Back in the day (like a year ago) I used to post highlights from the prior month on the blog (see examples here and here and here). I always enjoyed putting them together because it was a chance to reflect on the last month and can remember little things that in years I will most certainly forget.
I loved putting them together, except for one thing: THE PHOTOS.
I created a nine-photo graphic to go with each highlight, and that would always stall the process of getting the post published. (In fact I have about half a dozen posts sitting in my Drafts Folder ready to go, just missing a photo.)
I’m learning what works for me and what doesn’t work for me with blogging.
What works: WRITING. That part is so easy for me and takes little time.
What doesn’t work: GRAPHICS/PHOTOS. Spending any more than 10 minutes to put together graphics or photos is not fun for me. I don’t like to edit photos and I am not great at creating anything in Photoshop or Illustrator. I don’t have the time or desire to experiment and learn right now.
There’s a big pressure on bloggers and websites to create beautiful graphic for readers. And for good reason! If you have a pretty site with pretty photos, I will be more likely to stay and read. But for now, I don’t have a lot of time or desire to create a Pinterest-worthy graphic for each post. I’d rather post more frequently with less desirable photos than have to stress about getting it perfect.
All of that to say…I’m just figuring it out and learning as I go. And month highlights are back! Except this time I’m just dumping a bunch of photos from the month, unfiltered. :)
Here’s my January…
New Year’s Day brunch. Doesn’t New Year’s feel like months ago? We celebrated with three other couples in Charlotte and had a lovely new year’s brunch. 
Cozy afternoons reading, with a few twinkle lights left up for good measure. 
Lots of cold afternoons with my running buddy. 
We got new dining room chairs! Huzzah!
Date night with my fella. We went to Tacos and Tequilla on Lead Mine Road in Raleigh. Pretty good! Reminds me of Dos Taquittos, except we liked the salsa better.
Our friends were going out of town so we pet-sat for their two dogs for a weekend. Leia wore that smile the whole time.
Palm trees? Short sleeves?? In JANUARY?!??
Isn’t it great.
I went to Fort Lauderdale Jan 22-25 for a girl’s weekend with my in-laws. We had such a lovely time, and the weather was truly amazing! We stayed on Hollywood Beach and had the most gorgeous view. I totally get the appeal of Snow Birds, and think everyone (at least once) should take a trip to Florida in the winter. It’s really nice.
Also, not pictured: We bought a car this month. J’s car has been giving us trouble for the last 18 months and it unexpected died on us in the middle of a cold, rainy week. It was just about as fun as you can imagine. We were not exactly in a position to buy a replacement, but that’s what the Emergency Fund is all about, so what are you going to do. We now own a no-frills 2007 Toyota Yaris.
Here’s how I fared on my January Goals:
Write to Jacques, our compassion international childMeal plan each week- Fast from sugar / HAHAHAHA. I did for a week.
Read two books- Walk an average of 12,000 steps using my Jawbone / Fail. I walked an average of 9,000 steps each day. 10,000 is a more realistic goal for my lifestyle and work.
Do at least 10 push-ups a day/ I did this 21 of the 31 days, so I’m calling this a win.- Blog at least 10 times / Blogged just five times.
Work 7:30 – 4:30 each day
How was your January?
nice post thanks for sharing