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March hike from last weekend. Spring flowers make me happy!

Hi Sal. Here's a virtual bouquet from my garden for you. Get well soon!

Oh, man. Gardening is one thing keeping me sane. I’m sorry you had such a rough time of it. Since you’re a few weeks ahead of Pennsylvania, can you tell me a little about the mask wearing? Is that something everyone will be doing in the garden? Or is it because of the sneezing? Enjoy your hike!

Hi Sal. Just popping in to say hello. I love your mindfulness in planning a meaningful week. Fresh air and a calming sea sound especially nice!

Thinking of you today when it occurred to me that I DO know people on the west coast. Glad to hear that your health is good, and that you got to sing along with your church yesterday. Singing is my favorite part!

Even with an extra day in February this year, I am one day late for my monthly hike. No wildflowers yet, but plenty of sunshine for a stroll on the Appalachian Trail.

What a great week! Thanks for the book recommendations.

I did it. I skied the bunniest of bunny slopes ever. And I survived!!!

I signed up to go skiing with the boy scouts. This might be amazing...or it might kill me. Thank you, 15 seconds of courage!

Hello. I'm back to my battle log after running a few challenges. So, I'm getting the New Year NF emails, and feel ok with falling into all the traps that I'm supposed to avoid. I'm starting the New Year with fuzzy goals of eating better and exercising more. Oh well. Fuzzy is better than none! Here's a monthly hike. Gorgeous warm day when all the snow was melting. So, thankfully, my ongoing goals keep me coming back to feel accountable. Monthly hike. Taking walks to up my step count. Nightly stretching (and minimal strength) habits. Logging food (usually) and paying attention to reasons for eating. So, I feel good about making healthy choices. Maybe more concrete goals will make sense by the time the next challenge rolls around.

Oops. I've been missing my check-in goal, and week zero challenge is already up! Since I haven't figured out solid goals for the New Year, I'll still piggyback here in the holiday challenge. I missed my monthly December hike by only half a day. Yesterday was a lovely day for a winter hike. Sunny and still. No snow on the ground yet in my neck of the woods. My husband, older son, and I hiked up to a scenic vista. I had some ankle issues that helped me choose a solo side hike to a letterbox instead of climbing to the peak with the boys. Adventure ensued as there was no service on our phones, and the letter box was farther away than expected. But I felt very rangerly solving problems on my own. I even used an irl compass since my compass app was unavailable. I found the letterbox here at Pole Steeple, and took a quick photo of the handy walking stick that became essential equipment navigating the climb down to the car. It's funny how I think I can easily climb up a mountain even though step-ups are pretty challenging at once a week, 3 sets of 10 reps. Anyhow, I did it! Slow and steady.

Thanks. Just a little bit of exercise makes me feel good lately. Sweets have been challenging, and I’m consistently hitting 9 exercises a week. That is 2 shy of my goal...but 2 more than last challenge, so I’m not terribly annoyed with myself. The mini challenge is nice. It’s been helping me be present on the boards. I’ve started to think ahead to 2020 goals. There’s lots of room for improvement!

I am thankful for My husband. I loved him when I married him 19 years ago, but I had no idea what an amazing choice I was making. Through thick and thin, he’s backed me up. He is my rock. I can’t imagine my life without him. My kids. Chris is good-hearted and makes me laugh with his quiet humor. Nick never gives up and teaches me patience. My fur-balls. Star Kitty Cat, Treeny Weenie, and Frito the Bandito. They keep me company on days when I don't want to talk to anyone, and they bring my people-family closer together. My feathered friends. Sandy, Glimmer, Bandit, Madeline, Ooh-La-La, and Little Red Riding Hood. These chickens bring me outside every day where I can breathe fresh air and feel alive. They remind me that I love nature and spending time there. My library, job, and community. Working in the children's room of my library brings me joy. I love the kids, and I love the books. I love making a connection with the people who live in my little town. Who wouldn't love a community that decorates their square in December with both a nativity and the following greeting? I'm sure my town would want to extend this fine Festivus greeting to all of you, too!

Had a really good day yesterday. My family participated in Wreaths Across America. It was so good to see Americans pulling together over something in real life. Sometimes I get worked up about politics in the news. It was nice to be a part of something that was not divisive. Plus, when I got home, I exercised to warm up And I enjoyed it!

Thanks! I was enjoying how the Christmas and Festivus holidays coexist so merrily around the fireplace tonight.

Oops. I’m still burning here. Gonna have to give the new list of miracles some thought.

Hi, Kat. Good to meet you. My five minute exercises are bodyweight - things like push ups, planks, and step ups. I am trying to get rid of the “I don’t have time to exercise excuse.” Yes, I DO have five minutes a day! Hi Sal. Great to see you! Hi Terra. I even have my exercises written up on popsicle sticks so I can grab one (or two) a day without overthinking. It feels easy when I sit around thinking about it, but... My first week of the challenge has been garbage. Many cookies and much sitting around. Wait...does baking the cookies count as exercise? My rolling pin is made out of marble or some other heavy-like stone. At least I’m hitting the goal of checking in on the forums. I also managed to start a list of grievances for the mini challenge. I’m good at grievances! And now that I took five minutes to check in, I acknowledge that I have five more minutes to go pull an exercise stick. What will it be? Yes, I have time for push ups today!

Keeping the holidays happy with theses three rules: One and Gum. Enjoy the baked goods but eat just one. Then chew some gum. Repeat as necessary. Exercise. Add four more 5 minute sessions to the week. That brings me up from 7 last challenge to 11 this challenge. Check in on the forums twice a week. Week zero was rough, and I’m hitting a panic number on the scale. It is important to stay calm, keep improving slowly, and make it though the holidays.

Looks super cozy! The place AND Jackson, of course. You did an amazing job pulling it all together.

Hi TGP! I sympathize with your chicken woes, and it’s nice to find another chicken lover. I have a small flock, and they have altered the way I think about gardening. Chicken wire is named that for a reason! I am in south central Pennsylvania, so it’s zone 6B. We had our first frost in October, but some things lingered on until mid November. Carrots are pretty cold hardy, which is good because they take FOREVER to grow from seed In my garden. I’m hanging in there through the holidays. Thanksgiving was reasonable. I’ve only misses a couple days logging, and have been able to make up missed exercise so far. I’m running a little behind checking in on the forums, but I can still make it!

And I ate them all! Well, my family helped. Carrots were great in chicken noodle soup and roasted alongside a pork dish. My challenge is slow and steady. It was definitely a good idea to start small. I have seven exercises written on popsicle sticks, and I make sure I have emptied the can each week. I'm looking forward to scaling up by adding 3-4 sticks next challenge. Yoga is technically 30 minutes instead of 5, but it is written on one of my exercise sticks. Since I've done it three weeks in a row, I've noticed a difference in flexibility. I have hope! One day I will stretch all the way down into frog pose...or even children's pose, lol. In the meantime, thank goodness for yoga blocks!

How wonderful. It must be amazing when people love your work. So exciting to have lined up yet another exhibition. Greece sounds like a perfect place to show your work.

I’m in for a yoga mini. What better way to start off the new year. I wonder what fun twist awaits.

They will probably always remember that experience. Good for you for giving it your all. The epsom salt bath was well deserved!

I’ve been struggling a little this week, but I just made up my two delinquent exercise days. I feel better today, and less like a lump. Tracking meals is going pretty well. My log is filled all week. I’m feeling a little sore from putting my veggie garden to sleep for the winter, but harvesting the last of the carrots makes the soreness worthwhile. They look pretty dirty, but that keeps them fresher longer. They taste great honey-roasted!