Sweet Love and Ginger

In My Head

The Reasons I Blog

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Someone asked me recently why I blog; shortly after laughing at
the fact that I have made less than $100 at this thing so far this year. I’m
sure I came back with something snarky, but since I was slightly inebriated at
the time I’m not exactly sure what I said, but that comment and laugh will stay
with me for a while.
People it’s not about the money. Really I just think it’s cool that I can
make anything at this thing, even if
I don’t see a dime of it, which I don’t because the pennies I make go right
back into buying cook books, camera gadgets, blog sponsorships and all that
other fun stuff. Actually when you add all that up I’m probably a couple
hundred dollars negative.

The thing is that I would be buying that stuff anyway. I would be writing here anyway. I would be churning out new
recipes anyway. I would be learning
to use my fancy camera anyway. These
are things I enjoyed and started doing years before I was told I should start a
blog.
The best part of this blog is that it gives me an outlet for all of
it as well as a place to record memories, and big events. It’s a place I can
look back on my thoughts and feelings and remember it all.
Yeah I have plans to take my blog further. Yes I would love more
followers, and to make more money. However I wonder if anyone doesn’t feel that
way, I mean we all just want to be liked right? What’s so bad about that?
I experiment with different ways to accomplish this but at the end
of the day this blog is still about me, and my interests, and stories, and
feelings. I can only hope that those things shine through to you above all
else. I’ll never try to be a sellout, though I may try to be a comedian or
Martha Stewart from time to time, but even after 2+ years I’m still a newb, and
still trying to figure out my own voice. Hell I’m still trying to figure out
what I want out of life, and my career, how can you expect me to have this blog
thing down perfectly?

What are your feelings on those who make money from blogging?

Quarter Year Goal Review

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Ok so Last week marked the beginning of May. That puts us one
quarter of the way done with the year.  I
think that makes it a pretty good time to check in with all of my goals since
New Years. I’m including, fitness, life, and blogging in all of this so
sorry if it gets a little wordy on you.

Fitness:
I am pretty much on track with where I wanted to be with my
fitness goals. I have fallen back into love with lifting, and I am seeing someamazing results from it. However the
last few weeks there has been a lot of discussion about running events with
friends, and even triathlons. So I think it is time to reassess my goals and plan, maybe add a little more running in.

Life:
Maybe I should re-title this section to wedding/event planning.
I’m way behind on the wedding planning front, as I haven’t done a damn thing. In
my defense I have 17 months, and no I don’t want to hear that it will be gone
before I know it, or it will sneak up on me or any of that crap. I HAVE 17
MONTHS OK? In every other respect I am swamped with friends and family having
babies, weddings, and the usual summer events that I like to go to. So I guess that’s
good? It’s pretty overwhelming to be honest, and I would really love for everyone
to take a chill pill. Life is not pinterest
perfect people, get over it and enjoy the imperfections!!!!!
Blogging:
I didn’t really start off the year with any blogging goals,
but that has changed. I really enjoy watching this little space grow, and have
really fallen love with camera practice. I also really like how this space
helps cultivate my creativity and push my personal boundaries. Ideally I would
want to create a cohesiveness that can extend over to my shop and all of my
social media. I guess you would call this a brand, but what I am really looking
for is a unique style that I can carry with me for a good long while, instead
of redesigning my blog every few months, and not having it match anything. I
also want to challenge myself to create some new posts beyond the basic recipes
and adventures I usually post. I want to show more of myself, and my interests. 
Overall I think I am doing ok, and things are going good. I’m going to be adding more running workouts to my routine. I’m going to take every opportunity I can relax, since those moments are going to be few and far between soon. I’m also going to be making a few changes around the blog so keep an eye out.

What are your goals this year?
How are you doing with them?

32 Things That Make Me Happy

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Two Thirds Hazel

I’m doing this link up because a) its fun b) its got a great sentiment. It is pretty hard to come up with 32 things that make you happy off the top of your head compared to how easy it is to come up with 32 things we hate. One of the things I am working on this year is my bad attitude (and my big mouth, they kind of go hand in hand), so this link up seems to be a good exercise in that. So without further a due let’s get this happy party started.

1) My engagement ring. (insert gagging) It’s small and simple and I love that it reminds me that there will always be someone to listen to my list of things I hate.

2) Hot tea. Seriously BEST. THING. EVER.

3) Wine. Second BEST. THING. EVER.

4) A good cozy sweater.

5) A roaring fire. Inside in the winter, outside in the summer.

6) People who except my big mouth, and forgive my misgivings, and my antics.

7) Wild flowers, especially daisies.

8) Rainy days. Because sitting by the fire with tea, or out on the porch watching it, and doing exactly nothing is perfectly acceptable.

9) Normalized excel spreadsheets. Yes I am serious. It makes me giddy when things are appropriately organized.

10) When Brody pushes whatever I’m working on out of his way so he can sit on my lap/chest. It seems annoying but it so damn cute and I love that he loves me that much that he likes to be close to me all the time. Yes you should fear for my children.
11)  Chick Dates. There is nothing more therapeutic than an actual plan to hang out with someone you can talk to for a couple hours.
12) A really good metal concert. The head banging, heart pounding, body crunching, sweaty mass of pure adrenaline is downright euphoric. Letting go of absolutely everything, including social convention is the most unbelievably freeing thing ever.
13) Clean and soft sheets on the bed. I cannot say this enough.
14)  That Chuck read a blog post where I stated the above and has made the bed every single day since. That my friends is true love.
15) Three cheese macaroni and cheese with shells.
16) Throwing Dinner Parties. I have no idea why, I know it tends to stress most people out, but I absolutely love it. I love the cooking, the prep, decorating (if necessary), and of course the people, and conversation.
17) When Chuck picks up his guitar.
18) Garlic & Basil. I should have been born Italian.
19) Sitting in a boat, fishing off the dock, swimming or anything else that involves water adventures. I am a Pisces after all.
20) Motorcycle rides.
21) Thinking about the possibilities of the future.
22) Getting out of work early.
23) Getting good mail. Beads I ordered, clothes, pen pal packages, magazines, you know, the good stuff.
24) Pasta. Especially this, this, this, or this. Ok maybe all of it. made any way.
25) Friends who don’t get mad when they don’t hear from me in 3 months.
26) Bath time.
27) Remembering my college days.
28) Singing and swaying to soulful sultry music while I cook dinner. I love Micheal Buble, Joss Stone, Lana Del Ray, and I’m just going to stop now.
29) The first hot shower at home after a weekend in the woods.
30) Game nights with friends!
31) Being creative, whether it be beading, drawing, painting, sewing, or weaving, I love taking some time out to focus on nothing but the craft. It’s very relaxing.
32) McHoney Buns.

Spring Reflection

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Spring is here, at least is supposed to be. We will just ignore the single digit temperatures of the last few days.
It is the season of rebirth and rejuvenation. Maybe that’s why
I am feeling the need to check back in with myself since the turn of the New
Year. A lot of things have been swirling around in this little head of mine, as
I’m sure they have for you too. Spring does that.
I think it is important to take the time to look around at
where we stand both backward and forward and make conscience efforts to better
our selves. New Years is not the only time that we can do this, it just seems
to be the only time that most of us do.
Sitting down and looking at the past couple months I have made
some huge strides toward some of my goals and been left stagnate on others. If I
were going to rate myself I would probably give myself a C-.
I’m not going to be hard on myself or make excuses, because that’s
all a waste of time. Instead I’m going to take that evaluation and move forward
with it. I’m going to re-establish my goals. Some may alter slightly, my plan
of attack for some might change (since clearly the past one wasn’t working),
and some I may simply drop, or trade for new goals.
5x7 or 8x10 Hand Drawn Print "Oscar Wilde Quote - To Live is the Rarest Thing" - Calligraphy and Watercolour Flowers
I am on a journey to becoming a better person, the person that I
want to be. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. I know. I also know
that I’m not going to be successful in everything I set out to do. The thing is
that if I don’t try, if I don’t strive for something then what exactly am I doing
here? I don’t want to simply exist. I don’t care if I am remembered or even if I
touch another person’s life. I simply want to live fully and completely love
who I am and what I stand for.
This doesn’t seem like it’s a lot, or that it’s impossible,
it just takes a little effort. Right?
Have you checked in with yourself lately? How would you rate yourself? What are you going to do to better that rating?

I’m the Kinda Girl Who…

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I’m
the kinda girl who…

Hates choosing a restaurant. I never
know what I want before scanning a menu. I love food way too much.

Loves a well made bed. There is
nothing better than falling into fresh soft warm sheets.

Has 15 voice mails that she has no plans
on listening to.

Has a thing for offbeat movies.

Is surprisingly easy to upset,
though I hardly ever outwardly show it.

Hides during scary movies and will
have nightmares thereafter for even thinking about that time she watched that
movie.

Loves a good long soak in the tub.

Hates looking at herself. Not like I hate myself or anything it just feels
awkward if I’m not doing my make up or something.

Really loves her legs. They may be
white as paper and a pain to well fitting pants but they are long and shapely,
and I love that about them.

Would rather give in than fight
about anything. How much is really worth hurting anyone’s feelings?



Hates “fruity” drink but loves to
put actual fruit in her drinks.

Loves drinking whiskey, but hates
the after effects.

Loves morning, but appreciates sleeping
in once in a while.

Finds stretching therapeutic. Not
like yoga but post work out stretches my mind just wanders while my body melts
into the stretch and it is seriously the best thing in the whole world (next to
mac & Cheese).

Leaves the
house 15-20 minutes after waking up. I don’t put on make up or do my hair for
work. I eat breakfast when I get there while I check me email. I’m pretty low maintenance.

 usually only puts make up on to meet my
girlfriends or go on a date with Chuck.

Could wear a
dress every day. If you are in a dress and your hair looks like crap it’s a look,
but if you are in leggings or jeans then you’re lazy. I’ll take the dress and
skip the rest of it please.

Could eat cheese in some shape or
form Every. Single. Day.

Has no idea what she wants in life, or
where she’s heading and is perfectly ok with that most of the time.

What kind of girl are you?


Thanks holly! This is one of those things that really makes you think!