Five Simple Things (December 13)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tree.

The tree got a little bare as we boxed up gifts and mailed them to Arkansas for my family. We were glad to get them shipped out this week, though. It was one less task over the holidays we had to worry about.

2. This sign.

Jeff and I did some last minute shopping this week and Macy's is always one of the places I like to go to get a new ornament for the tree. It's become a tradition for us for the last 10 years. We also pick up ornaments when we travel, so we can relive the trip each year we decorate the tree.

3. This water.

On of our five gallon water bottles got cracked and unfortunately we didn't notice it until it leaked on the floor and the jute rug. We quickly soaked up what we could with towels, but this fan had to stay on the rug for a few days.

4. This ornament.

One of the new ornaments I picked up this year to add to the tree. I bought four of them and I just love them. They remind me of the hard candies in the tin my grandparents used to have. They are large and make a statement on the tree, too.

5. This couch.

If only we had the space for this couch. I would be falling asleep on this thing every night.

One last thing:

The courthouse in Corvallis always looks its best during the holidays.

Positive affirmations this week:

One thing I have learned being a parent is your words will become the ones that can make or break your child's confidence. I try hard to make sure that my words to Skylar are always encouraging, honest, and loving. His confidence is high and he feels he can do anything he puts his mind to because of my words to him alone. There are times when people say harsh comments, but I remind him that those are entirely their issues and to feel sorry for them that they don't have someone reminding them that they are important and loved. There is nothing worse than having to explain to my own child why adult bullies, sometimes family adult bullies say some mean comments. I remind him that they are battling their own issues and not to take it to heart. I wish that everyone could find peace in their own minds. Don't let these people steal your joy, and especially your child's.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 6)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This kitty.

 

Eleven loves her feather toy.

2. This caramel.

This THC caramel has been helping with my anxiety at night lately. I don't like to depend on something to help me sleep, because I don't want to become dependent on it, but lately, it's been hard to relax. I love all the THC edibles from Hapy Kitchen, though. They are a Portland-based company and make some great low dose edibles for people like me with a low tolerance.

3. These candles.

Burning some of the many candles I have. All this week I've had a candle burning at the end of the day and I feel it has made a bit of a calming environment for everyone. It might become a daily habit I start doing from here on out.

4. This sky.

The view of the moon and Venus this week.

5. This web.

The Jeep Compass is towards the end of its life, but we still use it for local trips to the store from time to time to keep it going. It's been hard for us all to watch it sit and get older. We have a lot of great memories in this old car, especially when Skylar was younger and we had Baz still. It was the first car we took up on the pass to play in the snow. The spiders have been moving in around the outside of it, but when the frost hits the webs, it is a pretty sight. Stay strong, old friend.

One last thing:

Birchbox and Kiwi Eco Box came this week. My favorite thing from Birchbox is the R+Co Television Perfect Hair Masque, and my favorite thing in the Kiwi Eco Box is the UpCircle Face and Body Soap Bar. I love the smell of all of their soaps, to be honest, and I always get excited when I see one in the Kiwi Eco Box.

Positive affirmations this week:

Codependency is a symptom of our upbringing. It is really hard to break that pattern that we were taught. Being aware of how codependency is learned is a good step in recognizing how to heal. The list below can be saved and taken to your therapy appointments to address some of the ones you feel. There is no shame in being codependent. Not repeating the cycle can help your own children not become codependent, too. Healing takes time. Don't punish or talk down to yourself during the time you're healing from trauma you picked up as a child. It is not your fault.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

End of November 2024 (1 Second Every Day)

 

1 Second Everyday App

Our Thanksgiving (2024)

 This year for Thanksgiving I used my routine of getting prep done each day of the week leading up the Thanksgiving. It has been working well, and it helps to not feel overwhelmed on the day of. Here is a breakdown of each day and the delicious food I made each day, and I will link the recipes that I used.

Monday (November 25, 2024):

Cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies, and strawberry cheesecake.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

We like to use the graham cracker crust for the apple pie, pumpkins pies, and cheesecake. Also, the strawberry puree is easy to make. Two handfuls of freshly washed and cleaned strawberries, with green tops removed, placed in a blender and blended until smooth. I just pour it over the top of the cheesecake and place it back in the refrigerator until the day of serving.

This is my personal no-bake cheesecake recipe, but there are a lot of them online you can follow, too. We like ours on the bitter side, so I always add more lemon juice to the mix.

Tuesday (November 26, 2024):

Mashed potatoes, broccoli mac and cheese, and creamy sweet potatoes.

 

Wednesday (November 27, 2024):

Stuffing, apple pie, cheeseball, and rolls.

Stuffing Recipe

Apple Pie Recipe

Cheeseball (I like to use a mix of this recipe and this recipe), and Homemade rolls.

Thursday (November 28, 2024): Thanksgiving Day

Charcuterie board, ham, and deviled eggs.

First time using the skull serving platter and I am thrilled at how well it all came together.

The only thing needing to be done is heating everything up the day of. The heavy-lifting was done through the week, so it makes it easy to bring everything together on Thanksgiving day. Hardy is always my helper in the kitchen during the week of prep and anything that falls is quickly cleaned up. He is a good boy and keeps me company while I prep everything.

Everything came together great this year and it was delicious!

At the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade my hometown high school band attended and was featured. I played in the Lake Hamilton High School Band through my entire high school time at Lake Hamilton and seeing them preform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade made me so happy for them. The band has come a long way and I am proud to call myself a Lake Hamilton Wolf alumni! GO WOLVES!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours, and thank you for being a reader and supporter at this little space on the internet. We appreciate all that you do to help keep this space alive. Thank you!