The State of Granite

Pressed flowers. The challenge of the day was to find a picture of something that made me happy, and these natural gems are it. I am lucky. I live on a beautiful campus where rose bushes bloom until November and we still have fall foliage in to the New Year. I still miss New Hampshire, but I have grown to love my adopted state of Arkansas and its natural beauty. As a result, I am constantly collecting flowers. Placing them in note pages for a more exhausted version of myself to find later semester. They delight me in the winter months, when brown is the prevailing hue. They are simple and perfect, providing just the right amount of surprise to a midday homework assignment. 

I realize that if you are not familiar with the deep rocky coastline of New England, you many not understand the meaning behind my blog name. You see, I grew up in New Hampshire—The Granite State. I was born in tiny town where everyone knew my name and I could walk to my school, the library and the general store. I spent most of my summers barefoot and exploring the 97 acres behind my house, picking up tiny salamanders and wading into the marsh. I love New Hampshire. Someday I want to move back and have a big farm house, with chickens and kids running around the back yard. Currently, I live in Arkansas as I finish up my undergrad degree but I'm hoping to move back home come May. That's why I named this blog The State of Granite. Moving back to my home state has been on my heart and I find myself constantly drawing upon my upbringing to inspire my daily life and make decisions about my future. Just as I was in my childhood, I love the simple. I take study breaks in the trees, I find peace on weekend walks in the woods, I pray while laying in the grass and still LOVE curling up by the wood stove. This blog encapsulates this and keeps me thinking about these goals and moving toward where I want to be and who I desire to become. 

15 Interesting Facts About Me

My favorite flowers (at the moment) are paper whites—the pretty white bulbs that bloom in January.

I spend most of my time barefoot.

I probably make an average of 10 different lists a day, I love staying organized.

My favorite place in the entire world is Acadia National Park.

I have listen to every This American Life episode, ever.

I am from a small colonial village in southern New Hampshire.

I moved across the country at age 18, to a state where I knew NO ONE.

I own a very angry, but mostly sweet, Chihuahua. 

My favorite scent is that of freshly cut hay.

Ultimate frisbee is my favorite sport.

I LOVE running.

I loose water bottles at an alarming rate.

I compost.

I sleep with literally 5 blankets on my bed. I like to be cozy. 

I believe that a night in, with a good book and a wood stove, can solve just about anything.