It has been almost a year since my first post on this blog, and I am thinking for real that I may actually try to use this as a platform of self expression (like I said I would). A lot has happened in the last year. Matt and I both graduated college, Matt found a job, we had a most spectacular summer (traveled to Europe, went on our first cruise, and mountaineered up to the top of the Grand Teton), then we moved to Connecticut, we adopted a puppy, and we found a place to live. I actually DID start an Etsy shop, and my most popular item to date has been the VW bus mini notebooks. I haven't found a job here in CT, so I spend my days cleaning, doing laundry, reading, cooking, crafting, indulging in Netflix, and hanging out with Daisy. I have been feeling quite domestic.
Now it is February, and we have experienced winter like never before. After the new year, winter really showed up. We have had snow... so much snow. Two winter storms and snow days upon snow days. Cabin fever really kicks in for me on the snow days. One good thing about the snow days is they always feel like an excuse to curl up with a good book. I am now on my 5th book of 2015!
I will take a moment to promote the books I have read this year:
- Quiet by Susan Cain (started this one in 2014 so maybe it's cheating to count it, but oh well); this book is packed full of great insight about introverts and our culture in America and how the two sometimes clash. Susan Cain makes me feel good about being an introvert.
- Yes Please by Amy Poehler; Amy is so funny. I really enjoy memoirs of all kinds, but it is especially fun when you read one from a funny famous person (I also recommend Mindy Kaling and Tina Fey's books). Amy is honest and real, and you feel like you get to know her.
- Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist; Shauna is so relatable. Her writing had me saying, "yes, that," over and over and over again. This book is also a little bit like a memoir; Shauna writes short stories that are reflections of times in her life, but the theme behind it all is food and bringing people together to eat around the table. At the end of almost every chapter she has a recipe with wonderful instructions. Shauna makes your heart feel full and makes you feel capable of making a real meal.
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed; of course I had to read this book before I saw the movie. Check. This book makes me thankful that, as a Christian, I have hope beyond my circumstances (even though I honestly have a hard time clinging to that). This books presents themes of grief, spiraling, coping, and healing. Cheryl's healing came on a long backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail, and the main thing her book made me want to do was go backpack the trail! I would love to be that cool (and I basically think I can do anything after climbing the Grand, pshh... [I wish]).
Now I am reading Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. I am about half way through, and if I didn't already think that Brene was the greatest person who is also a social worker, I do now. Her book is like therapy, and I think therapy is a great thing. Everyone should read it.
I am hoping to read a ton of the books that have been sitting on our book shelf this year (and especially before August). I am starting graduate school at UConn in August and will hopefully be an MSW by June 2016! I am not crazy about the idea of schoolwork again, but maybe reading a bunch of books will put me more in the mood.
Stay tuned for a post about a window painting project I recently did. I also will be adding some adventure-themed pocket notebooks to my Etsy shop soon, so please check it out and spread the word!
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