Early on I decided a few things:

• All pages will be 6" x 12" and put into a corresponding 6" x 12" album (still using up what I have, and I have A LOT!!)
• All pages will use the Karla Dudley "Breezy" digi-paper package
• All pages have been modified to use a 4" x 6" photo and a place for the story, the Ali Edwards' templates have been tweaked just a little bit
• All pages repeat in formula to keep the focus on the story, not on the "stuff"
• After the 4x6 photo and the "pretty", the 7.5" x 6" remaining leaves enough space for about 450 words. It forces me to get to the point and not waste one word!
• All pages use three fonts: Arial, Garamond and Hurricane
• All pages will be 100% digital and sent to Persnickety Prints at the end of the course for photo processing
• Content will be completely honest, no apology, no holds

My first week of layouts are all done. Some are different from those in the BPC Gallery as, for some projects, I am a bit of a perfectionist and needed each to read "right" so by Day 4 things had to change! At least I caught it early, I had only four layouts to adjust - not all 31!

DAY 1 | JEWELRY*

*Apparently there was a bit of an issue with the way the word was spelled. Canadian English is such a mish-mash of British and American, I am just sticking with the assignment. The British spelling is Jewellery. Who knew?

DAY 2 | MORNING

DAY 3 | READ

DAY 4 | SPIRIT

DAY 5 | CONVERSATION

DAY 6 | YOU

DAY 7 | WORK

I want this project to reflect exactly where I am right now. I did a similar "about me" project last year and since this is so far away emotionally and physically from that project, it was important to me to get as much out and on paper as possible, in as much detail as I can.

Registration for the class is now closed. I hope you joined when you had a chance!

I'd like to welcome Sarah Matlock from [ad-ven-cher] to guest post here on Embrace Life. This is part of the Life Your Way 2nd Annual Ultimate Blog Swap. There are over 100 participants and I'm thrilled to be a part of it! You can find my guest post over at Sally Vandermark's Frills & Fun blog.

* * * * *

Hello Canada!

This Blog Swap through Life Your Way is such a fun idea. This is my first foray into the unknown world of swapping. I am nervous but mostly just really excited to meet you all, readers of Lee’s magnificent blog!

A bit of background - I am a grad student living in the Crossroads of America [sometimes called Indiana].

As you’re reading this, I am off on my very first visit to Europe, celebrating my 25^th birthday at a little café in Paris with one of my best friends of all time! As if I’m not busy enough with grad school and my full time job and travel planning and my adorable kitten, Ralph, I am also part of a stellar group of Book Clubbers that meets once a month.

Recently, we read a novel called The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski. Everyone in our book club loved it. Check out GoodReads.com for more about the novel and what other readers are saying. One huge part of the story is the implementation of a list.

A to-do list.
A bucket list.
A list of goals or dreams or potential accomplishments.

At the end of the novel, they suggested a few different ways to create our own lists and our book club chose this one:

JUST ONE THING. Have members write down five small tasks that are things that 

(1) they enjoy doing,
(2) have never done before,
(3) used to bring them joy but they don't get around to anymore,
(4) they are afraid to do,
(5) they think they don't like.

What they write should be absolutely doable given their current financial status and schedule. Set the goal for each person to accomplish at least one task before the next meeting.

My List 



I recommend the book, especially to a girly reader. And I highly recommend this List Writing Exercise to anyone. We can all use a little inspiration sometimes and this is such a simple way to come up with a few fun goals. I encourage you to try it!

What would your list look like? I hope you'll commit to completing JUST ONE THING in a month's time! 
[and you better tell me all about it, of course]

You can find me anytime, reading and writing and grad schooling and generally trying to figure out life at my blog home, [ad-ven-cher]. Thank you for making my first blog swapping experience such great fun!

Now, about those lists…

Ready?

Go!

* * * * *

Thank you, Sarah! I hope you had a wonderful birthday and celebration in Europe this past week.

Now, head on over to check out my post at Frills & Fun. If you're looking for a complete list of blog participants, you can find it over at Life Your Way. Take a minute and take a look around if you're not familiar with the site. I can promise you'll find a lot to keep you reading!

hello backpack vacuum. feels a bit like ghostbusters.

hello holiday. nice for the kids to have a low key day today.

hello new food experience. the kids were hesitant, but loved it.

hello list. you should be getting shorter!

hello passport. looks like renewal time is here.

hello whitecaps. looking forward to the season ahead.

hello play rehearsals. my girl is going to be busy!

hello no call. two weeks have passed, no surprise. sad.

hello brilliant weather. hot days, cool nights. perfect.

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

 what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

I don't know about you, but I often find myself thumbing through countless magazines and books with the idea that I will actually try a recipe or two. I usually end up with just a big collection of recipes saved on my Pinterest board or in a file folder on my cookbook shelf. I really would prefer to have a pile of dirty pots and pans and a bunch of experiments that either passed or failed the family taste test.

This weekend, I decided to try a recipe I found in the May issue of FOOD magazine. I almost always rip out a page or two from this particular magazine, so figured it was a good place to start.

Caden has always liked shrimp and Cole has now decided to give it a try and has enjoyed it in a few dishes recently. The girls? Well, they don't like seafood. At all. I'm learning that their predisposition to certain foods is no longer a worthy argument and I will just make what I like and keep my fingers crossed that they'll like it too.

I loved this recipe: all gets cooked in one pot and the ingredients are readily available.

* * * * *

SKILLET SHRIMP AND ORZO
Serves 4 | Active Time: 15 Minutes | Total Time: 35 Minutes

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
Coarse salt & ground pepper
3 cups halved grape tomatoes
1.5 cups orzo (I converted from the 3/4 pound called for in the recipe)
3 1/4 cups chicken broth
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Preheat oven to 400F, with the rack in top position. In a large broilerproof skillet, heat 5 teaspoons oil over medium. Add garlic and cook until just begining to brown. 1 minute. Increase heat to high and add tomoatoes; season with salt & pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. 6 Minutes. Add orzo and broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, transfer to oven, and bake until liquid is mostly absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes.

Toss shrimp with 1 teaspoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Remove skillet from oven and place shrimp on top of orzo. Heat broiler. Broil until shrimp are opaque throughout. 4 Minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

* * * * *

I have to tell you that for me this recipe was ridiculously tasty. I enjoyed all of it, the orzo and the shrimp. The boys ate the shrimp and enjoyed it, the orzo and tomato, not so much. The girls enjoyed the orzo and tomato and sprinkled on a little bit of grated parmesan. Would I make it again? Absolutely. I might try it with chicken so the girls can enjoy it too. Who knows, maybe some spinach? squash? peppers? Even better? I reheated it for lunch the next day with a side salad and it held up well, maybe even better with the flavours having time to blend more completely. One less meal to make from scratch is always a good thing!

What is your favourite recipe? A go-to for you and your children?

If I were to sum up my last 365 days, I'd say it is like a year-long spectacular sunrise. Gone is the darkness and haze and I'm entering into a new phase of life, with confidence, anticipation and wonder.

Last week I was sitting in my living room listening to my kids and it occurred to me that this year was really remarkable, filled with accomplishments. A lifetime in a year.

It may sound silly, but I really don't think a lot of it would have been possible without my guiding words. Last year was "DO". Funny how the word didn't know it was time to retire on December 31st to make way for it's replacement "OPEN". DO was determined and stuck around until late winter. It lead me to be able to embrace "OPEN". Open would not have happened without Do preceding it.

This is where the combination of Do and Open have lead me:

• Last May I hired a lawyer and filed for separation. The laws are wonky (read: frustrating) and the year is mandatory before any other action can be taken.
• Switched from one terrible MD to another lovely MD who takes my health, and that of my children, as seriously as I do. Between her and our naturopath, we are all on a journey to wellness.
• Bought a new, manageable, home perfect in size and design for our lifestyle - not for the perception of others.
• Sold a beautiful, expansive, house on the lake that all of my children despised.
• Changed our whole banking system and dealt with "scary" banking people. Then, with guidance, took charge of all of the bills - and faced some stark realities of money management.
• I was paralyzed. I couldn't even turn on the computer and log in without a knot in my stomach and the accompanying nausea. The same feeling I got when the phone rang, or the mail arrived. Upon reflection, I have completely conquered phone, bill paying and mail phobias and fears.
• Cancelled, modified and started services - mindfully.
• Chloé started at a new school, and thrives.
• Joined the local YMCA, and don't go nearly often enough.
• Divided up 7,500 square feet worth of furniture and belongings and moved our half.
• Replaced A LOT of carpet in two houses.
• Let the kids paint their own bedrooms in the colours they chose and, while we were at it, changed the whole colour scheme of our home. No more earth tones.
• Replaced some appliances with quiet and efficient models which should save us a lot of time and money.
• White-knucked, I taught Claire how to drive. She hopes to get her license in August - along with a car. Um, no. License does not equal vehicle. A battle is brewing.
• Experienced, with amazement, the theatrics and ego of directors who are supposed to be teaching children, not going all 'diva' on them. Crazy.
• Some days I just sat back in wonder that, for the better part of 20 years, I was kept in the dark. About everything. Lies of omission are cruel.
• Got back into volunteering and now spend at least one day a week at the school.
• Claire wanted to play baseball again - and I signed her up for Little League. I still think she's a bit startled over my complete support.
• Had Caden write an application and attend an interview which resulted in his acceptance to the same school his siblings attend. Next year all four of my kids at one place. Yahoo!
• Lost a good friend far too soon. We miss him, every day.
• Turned in a leased vehicle that was too small for our needs and purchased a new one that should be perfect for the next decade or longer. Fingers crossed!
• Faced the fact that my kids struggle with confidence in Math and I can't help them. A fabulous tutor was hired. Things are improving.
• Purged all processed food from our kitchen and started to practice more mindful eating. To the point where I considered refined sugar as "poison" and cringe when my kids have a cookie or ice cream!
• Learned how to use PSE and now scrapbook more than ever before.
• Let both of my boys "retire" from hockey. Thank goodness. What a dreadful experience. Though there were some wonderful people along the way - there were some real crazies.
• Went to court for the first time in my life then hired a criminal attorney. Who knew I'd need to get in touch with him - twice?
• Realized that though a lot has changed, I can still sit in my living room and drama, not of my making, will happen.
• Helped Cole realize that sometimes plans change. He is not receptive to change, at all. Working all winter - hours and hours of conditioning - to improve his rugby skills were erased in one stupid knee to the head. Concussion = no rugby = a change in plans. This has been tough.
• Dealt with teen drama and helped my children cope, as best they can, with the good and bad, all of the consequences of choice.
• I have made new friends, nurtured relationships with old friends and regularly engage with my family with no lingering sense of apology. There is no longer anyone feeling like they are in competition - and failing. What an enormous relief!
• Let my children embrace travel: All to Cape Cod, Claire to Europe, the boys to Florida, Cole to B.C. with the Ontario Rugby team and Chloé with me to Vegas - yes, I've been sworn to secrecy ;)
• Took my kids to the "motherland" - New Brunswick - and they loved it. True Maritimers at heart :)
• Watched my eldest take her first dance lessons, ever. At the age of 16.
• Listened to my younger girl sing her heart out on a number of occasions. My goodness is she talented!
• Reluctantly allowed Caden to sign up for football. He LOVES it. Really, really enjoys every minute of it. He hasn't played in his first game yet and he's already asked to sign up for the fall league.
• I have said "yes" to a lot. I realized that "no" might be easier, but "yes" is far more rewarding - and way more work!
• Encouraged my late-blooming children to take risks and make new friends. And, in some cases, recognize when relationships have run their course.
• I can only make every effort to model the best possible behaviour for my children. I am their only parent, present and dedicated to them every day. It is a hard job, but worth every minute of time and effort!
• Realized, when recently introduced as a "single mother of four" that I am! It never even occurred to me to think of myself in those terms.
• You teach people how you want to be treated. I remind myself every day.

The year was abundant.

On top of it all, there were the everyday life things that can fill a day without much effort: cooking, cleaning, organizing, driving children all over! I did things this year that never even occurred to me to do.

Now that I know I can do all of that, and more, I am consciously staying OPEN to new opportunities and challenges.

Who knows what the next 365 days will bring?

To say I'm pumped would be an understatement. THIS is what I've been looking to do for a while: a writing course. I printed up all of the worksheets and downloaded all of the templates a few weeks ago - before I went to Arizona. Of course, I left them all printed on my desk and went blissfully away with plenty of time on my hands and no prompts!

Around here things are more full than normal as the school year is winding down and the end is in sight. There seem to be 101 things on the go. Between music nights, championship series, exams and assignments, things are more than hectic. Simultaneously we are starting up baseball, football and rowing seasons.

I will not be deterred!I really want to do this and participate in the on-line community.

I think I can do it. I'm really enjoying my journey back into creative and productive groove with my Project Life well in hand and my A Week In The Life completed for another year. I've fallen off on a couple of things: Move More, Eat Better; The Art of Observation; One Little Word; Blogging from the Heart; Ordinary Courage and simply posting here on the blog. Okay. More than a couple.

No matter. I shall focus on the positive and productive :)

Let me know if you'll be in class!