I am grateful for cooler weather.

(Photo c/o of Instagram: First "sweater day" of the season. Follow me @carlifries84)

Im from South Texas where the days are sweltering and the nights are... well... sweltering too. As much as I love those long summer days, I can't deny my excitement for the autumn season! The past couple of days have felt so nice. Its almost time for light sweater wearing days! I have a box full of sweaters that I am dying to wear. If only cooler weather wasn't followed by freezing weather so that I wouldn't be so sad that the winter is almost here. I suppose I'll just have to soak as much of this in as I can.

Carli

P.S. This was meant to be posted yesterday... but my internet sucks a lot, and it wouldn't do it until today. :(

Grateful to be together again.

As amazing as the summer was, I really missed all of my besties. Ashley (left) was back home in Canada, Courtney (right) stayed in Salt Lake, and I of course was in Texas. We were separated by a very large expanse of land. It is way nice to be back together again.
Yesterday morning I went to the Salt Lake farmers market with Courtney. When I decided to move to Texas for the summer I was really sad that I would be missing the farmers market. I am so glad I was able to go at least once. I even got some homemade rose perfume! It has always been my dream to smell like roses, but I could never find the perfect scent. The best part is that the seller only had a tester of rose perfume, so she sold me that one for half the price!

After the farmers market we met up with Ashley, Ben (Courtney's husband), Tabby (my new roommate), Phillip, and Robert (the brothers that drove to Utah with me). We had a picnic at Liberty park in Salt Lake. It has to be one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen. The place was busy with parties, music, carnivals, games, sports, dogs, canoes, and food. It was the perfect day. After eating some good food we did a little ice blocking. If your not familiar with ice blocking: You sit on a large block of ice and slide down a steep hill. Its the perfect sport for a hot summer day. Observe: 

As much as I miss Texas, I know that I am where I need to be. I am grateful for the friends that make Utah my temporary home and their love and support. My friends are definitely the best thing about Utah.

Carli

When summer comes to an end.

Today is my last day of summer. It's sad that the day has consisted of packing and running errands. It's also sad that the day has been more stressful than needed. Moving isn't really fun. At all. 

I wish that summer could go on forever, but thats not it's purpose. Summers are to refresh, renew, and inspire. I have been reflecting on mine and how well I spent my time. At first, I was upset because I didn't complete all the goals on my summer to-do list. While I did do a lot, it wasn't what I had planned. As I sat there criticizing myself for all the moments I spent reading, laying in the sun, watching TV, and hanging out with friends; I realized something. Thats exactly what I needed. I didn't need to spend my days obsessively perfecting my business, perfecting my blog, perfecting my appearance, and so on. While those are all wonderful things to accomplish, I needed to relax and let myself be inspired by simple things. Towards the beginning of the summer I was at a creative road block. I felt so uninspired. I couldn't figure out why. Now I know that it was because after the school semester ended (the worst school semester ever) I hardly let myself take a break. As sad as I am for the summer to end, I am ready. I am inspired. I am happy. I am prepared. I am determined. 

Then I started wondering what I have done this summer. Surely I must have done something amazing. Surely I must completed a big goal. It took me a while to realize just how big of a step forward that I have taken. 

-> I de-cluttered my life! I got rid of a ton of stuff that I don't need, and put a bunch of stuff that I want but don't need now in the attic! Just in time for my new apartment with five roommates. 

-> I discovered what beautiful feels like. I think that this is the biggest accomplishment of my summer. I let go of a lot of insecurities and learned to embrace "me". 

-> I successfully baked a pie and everyone loved it! Learn how to make it HERE.

-> I started to be more grateful for the blessings in my life. It's a work in progress.

-> I made some really amazing friends.

-> I celebrated my three year baptism anniversary. 

-> I loved being home with my family.

The list goes on, and on, and on. This summer has been one of the best. It has been ground breaking. It was needed. I am grateful for this summer and look forward to the next (which I hope I will be spending in London!!!!). If I learned anything this summer, it is that sometimes plans don't pan out. Sometimes you don't get very far on your goal list. Sometimes you spend more time watching Arrested Development than creating. But thats ok, because you come back as ready as ever. 

Thank you summer for being amazing.

Carli

Today I am grateful for simplicity.

The past several years of my life have been anything but simple. There have been so many times that stressed has literally made me sick. As fun as the college life can be, it can also be the hardest. It's a time when I am learning how to cope with the struggles that arise during adulthood. I know that it is only going to get harder, but at times I feel like nothing could get worse. I am grateful for these experiences that I have had because I feel stronger. Each that trial I have overcome now feels like a distant memory that reminds me of where I have come from and where I am going. As excited as I am about the future, I can't not be grateful for these times when my life has been simpler. I am grateful for this simple summer. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to relax. Don't get me wrong, I am not sitting around all day doing nothing. I am working hard to save, build important relationships, strengthen my faith, and take little steps towards my goals. It has been a wonderful calm before the storm of next semester. Who knows when my next "Simple Summer" will be, or if I even have another, so I am trying to take advantage of this one. Simplicity is key.

Carli

Today I am grateful for the little things.

One of my new years resolutions was to be better at recognizing the blessings in my life. It is so easy to recognize the bigger blessings, but I have noticed that I have often forgotten the little ones. I relate this to the little jar on my shelf that I put my tip money in. I have been putting a little bit of change to a couple dollars into that jar each day since the beginning of the summer. It has been so exciting to watch this little jar be filled to the brim. It has gotten to the point where I need to find a bigger jar. At then end of the summer when I empty out that jar and count up all the money, I will know that it came from my hard work. Essentially what I am trying to get at, is that every penny counts. Every blessing counts. The little things count.

A few of the little things that I have recognized:
-> communication
-> music
-> laughter
-> safety
-> smiles
-> books
-> Christian Bale
-> kittens at play
-> hobbies
-> talents
-> my body
-> Revlon lip butter
-> tv show quotes
-> inside jokes
-> blogging
-> knick knacks
-> cake
-> air
-> time
-> health
-> friendship
-> happiness in simplicity

When I have those days where nothing seems to go right, remembering the little things helps me to realize that, as bad as it may seem, I still have a lot to be thankful for.

Carli

Today I am Grateful for Family.

Living so far away from home has helped me to appreciate my family better. I don't know what I would do without them. Friday night we had a family night and went out to dinner and then to see the movie Brave. I didn't realize how much I had missed those little family outings while I was away.

Carli

Today I am grateful for... Sunshine

Sunshine!

I have noticed that I go through out my days and complain about all the little things that go wrong without being grateful for all the little things that go right. Every night I go to bed thinking about how much I hope tomorrow is better but am not thankful for anything of the good in my day. Focusing on the bad has made me depressed. I made a pact with myself that I would be optimistic and look at each day and remember the good and the bad (because learning from mistakes is needed). So each Sunday I want to list at least one thing that i am grateful for! Feel free to join me!

Even though it's incredibly hot (and only going to get hotter) I am loving the sunshine. Nothing gives me life like a little bit of sun on my skin. My favorite time of day is in the evening when the sun is no longer right over head. It's the magic hour. You get just enough sun to feel alive and it's not too hot. Actually. It's about that time right now. I think I am going to go outside and enjoy it. Maybe even ride my bike! What are you grateful for?

Carli

Thanksgiving.

My first Thanksgiving away from home. I don’t like not being with my family for the one day a year that my dad will eat bird, the one day a year that my mom makes pumpkin pie, and the one week a year that I get to eat multitudes of left over turkey. Here are just a few of the many things I am grateful for.

1. I am grateful that I didn’t have to spend Thanksgiving alone. Thanks Ashley and your wonderful family for sharing your delicious food with me!

2. I am grateful for my family and friends and the love and support they give me.

3. I am grateful for my talents.

4. I am grateful for my trials and flaws.

5. I am grateful that my hardest trials are small in comparison to others.

6. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to make and follow my dreams.

7. I am grateful for the beauty of the earth, and the way the night sky takes my breath away.

8. I am grateful for my abilities.

9. I am grateful for my past and future.

10. I am grateful for this body that allows me to accomplish all the many things that I set out to do.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Carli