March came in like a cold, wet, angry lion and today, at least, is going out like a frolicking springy lamb. 

We’re ignoring the snow in the forecast for Friday, mkay? I just refuse.

Mom came to Omaha for a short visit to help me cross the task of Baking Bread off my 33 Before 33 list.  We had such a lovely time together. I should be so lucky to age with such grace and beauty.

We followed the m-bird clouds home after spending a few days in Canada.  The few-and-far-between Starbucks along I-29 and I are getting to know each other quite well.  

Chad and I spent a lovely weekend in Denver with a buddy of ours, hiking a bit, eating a lot, trying all the beers and talking about all of the things.  I love going places with him.

What I’m reading
I linked up with Modern Mrs. Darcy to share books I’m reading in Twitter-inspired fashion. This month’s reads included The Husband’s Secret, The Magician’s Assistant, A Bride Most Begrudging, and Three Wishes.  Overall, I was not impressed.  Hopefully April’s selections will do better.

What I’m watching
I’m so happy to have my shows back!  Chad and I are all caught up on Scandal, and I’m still keeping up with Grey’s and Nashville.  Also unashamedly binge-watching Dance Academy during the dreaded laundry-folding.  You gotta do what you gotta do.

Around the web

I actually took this e-course in February, but the awesome community of women I connected with during the course has remained a tremendous source of encouragement, support and laughter, as we all navigate love and making it.  You (women) should totally take the course, too.  She’s even working on a course for engaged ladies and single women, too.  Sign up sign up!

Little things I’m loving

Springtime shoes with no socks!  The best.  Please excuse the ridiculous creamy pale whiteness.

I got new glasses, which I just adore, and which also manage to make me look just like my 9-year old self.

Fancy drinks!  We attended a craft bartending event this past weekend that was SO cool.  And delicious.

EDITED TO ADD:  And, I met my long-distance bestie’s long-distance boyfriend.  He’s pretty great.  They should both probably just move back to Omaha.  The end.

Adventures in Piggery

We celebrated National Ag Day/Week and I rounded up a bunch of my favorite aggie shots.  So pretty.
And I’m so grateful to those who work hard to provide a safe, abundant food supply for the world.

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I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for her What I’m Into series. Hop on over to her blog for more.

Oh, February, you sneaky little month. I stopped wearing a coat because it was sunny and almost 60*F one day and I refuse to acknowledge that it’s still cold. Again. Spring, I am SO ready for you.

In the mean time, snow boots, you saved my life. These babies were a spur-of-the-moment purchase for our Chicago trip to celebrate my bestie’s birthday. Holy snow, Windy City. Couldn’t have done it without the boots.

No birthday weekend is complete without a million pictures and nearly that many Bloody Marys. The best.

We celebrated another dear friend’s birthday with $1 margaritas, a cover band and lots of laughter.

And, we remembered that we’re sometimes terrible at taking photos together. But I do love him so.

What I’m reading
I linked up with Modern Mrs. Darcy to share books I’m reading in Twitter-inspired fashion. This month’s reads included The Rosie Project, The Friday Night Knitting Club, Sisterland, The Coal Tattoo and Bel Canto.  

What I’m watching
Sochi 2014, baby!  I have a not-so-secret love affair with a) Russian culture, b) Bob Costas and c) ice skating costumes.  LOVE the Olympics.  We devoured House of Cards S1 last winter, but haven’t found the perfect lazy Saturday to dig into S2 yet.  I’m trying to avoid reading spoilers but it’s not going so well.  Looking forward to Scandal, Nashville and Grey’s coming back after Olympics hiatus.  ALSO, I am loving Jimmy Fallon and his new late night shenanigans.  I never watched much Leno, but I’m cracking up at clips from Fallon’s new take on the show.

Around the web
We started a new nutrition plan that’s high on protein, high on exercise and high on scouring the web for nutrition data while we’re traveling.  I’ve been using and loving the My Fitness Pal app while Chad chose MyNetDiary Pro for its accommodation of a further breakdown of nutrients.  I’ve never spent so much time researching grams of protein in my life.  It’s kind of annoying, I’m not gonna lie.  Meal planning and shopping requires a ton more work, and I’m so bored of egg whites I could cry.  Actually, I have.  However, it’s also effective, and we’re both feeling like our pants are fitting better.  That’s really what it’s all about, kids.

Little things I’m loving

Popcorn is the perfect snack.  If I can’t decide what I want to eat, popcorn always hits the spot.  

These girlies had a very sweet and silly Valentine’s Day.

I cleaned out my purse and it feels so good.  #lifeunfiltered

The most awesome Throwback Thursday photo ever.  Sisters are the best.

Adventures in Piggery

We went to a tradeshow in Ohio, I had a photo shoot in a barn for a new product, I’m building a new website for our manufacturer, and I shared some thoughts about the importance of being brave in every day conversations.  We’re not all cut out for a Beyonce cover song, y’all.

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I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for her What I’m Into series. Hop on over to her blog for more.

We rang in the new year at home with a happy handful of our best and dearest, then we headed north to Canada in the middle of the Polar Vortex (said in the most ominous voice possible).

We spent a few days with our sweet friends at Crystal Spring Colony in Manitoba. I learned to make pierogi and my friend let me try on her traditional Hutterite dress and head scarf.

Chad and I joke occasionally about joining the colony once/if we have kids. There’s something so appealing about life lived in community, working together and caring for one another with such intentionality. I’d just keep all my opinions hidden under my skirts, I guess.

We hosted several Airbnb guests and I tried to get them all to read the Enneagram books.  I love opening our home to travelers in town, and I love even more my awesome cleaning girl that comes over once in a while to help get bedrooms ready for our guests.  She’s the best.  And she dusts.

These girls made the most of sunshiney days in their far away North Carolina home.  Despite our near daily phone chats, I miss my sister and I love watching her littles grow up together.

I started going to therapy and when I talk about it with my friends, I’m overwhelmed by their support and the choruses of “You too? Me, too!?”

What I’m reading
I linked up with Modern Mrs. Darcy this month to share books I’ve been reading in Twitter-inspired fashion.  My early January titles included Objects of My Affection by Jill Smolinski, He’s Gone by Deb Caletti, and Calling of Emily Evans by Jeanette Oke.  I also joined the Red Couch Book Club and finally started reading (and cheering along with) Jesus Feminist with the rest of the SheLovelies.

What I’m watching
Award shows all around!  I love red carpet coverage – especially when followed on Twitter.  Winter hiatus make it easy to stay caught up on shows (since there are none. Boo.), and I have a bone to pick with Hulu for changing the schedule of their free access to shows.  Not cool, Hulu.

Around the web
Consistent devotions have never been my strong suit, but I’ve loved reading along with She Reads Truth. The Fresh Start readings were, indeed, refreshing.  His mercies are new every morning.  His mercies never come to an end. 

Little things I’m loving

Treasure hunting at Anthro

Bringing home pretty blooms from Trader Joe’s.  Fresh and beautiful for only $4.  Love it.

Adventures in Piggery

January is show season so after our Canada trip we went to the frozen tundras of Minneapolis and Des Moines.  I covered the Minnesota show for SwineWeb.com.  It’s always fun to write for other sites, and gives me a different, more focused perspective on work.  I never thought I’d say this, but I kinda missed visiting hog barns this month.

February, it’s your turn now.

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I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for her What I’m Into series. Hop on over to her blog for more.

In the bleak mid-winter / Frosty wind made moan, / Earth stood hard as iron, / Water like a stone;/
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,/ Snow on snow, / In the bleak mid-winter / Long ago.

December came cold, freezing hard for the season and snow covered the ground.  Vacation melted into shopping and wrapping and planning and holiday celebrating and the days flew quickly.  Tough situations popped up at work and in our community and I pondered justice and grace and what does forgiveness really mean?  I wonder how earthly consequences and forgiveness look different from that of God and that’s the most subtweety paragraph I hope to ever write about a month.

Advent began December 01, this period of waiting, of expectation.  We were still in Europe for work, so we went to a candlelight Advent service at the York Minster.  God is not an Evangelical American, and I am never more confronted with that beautiful truth than when I attend a service in another country.

During Advent, I got into in a photo-a-day challenge on Instagram to rethink Christmas.  Daily prompts led to photos and reflection throughout the month and I enjoyed the process and discipline.  Above: Patience, Equality, Delight and Ready.  More over on Instagram.

We celebrated Christmas and then celebrated Christmas and then celebrated some more.  Christmas parties and Yankee Swap and Festivus galore. I’m so thankful for our friends who open their homes and generously invite others in.  We spent a couple of wonderfully relaxing days at my parents’ home in Kansas, where we did nothing but sit around, chat and eat snacks.  It was amazing.

What I’m reading
Ugh.  Unfortunately not much. I definitely bought more books than I actually read in December.  I’m also having all the need-to-read-more feelings with many of my favorite writer-bloggers posting their annual Favorite Book lists.  So let’s talk again in January, okay?  I’m looking forward to the She Loves book club kicking off, hosted by Leigh Kramer, who also hosts this little link up.  Good stuff.

What I’m watching
Yep, all the Christmas movies.  My worst-favorite so far?  A Princess for Christmas on Netflix, but I think it might have been a Hallmark movie.  You should totally watch it.  We’re still within the 12 days of Christmas, so it’s still the season.  No shame.  I’m all caught up on Grey’s and Nashville, but Husband and I are having scheduling conflicts with finding time to watch Scandal, so don’t tell me what happened in the mid-season finale!!

Around the web
I’ve really been enjoying Sarah Baker Hansen’s take on the Omaha food scene lately.  She’s the Food Critic for the Omaha World Herald and local foodie blogger.  Her approachable writing style and great taste in restaurants make her an easy one to love.  I’ve added an item to my not-actually-real bucket list: take part in a food prowl taste-off.

Little things I’m loving

Our house decorated for Christmas.  The greenery and lights and candles and little touches sprinkled about make the living room look so cozy and warm, and the whole thing took about an hour.  Plus, I only spent about $30 to add to what I got last year.  Budget bonus.

Clementines, mandarins, whatever.  They are delicious and they are addicting.  I can’t stop eating them.

My new blog header. My rockstar design friend Kelsey made it for me and I love it.  Also, I love her.

Adventures in Piggery

December snow turned plowed fields into chocolate crinkle cookies, just in time for Christmas.  There’s such beauty to be found in this season of bitter cold and dead and brown.  You just have to look for it.

Company board meetings were in early December.  It’s always humbling to watch the brilliant minds of the people on the board at work, and listen to their insights and wisdom on our company.  I’m grateful for the time they give.  We went to Gorat’s for dinner after meetings and saw Mr. Buffet, which is always fun.
Just one of the little perks of living in Omaha.  I’m so happy to call it home.

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I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for her What I’m Into series. Hop on over to her blog for more.

Edited because TV! How could I forget?

November was a whirlwind month, with getting ready to go on vacation, wrapping up some big projects at work, and hosting several guests in our home.  Autumn is my favorite season of all, with the grey skies and turning leaves, and November’s colors didn’t disappoint. I wondered if it was autumn in Horeb when Moses saw the burning bush, and I’m pretty sure God is in the fiery leaves in our neighborhood, too.

We kicked off the month with new iPads and stood in line on iPad day, cause we’re crazy people.  

iPad day was also Red Cup Day, plus our two year anniversary on the 4th.  So much to celebrate!  I’m so thankful for Chad and our marriage and all the hard and beautiful. We tried (and loved) a new restaurant downtown and had quite a lovely date night.

One of the best things about traveling for work is we occasionally end up in cities where our friends live. We were able to spend a night in Chicago in November and saw several good friends, including Ranae. So good to see her!  Love this girl.

What I’m reading
I’ve churned my way through several novels on the road this month, including The Art Forger (Shapiro), The Dinner (Koch), The Winter Palace (Stachniak) and The Memory Thief (Colin). The Winter Palace was probably my favorite, although my crush on all things tsarist Russian probably influenced that. I’m really enjoying the Overdrive app. There’s a lot of popular books that aren’t available, but that makes me choose lesser-known reads and branch out from the best seller list a bit.  I’ve read two Susan Wiggs novels on the trip, and I just bought Jen Hatmaker’s Seven on Kindle sale a few days ago, so hopefully I’ll get through that in December.

What I’m watching
Husband and I watch Scandal together, and we just finished Orange is the New Black (so good!). I’ve been keeping up with Grey’s, Nashville, and a slew of ABC Family Original movies while I fold laundry. Can’t wait to get lost in all the fake boyfriends and family drama of bad Christmas movies. More cheese = more better.

Little things I’m loving
My black boots. I forfeited my Secret Dollars (my small personal discretionary budget, for which I owe Chad no explanation for how I spend it) for two months to buy a pair of black riding boots this fall. And I love them. Totally worth the Secret Dollar sacrifice.

My new iPad Mini. It’s small and cute and has a pretty red cover. And it fits perfectly in my purse and it’s easier to hold. Love it.

All Christmas music all the time. ‘Tis the season (finally) and I’m all about it.

Instagram. I used to use it just for a photo filter, but I recently turned my feed public (@annawastell) and it’s so fun.

Adventures in Piggery
We wrapped up a photo shoot, toured a handful of South Americans around a farm in Illinois, took a long drive to Ohio & Kentucky, and Chad spent a long day fixing feeders in an Iowa barn while I fought a slow data connection and tried to send emails.  This is our life.

Travel
We left on the 20th, bound for Ireland, Scotland, England and Holland.  Part vacation and part work.  We spent Thanksgiving in St Andrews, Scotland, visiting an old friend who is studying under NT Wright.  All kinds of jealous over here.  It was fun to celebrate the holiday with an American, and we had some great discussions about life and faith and theology.  

We’re back in Homaha on Friday. It will be good to be home.

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I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for her What I’m Into series, which celebrates its birthday this month. Hop on over to her blog for more.