Hello friends!! Happy Sunday. How are you?
I am feeling… mostly ok. Super convincing right?! But really, actually, I’m ok. I’ve come to terms with the fact that this holiday season is going to be very different & I won’t be able to hug my family or friends as usual. I’ve made peace with it. And I’m still looking forward to Christmas. Wherever you are & however you’re celebrating the holidays this year – I hope you feel peace & love. I’m putting this wish out into the universe & crossing my fingers for us all.
A surprise gift came to me yesterday, & not the kind you’re probably thinking. My friend texted me in the morning to see if I was making coffee – she was wishing we could have coffee together. So I went into the kitchen & started the process. Finally when I had my perfect cup of coffee in hand – I realized something. This coffee was made possible by several friends & loved ones. The Chemex was a gift from a cousin, the coffee beans from a friend with great taste, the oat milk brought home by my husband, the frothing tool a thoughtful gift from a friend, and even the mug was handmade by an artist friend.
I felt so grateful. It could have been just a cup of coffee. With the right perspective it was a warm hug from several kind-hearted folks who have shown me love. So that’s another wish I’m putting out in the universe today. I hope you find love in unexpected, simple things & that you feel cared for.
Here’s some good things I found this week…
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Luckily my husband & I are on the same page about a lot of things, including the holidays. We both get pretty excited about this time of year & appreciate all that comes with it. The lights, the gatherings (not this year), the gifting, the food, & the traditions. It’s become a tradition of ours to marathon watch all the Harry Potter movies sometime in December before Christmas. We love it. Two days full of the warm & fuzzy HP feels. This year we made this yummy cocktail to help us celebrate the day: Golden Snitch Cocktail. (Half-baked Harvest)
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I found this article helpful when I was still trying to accept the change in holiday expectations & get over my blues: 7 Things to Do if You’re Feeling Sad About This Holiday Season (The Everygirl)
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And in case you don’t read that article… I have to share this resource here because after reading it I’m definitely going to try journaling in 2021. We’ll see if I can stick with it and reap the benefits. (Positive Psychology)
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For a couple weeks now I’ve been listening to Binge Mode: Game of Thrones podcast while driving places. If you’re still mad about the ending & not ready to go back to this series – I get it. But it’s been super interesting & entertaining to listen to Mallory & Jason go deep into these characters & plot. I’m seeing it in a whole new, ruthless light. (Binge Mode, Spotify)
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One of my favorite things to do leading up to Christmas is to bake cookies to share. Here are a couple of my favorite cookie recipes for the holidays: Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies & Best Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies. (Mom on Timeout, 3 Scoops of Sugar)
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Leslie Odom Jr. dropped a Christmas album this year & I’ve been listening to it on repeat – his voice is too good!!
Alright ya’ll. I’m sending you love & light. I’m hoping you have a lovely holiday. See you next time!
