"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing."
-Dale Carnegie
Utah has the most amazing landscape. Mountains. Lakes. Sandstone. Dessert. Salt Flats.
Day 244 - Horseback Riding
"We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better."
-J.K. Rowling
My friend has found her passion. She says it only took her 30 years to get it, but she got it. Her passion is horses and today she shared her passion with me. It was so much fun, and so scary for me, which is odd because as a girl my favorite movie was "Man from Snowy River" and I wished every birthday and every wishbone that my sisters and I broke, that I could have horses of my own. Now I'm just plain terrified of them. They are huge, and I don't feel like I have control when I am on them, which I'm sure they sense.
Since I'm such a coward my friend walked me around, which was super nice! And yes, she looks beautiful while I look like a sweaty mess. I am not photogenic!
-J.K. Rowling
My friend has found her passion. She says it only took her 30 years to get it, but she got it. Her passion is horses and today she shared her passion with me. It was so much fun, and so scary for me, which is odd because as a girl my favorite movie was "Man from Snowy River" and I wished every birthday and every wishbone that my sisters and I broke, that I could have horses of my own. Now I'm just plain terrified of them. They are huge, and I don't feel like I have control when I am on them, which I'm sure they sense.
Since I'm such a coward my friend walked me around, which was super nice! And yes, she looks beautiful while I look like a sweaty mess. I am not photogenic!
Day 243 - Bear Scat???
"The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs one step at a time."
-Joe Girard
8 Month Recap
Eight months down, four to go! I was eating a yogurt that I've never tried before, thinking about how fast the summer has gone and trying to see if I had done a new first every day. Since seriously, the summer has been going so fast I'm just trying to enjoy each day. It dawned on me that I haven't had to think or plan a 'first', but I have done 'firsts' every day.
You know the saying that what you think and put out into the universe comes back to you. I believe it now. The effort and thought of not saying no and trying new things now is just second nature. In the brain, when you do something new or learn something new neurons form in a different pattern, creating new patterns all over in the brain. So when you think positively you literally create a positive brain, and release endorphins which creates a positive life. The brain is fascinating!
All in all, this month was a food month. There were some fear firsts too! And some really fun new firsts that I want to try again.
Park City Parade |
Banana Split Galore |
Robin's Nest |
Archery |
Natural History Museum |
Hawk's Nest |
Day 242 - Learn Astrology
"Remember, there is no perfect time for anything. There is only now. Begin your journey to greater levels of fulfillment and productivity now."
-Jack Canfield
For some, astrology is the language used to describe the energies that make up the universe. For others, it's the observation of the planets. Modern astrology emerged out the awareness that we are microcosm of the universe, and that our lives are shaped by the sun's journey through the zodiac.
Although it is kind of interesting to read your 'birth chart', which is based on the date, time and location that you were born. And to see what the stars, the sun, and the moon say about your traits and emotional nature. I prefer to think that we are God's children. Born with gifts and talents that we had in the preexistence. With the ability to learn new talents. Make weaknesses strengths. And always learn.
-Jack Canfield
For some, astrology is the language used to describe the energies that make up the universe. For others, it's the observation of the planets. Modern astrology emerged out the awareness that we are microcosm of the universe, and that our lives are shaped by the sun's journey through the zodiac.
Although it is kind of interesting to read your 'birth chart', which is based on the date, time and location that you were born. And to see what the stars, the sun, and the moon say about your traits and emotional nature. I prefer to think that we are God's children. Born with gifts and talents that we had in the preexistence. With the ability to learn new talents. Make weaknesses strengths. And always learn.
Day 240 - TRX
Tried TRX for the first time. I didn't even know what it was until today. You use the ceiling and wall and your own body weight to build muscle. Super fun!
Day 239 - Throw a Spear
Threw a spear with my boys tonight. They were good, my spear only stuck a handful of times. Super fun!
Day 238 - Swimming Laps
I tried to swim on my own today. Yeah, swimming blood does not run in my family. I NEED lessons.
Day 237 - Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Lemon Green Beans
YUMM! My boys loved this too, so I will be making these veggies again.
Day 236 - Cabin
Stayed at the Cabin tonight. We haven't been to the cabin for 10 years-why has it taken us so long to get back up there?!
Day 235 - Free Fall Jump
Scared the Crap out of me! From the bottom it looked so fun. From the top I was terrified! I think the last two 'firsts' may count toward trying to overcome a fear. But to overcome I feel like you need to not be afraid of them anymore, and I'm still scared of speed and heights.
Day 234 - Motorcycle Ride with Hubby
Scary! My legs were wobbling so badly I didn't think I could stand when I got off the bike.
Day 233 - Beautiful Necklace from Italy
My Aunt bought me the prettiest necklace from Italy. So pretty!
Day 231 - Meatball Raigatoni?
"Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action."
-Walter Anderson
This is the first pasta dish I have ever made where my boys could care less for the noodles and beg for more meatballs and sauce.
Yum!
Day 230 - Lemon Icebox Pie
"How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money. Money mistakes can be corrected, but time is gone forever."
-David Norris
I told you this month was the month of food, but again, food is a really easy way to try new things. Plus, I hate to be in the kitchen and I'm really trying to be a better cook. So, although this is not healthy by any stretch of the imagination, I decided to enter a Pie Baking Contest and this was a pie I tried out. Also, I'm super uncomfortable with strangers tasting my food, incase it's gross, so this is kind of like trying to conquer a fear. Hence the Pie Baking Contest.
Yummy. Lemoney (is that a word?). Cool. Summery (not sure if that is a word either).
-David Norris
I told you this month was the month of food, but again, food is a really easy way to try new things. Plus, I hate to be in the kitchen and I'm really trying to be a better cook. So, although this is not healthy by any stretch of the imagination, I decided to enter a Pie Baking Contest and this was a pie I tried out. Also, I'm super uncomfortable with strangers tasting my food, incase it's gross, so this is kind of like trying to conquer a fear. Hence the Pie Baking Contest.
Yummy. Lemoney (is that a word?). Cool. Summery (not sure if that is a word either).
Day 229 - Utah Natural History Museum
"Goals that are not written down are just wishes."
There was so much to see, I just didn't take that many pictures because we were so engaged with everything. But this museum is chocked full of interesting things!
-Unknown
Went up to the Natural History Museum today, with some trepidation, and was totally blown away. This seriously is the best museum I have ever been in. Normally when I go to a museum with my boys we are bored within 1/2 hour. This museum we had to pull ourselves away to eat (they have a really nice eating area!) and then we ran back in.
Learning about cells |
The beautiful thing about this museum is the flow. You literally go from one exhibit to the next through the whole museum. You don't have a break where you are not learning something or trying something or seeing something cool. From a parent perspective, you could spend all day there. From a kid perspective…they were constantly saying, "Mom, Mom, Mom". It was wonderful to see a museum were from ages 2 to 98 everyone could be engaged in stimulating the mind.
Ants |
They have four free days a year, which I will so be trying out, I loved this museum so much!
Native American Archeological Site |
There was so much to see, I just didn't take that many pictures because we were so engaged with everything. But this museum is chocked full of interesting things!
Check it out!
Day 228 - Lifting Class
"What you get by achieving your goals is as important as what you become by achieving your goals."
-Zig Ziglar
Went to my first lifting class today. No pictures because I was sweaty, but the building is so nice. It's a very small gym and when I showed up three ladies from my neighborhood were there and one of my best friends, so it was like a big party since we all knew each other, and it didn't hurt that we knew the instructor too.
Anyway, if you get a chance to take a class at Evolve, or Total Health and Fitness, with Kat Morril, do it. It's hard, but so much fun!
-Zig Ziglar
Went to my first lifting class today. No pictures because I was sweaty, but the building is so nice. It's a very small gym and when I showed up three ladies from my neighborhood were there and one of my best friends, so it was like a big party since we all knew each other, and it didn't hurt that we knew the instructor too.
Anyway, if you get a chance to take a class at Evolve, or Total Health and Fitness, with Kat Morril, do it. It's hard, but so much fun!
Day 227 - Hawks Nest
"Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life."
-David Burns
A huge elm on our street was being taken down, so I went and asked the workers if they could save the Hawk's nest that was in it. They were super nice and saved it for me so that I could show my boys. Looking up from below it just looks like a tangle of sticks and branches, but this nest is well built.
The two baby hawks had already learned to fly so the eggs in this nest were unhatched chicks. What amazes me about the nest is how intertwined the sticks/branches are. You could not tug one stick/branch loose. How do birds know how to do this? It truly amazes me.
Incredible to see up close.
-David Burns
A huge elm on our street was being taken down, so I went and asked the workers if they could save the Hawk's nest that was in it. They were super nice and saved it for me so that I could show my boys. Looking up from below it just looks like a tangle of sticks and branches, but this nest is well built.
The two baby hawks had already learned to fly so the eggs in this nest were unhatched chicks. What amazes me about the nest is how intertwined the sticks/branches are. You could not tug one stick/branch loose. How do birds know how to do this? It truly amazes me.
Incredible to see up close.
Can you see the bones from an animal. Obviously dinner for the baby hawks before they could fly. |
There are some bird skeleton feet on the upper left and a bird soul by the top egg. |
Day 226 - Discover my Passions
"Passions are how you live your life. Goals are things that you achieve."
-Attwoods
There is a wonderful book, "The Passion Test", by Janet and Chris Attwood. In this book they have created some steps to help you narrow down your top 5 passions. It doesn't matter if they are feasible, you still write them down. "The brain is very happy when you're focused on what you love."
The steps are really fun. It definitely makes you look deep inside and once you have your top 5 passions it is kind of liberating knowing what you really want to do. Honestly, I was surprised with my top choice, but extremely excited too. It is what I want to do, I just didn't recognize it until now.
The Attwoods suggest retaking the test every year. And lets be honest, we change, and they say that when one passion is meet you need to replace it with another. Always keep growing is the motto.
Day 225 - Find Beauty in Little Things
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
-Doug Firebaugh
Our days are made up of routines and patterns. Get up; feed the kids; don't forget yourself; get them dressed; do the dishes; pick up the toys; the list goes on and on. Sometimes we dream of an escape, an adventure or a trip. We get caught up in the raising of our children and the hurry to do this. The mundane routines can be blissful if we stop and look; take a breath and look up from our computers, iPhones, picking up the toys, vacuuming the floors.
If you are anything like me you only catch of glimpse of how amazing things really are before getting sucked back into the monotony of routine. I am not good at this and need to try being mindful and seeing the beauty in little things. I need to surrender to the moment. Experience the miracle of life, right now.
Day 224-Run a Different Route
When you change a habit, the neurons in your brain are forced to 'rethink', to develop a new way of thinking. Firsts; new experiences; thinking positive instead of negative; these all change the pattern of neurons in your brain.
Day 223 - Pineapple Yogurt
Call it the month of food. Seriously, I don't know why all my 'news' this month so far are food related, but they are and this one is my favorite. It is not the creamy yellow color associated with Dole Whip, or the Pineapple Ice cream served at the Dole Plantation in Hawaii, but it is so good! This pineapple yogurt makes you want to fly to Hawaii.
Day 222 - Andes Mints Cookies
Laughter is brightest where food is best.
-Irish Proverb
I don't know why I have so many food firsts this month. Seriously, can't I get more original. But the thing is, food is such an easy way to try something new and there are so many options. You can see why I have to exercise so much.
Back on track. My boys have been begging me to buy these Andes Mints chips since Summer started. (Does anyone else think grocery shopping with your kids in the summer is a whole new ballgame. Seriously, I feel like I'm in a three ring circus when I go with all the boys. The two that are usually in school when I go act like they've never seen a grocery store before and they want everything! But I love them dearly again…when we leave the store).
I digress. It must have been the chocolate smell that made me succumb….the chips ended up in my cart and so today I whipped up a batch of Andes Mints Cookies. The recipe doesn't use salt-weird huh. But yummy.
And I don't know why this picture is fuzzy, I must have been drooling over the smell of warm cookies from the oven..
Day 221 - Make Lip Scrub
“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day."
-Audrey Hepburn
Ladies, no one likes to kiss scratchy lips. You know the kind I'm talking about. Here is a perfect Lip Scrub, and it totally works. Not that my lips are scratchy or gross, but sometimes I feel like they are not as smooth as I would like them to be. So when I saw this scrub I thought, "I have to try this."
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day."
-Audrey Hepburn
Ladies, no one likes to kiss scratchy lips. You know the kind I'm talking about. Here is a perfect Lip Scrub, and it totally works. Not that my lips are scratchy or gross, but sometimes I feel like they are not as smooth as I would like them to be. So when I saw this scrub I thought, "I have to try this."
1 Tube soft lips chapstick (if you don’t have chapstick on hand use A&D ointment or coconut oil)1/4 Teaspoon Sugar
a couple drops olive oil
a couple drops olive oil
Directions:
Empty the chapstick into a small bowl add sugar and olive oil and mix well.
Roll down chapstick container and refill with mixture.
Apply chapstick in circular motion all over your lips. Wipe excess sugar and enjoy baby soft lips. ( I buy the two pack of soft lips so that I can apply the non-sugar one after my exfoliation)
I did not have chapstick on hand so I used coconut oil and it worked just fine. Loving my coconut oil this summer. What with my Lemon Body Scrub I made and now this. I'm going to me one smooth chick.
I totally think I'm going to make some for my sisters to give it a try.
Day 220 - Bake a Cake for Someone Special
“Chocolate symbolizes, as does no other food, luxury, comfort, sensuality, gratification, and love.”
― Karl Petzke
The picture just does not do justice to the chocolateiness (is that even a word) of this cake. Such a gooey, chocolatey layer cake. By the way, I need to learn how to take pictures of food, because frankly I'm not very good at it. But I am good at making chocolate cake and I put this on my first ever cake stand to make it pretty. Yeah me!
― Karl Petzke
The picture just does not do justice to the chocolateiness (is that even a word) of this cake. Such a gooey, chocolatey layer cake. By the way, I need to learn how to take pictures of food, because frankly I'm not very good at it. But I am good at making chocolate cake and I put this on my first ever cake stand to make it pretty. Yeah me!
*Day 219 - Park City 4th of July Parade
"Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty."
Went to the 4th of July parade in Park City today. Loved the Mariachi band and the Bag Pipes and the Marching Band. I think parades are just fun. And super fun when celebrating the 4th of July!
Went to the 4th of July parade in Park City today. Loved the Mariachi band and the Bag Pipes and the Marching Band. I think parades are just fun. And super fun when celebrating the 4th of July!
Heading out to Fireworks soon. Happy 4th!
Day 218 - Banana Split
“If I could lick the sunset, I’ll bet it would taste like Neapolitan ice cream.
”
― Jarod Kintz
YUM!
― Jarod Kintz
Leatherby's Banana Split. The medium version. |
Day 217 - Lake Mary
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
― John Muir
This hike is the steepest hike we have been on to date. The trailhead for Lake Mary starts in the Brighton Ski Resort Parking Lot. It's really obscure and unless you see hikers coming down you are probably not going to give the trailhead a second glance. Put it this way, if you drive to the Brighton Lodge you've gone too far.
Lake Mary is a 1 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 760 feet. But if my youngest can hike it anyone can. There are some pretty stops along the trail (and off-shhhh) and some chipmunks to feed once you reach the lake. We sat very still and laid some crumbs out to see the chipmunks.
― John Muir
This hike is the steepest hike we have been on to date. The trailhead for Lake Mary starts in the Brighton Ski Resort Parking Lot. It's really obscure and unless you see hikers coming down you are probably not going to give the trailhead a second glance. Put it this way, if you drive to the Brighton Lodge you've gone too far.
Lake Mary is a 1 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 760 feet. But if my youngest can hike it anyone can. There are some pretty stops along the trail (and off-shhhh) and some chipmunks to feed once you reach the lake. We sat very still and laid some crumbs out to see the chipmunks.
Day 216 - Bleachers
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place."
-Lance Armstrong
I've never run bleachers before. All I know to do is run up and back down. There was a guy running bleachers this morning that I watched, without trying to look like I was watching him. I'm not sure how successful I was. He probably was like, "What is that strange, sweaty girl doing staring at me. Creepy!"
Anyway, he did hops and sideways and skipping steps….Again, I need to learn more because my butt got handed to me on a silver platter this morning! BLAH I was tired.
-Lance Armstrong
I've never run bleachers before. All I know to do is run up and back down. There was a guy running bleachers this morning that I watched, without trying to look like I was watching him. I'm not sure how successful I was. He probably was like, "What is that strange, sweaty girl doing staring at me. Creepy!"
Anyway, he did hops and sideways and skipping steps….Again, I need to learn more because my butt got handed to me on a silver platter this morning! BLAH I was tired.
Day 215 - Track Running
"We all have dreams, in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort."
-Jesse Owens
This morning I went to the track. I haven't run on a track since College. Is it still 4 times around equals a mile?
Anyway, I thought I'd try some sprints (but I don't really know what I'm doing-shh) and some other things. Results….I need to learn more about sprints. And food. And how not to feel so tired after only 20 minutes. And…..the turf is really nice. I've never run on turf before.
-Jesse Owens
This morning I went to the track. I haven't run on a track since College. Is it still 4 times around equals a mile?
Anyway, I thought I'd try some sprints (but I don't really know what I'm doing-shh) and some other things. Results….I need to learn more about sprints. And food. And how not to feel so tired after only 20 minutes. And…..the turf is really nice. I've never run on turf before.
My view this morning. |
Day 213 - Archery!!
“Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
So technically this is not a separate day, but I'm totally counting it because I want to remember this first. I've wanted to try archery since I was a little girl, and I still have a goal to learn more about archery. But this did not disappoint and in fact, this experience gave me a greater desire to try this again with some girlfriends.
My story about this can be read on Day 212. I didn't post the pictures of the other women, but this was really fun AND I hit the target, twice. Which is all the arrows I had so I did pretty well I think.
― Eleanor Roosevelt
So technically this is not a separate day, but I'm totally counting it because I want to remember this first. I've wanted to try archery since I was a little girl, and I still have a goal to learn more about archery. But this did not disappoint and in fact, this experience gave me a greater desire to try this again with some girlfriends.
My story about this can be read on Day 212. I didn't post the pictures of the other women, but this was really fun AND I hit the target, twice. Which is all the arrows I had so I did pretty well I think.
Day 212 - My First Scout Camp
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was a little girl I dreamed of going to Scout Camp. I thought they did the funnest things! Archery. BB gun shooting. Canoeing. The list was extensive in my little mind. Girls camp was stupid. To this day I hate Girls Camp. I wanted to learn to do fun things…not make some stupid craft. So today I got to go!
How did it compare to what I had always imagined? Well, it was shaded and very organized. The boys get to do archery and since there were three women in our group I asked if the leaders could try too (what's the worst they could say, No. And I figured none of us had ever had a chance to try archery). The archery leader gave each of us two arrows. AWESOME!!! I helped two people (plus some little boys) try something new and they loved it!
They have a trading post where you can buy candy, science experiments, pocket knives, weird toys, etc. They don't have this at Girls Camp I'll tell you that much!
They have obstacle courses and shows and learning stations (we got to learn about the solar system and the guy knew his stuff. He even told the boys about an observatory they could visit for free!)
By the end I was tired. I'm not going to lie. I was pooped and just wanted to go home and take my midday nap. But…it was really fun and the eight boys we took up had a blast!
― Albert Einstein
When I was a little girl I dreamed of going to Scout Camp. I thought they did the funnest things! Archery. BB gun shooting. Canoeing. The list was extensive in my little mind. Girls camp was stupid. To this day I hate Girls Camp. I wanted to learn to do fun things…not make some stupid craft. So today I got to go!
How did it compare to what I had always imagined? Well, it was shaded and very organized. The boys get to do archery and since there were three women in our group I asked if the leaders could try too (what's the worst they could say, No. And I figured none of us had ever had a chance to try archery). The archery leader gave each of us two arrows. AWESOME!!! I helped two people (plus some little boys) try something new and they loved it!
They have obstacle courses and shows and learning stations (we got to learn about the solar system and the guy knew his stuff. He even told the boys about an observatory they could visit for free!)
By the end I was tired. I'm not going to lie. I was pooped and just wanted to go home and take my midday nap. But…it was really fun and the eight boys we took up had a blast!
Day 211 - Homemade Donuts
“If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.”
― Coco Chanel
Oh WOW! These glazed donuts are to die for!!!!
― Coco Chanel
Oh WOW! These glazed donuts are to die for!!!!
7 Month Recap
I think Ernest Hemingway says what I feel best. "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." The experiences I've had this past 7 months has been amazing. I definitely am more aware of seeing new things or being aware of exciting things around me. Like this morning on my bike ride. As I came around the corner I saw a line of Hotshot Firefighters hiking up the road. Blue helmets and yellow jackets. Axes slung over their shoulders. It was exciting. Like being at a parade and hearing the marching band go by. My heart was excited and awake and glad to be alive.
Where were they going? Were they training in all their gear, getting use to climbing up steep hills? Or were they doing work up there? The point is, doing new things opens your eyes to new things. Small moments of wonder and wanting to know more.
This past month I was able to experience some amazing things.
Perhaps it is because I am in a 'mood' that will not shake these past three weeks, or perhaps I am feeling that I've become a selfish person. Whatever the reason, I feel like I've become so focused on finding something new everyday that I've lost sight of what is really important.
So for the next month I'm going to focus more on spiritual goals and service goals. I'm still going to work toward doing 365 new things in one year, but I need to focus more on things that are more lasting than a quick 'fun'.
I'll let you know what I find!
Where were they going? Were they training in all their gear, getting use to climbing up steep hills? Or were they doing work up there? The point is, doing new things opens your eyes to new things. Small moments of wonder and wanting to know more.
This past month I was able to experience some amazing things.
- Outdoor concerts in the park are a new favorite summer experience for me. WOW!
- My first trail run-I'm totally hooked!!! I need more trail running buddies because I want to go more.
- Rock Climbing. My husband and boys are totally hooked. We've found a new family outdoor activity we all like to do. In fact we want to get rock climbing gear for Christmas. Such a fun experience.
- Red Butte Gardens. BEAUTIFUL!
- Kickboxing. I found another activity I really love. It leaves me either totally sore or totally wasted the next day, but I love this. The hour goes by so fast!
- All the amazing natural wonders in our mountains.
- Macroinvertebrates are awesome!
- Beavers-I've seen the lodges and the dams and beavers swimming. But to see the trees that were actually cut by beavers was pretty amazing.
- Robin's Nest-I haven't seen a robin's nest since I was a child. It was really fun to show my boys.
Perhaps it is because I am in a 'mood' that will not shake these past three weeks, or perhaps I am feeling that I've become a selfish person. Whatever the reason, I feel like I've become so focused on finding something new everyday that I've lost sight of what is really important.
So for the next month I'm going to focus more on spiritual goals and service goals. I'm still going to work toward doing 365 new things in one year, but I need to focus more on things that are more lasting than a quick 'fun'.
I'll let you know what I find!
Day 210 - See a Robin's Nest
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
― John Muir
This robin's nest was in a little tree up the canyon. Beautiful isn't it.
― John Muir
This robin's nest was in a little tree up the canyon. Beautiful isn't it.
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