30 Day Photo Challenge: Day Seven

Day Seven: A picture of my most treasured item

This is JB. He has been one of my besties since December 2007, when Justin gave him to me for Christmas. He has become especially dear to me these past sixteen months. 

Sweet sixteen

I forgot to mention yesterday that we had reached sixteen months! That means that in eight (preferably short!) months, Justin will be home! I know way back when I said that I didn't think it would ever end, but I am realizing more and more lately that maybe it will end -- and soon! Oh, I cannot wait!

See you in 246 days, sweetie!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day Six

Day Six: A picture of somebody I would love to trade places with

This is Elder Darais (on the left). He is Justin's current companion (and has been for the last three months, actually). I don't think I need to explain why I want to switch places with him. It's pretty obvious. He gets to spend every day with Justin. They have to be together. All the time. It sounds like heaven to me!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day Five

Day Five: A picture of my favourite night

Much like my favourite day, I have many favourite nights. One in particular though, was our one year anniversary. A few months previous, we found out that Sam Roberts and The Stills would be playing in Edmonton on our anniversary. We couldn't pass it up! I remember sitting there, listening to Sam Roberts sing "Uprising Down Under" and my heart was just filled. I had my love sitting right next to me, and I felt that at that moment, everything was perfect and I knew I could be happy forever.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day Four

Day Four: A picture of my favourite day

I have had many good days in my life, but one that sticks out to me right now was a summer day in 2008. I was in Edmonton for Justin's high school graduation, and that Sunday after church we went over to our park. It was a really, really warm day. I was sweating from the heat, but Justin didn't seem to care that I wasn't my prettiest self. We just played at the park, sand in our toes (our park has sand instead of gravel), and took a lot of pictures. I think it will always be one of my favourite moments.

Sweetness

I have a few weird quirks. Maybe more than a few... And I often wonder if I am alone in my quirks, or if others share them. For instance, when I have spicy food, I like to eat something sweet after. I'm not quite sure why, but my palate seems to think it will balance out. Either that or it stems from the time I tried my dad's Salsa-brava for the first time and my parents gave me M&Ms (the crunchy ones, in the blue package) to combat the fire that exploded in my mouth.

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Distance

There are a few songs that have been playing on my iPod, then in my head all week. I tend to go through phases with my music, and rely on certain bands or artists to pull me through certain times of life.
This week, I am in love with anything melodic, full of heart and anything that soothes me.
One of those songs, which is in my head at this moment is Copeland's "Thanks to You". In eight months, it will be my theme song -- it starts with "It's been a long two years / It's time to smile, we've made this far just like you said we would" -- perfect, right?
Anyhow, the moment in the song that strikes me today, goes like this:


"This far from home,
It doesn't feel as far when I know you're doing well. 
Distance is what you make it. 
The distance is what you make it."


It's completely true. I know it's true. The distance is what you make it. My thoughts lately have been really messed up -- messed up in the sense that there is a lot going on in there and I don't always know how to make sense of it. I have become a bit of a worry-wart about the silliest things (sorry mom and girls for my rants the past week). I have had the reminder many times, over and over that I don't need to worry about such things.
That was a little far from what I began with, so let's get back to that. The distance is what you make it. It is. They say that 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'. But, I've learned that that is only true if you let it. So really the distance is what you make it. Distance sucks. I know that, but it's there and I just have to deal with it, and deal with it happily. 

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Oh, Copeland. You make my heart flutter.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day Three

Day Three: A picture of the cast from my favourite TV show.

If you know me even a little bit, you know I love Gilmore Girls. I have seen each episode from the seven seasons at least three times, and some probably up to ten times (pretty much every episode from season three involving the adorable Dave Rygalski, aka Adam Brody). I still watch it now, and will never tire of it. I aspire to be a writer like a genius Amy Sherman-Palladino. 

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30 Day Challenge: Day Two

Day Two: A picture of me and the person I have been closest to the longest.

(April 2010 at the Stake Relief Society "Spring Fling")

For this one, there is no contest. I have known Candi all my twenty-one (and a half) years, and in all that time we have been close friends. I'm really lucky to have Candi in my life. She is supportive, makes me laugh and doesn't make fun of me for my strangeness (not often, anyhow).

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day One

Yep, I'm doing it. Partly because I feel like I haven't anything interesting to say as of late, and partly because it looks fun.

Day One: A picture of me and fifteen facts.

(Summer 2010, after my first 5K race)

1. I am a night-owl, but also prefer waking up early to sleeping in (past 8:00 am is sleeping in for me). 

2. I love, love, love to read.

3. When I started university I wanted to be a writer and a high school English teacher. Now I have no idea.

4. I dislike wearing my winter coat (partially because I don't like it, and partially because I don't like the extra bulk).

5. I love to plan parties.

6. I love to bake and cook and dream of the days when I'm a mom and can be the super baker/cook.

7. I love to run.

8. I find it charming and completely adorable when a guy can't dance (Harry, Finn, etc.)

9. I love to scrapbook.

10. I find human behaviour fascinating. 

11. I can play the bass guitar and the piano (but not very well).

12. I own approximately 20 pairs of shoes (not including sandals).

13. I try to eat an apple a day. 

14. Asparagus is my favourite vegetable. 

15. I am happy.

Institute

At our monthly fireside last night, they played this video and I thought it needed to be shared.
Enjoy!

I love institute! 

Dear Laura Beth

I took this picture a few days ago, and remembered I still had it on my computer. So here you go. Just for you. Enjoy. Hopefully it will scare away the Monday blues.
Love,
Kristi Beth

ps. it's not a silly mirror picture, but hopefully it is still sufficient. 

xo

Book Club: February Pick

Hello, literary friends. I hope you enjoyed (or are still enjoying) our book for this month! I thought I would let you know now that I have chosen the book for February (actually, I chose it over a month ago!). Our pick for February is P.S., I Love You by Cecelia Ahern.

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Dear Harry Potter

Dear Harry Potter,
Thank you for living up to my high standards once again. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy every minute again, despite sitting on the very front row (yes, the very front row). Thank you for being amazing and making me nearly squeal with delight when you dance, because you can't and it's adorable (seriously, my go-to good moment for the rest of the week!). Thank you for filling my Friday with goodness. Thank you for being awesome.
I just have one small favour. Could you perhaps move the release date of Part two? Six months is just far too long!

xo,
Kristi Beth.

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Wednesday Wisdom

Winter is tough. I miss the sun, the warmth. Winter often steals my motivation and makes me sad. But, there are some ways to combat the terrible winter (I'm talking real winter -- like Canadian winter).

• Make a yummy veggie infused meal
• Exercise! Even though those cold, cold mornings make you want to stay in bed forever, show 'em whose boss and break a sweat
• Paint your nails a bright summery colour (I'm all about the pinks)
• Stay home, and curl up with a good book
• Watch old episodes of a favourite TV show
• Spend time laughing with friends

Hopefully the sun will come out for you, and you can enjoy this winter season. If it can stay like it was today, I'll be okay with that. But, I won't complain if Spring comes early this year! 

Fashion Inspiration

My greatest inspiration (fashion and otherwise) comes from the lovely Audrey Hepburn. Seriously, this woman had the greatest style.
Last night, Candi and I were talking about Audrey movies, and one of our favourites, "How to Steal a Million". I love that movie not only for the plot, but because of the wardrobe! I am inspired by every single piece of clothing that she wears in the film -- even the nightgown that she wears when she meets Peter O'Toole's character at the beginning.

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Fabulous, right?! Why don't we dress like this anymore?

Three

Three years. Three years. Three years!
Today, Justin and I are celebrating our anniversary (apart -- again). I love him so much, and am so happy to have him in my life. The past three years (and five months) have been so wonderful (though kind of hard too), and it has been a joy to share it with him. Just eight and half more months and he will be home! Ah! I'm just a wee bit excited!

(Two years ago, celebrating one year with the wonderful Sam Roberts)

Happy anniversary, sweetie. I love you!

Hector and the Search for Happiness

I just finished reading a delightful book. Delightful. Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord. It was simplistic, yet incredibly thought provoking. If you have ever read The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince), you will love this one. It made me think a lot. And many little laughs occurred too. Such a cute read (but not a dumbed down cute). Go and pick yours up now!

ps: I love the cover design. And yes, I do judge books by their covers. 

It Only Takes a Moment

It's really hard being away from someone you love. Some days are harder than others, but it's never really easy. For the most part, you just get used to the time and distance and wait for those moments when your heart can be whole again.
Lately I have been having a really hard time with Justin being gone. I am at the point where I am getting really excited for him to come home (in 8 1/2 months!), but completely terrified at the same time. We have kept our relationship incredibly strong these past fifteen months, but there are those moments where I wonder, and worry, and fret. I wonder if I made the right decision. I wonder if maybe I should try dating other guys. I wonder if it will all come back and if we'll be able to go through on the plans we've made.
And then there are times where I read a letter, or hear a song, or see a picture and I just know. I know that I love Justin and I know that we'll be okay.

I just had one of those moments a few seconds ago. Justin's mom just e-mailed me a picture that one of her friends had found from the summer Justin graduated. It made my heart melt and smile and squeal with joy. I love this boy. This man. I love him and I am so lucky that he loves me too. I can do eight and a half months. And more importantly, I can do today. One day at a time. And soon enough, I'll be with him again, laughing because I was worried for no reason. 

My man and his other girl, Jill. 

Baking help

I love to bake, as we all know -- and if you didn't know that already, allow me to introduce myself. Hi, I am Kristi. I love to bake.
So, now that we have established that fact, let's get to the point of this post. I love to bake a lot. I will find any excuse to try my hand at anything involving sugar and flour, resulting in the end result of yummy in my tummy. I especially love making cakes and cupcakes. I want to make some cupcakes or a cake this week for a Relief Society activity that we are having, but want to be sensitive of the allergies that some of the sisters in my ward have. There are a few that are lactose intolerant and this causes a slight issue with my buttercream icing recipe. I use about three tablespoons of milk in it (for the three cups it makes), but I'm not sure if that makes a difference to someone who has that allergy. So, here is where you come in, my lovely readers. Does that make a difference? Do you know of any dairy free recipes that would be super yummy for all?

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