I stayed overnight at a B&B, The Magic Door, in Northfield on Friday to Saturday. Loved it. It was probably the most decadent accommodations I've ever enjoyed, and yet, the luxury of it didn't make it any more enjoyable than other places I've stayed while adventuring (except that one scary hotel I stayed in for one night in DC - another story).
And if The Magic Door and living in Northfield overnight wasn't enough, I also found that gem of a vintage dress. Fits like a glove! I feel so Joan/Betty/Trudy in it. I just might have to wear it on July 25 to celebrate the premiere of Season 4 of Mad Men.
Two more to-do's accomplished. 34 is one fine year, indeed.
A few more photos from my B&B stay.
Today I'm 34.5. Time just clips by and by. I thought I'd provide an update on where I'm at with my list of 34 to-dos in this year of my life. I'm thinking of each of these as an adventure - like in the movie UP - which I highly recommend. I love that. And I love figuring out how to document them in the little book I put together in November. It's an adventure and project all in one! What could be better, I ask? :)
1: love - definitely. I've been working to feel love in situations that might not immediately draw that emotion out from me. It's good.
2: start an etsy shop
3: finish five books - 2 down, many started. What will end up being the five (or six or seven) will tell a story about my year.
4: cross an ocean
5: bake bread from scratch
6: have a "Clare's Well day" once a month - haven't missed a month yet :)
7: sister's weekend trip with Jodi
8: take a book class at MCBA
9: hike
10: kayak
11: dinner (again) at the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin
12: host a party
13: de-clutter - yes! And the progress continues. . .
14: go fishing with dad - I'm neutral about this one happening as I planned. I have a back-up experience from January.
15: go to a Gopher football game with Andrew
16: go on a picnic
17: stay at a B&B - made a reservation today at The Magic Door in Northfield for the end of June :)
18: smile - like love, this continues. I often tell myself while walking through my daily life to smile, and then I do it.
19: make a favorite childhood recipe with mom - completed on Mother's Day. Ripe olive hotdish it was.
20: sing in the rain - completed last weekend at the Clare's Well work day. Sang quietly with Tammy.
21: buy handmade - many yeses to this one.
22: support literacy - it's been a year since I completed training to become a volunteer tutor, and now nine months of tutoring. This is the most meaningful volunteering I've done so far in my life. I'm considering how my financial support this year of the Minnesota Literacy Council will reflect my feelings about this experience.
23: blog everyday for one month - completed, November 25-December 25.
24: close a big gift
25: date - 1.5 dates. Hoping for more :)
26: fit more comfortably in my clothes - working on this one. . .
27: watch the oringinal Star Wars trilogy
28: ice skate at Ivy Hills Park - completed in February
29: find something lovely at a consignment shop
30: go bowling
31: bake a rhubarb pie from scratch - I might call the rhubarb upside down cake I made for Mother's Day as completing this one. . . maybe :)
32: fill my red wall with art - the art and frames are all here in home. Not on the wall(s) yet. I've got so much there will be some more art walls in my space :)
33: pray - everyday
34: document this list - in progress
Pretty good for six months of living 34, eh? I feel proud and accomplished.
Today is my 34th birthday. 34. Wow. Over a 1/3 of the way to 99. To celebrate the next year of my life, I created the little book above. This birthday book idea came from Elise. It's called my 34 to-do book. Here's my list of 34 to-dos for the next year (in no particular order).
1: love
2: start an etsy shop
3: finish five books
4: cross an ocean
5: bake bread from scratch
6: have a "Clare's Well day" once a month
7: sister's weekend trip with Jodi
8: take a book class at MCBA
9: hike
10: kayak
11: dinner (again) at the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin
12: host a party
13: de-clutter
14: go fishing with dad
15: go to a Gopher football game with Andrew
16: go on a picnic
17: stay at a B&B
18: smile
19: make a favorite childhood recipe with mom
20: sing in the rain
21: buy handmade
22: support literacy
23: blog everyday for one month
24: close a big gift
25: date
26: fit more comfortably in my clothes
27: watch the oringinal Star Wars trilogy
28: ice skate at Ivy Hills Park
29: find something lovely at a consignment shop
30: go bowling
31: bake a rhubarb pie from scratch
32: fill my red wall with art
33: pray
34: document this list
I'm beginning #23 today - blog every day for a month. This also happens to be the first day of documenting my holiday season in my holiday book, so the daily blogging will help with my goal to take a photo + write down some words about my day.
I'm super excited about this year and to capture some details about it in this little book. Stay tuned for my progress!
Now off to frost some spice cupcakes with maple cream cheese buttercream frosting. It's bring a treat night at tutoring this evening, and the cupcakes will be my contribution.
