working towards the same goals, each month. It's wonderful. But even before we did that, I sat down and thought up just a few personal goals for myself. I stuck with four because I feel like four is doable and not flipping my whole life upside down. So without further ado, here's what I'm working on this year:

1. Get up earlier. Dearest Carl is a night owl and over the past few months, I've gotten in the habit of staying up too late and sleeping in. Now that works fine for some people except that I'm most productive in the morning. So when I roll out of bed at 9, I don't get as much done as I hoped. This year, my goal is to be getting up at 6:30 (at least on week days). Carl jumped on this with me so together, we're starting to get up at 7:30 and taking slow steps toward our goal. I know it will get easier when the sun comes up earlier.

2. Keep reading. Two years ago my goal was a book a month. I still don't think that's unreasonable but I've discovered it really takes choosing to use my free time well (aka, more reading, less Minecraft). Currently I have a stack of books to be read so this year, my goal is to continue choosing pages over screens and see how far I get.

3. Exercise together! For a few weeks last Fall, Dearest Carl and I got outside and did something almost every day for a half an hour. And I loved it. Not only were we getting active together (a first in our relationship) but it gave us uninterrupted time to talk about the week or the month or what's for dinner or whatever! This year our goal is to exercise together at least two days a week.

4. Shake it up. I'm a planner, as many of you know. I like my calendars and to do lists and ducks in a neat and tidy row. Some of that will never go away, but I think I could definitely loosen up. So this year, I want to be more spontaneous and try some different things in our daily lives. My first step, switching grocery day to Wednesday after it's been Friday for four years. Wild, right? I also want to open up our home as much as possible in the coming year so don't be surprised if you get a last minute invitation to a movie night or game night. 

We've already started in on a few of these goals and I'm excited to see how it will go!

What goals are you making for 2017?

(Image via @therainingirl)

In Review

So many people are wishing 2016 away like a bad penny. And it definitely had it's moments. A hail storm ruined our roof and gave my lilacs a beating. Our A/C went out on one of the hottest weekends of the summer. We found four bats in the house and a beehive by the back door. Our house project took several unexpected turns. I'm still not pregnant and no closer to being so. But even with the tears and frustrations and fluctuating savings, 2016 had some other moments. The good kind that make you look at the year behind and think "Maybe it wasn't so bad after all." When all is said and done, you can choose to look at the bad moments and call it a bad year or you can choose to look at the good moments and call it a good year. Maybe not golden, but good. And I'm choosing good. Here are a few good moments we had in 2016:

What We're Eating

Good morning! I hope you're taking it slow this morning and reading this still in your pjs, with coffee in hand and plenty of Christmas goodies to graze on. I'm taking the day off today to spend with Dearest Carl and Charlie and all the wonderful presents. The joys of freelance work. After last week's frenzy of activity, I kind of need a day to just soak up my husband's company.

This week's menu is good but simple. It's one of those "I spent all the grocery money on desserts" weeks but at least I didn't default to ramen! Be proud.

Monday: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Tuesday: Pizza
Wednesday: Quiche
Thursday: Asian Noodles
Friday: Pizza with Watkins

What kinds of things are you enjoying this week?

(Image via Victoria Bilsborough)

How to Survive Without a Baby for the Holidays

How to Survive a New Relationship During the Holidays. How to Survive with No Relationship During the Holidays. How to Survive His Mother-in-Law this Christmas. How to Bring Your Boyfriend Home this Christmas. Everybody seems to have all the answers in terms of relationships during the holiday season. But what about women like me? Women who are in a satisfying marriage, just waiting for God to bless it and make it fruitful. No one has an article for that, at least not that I've found.

Yet the holidays can be the most painful time for the woman struggling with infertility. There are Christmas cards and letters from friends and family, featuring their beautiful children. There are images everywhere of rosy cheeked young Mary, holding her sweet smelling newborn baby. There are the daydreams we have of baking cookies, setting up the tree and gathering around the Advent candles with our own wide eyed children. Most likely, we entertained those same dreams last year and yet here we are again. Another Christmas with empty arms. It hurts. A lot. And it's hard to know how to handle that pain when everyone around us is joyfully celebrating the season. Do you force a smile and chug along like nothing is wrong? Do you hole up until New Years with your pajamas and Netflix? I can't really tell you those are wrong because some days, that's exactly what I've done. But most days, here are a few things I've found that help.

1. Let it out. Take the time to cry. There will be that one Christmas letter or that one Facebook photo or that one comment that will make your chest tight and your throat hurt. Find a quiet place and let it out because crying is okay. Many times, it's necessary. And most likely, you'll feel better after you do.

2. Revel in your marriage. Believe it or not, you and your husband are a family! Just the two of you! It has taken me too long to realize this and it was definitely attitude altering. I have a print on my wall that says simply "You and me and the cat" to remind me of this every day. Don't wait for kids to make Christmas cookies. Don't wait for kids to sing the carols in the Advent devotional. Don't wait for kids to start your own traditions and enjoy the season together.

3. Spoil your pet. It seems silly, but my cat is my baby right now. So naturally, he has a stocking and I filled it with presents. Not anything crazy but a little something that will make him happy, which will bring me joy. When your heart has that urge to nurture and love, feel free to spend those urges on your pet!

4. Hope. This is a hard one because hope can be agonizing. Especially when another month goes by and still no little plus sign. After a while, it's easy to pack all those thoughts and hopes and dreams away and just not feel those feelings. To let them blossom in your heart is difficult, but it's necessary. You can't hide those things from God. He knows the scars of disappointment you carry on the inside. He saw the times you sobbed so hard on the bathroom floor that you couldn't breathe. He longs to show you His healing power and let you know that with Him, it is safe to hope.

Don't mistake me. I'm not saying these four things are going to make everything sunshine and roses. In my three years of waiting and hoping and dreaming, it's only gotten harder to do these things. There are still going to be those days and those struggles and those disappointments. But these four things have helped me to focus on what I have this time of year instead of walking around in bitterness and disappointment because of what I don't have. I hope they help you! And if you need someone to have coffee with so you can talk openly about these things you can't write in a Christmas letter, my door is always open.

(Image via The Glossier Nerd)

My Winter To Do List

Next to Fall, Winter is my favorite season. While hygge might be the new "It" concept, I've been striving for it ever since I got married, even though I never had a word for it. My mom has always been so good at making a cozy home to spend the winter in and that's my goal too! Through good food and flannel sheets and candles and plans with friends, we pass the winter very cozily here. Of course there are some things I'm hoping to accomplish this winter in particular and you'll notice that having a snowball fight isn't one of them.

- Create the best hot chocolate bar ever: With my world famous crock pot hot chocolate recipe of course. 

- Learn to gift wrap correctly: My grandma is the best at it. Even Dearest Carl is better than me. 

- Buy a new coat: Iceland and the outdoors in winter await! 

- Mix and match essential oils in our diffuser: Still the best Christmas gift ever. 

- Visit IKEA: And definitely get some of those things on my wish list. 

- Hang things on our beautiful living room walls: Because it's almost ready for it! 

- Have a big ol' game night and invite the whole world: I have eleven months of hospitality to get out of my system. 

- Watch The Hunt For Red October with Dearest Carl: You know, our Valentine's Day tradition. 

- Stock up on candles: I burn them way too fast once the weather gets cold.

Other than Christmas, what are some things you are looking forward to about winter?

(Image via @life.by.linus)

Right Now...

Cooking: Soup, soup erry day.

Drinking: Crock Pot Spiced Cider.

Wanting: The living room to be finished.

Looking: At all the Iceland articles.

Deciding: Which curtains to get for the living room.

Wishing: My best friends lived closer.

Enjoying: Snuggles from Charlie.

Waiting: For the Christmas Starbucks cups. #redcupwatch

Loving: Our freshly painted living room.

Listening: To this playlist.

Progress Report

It's been quite a while since I've really said much about our living room. The last peek was in March! We've had so many people ask us if our projects are finished and with a grimace, I say no. Since March, it's gotten worse. Lots more tearing out and fixing, but I think we're finally on the upswing. The putting-back-together stage. Here's a picture I took yesterday.

On The Nightstand

Don't you love when you finally get to finish a book? I've been reading the last two for several months now, due to our busy schedule, but I finally finished them last weekend and this week I'm moving on! Here is my fiction and non-fiction.

The Nesting Place: I read this book once when we bought our house. It changed my life and has since been on loan to so many different people. Now that I have it back on my shelf, it's high time I read it again!

The American Heiress: This one is a Half Price Books purchase. I bought it earlier this year because it sounded interesting. Other than that, I can't tell you anything about it, but I'm excited to start reading!

What's on your nightstand at the moment?

Frivolous Friday

What a week! It's had it's really high highs and it's really low lows. But it's finally Friday. And I totally forgot to share my biggest news with you last week! We're going to Iceland! A friend of ours found insanely cheap plane tickets and Dearest Carl actually decided to go for it! It's pretty awesome. We'll be gone for a week in late January/early February which means I'll turn 25 in another country. Another beautiful amazing faraway country! I'm so incredibly excited!

Okay enough of that. What are you up to this weekend? We've got events back to back on Sunday so tomorrow is going to be one of those days where the oven doesn't turn off. Because when you're asked to make dessert, you make cheesecake.

A world of pure imagination

I'm going, for real

Bed in a box

Paint colors is no. four!

3 Kinds of Cake for the Election

All those pretty jars

Too many pretty houses this week

Falling in love with Iceland

Have a great weekend!

(Image via @hannes_becker)

Fall Nails

When I paint my nails, Essie is my go to brand. I don't remember exactly the first time I used it, but I do remember loving it. Over time, it's become the only brand in my nail polish jar. It glides on so smooth and the colors are true. Since Fall is here, I've pulled out my Fall colors. Basically these four shades that I go to over and over again.

Sole Mate: If you like purple, you'll like this polish. It has a deep plum hue, not too shimmery but nice and shiny.

Midnight Cami: I have an obsession with navy blue and this polish fills my soul with happiness. Not only does it go on dark blue, it has a shimmery sparkly effect to it.

Wicked: Remember when oxblood was the color of the season last year? This polish was a way for me to sport it without going deep red nutso.

Penny Talk: Metallic goes with anything. So this rose gold polish is a great way to keep your nails warm and girly.

It  kind of becomes a tradition to paint my finger nails on weekends during the cold months. Probably because I wear out the polish too quickly in the summer. But add some tea and good music and it's a great tradition! What are your favorite Fall nail polish colors?

6 Scarves to Add to Your Fall Wardrobe

One thing I have learned about a Fall wardrobe is the necessity of a scarf collection. With two cardigans, a few different tops and jeans, just pop on a scarf and you can have a different outfit every day of the week. I have two hangers in my closet full of scarves and I'm always finding even more pretty ones. Like these!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

What are some Fall accessories you've had your eye on?

(Top image via Chronicle Books Blog)

Happy Fall!

Today is officially the first day of Fall! And as a treat, I have a little original prose for you. About Fall of course. Enjoy!

That sweet Autumn symphony; the dry clacking of cornstalk leaves, the chirping strings of crickets, the occasional clash of thunder across the cozy gray sky. It allures with an invisible maestro. It petitions open ears and open minds.

That lovely Autumn smell; the musky scent of wet leaves, the aroma of baking spices, the smokey perfume you catch in your hair after a backyard evening. It assails with memories of mama's flour dusted apron and holidays in a crowd of family. It transports to the place that the heart calls home. 

That wonderful Autumn taste; the sweet maple syrup, the nutty pumpkin, the spicy cinnamon, the bitter coffee. It keeps the stirring spoon out of the drawer. It keeps the kitchen warm with flavor and hospitality.  

That brilliant Autumn view; the trees of scarlet red, the bright orange glow of a gourd with a face, the mesmerizing fireplace flames, the watercolor sunsets. It awakens joy and vibrance in the soul. It beckons to stop and revel and glory. 

That cozy Autumn feel; the smooth apple peel, the large wooly socks, the hand knit blanket, the warm ceramic mug. It makes hands clasp tighter and bodies lean closer. It whispers of comfort and entices to sit just a moment longer.

Let's all embrace this season with joy and drinks as many pumpkin spice lattes as suits us!

(Image via Sergia)

My Fall To Do List

Fall officially begins Thursday, even though I've had my orange leaves and pumpkin decor out for two weeks already, and it really is my favorite season of the year! I love all the cozy smells and flavors that Fall brings. I love the rustling of colored leaves. I love sitting in front of a bonfire in my hoodie, eating perfectly roasted marshmallows. It's just the best season! Here are a few things on my Fall To Do list that are essential for the season:

- Try Starbuck's new Chili Mocha: I've already had the PSL several times so I think it's time to branch out. 

- Have a bonfire on our patio: Whether it's just Dearest Carl and I or us and another couple or a group of family and friends, we're going to start up the flames at least once! 

- Wear my favorite sweater: You know, the blue one that's oh so cozy. 

- Take a bike ride: Obviously to ride slow and enjoy a cool evening breeze and the changing leaves. 

- Visit the apple orchard: My favorite orchard sells apple slushies which are the best thing ever. 

- Arm knit a scarf: Ever since my friend Melissa sat on my couch and arm knit two scarves in the span of a few Downton Abbey episodes, I've wanted to try it. I even have the yarn for it! 

- Watch Poldark Season 2: We're in the throes of this right now. Ahmazing.  

- Bring out my navy blue Essie nail polish: While I enjoy oxblood reds and deep magentas, nothing compares to navy blue.  

- Go camping: Because Fall is the best time to go! The parks aren't overcrowded and the weather is perfect. 

- Make spiced cider: Yup. It's that time of year again to bust out my secret spiced cider recipe. 

What are some things you're looking forward to this season?

(Image via October Sweater)

6 Period Dramas That Aren’t Jane Austen

With a penchant for period dramas, I've seen a good deal of them, movies and TV series alike, from many time periods. Usually the ones I like best are set in the Regency era, but that doesn't mean they're all concocted by Jane Austen! In my experience, there are lots of wonderful stories with wonderful characters that go beyond the Bennet sisters. So if you're looking for a good show to lose yourself in (and coddle your Downton Abbey deprivation) this Fall, here are a few of my favorite period dramas that aren't Jane Austen.

A Wish List

If  you couldn't tell already, I'm getting myself into the Fall spirit! Last weekend, I pulled out my Fall decorations because I simply couldn't wait any longer and now that the PSL has returned to Starbucks, I'm pleading with God for some cooler temperatures so I will enjoy hot coffee again. In the meantime, I have a few things on my wish list for a stylish Fall season.

The Forest Feast Gatherings: Technically this book doesn't come out until the end of September but it is so beautiful that I had to include it. I loved her first book so much that I was thrilled when I discovered there's a second that is geared towards hosting.

Patchouli Candle: I love the smell of patchouli. Dearest Carl bought me some patchouli essential oil for Christmas last year and it's a favorite in our diffuser. So a candle in a pretty copper container for Fall won't go wrong.

Iron Serving Platter: Fall makes me want to host all kinds of game nights and bonfires and movie viewings and I think this platter would be perfect for serving up snacks and s'more fixings. Also, it would look great sitting on the photo ledges in my kitchen!

Burgundy Flats: Burgundy is one of the in colors this Fall and that's totally okay with me. While I don't plan on completely revamping my Fall wardrobe, I thought that a new pair of flats would give a nice nod to the rich tone.

Necklace: When I was little, my grandma would call me Sparkle Plenty after a doll because I was so girly and loved everything pink and sparkly. I haven't grown out of it. Statement necklaces have become a wardrobe staple and this one is the perfect mix of gold and pink!

Pink Bag: My poor brown leather bucket purse is slowly wearing out. One strap needs mending and I'm starting to see signs of wear and tear. So maybe it's time for a pink colored switch?

What are you eyeing for the Fall season?

Four Years Later

Four years today, you guys. Four flipping years! How can I have been married for four years already?! Time flies whether you want it to or not. I remember finding all these nuisances when we lived in the apartment and pining for a house and now that we have one, I look back on those days as golden. Literally. Sitting with him, eating dinner in our little yellow kitchen was golden. They were good and carefree times. But that doesn't mean this third year of marriage hasn't had it's highlights! We've been much busier with house projects so the list is a bit shorter, but we still have some fun memories.

Favorite Memories
- Having bonfires on our newly finished patio.
- Dressing up in our Star Wars best for Halloween.
- Participating in the Drumstick Dash together for the first time.
- Building a gingerbread house, complete with granola bar chimney.
- Hosting a large New Years Eve party at our house, complete with fireworks.
- Meeting with a Mormon team several times, causing us to dig deeper into our faith.
- Celebrating our birthdays with friends.
- Going camping in Missouri with the Watkins siblings.
- Having our own marriage weekend at home.
- Babysitting for friends from church.
- Finally visiting the Chicago family together.
- Vacationing in Lincoln State Park.

Marriage Lessons
There's really one lesson that's stuck with me this year. The marriage ceremony revolves around two people becoming one, but for years I've struggled with how to do that. How do two people become one? Are we supposed to have scads of hobbies together? Are we supposed to read our Bibles together every day? Is there a rainbow pill that will fix it? Well this year I discovered that the answer is time. Time will make you feel like two bodies with one shadow. Time will sew you together, stitch by stitch. Time, and all it's growing and sharing and moments and memories, will make two people into one.

So while we have our disagreements and frustrations with each other, I still feel a bit lost and aimless when we're apart. I have trouble falling asleep if I can't play footsie with him under the covers. I look forward to the Sunday afternoons when I get him all to myself. My hand still feels at home when it's in his. Time has brought us closer and as great as it is now, I can't wait to see how it will be in another four years!

5 Favorite Quotes

I love romantic quotes. There are a few especially that make my heart beat a little faster and my mind linger on my husband. Some of them I've known by heart for a long time and some of them are newer to the repertoire. Either way, they get me a little nostalgic for our days of love made from butterflies, carefree Saturdays and simple romance. Here are five of my favorite quotes about love and marriage.

"I  have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature." - Jane Austen

"This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted." - C.S. Lewis

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no; it is an ever-fixed mark, 

That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks 

Within his bending sickle's compass come; 

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, 

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

   If this be error and upon me proved,

   I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

- William Shakespeare, Sonnet CXVI

"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." - Robert Heinlein

"There is no such cozy combination as man and wife." - Menander

What are some romantic quotes that make your heart go pitter patter?

Still Waiting

It's been a while since I posted about this. But this month I'm acknowledging the three year mark. So in case you were wondering, here's where I am right now:

3 Years
36 Disappointments
1095 Wishes
26280 Prayers
Countless tears

One more announcement
Another account unfollowed
Managing jealousy
Asking questions
Wondering why not me

Weary of seeking
Tired of waiting
Overworked hoping
Stale praying
Empty smiling

Squash back the dreams
Force off the fear
Push down the tears
Live in the moment
Choose my story

Another year to wait
Another month to hope
Another day to wish
Another hour to pray
Another tear for the bottle

Someday, it will be okay.

(Image via @cascompton)