November 2013 Goals
1 Nov 2013
It kind of looks like I’m making a lot of goals for this month. But most of them are super fun ones!
We have several trips planned this month, which I’m really excited about. We’ll have a few days in Santa Barbara next week, and I am really pumped to go to Art from Scrap. I think I might also go to the zoo? Because I am 12. And animal-obsessed. And I might do some sketching of rhinos and such.
We will be spending a bit more time in Santa Fe, which I am REALLY EXCITED about! We spent some time in Albuquerque when we were dating, and we absolutely loved it. I have never been to Santa Fe, so it will be a giant candy store for this kid. Also, we will have a bit of time in Albuquerque, and you better believe I am going to hit the Breaking Bad high points. Blue rock candy, anyone?
My Dad is also coming before Thanksgiving! Woot! He came last year too, so I hope this will become an annual tradition.
Our fall doesn’t really start until sometime in November, and I always look forward to that. We’ve been in such upheaval for the past few weeks that I’ve been totally out of the fall cooking and baking loop, and I want to rectify that situation. Give me your root vegetables, your sage and rosemary! Give me your maple and pumpkin and pecan! It’s gonna be pretty tasty around here.
I usually do at least a few crafty things for the holidays, and I don’t want this year to be the exception. There have been so few holiday seasons in my life that have not been mired in final exams and papers and dissertation deadlines. I feel like I’m making up for lost time, in the most fun way. Usually we buy a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, so I hope we will do that this year too. And I have some pretty wooden ornaments that I bought for ten cents in March that I’m excited to paint. I also want to make a little felt circle garland for our doorway. And maybe this year will be the year when I convince Eric to put a gigantic glittery red bow on our front door!
I also want to burn more candles, which seems kind of strange, since I have not traditionally been a big candle person. But there’s an Anthropologie around the corner from our house, and every time I go there I am so inspired by the idea that they’re not really selling clothes–they’re selling a life. And so as I was drifting through some Thursday afternoon or other, I started asking what I could do to make my life feel more like the one they’re selling (which is highly appealing, in case you’ve never been there). I can’t turn our carpet into hardwood floors or blast holes into the walls for bigger windows, but I can burn candles. It’s the cheapest way to make my life seem…expensive. Or at least thoughtfully curated. I have been burning a few this past week, and I really, really like it. I light one when I write in my journal or sit on the couch to read a book. Sometimes I light one for working. It’s just a tiny choice that adds a lot of extra light (and fragrance!) into my life. I’m a convert. Candles for the win!
I’ll be continuing my Bloom True painting e-course, which is, truly, one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. If you have always wanted to paint, or are already a painter, or just want to do something new and creative, I seriously cannot recommend it highly enough. A million thanks to Hillary for telling me about it and doing it with me!
Also, sigh, one of the side effects of these crazy past few weeks has been the destruction of any type of routine and good sleeping habits. I can’t change the circumstances, but I do so hope I can get to bed even just a little bit earlier and start creating the kind of rhythm that helps me thrive again. Oh, I’ve missed it.
And, of course, there will be lots of pictures! I will be back in December with an update (October is updated here). And, just for fun, here are my November goals from last year!
Update, December 2013:ย Candles were burned! The tree was put up and ornaments were made! We definitely had a blast in SB and in Santa Fe, and my dad’s visit was awesome. I did do a bit of holiday cooking and baking, but not a ton, since we were traveling a fair bit. And that travel sort of sent the whole routine thing out the window, but that’s okay. I did do some painting with Bloom True, but I have put it on hold the past few weeks due to travel and an illness here and there. We have six-month access to the course, so there is still plenty of time. And, of course, tons of pictures were taken. A pretty solid month!

Nov 01, 2013 @ 04:51:40
I melt candle scents with the knowledge that my nose will run, sometimes it’s just worth it. I love how fall makes you want to be “homey” with life ๐ Glad your dad is starting a tradition, if he did it last year and this year he has set a precedence, right?
Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:29:04
I agree!I have been looking at candles everywhere I go lately–hoping some of them will get marked down! I am also thinking about trying to make some of my own!
Nov 01, 2013 @ 08:12:38
Awesome goals. The professor should burn his candles too. They just sit around doing nothing.
Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:29:36
Haha! Well, there are ferocious animals in your house who might use firepower for evil instead of good…
Nov 01, 2013 @ 11:00:58
I am nothing but envious of your upcoming New Mexico trip; one day I’ll make it there, but I don’t think anytime soon…unless life has a few surprises in store for me.
As for candles, I’m glad to see this is becoming a thing for you; I’m kind of obsessed with them myself and I really want to learn how to make them because I think they’re ridiculously expensive to buy in stores…If we ever live in the same place again, we should find a candle making class and do it together. ๐
Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:33:44
We should somehow have a girls’ weekend there! With what funds, I don’t know, but hope springs eternal! Yes yes yes to the candle making class! I also think maybe you can buy kits on Amazon, so that sounds tempting, as if I didn’t have enough stuff on my wish list anyway! Ha! I miss you and wish you were coming with us!
Nov 01, 2013 @ 12:33:43
When I first saw this photo, I thought it was a close-up of a record album you’d typed your goals on. And somehow this seems appropriate for your blog, which is about a life of creativity (including upcycling) that surely has a happy soundtrack.
Jacob and I had a restorative getaway in Santa Barbara in the early summer. I loved it there and can’t wait to go back (and to check out Art from Scrap — it looks great! Thanks for sharing!). I know you’ll have a fabulous time, and I’m hoping to see a recap here! (BTW, there was a great Mexican restaurant in the Montecito neighborhood, though the name escapes me…)
Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:37:41
Oh, thank you so much!! That is so sweet. Eric has actually been secretly working on a soundtrack of our relationship! He’s the sweetest:) Thank you for the SB tips! So glad you had a great time! I haven’t been to Montecito, so I was definitely planning on heading that way on this trip. Yes, definitely there will be pictures and recap here! ๐
Nov 01, 2013 @ 14:19:44
Fun!! Have you been to The SB Zoo? Its a super cool one, especially the bug exhibit!! And funny you’re now into candles, my friend gave me an oil burning incense sorta thing for my birthday and now I am all into having the apt smell good ๐
Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:39:38
No, but I totally want to go! It’s for sure on my list:) Aw yeah, I love good-smelling apartments!
Nov 01, 2013 @ 17:47:39
I bet you both would enjoy the labyrinth at the cathedral in Santa Fe. It was one of my favorite places that I happened upon when I was there for a conference. Enjoy the zoo!
Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:40:02
Oh cool, thank you for the recommendation! I have never been to Santa Fe, so I am super excited!
Nov 04, 2013 @ 07:25:02
That looks like one busy november.. enjoy
Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:43:29
It will be a busy few months for sure! But I am so excited to see some new places and spend time with the people I love!
December 2013 Goals
Dec 03, 2013 @ 03:01:42
[…] the long weekend, but I guess that’s what long weekends are for. November goals are updated here, and I’ll be back in January to report on all my adventures. (Just for fun, here are last […]