Well, this is my first time joining Meg‘s Monday Mingle (or is it Mingle Monday?).

Firstly, I have to say – this weekend has been horrid. I missed a jewelry party in Salt Lake, missed a date Saturday night, missed church on Sunday and even missed work this morning. Migraines are miserable, horrible things. Even my doTERRA deep blue wasn’t helping.

Anyway, enough with the complaining …

Meg’s question this week: What is the best movie you’ve rented or seen in theaters recently?

In theaters, Jackie and I went to see The Vow last week. I really enjoyed it! Ok, so it was a bit over the top (even for being based on “real life” but it was still a sappy, good chick flick).

I also rented What’s Your Number?. Not exactly the most appropriate movie ever, it also wasn’t the best acting ever but it was worth the Redbox $1 rental.

So what’s new with you? Have you seen any good movies lately? And thanks to Meg for the encouragment to get blogging. : )

Hello, there. I’m Hannah. So nice to meet you.

Today, I am “blog swapping” with Megan, which means she is posting at my blog, www.hannahjholmes.com.

This swap is all about my favorite season: summertime.

When I was a child, summers were all about travel, snow cones, and swimming pools. Oh, and the wondrous joys of a later bedtime! But as I grew older and eventually began college, suddenly, summer was all about working and earning money for tuition. Then, one summer, I decided to try volunteering as a missionary, an attempt to do some good and maybe make a difference.

I spent the summer in Baltimore, where I helped lead a youth development program, and although the term “youth development program” may sound fancy, I simply mentored kids who worked at a church. 

Okay, okay, I tried to mentor these kids (but often hid from them and their chaotic ways by ducking behind furniture).

I didn’t have to go at it alone, though. I had a partner, who is now my husband.

That being said, nothing brings two people together like attempting to have authority in the face of 32 rambunctious teenagers…
But back to the prompt: summertime. Now that I am married, summers are different, yet again. Damian and I both finished school, so when summer came around, life was pretty much…the same, except for the weather.

But I wonder what summers will be like when we have kids? I imagine that once again, summer will be all about travel, snow cones, swimming pools, and later bedtimes. But by that time, I’ll be the one planning the vacations, buying the snow cones, and scouting neighborhood pools. Oh, and I may not be quite as excited about that later bedtime

But there I go again, daydreaming about the future, when there is so much happening all around me.

For instance, Damian and I just made our first big move to Missouri, so we are getting a taste of the end of summer here, but what is next year going to be like, when we have an entire summer in the Midwest, with cool breezes and little humidity? Oh, the possibilities

Thanks to Megan for allowing me to hijack her lovely blog, and you can find me anytime you like at www.hannahjholmes.com

I’m waiting on my blog partner’s post. I’ll post when I get it!

Dream Come True: 5 Steps to Living the Life You’ve Always Longed For by Anne Cassidy

via

If you’ve had any of these let me know how they turned out!!

Argentine Rice-Veggie Salad (Rachel Ray)


Couscous with Swiss Chard, Raisins and Feta (Rachel Ray)


Peas ‘n’ Cheese Squash Spaghetti (Rachel Ray)

I’m taking a minute to clear out the favorites that have been floating around my Firefox folder on my work computer.

Tipnut.com: Creative DIY Tips and Projects

First30days.com: Inspiration & Expert Advice for Changing Your Life

BigGreenPurse.com: Environment, Organics, Fair Trade & Recycling

ModernGirlInvitations.com: Modern Wedding Invitations

Minted.com: Holiday Photo Cards, Birth Announcements, Save the Dates and Wedding Invitations

Paperwink.com: Stationary, Invites & Stamps

Top 50 Frugality Blogs That Will Help Save You Money: Self Explanatory, via Frugaldad.com

ModCloth: Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes

Grandma P’s Cold Tuna Noodle Casserole: via One Little Corner of the World

Detroit Wedding: Via The Shooting Gallery

Tip Hero: Money Saving Tips

Creature Comforts’ Photostream on Flickr:

Mydeco: Interior Design & Furniture Ideas

Blissliving:

Playlist.com: Amberhutchins’s Playlist

Grand Rapids Wedding: via Grant Issac Studios

oh, hello friend: via decor8

Apartment Therapy: Saving the World, One Room at a Time

Welcome Changes Radio: Talk Radio for Mind, Body, Spirit Relationships

Inner Grace Fragrance: My favorite scent

Coupon Binder: via Utah Deal Diva

15 Simple Ways to Be Happier in 2010: via Shine on Yahoo

Bells & Bliss Events: Local (Detroit) Planner

I’m taking a minute to clear out the favorites that have been floating around my Firefox folder on my work computer.

Feeling stuck? 7 Ways to Get Your Life Moving Forward by Susan Biali, M.D.

9 Ways to Solve Your Energy Crisis (.pdf) by Denise Schipani