59 Seconds

Monday: Thanksgiving- Think back over the past week and list 3 things for which you are grateful. Tuesday: Terrific Times - Think about one of the most wonderful experiences of your life. Write a description of that experience and how you felt. Wednesday: Future Fantastic -Spend a few moments writing about your life in the future. Imagine that you've worked hard, acheived, and become the person you really want to be. Your personal and professional life feel like a dream come true. Thursday: Dear... think about someone who is important to you. Write a short letter to this person describing how much you care for them and the impact they have had on your life. Friday: Reviewing the Situation - Think back over the past 7 days and make a note of 3 things that went really well for you. Jot down a sentence about why you think each even turned out so well.

These are from the Daily Journal Assignments in 59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman. I made 5 different index cards, one for each assignment, to keep in my journal. Hope you have as much fun with this as I think you will.

10 Reasons

...why the Unwritten Travels Work(PLAY)shop will be the best $ you spend all year:

1. Six weeks of fun and inspiration for less than you'd pay for 1 hour of therapy.

2. It's scientifically proven that money can buy happiness!
(When you spend it on experiences that connect you with others)

3. Access to your very own Life Coach.

4. Finally getting an opportunity to spend time with the kind of people you wish you could spend more time with.

5. Free childcare for your kids while you are having fun with grown-ups
(and you won't even have to sweat).

6. You will be having so much fun that it will surprise you that you are learning so much about your amazing self.

7. You will receive one free session of counseling/life coaching to give to one of your friends.
(Hey, they don't have to know you got it free.)

8. You will realize you aren't the only one who doesn't have it all together, and just maybe that won't even be the goal.

9. There might be snacks. Enough said right there.

10. It is only possible to invest yourself into your life once you have invested in yourself!

Work(PLAY!)shop: Coming in January!

Begins January 26-March 9 (no class Feb 16)

Meets every Tuesday from 9:30-11:00
6-week course
@Maryland Farms YMCA (Brentwood, TN)
Cost: $75/members, $100/non-members
Book included!
email us to register: unwrittentravels@gmail.com

December Scavenger Hunt

advent, noun.
a coming or arrival, especially of something infrequent or unusually important.

Don't you love finding the perfect gift? It makes Christmas for me. I can't wait to see that person open that gift on December 25th. It is easy to rush through all of the to-do's of the holiday and forget to notice those things you may love very best about this season of Merry and Bright. Take some time to look for the little gifts this month has for you.

~a canned food drive or a salvation army volunteer ringing their bell with a smile
~a fire in a fireplace
~a cookie plate left for Santa
~a menorah being lit
~friends sharing a laugh
~children writing letters to Santa
~a person bundled up in the cold

Write a story, take a picture, sing a song about what you see.
Post your treasures in the comment box or on your blog (make sure to leave us a link).

Merry Christmas!

Souvenirs from November

Every family has their specialty and my family's, more specifically, my Mama's pies are legendary. She is an award winning pie-maker. It is the crust, it is the apples from upstate New York, it is the unsalted butter and only the highest quality of vanilla. This year we had Pecan, Apple, and Pumpkin pies served with ice cream, fresh whipping cream and Starbuck's Thanksgiving Blend coffee.

This was the first year in our new house and our first time to ever host
Thanksgiving Dinner.
I was determined to be a real grown up and roast a turkey all by myself. I used a rosemary-orange recipe and woke up at 6:00 am to begin the cooking. In my fear of under cooking the giant bird, I (you guessed it) made something more like turkey-jerky. I loved every bite. And I was happy Mom brought a turkey, too.

We had 16 guests for dinner and everyone brought so much food. In addition to the classic turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and green been casserole, we had corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, blueberry salad, fresh cranberry-orange sauce, and yeasty cinnamon rolls.
Our family has grown so big and it is not often that I get to spend a whole day with both of my parents, my brother and my sister. Now it seems like we were only living together under one roof for a few years. I become especially mindful of the brevity of this time with my little ones and abundantly grateful for the every day opportunity to make new memories.

*Announcing the winner of the November Scavenger Hunt: Korisa Burden @craftykorisa.blogspot.com. Congratulations!!!*

November Challenge: Scavenger Hunt

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to take notice~
take a picture, write a poem or a story, and/or post a thought regarding one or more of these November souvenirs:

1. Baked pies
2. Loved ones preparing food
3. Family and Friends around the Thanksgiving table
4. Holiday card photo shoot
5. Leftovers in the fridge
6. Funniest or most meaningful quote/story from your Thanksgiving weekend
7. Homes turning on Christmas lights

We cannot wait to see what you find. We will be sending a little fall treasure to the reader who discovers our favorite souvenir of the month.

If you have a blog, post it on your blog and leave a link in the comments.
Otherwise, leave your treasures directly in the comment box or email them to us at unwrittentravels@gmail.com.

Just like the number

We received the most beautiful review from blogger Angie Six on her blog Just Like the Number. Here is a little bit of what she said about Unwritten Travels:

"There are lots of books out there to help nudge you along toward finding your true purpose or passions. I've never seen one like this, though. It's more like a whimsically illustrated journal. And while there are definitely passages for you to read and reflect upon, the bulk of the book is recording your thoughts and reflections. It's a guide, for sure, but you are in charge every step of the way."

To see more of Angie's beautiful blog and read the rest of her review visit: justlikethenumber.com