A Look at Life: February

Snow hills as tall as buildings out here.

Let it freaking snow. I’m used to it, I’ve grown up with the cold but man oh man it just won’t stop. We have so. much. snow. Someone wrote recently, “There’s no such thing as too cold, just not enough layers.” I eagerly agreed but now? Now I find myself just as happy snuggled up with a layered cardigan and cup of tea on the couch. How’s that for enough layers?

I mentioned we loved Colombia right? Because we REALLY loved Colombia. We took an 11-day trip at the end of January in an attempt to escape the cold and gray skies back home. It worked, but it’s not about escaping one place for something better. It’s about new experiences, new people, new challenges, and of course, new foods. Travel opens our eyes. It’s something that really fills both Scott and me up and we always come back with a little more life in us.

I’m reminded again and again just how special it is to have a partner who enjoys traveling as much as I do. Someone who loves to wonder and wander, explore and be, try new things and get me to try them as well. “How did I get so lucky?” I ask myself often.

You can read about our trip to Colombia in Part 1: Medellín and Part 2: Jardín as well as the 9 Things That Surprised Me About Colombia here.

My girl Katie and I hiking in the Smoky Mountains.

In February, I took a road trip with one of my dearest friends. I’ve known her since the playground days and she’s for sure a lifer. It was such a special time. It's fun to see how much we've both changed and mostly stayed the same. My favorite friendships are those that pick up right where you left off and that was this. We laughed like we were once again sophomores on the bus to our high school basketball game. As I look at life and what’s to come, I know the opportunities to do these kinds of trips will only get more challenging. Who knows where we'll be in the future. I'm so glad we could both find time to make it work because it was really special.

Also, have you heard of the 36 questions musical podcast? I BAWLED MY FREAKING EYES OUT on the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains listening to this thing. I’m not sure why it hit me so hard, maybe it was all the nature, maybe it was missing Scott but if you were wondering the last time I cried, this was it.

Our tree is down but look how freaking perfect this place is.

We had a mild scare with our little cabin on the lake life. We thought we were going to have to move. Come to think of it I cried when I got that news too.

Thankfully, we got word that we are able to stay. We breathed a sigh of relief, gave each other hugs of celebration and wake up every day a little more thankful for this season in our lives. This little cabin home serves us well and we know it. Blessed is just the beginning.

My February book was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love. I started reading and immediately grabbed a pen to underline and circle different things that stood out to me. I can always tell how much a book speaks to me by how much I mark inside. Big Magic has LOTS of markings. The Alchemist too. It’s a book about creative living but don’t think that creative is limited to writers, artists, and those living an abstract life. It’s for all. Anyone, trying to live life a little different.

A few of my favorite things:

• Big Magic: See Above. This is the latest book that’s gotten me really excited about things. I highly, highly recommend for anyone trying to live life a little fuller.

• 365 Q&A a day journal: I’ve gifted this as a present and finally asked for one for myself. I love it. Each day there is a question and you fill in little answers, for 5 years. I can't wait to go back and see how my answers and I have changed.

• Crosley record player: This is our favorite, favorite, favorite thing in our home. We use it every. single. day. Walk inside and you'll likely hear a Louie Armstrong, Lady Day, or John Denver vinyl playing. Bonus-it connects to bluetooth and can be paired with your phone as a speaker.

• Tea: I'm up to 4 cups a day. It's too perfect with this cold weather. Ever since Scott got me my very own teapot, I'm extra hooked. I haven't tried it yet but I've heard good things and am excited to try this Four Sigmatic mushroom tea for myself.

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