December Lately
Good morning!
This post is coming to you bright and early because I, like the true grandma I am, fell asleep at 8PM last night. All I want to do is eat and sleep when it’s cold outside. (<—this combination is a problem).
Luckily, we’re heading to California for Winter Break so, crossing my fingers, we’ll have two weeks of sunshine!
In other news, it’s Friday and we’ve got another weekend ahead of us. The girls are getting together tonight to decorate cookies. There’s nothing else on the agenda – I’m just excited to have some down time to clean up around here. And probably sleep some more.
If you’re popping in here for your usual “Fun Facts Friday” post, it’s a bit different today.
Here are a few things that have been going on in this month as of late. Feel free to play along in the comments and share things you’ve been doing lately!
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Reading:
Just finished The Help last week. I was a sobbing mess by the end of the book. Right at the same time I pulled into my school’s parking lot to enter work. Needless to say, I was late to work because I waited in my car to make sure the puffiness in my eyes calmed down. I even had a week-long book hangover (<— when you read a great book and can’t find the space in your heart to start a new one just yet).
Playing:
We played this at Friendsgiving and I know, without a doubt, we’ll play it over Winter Break. It’s a family favorite. I especially love that it records the “Act It Out” selections. Mainly because my dad – normally a serious, reserved man – gets really funny and silly when we play this game.
Watching:
I’ve been powering through Parks and Rec on Netflix. I thought I was on Season 2. I’m actually on Season 5. Turns out I’m a binge watcher. Netflix is sneaky that way. It just carries on with the next episode and so you keep going until you’re one with the couch and you’ve worked your way through entire series at a time.
Trying:
I’m trying to keep my head above water. We are in the final countdown to Winter Break. I’ve had 2 IEPs earlier in the week. 2 IEPs today. 1 IEP next week. And then, after that, I’ve got NO IEPs until April. Phew.
Cooking:
Does this count as cooking? The instructions are as follows: 1) Find a bottle of wine. 2) Find your wine opener. 3) Go to town.
Eating:
See above.
Drinking:
See above.
Tweeting:
My link-ups! Here’s the link-up party to my Confessions Post. And here’s the link-up party to my “Things I’m Loving” post!
Going:
To California! Have I mentioned this yet? Have I mentioned how excited I am? Man, I miss my family. And my friends. And the weather that never goes below 60 degrees.
Loving:
I’m loving Peggy and all the fun ornaments she’s dressed up in. She brings me so much joy.
Discovering:
I’m learning more about the behind-the-scenes stuff when it comes to blogging. The plug-ins. The stash of stock images online. All the fun things. I wish I could take a class and learn more. Anyone have any recommended courses?
Listening:
After my book hangover was over, I downloaded this on Audible and I’ve started listening to the first couple of chapters. So far, so good.
Smelling:
When I’m home I’m diffusing Holiday Joy or Cinnamon Bark. When I’m at school, I’m diffusing Peppermint. Or Lavender.
Ordering:
Just put in our Thrive Market order for 5 jars of our favorite Rao’s Arrabiata sauce. (It should be coming in the mail today. Just in time for Pizza Night!)
Thanking:
All of you! Thank you for stopping by to read the blog, comment, and engage in conversation. It makes me the happiest. <3 If you’ve got a “December Lately” post, feel free to link up below. (I’m all about the link-ups apparently).
Questions of the Day:
- Have you ever experienced a book hangover?
- What are you currently reading? Listening to? Smelling? Discovering? Thanking?
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Ooh The Help was such a good book . . .
need to get some cinnamon going in my diffuser too! 🙂
Good Morning Divya.
Yay!! I am the first reader or should I say the first comment writer today.
Its 3 a.m. California time and I am up bright and early as I went off to sleep by 9 p.m. and for my body 6 hours of sleep is good enough:):)
Well, enjoyed reading your Fun Fact Friday Blog. You covered it all from Reading to Playing to Watching to Cooking and Reading and Loving etc etc and in the end Thanking.
Have a Blessed Day Divya and her Blog followers……
Great minds think alike…we should cook together some time! All kidding aside – great ideas! Happy Holidays to you!!!!
I’m always in book hangover mode!!! The help was a good one for that! Hang in until break & enjoy Cali!
I love the way this blog post is formatted. Such a cool idea!
I like the sound of making the cookies!- hope it went or goes well😊
Clever you getting sleep so early – I want to get earlier
http://www.whimsyandcosy.wordpress.com
Love Parks and Rec, my husband said to me two nights ago, “I wish we could restart that experience for the first time again, what an amazing show that was.”
Heads Up is my absolute favorite. I’ve spent way too many of a night playing and making a fool of myself as I try to act out an elephant without speaking. Happy Holidays!
I haven’t read the book but If you haven’t seen the movie definitely watch it it was great. I love diffusing as well! I’ve been using eucalyptus and peppermint lately as it helps me breathe better.
I am all about the book reading and essential oils, who doesn’t love good food and drinks.
Loved this post! You and I are so much alike… P&R is one of my FAVORITE shows! And your tree is so so pretty. I love how you decorated Peggy! I hope you have fun on this relaxing weekend. Decorating cookies is such great therapy!
true story I hav never watched parks and rec. I know I know. Are you loving the help?
Oh gosh, so many tears. I loved it. It’s interesting how much it reminds me of where I currently live. Despite the fact that its 60 years ahead of when the book takes place.
What a fun post! I have that Jodi book on my reading list.. Can’t wait to start, I’ve heard great things. Awww, The Help. SOSOGOOD. I’d like to read again, because I forgot a lot (except for that epic pie scene, because WHO COULD EVER FORGET ABOUT THAT?!)
Also that totally sounds like cooking to me :p
Hope you have a great weekend, and enjoy time in CA!
Oh my gosh, I love the expression “book hangover”! I’ve never heard it before but it’s so perfect! I definitely had a book hangover recently when I finished reading In Cold Blood
Those IEP meetings can be tough. My son has autism so I’ve been through many of them.
I loved Jodi Picoult’s latest book. Very powerful.
A Christmas tree at the beach looks pretty amazing to me! Hope you have a wonderful time in CA! I’ve for sure had a book hangover before (although I never knew that’s what it’s called 😉 Loved The Help!
I’m reading the “Wrong Side of Goodbye” by Micheal Connelly, a murder mystery. I also have been listening to the “Serial” podcast. If you don’t know its a lot like the “This American Life” audio program. And made by same people. Really great story telling.
Great post! Taking your cooking lessons. Still working on my next read.
I would love to do those activities that you’ve shared. Reading,watching and eating are some of my favorite things to do..
Winter definitely makes you lazy and you have to crawl out of bed, especially if you are traveling early in the morning. You do not want to leave the warmth of the bed and it takes real willpower. Some books leave a lasting impression that stays with you for long while some don’t make any impact at all.
I love this post! It’s so uplifting. What I’ve been writing in all year, not just December, is a Gratitude Journal, in addition to my regular journal. It’s really change my perspective on being grateful.
Beth || http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
I loved reading The Help and yes, I constantly have book hangovers. I’m so jealous that you are going to Cali but I have a question. Who is going to look after Peggy while you are gone. Are you getting a tree sitter? 😀
Oh gosh, I’m so sad to leave her. Especially because MY parents aren’t getting a tree so we’ll be tree-less over the holidays!
Oh man, that Holiday Joy is SO good!! I was diffusing it last night while trying to get some more work done and it was just glorious!
Oh my goodness — I started reading The Help one year when we were on vacation. I did not want to leave the hotel room. I just wanted to lay in bed and read, read, read! I just finished Small, Great Things. It was tough for me to get into, but I ended up loving it by the end of the book. I’m anxious to see what you think of it.
My day includes mostly reading and watching T.V. series but these ideas are so cool. 😃 Thanks for the help.
I loved The Help and I’m reading a nonfiction book Fat Chance: beating the odds against sugar, processed foods, obesity, and disease. I am burning a Yankee Candle that smells like a Christmas tree since ours is artificial. I just finished watching the four new Gilmore Girls episodes and I’m in a netflix hangover. They were so good, I can’t bear to dive into a new series right now. Great post!
I hear you…those IEPs can be brutal. Good luck.
I need a new book for the winter break. I like Audible in the classroom, but I never use for audio books for my personal life. Maybe this winter I’ll give it another shot.
I am currently trying to make my way through some Christmas novellas I have to review. Oh, the dreaded book hangover! I’m glad you have been able to move along from The Help! It’s usually tough to move past really emotional books, I believe, because you just can’t get it out of your head!
-Lauren
Your reading and cooking activities sound marvelous. I’ve been meaning to read “The Help” for some time now, and drinking wine is always more fun than slaving in the kitchen. Cheers! 😉
I love to read books and cooking is one of my passion. I’m very interested to read “The Help”. Sounds great to read.
I love The Help too! Such a good one.
Can I come with you the California? It’s way to cold here.
Reading, cooking, and working is my daily routine…but on weekends, I include gradual walking and intense running also. However, I miss the plating part, which is indeed a crucial activity to do.
I love, love these ideas! I am an absolute fan of Ellen’s “Heads Up” haha 🙂 I’ll have to try some of your other favorites!
xo Kathryn
http://www.fashionablyfrank.com
I like your ideas. I also love to do those things in my daily routine like yours. This is great..
Ah! I wish I was traveling somewhere warmer. It’s so cold here right now. 🙁
I can’t remember the last time I watched parks and recreation! It’s hilarious and I’d love to catch up on the episodes. I can’t believe it’s already their farewell season. I am really loving that ornament! It’s beautiful!
The Help sounds like a great book! I think it’s awesome that you’re going to California! It’s always nice to be with family this season!
Small Great Things is on my reading list – I love Jodi’s writing. The Help is awesome – a great read!!
These are some fun activities that I can do when I am off for Christmas break this year. Hopefully the vacations comes sooner than later.
Hahaha love this!!! I’ve been drinking a lot of wine lately too!!!! I will have to try that one!
I need to read The Help. I’ve seen the movie about a thousand times! And I love your choice of diffusing scents!
I read The Help a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. I liked the movie version too.
I have definitely experienced a book hang over. Im not currently reading anything right now but I have read 85 books this year so Im taking a break. Hope you have a fabulous time in California.
Great read! I need to check out that book
Lovely ideas of rounding of all.things you are liking this December. The eat and sleep is an addictive cycle.
I haven’t read the books or movies, but I grew up in California and most of my family lives out there. What part are you visiting? Most of mine are now in the Mojave Desert area. Christmas sure is different on the East Coast…colder too. Have a great holiday with your family.
Thank you! We’re visiting both Northern California (where my husband’s family lives) and Southern California – Orange County (where my side of the family lives)
I LOOOVE The Help!
Such fun things lately! We just gained two snow days because of the crazy weather so our winter break started early. We also missed conferences so we’ll have to reschedule those. Teaching is always busy. 🙂 Happy holidays! Enjoy California!
I love so many things on this list! Isn’t that Rao’s sauce so amazing. We also love to play Head’s Up together. And Parks and Rec was our favorite show when it was on.
I love Parks and Rec! I finished it a couple months ago. You’re gunna love the whole series!
Caitlyn | http://www.collegewithcaitlyn.com