Fro-yo information...

I suck at giving up sweets. 

           Best,

                  Anne

The significant seven

The blog world has been posting 7 links all day.  Apparently you are supposed to get "tagged" and then post with 7 links from your own blog that relate to the types of posts you have created in the past.  Since no one will tag me (because I cannot be caught) I will take it upon myself to think back on memory lane.

My 7 links:

1. My Most Beautiful Post
My most beautiful post is devoted to my most beautiful dog, Sam, who physically left our family in October, but will always remain as a key member of the family.  Whether he is present or not, memories are all I have to hold on to and I still miss him every day.  He is the little fur ball who made me appreciate dogs and love them more than cats so much!

2. My Most Popular Post
I'm not really sure why this is my most popular post.  Looking back on it, I have to laugh.  What idiot writes their full name for strangers to see?  It's funny to see how long I've been at this blog and how my writing has changed. What hasn't changed?  My early risings.  I love the morning.

3. My Most Controversial Post
I can't really say I'm all for controversial posts, unless you count my giving up sweets post seeing as my mother said she did not support me on that one.  Now I know where I get my moderation issue with sweets.  This post was the only controversial post I could come up with and there's nothing more to it.  Read it.  Love it.  Hate it.

4. My Most Helpful Post
Are my words helpful?  You have me baffled.  I would not possibly know!  In 2009 (vintage post) I wrote about how I learned to run.  How I learned to find passion in something.  So maybe your passion isn't running or maybe you have yet to find your passion, but I know it's out there.  You will find it if you haven't already.  Just don't lose it because then how helpful would that be?

5. A Post Whose Success Surprised Me
I'm sure the title is the only reason for the success of the post.  If it said "I hate burgers" we all know you'd scoff and click the "x" in the corner of the page.  Don't think I don't know you!  Just kidding.  I love burger talk.  At least this talk...

6. A Post I Didn't Think got the Attention it Deserved
I can't say I know whether a post got the attention it deserved but speaking from my own eyes, I guess I should have given this post more of my personal attention.  This was a big moment in my life and I haven't reflected on this post in who knows how long!  So here it is....the first marathon recap. And I still owe you all a cheering section for when you run your first marathon.  Don't think that I will forget that, regardless of forgetting the post.  If it doesn't happen to be a marathon, I'll cheer for you anyway.  It's the least I can do.

7. The Post I am Most Proud of
One word: Bellingham.

There you have it.  7 links that I have awarded to each category.  Some may have deserved it more than others, but isn't that the story of life?

           Best,
                  Anne

Sayonara Sweets

I am addicted to sweets.  Quite literally.  Through my education, I have learned about teaching people who are addicted to tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy foods, and so much more.  I can create lessons plans to discuss the dangers of smoking.  I can develop a social marketing campaign on how high school students perceive the amount of students who drink as higher than it really is.  I can read every nutrition book and explain to a certain demographic why unhealthy foods should be substituted with healthy options, without completely changing their culture.  Yet, I cannot stop eating sweets no matter how much I am aware of the repercussions associated with the sugary bites of goodness.

Unfortunately, this sweet tooth that was so kindly given to me the moment I was born has never disappeared. I don't even think it's fair to blame one tooth.  They have all been reckless.  This has led me to come to an executive decision.  My sweet teeth are on hiatus indefinitely.  I am sharing this with my blog followers because I must be held to my decision.  No sweets.  Cold turkey.  Well, I'm definitely not substituting for cold turkey, in case you were confused.  But maybe you want to quit eating cold turkey, cold turkey.  You know?  Anyway, it's going to be very difficult, especially with Yogurtland haunting me every single day.  I don't have a deadline but I'm hoping to continue for as long as physically possible.  I also have yet to find a dentist out here so this is probably for the best.

         Best,
                Anne

My mom taught me...

...it's okay to play with your food.

(Among other things...)

            Best,
                   Anne

I carry your heart in my heart

While I am always advocating for all thingsNorthwest, I have to say today I am missing the Midwest.  Yes, I am missing the fact that I can't spend the third day in a row without power at my house.   I'm missing the fact that I can't play 100 games of rummy during said power outage.  I am missing the fact that I can't watch Jeopardy with my parents and sweep the pop culture, Shakespeare, and religion categories (talents...).  I am missing the fact that I cannot sit at my kitchen table while my mom stands behind the counter and talk indefinitely.  I am missing  the fact that I can't hear thunder and see lightening.  I am missing the fact that I can't feel one hundred percent at ease in my living situation.  I am not sure why I'm saying I am missing the "fact"... I am missing the jokes.  I am missing volleyball nights.  I am missing the daily recaps.  I am missing the smiles that I would be able to see on the people I love.  And while I speak so highly of this beloved place, I look back fondly on another beloved place.  It's just a good thing that power outages don't interfere with phone lines...

\

           Best, 

                   Anne

How on earth?

Writer's block.

          Best, 

                Anne

What I've learned from the blog world

I started this blog thing when I moved to Bellingham.  I needed an outlet for my new adventures and life away from family and friends.  Since mail seemed to be increasing in price and carrier pigeons were booked until 2012 (everyone sending letters before the world ends, of course), the blog seemed like my last resort.  Basically, I thought I'd need to fill my family in on what was going on with me and I also wanted to fill them in on the fact that when I write, it's actually like I'm talking.  I don't really try to sound eloquent and fantastic, but I'm sorry when it always comes out that way.  My apologies. See. Sarcastic as usual.  Let's see if I can make it three sentences.  Anyway, I started this blog to capture the beauty of this place.  At the time, I was reading perhaps 2 or 3 blogs.  I'm not really reading those anymore.  Yes, I've moved on.  Sometimes I get bored and I cannot figure out for the life of me how anyone reads this still.  I have realized this...I keep track of blogs and the lives of people around the country.  I want to befriend so many of them.  The reason is because I have learned many things from these strangers.  While the internet can be creepy and I know that my life is put out in the open for anyone to see, I do not mind because I admire dozens and dozens of people that I've been able to follow along in their life journeys.  Without all of them, I would not have motivation to blog.  Someday, I will see them in an airport, in a marathon, in a restaurant, or in a bookstore for a cookbook signing of theirs, and I will share how much I appreciate their blogs and then ask for advice.  Blogs can always use advice.  Teach me, teach me how to bloggie. (Okay now you can really stop reading my blog)

You should know, if you don't already, I adore food blogs.  I love a good blog that takes pictures of food and shares recipes.  Most of them are healthy food blogs but that doesn't mean that everything is healthy!  It's not all fun and games.  Sure, I follow the vegetarian-y, family lover-y, vegan-y, marathon runner-y kind of people, but they are actually cool.  I'll stick up for my blog friends that I don't know!  I've been in awe from the incredible photography skills.  I'm not sure if I should thank these bloggers for making me want to take food photographs and purchase a camera that cost me an entire arm.  At least I'm on my way to being a human tripod for the camera.  But do you know what, I will never regret that purchase.  Pictures should be memorable and taken often.  Even if they are taken of yogurt, the viaduct, or running belts.

I've learned about the struggles and successes people face and have been able to relate on several occasions.  I've added new locations for my "places to visit" list.  I've laughed out loud nearly every day.  I've also heard my stomach grumble reading recipes and looking at dessert photos.  I've appreciated the honesty of bloggers even when it is embarrassing or extremely personal.  I've discovered new organizations and conferences and races.  I've read new books and seen recommended movies.  I've felt connected as well as distant.

And at the end of the day, I can count on these bloggers.  While I follow many a blog, I am including a list of some of my favorites because I just cannot post every one.  It's a blog eat, blog world out there after all...

http://peasandthankyou.com/
http://edibleperspective.com/
http://www.eatliverun.com/about/
http://carrotsncake.com/
http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/
http://teatimetess.blogspot.com/
http://www.fannetasticfood.com/
http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/
http://www.howsweeteats.com/
http://www.pbfingers.com/
http://www.breastcancerdefense.com/
http://sugarbeancookies.blogspot.com/
http://caseydillaa.blogspot.com/
http://ohsheglows.com/

     
          Best,
                  Anne

Did you know?

There are five weekends in July. 

Enjoy the first one! 

         Best, 

                 Anne