I know there’s a month or so left of summer, but when the counties go back to school, it feels like it’s pretty much over, you know?  This summer has been short, but sweet for me because…….

I got a job.

It’s not just any part time job.

It’s a big-girl-career-woman kind of job.

I am a teacher.  A 4th grade teacher at a small school here in this tiny little town where I live, and I couldn’t be more excited.  The whole process was a whirlwind…I got the call for the interview the week before school was to start, got the job, started setting up my classroom, getting my textbooks, asking TONS of questions and ready or not, the first day came, and it was amazing.

I just finished my first week, and let me tell you.  It is EXHAUSTING but completely worth it.

And….not only do I teach, I also have a part-time writing position for a local newspaper.  I write from home, and I have to admit, it’s pretty cool to see my name at the bottom of the article.

Here’s my first one: Union University

Hope everyone has a good Saturday.

It’s summer again which means, for me, lots of canning and preserving, along with other projects such as crafting, sewing, painting, gardening…you name it, I may or may not have tried it.  There’s something about summer that makes me want to take on all of these creative tasks.  Maybe it’s the essence of freedom that summer always seems to bring with it…the long days where the sun beams down, making you forget time or its importance because the days seem to last longer.

Anyway, around these neck of the woods, a lot of activity has been going on…

Homemade placemats…make your own with a sharpie!

Depression Era Bread…this recipe calls for 30 min in the oven.  Mine took longer so just use your best judgement.

Adding cute material to short shorts.  Yes, I sewed these on, and yes, it was difficult to keep the stitches straight.  But I like the result.

Antique trunk my mother-in-law found that I turned into a “wedding corner” at our house.  My dried bouquet is in the middle and on each side are the roses that we exchanged during the ceremony.

Local grown blueberries.  I froze them…still deciding whether or not to preserve them.  Any suggestions?

Budding Better Boys in my garden.  There’s something so fulfilling about growing your own food and going to your garden to pick your veggies for supper at night.

1. You are your surroundings.  Put yourself in a completely foreign situation for a couple days and you will learn more about yourself than you will think possible.

2. There is a very fine line between doing too much and too little for your garden.  Unfortunately, I haven’t let mother nature do enough as of late.  Sorry about that, Nature!  Will you please allow my vegetables to keep growing?

3. You should always check the airfare rules for flying.  You don’t want to be like me and have all of your shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen tossed by a flight attendant because you forgot how many ounces of liquid you could take on the plane.  Oops…

4. Becoming older isn’t so bad, especially if you are feeling wiser.

5. It’s okay to be naive sometimes.

6. Being married to your true love is one of the most rewarding things in life…it’s indescribable how happy it makes me.

7. Most of the time, I would rather get rid of stuff than accumulate more.  Sounds like my husband is rubbing off on me a little…he’s a minimalist.

8. “To be nobody but yourself – in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you like everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight – and never stop fighting.” -e.e. cummings

What have you learned lately?

Reading: A little of this and a little of that.  I finished my Southern Living magazine for the month of June today.  Some of the recipes sound amaazing.  I downloaded a sample of Focus: A Simplicity Manifesto in the Age of Distraction last night on my kindle and am looking forward to starting it soon.

Watching: Pretty Little Liars started back for their new season last night.  It’s so cheesy and dramatic, but I always catch myself looking forward to it.

Anticipating: Seeing one of my best friends, Kaylan, tomorrow.  She did our awesome engagement and wedding photos.

Listening to: Dear True Love.  This is the song I walked down the aisle to.  What sold me on this song, you may ask?  The line “With this ring, may you always know one thing, the little I have to give, I will give it all to you.”

Drinking: Coffee.

How about you?

It’s official that I am a married woman now.  Wow!  The wedding and other celebrations went off without a hitch and our honeymoon in Key West was the best.  Here are a few pictures to commemorate the event.

This May was probably one of the busiest and most hectic times of my life, but it was well worth it.  We had a perfect wedding with family and close friends at a beautiful venue.  I wouldn’t change anything about it.

How was your May?

Since last summer I’ve been catching up on a few different television shows that I now consider my favorites.  Some I’ve watched via the internet while others I’ve caught on the tube.  Two of my favorites just ended this week sadly, but I have two other favorites which start airing again in June.

True Blood

Gossip Girl

Pretty Little Liars

Once Upon A Time

Check them out sometime…I guarantee you’ll like at least one of them!

Wedding planning has been in full swing around here.  In the past week, Fiance and I have ordered our wedding bands, applied for our marriage license, finalized ceremony and reception music, had a fun bridal shower, ordered programs for the wedding and did I forget something?  Probably, but it’s been fun!

Here are some photos and links that capture a little of what’s been going on around here.

Sweet, Simple Wedding Programs

Freshly picked strawberries

Cute bridal shower decor

Pancakes made by fiance that we ate with my sweet youngest sister Rosie.

Guess when I’m going to wear these?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  I’m off to do a little gardening.

I’ve been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  It’s an account of her present day life and the ways she finds to stay positive in the here and now, whether that is holding her tongue in certain situations, being selfless or organizing, etc.  Simple tasks, really.  It’s interesting to think about what makes each of us tick because, after all, we are all different.  I’d suggest it to anyone who wants an inspiring, thought-provoking read.

Through reading this, it has made me think of myself and the way I present myself, the way I think, etc.  Happiness is a choice.  I can wake up in the morning and decide whether I want to struggle through the day or put a smile on my face and overcome anything negative that attempts to get in my way.  This is difficult, sometimes.  Of course it is for everyone at times.

In fact, I had a realization the other day.  I now work two jobs (basically summing up to 40 hrs of work a week), travel the 30-45 min. to Nashville for physical and occupational therapy two days a week, come home, cook and attempt to do something with fiance for the remaining couple hours, if possible.  My realization was this: So, this is what being a grown up is really like?  I know, I’m almost 25 and should have realized this long ago, but mind you, I’ve never had a full time job.  Plenty of part times while in school was enough for me, but this full time thing is a whole new ball game.  It’s common to feel mundane about life when you think this is all it has to offer.  Work, eat, sleep and do it all over again.  But, you know what?

I made a decision to put my big girl panties on and say, “No, this is not what life is all about!”  Sure, a job is important, and I’m happy to have one.  It is a big part of life, but it doesn’t have to be all there is to life.  I get to meet all kinds of different people and learn new things everyday at work.  Sure, driving to therapy back and forth gets old, but I get the strengthening I need along with some pretty great therapists.  In between all of that, I get to spend time with the man I’m going to grow old with, and I love it.  We enjoy watching things grow.  We plant loads of shrubs, herbs and soon-we will plant vegetables.  We travel, do things outside, cook and summer is our favorite season to spend together.

Life can get pretty hectic and stressful sometimes, but I’ve learned that sometimes if you take one thing at a time, some things are a breeze.  Other things can be tough to tackle, but we can do it!  Being a grown up can be boring, yes, but there are so many things to still look forward to.  Happiness is a choice, remember?  And I choose to think outside the box, and be happy.

Skinny Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

I tried the above recipe a couple of days ago, and it’s hands down one of my new favorites.  I love trying new ways to make recipes, adding twists here and there.  I found this one on Pinterest and quickly filed it under “foods tried and loved.”  If you like pasta and italian, this one’s for you!

Now that spring is here, I have a new spring in my step.  I’m ready for starting my very first vegetable garden, trying out the new farmers’ market in town, spring colors, dresses, sandals, bright blue skies and the list goes on…

I’ve been changing the look of my living room around a bit from a dark red and avocado green to neutrals with touches of color.  All of my pictures are nature-inspired, and I’m not sure why I’ve never thought of doing this before, but I love it.  In a way, I’m bringing spring inside.

Do you have any new ideas this spring?  Please share if you do!