So Long, Sunday Social

It took me a long time to come up with a blog name that I really loved and could see myself using for a long time. I remember making a big list of words I liked, my interests and topics I thought I'd end up blogging about. Eventually I settled on Grace & Galoshes. Grace because I wanted to incorporate something related to Christianity since I assumed it would be a topic I'd blog about regularly and once I chose 'Grace' I wanted the rest of the title to reflect another aspect of my life. I love camp, being outdoors and rainy days are my favourite and the word 'galoshes' came to mind. The next step was deciding that "Grace & Galoshes" sounded like a good blog name and the rest is history!

My favourite thing about blogging is interacting with other bloggers. It's cliche and it's the truth!

I can't say I've become devoted to Erin Condren or obsessed with Starbucks but I do think blogging has influenced my interest in photography. It's something I've always enjoyed and it goes hand and hand with scrapbooking & crafting but blogging gave me the extra push to invest in a DSLR. Plus there are so many fun photography link ups and posts that it's a great way to make connections with other bloggers. 

I've been really intentional about detaching myself from Facebook over the last few weeks. I still check it once or twice a day but I deleted the app off my phone and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I fell out of the habit of tweeting, I still scroll through my feed a few times a day but again when I forget I don't think I'm missing out on anything. If I had to choose a favourite social media account I'd choose Instagram.

I don't follow celebrities but I do think it would be cool to have some celebrity bloggers read my blog, especially The Pioneer Woman!

Something I'd like people to know about my blog is that it will probably never be exceptionally organized, famous or on a strict schedule. I blog because I want to, because I love meeting others and connecting with people not because I'm trying to become 'blog famous'. 

Linking up with the last Sunday Social

Sunday Social #122

My Favourite Month has always been August. The weather in August is the perfect balance of hot summer days and nights that are warm enough to be outside but cool enough to sleep. In the camp world August is when everyone finds their groove and feels comfortable which makes things run more smoothly, and when things don't run smoothly people are relaxed enough to laugh about the situation and not let it ruin their day. I love August so much that if I ever have a son I want his middle name to be August. 

Choosing a Favourite Holiday is hard for me. Even though the vast majority of people would argue it's not a real holiday and I've never celebrated it in the traditional way…I love Valentine's Day. I know we should show people how much they are loved every day of the year but having one specific day to remind us all how important it is to put love out there into the world. 

Valentine's Day celebrations with H. & R. 

I don't have any plans to get the new iPhone, I currently have an iPhone 4S and when my contract is up I will upgrade my phone but I have no desire to rush out and get something new. 

I've received a lot of thoughtful gifts over the years. Some of my favourites are pebbles a friend brought me from a special place, a letter from a friend in the midst of a particularly difficult week, the little things are the ones that make me the happiest. 

I've wanted a pair for a few years now and at some point in the near future I am finally going to splurge on a pair on red Hunter boots. I love rainy days and rubber boots and I haven't been able to justify spending that much money on a pair of rubber boots. The time has come though and I'm ready to splurge (and then eagerly wait for the rain so I can take lots of fun pictures in my new boots).

Pinterest

Linking up with Sunday Social.

Sunday Social {119} & Blogtember

Favourite Scent: Boy, mixed with a hint of campfire and rain. For those of you who need a better visual the Crackling Woods soy candle from Target. 

Favourite Food: I love donairs. If you're not from the east cost of Canada then it's probably safe to assume you have no idea what that is, but trust me when I say you're missing out. I've been told it's similar to a gyro, but I've never had one of those so I can't verify that. If you ever find yourself on the East Coast getting a donair definitely needs to be a priority!

Honourable Mentions:  Ketchup Chips, Pizza, Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Caesar Salad, 

Favourite Sound: Rain! Especially in the summer and it's extra wonderful if there's thunder & lightning happening as well. 

Favourite Picture Currently on your Phone: I am really digging this photo I took of my Salted Caramel Mocha the other day. Truth be told I almost never delete photos off my phone so I have plenty to choose from but I narrowed it down to my favourite this week.

Best Memory of the Year: I was not prepared for this question! In the quest to choose a favourite picture on my phone I did come across this photo, which made me pretty happy because it captured a pretty awesome memory.

When it rains our camp parking lot turns into a small lake of sorts. I was having a bit of rough day and determined that the best way to relieve some stress was puddle jumping. And I may have went a little overboard and at one point found myself sitting in the puddle. I was hoping someone would join me but instead the director and a former staff member who happened to be volunteering that day stood in the doorway casually sipping their coffee and laughing at the ridiculous-ness. All while snapping pictures of course, which found their way onto the camp instagram with a bunch of silly/fun hashtags. And I'm happy to report that I did feel a lot less stressed after the puddle jumping!

Bonus Question for Blog-Tember…When did you start blogging and why?
I started blogging eons ago. Back in junior high I had an xanga, then in high school I moved on to Livejournal, during university I dabbled with Tumblr and about two years ago I dove into the "real world" of blogging with Grace & Galoshes. I've always blogged because I like writing and in the beginning it was a great way to stay in touch with friends, which is ironic now since I'm pretty firmly set in the blogging closet.

  

Sunday Social & Blog-Tember Five

5 Things About Me

• I'm an extraordinarily sentimental person and have a really hard time letting go of clothes/mementos/random souvenirs etc. 
• I love candles, but I'm so cheap that I hate spending money on something I'm literally just going to burn.
• I'm a planner by nature and not knowing how the next year of my life is going to play out is scary.
• I have major anxiety about turning 25 in January. 
• I love my job as an assistant camp director, but my real dream job is to be a stay at home mom (but still involved in camp).

5 Favourite Things About Blogging

• Having an outlet to write and share photos.
• Interacting with other bloggers.
• Finding inspiration reading other people's blogs
• Learning new things
• Participating in swaps! 

5 Things I'm Doing Before The Year is Over

• Redecorating my bedroom
• Organizing all of my scrapbooking supplies
• Downsizing my wardrobe
• Learn a new recipe
• Finishing some scrapbooking projects that have been 'in progress' for years. 

5 Favourite Fall Fashions

• Leggings
• Boots
• Scarfs
• Hoodies
• Flannel 

5 Favourite Beauty Products
I don't have a whole lot of brand loyalty when it comes to make up so in general terms by must have products are…

• Mascara
• Eye Liner
• Concealer
• BB Cream
• Lip Chap

5 Favourite Books

• Stargirl - Jerry Spinilli 
• The Princess Bride - William Gold
• Campingly Yours - Thomas C. Adler
• The Perks of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chobsky 
• Little House on the Prairie Series - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Linking up with Ashley & Neely for Sunday Social and Bailey Jean for Blog-Tember!

Sunday Social #117

What is one thing you hate doing?

The first thing that came to mind is vacuuming, I avoid that like the plague. 

What is one thing you hate shopping for?

Jeans! I'm barely 5 feet tall and my legs are so short that jeans shopping is crazy impossible. I end up very frustrated and the best case scenario is I walk away with jeans that I still need to have hemmed before I can wear them. It's a never-ending and exceptionally frustration experience. 

What is one thing you love doing?

I really love taking pictures. It's a fairly new interest but playing with my camera makes me happy.

What is one place you love going?

Camp! 

What is your favourite thing to do that you do daily?

I really enjoy my routine of coffee & blog reading in the morning. It' doesn't happen every single day but I try to make it happen most days. In the summer when morning coffee happens over a two hour period in between organizing schedules and whatever else comes up I miss starting my day on a calm note. 

Liking with with Ashley & Neely for Sunday Social! 

Pick One.

Answering "This or That" questions from the Blog Everyday in July Challenge. I'm usually really bad at this game because I'm indecisive and I over analyze things until I'm blue in the face. 

1. Be blind or be deaf

I struggle with this question. My gut reaction is that I'd rather be deaf because there are so many other ways to communicate with people and I already have horrible vision. Then I remember I wouldn't be able to hear music and I doubt myself. I'm sticking with deaf though.

2. Be taller than you are or shorter than you are

Taller! I'm barely 5 feet. I would love to be 5'5 or even 5'6. 

3. Be a teenager or a senior citizen for the rest of your life

Senior Citizen! Living the retired life, hanging out with my grandkids, taking up line dancing and meeting the ladies in the church group for coffee once a week. 

4. Have no hands or no legs

No legs.

5. Lose your front teeth or both eyebrows

Front teeth? 

6. Eat a worm or a cockroach

Since the question didn't specify I'm going to assume you mean gummy worm and choose that. 

7. Spend a day in the Sahara or North Pole

Sahara. I was not made to live in the cold.

8. Have a personal chef or a personal driver

I really enjoy cooking but driving gives me a lot of anxiety. On the flip side sometimes I really enjoy driving just by myself so I wouldn't want to give that up. If I could have a part time personal driver that would be grand.

9. Always have to whisper or always have to shout

Whisper! I have a pretty quiet voice and I don't like loud noises/people so having to yell everything all the time would be torture.

10. Can't taste or can't smell

Can't smell.  There are a lot of scents I would miss but I can't imagine not being able to taste.

11. Wipe with sandpaper or saran wrap

Saran Wrap? I don't have a reason for this one it was just my gut reaction.

12. Have Twitter shut down for a day or your blog disappear for a day

Twitter shut down. I read Twitter pretty consistently during the day to keep in touch with the real world but I would be a lot more panicked if my blog disappeared. I'm pretty confident Twitter has enough employees to get it back up and running where as if I lost my blog I would be lost.

13. Text of your blog is screwed up or all the pictures you post on your blog are blurry

Pictures are blurry.

14. Never be able to post another GIF or never be able to receive comments on your posts

Never post another GIF. I don't post all that many to begin with and I love, love, love receiving comments and interacting with other bloggers.

15. Have a permanent wedgie or have the tag on your shirt constantly scratch your neck

Tag constantly scratching my neck.

    

(Some of) The Best Things Ever

After my little rant fest and minor tantrum on Friday I think I should really join in with this week's Sunday Social and blog about of few of the best things!

1. What was your best birthday?

I have the worst birthdays. (This is really not off to a good start!) 

That being said this past summer I had a wonderful Half Birthday Celebration at camp! There were cards and decorations and people sang "Happy Half Birthday". It was super ridiculous but also the best.

2. What was your best vacation?

I haven't been on a lot of vacations recently. In a lot of ways my entire summer is one big vacation (only without the relaxing parts)!

3. What is the best date you've ever been on?

Maybe I should have read the questions before I started answering them…I've never been on what most people would consider a proper date. So again, don't have a lot of experience to pick a best from. 

4. What is the best movie(quality) you've seen?

Schindler's List wins this hands down. Everything about it from the story to the acting, the way it was filmed. Best movie. Everyone needs to go watch. 

5. What is the best TV show ending of all time?

I was really satisfied with the way Dawson's Creek ended. I'm not sure that it was the best ending that has ever been, but as far a teen dramas go it was good. A little death, a little love, a dash of the unexpected. The characters didn't necessarily get the happy ever after ending but I think they all got pretty great ending to their stories. 

Sunday Social #95

Linking up with Ashley & Neely for this week's Sunday Social. 

What are the top 3 things you can't go a day without doing?

Praying

Texting

Writing

What are 3 things that scare you the most?

Never Falling in Love

Not Having Children

Forgetting

What are 3 places you want to see before you kick the bucket?

Stonehenge

Auschwitz

Cliffs or Moher

What are 3 movies you will always love?

The Princess Bride

Pocahontas

Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire

What are your 3 favorite current songs?

Colder Weather - Zac Brown Band

Play it Again - Luke Bryan

I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab for Cutie

*These are my current favourites, the ones I've been listening to on repeat for the past few weeks. My "All-Time Favourites" is a totally different list of three! 

Sunday Social #93

1. How much time do you spend on Social Media a day? …be honest

Managing Social Media is part of my job so I spend a fair bit of time on Facebook during the day. As for my personal accounts I scroll through Twitter four or five times during the day and same with Instagram. I might scroll through my FB once or twice but I mostly use it for Messenger. 

2. How long were you reading blogs before you started a blog?

I've been blogging for a really long time. I started off with an Xanga (bonus points for anyone who remembers those days!), moved to LiveJournal, Blogger, gave up on blogger and played with Tumblr and then a little over a year ago came back to Blogger. That was the long winded way of saying I don't have a real answer for this question. 

3. What's your favourite kind of cupcake?

Via Pinterest

I've never had an out of this world cupcake eating experience. I do enjoy a good chocolate cupcake so I guess I'll go with that.

4. Do you eat fast food? If so whats your favourite?

Not often but on occasion. My favourite really depends on my mood. If I'm eating out because I have to I usually go with Subway. If I'm eating my feelings I opt for McDonald's or Wendy's. 

5. What is the most random thing someone would find in your purse?

A glowstick. It's been there for over six months and I always forget to take it out until I reach into my purse and remember that it's still there. 

6. What is the weirdest TV show you watch? 

Via Pinterest

I'm going to go with Teen Mom 2. The whole concept of it being a show in the first place is kind of depressing. 

Sunday Social #90

Linking up with Ashley & Neely for Sunday Social #90!

Favorite breakfast food?

Breakfast is my least favourite meal of the day and even though I know it's terrible I rarely consume the first meal of the day. If I do partake in eating first thing in the a.m. it's usually some yogurt or a muffin. 

My favourite breakfast is a bagel with bacon & cheese or an english muffin with sausage & cheese. But there's no way I could eat that every morning so it's reserved for occasional weekends and supper time. 

Best way to spend a free day

Wake up without an alarm, read in bed for half an hour or so, get up to make a cup of coffee/tea and then return to reading. Eventually shower and put on some comfy clothes (the best free days happen in summer so we'll define comfy clothes as a bathing suit & sun dress). Spend the afternoon with friends lounging in the sun/swimming then in the evening go out for supper somewhere. End the day with a few drinks around a campfire or returning to a spot near the water for more lounging.

Can you tell I'm tired of winter??

Airline ticket to anywhere in the world….where would you go and why?

I really want to visit Stonehenge so England would be a good choice. At the same time I have friends in other provinces that I miss and would really like to see so I might just choose one of those.

You can only leave the house with one thing…what is it?

For practicality sake I'm going to say my purse which contains my keys, wallet and iPhone. If this is a "house is on fire and you can only take one thing" scenario then I would pick something more sentimental.

How do you take your coffee?

In a pretty mug! Also, black with 1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar depending on how strong the coffee is! 

Stormy Sunday Social

My original plans for the day included going to church for my youngest cousin's baptism and then celebrating with a family lunch after church. However, we're currently getting hit with our FOURTH winter storm of the week, so church was cancelled. (To those of you reading this from warmer climates, unless you're currently buried under 30-40 cm of snow and are about to be pummelled by 40 mm of freezing rain I do not want to hear about your "Snow Days" resulting from an inch of snow.)

Since my plans for the day have now become jogging pants and episodes of The Pioneer Woman I thought I'd join in this week's Sunday Social. 

This Weeks Questions:

1. What is your favorite holiday season tradition? 

I love the emphasis on family we have during the Christmas season. As I get older I realize that not everyone has this and I just can't imagine not celebrating Christmas with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

2. Do you have a certain holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it? 

My immediate family (Mom, Dad & Brother) don't watch many movies but the one we do sit down and watch year after year is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I'm also a big fan of Home Alone!

3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have. 

I happened to come across this one on Pinterest and I want it so bad! 

4. What is your favorite holiday song?

I'm not someone who starts listening to Christmas music on November 1st, but Christmas in Kilarney is my absolute favourite Christmas song. It perfectly captures what Christmas is like aroun

5. What is your favorite holiday dessert? 

It's not technically a dessert but Candy Cane Hot Chocolate from Tim Horton's is my favourite sweet treat around this time of year! I also love gingerbread cookies though! 

6. What is on your wish list this year? 

I wrote about my dream Christmas list back here! Since then I ended up buying a camera, so I'm hoping for a case for it!