Summer Bucket List

Summer is my favorite time of the year. I love the long, lazy days and warm nights. Because today is the summer solstice it feels like summer has finally arrived. The whole season stretches ahead of us. 
  
This summer I plan to :

1.   Do summer crafts: Friendship bracelets and tie-dyed tees.

2.   Pick berries: Berries mean crisp, crumbles, pies, and freezer jam! Angie (of StrawbrryPassion) and I are going strawberry picking on Sunday. I hope to go pick blueberries as well the blackberries and raspberries in our backyard!

3.   Take a road trip: My goal is to visit family in Ludington once a month over the summer. My next trip coincides with July 4th!

4.   Visit the BEACH: Ludington and Saugatuck for certain.

4.   Buy food at the farmer's market: There's nothing like fresh food!

5.   See a movie at the drive-in: Capri Drive-in Theatre in Coldwater.

Other summer festivities to enjoy: Sandals. Gardening. Storms. Fireworks. Barbeques. Sundresses. Fireflies. Garage sales. Cutoff Jeans. Swinging in a hammock. Sun tea. Ice cream. Bonfires.

The season holds endless possibilities.  

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Friday Five

Hearing: Little People (Black City) by Matthew Dear
Seeing: The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa
Smelling: Swan Creek Candle Co. Espresso simmering wax.
Tasting: Sunflower seeds.
Touching: My wooden desk.

Current

listening // to Spotify. It's only taken me two-and-a-half years to set it up.

watching // We're watching Game of Thrones (after sundown).
reading // I just finished Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.
wanting // I want to not feel sick.
working // On taking action.
thinking // Creative is always on my mind.

Current

listening // Bones by Ms Mr
watching // Game of Thrones, Veronica Mars, Arrested Development, House of Cards
reading // What's the Alternative? Career Options for Librarians and Info Pros by Rachel Singer Gordon
wanting // To take creative action.
working // On a technology class I am teaching at work this week.
thinking // MLIS? Bookstore/Boutique? And how to spread positive in Jackson.

It's Friday, at 5 pm

Smelling: Apple air freshener
Seeing: The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt
Tasting: Sourdough pretzels
Touching: My phone's screen
Hearing: The dishwasher

5 {DIY} Valentine's Day Inspirations

Nothing says "I < 3 You" like a handmade gift. Valentine's Day is days away, so here are five diy inspirations for last minute crafting.

52 Reasons Why I Love You via Little Grey Fox

Etched Valentine's Day Glass via Thistlewood Farm
 

Love Yarn Letters via My Sister's Suitcase 

Remember I Love You Hearts (guest blogged by I Go By Katie on Moorea Seal)

DIY Cross Stitch Heart Sweater via Uber Chic for Cheap

The best way to fight commercialism is to choose to celebrate Valentine's Day every day. You do not need a holiday to say "I love you."

Friday Five

My Friday morning perception:

Hearing: The heater keeping the house warm.
Seeing: Pale winter light.
Smelling: After shower clean.
Tasting: Coffee! And banana bread.
Touching: Computer keys.

TGIF!

Five Senses Friday

Hearing: The fan pushing air from downstairs.
Seeing: The light settling into morning.
Smelling: Coffee.
Tasting: The cereal I had for breakfast.
Touching: My wet hair, which needs to be combed.

I am excited for the weekend; perhaps I'll get to sleep in.

Three Current Things

1. I love my new job.

2. I am starting to catch up on this year's book goal on Shelfari. It's one of the perks of my job.

3. I started organizing my beads. My mother-in-law has a table that would be perfect for my craft room, but we're not sure how to get it home.

Fun Summer Activities

You have probably seen the 100 Things To Do This Summer list on Pinterest. Christina of Just Call Me Chris has created another summer list, 100 More Things To Do This Summer.

 100 More Things To Do This Summer; via Just Call Me Chris

Although the list was meant to be checked off with her children, these summer activities are perfect for the young at heart.

Which activities will you do this summer?

Five Senses Friday

My Friday evening perception:

Hearing: The road beneath the car's tires.
Seeing: The sunset clinging to the trees.
Smelling: North Michigan air.
Tasting: Green tea.
Touching: My paisley skirt.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

1. Family. With a retail schedule, I truly appreciate the time I get to spend with them.
2. Food on the table. If you go to bed hungry in my house, you have chosen to not eat. Not everyone can say that.
3. Matt and I married two months ago today! If all goes well, we will be moving into our first house in the beginning of the new year.

It has been a year of positive changes. With so many without, I am thankful for the blessings God has given me.

Positive Thoughts

I need to balance the negative clouding my vision. So, here are three positive thoughts:

1. Yesterday the bank accepted our offer. After several weeks of uncertainty, we are preparing to close on our first house.
2. I have started crafting again. Between the house hunting, wedding planning and work I had to put it aside. It feels wonderful to be creative again.
3. It's sunny and my day off. This can be a rarity in Michigan. Hurray for Vitamin D!

Five Senses Friday

My Friday morning perception:

Hearing: Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Seeing: The bits of snow that have yet to melt.
Smelling: Vanilla cream candle.
Tasting: Freshly percolated coffee
Touching: 100% linen yarn.

Busy, Busy

1. Our wedding and honeymoon were perfect.
2. We are traveling to Indiana to witness our friends Nicole and Jason wed.
3. I have much to blog about when we return!

Priorities

My life is a series of to do lists right now. With the wedding a little over a week away, I have to prioritize. Crafting, house hunting, job searching, my etsy, and writing will resurface on my list after the honeymoon.

I took a break from wedding planning today. I cleaned my room, packed boxes and tried to imagine sharing this space (until we close on a house) with my future husband.

And I watered my poor, neglected plants.

I cannot wait to focus on living.

Three Blessings

1. I had the weekend off. As a retail worker, this is something to be cherished.
2. We had a delicious potluck after church.
3. Matt and I submitted our "biggest and best" bid on a house today (along with our prayers). Our families were there to support us.

Bonus: Our wedding is less than two weeks away!

Thirty Word Description

My birthday was August 28th, and I am officially a "thirty-something". I celebrated with homemade apple crisp for breakfast. The rest of the day was just as laid-back.

Photo via Disney Family Fun

I am excited to embark on my thirties. When I turned 25, I was not happy with where I was in my life. I think my thirties will be fun. I am starting a new life, and I not going to let past fears hold me back.

In honor of my 30th birthday, here are thirty words that describe me:

believer. bohemian. bookworm. creative. compassionate. dedicated. dreamer. entrepreneur. frugal. geeky. independent. indirect. introvert. loyal. dry humor. discreet. musical. subtle. natural. gardener. observant. passive. philosophical. quiet. sensitive. silly. sincere. thrifty. thoughtful. writer.

My list was inspired by celebrating thirty-five written by Vanessa of Colour Knits. I also like Bonzai Aphrodite's post 30 [little] Things I Love At Age 30.

Three Blessings

1. I have spent much of the last few days laying in the hammock, soaking up the sun. It felt amazing; I must have been low on vitamin D.
2. On Thursday I am driving to Battle Creek to shadow a grant writer. With my degree this is a viable career path and perhaps the answer to prayers.
3. As of today, my fiance Matt is leasing a Mazda 3. It is gunmetal teal and quite slick.

Ten (More) Reasons I Love Summer

Here is the promised addition to Ten Reasons I Love Summer:

 1. Road Trips
 2. Kayaking. And tubing.
 3. Lazy Days
 4. Picnics
 5. The Pool
 6. Summer Storms
 7. The Fourth of July
 8. Bare Feet
 9. Ice Cream
10. August 28th (my birthday!)