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Savoring life in the Berkshires

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Investing in March and April

Published on May 1, 2014 By Emily. Updated on December 3, 2017

“Invest” is my word for 2014.  I’m dedicating a post every 2 months to reporting about how it’s going.  Want to catch up? Here’s my introductory post and January and February.

Self

This is probably the area where I feel like I’ve been most successful over the past couple months.  Switching my focus from being “intentional” in 2013 to “investing” means I don’t feel guilty about taking care of my brain.  I continue to participate in the She Reads Truth community and really enjoyed their Lent study.  I also gave up sweets for Lent which was incredibly difficult, but overall a good thing, in the way that sacrificing for Lent is supposed to be.  Over the past couple months I also joined a women’s inductive bible study at my church which has been a really good experience in reading the word and getting to know other women.

Another highlight of the past couple months was getting to see Gloria Steinem speak at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.  Despite the fact that thinking about the way the evening was logistically handled still makes me mad (we waited outside in freezing weather for an hour with tons of other people before being let in…after the time the event was actually supposed to start…and were lucky to get in because many people were turned away at the door), the evening was awesome.  I feel so lucky to have been able to hear such an iconic woman speak and it’s rekindled my interest in women’s issues.

Blog

Blog related progress has been stop and go over the past couple months.  I finally scheduled a Helpout* with Katy Widrick, something I’ve been intending to do since she announced the option.  Katy and I have emailed several times on blog issues (media kits, advertising, etc) and it seemed only fair that I actually pay for her services in a more serious way.  Our hour long session was awesome and I’m so looking forward to implementing her advice.  Unfortunately, immediately after our meeting my life got super busy with the end of the semester, the approach of the end of the school year and my trip to Montreal, so I haven’t been able to do as much with her suggestions as I’d like.  One thing I have started to explore is some new advertising – you may have noticed the NatureBox, Amazon and BlueHost affiliate ads* appearing in the sidebar and footer areas of the site.  I’m looking to at least break even on the cost of Relishments and affiliate ads work by providing me with a portion of any sales made through clicks on my unique links.  Please let me know if you have thoughts on the ads on my site.  I’m being very selective about the businesses I’m choosing to advertise, but I’d love reader opinions as well.  Hopefully the coming days (summer!) will provide me with some time to do the behind the scenes site work I’m dreaming of.

Home

The list of things I want to accomplish in the house remains the same as it was in the first two months of the year.  We didn’t make any major home purchases since February.  In fact, we got rid of our microwave (it’s a long-ish story involving insects).  It’s only been a few days, but I’ll be sure to post an update about how that’s going and if we choose to purchase a new one.   At any rate, we continue to discuss our goals for the house in this and coming years.  And I intend to hit a lot of yard sales this summer.

Relationships

I got to see my family twice over the past 2 months, which was really nice.  We all met up at my sister’s newly purchased home in early March to help with painting and other home improvement tasks before they moved in.  My sister’s motivation to paint and decorate her brand new (to her) place has sparked my desire to make some progress in our house.  Then, last week, I met up with my parents and sister in Portsmouth for lunch before heading to Montreal without my dad for a long weekend.  It’s been a long time since my sister, mom and I all spent that much time together and I’m really glad we were able to make it happen.

My theoretical desire to host gatherings and socialize continues to be outweighed by my interest in spending my weekends with my computer, but I did get in a craft night, a game night and Easter dinner with friends over the past couple months.   Again, I’m hoping summer allows for more opportunities.

Work

Even though I just earned a teaching license at the end of January, I signed up to take another licensure test last month, in the name of job security.  The test is in June, hopefully I pass on the first go-round.  Otherwise I’m just plugging along…it’s always amazing how quickly the end of the year approaches after April break and I’m bracing myself for the chaos to come.

Fitness

In March, I started attending yoga classes again.  My commitment has been on and off, largely because the classes I prefer are on weekends and life interferes on a fairly regular basis.  Yoga class is one of those things that I love once I get there, but working up the motivation to leave the house isn’t easy.

I also signed up for my first race since 2011.  Even though I “fell in love” with running that year, I just haven’t been running much since then.  The race, which is this weekend, is a fun run without timers and such.  Thank goodness, because I’m really unprepared.  Still, I’m really looking forward to it and hope it will be the first of many organized events to come.

*This post contains affiliate links

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Filed Under: life Tagged With: goals, invest 2014

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Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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#igers413_food #strawberries #LocallyGrowjln #PickYourOwn #LanesboroughMA
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires

#NorthAdams #NAmazing
Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shir Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shiredonuts, Poseidon Coffee, the Ashwillticook Rail Trail, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams Free Library and beautiful flowers.
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#AdamsMA #igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #MassMoCA #ArtMuseum
Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #ShopLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #PlantConnector
This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #BerkshireMuseum #PittsfieldMA
My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
Link in profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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