Blogger Book Swap (The First)

Ehrmahgerd, it's my first link-up!
To bring in 2013, the year of opportunities (I just made that up), I'm co-hosting a blogger book exchange. For me, books are such a personal part of who I am. Reading as child took me to whole new places and inspired my imagination. It contributed to who I am as a crafter, designer, blogger and who I am as a person. So I am really excited about this opportunity and I'm also looking forward to meeting new bloggers.

What is a book swap?
It's an opportunity to get to know other bloggers and avid readers that are part of the blogging community.  By swapping books, you're connecting with another blogger out there in the blogosphere and we're all making the interwebs a "smaller world." 

When is it going on?
The month of January- sign up now until January 12th.  Get to know your partner by the 19th and then ship their awesome new read by the 26th.  Sound good?

How do I participate?
Follow the directions below and sign-up using the Google docs form. You'll receive an e-mail with
your blogging book buddy information (sorry, I love alliterations) and then you're set to go!   

What should I include?
This part is totally up to you.  A new or used book is perfectly acceptable.  I personally love both and finding an awesome used bookstore or a Goodwill with a stellar book selection is always a favorite of mine.  Also include a personal note saying why you selected this book for them.  I've seen folks at other book swaps include: bookmarks, notebooks, book plates, etc.  I plan on wrapping mine up and I just can't wait to see who I end up with.  I love surprises :)

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me or any of the awesome co-hosts!
Flip Flops and Combat Boots  
Daliene's Alamo Adventures
By the Porchlight

 Today, I'm Bobbi

Three31

<a href="http://kimberlyersk1ne.blogspot.com/2012/12/new-blogger-book-swap.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m640/kimberlyerskine/simplicity_bookswap_zpsa4ea3719.jpg" alt="TheSimplicityofBeingCurious" width="300" height="225" /></a>

Instagram 2012 Year in Review

Holy geez

What an awesome year!

I realized yesterday that putting my blog, year in review recap didn't even begin to address all of the stuff Ryan and I did this year or just events that happened.  Raechel Myers, blogger at Finding My Feet, made a year in review and it inspired me to put this together.  As a visual learner, it was fun to reminisce, from being in college to Holly's ears still not standing up yet and finally moving to California.

I hope we continue to have many more awesome adventures in the new year.

Peace N' Blessings y'all

Read Your Way Across the USA & December Cara Box

 

For December, I decided to participate in a fun blogger exchange by Wifessionals called the Cara Box Exchange.   Essentially you are partnered up with two people, one you send to and one you receive from.  I e-mailed both of my people and we discussed things we were looking forward to this season.  The theme was holiday sparkle and my exchange partners were Christin from Babies, Bosses, and BFs and I sent my holiday sparkle package to Tanya at The Baksha Five.  I received from Christin an adorable picture frame, a sign that says "Unlock your Dreams," a vanilla-scented candle (love me some candles), and adorable ornaments- tons of holiday sparkle!  Christin definitely recognized how I love all of the little holiday details :)  She also sent me a lovely note along with the package.  She's a sweetheart!  If you care to see what I sent Tanya, check out her lovely post!  It definitely made me smile and I hope both ladies thoroughly enjoyed their holiday season.

Now for those who didn't participate in this month's Cara Box, I found this site, Epic Reads, off of a Pinterest link and there's this really cool map in which you can "read your way across the USA." They have additional maps and other resources.  If you're interested in challenging your book arsenal, give these books a look.  I have only made a slight dent in this reading list and I haven't even read the book listed for Wisconsin- oh the shame!

Have fun reading!!

2012 Recap

 

Guys, it's almost 2013

Time for a recap!

January

- On the 7 January, I started this lovely blog under the name The Wild Blue Yonder, it's an Air Force reference.  My husband was still deployed to Aghanistan and many of my friends were encouraging me to post my crafting projects and especially my care packages.

February

- Sucked at blogging, probably because I found out that Ryan wasn't coming home in March and his deployment got extended until May.  Yep, that would turn the happiest of bloggers into a sour patch kid.

March/April

- Although I didn't really blog during this time, I did make a lot of care packages and my Care Package post is my most popular blog post, channeling a lot of hits from Pinterest.  Thanks y'all!

May

- Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

- Ryan came home from his second deployment to Afghanistan

- Moved to California

- Celebrated our 1-year anniversary

- We got our Holly baby and she is the cutest puppy ever.

Now this post was for when Ryan finished his contract with the Marine Corps, however, it includes several videos of what happened during the year and especially the month of May. 

June

- Holly, our fur child, gave Ryan his first Father's Day card.

July

- Went back to visit Wisconsin while Ryan had leave.  Holly swam in Lake Michigan for the first time and grew a fondness for sprinklers. Ryan and I also had epic Wii marriage battles.

August

- I made these sweet silhouette canvases, some garbage bread, a paint swatch calendar and much more.

- August provided the most blog posts of the year, including guest posts from Meagan (favorite reads), Laura (tips on thrifting), and Becca (becoming Miss Kenosha).

- I made the move from Camp Pendleton to Central Coast California to start my life as a new AF officer.

September

- Did a little post on what it was like at our new rental property and how our property managers failed to mention quite a few things.

October

- Celebrated my roommate's birthday!

- Went on my first wine tour.

November

- I took all of my readers to a Marine Corps Ball.

- I showed a few tips and tricks on holiday decorating.

- Kind of got off of my chest my feelings for a lot of the blogs that are starting to lose their content.

December

- Decided to start celebrating Chanukah/Hanukkah on my own.

- Wrote a letter to Santa.

- Turned 23

- Joined the Literary Junkies Book Club

- Joined GBE 2 and started more continuous writing prompts

- Guest post from Destiny at A Little Serendipity

 Thanks for being my readers *tear*

Since I've become way more active in the blogosphere, I plan on blogging more and having better quality posts- that is my pledge to my readers :)

Expect some humor, some emotion, and a good times my friends

Also I have a link-up project in the works and I'm hoping you'll want to participate!
If your blog is interested in helping co-sponsor, let me know by e-mailing me or commenting below.

Thanks for reading!

Friday Letters & Favorites

I should probably link up or something.

That's how the cool kids do it ;)

But I actually wanted to cover so much in this post, 

so I'm throwing caution to the wind and doing it all baby!

Obsessions for Today the Week ;)

I know I talked about how I was feeling a bit like the grinch this year, but after reading Lindsey's post on Pillow Thought and Ashley's post on Little Miss Momma, I suddenly felt like my heart grew two sizes too big.  Lindsey's little girl is so cute and can I say, what adorable matching jammies?  I will definitely be making Christmas morning videos from now on, they're a perfect way to capture holiday memories.  I loved Ashley's post because I feel like that's how my future Christmases will be and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Speaking of all things warm and fuzzy, Jordan over at Southern Hospitality, just posted her wedding video and it is simply perfect.  She got married earlier this month and did most of it on her own in terms of DIY crafting.  It's so beautiful and in Kimmie fashion, I love all of the details.  Last but no least, I tried probably ten times today in convincing my husband to take me to the animal shelter to go look at puppies.  He has resisted all ten times, but persistence brings results so I will keep Badgering him until I see said results (haha get it, "badger"...a little Rosebowl humor).  But if you're like me and want to save all da little babies, check out Kayla's post at Sealed with a Kay on how you can help shelter animals.

Friday Letters

Dear Amazon and Kindle Fire,

My goal is to actually purchase more of your daily deals, since they are so awesome. I would like to make more use out of you Kindle Fire but I am a stubborn sole and I love holding a tangible novel in my hands, so please excuse my stubbornness.

Dear Cake Carrier aka Transporter of All Things Delicious,

I am incredibly excited that I found you at Marshalls for $12.  Normally you are around $26 and I was so excited that I was able to justify the purchase to Ryan and he bought it for me.  Ka-ching!  I now plan on making all sorts of delicious cakes and cupcakes for every type of occasion- huzzah!

Dear Blog Lady Commenter,

Your comment bothered me, probably because it became rather apparent that you did not read the post to begin with.  If you're going to comment and offer me a lecture on marriage, I suggest you read the post.  Secondly, I have been married for almost two years, so I really wasn't sure what you were trying to get at with your comment.  I appreciate any and all comments as a form of discussion, but yours honestly felt like a day late and a dollar short.

Dear Nikon DSLR,

You and I are about to have a whole lot of fun.  Call up your friend, the tripod, and blog readers can expect a lot more family photos.

Dear Winter Exodus,

You are the perfect amount of time off.