friday q & a returns!

Back when I used to be better at blogging I'd sometimes do a little Q&A....I thought we could start that back up again.....here we go....

Every week I get questions from all my kind/sweet/funny/adventurous/super cool readers 

via comments/emails/instagram/facebook.........and as many of you have learned I have the HARDEST time getting back to you. I just can't sit on my computer all day answering questions......call me crazy.  

For frequently asked questions (camera talk, etc,) check out the FAQ (which most definitely needs to be updated.)  

If I get questions related to specific posts/photos that apply to everyone, I will try my hardest to post them here every few weeks. .....ask away!

One of THE most frequently asked questions I've gotten over the past year and a half is 

Why did you decide to go back to school?

When I went to college the first time around, I had absolutely NO direction. I applied as a photography major and then decided 1) what was I going to do with that degree (haha funny, right?) and 2) I didn't have any equipment...or the money to get it all......was it really what I wanted to do? So I got an associates degree in "General Education" which basically equates to nothing, if we are being honest. I just had no idea what I wanted to do, I was tired of school, newly married, and felt like more school at that point would have just been spinning my wheels. So I called it good, and knew I'd go back someday. When Lucy was in school all day I knew that my time had arrived!

(I wrote about "going back to school" HERE)

headed to my nursing school interview. Lucy insisted on being in the tree to take my picture.......ok(?) 

Some things you should know, my chaco tan lines are ridiculous in my heels! Also, I played in a softball league this summer and the night before my interview I took a line drive right to my ankle--it was so swollen it hardly fit in my shoe. It was red and purple and huge--I kept my legs crossed throughout my entire interview process hoping no one would notice....I guess they didn't care--they let me in!

First day, of my first semester of nursing school.

Why do you want to be a nurse?

I love this question! I feel so strongly about this decision in my life that I am happy to share my answer. Many of you know I went through a whhhhoooollllllle lotta health junk a few years ago. In that time I saw doctor after doctor after doctor.....and I honestly hardly remember any of them. But I remember so many of my nurses. I had some really terrible nurses who treated my like a number, but mostly I had absolutely wonderful nurses who truly cared for me--held my hand when things got rough. I realized that a nurse can make or break your day, and I knew that I wanted to be that person who made someones day a little better....so here I am!

Why blog?

I was recently asked why I decided to jump back into blogging when everything is so busy right now. Yes--it's super busy, and I'm sure I will have to skip posting from time to time, but I also really do love this little community we've built here. I loving sharing thoughts, food, and silly stories, and I always feel like my readers have so much wisdom to share with ME. I have been taking billions of pictures over the last year while I've been away, and I'm excited to share those too.

What biking gear do you recommend?

I get this question every time I post a biking photo on IG and I have to be honest......this really isn't my department. Robby has introduced me to the world of mountain biking and I am literally, just along for the ride. I have fallen in love with it--there really is such a thrill that I can't get from running. But I pretty much let him do all the bike-related-shopping. What I WILL say is if you want a good bike without paying ridiculous amounts of money, find a place that rents out mountain bikes--they sell all their rentals at the end of the summer. We are lucky to live in a popular mountain biking area, so we have lots of options to choose from, but it really is where you can find the best deals.

At least once a week I'm asked, "where is this!??" when I post a picture on IG. Here's the thing....I love sharing all kinds of great stuff with you guys, but some of it I've just got to keep to myself, sorry! If I'm up for sharing our favorite spots, I promise I'll tell you :)

 

From time to time I'm asked if I use essential oils. 

I am so late in the game on this one, but I have slowly started using them here and there, and finding oils I like. I don't recommend one brand over the other, but I mostly have been using Doterra--only because a handful of people I know well use this brand, and I can get their opinions and ideas on different things. Again, I'm not super in to it (yet...?), but here's what I can now say I swear by:

Serenity : I am not very good at sleeping (napping, yes. sleeping, no) It takes me forrrrrever to fall asleep at night, and then I wake up all night long. Since I've been using this oil (since spring) I SWEAR to you I sleep so much better. And  hey! Maybe it' placebo, but who cares, it's working!

Breathe : this has been great when my kiddos are feeling "stuffy" and has helped Jonah sleep better with his darn allergies.

OnGuard : It's been helping us fend off colds and flu since last fall....and it smells like Christmas.

So teach me, all you smarty pants....what are your favorite oils and how do I use them?

Next question/comment:

I hope you start posting recipes again!

Me too.....because that would mean I was cooking! We really just eat so simply these days (it has to be easy, and it has to be quick.) So it's a lot of eggs, a lot of beans, pastas, a lot of grilled meats and veggies. Nothing fancy, or really worth noting here, I promise!

So let me ask YOU a question. 

I need some good crockpot recipes. 

I've never been a fan of the crockpot because I don't feel like the food tastes very fresh, and I'm not a fan of all the canned stuff that usually ends up in the pot. But I know you all have some good recipes to throw together quickly in the morning, and can cook all day--will you share them with me? Also, what crockpot should I get? 

Mine is too small.....teach me!

One of our favorite meals is a good BLT and whatever veggie we have on hand. 

Here are my little bean snappers, helping me with dinner. 

Sauté your green beans with garlic and pine nuts in olive oil....so easy and good!

Have a question? Feel free to ask!

Happy Weekend!