5 Essentials for Productivity

November has been so hectic for me. I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, trying to keep up with orders in my ever-growing Etsy shop, and also keeping on top of blogging. Oh, and did I mention that I'm hosting my first Thanksgiving dinner next week when my family comes in town? Yeah... November has been crazy. 

Because of that, I am here today to share my five essentials of productivity. I love hearing what other people to to stay focused on the task at hand, so I thought I'd share a little of my wisdom... or at least what works for me! 

5 ESSENTIALS FOR PRODUCTIVITY

1. CAFFEINE. This one is self explanatory. If I don't have my coffee, I'm not productive. It's as simple as that. I like coffee in all ways, as long as it's not decaf. I usually drink it black, but I am a sucker for espresso and fancy drinks from coffee shops as well. I usually have two cups a day. I know coffee (or even caffeine in general) is not for everyone, but I would be totally unproductive without it. 

2. GET ORGANIZED. This one sounds simple, but there are several things I do to achieve this. First, I make sure my work space is clear. If I have stuff all over the place, I'm more likely to get distracted. Then, I make a to-do list (every morning) with everything I need to get done that day - in no particular order. Finally, I make a schedule. To do this, I write out the specific times I want to be done with certain tasks. I give myself adequate time to finish each thing, making sure that I accomplish all of the items that need to be done. 

3. CREATE GOALS. This one I stole from four years of teaching and setting goals. We always had to make SMART goals, and that's what I try to apply to everything I do, whether it's writing, my work in my Etsy shop, or anything else that needs to be done. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound. So instead of saying "I want to sell 30 items in my shop", I would say, "By the end of November 2014, I will sell 30 sets of magnets as measured by my online shop."

4. ACTIVE BREAKS. Yes, I said breaks. In order to STAY productive, I have to stop what I'm doing every once in a while and take breaks. Instead of just sitting at my computer, though, I like to do something active. I'm not talking about exercising - that would be TOO long of a break. I mean walking around the house picking up a few things along the way or loading / unloading the dishwasher. Whatever you can do to get away from the task and do something without thinking too much should work. 

5. SET TIMERS. Some people say they need to leave their phones in another room so they don't check Instagram or Facebook while working, but I use my iPhone to my advantage. I set timers whenever I start working, and I don't allow myself to stop for any reason (barring emergency) until that timer goes off. Sometimes, I set it for only 15 minutes. Sometimes, it's an hour. I decide based on how much I need to accomplish at the time.

I recently got my caffeine fix at Starbucks when they were running a buy one get one free holiday drink promotion! Don't worry - I did share a little bit with my husband! 

• What do you do to stay focused?
• Has your November been as busy as mine?

Blog Planning - What Do YOU Do?

Blog planning is something that is on my mind often.

I think about the topics I want to post about. I try to decide when the best time to post about said topics would be. I make lists on paper. I make lists on my MacBook Pro. I cross out, and I draw arrows. It's a very confusing system I have.

The best way to plan that I have found for myself is setting up a calendar in Microsoft Word. Then, I just fill in the topics I want to post about on which days. I aim for a post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but that doesn't always work out.

After I have my schedule made for the month, I begin writing my posts. I do them sporadically - whenever I feel something strongly, I know it's time to write about it. Yes, I sometimes force myself to cover topics I once felt would be good and later end up not really caring about, but more often than not, I only post about topics when I feel like it. If I'm scheduled to post a recipe or book review, but I'd rather just post a life update or share photos from Instagram, I will put the recipe or book review on the back burner for a few days.

Do you have a better system for blog planning? If so, I would LOVE to hear your ideas! If I receive enough, I will make another post soon sharing the ideas and linking back to your blogs! 

The Impact of Blogging {Blogtember Challenge}

Thursday, September 12th Prompt: Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.

Has social media changed me?

Well, I wouldn't say that I'm a different person because of blogging, but I do feel that my mind has been clearer since I started this blog. It's been a wonderful experience sharing my thoughts and feelings about different topics with the people around me.

I have also branched out this year, and I started looking for military spouse blogs to follow. Since I marry Dan in less than a year, I really wanted to see what married life is like in the Air Force... but instead of just following Air Force blogs, I decided to make friends from all of the different branches of service. It has been so nice seeing what to expect in the future, and I have started talking more to a few of the ladies.

I'm so happy that I decided to create a new blog after I finished my Always Write 2012 Project. Writing is my favorite thing to do -- no matter what. I ALWAYS makes me feel better, so I try to fit it in daily, even if it isn't always on the blog.

So tell me, has blogging or social media changed YOU?
If so, how? 

If I Were To Win the Lottery... (52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose)

If you'v been following my blog, you will know that I've been participating in a weekly link-up with From Mrs. to Mama. This post is about a week late (oops), but forgive me. This topic is a fun one, and I'm excited to write it all out!

If I Were To Win the Lottery, Five Things I'd Buy

1. Donate (significantly) to Serenity Springs Wildlife Center. 

Serenity Springs is a wonderful organization in Calhan, Colorado, just thirty minutes from Colorado Springs. They take in mostly large cats, but they have bears and a few others animals as well.

Their mission states: "Through educational programs and community outreach, we strive to raise public awareness of the existence of the large numbers of captive wildlife and the continuing need for sanctuary from exploitation, abuse and neglect. Through introduction to, and education about these magnificent creatures, we promote compassion and respect for all animals while fostering recovery for endangered species."

It is SUCH an amazing place. They do so much for the animals, and the entire staff is so friendly. If you'd like to look into them more or donate, check them out at their website:

Serenity Springs Wildlife Center

I have been twice, and I got to hold a baby tiger each time! If you're ever in the area, seriously check them out. They are WONDERFUL, and it's pretty cool getting to play with the cute little babies! 

2. Buy a home. 

I don't know where exactly this home would be. Ideally, I would like to own a place in Colorado... close to Colorado Springs (either in the city, in Black Forest, or in Woodland Park). Being a (soon-to-be) military spouse, I probably own't have the opportunity to own a home for many, many years. When we can own one, though, it will definitely have a cupula for me to read in, like the house pictures below.

I love everything about this house! So cute! 

3. Buy a new car.

I love my 2006 Ford Escape. It's like my baby. That said, I would upgrade to something newer and bigger if I had the money. I think I'd go with a Ford Explorer (I will always buy Ford). It's big enough for all of our outdoor needs and trips with the cats, and it's also so nice looking and not TOO big.

I really like how sporty these look! This is the 2014 Explorer. 

4. Invest in a cleaning service. 

You all know: I HATE CLEANING. No, it's more than that. I loathe it. I NEVER want to do it. It is NOT enjoyable AT ALL... in ANY WAY. I really really really passionately HATE it. I always have, and I likely always will. I DREAD cleaning... no matter what it is. Dan has to practically beg me to clean my own house. It's awful. Yes, I do feel a little better when my house is clean, but... it's not THAT big of a worry to me. I hate the thought of even thinking of cleaning. Ick.

I would probably need two cleaners. I am a pretty messy person, after all. 

5. Buy an airplane for Dan -- a PINK one!

Everyone knows Dan wants to own his own plane. He's had his Private Pilot's License for longer than his Driver's License. It's his passion... and it would make travel much more efficient if we could fly instead of drive everywhere. I'm not a big fan of flying, but it would save us a lot of time... so I'd go with it. My one stipulation, though? It needs to be pink. Dan would complain and complain, but he would cave in because it would be a FREE airplane (and of course free fuel for life! Duh!). Who wouldn't want to be seen flying in this bad boy? :)

This looks way cooler than your average Cessna...

It's always fun thinking about what you would buy if you had all the money in the world! 

What would YOU choose to buy?

My Biggest Weakness (52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose)

Today marks week number four of my link-up with From Mrs. to Mama for the 52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose!

You may check out my other posts ON THIS SECTION OF MY BLOG if you're interested; it's a pretty fun link-up, so I highly recommend participating! :)

This week's topic is my biggest weakness... so here we go.

My Biggest Weakness

This one is easy to answer, unfortunately. I am VERY aware of my biggest weakness. It's something I'm working on, but it's still glaringly there in front of me:

PATIENCE -- or rather a lack-thereof.

My lack of patience affects me in several ways.

1. People. If I arrive somewhere on time, and I end up waiting for someone, I really don't like it. I know most people in the world are not on my time schedule, but hey, I can wish.

2. Surprises. I LOVE surprises, but waiting to find out what they are KILLS me. I don't have the patience for it! Example: Dan is planning our honeymoon for next summer. He has already booked some of it. He won't tell me where we're going. He says I'll find out when we get there... so yes, BEST surprise EVER, I'd say, but do I REALLY have to be PATIENT for THAT LONG?!?!

3. The Military. Since my fiancé is in the Air Force, it's tough running on THEIR time all the time. They will tell him he can leave at a certain time, and then it doesn't happen. My patience runs thin then. I hate having to wait for him all the time...

But I will say that my biggest patience isn't the worst thing in the world. I know that. It's just the reason that I am *ALWAYS* that person who carries a book with her -- AT ALL TIMES. You never know when you're going to end up waiting!

My Life Five Years From Now (52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose)

I am continuing to participate in the 52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose, a link up that From Mrs. to Mama is hosting in the blog-world. Like I've previously mentioned, I won't be able to write about each week's topic because some simply do not pertain to me, but this week's does! I will tell all about how I picture my life to be five years from now.

If you'd like to check out my first two posts from this link up, you can see them HERE (Who I Am) and HERE (Ten Things I Live For).

My Life Five Years From Now

Age: In five years, I will be *gasp* 30, and Dan will be 29.

Where We'll Be: We could be living anywhere in the world by then. Dan will be graduated from USAFA, finished with pilot training, and flying an airplane (who knows which one?) by then. He will be a Captain in the US Air Force by then, and we will have lived in a few different places at that point. It's hard to predict where we'll be, but let's keep our fingers crossed for Germany. ;)

Family Life: We'll have our two cats, Gilligan and Stormy (though they will be aging by then, which breaks my heart to think about) and at least one dog that we plan on adopting next summer after our wedding. Hopefully by then we won't have just four legged children, as we'll be getting old as well. Hopefully we'll have a Baby Cookie or two by then! (Last name Cook... funny? No? I like it.)

Relationship: Dan and I will be celebrating FOUR years of marriage at that point and NINE years of being a couple! That is SO crazy to think about, but it makes me happy.

Career: If we are living somewhere for a long time, I may be teaching. However, if we have those Baby Cookies by then, I likely will not be working outside the home any longer. We'll see, though. This is something I go back and forth on ALL THE TIME. I think we'll just have to see what is best for our family at the time. I do love my job, though, so we'll just see.

Health: I hope to still be running and eating well at 30! That's a goal for the longterm, actually. I want to be that old lady you see running 5Ks! I will have completed a full marathon by then (hopefully while I'm 26, actually), and I hope we will live somewhere that has fun races all the time like Colorado Springs does. Dan and I love being active together, and I don't see that changing.

Travel: As a military spouse (not yet but next May!), I hope I will have the opportunity to see much of the world. I can't wait for our honeymoon next year, though part of that is top secret information (aka Dan is surprising me) because I'm sure I'll get to see a lot of things I have never experienced living in the USA my whole life. Our goal is to travel abroad every even year, and we have a savings plan to make that happen!

10 Things I Live For (52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose)

Last week, I began a weekly link-up with From Mrs. to Mama. It's a 52 week series of blogging with a purpose. You can check out my Who I Am post by CLICKING HERE (warning: there are a LOT of pictures).

This week's prompt is: "10 Things I Live For", and it was a lot tougher to think of what to write than I'd previously thought it would be. It wasn't difficult to come up with things, but I did not want to repeat many things from my Who I Am post last week... so I tried my best to vary it.

1. Quality Time With Dan

Being in a relationship with someone in the military is oftentimes similar to being in a relationship while in middle school. You don't get much time together, and there are all kinds of rules. As much as it sucks not having Dan around all the time, we have certainly learned how to spend our time together and to not take that time for granted. When we have the opportunity to hang out, we try to make the most of it!

We have a lot of fun together! :) 

2. Making Memories

Like I just mentioned, Dan and I always use our time together to do really fun and exciting things (okay, so maybe not always, but we sure try). Naturally, doing those fun and exciting things leads to many amazing memories. I love looking back on all of the cool things we've done!

This photo is from the Air Force Academy Ring Dance that was a month ago exactly! That night/weekend will remain one of my favorite memories for a long, long time. 

3. Learning

Yes, I know I'm a teacher, but I would love to be a lifelong student. Learning is a passion of mine, and I am always trying to learn new things. I recently started re-learning French on a great website (Duolingo.com), which is free and fun!

I bought a new notebook and a new pack of my favorite pens before attending a writing conference in February -- I wish I could go to more events like that to learn new things!

4. Making a Difference

One thing I am always trying to do is to make a difference in others' lives. Naturally, that happens in the classroom, but I do like to extend that goal to other areas of my life as well. I love reaching out to people who need help, and if there's nothing else I can do, I aspire to be that person who can give a pep-talk. Dan says mine are great, and he has been a frequent recipient of them.

A couple of my sweet students from this past school year :) 

5. Fur Babies

My two cats, who I still adoringly refer to as kittens (though they are definitely not), are my life. That may make me sound a bit crazy, but I am always thinking about Stormy and Gilligan when I am away from them. I try to love on them as much as I can, and they follow me around everywhere. I love my little sidekicks!

These two love lounging in the sun :) 

6. My Health

As difficult as it is sometimes, I try to make my health a priority. I have always been active and involved in sports, but it's a whole different ballgame as an adult. I don't want to end up with diabetes like my mom or have a heart attack like my dad, so I try my very best to eat well and exercise as much as possible. Of course I have my lazy days where I don't go for a run, and of course I eat my fair share of desserts and fried foods, but when I think about my future, it makes decision making much easier.

I juice almost every single day. The one pictures includes carrot, celery, cucumber, orange, lemon, and apple, but sometimes I add lettuce, kale, peach, lime, etc. 

7. Alone Time

I used to dread alone time. I didn't like when Dan had to be somewhere because I didn't know how to fill my time. Now, I almost look forward to it sometimes. I have gotten far more comfortable with being in my own company, and I even enjoy it much of the time now. I make things to put around the house, create things for our wedding, read, write, go out to eat alone, etc. I'm really glad I have grown into spending time with myself.

This is an incomplete craft that will be displayed at our wedding and in our future home; it is just one example of how I fill my time alone.

8. The Great Outdoors

You want to know what makes me feel free like nothing else? Spending time with Mother Nature. Colorado is the best for this (or at least it was before all of the fires), and I can't wait to go on more hikes this fall. It's a great feeling conquering an obstacle, and the beauty of the outdoors always leaves me breathless.

I felt like I was on top of the word after Dan and I hiked to the Pancake Rocks formation in Teller County, CO last fall.

9. Finding Happiness

I'm a happy, cheerful person. I've always been this way. I can't help it. Some would say I'm easy to please. Others would say I'm easily amused. I would say that I simply CHOOSE to be happy. Life is what you make it, and I am constantly searching for further happiness. Life has a lot to offer, and I am bound and determined to take advantage of that!

Sometimes all you need to be happy are a glass of wine, a good book, and a sunset over the mountains! 

10. Capturing Memories

If you've spent any amount of time with me at all, you know that I take a lot of pictures. No, I'm not a professional, and no, I don't have a nice camera. I am usually snapping photos with my iPhone. I just LOVE capturing memories. I have this irrational fear that I will lose my memory one day (thanks, The Notebook), and I want to be able to look back and see what I did with my life.

This is only a portion of the magnets I have made out of photos for my fridge. I have since added another three or four rows, and I'm running out of space! 

Well, that's it. You now know ten of the most important things in my life.

Who I Am (52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose)

I recently came across a blog with a link-up for "52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose". While I won't be able to participate in the prompts every week (as some of them pertain to being a wife or mother, and I am neither of those), I still want to answer some of the prompts for fun. The link-up is found at From Mrs. to Mama, and she has provided 20 weeks of prompts already. Like I said, I'll do the ones I can, and hopefully this will be fun!

So, who am I?  Yes, I am Janelle, but who am I REALLY? Read on to find out!

I am a military fiancée.

I am lucky enough to be engaged to the love of my life, who just happens to be a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. We've been together for almost four and a half years, and he proposed to me in a hot air balloon in the summer of 2011. Our wedding is next May, and planning is stressful but fun. Since Dan is in the military, we don't get to spend all of our time together like many couples. We have dealt with long distance. We have dealt with being close, yet unable to see each other. We have written love letter after love letter, and we have never spent more than a few weeks (consecutively) together. Being in a military relationship is tough work, but the rewards are great.

Dan proposed in a hot air balloon on July 7, 2011

this is my handsome fiancé, and I am so lucky to call him mine

we take way too many pictures together

I am a daughter.

I was born on July 22, 1987. I grew up in Raytown, Missouri, a suburb of greater Kansas City. My family was pretty close. We went out to dinner, watched movies, played games at home, and swam a lot. I hope my future family is as close as mine was growing up.

at Cave of the Winds on a trip to Colorado Springs in 1996. It was on this trip that I knew I wanted to live there, and now my dream is a reality.

my mom and brother visited me in the summer of 2012 for my 25th birthday, and this was taken at Seven Falls in Colorado Springs

I am a sister.

On July 16, 1991, almost four years exactly after I was born, my brother entered the world. Derek and I haven't always gotten along. We were siblings, after all. We fought and argued ALL THE TIME. We have a pretty decent relationship now, though, and it is getting better all the time. We've outgrown the days of chasing each other around the backyard with plastic baseball bats, and now we enjoy going to baseball games together instead. :)

we may look nothing alike, but we share the Vannice temper for sure ;)

I am a kitty mama. 

I have had cats my entire life. No, seriously. My parents had one when I was born, and I don't think a day passed without at least one furry feline in the house with me. When I moved away to college (less than an hour away but in my own place nonetheless), it was empty without a furry friend. After living in the dorms for one year, I moved into an apartment and promptly adopted my little black and white guy, Gilligan. I brought him home from the animal hospital I was working at on July 31, 2007, and he was a tiny little thing. I thought he needed a friend, so I adopted Stormy in November of 2011. They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. The fight like real siblings, but they always cuddle together afterward to make up. These two always make me smile.

my big butted boy and tiny little girl

love them to pieces

I am a teacher.

When I graduated from high school, I thought I wanted to be either a news anchor or a veterinarian. Both of those fell to the wayside, and I pursued my real dream of reading and writing and changed my major to English. When I realized how impractical it was to get a degree with no uses, I tacked on education and decided I could be a teacher. I'm so glad that I did. Working with teenagers is something that will never get old because each day is vastly different from the last. Building relationships and guiding teenagers to a better future is something that I definitely enjoy.

the amazing school I teach at :)

part of my classroom -- well, old classroom. We have moved a couple times. 

writing stuff :)

I love all the quotes I keep up everywhere

I always enjoy making things for my students, like these pencil tags I made for Valentine's Day

I am a Christian.

Growing up, I didn't go to church. I wasn't religious. I didn't even believe in God. But now I do, and I enjoy going to an amazing Methodist church in Colorado Springs with Dan. We also recently did a Bible study with Dan's sponsor parents, Mike and Ellen, which was really great. Over the past semester, we also attended a marriage class through our church, and we learned a lot.

the Community Bible Experience is AMAZING and well worth your time

this is the book Dan and I used for our marriage class at church

these are on canvases; I made them to hang on the wall

I am a runner. 

I started running early in life, but I didn't do it competitively until middle school when I joined the cross country team. Just because I raced on a team does not mean I was good. I wasn't. I'm still not. I'm slower than a turtle, but running is fun for me. It's something I dread doing until I'm actually doing it. It's something the takes my stress levels way down. Without running, I don't know what  would do.

Aaron and I before and after the Color Run in August of 2012

Dan and I before and after the Dirty Dash in September of 2012

Dan and I after the Glow run in April of 2013

I am a reader.

I always have been a bookworm. I don't even remember learning to read I was so young. I remember volunteering to read aloud in Kindergarten, and I LOVED talking, so it was great. I was always the girl with her nose in a book. Although I loved playing outside as a child, some of my best memories are curled up on the couch with a good book. My mom bought me books ALL THE TIME. She never said no to reading. I was a regular at the library, and I always participated in the summer reading contests for free books. I'm glad that I still enjoy reading just as much. My goal for the year is to read 36 books by December 31st. I am currently at 23 for the year, so I am well on track to reach that goal!

I rarely by hard copies of books anymore because my Nook is so easy to order books on, but when Jodi Picoult books come out, I always buy them hardcover and read them right away. Gilligan is the best reading buddy out there.

My Nook goes EVERYWHERE with me. No, really... it does. 

This picture may be my favorite one of myself EVER. It sums me up so well. It was taken on the way to senior prom in 2006. For some reason, we all stopped at Barnes & Noble to kill time, and hey, I'm glad we did! 

I am a writer.

Writing is what makes me feel my very best. I have always been proficient at it. I learned before Kindergarten, and I haven't stopped since. Sometimes I write for fun; sometimes I write for work. I ALWAYS enjoy it, though. One of my biggest accomplishments is writing an entire novel. I wrote it in 2010 as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and I am so happy with it. I have been editing is slowly but surely (editing is not nearly as enjoyable as writing), and I hope to try to publish it in the future. Instead of just writing fiction, though, I also enjoy blogging about events that have happened in my life and just jotting down random notes. It's a passion for me.

My favorite place to work on my writing is at La Baguette in downtown Colorado Springs. They have the best cheese and fruit plate, and their café lattés are exceptional. 

My Macbook Pro is amazing. I couldn't be as efficient without it, and I am thankful that I have it. 

I am a crafter.

Now, this isn't something I'm amazing at. I just enjoy creating things in my spare time (wait -- spare time? I don't have any of that. I make time for relaxing activities to chill out in the evenings during the school year). My work isn't great, but I enjoy it. I am eventually going to open up an Etsy shop (maybe sooner rather than later -- I'm working on it). In the meantime, I will just decorate my own house with fun projects, and that's good enough for me.

I love painting on canvases. I wish my handwriting was a little better, but it will do!

I have several of these canvases with motivational quotes, and I keep them in my basement where I work on my writing. I love the colorful inspiration! 

I am a super-fan. 

You know those girls who don't want anything to do with football, mud, dirt, running around, etc? Yeah, I'm NOT one of them. Football is in my blood. I bleed red and yellow for the Kansas City Chiefs. When I was growing up, my parents had season tickets to Chiefs games. I often went along, and I had a BLAST tailgating in the parking lot and watching some good fun football. As with football, I also grew up with baseball. The Royals have never been fantastic, but their games are so much fun. Now that I live in Colorado, I REFUSE to be a Broncos fan. I mean, let's get real. They are one of the biggest rivals to my beloved Chiefs. However, Rockies games are fun, and so are Sky Sox games, the minor league team based in Colorado Springs. I also can't leave out the Air Force Falcons. Those games are always a good time!

Dan's first Chiefs game in December of 2012 -- it was a lot of fun showing him around Arrowhead Stadium!

Royals game with some of my best friends in June of 2012

Sky Sox game with my mom and brother in July of 2012 -- Sox the Fox looks pretty great! ;)

Rockies game in July of 2012 with Dan; we had a blast! Oh, and I think that dark green tank top was my "baseball shirt" last year because I am wearing it in all three game photos... oops.

Air Force football -- I don't go for good college ball (I'll leave that to Mizzou), but the games are always a blast, even when it's freezing cold. 

I am a vegetarian.

As soon as I found out where meat comes from, I was disgusted. I had pet cats at home and was told to treat them nicely but then also told it was okay to eat a cow. That is completely backwards to me, as they are both animals. Psychologically, I just can't do it. As a child, I tried several times to be a vegetarian. It wasn't easy in a house full of meat-eaters who BBQed ALL THE TIME. When I went to college, however, I realized I wasn't eating meat anyway (because I would NEVER tough raw meat to cook it, so I only had it when I ate at restaurants), so I gave it up cold turkey (not funny? okay). It's now been over five years since I've eaten meat, and I feel great about that choice!

This is my normal loot from the grocery store each week. No, I don't eat all of that produce on my own; I make juice with a lot of it, which is delicious and nutritious! 

Vegetarian chili is so good. Seriously. I hated chili when I ate meat, but beans and veggies are a winning combo! 

Who says being a vegetarian is boring? Upper left: veggie/fruit sushi and edamame; upper right: grilled squash filled with  creamy garlic/herb cheese; bottom left: vegan black bean soup (so good!) and a French baguette; bottom right: homemade macaroni and cheese with sautéed onions and garlic

... and now all of my faithful readers know a little bit more about me. I know that was a LOT of information to take in. Hopefully next week's prompt won't be QUITE as long. I hope you weren't too terribly bored. ;)