Feb 18

I knew this would happen eventually. I’ve hit a month where I don’t really want to blog about my monthly progress because I feel like I have nothing to blog about. Somehow February felt even longer than January. Maybe it was the tease Utah gave us in thinking Spring was coming. I don’t know. But I feel like I was stagnant this month. 

 

This month I kind of ditched my goals, but I have been working towards creating more balance. Awhile ago, my sister showed me a check list of things she wanted to do every day, when she had checked off a certain amount of boxes, she was going to buy herself something she really wants. She joked about how she was like a child, and it got me thinking about how that could be a great way to bring more balance into my life (I love checking things off!) So I created a chart of things I wanted to do more/less and I am surprised by how effective the results have been. There are still several areas I need some work on, but overall, I think it’s been a great way to change some of my habits. 

 

Like I said, my overall goals took a little bit of a back seat this month, and honestly, I may end up changing them as I work out this whole balance thing. But for now, here’s my progress. 

 

KNOWLEDGE:

·        Reading Challenge (I keep looking at the challenge list and there are some topics I don’t know if I’m into. I’m going to keep with the challenge as long as I can, but have decided I want to read roughly 52 books this year) In February I read 4 books:

-         The Fault in Our Stars: John Green (perfect Valentine’s Day book)

-         When Breath Becomes Air: Paul Kalanithi

-         The Rosie Project: Graeme Simsion

-         Madly in Love with Me: Christine Arylo 

*My favorite book for the month was The Rosie Project. I already have a hold in for the second book. (@simplisisters on Instagram as a monthly book club, go check us out!)

 

·        Learn/try something new each month. In February I learned how to hand crotchet and even made a blanket! Mike has already asked me to make one for him. Haha. It was hard at first, but I started getting the hang of it at the end. I’m glad I stuck with it. 

 

SPIRITUAL:

·        Attend the temple at least once per month. My sisters and I had a date scheduled and then it didn’t work out. I kept telling myself I would go another time and then I never did. No excuse for this one. Clearly this is still an area I’m working on….

PHYSICAL: 

·        Run more than 822 miles. HAHAHAHAHAHA. I ran 0 miles this month. 0. I’ve been focusing on some other exercises. This goal is not looking too promising, but we’ll see how the warmer months ahead go. 

·        Trilogize. I’m still hoping to do this, but the first race won’t be until June. 

·        Go to the dentist. Nope. Hasn’t happened yet. 

 

FUN:

·        Create a bucket list with Mike and cross off at least one item. We still haven’t made a list, but I’m thinking we will this month. My running list is so small though, shouldn’t I have a long list of things I want to do before I die?? What’s on your bucket list? 

·        Travel to 3 places we’ve never been to together. We know where we’re going for all 3 trips and Thailand is so soon!!! 

·        Finish scrapbooking 2017 and get caught up. Maybe I’ll make one real quick tonight. I did well in January and then dropped the ball. March is a no spend month for us so I feel like I will need some time fillers. I plan to work on my 2017 scrapbook. 

FINANCIAL:

·        Create 72 hour kits. I’m hoping to officially start this in April. We have purchased a few things, but have focusing our time/money on a different goal we have together for the year. More on that coming soon! 

·        Have a no spend month. It officially starts tomorrow. Wish us all the good luck. 

·        Build up my business. Initially, I wanted to build up my photography business, but I’ve been focusing more of my time on my sisters Instagram at @simplisisters 

 

So, not really where I want to be, but kind of because I’m finding more balance and feel like I’m getting to a good place. How is your 2018 going so far? Have you set any goals yet? If not, I encourage you to think about something you want to work on or focus for the next month/year. Then choose some measurable goals that can go along with your focus. Need help creating/maintaining your goals? Feel free to reach out to me: bethflint@gmail.com

DONUTS with vanilla frosting

I probably love donuts more than your average person. I could eat them everyday, and would, if I wouldn’t gain one million pounds. 

Last fall I made donuts for the first time and now that I know how easy it is to make them, I’m hooked. I think I’ll try maple next! 

Want to make your own donuts? Here’s the recipe! 

Donuts:

2 TB dry yeast (I used instant) 

¼ C warm water

1 ½ C warm milk 

½ C sugar 

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1/3 C shortening

5 C flour

1 quart vegetable oil for frying

 

DIRECTIONS:

1.      Mix the water and the yeast 

2.      In a large bowl, mix together the yeast, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of flour. Once the mixture is combined, add the rest of the flour in half cup increments. Knead for about 5 mins. Allow the dough to rise. (As I used instant yeast, I let it sit for 20 mins and then used it)

3.      Roll dough out to ½ inch thickness and cut with a donut cutter

4.      Heat the oil to 350*. Fry donuts on each side about 3-4 mins. (Should be golden brown) Set on wire racks to drain any remaining oil. 

5.      Allow donuts to cool before adding the frosting.

 

Vanilla Frosting:

4 TB heavy cream 

2 /12 C powdered sugar 

½ tsp Salt 

½ tsp Vanilla extract 

Sprinkles for decoration 

 

DIRECTIONS:

1.      Mix ingredients together adding more powdered sugar/heavy cream if needed to get the consistency right. 

2.      Once the donuts are cool, dip them into the frosting, add sprinkles, and ENJOY! 

Tag me in your pictures if you make some! @beth_flint on instagram! 

Six tips for showing love to your significant other

Valentine’s Day is coming up and the topic of love is everywhere! Whether you’ve been in your relationship for years or you’re just starting out, it’s important to actively show love to your significant other. I asked my husband to help me with this post and we will take turns sharing tips on how you can show love to your partner. 

6 steps to showing love to your significant other

1.      I think the most important aspect of showing your significant other love is to know their love language. Have you heard of Gary Chapman’s love languages? If not, (or if you need a refresher) take the quiz, linked below. By knowing your significant other’s love language, you can ensure you are showing them love the way they recognize it. (If you’re not familiar with this idea, seriously, go read up on it now!)

5 love languages

2.      Do something for your partner. Whether it’s giving them a back massage, completing a chore/task they don’t like to do, or something they usually do. Go out of your way to do something nice for them. Without them asking. I think this is something universal that you can make work for any love language. 

3.      Do things as a couple you like, your partner likes, and you both like. I love to run and hike, my husband, not as much. So when he suggests going for a hike or signs up to run a race with me, I know he is making an effort to spend time with me. Likewise, I try to offer to do things he likes with him. Also important, find activities you can do as a couple (that you both like), and do them often. *Make sure you have an activity for each season if some are weather specific. 

4.      Make team decisions. It’s easy to think of a relationships as two individuals coming together, but some of the best moments I have had in my marriage is when we make decsions about what things we want to do, see, or experience together. It will make your relationship team more invested in your goals for each other. A relationship is a two person job so be a good partner and don't let your significant other do all the heavy lifting. 

5.      Speak kindly to your significant other. Have you noticed when you use kind words to people, they tend to use them back to you? I think sometimes we get in the habit of treating people we love with less love than those we don’t know as well. We think, “it doesn’t matter, they’ll love me and forgive me anyway” and we use it as a way to justify ourselves venting on them. I know when I’m treating my spouse with love and speaking kindly to him, he is more likely to do the same to me. By doing that, we are inviting love and warmth into our marriage. 

6.      Use fair fighting rules. I think the term fair fighting rules could also be called the disagreement rules because having differences of opinion is part of any relationship and a strong relationship for me is often demonstrated by a couple’s ability to compromise and disagree in a healthy way, as opposed to rarely or never disagreeing at all. 

Read the fair fighting rules: 

fight fair

If you and your partner can both commit to agreeing to these great tips we can guarantee you will have a healthy, happy, loving and more productive relationship.