A Fall List

Summer is slowly but soon officially coming to an end and fall is practically around the corner! At the beginning of summer I put together a summer list filled with things I wanted to accomplish throughout the season. I wanted to make memories and challenge ourselves to find ways to enjoy summer better! As we are slowly leaving summer, with extreme temperatures as usual, I want to make sure I am enjoying every bit of the new season as well. My summer list, just like the spring list, didn't fully get accomplished but that is okay. I love fall and cannot wait to see how much I get to tackle this season. And what I don't accomplish I get to accomplish next time.

Here are some of the things I’m looking forward to doing this season; wish me luck:

• change my blog
• go apple picking 
• make an apple pie {tried so many times and failed, so hopefully this season I can do this}
• go to at least one pumpkin patch
• carve pumpkins 
• wine tasting
• upgrade my fall wardrobe
• explore more surrounding cities
• finally go to the old town underground tour
• decorate patio and porch for fall
• enjoy one Pumpkin Spice Latte
• create new chili recipes 
• go to a local fall/halloween event since the one we usually went to closed down
• find fall recipes to cook for Thanksgiving
• create fun fall diffuser recipes

How's your fall list coming together? Anything exciting I have to add to mine?!

xox

A Summer List

Seasonal lists are my favorite lists. It gets always a bit depressing at the end of a season though when I see my lists barely tackled. However, I always believe in the positive and with my lists I hope to encourage us to look forward to new ideas, new places to discover and exciting new recipes to try. I always have good intentions but life takes over, we know how that goes. Let's hope both B and I accomplish a little more this summer than this spring. Fingers crossed. And as always I will be back crossing things off this summer list. 

• Bake a pie or cake {I baked my favorite blueberry peach cake again; we love it so much}
• Go to mom's favorite church and light a candle in her honor {SF trip in August}
• Go to the beach
• Make a fun and refreshing summer cocktail {mmmm, I failed two times...oops!}
• Make popsicles 
• Eat more fruits, veggies and fish
• Play miniature golf {indoor mini golf in Reno!}
• Read at least 3 books! 
• Go to an outdoor theater
• A day trip, just the two of us {Placerville, CA in July}
• Get a healthy tan
• Happy Hour at a new place 
• Lose a few more pounds
• Attend a local event
• Donate a ton and live lighter 
• Organize a family get together because family is everything! {quick trip to Reno in August}
• Have an end of summer dinner party!

If you ever make seasonal lists like I do, what is on your summer list this year?

xox

updated: august 28, 2016

A Spring List

Last two summers I shared with you my summer lists consisting of things I was hoping to do, see, experience, or make during that season. Granted, not everything on my list came true. Some things were impossible {time issues}, or life got in my way and I couldn't follow through with everything. I love seasonal lists. They give me hope, they make it worth looking forward to something and they are simply fun. In an effort to accomplish as much as even possible I am sharing my spring list with you for the first time.

• Bake a cake {blueberry peach cake 4.13.16}
• Plant my herb garden {decided not to}
• Make jam {failed though, but hey, I tried!}
• Have a romantic and fun picnic
• Clean out our closet and donate what is not wanted or worn anymore {spring cleaning}
• Drive to the ocean
• Drive to a lake
• Hike along American River again
• Create a special Easter dessert {4.13.16}
• Buy fresh and colorful flowers at least twice a month
• Take a two-day family trip
• Go out of state for a few days {spring break time in Nevada}
• Read at least three books {one per month}

It's a short list but it's a manageable list. I am looking forward to adding colors to a new season, creating a new dessert {at least new to me}, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of this gigantic country. I would like to go to Utah or Oregon. B said "just" out of state...this could mean anything when it comes to him. We shall see.

Wish me luck with my spring list, and don't forget to come back and see how I am doing. I will update this list accordingly. Oh and my spring lists starts March 1 and ends May 31.

xox

updated: 5.31.16

Weekly Hopes {8}

Hello my lovelies,

Are you with me this morning?! I was so happy about cooler temperatures last week that I jinxed everything and temperatures decided to bite me in my butt and return...in a scorching manner that it. Hello 99 degrees. Ugh!!!

So it is probably a given what I am hoping for this week....right?! Let's see if you were right!

1 - Working on my daily walking goal and sticking to that goal!! I need to move my butt!

2 - Hobby Lobby and HomeGoods run so I can get inspired to decorate for fall

3 - Working on my emotions {writing, talking, painting, singing, dancing, crying...whatever it takes}

4 - Another visit to the animal shelter

5 - Another Sunday spent with my favorite person as he is off again! YAY.

6 - Cooler temperatures {duh!!!}

7 - A well-deserved hot drink while enjoying cooler temps...

Were you right?! Of course you were...after months of triple digit heat and temps I am definitely looking forward to cooler temperatures. Anything below 80 is amazing. We went to San Francisco a week ago. Definitely enjoyed the cold air there! 

What are you hoping to see or experience this week?!
Anything fun?

Happy Monday!!

xoxo 

Weekly Hopes {7}

Good morning!
Hope your Monday is spectacular and worth a smile! :)
I had a great weekend, and I am hoping that this week will be over quickly!!

This week I'm hoping for...

1. Quality Time with my favorite person
2. Therapy session is back {yes, I am going to therapy, it's not bad it's a good thing!}
3. The promised COOLER TEMPERATURES - so over triple digits
4. New blog opportunities
5. Distractions from working part-time
6. New music
7. German! My favorite person is learning it and I love hearing/seeing results
8. Getting over this week...it will be a sad one

This week will be tough. I know I have to look forward and appreciate everything there is in life, and not dwell on the past or make it worse than it actually is. I should cherish every second. I will. I promise. I'm just looking forward to next week when this week is over.

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Weekly Hopes {6}

Happy Labor Day to all my US readers!!

It may be a holiday, and most of us are off for the day but this does not mean I am not going to post my Weekly Hopes for this week. It's a shorter week, and therefore I know that this week will fly by like no other.

This week I am looking forward to a few things...

1. No school today, so my man will be home after an early shift at work
2. Thursday Date Day with my man...we are both off the entire day. Yay.
3. My cousin arriving from Turkey on Saturday. We will see him on Sunday.
4. Day trip to San Francisco. Finally again.
5. Stupid paperwork being sent in so we can finalize a few very important things.
6. It being a shorter week.

What are you looking forward to?
Any fun plans in mind?

Happy Monday my lovelies.

xoxo

Weekly Hopes {5}

Happy Monday!!

I cannot believe today is the last day in August. Where did the time go?! September is tomorrow! Tomorrow!!! Wow. I'm so excited and I hope I am not the only one here. So without further ado, here's today's list of what I am hoping is going to happen this week.

1. Dental Cleaning on Thursday {yes, I'm excited about that!!!}

2. Cooler temperatures - no more triple digits, no more super hot dry or humid summer weather

3. More motivation

4. A potential part-time job that will keep me distracted, starting tomorrow {eeeek!!}

5. A cleaner home - fall cleaning is due

6. Making a new order on my essential oils {I'm addicted; please don't judge, they've helped me a lot}

7. Hot apple cider...to get into the fall spirit

8. A possible double date night with new friends

9. More tomatoes from our patio

10. Dinner at the nearby Turkish restaurant 

How's your Monday?!
Are you excited about this week or rather dreading it?

It's a new week, a new day...just make the best and most of it.

xoxo

Weekly Hopes {4}

Good morning everyone!
It is a beautiful day, a beautiful morning and just one fantastic week. I cannot be any more excited about this week, so my Weekly Hopes for this week will be fun and literally hopeful! :) 

1 - Enjoying our beautiful Napa trip {we really needed this} - check out my Instagram for updates

2 - Wineries. Whether or not you drink, walking through a huge vineyard is an amazing feeling

3 - Time away from home

4 - Date Night on Friday {I think a movie at home with a home cooked meal will do the trick}
5 - A trip to HomeGoods
6 - Going to the Animal Shelter; we are thinking of adopting. It is time.
7 - September approaching {I can feel fall knocking on our doors!!}

This week is a good one. We are on our anniversary trip, having a blast, and B and I both get our deserved vacation. It's a honeymoon and anniversary trip in one. Amazing. Also, when you know you are slowly feeling better it makes life even more beautiful. I'm a happy gal. I'm still grieving and that is normal, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel knowing it will get easier and "softer". It just takes time. So, with this beautiful week and our trip...it is really what we both needed, and we couldn't be any happier.

Have a fantastic day!!!!

xoxo

Weekly Hopes {2}

Happy Monday my lovelies,

How was your weekend? Mine? Quite boring to say the least. However, I got to relax, organize our new home, add some fun stuff to our small space, and can finally say it looks like someone human is actually living here. Very excited about that feature. I really relaxed most days. I didn't want to do much because, one, it was hot, two, I think my grieving process constantly tires me out, and three, it was my time to spend some quality time on the couch with a bag of chips {no judging!}.

This week, my weekly hopes look like this:

1 - Reading more of Me Before You {started yesterday}

2 - Getting a deserved manicure and pedicure

3 - Going to the Farmer's Market on Tuesday; well, tomorrow

4 - Learning more about my Young Living Essential Oils {I have felt and seen awesomeness}

5 - Hoping to find an alternative to our one-year anniversary since they didn't give my man the requested days off {boooo on them!!!} and we had to cancel our Napa trip. Needless to say he has been pissed ever since he found out. I'm not happy about it either but I am trying to figure something out to lift the mood.

Have you read the above mentioned book? A family friend told me to read it and even though its original version is English she told me to read it in German. Challenge accepted. I haven't read a book in two years I think, maybe more?! So this is fun. As German is my first and a half language {haha; first will always remain Swiss German} this is no biggie, but I'm eager to know how good it is because that family friend said it is a must read. And what can I say? My YL Essential Oils are just beyond terrific. My favorite person is still quite skeptic but he will adjust and get used to them at some point. 

Happy Monday!
I'm smelling lemon and peppermint in the living room...fantastic way to start any day.

xoxo

Weekly Hopes {1}

August and the following months are going to be very different and new to me. Well, as you know, I want to change things up in my life, on the blog, and just in general and forever. After my quite long ordeal in Europe I think I have the right and should make it an effort to live life differently. Positivity is important. Hope is important. So, I thought to share weekly Monday posts on hopes or wishes, or things I wish or hope for to happen; or things I know will happen. What do you think?!
I think YES. 

So for the first installment of Weekly Hopes...here we go:

1 - Seeing my MIL tomorrow. She will be driving over two hours to see me for the day. Best MIL ever

2 - Hoping to make an appointment at the Swiss consulate to get some paperwork done

3 - Hoping to get a massage session squeezed in; we desperately need some relaxation time

4 - Date Night on Friday {I have to reinforce this weekly ritual again}

5 - Getting the pain on my left side taken care of...or just lessened because it's no fun
6 - Finding a great acupressure therapist
7 - Pool time {do I need to say more?}

What do you think? Positive enough? I think so. Also, in order to make the consulate visit work in our favor I need to order a few things for my favorite person. They want a birth certificate of him that was issued no older than six months ago...hmmm, really?! I don't think a birthday is going to change once it happened, but whatever they want we will make happen. Gotta get that stuff done, it's ridiculous paperwork but it is what is needed. Wish us luck.

Happy Monday!!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Summer List 2015

For years I have made seasonal lists but always kept them to myself. I posted my first official list last year and I think I want to make this a regular occurrence. Seasonal lists are fun. They are filled with things I, or now we, would like to do during a specific season, whether it's trying a new restaurant, being creative, doing something we haven't done before, or going on a trip. 

Sometimes it is a little depressing to see the list barely even tackled. Life happens, and it can get the best of us. I believe that the effort counts, and with a list it is at least easier to go about a new project or trip or discovery. I am trying to accomplish most of what is on my list and thought I'd share it with you.  It will be fun to come back here, cross some things off, and create some fun memories along the way. Here's to a fabulous summer of 2015!! 

• Travel to Europe to see my mom and a few friends! {unfortunately, this has changed but in a way I am in Europe right now, and I am seeing friends...but life has drastically changed}
• Organize life and paperwork {so hard, my dear lovers...it's sooooo darn hard}
• Return home to my favorite person {fingers crossed early July it happens}; {finally happened 7.23}
• Bake a fruit pie
• Make a yogurt pie
• Go to the lake {did this almost every day in Switzerland; hopefully in California I'll do the same}
• Go to the ocean
• Go the farmer's market {update will follow}
• Make sangria or mojitos or both
• Read at least 6 books - two per month
• Make popsicles
• Happy Hour in San Francisco or near the ocean!
• Go back to Napa Valley and enjoy some great wines and eateries {9/2/15}
• Start growing our own herb garden {rosemary, basil, thyme and mint...we have the space!}
• Go to the beach and make a two-day trip out of it
• Visit Southern California if time allows
• Make new friends
• Explore smaller towns around the area
• Spend a lot of time with family and Swiss friends {early July I went to Istanbul for a family reunion and wedding...long but wonderful weekend; update with follow}
  
• Work out three times a week and not just once or twice
• Prioritize life and cherish moments

*List updated as of 9/3/15 

Do you ever make seasonal lists? Would love to hear if you have anything planned for this summer since it's officially about to start! {Can you believe it!?}

As many of you know, my mom passed away almost one month ago. I cannot believe how fast time flies. I was able to see her, talk to her and assure her I am fine and happy. It was one of the hardest things I had to do in life. I had to let go of someone I love. I am not alone in this. One of my dear friends lost her mom when she was 16, and now even almost twenty years later it still hurts. I think this feeling will never fully vanish but we learn how to live with it and how it guides us in life. Mom would want me to live on and cherish each moment. I will with this list for sure. I always make lists, and today I think this list has an even bigger and better meaning!!!!

Happy summer 2015!!!!

xoxo

image via here

A Summer List

 

Every year right around spring and early beginning of summer I start to dream of what summer will have in store for me. I would create a list with things I always wanted to try, do, or explore. I would also have lists for each season but the summer list would be the biggest of all. Usually, I would travel around Europe; Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England, Greece or/and Turkey. I would also hang out with friends and enjoy open-air music festivals, eat out more than usual and enjoy late summer nights out on the town – with 80 degrees at 9 at night it would feel pretty darn good. 

This year my summer looks a little different. I am not traveling to Europe. I am far away from my friends and family. I am in California. I am personally and hopefully also professionally growing. Plus, I am no longer alone. Yet, all this change will not hinder me to dream of fun summer activities as well as make some of these dreams actually come true – and a new place just asks for a fun and new summer list with exciting things to do!

Here’s my list for this year. It will be fun to come back to this list and cross a few things off from time to time. After all, I want this summer to be a great one; especially since this marks a new part of my life.  

• Explore more of Sacramento and surroundings {as of 7/1 we saw 95% of Sacto}
• Visit Orange County {going early August}
• Travel to and explore the Reno area {completed, yet will be going back a few times}
• Visit San Francisco
• Visit Monterey  
• Go to one or two wineries
• Make strawberry mojitos 
• Make sangrias
• Make popsicles
• Bake a gluten free apple pie, and maybe a plum pie
• Go to the Farmer's Market hopefully twice a month
• Go to the beach because we miss it so terribly much
• Watch a movie at an outdoor movie theater – preferably a drive-in theater
• Go hiking
• Read at least four books
• Catch up on my favorite shows (Criminal Minds included)
• Decorate the apartment with artwork so it looks welcoming and less boring
• Turn off my phone for at least two hours each day starting July 1 for two months (yes, each day)
• Find a job (not a summer goal but it must happen this summer)

Do you make lists, or am I the only crazy one?
Would love to hear what you have planned this summer.

Have a great weekend.

 image via DustJacket