20 Cheap or Free Family Activities

Hey, guys! This is either free or cheap activities for families, because, family time is important! If you have any other ideas let me know in the comments! This is just a few ideas for now, but I'll probably be adding onto this as life goes on. 

1. Go to the library! I know this sounds a little..off? But, our library is small and cozy, and it's actually really fun to go to the library together and either pick out a family read aloud, a book for each individual or a movie to watch together. 
2. Go to the playground! This is, obviously, for parents with smaller children, but not too long ago (last year, in fact ;-) we enjoyed this activity together. We have a few family playground activities (playground tag, swing games, sharks and minnows) that we play, that are more older children oriented 😉, whatever that means! 
3. Go on a walk! This seems not as fun as some of the others, but it is. In summer and fall we take family walks all the time. We talk about our day, the future, or just anything at all. Of course we take the dogs, who both absolutely love taking walks. In the evening we usually we head to the ball diamond, half a mile to the left, or if we're walking in the afternoon, the post office half a mile to the right. 
4. Play baseball! This is a family favorite of ours, as the aforementioned ball diamond is close, we bike/walk there, set up and play! It's really, really fun, especially on Sunday afternoons.
5. Go canoeing! This might not be an option for some of you, but since we live right by a lake, it's a favorite family activity, plus it also is a good workout, and you can compile the next few activities with it! 
6. Go berry picking! This is not exactly an activity as much as it is an annual "chore" since we freeze them and eat them throughout the year, but it's still fun! We have a few favorite places, two are accessible with our canoe, and the other two we have to drive to. But berry picking also requires...
7. ...Hiking! In summer we love to go hiking, especially on Sunday or Saturday afternoons. But if you're planning on going on a long, arduous hike, make sure to pack some snacks and water! 
8. Play Board Games! We adore board games (Settlers of Catan, Clue, Sorry, Ticket to Ride...) 
9. Play Card Games! We like Gin Rummy, Phase 10, Card Monopoly, Dutch Blitz...
10. Go Snowshoeing! 
11. Go Snow Machining!
12. Go skiing!
13. Go Sledding!
14. Go Ice Skating!
15. Play Snowhill Ball Toss (original game by yours truly & co.) 
16. Make a hot chocolate bar! Have hot chocolate, peppermint sticks, marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and anything you like! 
17. Make mug cakes or brownies together! 
18. Work on a puzzle together! 
19. Work on a project together! (like a building project or something). 
20. If you have horses...just kidding! Watch your favorite show!

That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed! See you later! 

A Few Ways to Make a Great Impression

 Being totally honest...this post is a bit of a joke. But still, you might glean from a tip or two in here! :) 

Making a first impression is important-anyone will tell you that! So why not learn some tips and tricks that will help you along the way! 

if they shake your hand, shake it firmly. 

look them in the eye when talking

stand up straight, but relaxed

don't fidget

put on a genuine smile 

return the cordialities "Nice to meet you, too" etc 

make small conversation 

excuse yourself politely "it was really nice to meet you" "excuse me" etc

That's just a few of Anna's top ways to make a great impression. I hope you found them helpful. Enjoy, and see you later! Oh, and if you have any other tips I haven't mentioned in this post, please share in the comments! 

motivational quote

 Hello, readers. I am sharing today one of my favorite quotes ever. It is really motivational and mindset changing. I suggest you read it five times. 

         "Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will."-suzy Kassman

See how beautiful and real this quote is? I love it. 

Life Lately

 Life Lately | Session 01 | January 

Hi guys! This is a new section I'm trying out! A monthly review/recap and "progress report". SO, January is almost over (can you believe it?!?!), here is a few moments of the month. 

Horse Lessons starting up again. We took a break for Nov-Dec. just because of our teacher traveling, weather conditions etc. Since the weather is still not great for riding we're just working on nutrition. One week I'll have a lesson and the next week I'll "take care of" that horse (groom, work, muck out stall etc). It's been going really well! 

(for any of you who're interested of course.) School has been going well, too. I have a pretty heavy load right now. For math I am doing Algebra 1 and a Personal Finance class. For science we are doing chemistry and reading a book called Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds. For Grammar I am doing Henle Latin, Expositon we are reading short stories and writing our own. Reasoning we are doing Intermediate Logic, History I am doing Antiqutiy with Dave Raymond, and Debate we are doing a Mock Trial. 

Guitar is going amazing. I've really been spending a lot of time practicing and playing guitar, and can see a lot of improvement. I'm saving up money to buy a new one (!) 

I've started a bullet journal (win for the 2022 goals!!) and I will post about that sometime soon. I, myself, am still new to the process and am always learning. News on my other goals is slow. My morning time and devotions time are going incredibly well, though, oh and so is reading. However, writing has been slow. One of my really good friends and I are collaborating on a book-and so we're still trying to find a time to write together. 

Summer is filling up, folks. I don't know if it is a :-( or a :-). But it is what it is. 

Have I baked anything new? ...

Have I cooked anything interesting? YES!!! I made Vegan Black Bean Burgers, yes it is worth the emphasis. AND it's really easy. I enjoyed this a few times during our church fast in early January-with dill sliced pickles and avocado-and so yum. TRY THEM. Actually, they're not for everybody. Nobody except me really loved 'em. 

That's about all for now, I can't think of anything else going on so...I guess I'm signing out! See you later and thanks for reading! Expect another for February, I think this one is going to stick around. ;-)

MUSIC

                                🎵🎵Remember by Katie and Bryan Torwalt🎵🎵 

6 Summer Goals

 I am sharing with you guys today some of my summer goals! 

1. Starting an herb plot
2. Getting a better job 
3. Being outside more 
4. Work on writing more
5. Going on a 'legit' picnic with friends
6. Planning a surprise party for someone!

Do you have any summer goals for 2022? :)

10 Things You May Not Know About Me

 This might be fun and it might not. We'll see <3 Here is 10 things you might not know about yours truly. 

1. I am an equestrian (also identify as a "horse girl") 
2. I am a very competitive, temper-prone, introverted, shy individual
3. I am an INFJ Personality (rarest in the world :0) 
4. I love using magniloquent superfluous vocabulary (aka I love words) 
5. My favorite retort is "it was an inquiry not an inquisition" 
6. My favorite sentence is "tears prick my eyes. But they were not tears of grief nor pain, but tears of frustration." 
7. I snort when I laugh hard 
8. I am a very predictable person (friends/family can order for me: macadamia nut breve in the morning, vanilla London fog in the evening, strawberry Italian soda in the summer, burgers and fries all the way)
9. I play guitar, violin, piano, tin whistle, and dabbled in cello and bass
10. I accidentally biked down a 16 foot bank into a creek-and lived, without breaking my glasses ;-)

There you go!! Anything you didn't know? Let me know in the comments, and if you enjoyed this! See you later. 

Favorite Rainy Day Activities

 Stuck inside on a rainy day? The bad weather got you down? Don't worry! I've got you covered! 

    😂😁😉

I, personally, love rain day. They're just so cozy and delightful. So grab a scone and a cup of tea, and enjoy those inevitable days. 

These are some rainy day activities!

• read a blog ;-)
• bake a dessert
• bake bread
• bake anything you want...
• make a London Fog
• start a puzzle
• paint
• sketch
• read a novel
• write a story
• watch equestrian videos
• make popcorn
• watch your favorite tv show
• play an instrument
• listen to music
• listen to podcasts
• listen to audiobooks
• make homemade trail mix
• organize or clean your room
• deep clean an area of your house 
• cuddle with your animals
• make a craft
• learn to knit or crochet or sew
• journal
• play a board game
• or a card game
• meal plan
• make mug cakes :)
• work on your bucket list 
• watch a movie
• make dog treats

If you try any of these, let me know! See you later!

How to End Your Days Off Well

 (and consequently start the next day off great, too) 

Evenings are IMPORTANT. So, it's a *perfect* time to put in place a relaxing, peaceful, de-stressful evening routine. 

We go to bed around 8:45 and I usually go to sleep around 9:15. But I treat my evenings/night routine as a high priority, time sensitive, wind down time. 

So...let's get into my evening routine. 

7:15 I brush my teeth and put in my retainers and wash my face. 

7:30 I clean the house and take care of all my stuff.

around 8:00 we gather for family devotions and prayer time

around 8:45 we head up to bed, I get into pajamas, turn on my string lights and light my candle. I also put a song on repeat called A Million Little Miracles by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music, or William Augusto's Soaking In His Presence album. It's really peaceful and helps me wind down. 

8:50 I either read, write, or journal, do a devotional page, and cuddle with the cat. 

9:08 I put everything away and head to bed, start my audiobook (usually Wayside Stories by Louis Sachar :) 

9:15 I am usually asleep by now! 

Thanks for reading and I hope this is helpful! 

 

Comfort Food

 Here is a few of my absolute favorite comfort food. 

                                  CHICKEN DUMPLING SOUP!!! 

I love love love this stuff! It makes me so happy, and it's so yummy and perfect. 

SO YEAH. 

Another one I like is...hmm. HAMBURGERS AND FRENCH FRIES!!!! 

This is a little random post, but what is your favorite comfort food??? 

How to Start a Day Off Well

 

Let's face it. Mornings are essential to the rest of the day, they are, usually, a defining point. So, when you make your morning a priority, you'll feel your stress lessen, your productivity, motivation and energy levels for the day heighten, as well as your attitudes and behaviors. Lately, I've been trying really hard to make the most of my mornings, in a time efficient, but relaxing peaceful way. Instead of getting up, rushing around to get ready, and stressing out, I put in place a really helpful morning routine that has been working great so far! I've been taking time to enjoy my mornings, while at the same time keeping myself on schedule and productive. The key is not having a lazy morning, that's not actually relaxing. In order to put in effect a morning routine you need to MAKE TIME not just squeeze it in. So here is how I start my day off well. 

5:30-wake up and go to the bathroom, wash face.

5:35-make bed!

5:38-get dressed, brush my hair, and put on chapstick. 

5:45-do a quick tidy of my room and read my Bible

6:05-go downstairs, take retainer out, brush teeth , get coffee, get math out

6:15-start math and listen to my music. 

One of the biggest issues I faced (and probably most of you do too) is turning off my alarm and accidentally falling back asleep. So I set a 5:30 alarm near my bed, and a 5:35 alarm across my room. So if I don't get up when my first alarm goes off, at least I'll have to get up to turn off my second alarm. Now that I've been using this schedule for a while, I am able to be up right at 5:30! 

Making the bed right away is something really important. This means that you will not be tempted to lay in bed all morning, and also your room will be all clean, restful, and more enjoyable if it is made. 

I NEVER do school in my pajamas; when you wear pajamas or do school on your bed, your brain is going to register that place/pjs as a sleeping/rest thing. Also, you won't feel as awake, alert, or energized for the day. So I wear comfortable clothes, like leggings, and a t-shirt with a plaid flannel, or leggings and a soft long sleeve shirt. 

I think it's very important to take time in the morning for devotions because it helps you start the day off right. I like to do a tidy of my room so that it's clean for when I come back up later during the day. 

Okay, it is SO IMPORTANT to brush your teeth right away. I hate morning breath and that gross feeling, magnified by retainers, so that's a big part of my morning. So is coffee :) 

I listen to Focus Music on Spotify or William Augusto's "Soaking In His Presence" album. It's really good! 

I hope you found this post helpful, and I'm going to do an evening routine as well (because it's also important to the start of your day). See you later! 

my bookshelf

the books on my bookshelf

Hey! I thought it might be fun to do a quick overview of some of the books I'm reading right now! 

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge: this is a great book, and a really wonderful series. I've read this several times and still love it! 

The Mapmaker Chronicles by A.L Tait: I've not finished it yet, but it is excellent all ready! It's very intriguing, and I'm excited to finish it! 

Winnie the Horse Gentler Series by Dandi Daley Malone: I know this sounds a little stupid, but it's not! I really love these books, plus it's about horses :) 

The Wayside Stories by Louis Sachar: These books are absolutely hilarious and I've read or listened to them so many times, without getting tired of it. 

Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg: I really love this book, and have probably read it about six times. I really recommend it. 

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullally Hunt: I LOVE this book. I've read it maybe more than any other book. I received it for Easter from my grandma years ago. And it's still a favorite read! 

So those are some of the books I'm reading/rereading right now. I hope you enjoy, and if they're any good books you are reading, let me know! See you later! 

Creating Your 'Space'

 How to Create a Space

this is easier said than done. Our lives are so filled with junk that it's hard to escape from it all and find a little nook for doing the things you love. It's important to have a certain space for you to unwind, relax, be inspired and refreshed, and be creative. It might be a room, an office, or a unused guest room. But whatever it is, it needs to be special. So here is how to create a space that is ambient, cozy, relaxed, clean and dedicated to what you want that place to be used for. 

A really important factor of this is the lighting. I, personally, am more of a candle, string lights, soft lamp person, while others might be the natural light, window type. Either is fine, but make sure that the space is well lit and fit to your tastes. 

Depending on what you want the space to be used for (e.g. sewing, knitting, painting, writing, sketching, music, crafts, reading) the space will be different. For example if your space is going to be for sewing, you'll need a sewing table and sewing machine. For painting maybe you'll invest in an easel, or you'll have shelves of paint and jars of brushes. Journaling or writing requires a desk and writing utensils. So, once you figure out what the space is used for, you'll be able to envision the setup and necessities you'll need for it.

Use colors that reflect your personality. Perhaps, that is cheerful yellows, mellow grays, soft lavenders, earthy greens, or a vibrant blue. Whatever it is, try to incorporate that color or a few colors into your space. You don't necessarily have to paint the walls that color(s) but maybe buying a few throw pillows, or paintings, or a rug, will hale make that space exclusively yours. Anything is fine, so long as it fits your purposes and intent. 

Be more like a minimalist. Maybe you're the type of person who likes knickknacks everywhere in your house, but this space is meant to be a little comfort place. You can decorate it as much as you'd like, but really,  it's best to keep your focus on that one hobby, and focus on relaxation. If you're going to create that space for your literary pursuits, a bookshelf with beautiful, old books, or a cozy chair with an accompanying small book table (like an unused nightstand), and a knitted throw would be perfect. But you don't want to crowd that space with stuff. 

Make this space a stress-free zone. That means eliminating distractions (like any electronic devices, unnecessary noise etc.) and having everything you will need on hand. Because, if you want to be able to focus on what you're doing, getting up for water, or to find a pencil, or to rummage through your laundry for a sweatshirt, or run downstairs for scissors, lessens the chance of you unwinding and slowing down. Having everything you need (snack, water, sweatshirt/blanket, writing utensils etc.) on hand is a factor that heightens the chance of a successful, relaxing, refreshing space. 

Play music, or perhaps an audiobook/podcast for an ambient background. This is essential for me. I prefer music so depending on what you're activity you're doing, having focus, instrumental, motivational, etc. music really helps. 

That's all for now and I hope you guys enjoyed! See you later! 

music playlist

 My "Official Playlist" 2022 - School

    Hey guys! I will be sharing my official 2022 playlists with you today and explaining why I chose each one. I have I think 3 or 4 different playlists, depending on my mood. Today's is the "SCHOOL" playlist, so hope you enjoy! 

School Playlist 2022 (I have been using a focus playlist on Spotify...but here are my favorites)

• Clear Skies by Dhyana Thomas
• Beginnings by Bon Bruit 
• Golden by Clear Blue Skies
• Path to Serenity by Arya Shae
• they sink by Ólafur Arnalds
• Vague by Amaranth Cove
• Waiting by Sheltered Solitude
• Dreamer by Ygor Ghensev
• Rectifier by 12dust
• If You Believe by Yonder Dale
• Momentum by Monocle Twins
• Cotton Spheres by Lama House
• Wild Trails by Epi-Soothe
• Hold My Hand by They Dream By Day
• With Resolve by Jacob Yoffee 
• Limitless by Lucas Delphy
• Den inre skogen by Thomas Jackson
• Someday by City of the Sun
• Eleven Shades by Lunaire
• Slip Away by the Elementaries
• Flowing by Lucas Delphy
• Soft Upon Your Face by Ave Air
• Pictures at an Exhibition by Piano Guys 

So there you are! I prefer more of a focus, ambient music to study to, rather than classical instrumental. I don't know why, but I do not find that studying conducive. I have a much more extensive list, but those are some of my favorites. Thank you so much for reading and hope you enjoy! 

Oh by the way, Flowing by Lucas Delphy is my absolute favorite :-) 

Music 

The music recommendation for today: A Million Little Miracles by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music

DITL

 A day in my life (School 21-22 Version) 

Hey guys! This is my approximate day routine, that I wanted to share with you. 

5:35-wake up

5:45-get dressed, make bed, brush hair, devotions etc.

6:15 to 6:30-brush teeth, get coffee and start math! 

8:00-eat breakfast and morning read aloud

8:30-clean breakfast dishes

8:45-9:00-watch history lecture, read history selection

9:45-read chapter of logic and complete exercises and vocabulary

10:15-read chapter of Personal Finance, complete worksheets, and vocabulary

10:45-read assigned short stories, complete questionnaire and worksheets, work on own short story

11:15-take a short break

11:30-read defeating darwinism and follow outline 

12:00 to 12:30-eat lunch

1:00-music practice (guitar, violin, piano, other) for 30-60 minutes

1:45-Mock Trial preparation (read case files, rewrite witness statements etc.) 

2:30-Latin with mom

3:00-wrap up school, P.E (either horse lessons, or workout ((in winter it's hard))) 

3:30 or 4:00-sometimes laundry or shower, tidy room

4:15-read, read, read, write...downtime

5:00-clean house (or animal chores, or kitchen duty) 

5:30-wrap up everything for the day, or make dinner

6:45-dad gets home, dinner while we watch World Watch

7:30-clean up dinner, etc. 

8:30 to around 9:00-prayers and bedtime

9:00 to 9:15-personal devotions and sleep! 

SO OBVIOUSLY that's approximation and different days demand different schedules, but that's the gist of it. Thanks for reading! 

blogging

I'M BACK...and a little recap

Hi, guys. I am so sorry about this long lapse. I am thoroughly ashamed of myself :-( BUT hopefully I'll be able to stay on track, and keep working towards my 2022 Goal. 

I'm just going to say right now "it takes absence to value presence" so obviously that was what I was going for when I didn't blog for months. ;-) 

I personally cannot believe it's actually 2022. It's crazy! I feel like 2021 was the fastest, and slowest year ever. It was also insane, and busy. 

To recap my long absence in a few short words: BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. 

                                                    Yep, I've been busy. 

This summer is going to be jam packed full, but I'm going to stick to my 2022 Year Goals, as much as possible. Last year I tried to be Little Miss Overachiever and have a ton of goals. It's suffice to say, not many of them actually got checked off. So...this year I limited myself to a few, purposeful items. 

So here is a few of my goals: 

1. Bullet Journal! I've been wanting to do this for a while, so I purchased so nice calligraphy pens and a                                                        bullet journal and set to work! So far it's been great, and really relaxing! 

2. Creative Pursuits-I know this is an overarching category but basically I want to focus on music, writing, art, and reading. 

3. School-mostly just being productive, organized, efficient, and less-stressed. Part of achieving this goal meant putting in place a firm, but attainable routine and managing my time better (more on that later). 

4. Bible Time-I am reading through the entire Bible this year, and also want to focus more on that aspect of my life. Plus, our church started out January strong with a 10 day fast, which was really helpful and insightful. 

I have a few more but that's all for now! See you later!