Big Announcement for First Friday Favorites with a Huge First

Expecting our newest adventure for a HUGE First Friday Favorites!

We're headed out on our annual Aunt Mel and Uncle Andrew adventure with three of our nieces and nephews this year, and it will be the last semi-normal year, because we have a pretty big announcement and will have a special addition to our trip come next summer... WE'RE EXPECTING! I alluded to life being crazy in some good ways in last month's Favorites Link Up, and well that's the big announcement and a huge first for us. After 18 years of loving Aunt and Uncle life we are pregnant with our first. 

FAVORITE MOMENT: Telling My Parents We're Pregnant 

June First Friday Favorites Link Up

As I knew might be the case, First Friday Favorites has kept me (mostly) accountable to get something up once a month, but that's about all I'm managing right now. Life has been crazy, in good ways, but it has left this little space neglected. More on that, hopefully next month! For now, here's my First Friday Favorites for June: 

Favorite Read: Changling Series by Molly Harper

While I have been struggling with physical reads this month, I have been listening to a lot. I have so many audible credits built up because I tend to listen for free on Hoopla or Libby. I figured I would give a few Audible exclusives a try in order to use credits on something that I can only find there. I stumbled on the Changling series by Molly Harper. There are three books and I am halfway through the second.

I am really loving them. They are short, easy listens, but have such a neat storyline. Think Harry Potter meets Bridgerton, with a female lead. Here's a synopsis of the first book:

First Friday Favorites: We're Cruising, Baby

Today's First Friday Favorites Link Up is going to be short and sweet because... we're headed out on a CRUISE!! For the first time in about 5 years! We booked a cruise in 2020 (knowing it might very well get canceled) for our 10 year year anniversary. Sure enough, we all know that two weeks did not stay two weeks. We are finally using our cruise credit and instead setting sail for our 13th anniversary. 

We will be sailing on Royal Caribbean for just a long weekend and have absolutely ZERO plans to leave the boat. We have been to the Bahamas many times (like this awesome day) and don't feel like fighting the port crowds. We are looking forward to just relaxing by the pool, sipping drinks, and eating all the foods. 

Since I've got sailing on my mind we will start things off with a look back at past cruises!

Favorite Bahamas Excursion

We had been into Nassau many times and always eyed the abandoned lighthouse that sits at the edge of the port as you sail away. Before one of our cruises we decided to look it up to see if you could get there somehow. You can hike the edge of the beach from Atlantis, but it's a long haul. The other option? See if there is someone along the water with a boat for hire who may be willing to take you across the small stretch of water from the seawall to the lighthouse. Ask one of the tour cabanas, they usually know a local that they will hook you up with. We were introduced to Baba and he took up over and back from $40 (plus we tipped $20). We paid him the first half to take us, second to pick us up. MAKE sure to build in time to walk back if you have to! By choosing to go out on your own you don't have insurance from a cruise booked excursion to ensure you cruise ship will wait for you. You can learn more about our experiences and preference for planning our own excursions in this post. 

What is the process of shipping an RV?

Whether you’ve bought an RV online or have limited vacation time, shipping the vehicle makes a lot of sense, especially if you don’t want to drive it yourself. But what exactly does the transportation process involve?

Here's a Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Your RV

photo via Roadpass on Unsplash

Step 1 – Find Your Transporter 

The first thing you should do is reach out to a reliable RV shipper. According to https://www.a1autotransport.com/rv-transport/, you want to ensure you work with a dependable provider to improve your experience. The best way to find your company is to contact a few organizations and ask them the following questions: 

April Currently & First Friday Favorites Link Up

It's the first Friday of the month, which means it's time for the third edition of the First Friday Favorites link up. Yes, it should be the fourth, but last month got away from me in the midst of some life stuff, so here we are. Each month will always include a favorite read, favorite find, and favorite quote, then whatever my little heart finds happy. Join in with any favorites in your world right now (you can follow the prompts, or simply share a favorite blog post- whatever your heart desires). I am also linking up with Jennifer, who now hosts the monthly Currently roundup. 

Starting things off with what I am currently loving by sharing the First Friday Favorites this month. 

First Friday Favorites

Favorite Amazon Find | Calm Magnesium Powder

Calm Magnesium powder has been part of my nightly routine for the past month. I have actually had this same canister for a while now, but just recently got into using it more consistently. Magnesium powder has been great for adding to a nightly mocktail and has helped me sleep better (and go better, if you catch my drift)! I currently have the raspberry lemon flavor and really like it, but plan to try watermelon next. The stuff lasts FOREVER though, so it'll probably be awhile before I get to try the next one. I highly recommend it for winding down at the end of the day! 

Favorite Read This Month 

First Friday Favorites February Currently

HAPPY First FRIDAY Favorites!!

The first Friday of February means it's time for the second First Friday Favorites link up. Each month will always include a favorite read, favorite find, and favorite quote, then whatever my little heart finds happy. Join in with any favorites in your world right now (you can follow the prompts, or simply share a favorite blog post- whatever your heart desires). I am also linking up with Jennifer, who now hosts the Currently roundup. Let's kick it off with a January recap:

January Recap

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A post shared by Melanie Snavely (@lifessweetjourney)

January came with my first trip of the year, and it was beyond wonderful. I flew (Frontier for the first time and let's just say it is NOT a favorite) to Utah with my friend to meet her mom for a girls weekend in Park City. We did one day of skiing and then lucked out on being there for the Sundance Film Festival. After the rough ending to 2022, it was exactly what my soul needed! 

I came back feeling refreshed, but also so ready to get back to the snow! Thankfully I head back to Park City in less than a week. I had never skied Park City before, and it may be quickly becoming one of my new favorite ski destinations. 

Is Snowmobiling in Yellowstone Worth the Cost?

Are you looking to snowmobile in Yellowstone? Here are a few things to consider.

When we were in Big Sky Montana for a ski trip, we took one day for an excursion and did a snowmobiling tour in Yellowstone National Park with Two Top Vacations. To be honest, after visiting Yellowstone in the summer, I wasn't sure a winter snowmobile tour of Yellowstone would be worth the cost. If you are looking for things to do in Montana this winter, this post breaks down what you need to know if you are thinking of snowmobiling in Yellowstone, as well as if it is worth the cost or not.

Yellowstone National Park in Winter

Yellowstone is a completely different world in the winter, so even if you have been in the park in the summer your experience will be entirely new. The park is open to the public, but unlike the summer it is not as easy to get in - though you won’t be fighting crowds like other times of the year, there are some things you need to know if you are going to visit Yellowstone National Park in winter.

First Friday Favorites: New Blog Link Up Party

Cheers to a New Year and a New Link Up Party! 

Well, another year has come and gone and it's been another year of mostly neglecting this space. I always start the year off with a plan to be more active on the blog and every year seems to send the same. But, here's to trying again!

To help me stay more motivated I am starting a new link up to at least give me something specific to post once a month... so, I am starting a First Friday Favorites link up party. It's mix of concepts from two of my favorite bloggers, Christina at Carolina Charm's Five on Friday, and a Currently link up that used to be hosted by Anne in Residence (she no longer hosts, but I think someone else may). Basically, I plan to share a monthly recap (even just for my own reflections to look back on), and then a few favorite prompted things each month.

Each month will always include a favorite read, favorite find, and favorite quote (since the initial reason I started this blog 10 years ago- wow, 10 years!- was to share my love for quotes). Then, I may include a few other "favorite" prompts. You can join in the prompts each month or just share any favorites in the link up (favorite blog post you wrote that week, your Friday favorites, whatever your little heart desires).

So, here's my first First Friday Favorites edition: