Sunday, December 31, 2023

December 2023 // A List

Oh, December. What a gift you were. A much-needed month.

A month that was less stressful than the last couple of months.

December was a busy month.

A month full of events.

A festive month.

Full of good food, drinks, and family and friends.

December was a month for reflecting.

So many thoughts on this year.

So many hopes and wishes for the new year.

So many things left undecided and unanswered that will carry on into the following year.

But thankfully, those things are not necessarily unwelcome.

But for now, I'll push it to the back of my mind.

I'm sure the answers will make its appearance next year.

December was a month for remembering.

Looking back at photos and memories from the year (and years before that).

Feeling grateful for the childhood photos that Mami took 

And the photos that I am taking.

Realizing that photos truly are a treasure. 

December was a month for comforting my mind.

Walks on my favorite trail.

Evening walks in my neighborhood.

The cold air was a relief for my body and soul.

Long, hot baths after long days.

Hot chocolate, seasonal treats, and good books to help ease my mind.

December was a month full of equal parts chaos and silence.

An odd, interesting mix.

The chaos...an annoyance.

The silence...very much welcomed.

December, you were an absolute dream.

A welcomed respite.

But now, a new year and a new month is making its way.

January is almost here. 

My birthday is just a few days away.

A new chapter will begin soon.

I. Am. Ready.

So long, December. I'll be forever grateful for this month.

So long, 2023. 

What a year full of growth and learning. 

It was a trying year at times, but overall, it was a good one.

Hello, 2024. I'm welcoming you with open arms.

May this be a more peaceful year.

Friday, December 29, 2023

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.


1. Celebrating Christmas with my family


2. My kids' excitement on Christmas morning


3. Watching my youngest son and nephew play together


4. Leftovers for lunch


5. Midmorning and afternoon naps


6. Spicy Shrimp Pizza from Newk's


7. Shut Up and Listen by Nicholas Bonnin and Angelicca


8. Going for an afternoon walk on the Silver Comet Trail


9. My first Stories by the Month kit arrived!


10. Meg 2: The Trench (This was such a chaotic film, but it kept me entertained while I cleaned and organized.)


What made you happy this week?


Thanks for visiting!


Until next time...

Saturday, December 23, 2023

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.


1. Art by Mia Nolting 


2. Hershey's Shortbread Cookies


3. New headbands I received as a gift


4. Reading everyone's Ins and Outs for 2024


5. Where's My Love by SYML


6. Working on my December Daily album


7. It's finally Capricorn Season


8. Making a Christmas card for my sister


9. Buying a new planner for 2024


10. Organizing craft supplies and dining room table


What made you happy this week?


Thanks for visiting!


Until next time...

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Winter 2023 Bucket List

Happy Thursday! Winter is officially here! Winter is my least favorite season, but this is due to my hate for cold weather. I love almost everything else about winter (think the holiday season, hot chocolate, etc.), but the cold and dreary weather is winter's downfall. However, as I've gotten older, I've come to embrace winter and welcome the season with open arms. I love that this time of year brings families and friends together, and I can't wait to celebrate the holidays with my family. One of the highlights of winter is celebrating my birthday, and I'm looking forward to celebrating my upcoming birthday. 

I'm battling a cold right now, which has caused me to change one of the things I wanted to do to celebrate the first day of winter. However, this cold will not stop me from sharing my winter bucket list. So, let's get to the good part and check out my 2023 winter bucket list.

  • Organize and declutter the closets
  • Donate clothing and other things we no longer use or need
  • Watch a new (or new-to-me) holiday movie
  • Work in my sketchbook/journal
  • Complete 1 crafty class
  • Finish my 2023 December Daily mini-album
  • Take more photos
  • Publish 2 personal essays on the blog
  • Pick a new word for 2024
  • Make new goals for 2024

    • Participate in a blog hop
    • Submit a piece to an online publication
    • Try a simmer pot recipe
    • Go for a walk on the Silver Comet Trail
    • Check out a local holiday lights display
    • Participate in a book challenge
    • Make a meal using the crockpot
    • Try a new recipe in our air fryer
    • Go somewhere new with my family
    • Bake cookies
    • Try a new hot chocolate recipe
    • Go on a date night
    • Have a weekly family game night


    What's on your winter bucket list?

    Thanks for visiting!

    Until next time...


    Photo by Anna Popović on Unsplash

    Saturday, December 16, 2023

    10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

    Happy Saturday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.


    1. Secret Santa exchange at my job


    2. Holiday shopping


    3. Preparing for Gabriel's birthday


    4. Random Saturday movie night


    5. Visiting my local library after it was renovated


    6. Art by Ana Falceta (I love that she adds embroidery to her watercolor paintings)


    7. This week's Crumbl Cookie lineup (I'm so excited for the Willy Wonka cookie)


    8. If the Fates Allow by Rainbow Rowell


    9. Eyes Don't Lie by Isabel LaRosa


    10. It's finally the weekend!


    What made you happy this week?


    Thanks for visiting!


    Until next time...

    Wednesday, December 13, 2023

    If You and I Had Coffee

    If you and I had coffee...

    We'd meet virtually because everyone is getting sick again, and we're trying desperately to avoid that. I'd probably have a peppermint hot chocolate since I'm trying to watch my caffeine intake. I'd probably have a chocolate chip scone or a holiday-decorated donut on the side. 


    If you and I had coffee...

    I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to having two weeks off from work. I'm excited to spend time with my family, celebrate the holidays, and get some much-needed rest. I look forward to watching movies, drinking seasonal drinks, eating seasonal treats, and celebrating winter's arrival.

    If you and I had coffee...

    I'd tell you that I've been reflecting on my word for 2023, which is work. I've been thinking a lot about the next steps in my career. My current job has made me realize a lot of things. I'm anxious and excited about all the possibilities, but most importantly, I'm hopeful.

    If you and I had coffee...

    I'd tell you that I'm starting to create more again, and I absolutely love it. I really missed getting to scrapbook and work on my Project Life album. I'm working on my December Daily album and Five Things: December. 

    I'm considering creative projects I want to work on in 2024. One of those things is creative writing and also working on essays. I'd like to submit more pieces to publications. 
     
    If you and I had coffee...

    I'd tell you that it sounds so strange that 2023 is coming to a close. I'm glad we were able to catch up before this year ends. It's been an exciting year. I hope you enjoy the rest of your month and what's left of this year. 


    What would you tell me?

    Thanks for visiting!

    Until next time...


    Photo by Katie Azi on Unsplash

    Saturday, December 9, 2023

    10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

    Happy Saturday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.


    1. 12 Days of Holiday Spirit began at my job. I'm really excited to participate in some of the days.


    2. Ugly Sweater Day! I was so excited to wear my ugly sweater on Friday. I think I'm going to buy an ugly sweater every year. 


    3. We bought an air fryer and are so excited to try it out. 


    4. Mistletoe Mischief by Adriana Locke. I believe that this novella is available when you sign up for her newsletter, but it's really great.


    5. Holiday-themed romance stories. 'Tis the season! I have so many that I need to read, and I'm so excited to read them all. 


    6. Graves by Echos. This has been on repeat. 


    7. December journal prompts by Amy Turn Sharp. 


    8. Coffee + Crumb's Winter Collection is out now! I've been enjoying reading Coffee + Crumbs' seasonal collections. I really enjoyed the photo essays.


    9.  Working on my December Daily mini album. I actually prepped a bunch of pages, so the only thing I really need to do is add pictures and do some journaling. I'm hoping to complete this mini-album, but I will give myself grace.


    10. Christmas lights. One of my favorite things during the holiday season is the lights. 


    What made you happy this week?


    Thanks for visiting!


    Until next time...

    Wednesday, December 6, 2023

    Target Finds: Holiday Edition

    Happy Wednesday! It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm so excited about this edition of Target Finds because every item I put on the list is holiday-themed. I've been to Target way too many times over the past few weeks, but they have so much good stuff, especially during this time of year. Before I start to ramble about my love for Target, let's get to the good part and check out my finds for the month.

    Peppermint Crunch Hot Drink Bomb

    I was so excited when I saw this hot chocolate bomb. I've always been a big fan of Target's hot chocolate bombs, and I always buy a pack or two, especially the seasonal ones. This peppermint crunch hot drink was so good. It was the perfect blend of peppermint and chocolate. 

    Women's Merry and Bright Graphic Sweater

    I bought this sweater for my job's ugly sweater day. I love that it's oversized and it's soft. I worried the sweater would be itchy, but it's so soft and comfortable. 

    Peppermint Whipped Cream

    I'm a sucker for Target's seasonal whipped creams, and I always buy their seasonal desserts. This whipped cream is so good. It's not overpowering, and it has the perfect amount of peppermint. I love pairing this with my hot chocolate. I highly recommend trying this whipped cream with the peppermint crunch hot drink bomb. Those two combined were perfection.

    The Grinch Oversized Graphic T-Shirt

    This was another buy for a holiday-themed day at my job. Even though it's an oversized T-shirt, it still fits well. I love the design and can't wait to wear it. 


    What are some of your favorite Target Finds?


    Thanks for visiting!

    Until next time...


    Monday, December 4, 2023

    December Goals

    Happy Monday! Can you believe it's finally December! I'm so excited for the holiday season! I found this poem by Jennae Cecelia that perfectly describes December for me.

    December holds so much.

    The end of the best times,

    Or what is needed to come to an end.

    December has hints of hope

    For what is to come.

    It has closure for all that was lost.

    December is a heavy and hopeful month.


    November was a hectic month. At times, it was stressful, but many days were full of hope and encouragement from family and friends. Unfortunately, cold and flu season was upon my household. My sons were sick, and then I got sick. However, I'm so grateful for modern medicine because it really helped. Thankfully, we were all feeling better by the time Thanksgiving break arrived. 

    We all went to my little sister's home for Thanksgiving this year. John took me on a date to the Atlanta Christkindl Market, and we had a blast! I tried glühwein for the first time, and it was good. It was a bit strong but still good.

    It may have been a busy month, but I gave myself tremendous grace. I made sure to rest and take breaks. I made a few goals, but it was absolutely ok if I didn't actually accomplish any. 

    Since I mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's recap how I did with my November goals and check out my new goals for December.


    Recap of November Goals

    • Read and review 1 book I received from NetGalley: I read and reviewed Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod and Eclipse by Wilder Poetry.
    • Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I finally finished The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. This took me a while to read, but I did enjoy the book. I also read There's A Ghost In This House by Oliver Jeffers. Raphael absolutely loved this book. I plan to purchase a copy for him.
    • Complete a One Little Word lesson: Yikes! Once again, I didn't complete a lesson. However, I'm excited for December's lesson. I still plan to work on the other lessons as well.
    • Try 1 new recipe: I can't remember if I personally made anything new, but I did try Mami's Coquito for the first time. It's pretty wild that this year was the first time I tried it, but I'm very picky regarding coconut in my food and drink. I'm also not a big fan of eggnog, which I had heard that it tastes similar to that, so I never really had a desire to try it. However, I will say that I did like the drink. It didn't taste too much like eggnog and was actually really good.
    • Participate in this month's blog hop: I did participate in Exhale's blog hop. You can check out my piece here.



    December Goals

    • Read and review 1 book I received from NetGalley
    • Read 1 holiday-themed book
    • Complete Liz's December: Five Things ecourse
    • Work on my December Daily
    • Make sure to rest and practice self-care
    • Watch a new (or new-to-me) movie
    • Try a Winter Simmer Pot recipe

    What are your goals for December? How did you do in November?

    Thanks for visiting!

    Until next time...



    Photo by Stephan H. on Unsplash

    Friday, December 1, 2023

    10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

    Happy Friday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.


    1. Magic in the Madness by Lindsey Lomis


    2. Figuring out gift ideas for my Secret Snowman 


    3. Hot chocolate with peppermint whipped cream


    4. Going to my city's Christmas tree lighting


    5. Preparing for December Daily


    6. December: Five Things began today


    7. Encouraging words 


    8. Unexpected art


    9. Holiday music


    10. It's finally December


    What made you happy this week?


    Thanks for visiting!


    Until next time...