justem: little bits of this and that

2016 Reading Review!

I have always been a reader, but when I had kids and was working full-time, reading fell to the bottom of my priorities.  I literally read ONE book in the years 2011 and 2013 and TWO books in both 2010 and 2012. You may note that I also had babies in those odd years, ha! In 2014 (aka: the first year in my adult life that I didn't have a full-time job) I joined a book club and read seven books, and I was so incredibly proud of myself. In 2015, I read 18 books. My GoodReads reading goal for 2016 was 25 books, which I didn't think I would achieve - that's more than two a month! In the end, I read 28 books - though admittedly a few of these were YA books that I read in a single evening.  I have been having so fun much reading and recording my thoughts. I read so many books in my twenties that I can't even remember now. I wish I would have kept better track back then like I do now!  I set a reading goal of 20 books in 2017, which is less than last year's goal only because in addition to going back to work, I also need to take six credits in the next six months to retain my teaching license, which is sadly going to take away from my personal reading time!  

I don't have time share my feelings on all 28 books, but I will share the titles with their GoodReads ratings, as well as a few thoughts about some of the better (or worse) ones!  If you have any books that you loved last year or have any thoughts on my reads and ratings, please let me know in the comments!! 

 

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• Britt Marie was Here by Fredrick Backman - I was pretty stingy on the five-star ratings this year. I had to be wowed...and this book was just such a perfect read for me. This is a follow-up to one of Backman's other books (listed below), but it could easily be read as a stand alone novel. Backman is has officially bumped John Irving off the favorite author pedestal after decades on top! ;) I love his writing style and will read anything and everything he writes!
• Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng - This book gutted me. It made me question every move I've ever made as a mother. I loved reading it and the subsequent discussion with my book club. 

 

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• My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrick Backman - I loved this story just slightly less that A Man Called Ove (new favorite book) and Britt-Marie. It was still a beautiful, well-told story, but there were some fairy tale bits that got a little drawn out.
• And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrick Backman - This is a novella that took me 20 minutes to read and had me practically sobbing at the end. It's beautiful and so, so sad.
• Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
• It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
• Dumplin' by Julie Murphy - While trying to explain the premise of this book to my husband, I realized it sounds really, really silly and juvenile, but it's not. It's so well-done and I truly loved this YA book!
• George by Alex Geno - Book for late elementary/middle grade students about a transgender child. 
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
• The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
• Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
• The Good Girl by Mary Kubica - good read, but I figured out some of the "twists" pretty easily
• Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
• The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
• When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
• Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

 

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• Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler - I wanted to love this book, because it's basically about people my age who grew up in a town just like mine in Northern WI. I saw the author speak and even and he was charming. But, I just didn't love it... :(
• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simison
• Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett - this was actually the second time I have read this. The first time I was much younger without children. My perspective has changed a LOT since then...
• All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
• The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert - this was my choice for book club one month because the author is the sister-in-law of someone I went to college with. I enjoyed the descriptions of Milwaukee, but the overall storyline was just lacking.
• Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt - middle grade book recommended by a friend. I wanted it to be twice as long...
• The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeny
• Mischling by Affinity Konar
• Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult - Both this book and the one right above it have some pretty intense subject-matter. However, I felt like both of them could have been done a lot better.

 

⭐️⭐️

• Life and Other Near Death Experiences by Camille Pagán - I was being generous when I gave this book two stars. It was horrible. So incredibly predictable and just dumb. I bought it for 2.99 during an Amazon sale...and I wish I had that 2.99 back to buy a chai latte instead.

Favorite layouts of 2016*

I only scrapbooked for about six months of 2016, but I didn't actually share any of those layouts on this blog!! I went back through the projects I created before I began my break and chose a few of my favorites to finally share here!  I've always joked that I don't have a style - but looking at these layouts, I'm shocked to see that I kind of DO have a style! White cardstock. Lots of color. Lots of stuff. Cool. I finally get a style and then I give up scrapbooking!!  Okay, kidding. I swear it's just a break! Seeing these layouts really makes me want to run up to my scrap space and make something...and make me want to finally figure out white balance and how to properly edit photos, ha!!

I always love seeing everyone's "best of" posts...if you are reading and have one, I'd love for you to link me up! ;)

one little word • 2017

My one little word for 2017 is YES. I don't mean that I am going to say yes to everyone. In fact, in most areas of my life, I am at a point where I need to just say no to everything. However, there are three little people, that I would like to say yes to much more often than I currently do - and in a very specific way. When I am at work and students say my name, and I always respond with "what's up?" or something of the like. When other adults require my attention I am always very approachable. My kids, however, are not so lucky. I've arrived at this point as a mother where I hear my name about eighteen thousand times a day...and the majority of time when I hear their darling little voices calling, I'm not polite or positive in my response - it's almost always an exasperated "WHAT?"

I've been thinking a lot lately that it's not fair that my kids see this worst side of me - the side where I'm frustrated and annoyed and would like to have 27 seconds to myself for the love of God. They don't mean to be annoying..it's just a fact of life! ;) I know I will never be that perfectly calm mother who never yells or gets upset or annoyed (or who never shows it). I am an emotional person which is good and bad and my kids have always had the benefit and misfortune of seeing both ends of the spectrum. It occurs to me, though, that my overwhelmingly negative response to their inquiries probably sound pretty harsh to them, and the reality is that there is no one else who is more important to me...so why do I act so negative when they need and want me?

This year, rather thing coming up with some big broad goal of how I'd like to live my life in the next 365 days, I instead just want to work on one, specific thing. Saying yes to my kids - knowing that their voices deserve to be heard and that they {usually} have something valuable to ask or say - even if they've already called "MOM!!!" a ridiculous number of times! 

New Year.

Remember Us to Life is my favorite album of the year, which says a lot, because some of my most favorite bands and artists released albums in 2016. This song is one of many near perfect ones on the album. "She sets her alarm, five minutes to midnight. And wakes just in time to say her goodbyes. Thanking the old year for all it has brought her. No mention of the things it took away. She's just glad she gets to be around to see another spring come to this town..."  That's kind of how I feel about 2016. Everybody keeps talking about how awful this year has been. I can't disagree - I spent a lot of Christmas Eve last weekend staring at a chair in my aunt and uncle's living room. One year ago I sat in that living room with my Grandpa. He was getting older, his dementia worsening. I don't mean to rag on my family...but dude. Nobody was talking to him. He just sat there all alone in that chair while the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve carried on around him. So, I sat down next to him. Held his hand. Talked to him about where I lived and which kids were mine and things he remembered from his childhood. He told me about snowmobiling and some story that I didn't quite understand other that it maybe involved a much younger version of my grandpa and too much alcohol. It made him laugh. It made me laugh. Our conversation was one that made little sense, but it was everything. I had no idea that within a month he would be gone. This year that chair was empty, along with a little piece of my heart.

I also lost my step-grandpa in 2016. The very first day of 2016. In case there was any mistaking that this year would be filled with ups and some devastating downs. So much sadness for so many people this year. But...dwelling on that sadness seems so counterproductive. I'm not saying that we can't recognize the difficult parts of the past year, but I plan to just say goodbye to 2016 and look forward to what 2017 has to bring and be thankful that I am here to live, to love, to make the most of every day. I wish everyone the best in the new year. I'm just so glad I get to be around to see another spring come to this town...

Five for Friday

The last time I did a "Five for Friday" post was in January of 2015. Think of how many fun Fridays I missed sharing with you all (and by "all" I mean "all three of you who still follow this blog!")  Five for Friday was always one of my favorite ways to share a bunch of fun, things quickly and rather easily, so maybe it will be one that I can commit to trying this year? I'm a bit out of practice...here goes nothing:

1. I know Christmas is over, but I just had to share my new holiday jam - Sharon Jones was one of the many amazing entertainers who passed away during 2016. This song has been on replay at my house for the past couple of weeks...it's pretty much perfect. :)

2. My husband and I had a little holiday party for some of our local couple friends last week. I love entertaining, but I never do it! On a whim, we decided to have an adults-only gathering, and it was a huge success. We were lucky enough to have a wine distributor as a guest, and he brought a bunch of really amazing bottles of wine...or so my wine-drinking friends tell me. I am more of an egg nog + extras girl, myself! I made a bunch of food to serve, including this Crostini with Thyme-Roasted Tomatoes (decent) and this Walnut-Pepper Spread (kinda weird), but my favorite was the charcuterie board I made including lots of Wisconsin cheeses, some meat, fruit, and nuts. It was so pretty and delicious that I made another one for Christmas Eve with my family. I know I'm late to the party when it comes to food trends, but this might just be my new go-to thing make when I have to bring an appetizer someplace.

3. Did you make it to any great after-Christmas sales? I just may have gone to Target...twice. ;) 70% off?! Can't beat that! The first trip I saved $134 and the second time I saved over $30. I stocked up on tissue paper, wrapping, labels, teacher gifts for next year, and of course, a few things I didn't really need but couldn't resist. My favorite finds were a pair of green tree lanterns and a cute Christmas Tree throw that ended up costing me about 7 dollars (in-store deals appear to be much better than online deals!). Next year when I want to buy everything at Target for full price before the holidays, remind me of this post!

4. Do you have a New Year's Eve tradition?  For as long as I can remember, my husband and I have stayed up late and cooked for each other. I don't eat meat, and he doesn't eat dairy, which means many of our favorite meals cannot be shared between us. I love this tradition, though I still haven't decided what he is going to make for me yet!  It's probably between my old favorite standby (leek and lemon risotto) and homemade vegetable potpie. I'm clearly a comfort foods kind of girl! We also usually have a special desert with the kids and do something fun like play games and put on funny mustaches. It's not very exciting, but it's something I look forward to every year! I'd love to hear about your traditions! 

5. Are you in need of something to do on New Year's Day?  Never fear PBS (maybe just in WI?) is running an Anne of Green Gables Marathon! It's settled...I will be in front of the television all day watching Anne with an E. (Okay, in reality, I will tape it all and hopefully watch it at some point in the next couple of months...but oh, how lovely it would be to have an entire day to watch a childhood favorite!) I wonder if Gilbert Blythe will be a dreamy to me as he was when I was 12. ;)

 

Update...

It's been almost a year since my last post on this blog. A YEAR. I can honestly say that this is the longest in the history of me as a blogger that I have NOT blogged.  A lot has changed in the past {not quite} 365 days.  I haven't been scrapbooking. At all. Contrary to popular belief, I haven't given it up altogether, however it is just not something that is a priority for me at this point. I spent 10 years deeply involved in the scrapbooking industry. Design teams, publications, etc. It was so fun, but at the end it was also a whole lot of work. I wasn't enjoying it anymore. I waited until the last minute to complete my assignments. I turned things in late. I just wasn't into it...and that's wasn't fair to anybody.  So, I stepped down from it all.  And, I have to tell you, it felt really good. I haven't created anything since July...and I'm finally now beginning to feel the urge to create again. I feel like it's the classic story of the burnt-out scrapper...it happens to lots of us. I love seeing my work of all my talented friends, and I know that someday, maybe someday soon I will do it again.

What am I doing now? Being a mom and a wife. Teaching again...which is a huge shock to the system when you haven't done it in three years. Instagramming. Reading. Exploring. Enjoying life. 

So...this blog. What is to become of it?  I don't know. I used to be a real blogger. Like...real posts about real things rather than just post after post about scrapbooking layouts.  Of course, now I have a job in the real world, so I have to watch what I say. ;) I would like to promise that I am going to blog again in 2017 - that this blog will be revived, and I will be a diligent blogger... but I also need to be realistic. There's a pretty decent chance that 2017 will be a big repeat of 2016. But, I'm not quite ready to say goodbye forever. I've never aspired to be a famous blogger or a famous scrapbooker or a famous anything. This has always just been my place to just be myself. Thanks to everyone who has been a friend to me and a blog reader all these years - in the words of my three year old, "You're the best!"

Every Single Day {OLD Gossamer Blue Pinspired!}

Good Morning! It's a balmy -11 in Wisconsin this morning, and the kids have a day off school, so we are cozy in our pjs and just hanging out! I have a ridiculously old layout to share today - like... a year old!  Remember when I was trying to post layouts alphabetically to get "caught up"? Never finished that, obviously. So, I am going to try again to share some old stuff mixed in with the new stuff!  This was the Pinspired layout at Gossamer Blue back in February of 2015, but I never shared it. The title work was inspired by a some graphic art I found on Pinterest. It's a little (okay, a lot) different than my usual style, but it's fun to step outside the box once in awhile!  I also love that my son has his next eye doctor's appointment (as featured in this layout) next week!  That's one of my favorite parts of scrapbooking - looking back at old layouts and seeing how much my kids have changed!  

For more information and a peek at the original inspiration piece, check out the blog post on the Gossamer Blue blog! Have a great Monday, and stay warm!!

Snow Love {Gossamer Blue Inspiration Blog Hop}

Hello, and welcome to another edition of the Gossamer Blue Inspiration Blog Hop! Have you noticed that in the world of kit clubs it's always go, go, go and often before you've even received your kit in the mail there are is already buzz about the next kit? It can be frustrating. We at Gossamer Blue want you to know that we feel your pain and are here with some January inspiration for those of you who are currently knee-deep into this month's kits!

The January kits at GB have historically been "Valentine's Day" type kits - lots of love and hearts and pink. This year, however, there are some really fun additions to the kit, like bits of yellow and blue and some funky black and white accents. I decided to create a layout that would work with these "themed" products, even though it's not actually a Valentine's layout!  This photo of my kids and their cousins jumping in the snow on Thanksgiving is a favorite. I love their bright snow gear against the white snowy background. I wanted to mimic this look in my layout, so I used white cardstock and included a few colored accents. (The color looks a little wonky in this photo, bummer.) It was a short and sweet layout to make, but it's probably my favorite this month! 

To hop along with everyone, here is a list of the blog hop participants this month!  Remember you can always reference the Gossamer Blue blog for a full list of participants! Have a great day and a fun weeekend!

Alex Hunter
Anabelle O'Malley
Andrea Gray
Brenda Weaver
Chantal Philippe
Diane Payne
Emily Spahn **That's me!**
Eyoung Lee
France Wisniewski
Heather Leopard
Jill Keller
Joy Taylor
Kasia "Antilight" Petrus
Kathleen Graumüller
Kellie Winnell
Kelly Xenos
Michelle Wedertz
Olatz Garaiyurrebaso
Sandra Dietrich
Sian Fair

Fun {October Afternoon Layout}

 

Hi there! Today I have a fun layout I made a month or so ago for the October Afternoon blog. I found a fun inspiration piece featuring one of my favorite shapes - stars. I know I make layouts with stars all the time, but when you find something you love, you might as well stick to it! I punched stars out of various patterned papers in colors that fit with my color scheme of red, orange, black, and blue - all which I pulled from the colors in this Halloween photo!  For more information on this layout, including the original inspiration piece, check out the original post on the OA blog!

Books, Yay! {Gossamer Blue Pinspired Layout}

Hello blog readers...all two of you. ;)  Happy New Year! I would love to say that one of my goals this year is to really try to bring back my blog, but let's be realistic...it's probably not going to happen. I will try to blog more often though, really, I will! ;)  To start off the year with a bang, I have a fun photoless Pinspired layout to share. This was featured today on the Gossamer Blue Blog. It was fun to make a layout without having to worry about a photo or journaling!  Not to mention, these Seven Paper journaling cards were so fun to use!!  This layout basically "lists" all of the books I read in 2015. In 2014 I started reading again after taking a five year "break" of being busy parenting and working. I read seven books in 2014 and challenged myself to double that in 2015. I met my goal and read 19 books last year - though only 18 are on the list because one was a terrible book club read that I'd prefer not to remember, ha!  Here she is...

Be sure to stop by the GB Blog for some more info about how I made my layout and a peek at the original inspiration!  Have a great weekend!