living proof of God's grace & living free to share hope, encouragement & adventures
I was that kid who dreamt of writing a book one day. And now, just shy of 40 years old, I can call myself a published author. Well, self-published. This blog takes you step-by-step through my self-publishing journey. Click here to skip to that part. Why I wrote a devotional You can click here to …
Continue reading How to Self-Publish a Book on Amazon (KDP): Tips From My Experience
Does your everyday life seem boring? Does it feel like you're just trying your best to get through the ordinary? Or living for the weekend? Or longing for your next trip or adventure? If you're nodding yes, you are NOT alone. The regular days of life can easily feel mundane and even burdensome, when compared …
When I think of adventuring, my brain automatically goes BIG. Like, globetrotting big. Hiking through the Alps. Exploring a Scottish castle. Cliff jumping in Hawaii. Bungee jumping in Costa Rica. Speeding down the Autobahn. Skydiving over Dubai. You get the idea. While I plan to do all of the above—and more!—I also understand that adventure …
Continue reading How to Have Everyday Adventures Where You Live
Photography is my go-to creative outlet. It’s a hobby that enhances my life on a daily basis. But, I must confess that I’ve almost exclusively used a smart phone camera for years. This coming from a girl who took photography in college for my art degree. I even own a basic DSLR and a regular …
Continue reading 5 Best Tips for Taking Better Travel Photos with your Phone
International travel on a budget is easier than you might think! Prior to 2017, I’d reluctantly dismissed all thoughts of solo travel abroad—convinced it was too dang expensive. And yet, I took 7 international solo trips from January 2017 to November 2019. For Paris, I spent just under $1,000 on ALL trip expenses, and Barcelona …
Continue reading 7 Best Tips for International Travel on a Budget
No one likes packing for a trip. (Right??) It has to be the least enjoyable part of traveling. And packing procrastination? That’s a very real problem. But waiting till the last minute also increases the risk that you’ll forget something. I am actually NOT a procrastinator when it comes to packing, but that doesn’t mean …
It’s inevitable. You spend weeks—sometimes months—anticipating a trip. Planning, dreaming, wishing for time to move faster. And then, it’s here. Departure day. Bags packed, you embark on your adventure by plane, train, or automobile. But then, time during the trip just. will. not. slow. down. Far too prematurely, the journey ends and it’s back to …
So far this year, I’ve taken two international solo trips—which is two more than I expected to take, well, EVER. Back in January, I traveled to Paris, then Barcelona in May; and, I’m happy to report I had no major hiccups during either trip, nor did I feel uncomfortable traveling alone. (Guys, I was born …
Whether you prefer #travelTuesday or #Tuesdayviewsday, today’s post is for you. As I’ve mentioned in past posts, I visited Barcelona back in May. It marked my fifth excursion to Europe, second solo international trip, and first time in Spain. To be honest, though, Barcelona wasn’t a high priority destination for me until maybe March—when a …
How could you travel to a foreign country by yourself??!! It’s a question I hear a LOT. And, I’m not surprised. Intimidation definitely deters many from solo travel— especially international solo travel! Even seasoned travelers aren't exempt. Preference also plays a major role here. You may have no desire to travel solo, and that’s perfectly …
Continue reading Is Solo Travel for You? Take My Ultimate 7 Question Quiz
adventure and the girl 