Monday, February 27, 2017

What a Facebook post, eggs, and my refrigerator taught me about cleaning

I saw a Facebook post touting the reason why Americans refrigerate eggs and Europeans don’t. While that is a fascinating topic (one I hope to learn more about), it got me thinking. Compared to my house and other areas I store food, my fridge is relatively empty. Why? Food that goes in there usually has an expiration date pretty soon, meaning that it has to have a pretty quick turnover rate while that can of soup has been in the back of the cupboard since I moved...and is still edible. Also, it’s pretty easy to see (or in some cases smell) when food has gone bad.


Like food, stuff has a turnover rate too. Time passes - what works for you when you get it may not work for you later. Don’t keep something that has “expired” - you don’t need it taking up space and spoiling everything else. For example - I don’t need to keep four pairs of earbuds that partially work, right? Either fix them, or let them go. They’re taking up physical space and mental space. This is something that I’ve been working through a lot lately. I’ve done some research and found some great ideas:

“There are plenty of options. The important thing is for you to stop loving the clothes that don’t love you.”  - http://www.thefullhelping.com/out-with-the-old/


“...If old clothing is holding you back from self-acceptance, then do yourself a favor and dive into some spring cleaning. This isn’t giving up, or giving in—it’s a way of embracing growth. And the best part is that you’ll emerge with a wardrobe that makes you feel your best–isn’t that what clothing is supposed to do?” - http://www.thefullhelping.com/out-with-the-old/


“Does it spark joy?” - KonMari, The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up - I love the principles she talks about and while I don’t think I can do everything she recommends right now, she has some good points, like only keeping things that spark joy. If you only have things that spark joy, imagine how joyful life can be?


Here are my questions/criterion for cleaning out my clothes. Adapt and modify as needed for you and your circumstance.


Cleaning out questions
  • Does it fit?*
  • Does it need to be fixed? How big of a fix? Is it a quality piece?
  • Do I wear it? How long has it been since I’ve worn it?
  • Is it still in style?
  • Does another piece serve the same purpose?
  • Does it fit the image I want to project?


*This is a tough one - if you are in the process of losing/gaining weight, these are great resources that helped me:

Monday, February 6, 2017

February Reading List

River's End Ranch
Short-Order Sheriff  by Kristen Osbourne
Veterinarian's Vacation by Pamela Kelly
Accidental Agent by Amelia C. Adams
Whitewater Wooing by Caroline Lee
Honest Horseman  by Cindy Caldwell
Ranch's Retreat by Kristen Osbourne
Charming Chef by Pamela Kelly
Rugged Rockclimber by Amelia C. Adams
Wild West Wedding by Caroline Lee
Gallant Golfer by Cindy Caldwell
Bridget's Beau by Kristen Osbourne

KPop
Snowflake Kisses: A Kpop Romance Book by Jennie Bennett
Undercover Fan: A Kpop Romance Book by Jennie Bennett
Kidnapped Idol: A Kpop Romance Book by Jennie Bennett

Lazy Love
Lazy Love by Kristen Osbourne
Literary Love by Kristen Osbourne

Indulgence Row
Sweet Confections by Danyelle Ferguson
Love Under Construction by Danyelle Ferguson

Liwen Ho
Taking Chances
Straight To You: A Novella by Liwen Ho
True To You: A Novella by Liwen Ho
Drawn To You: A Novella by Liwen Ho

Seasons of Love

The More The Merrier: A Short Story  by Liwen Ho
A Spoonful Of Spice: A Short Story  by Liwen Ho

Puppy Dog Tales  by Liwen Ho

All in Good Time
Something of a Storm by Booke St. James
Someone Someday by Brooke St. James

Another Shot by Brooke St. James - Modern Day Ruth and Boaz

Meant for Me
Finally My Forever by Brooke St. James
Finally My Heart's Desire by Brooke St. James
Finally My Happy Ending by Brooke St. James

Hunt Family
Meet Me in Myrtle Beach by Brooke St. James
Kiss Me in Carolina by Brooke St. James
California's Calling by Brooke St. James
Back to the Beach by Brooke St. James
It's About Time by Brooke St. James

Gable Street
Fear Not by Candice Rose Hume
On Gable Street  by Candice Rose Hume

Safe Harbors
A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
Torn Canvas by Donna K. Weaver
A Season of Change by Donna K. Weaver

Montana Sweet Western Romance
Six Months in Montana by Pamela Kelly
Misletoe in Montana by Pamela Kelly

Texas Crossroads
At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot
In Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot
On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot

Once Upon a Cowboy by Lacy Williams, Cowboy Fairytales
Rescued By Love: Park City Firefighter Romance by Cami Checketts
Pride and Precipitation by Heather Horrocks (Chick Flick Clique)
Hearts On Fire: Park City Firefighter Romance by Christine Kersey
So Much for Boundaries by Brooke St. James, a Shower and Shelter Book
Double Take  by Rachelle J. Christensen, A Silver Cascade Suspense Novella
Lucky Number Thirteen: A Three Rivers Ranch Novella by Liz Isaacson
The Glamorous One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance by Jeanette Lewis

Royal Design by Sariah Wilson *Kindle in Motion book! Kind of fun!!

Catching Lucas Riley by Lauren Winder Farnsworth
After All  by Jolene Betty Perry
A Heart so Broken by Christene Houston
Bargains, Ballots, & the Bakery by Carol Moncado


January Reading List

I've decided to keep track of the books I read each month. If I do a review, I'll link it through this page. If you have any questions/want to know what I thought of a book, comment below! Most of these books are ones I have read through Kindle Unlimited. I have also received some as copies for review, which does not impact my review.

Park City Firefighter
Rescue Me  by Taylor Hart
Two Hearts Resuce by Daniel Banner
Rescue My Heart by Christine Kersey

Season of Thanks by Trifecta Publishing
Lost Love  by Kristen Osbourne
Family Recipe by Carma Haley Shoemaker
The Way it Should Be by Laura D Bastian
Love in Return by Jaclyn Weist
Kayaks and Kisses by Maria Hoagland

Royal Wedding Series 
Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck
Princess Ever After  by Rachel Hauck
How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck
A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck

Taylor Hart
On the Run by Taylor Hart
Going Rogue by Taylor Hart
Get You Back by Taylor Hart
Happily Ever After Hidden Falls #1 by Taylor Hart

Seven Suitors for Seven Sisters
A Match for Magnolia  by Marion Ueckermann
A Romance for Rose by Marion Ueckermann
A Hero for Heather by Marion Ueckermann

Pianos & Promises
Christopher & Jaime by Jennifer Peel
Beck & Call by Jennifer Peel
Cole & Jillian  by Jennifer Peel


Magic City
The Woman He Married  by Julie N Ford
No Holly For Christmas by Julie N Ford

Martin Family
Loved Bayou by Brooke St. James
Dear California by Brooke St. James
My One Regret by Brooke St. James
Broken and Beautiful by Brooke St. James
Back to the Bayou by Brooke St. James

Shower & Shelter Artist Collective
JFK to Dublin by Brooke St. James
Not Your Average Joe by Brooke St. James

How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison (Power of the Matchmaker)
The Grift of the Magi by Ally Carter
A Season to Wed by Rachel Hauck, Cindy Kirk, and Cheryl Wyatt
On the Corner of Heartache and Love by Lisa Swinton
One Small Chance: A novella (a Love Story from Portugal) by Lucinda Whitney
The Secret Life of Daydreams by Lucinda Whitney
Once Upon a Happy Ending: An Anthology of Reimagined Fairy Tales by Various Authors
Love's Broken Road by Julie Coulter Bellon
For Sale By Owner by Maria Hoagland
Cowboy Reality Romance:Kip (Destination Billionaire Romance Book 8) by Erica Penrod
The Princess and the Pea by Jenni James
The Daring One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance by Cami Checkets
The ReModel Marriage: A Romance Renovations Novel by Maria Hoagland

*If I only read one book from a series, the series name will be listed in parentheses

Intro to Me!

Wow, it has been forever since I've updated this blog. I've never really blogged regularly, but I'm ready to try and blog more! I'm in my last year of school and I've been getting so many ideas, I just wanted a chance to write them all out, with my opinion, and share them.

So a little bit about me:

As the title might hint, I'm a huge reader. I love to read! I've read a range of genres, but I like to keep it PG/not graphic. Reading has been an escape for me and a chance for me to explore new worlds and learn things I probably wouldn't have learned otherwise. I have a softspot for LDS chick lit, which is my current fascination, but I also have a strong love for historical fiction, which laid the foundation for my love of history.

I am about to graduate (by the end of 2017) with a degree in History Teaching, which will have a strong influence on what I write about. I am not a professional writer and the opinions I express may not be beautifully crafted, but they'll be my own.

So that's me!