Spatulas and Scavenger Hunts: A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas at my house is about spending all day together, something that seems to rarely happen on ordinary days now that we're all going in different directions. We have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve so that we don't have to cook, and make up our breakfast casseroles the night before so we can just pop them in the oven. This year Mom and I did most of the cooking together, and I learned how to make from-scratch rolls. They are to die for, I'm just saying. So, it's about spending all day together, and also eating really, really well. We're a family of foodies, what can I say?

Washington Road Trip: Baker City, Oregon

Long Beach, WA

There's no other love like the love for a brother.  There's no other love like the love from a brother.  ~Terri Guillemets

A friend is a brother who was once a bother.  ~Author Unknown

A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.  ~Author Unknown

The Best Souvenir

"My body is a journal and my tattoos are my story."

- Johnny Depp

"Well behaved women rarely make history."

-Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Crunching Leaves

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” - Greg Anderson

I'm cruising down a path, surrounded by the jewel tones of autumn; vibrant oranges, glowing golds, flaming reds. I'm in the middle of a loud silence- grasshoppers rustling in the drying grass, the breeze crackling through the trees, and yellow leaves crunching beneath my tires, tick-tick-tick-tick. This is the unique symphony of Utah in the Fall.

Plans Shplans

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19 Months and Counting

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

-Henry David Thoreau

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

- Philippians 4:13

"You can do anything you put your mind to."

- My Mom 

These are three of my favorite and most encouraging quotes.
I see Henry's words every day at work in one of those cliche inspirational work posters. Except, this one actually is inspirational. I look at it every day and think to myself, "Hell yes!" and I'm freshly resolved to achieve the dreams that have been bouncing around my  head.

The Bible is self-explanatory. I basically have God on my side. 'Nuff said, right?

I'll get to my mom in a minute.

So, for those who don't know, a year and a couple months ago I went on a grand adventure to the UK and Ireland (and New York, too!) with my cousin. We planned it all ourselves, and we made it there and back again (like A Hobbit's Tale, but not by Bilbo). It was the first time I had gone anywhere without a parent, and the first time overseas! 

Upon returning home after 3 weeks of incredible adventures, I realized it was official, I was irreversibly infected with the travel bug. 

So, here I am, a year and some change and a few really awesome Stateside trips later. I'm so ready for my next adventure. 19 months from now I will be graduated with my bachelors of science, and the plan is I'll be on a plane on my way to Europe for several months! This is where my mom comes in. She always supports me, telling me that I can do anything that I really put my mind to. She's like my own personal inspiration poster. You should look into getting one, a Walking, Talking Inspiration Poster, though I don't think you can order them on Amazon...

 So, now begins the journey of saving, and planning, and dreaming! 

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Spain? Hell yes!