Sweet Love and Ginger

Recently

Recently No. 9

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This month was hard. We lost someone very precious to us in
those first few days. It’s not something I want to dwell on here, for the
privacy of our family and friends.

I went to NYC for a future leaders program through work. It
was a much needed distraction and due to a class cancellation I was able to
have some much needed self time.

I started a new crochet project influenced by Cherry Heart
and her blanket along #CHBAL. It’s been so inspiring and challenging. I am
loving this challenge and cannot wait to see the end result. I will finish this
blanket!

As part of my 12-12-12 project I did a simple print with Ink. I loved having something creative to work on in addition to the blanket this month. I feel like it was really needed to help me get through it all.

We have been looking at Houses, houses, and more houses. I’m
learning a lot and feeling every inch of that emotional rollercoaster.  Seriously does anyone else totally picture
themselves in a house before they have even gone to see it? I’m all moved in
with walls taken down, light fixtures and furniture just from the pictures. I
know I need to stop, I just can’t. It’s a problem.

I’m reading Fall of Giants by Ken
Follet. After only 2 chapters in I’m addicted. I read The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End a few
years ago and loved them. Warning these books are long, but the vividness that
Follett is able to create with his writing is astounding and when it’s finally
over you will be left reeling.

In between all of these things work kind of hit the fan, and
my life went upside down for a while, I didn’t even cook dinner most of the
month! It was really nice to end this crazy month with a girls weekend in CT.
More on that later.

How was your month? I’d love to hear about it!!!

Recently No. 8

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This month was rough to say the very least. I think the bitter cold, snow and hectic work life took a toll on my sanity, but we all made it through ok.

I launched a new project that I cannot be more excited about.

We went ice-fishing, despite the bitter cold. I made Stromboli & Italian Wedding Soup

More house hunting happened, I think this is going to happen a lot more.

I discovered my new favorite chicken marinade based on Panera’s Citrus Pepper Chicken. That is the chicken marinade used in the broth bowls, all of the salads, and many of the paninis.

I really got my creative juices flowing by pulling out my
watercolor paints, charcoal pencil, and buying some new fancy pens to try my
hand at calligraphy. This may or may not become the next project for 12-12-12.

I discovered that I don’t really have a style or know what it is. All my clothes are hand me downs or gifts. I’m thinking this is a situation that should be addressed.

On the Charming blog this month I talked about how Bone Broth is All the Rage, and shared a recipe for it.

I also made an appearance on Chrystina Noel answering questions from her and her readers about cooking and kitchen stuff.

I turned 27. You can read my thoughts on it here.

Recently No. 7

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This month was nice and slow; it was about recovering,
reflecting and setting new intentions. I’m not going to lie all of our 2015
goals went out the window that first week. We had some crazy things happen that
kept us busy until late in the night multiple nights that week. That’s part of
life though and the last two weeks of the month really helped us turn things
around so I’m hoping for some better luck in February.
Chuck cleaned up the basement and got out home gym back
in order, with some fancy new additions.
We made it to the rock wall for the first time in a long
time.
I got to a couple yoga classes and even tried Barre.
We re-instituted eating a salad before dinner.
I started a winter garden.
We spent lots of time with a few long lost friends, and
it was great!
I learned to crochet, more on that later.
We finally finished Son’s of Anarchy, and I have pretty mixed emotions on it. I almost feel like this final season wasn’t even necessary. What I know for sure wasn’t necessary is the volume of brutality seriously too much. I can’t even.

Around the net:

I am incredibly awestruck and inspired by this woman.

sometimes I need a fresh perspective. Mimi’s beautiful writing provided for me something I really needed this month.

Gender Issues: I agree with Rabbi Fink.

Banana bread is amazing. This recipe made my week last week.

This got my blood boiling. Really what are we telling students.

This might be the best sandwich ever. I’m betting leftover stroganoff will work really well also. We are doing this ASAP.

Next time you meet someone with a difficult to pronounce name, please take the time.

Recently No. 6 – January

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Stuff from me:

November was a packed month, so when December started I was excited about a long break while I spent some time thinking about what to do with my novel manuscript. What was the final decision you ask? Set it aside for a rainy day. About half way through the writing process I kept remembering a million holes and character inconsistency that it’s almost not worth editing. I’m still really proud that i wrote and entire novel, so it might see the light of day someday, just not right now.

I went to NYC again and this time met up with several lovely ladies from the North East Bloggers Network. We visited Jack’s Wife Freda then I traipsed around the city a bit with Chrystina. Ramen and my fist bubble tea were had.

Of course the December was not complete without loads of hot chocolate (Chuck makes it the best), cookie parties, ugly Sweaters, snow, and puppy cuddles.

Things from around the net:

“When women stop reading, the novel will be dead.” – Gender studies in novels. This article spurred an entire day of research on my part. I was floored as some of the things I learned about women in the literary world. Especially since women are more apt to read then men.

Things you deal with when you cut off your hair. So true.

#illridewithyou. It’s terrible that bad things are happening, but I’m so happy to see people rallying against it all. 

The Interview was finally released, albeit late and not really my style of film, all the hoopla has made me want to watch this for sure.

I’m working on building my goals for this year. I want something a little more tangible than last year, and I’m thinking about using this idea.

Recently No. 4

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First of all today I am taking over the North East Bloggers Instagram!!! I’ll be posting over there all day so stop by and check out what I’m up to!

Something to think about (have tissues ready)

It’s hunting season, so on top of Chuck traveling for work, he will be gone most weekends too. I hope you are ready for a revival of my Dinner 4 One Series.

I’m really excited about a new project that I have been working on. So most of my free hours have been spent on that. This has nothing to do with the project that I am announcing on Monday (this one I am absolutely stoked/nervous/terrified for). I have a lot going on over here, and no idea how I’m going to do it all. Maybe I should make myself one of these.

This post was a huge inspiration. (hint, hint)

This month I have been slowly de-owning things. It’s a constant battle over the amount of stuff in our tiny apartment. I can’t tell you enough how good it feels to get rid of stuff. More on this later as well.

This is helping.

30 Days of 5 Ingredient Meals (vegetarian), now that makes life easy.

Plastic. I need to cut more of it form my life.

Can we take a minute to ask the question of how American teens are being recruited by ISIS? I’m just… wow.. speechless.

I never do this, but I might have to start.

I don’t think you need to grow up abroad to apply some of these ideas to your life.

Lately I have been addicted to Reign & The Tudors on netflix. I have a historical fiction obsession, you know.