Blog - Amanda's Avenue

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January 8, 2022

I Don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 2022!

Another year has come and gone, and the world is still as unpredictable as ever. At this point not testing positive for Covid or one of its variants is like avoiding the ghosts coming at you in Pac-Man (okay now I'm really starting to show my age). 2021 was a lot of things - it had its triumphs and challenges. Reflecting back to 2021- I kicked off the year visiting one of my best friends in San Francisco and made a weekend trip to Carmel. I enjoyed many sunny days in Santa Barbara, but also[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog, Travel Blog

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December 25, 2021

Utah puts the ho ho ho in Holiday Magic

Merry Christmas Eve Grinches! I hope you have been starting to feel that ho ho holiday magic! And if not, I know a little bit of Baileys helps me get by. This year I've been dreaming of a white Christmas; and luckily, it looks like this manifestation will become my reality. It has been dumping snow in both Utah and South Lake Tahoe (our home town) the last few days. In fact, on Tuesday, Evan and I drove home to Tahoe to beat the winter storm warning, and we thankfully made it[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog

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November 1, 2021

Utah in October – the season of fall foliage

Happy Halloween! Spooky season is currently upon us! As some of you may know, Evan, Comet, and I moved to Utah from California in June, as I was presented with a job opportunity at Utah Valley University advising first-year students. So far I have enjoyed what outdoor and event opportunities Utah has to offer. Of course, there is always some give and take with every place you move to, but I am just soaking in all there is to offer in this mountainous state. Life is too short, so why not liv[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog

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October 3, 2021

Homemade Tortilla Soup – A recipe for cooler weather

Happy October 2nd! Cooler fall weather is upon us! I also realize it's been a minute since I last posted. Essentially, I took a summer vacation off as I moved to Utah and got situated in a new apartment and job. But what better way to return to the blog, then to write a post on homemade tortilla soup? I found a recipe on tortilla soup on Pinterest years ago, and since then I have perfected the recipe based on what I thought tasted good. This soup is ideal for those mild fall and winter days[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog

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April 10, 2021

Comet the Corgi turns one!

A year older, a year bolder!Happy Barkday Comet! Hi All! It has been a minute since I last posted. Work has been keeping me busy and I just haven't found the motivation for extra screen time. Plus, I have been feeling lazy on my weekends off, as I'm sure many of you can relate to. So, I am a few weeks late on posting about Comet's first birthday party, but better late than never, am I right? Mr. Comet the Corgi turned ONE on Sunday, March 28, 2021. He is an Aries baby, just like hi[...]

Blog, Travel Blog

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January 24, 2021

A weekend at the coast: Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur

As a kid, I remember driving to places like Monterey, Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach with my parents and grandparents. Now that I'm an adult, I enjoy taking trips up to these places, as well as Carmel and Big Sur, because it allows me a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of a city and just enjoy some fresh air. Of course, I wish I could visit this coastal area more often, but I try to make the drive when I can. I mean truly, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur are the gems of California, in my[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog

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January 1, 2021

Out with the old and in with the new Year!

Is it really the last day of the year?? 2020 was a lot of things, and I think it is safe to say, I am among the millions, if not billions, who are looking forward to the 2021 New Year. I started working from home in March when the Covid-19 Pandemic became a national concern (at least for those who believe in science), and both myself and Evan lost a family member to the virus (which forced Evan and myself to make the responsible decision to stay home this holiday season). Not to mention, there[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog

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December 20, 2020

surviving the holidays 101

Holiday Hardships I don't think it comes as a shock that the holidays can be a joyous time full of love and laughter, but that it can also be a time where greater anxiety, depression, and trauma surfaces and/or re-surfaces. Some individuals may not have intact family relations. So when it comes time to paying the family a visit during the holidays, greater anxiety may result, which can have an impact on mental well-being. Of course, 2020 looks a lot different with quarantine/lockdown orders in[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog

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December 7, 2020

How-To holiday DYI Ornaments: Eight Ornament Designs

This holiday season I decided to craft my own Christmas ornaments. I've always felt the best gifts are those that come from the heart. Meaning, Christmas is not about the quantity of the gift, but rather the quality of it. Does the gift mean anything to you or them? Did you put thought, time, or effort into it? Will the gift bring a smile to the recipient's face? Is it something they will cherish and perhaps reuse in the coming years? The holidays have looked a bit different for me, and man[...]

Blog, Lifestyle Blog

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October 5, 2020

Happy Fall Y’all!

Can you believe it's already October, aka spooky season? I know I can't. Summer seemed to disappear in a blink of an eye, but I honestly don't mind. In fact, fall is my favorite season of all! I know this year looks a little different with a global pandemic and the chaos that's unfolded with 2020, but we can still celebrate what fall has to offer in a responsible/social distancing way, right? Right! Or at least we can make the most of it while we prepare for an election and hopefully receiv[...]