Finishing What You've Started

Does anyone struggle with finishing what you've started? This has been a long time struggle for me, whether it is the "juice fast" that I started and gave up on day three or the exercise routine I was determined to stick with...until I wasn't sticking anymore. Finishing what you've started is not always easy, but it is necessary. We always hear those cliche mantras' like "Never Give Up", "Persistence is Key", and so.many.more. Sometimes, they leave me feeling like a failure and they often remind me of how many times I've given up on good intentions or just got "bored" of continuing something. WELL, if you couldn't tell, that is what happened with this blog!

About 6 years ago, I started a blog! It was all about fitness, healthy eating, cooking, and my life in San Diego, CA. Eventually, my desire to continue with it fizzled out and I stopped posting. Guilt followed, disappointed in myself that I, once again, couldn't quite get myself together to finish something. Sometimes there are no reasons why I don't finish what I start, but it just happens. Of course this isn't a daily occurrence. I mean, I can finish a load of laundry or a pile of dishes! It just seems that is the big, hard, and important things that I tend to lose sight of and end up not finishing!  Well, after much persistence and determination, I will be graduating with my Bachelor's in Education this Fall and I am beyond excited. I never thought I would see this day approaching and am starting to rejoice in the fact that I am going to be FINISHING something...something big, something important, something hard.

You know what else is amazing? God always finishes what he starts! Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns"(NLT). This is so amazing to me and just happens to be another aspect of God that I so adore! When He begins something, he sees it through every.single.time. This gives me hope that the work He is doing in my life is going somewhere and that I can rest in his plan for my life. I can trust that He is working in my life and YOU can trust that he is working in yours! So, maybe you've given up on something you started and you are feeling regret or guilt? Or, maybe it is time to start something NEW and see it through this time? Be encouraged today that as we are made in God's image, we have the capacity and ability to finish what we start just as He does!  

I leave you with this quote that inspired me a few years ago when I was frustrated with how long it was taking me to graduate with my degree and wanting to, once again, give up. This quote inspired me and I hope it will do the same for you!

Until next time friends, 

Dakota 

Coffee, or Lack Thereof...

Hello again-

Does anyone just love coffee? (Insert hand raising emoji here). Well, it has been a sad last couple of days at our home because we ran out of caffeinated coffee and have been drinking decaf! I didn't realize how addicted I was to my morning cup of coffee and the caffeine intake. The pounding headache that has not left me since Monday is all the proof I need that I am! I don't drink a lot of coffee, about 1-2 cups every morning (which I almost never finish before it gets cold). However, it is the morning ritual that I love! Warm drink in hand, waking up, letting the sun in, it all goes together and sets my morning off right. In addition, coffee is a social gathering staple! How many times do you hear, "Let's go out for coffee!" or "Wanna meet at the coffee shop?".

Anyways, this sudden realization that I have in fact become addicted to coffee has got me thinking about trying to kick the addiction or just trying to somehow not have headaches if I don't get a cup every morning! I recently heard about a product that I have been wanting to try, Dandy Blend! It is supposed to be a good substitute for coffee and I am wondering if it would work for me...I might just have to give it a try! Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?

Until next time friends,

Dakota
 

Productivity

Hello again -

It's a winter wonderland outside and after deciding not to venture out due to road conditions and weather, I am determined to still have a productive day. Sometimes productivity is not what I had originally envisioned, but it doesn't mean it isn't productive. By nature and personality, I am generally an indecisive person and it really annoys me. However, worse than being indecisive, I tend to regret decisions that I FINALLY make after I have made them. So today, after deciding not to attend a few things I was planning on due to the weather, I started immediately regretting my decision to stay home. I started thinking about productivity and how "being productive" for today was going to be spent out and about all day, however, when my plans changed I decided that I could still make staying home a productive day! Instead of regretting the decision I made, I am going to re-define productive for today and enjoy the "gift of time at home" that I have been given.

So today, I am going to do some cleaning, organizing(has anyone read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up?---I can't stop organizing), homework, reading, and preparing for my week. I decided to make my cozy day at home special by cooking a nice, healthy breakfast and making a warm cup of coffee to enjoy.

Oatmeal:
1/2 Cup old fashioned oats
1 Cup water
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp almond extract

Boil salt and water. Add oatmeal and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and pour in serving bowl. Add almond extract and stir.

Top with:
Fresh Raspberries
Sliced Almonds
Shredded Unsweetened Coconut
Drizzle of Maple Syrup



Here's to a productive Monday! Let it snow!


-Dakota

There is Wonderful Joy Ahead.

It is the eve of my 26th birthday and I am reflecting back over the last 25 years of my life. 25 years, wow, where has the time gone? I'm thinking about the joy, the mistakes, the heartache, the laughs, the many times God has proved to me his faithfulness, and the friendships made-old and new. I am thinking about the changes I want to implement in my life going forward and the bad habits I want to kick, once and for all. I am also thinking about the many uncertainties that lay ahead for me and the many questions I have when I think about my future. All of this thinking has led me to this blog...my cozy corner of the world. 

I enjoy reading blogs and gleaning from people who have tried recipes, routines, and products and have traveled to new places and experienced the world in a different way than I have. It is my intention to make this blog a place where I share what is on my mind and heart...sometimes that will be light, sometimes that will be practical, sometimes that will be deep, and sometimes that will be disjointed. I hope to share about a variety of topics including cooking and meal prepping, being a wife, cleaning and decluttering, books, c.o.f.f.e.e., being a follower of Jesus, minimizing, living simply, and much more.

More than anything, I want to share my journey and experiences while learning to live a more intentional life. I have made a lot of mistakes over these last 25 years and I know the next 25, if God allows, will bring many more. I don't seek to live my life void of mistakes, but full of intention and joy. I want to heed the advice of this scripture:  

Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead.
—1 Peter 1:6 


So please, grab a hot cup of coffee (or tea!) and join me at...my cozy corner of the world. 

Warmly, 
Dakota