Commit to the Challenge

Are you ready for the challenge?

I'm ready.
I can't wait until tomorrow morning.
Stress management is calling me.
I'm ready to shed the anxiety.

Here's what I'm thinking. If you're willing to take the 30 Day [home practice] Yoga Challenge with me, then take the step and put it out there.
It's what will help keep you accountable.

So do this:

A thought for Tuesday

No. I'm not starting a daily theme. Although, Monday Morning Meditations are here to stay.

It's just. A while back, I mentioned how all my TV show seasons were over so I had nothing to worry about. No reason to sit in front of the TV all night. Well... that was before Tuesdays happened.

"Combat Hospital"  started last week and so far, I like it. It's definitely no "Grey's Anatomy," but I might be able to stick with this one.

Then there's "Pretty Little Liars" (very Gossip Girl-esq) and "The Nine Lives of Chloe King."

Yes, yes I know... I've fallen into the trap of ABC Family.  I really don't know why I find myself watching these shows except that they're based off of young adult novel series.

We all know I'm a nut over children's/YA lit and that some day I'll write a novel for the genres. So I guess I'm considering it research. What's out there, right now, on the market? And what is it about these series that market them for television?

No definite answers yet.
Except that sometimes I think I haven't outgrown being a teen.

All I know is that I can't change the channel.

The guidelines are set

Hopefully, over the next coming month you will see constant posting. It's part of my yoga challenge. Not only do I want to push my body, but I also want to push my writing.

I've brought the guidelines forth on the Yoga Challenge tab, and you'll notice they are very general.

It's for a purpose.

Sometimes I get bored easily, so I want to keep the idea of yoga fresh everyday. I want there to be change. I want different sequences and different purposes attached to each daily practice.

I want to stretch out my IT bands one day, and then sweat a little the next with a bunch of chaturangas.
I want to do a relaxation sequence right before bed, and then wake up the next morning to stretch my lower back out.
I want to stay calm while I'm learning to practice again and not worry about what is coming next.

But on that note, it doesn't mean I won't help guide you if you've chosen to do the challenge.

Cake Creation 101 [Full Post]

Here's the full post from my sister-in-law's blog, Bake Lore. Make sure to check her out!

Tonight's guestblog brought to you by Caitlin--another baker, another writer, and another Lore. Not as adept in her cake decorating or baking as her sister-in-law, Amy, Caitlin is working on it, one delicious product at a time. She even took a real baking class to see if she has what it takes. However, when she isn't baking, Caitlin can often be found writing at her blog Enduring. Soon she may post recipes.

I grew up with a mother who made birthday cakes. And not just any birthday cakes but decorated cakes. Wilton Startip #17 decorated cakes. I remember Cookie Monster and Birt and Ernie. Carousel horses, teddy bears, cars, and trucks. The Little Mermaid, Barbie, dinosaurs, and cupcakes. Lots of star tipped cupcakes.

Then there were the buttercream colors. Yellows and blues. Reds and purples. Greens and oranges. In all shades mind you. I loved watching her decorate, mostly because I loved sticking my fingers in that real buttercream. I never picked up a piping bag, though, until last fall.

Monday Morning Meditation: Strength

I have a long term goal with reintegrating yoga into my life.

Someday, I want to do this:

Right now, it looks impossible. My physical strength is gone because 1: I haven't practiced yoga in over six months, and 2: I also haven't been pumping iron for about the same amount of time.

But I'm a goal setter. Sometimes a procrastinator, but definitely a goal setter.

And I believe in strength.

Time for a Yoga challenge

I haven't been totally truthful with you lately.
So I'm going to let it out.

I'm slacking on my training.
Ok... I'm burn out with my training.

Actually... I'm not training at all.
There, I said it.

Guest post on Bake Lore

Tonight I had the opportunity to be a guest blogger on my sister-in-law's blog, Bake Lore. She is a wonderful baker and very talented cake decorator. In fact, she is the baker who made my wedding cake (check out her blog banner... my cake is the featured cake!)

Since I'm an aspiring baker myself, Bake Lore asked for a story. I took a fundamentals of baking class last fall and attempted my very first decorated cake. I'm honored to be a guest blogger on her blog.
Here's a tease of my post:

I grew up with a mother who made birthday cakes. And not just any birthday cakes but decorated cakes. Wilton Startip #17 decorated cakes. I remember Cookie Monster and Birt and Ernie. Carousel horses, teddy bears, cars, and trucks. The Little Mermaid, Barbie, dinosaurs, and cupcakes. Lots of star tipped cupcakes.

Then there were the buttercream colors. Yellows and blues. Reds and purples. Greens and oranges. In all shades mind you. I loved watching her decorate, mostly because I loved sticking my fingers in that real buttercream. I never picked up a piping bag, though, until last fall.

Head over to Bake Lore to read the rest!