You can’t be serious. July already? I feel like it’s hard to even keep track of goals let alone complete them at this rate. Time is a funny thing. When you’re waiting for something, it’s always slow, but when you need more of it, it flies by! I know I could use an extra day this week. Anyone else with me?
Even though I would have liked to get more done, I can’t complain about how our time was spent. We started off last month camping and seeing the 3 largest threes in the world at Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks. It was out-of-this-world! I know I’ve seen redwoods before, but I guess it’s not everyday that you hang out with giants. There’s something about being in a place like that that makes you feel like you and your problems are just so small.. in a good way! I want to get out there more. While I was home, I was spending most my time blogging and playing piano.
Last month’s highlights on instagram:
See more on our instagram (esther’s & jacob).
- Why I Practice Gratitude With a Gratitude Jar
- Polaroid Museum and Fotobar // Local Adventurer Link Up #2
- Blue Footed Boobies!!
- Lion Habitat Ranch // Local Adventurer Link Up #3
- 10 Best and 10 Worst Sunscreens Out There
- The French Laundry Restaurant – Was it Worth It?
- Bake one new recipe. I made lemon blueberry cake and rum cupcakes! Recipes will be up soon!
- Do two new pinterest projects. I did one (see below). I did buy some materials for a second project, and that’s half the struggle right there!
- Go on four creative dates – 2 / 4. Camping in Sequoia for 4 days counts as one LONG date.
- Read 4 books. Finally finished this! But that’s all the summer reading I did this month. :(
- Fill my gratitude jar with four strips. Done.
- Schedule blog posts one week in advance. I did this in phases, but currently I am not ahead.
- Start Up Couch to 5k. I am now on week 4 on Couch to 5k!
- Play one hour of piano a day. This I did (on days I was in town)! I did not perfect the UP song because I started getting bored of it.. bah! This always happens just before I start getting better. BUT instead I am now on page 4 of this! w00t!
What you need: Popsicle sticks, cardstock paper (this one is glittery), scissors, & glue gun.
- Do ONE pinterest project. I bought what I need, so I just need to DO IT!
- Bake something new. Any fave new recipes? Ones that I can use my remaining rum?
- Go on six creative dates. On the rollover plan.
- Read 2 books. Haven’t decided which from this list. Any good reads lately?
- Fill gratitude jar with four strips.
- Schedule blog posts one week in advance.
- Finish Couch to 5k. Then what next? 10k? Did I mention I hate running?
- Practice one hour of piano a day. Work on playing through page 4 and 5 of Chopin’s Ballade 4.
- Send out my Lovely Letters Package on Time!
- Start practicing calligraphy for at least 15 minutes every day.
How is your goal setting going? What do you want to get done this month?
See how we’re doing on our 14 in 2014 resolutions or my previous monthly goals by clicking the banner below:
Laura
5 Jul 2014I do monthly goals on my blog every month, but dang, your’s is so much more organized and I love this set up! Also, I love that you’re trying to read two books. That’s one of my goals too!
Esther of Local Adventurer
5 Jul 2014Thank you Laura! Will have to check yours out as well. :) I didn’t see a post for July yet! What books are you trying to read?
Laura
5 Jul 2014Yeah, I’m running behind on posts this month, it’ll be up this week! I’m actually reading a bunch of historical fiction books from Philippa Gregory.
Jemma Andrew-Adiamah
2 Jul 2014I can’t believe it’s July already either, it’s going so fast!
Katie @ Live Half Full
2 Jul 2014Great goals! Good luck on the C25K! I have done it twice before- it works! I would recommend signing up for a fun race- then you’re locked in to a date and will have motivation to finish! :)
Esther of Local Adventurer
2 Jul 2014Thanks Katie! :) Maybe I should. I wasn’t thinking about doing a race.. I just started looking some up.. but I can’t believe people actually race in this heat!
Annabel Krantz
2 Jul 2014Great work on achieving your goals!! :)
Esther of Local Adventurer
2 Jul 2014Thanks Annabel! :
Margo @ The Overseas Escape
1 Jul 2014Oh wow – I absolutely love your pinterest board. I definitely just spent a solid amount of time scoping out all your projects!
Esther of Local Adventurer
2 Jul 2014:) Ooh we should make them together! I love hoarding pins, but I am so slow to do any of them. What’s your name on Pinterest? :)
Starr Villandry
1 Jul 2014ooh, looking forward to the blueberry cake and rum recipe!
StarrJoy16.blogspot.com
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014It was deeelicious!! :) Especially the rum cupcakes.
Alicen Morley
1 Jul 2014I love the goal setting idea you have here. What a great way to make yourself accountable!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks Alicen! :) You should join in on the fun!
Ashley Brooke Nicholas
1 Jul 2014great goals! also, i’m in love with the bookmarks!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks Ashley! :) I found them on pinterest.
Change With Us
1 Jul 2014I love goals and those bookmarks? What a great idea!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Let me know if you make a goals post! I love making lists and checking them out. The popsicle bookmarks are totally Pinterest!
Amberly-A Prioritized Marriage
1 Jul 2014You have some great, doable goals this month!! :) I love them!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks Amberly! :)
Lauren
1 Jul 2014Your blog is so cheerful, I love it! PS – how good is Philz?!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks so much Lauren. I am ADDICTED to Philz! I don’t even like coffee, but I think I had a large every other day while I was in SF. Oops!
Jordan
1 Jul 2014I love the idea of this post! What a great one.
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks Jordan! Was it you that just emailed me? I would love to see your post! :)
Brooke @ You're In Brookelynn
1 Jul 2014I love the thought of a monthly goals post! Love your instagram photos, and that bookmark DIY is the cutest! :)
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thank you thank you!! :) Thanks so much for reading!
Kristine Foley
30 Jun 2014Great goals! Can’t wait to see what you accomplish! Seriously your pics are AMAZING! Also Camping in Sequoia for 4 days sounds like a dream date!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks Kristine! :) Have you been to Sequoia before? It was unreal. I feel like everyone should go! :)
Carly Anderson
30 Jun 2014Your instagram pictures are amazing!!!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks so much Carly! :D
Anosa
30 Jun 2014I too am not ahead in scheduling posts anymore! usually I have it nailed to a month in advance and just do the promo on the day but don’t know what happened this time.
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Oh wow.. a month n advance? That’s super on top if it!
annette silvestre
30 Jun 2014I definitely need to start planning more goals this way!!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014I hope you join in! :)
Logan Cantrell
30 Jun 2014These are great goals! I need to set some goals for myself! Thank you for the reminder. I also love the popsicle bookmarks!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thank you Logan! You totally should, and send me a link if you do! I’d love to see them.
Rebekah
30 Jun 2014Your goals are great! I love seeing all the progress. My goal is to get outside for a walk with the kids whenever it isn’t raining, and to workout at least 5 days a week.
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks Rebekah. Do you use a fitbit or anything to track your walking? It’s made me realize how little I walk.
Rebekah
1 Jul 2014I just track time for the most part – I have heard such great things about fitbit though and really should get one!
Laura
30 Jun 2014Your goals for this month are inspiring me for future months! Thanks for sharing =)
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014Thanks for reading! You should join in on monthly goals. :)
Jessica Angeles
30 Jun 2014Your bookmarks look so great! Good luck with your goals this month!!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014You think so?? :) That’s a huge compliment coming from miss crafty!
Crystal @ Dreams, etc.
30 Jun 2014I love the bookmarks! I might have to try that DIY this month. Great goals! I love how varied they are. I have to give a little extra thought to my goals for July. :)
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014Thanks Crystal! :) You should & let me know if / when you do! I get bored of things so easily that I have to switch it up.
Hima
30 Jun 2014Your book marks are so cute! I’m so glad I found your blog through the Grow Your Blog network- every post makes me feel so happy and inspired! :)
xo, Hima
Hima Hearts
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014Thank you! So glad to have found you through the group as well! :)
Amber
30 Jun 2014I do love those Popsicle stick bookmarks!
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014Thanks Amber! They were super easy to make.
Food Booze & Baggage
30 Jun 2014That cake looks so good! I need to start doing monthly goals, that way I feel a bit more accountable :) Looking forward to hearing how the calligraphy goes.
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014If you need accountability, I can help you out! :P Seriously, you should join in on WW.
twolittlepigsdownunder
30 Jun 2014Loving your blog so much, and the idea of goal-setting (will have to do a post ourselves on that!) we wish there were 4 extra hours in each day, that would help us out ;)
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014Thanks so much!! :) You totally should. I’d love to see your goals.
Ktcyril
30 Jun 2014I’m currently reading I Am Malala! I don’t know why but even know it’s super interesting I just can’t get through it!
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014I agree. It was on my list of books I couldn’t finish but had to power through. Malala as a person and her story is fascinating, but I don’t feel like the writer did it justice. I found the book really slow.. and sometimes boring. :/ Feel so bad saying that though!
Shipra Taneja
30 Jun 2014Those bookmarks are TOO cute!! I love the look of that cheesecake too (I’m a huge fan of blueberries!) Great goal – I need to set up something like this so something actually gets done around here! :)
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014Thanks girl! :) You should!! :) It’s easier when you have the accountability of others and it’s fun to achieve goals as a group.
Ashley Ziegler
30 Jun 2014Yes! 10k after a 5K! That’s what I’m doing!
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014haha! i will try to get to the 5k first. I am hating every minute of it.
Stacia
30 Jun 2014One of my goals is to practice more calligraphy, too! The Goldfinch is on my reading list for this year. I’ve really liked Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Book Store.
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014Did you take a class? Or how are you learning? :) I keep wanting to start it, but I just can’t get over how long it is… One of these days!
Stacia
30 Jun 2014I was given a how to book and a book of fonts. I’ve mostly just been figuring it out for myself. How are you learning?
I’ve heard it’s pretty gripping, though. So maybe picking it up and just starting is the way to go. :)
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014i signed up for a skillshare class and I’m going at a very slow pace! it’s so much harder than i had imagined learning to control the pen and the amount of ink that is coming out! it can be frustrating at times. i hear some people say it takes months of diligent practice to get good.
Stacia
1 Jul 2014It does take a lot of practice, but spending a little time every day has been helping me out. Best of luck to you!
Kolbi Gray
30 Jun 2014I’m trying to do the whole scheduling blog posts ahead of time and i’ve almost gotten the hang go it! I also am in love with those bookmarks! I’m so impressed! I’m trying them ASAP!
Esther of Local Adventurer
1 Jul 2014It’s so hard to get ahead!! :) It requires so much discipline. You sound like you are farther along than I am though. Thanks so much! :) Would love to see what you end up with.
Shannon Kennedy
30 Jun 2014Certain macaron fillings require rum. Sugar crepes do too.
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014i’m too intimidated to try macarons! Plus, I don’t have a scale. Have you made them before?
Shannon Kennedy
30 Jun 2014I have, yes. I actually have been meaning to post a few recipes but haven’t gotten around to it. I did, however, post a couple of tips from my more successful attempt. I’m thinking of making some “red, white, and blue” macarons to celebrate Independence Day and Bastille Day out our house this week (even though one is actually in a week and a half). I’d include the link but I don’t want to impose.
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014feel free to include a link! :)
Shannon Kennedy
1 Jul 2014Thank you! My first attempt was not pretty and these are the things I figured out were wrong http://eurolinguiste.com/macaron-making-tips/ – hopefully that makes them a little less intimidating!
Hsiao-Ting
30 Jun 2014Dude June just flew by! Seriously … I didn’t do so good with my June goals … *sigh. Good luck on this month!!
Shannon Kennedy
30 Jun 2014June really did just disappear. I’m going to pretend it’s because it’s a short month because I didn’t get to most of my goals either…
Hsiao-Ting
30 Jun 2014lol i’m glad we’re in the same boat :) let’s try again this month! if at first you don’t succeed, try try again!
Shannon Kennedy
1 Jul 2014Absolutely!
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014i think it’s all the traveling.. it’s throwing me for a loop.
Amy
30 Jun 2014dang girl, you are crossing things off of your lists left and right!! solid!
i love your next month goals too – especially that piano practice, totally wish i knew how to play!
Esther of Local Adventurer
30 Jun 2014haha thanks!! i know I am crossing things off, but I don’t know why I get so caught up in what I didn’t accomplish. I’m reteaching myself piano from the very basics.. trust me.. like at mary had a little lamb… it’s never too late! :)