Little Thoughts

Whole Living magazine is one of my favorites. I love their articles on healthy whole foods and supplements. They also have a feature in each issue, 10 Thoughts on Whole Living. I love reading these little positive thoughts, they just make you feel good. Here are a some of my favorites from the current issue:

Make this the year you follow through

Other people may have opinions about where your life is headed, but only you have the power to prove them wrong.

Seek out foods that sustain, nourish, and warm you.

Creativity goes beyond sheer artistry, it takes courage to express your feelings.

An ending doesn't have to be sad. It's the only way to begin something new.

2010 In a Nutshell

In 2010...

I made new friends, broke my precious macbook, bought a new macbook, helped friends make a better life for themselves, moved out of home, went to the funeral of my Aunt, watched my cousins cry in pain from losing their mother, started graduate school, My friend Anna moved across country to California, had a broken heart, left a job that I absolutely loved to begin my real teaching career, missed my Delaney friends terribly, began teaching at The First Academy, turned 26, babysat A LOT, learned that change is very hard, spent the month of October in Halloween chaos, started selling Thirty One Gifts, became more obsessed with monogramming, and the list goes on...

Let's just say 2010 was a hard year. A lot of change and heartache made me stronger. I am looking forward to what 2011 has to bring, and what God has planned for me this year!

I Didn't

During Christmas break....

I didn't wake up before 8:30.

I didn't change out of my pajamas until at least 11.

I didn't make "real" christmas cookies with cookie cutters and pretty icing. Just Pillsbury pre-sliced reindeer ones, and they were just fine.

I didn't take enough pictures.

I didn't go to Grinchmas at Universal, and really wanted to

I didn't have to deal with morning traffic.

I didn't take my eyes off the Magic game on Christmas day.

I didn't wrap my presents until the last minute, and my back was hurting. I won't do that next year.

I didn't take enough hashbrown casserole to the Christmas Eve gathering.

I didn't want to take down my decorations, It still makes me sad that they are now packed away for another year.

Commitment 2011

Every January, someone will ask you "What is your New Years Resolution?". Well I'm going to be honest, I've never really had a New Years Resolution. Why? Because I feel like you are failing before you even start. Keeping yourself on some strict wacky meal plan, or saying your going to go to the gym everyday is just not going to happen as time goes by.

But this year, I am making a commitment, not a resolution. A commitment to things in life I want to change or make better. Here is my Commitment list for 2011....

1. Attend my church on Sunday's on a regular basis, even if I'm too tired to wake up.

2. Go to my mid-week bible study group

3. Eat as organically as possible- keeping away from processed foods.

4. Cook at home during the week for dinner...and take my lunch to work

5. Keep making straight A's in grad school, that 4.0 isn't going anywhere!

6. Pray

What is your commitment?

The Great Pumpkin Cake

It's Thanksgiving time, and I am attempting yet again, baking a spice cake in my William Sonoma pumpkin bundt cake pan. Yes I tried this 2 years ago, and let's just say it didn't turn out the star centerpiece of the table.

This cake looks so lovely sitting in the Williams Sonoma window display and I want mine to look just like it...even with the powder sugar sprinkled on top. Maybe if I actually take my time, and with a positive attitude, I can get it just right...I have till Thursday to practice :) Happy Baking!

A Florida Christmas Photoshoot

This past Saturday, I put on my white coat with the fur hood, along with my black bow high heels and many other items for my wardrobe changes, while I stood in 78 degree weather trying to act like I was having fun shopping in the middle of Kate's back porch. This winter wonderland photoshoot was planned for my christmas cards, and turned out pretty cute if you ask me!

Here is a sneak peak at one of the pictures...but you will have to wait until December to see the finished product :)

Seussical the Musical

I always wanted to get into acting, and I even almost made it a major in college. Being as shy as I was then, I couldn't imagine it even working out for me, even though I really loved the thought of it! Today I got the chance to see our middle school Fine Arts Department at The First Academy do their full dress rehearsal for Seussical the Musical. What a great show! The singing, dancing and acting were great and the students really enjoyed themselves. It looked like a fun production, and made me miss that time in my life where acting and dancing was a dream of mine : )