November 2024 // A List

1. November, November, November. You started off a little rough. Daylight Saving Time ended, and with it, darkness arrived. It's still odd that most days, it's dark by 5:30 to 6:00 PM. Then, there were the election results and all the emotions that came after. I still don't even know what to say about it.

2. Cold and flu season is back, and we've all been sick this month. Thankfully, we're all feeling better. I had to organize and stock up on essentials. 

3. I've indulged in Olipop Apple Crisp sodas, Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refreshers, Poppi Cranberry Fizz sodas, and hot chocolate. 

4. Baby Vivi arrived a couple of weeks early, and she is absolutely precious. She's so tiny and has us all wrapped around her little finger.

5. I decided to treat myself to a haircut. I've put this off for a while because I never had enough time to go to the salon or was just exhausted. I love how my hair looks, and I hope I won't put off going to the salon again for so long. 

6. On repeat: Coaster by Khalid

7. Favorite read of the month: Atlantic Ghosts by Bee Stanton

8. Thanksgiving looked a little different this year. We all spent it at our own homes. Honestly, it was nice just staying at home. I made Mami's chicken wing recipe, and John made the turkey. We had the classic sides: mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and rice. 

9. I went Black Friday shopping early in the morning since everyone was asleep, and I was hoping to beat the crowds. Surprisingly, there weren't that many people out and about. I was also happy that I stuck with what was on my list (and the majority of things I bought were things we needed). Later in the afternoon, we visited Mami.

10. I made some amazing mini cakes using Krusteaz's new chocolate cupcake batter, and oh my goodness, they came out great. I've never been this excited about cake/cupcake batter. This is so convenient because you don't have to mix anything. You simply pour the batter into a cake or cupcake pan and then bake it. I plan on trying the other flavors soon and will definitely buy the chocolate cupcake batter. Side note: I did receive this for free from Influenster and was not compensated.

11. We went to Raphael's class's Thanksgiving feast and enjoyed eating lunch with Raphael and his class.

12. We went to Trader Joe's for the first time. We were surprised by the small store size but found some great things. 10/10 recommend the Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice.

13. The holiday season has begun, and I am grateful. It's a perfect distraction from all the not-so-great stuff. I've already started making gifts and holiday shopping.

14. November, you were a busy month. There were good days, and there were bad days. It was definitely a month of reflection.

15. So long, November. Hello, December. May this upcoming month be filled with peace, joy, and hope. May it be a month full of creativity and wonder. 

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. Having a low-key Thanksgiving. This year, Thanksgiving was a little different. We all decided to spend Thanksgiving at our own homes. Unfortunately, my baby niece was sick. She's doing well, but my little sister stayed home to be safe. Mami lives nearby, so she was on standby in case my sister needed anything. We all chatted over the phone, so it was still great. John and I still made a Thanksgiving feast. I made my mami's chicken wing recipe, and John cooked a smoked turkey. We had the usual sides: macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and gravy. We had an apple pie and berry pie for dessert.

2. This message. I think everyone needs to hear this. "It's a privilege to be alive." This was such a beautiful message and reminder. 

3. Trader Joe's. We finally went to Trader Joe's for the first time and bought a few things that caught our attention. The customer service was excellent. The cashier was so kind and genuinely excited when he learned it was our first visit to Trader Joe's. He even gave us a few recommendations for items he and other customers buy. He also gave us a reusable bag for free. We definitely plan to stop by whenever we are near the area. Side note: 10/10 recommend the Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice...it was delicious!

4. Katie Licht's collage work is amazing. It makes me want to pull out some papers and play in my journal.

5. I've been on a cranberry kick and indulging in Starbucks Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refreshers and other cranberry-flavored drinks. I also tried a new-to-me Candied Cranberries recipe. 

6. One of my favorite things about subscribing to Apple Music subscription is the curated playlists. This week's Chill playlist has been absolutely amazing. One of my favorite songs on the playlist is Coaster by Khalid. This song has been on repeat. 

7. Playing Operation and making Mini Turkey Honeycombs. I hadn't played Operation in years, and it was so much fun showing Raphael how to play. We used the mini turkeys as part of our dining room table centerpiece.  

8. Deadpool and Wolverine. John and I finally watched this movie, and we loved it. 

9. Big Salad's November Edit. I love this monthly series of recommendations on things to watch, read, eat, etc. Definitely plan to try that gingerbread cookie recipe.

10. Staying ahead of schedule. 'Tis the season for lists and schedules. Being organized is a must, especially at this time of year, and I'm so grateful for my planner and notepad.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Tender Heart

I feel like I'm going through a season of tenderness. My entire body has been going through waves of exhaustion and feeling untethered. My heart has especially been feeling fragile.

The election left my heart fractured. I'm so distraught and saddened by the results, the state of our country, and what's to come. I'm currently torn over whether to stop watching and reading the news, but I also want to be kept up to date with current events. 

My youngest niece was born this month. I was so excited to finally meet her. As I held her, I wondered what her future would look like. I remember telling her, "Welcome to this wild world, Vivi." I hope the world becomes a better, safer place for my children, nieces, and nephews. I remind myself that our family comes from a long line of strong and resilient women. I remind myself that there is hope. With new life...comes hope. 

Motherhood has me in a whirlwind of emotions. My sons are in different stages of childhood. My youngest son is not yet in his preteen or teen years, so seeing his independence emerging is a joy. My oldest son is in his teens, and my middle son will soon join in that stage. I am absolutely not ready for the puberty years. It's starting to hit me that they are growing up, and my youngest son will be our last baby. I just want to hold on to their innocence for as long as possible. However, watching them grow and move into different stages is an honor. For that, I am grateful.

To combat this season of tenderness, I'm finding comfort in spending time with my family. I find comfort in reading good books and my favorite newsletters, listening to my favorite music, watching all the cozy holiday movies, and making art. I find comfort in drinking seasonal hot chocolates and indulging in a sweet treat or two. I'm finding comfort with my cozy socks and favorite blanket. I'm combating this season of tenderness with all the things that bring me so much joy and a little bit of peace. This feeling of tenderness may be here, but it's not here to stay. And that brings me so much comfort.

Photo by Kitera Dent on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at our favorite Target, which has a Starbucks inside. I'd order my current favorite drink, a Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher, and a sugar plum danish. Then, while we chat, we'd browse and maybe start some holiday shopping.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this has been a heavy month. The election is finally over, and I still don't have the words to describe how I feel about it. I've been distracting myself with lots of good books, newsletters from my favorite writers and artists, new-to-me music, and all the other things that bring me comfort. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I am in full holiday book mode. I've been reading several Christmas-themed and holiday-themed books, which have been such a big comfort. I'm looking for a few holiday-themed children's books to read with Raphael and already have a few put on hold at our library. As for non-holiday-themed books, I just read Bariloche Sector by Lexi Foss and enjoyed the story. I'd definitely watch for any triggers you may have because the story is emotionally distressing.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to going to a few holiday markets and events. I'm also excited to start holiday baking. I want to bake something (preferably something new) at least once a week. I also can't wait to start watching our favorite holiday movies and some new ones. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I am so glad we were able to catch up before Thanksgiving. It's been a busy month, and December will be even busier. I'm looking forward to a week off work and spending it with my family. However you decide to celebrate the holiday, I hope you enjoy it and have a great rest of the month. See you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Target Finds

Happy Monday! It's time for another Target Finds. As usual, I've found many great things at Target over the past few weeks. Target has all its holiday displays and products out, so don't be surprised to see a few holiday products in this month's Target Finds. I may have to return with another Target Finds because I'm still finding so much awesome stuff at Target.

Christmas Cookie Butter and Milk Chocolate Filled Mini Waffle Cones

Oh my goodness! This was an impulse buy, but I had to try them. I absolutely love cookie butter and mini waffle cones, so this was the perfect combo. These mini waffle cones are so delicious. I devoured the entire bag and will have to buy some more. I loved topping my hot chocolate with some marshmallow whipped cream and a couple of mini waffle cones. 

Women's Holiday Treats Print Flannel Holiday Matching Family Pajama Set

We love buying our holiday-matching family pajamas. This year, we decided to go with Target's Holiday Treats print. John and I got the matching set, which came with the shirt and pants. You can find the men's set here. We purchased the kids' "Sleigh What" holiday shirts and the kids' holiday treats family pajama pants for the boys. 

Starbucks Cold Brew Concentrate Irish Cream

I love Irish Cream and was surprised that Starbucks has an Irish cream-flavored drink. I haven't tried this yet, but I can't wait to. I really have high hopes for this, so fingers crossed that this is delicious.

Cinnamon Chex Cereal

The boys and I have been obsessed with Cinnamon Chex cereal. I used this in a trail mix recipe, which turned out great. This cereal reminds me of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but it tastes lighter (if that makes sense). It's perfect for breakfast or as a snack. I'll definitely purchase this again.

What are some of your favorite Target finds?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! It's been a rough week, and I honestly don't have the words to describe how I feel. I almost didn't even bother to share this post. However, I think it's important to look at the good and think of one thing that made you happy or grateful each day. So, today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. These words by R.O. Kwon. A much-needed reminder.

2. Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón. This was such a great read. 

3. Starbucks' Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher. This was so delicious and will probably be one of my go-to drinks for the holiday season.

4. This reminder to play.  This was so creative and really inspiring. I've been on a collage kick and love seeing other artists' collage pieces.

5. Getting some much-needed rest. I've been sick most of the week, and I'm so grateful to my doctor and modern medicine.

6. Holiday seasonal treats. I found some new seasonal goodies at Target that I'm so excited to try. I'll have to share a review of some of them soon. 

7. This adorable interactive kid's play tree with ornaments. I think this would be great for sensory activity for kids.

8. Holiday music. Currently loving Bing Crosby's Happy Holidays (Beef Wellington Remix).

9. Planning for the holidays. I've already made lists, including a gift list for everyone I need to shop for. I've also looked into my holiday supplies to see what needs to be replaced. I am determined to be very organized this holiday season.

10. It's finally Friday. Here's to hoping for more rest. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

November Goals

Happy Wednesday! We're a few days into November! I still can't believe that October is over. October was a mostly fun-filled month, full of lots of events. 

In October, we celebrated the upcoming arrival of my little sister's baby girl. We had a great time at her baby shower. We also attended several festivals like the Spooky Festival and the Crafts & Drafts Festival. I went to the library a few times and borrowed many books. We're currently on an Oliver Jeffers kick and put almost every single book of his on hold. I indulged in quite a few treats and have no regrets. I also tried a few new-to-me things like Olipop (the Crisp Apple is fantastic).

I hope this month is quieter and slower (if that makes sense). We had so many events last month, and even though it was fun, it would be nice to rest a little. However, it's the holiday season, so I know it will be a busy month, but I'm hoping that planning ahead will help. 

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving Break and spending time with my family. I look forward to a week off work and attending our city's Christmas tree lighting. I'm also looking forward to decorating our Christmas tree and setting up a new centerpiece for our dining room table. 

Before I start rambling about the holiday season, let's get to the real point of this post: share my new goals for the month and have a quick recap of my goals from October.

Recap of October Goals

• Read 6 books: I read 12 books last month. I've been reading a mix of genres lately, and it's been so nice. I read fiction, romance, graphic novels, and children's books. Of course, I read a few Halloween and supernatural-related books. My favorite book of the month was Hero's Prize by Janie Crouch. Another favorite book was The Witching Hour by Fiona Davenport.

• Try 1 new recipe: I can't remember if I tried a new one, so I will assume I didn't. 

• Work in my sketchbook/art journal: I didn't work in my sketchbook even though I had a lot of ideas. I just didn't have enough time and kept going through waves of creative blocks.

• Participate in Exhale's October blog hop: I did participate in the blog hop. You can check out my piece here. 

• Work on one of the past Exhale blog hop prompts I didn't finish: I didn't work on any past Exhale blog hop prompts, but I finally made a list of a few that I'd love to work on. One of the prompts I'd love to work on is a photo essay. 

• Work on my Savannah and Tybee Island album: Yikes! I completely forgot about this. I really need to make time to work on this project. 

• Go to at least one local event: We went to the Spooky Festival and Crafts & Drafts Festival.

• Go to the Silver Comet Trail at least twice in the month: I went to the Silver Comet Trail exactly twice this month. It was just what I needed since it was a busy and sometimes stressful month. 

November Goals

• Read 5 books

• Try 2 new recipes

• Work in my sketchbook/art journal

• Participate in Exhale's November blog hop

• Work on one of the past Exhale blog hop prompts I didn't finish

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

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Elena Leya on Unsplash

October 2024 // A List

1. October, October. What a blast you were! I always look forward to your arrival and dread your departure. This year felt the same but also different. But overall, you were a dream. 

2. Lately, I've been really into our local festivals and was so grateful we could attend the Spooky and Crafts & Drafts festivals. The Spooky Festival was so much fun, and we enjoyed taking the kids trick-or-treating at some of our favorite local businesses. I enjoyed going to the Crafts & Drafts Festival and finding new-to-me shops to purchase from. I even added a few things to my Christmas wishlist from some of the shops.

3. A current obsession: Olipop's Crisp Apple. It's a great alternative to soda and tastes surprisingly good. I plan to try most, if not all, of the flavors.

4. John and I had an impromptu early date night and went to day 2 of the Crafts & Drafts festival. Then, we had a late lunch at The Corner Taqueria. 

5. I went to the Silver Comet Trail twice this month, and it was the perfect pick-me-up. I absolutely love going to the trail, especially during the fall.

6. Obviously, this was the month of treats. I absolutely indulged in all the treats and baked goods this month. One of my favorite treats in October was Nothing Bundt Cake's Oreo Dirt Cake.

7. Some favorite reads of the month: Hero's Prize by Janie Crouch, Hello Grief: I'll be Right with You by Alessandra Olanow, and The Witching Hour by Fiona Davenport.

8. On repeat: Reflections by The Neighbourhood 

9. Favorite finds: Nutcracker mug from Michaels, Canada Dry Winter Variety Pack, and John Derian's Apple Dining Bowls

10. Trick-or-treating was a success! The boys' Halloween bags were completely full, and now they have more candy than they'll ever eat. I also definitely got my share of treats courtesy of the candy tax. This year, we actually got a decent amount of trick-or-treaters. Raphael had so much fun handing out candy. We were surprised that our candy was gone before we took the boys out to do their trick-or-treating. 

11. A favorite fall and Halloween tradition: Pumpkin carving! This is one tradition that I hope we will never break. 

12. After months of waiting, the boys' new bunk bed finally arrived, and we absolutely loved it.

13. October, you were a fun-filled month. There were a few bumps throughout the month, but overall, you were a delight, as always. I'm sad to see you go and can't wait for your return.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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. Olipop Apple Crisp. Oh my goodness! This was absolutely delicious. I have to give a shout-out to Brittany from Brittany's Notebook because I discovered Olipop via one of her newsletters.

2. Atlantic Ghosts by Bee Stanton. October and spooky season may be over, but I will always want to read a collection of ghost stories and supernatural folklore. I'm almost done reading this book, so I'll have to remember to post a review soon.

3. I just purchased this Nutcracker mug from Michaels. One of my favorite things about Christmas and the holidays is nutcrackers, and surprisingly, I didn't have a nutcracker mug.

4. I rarely shop at Sephora and am not really into makeup, but I wanted to invest in a good skincare set. The ladies at my local Sephora were so kind and helpful. Hopefully, the set I bought works well.

5. Halloween! We had a blast trick-or-treating, and the boys' bags were filled with treats. We have way too much candy that we know we'll never finish. Surprisingly, this year, we had a lot of trick-or-treaters, and all of the candy we left outside was gone.

6. Making our holiday lists. Yes, lists. I'm trying to be very organized this holiday season and do not want to overspend. There have been times when I thought I didn't have enough or ran out of supplies (i.e., wrapping paper, gift bags, etc.), only to find that I had more than enough. So, making a bunch of lists will hopefully help this year. 

7. Reflections by The Neighborhood. This song has been on repeat.

8. This lovely message.

9. Flowers from John. Always.

10. It's finally November.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...