We had a Pre-Christmas family night last night. This little gift has been wrapped since mid November and Jacob has been stewing about when to open it! Last night was his decision! We skipped the pizza plan and ordered White spot take out and then ripped open the gift and built our LEGO wreath!! We capped off the evening with a new Christmas book!! It was such a fun way to spend the evening together!! This brought me joy! For that I’m thankful 🎄🎄🎄🎅🏻🎅🏻🦌⛄️❄️
Grab a drink (I’ve got iced Christmas tea mixed with diet ginger ale and it’s pure heaven) and pull up a seat! Let’s talk! Real talk! 2020 has been a really tough year on many levels for most people! I’ve continued to try my best to practice gratitude and offer my assistance to others in need in ways that work for my little family. But I’m going to be honest with you all… I’ve had my moments & struggled. I’ve had my moments of frustration , irritation, fear, sadness, anger, pretty much every emotion! Thankfully for me I’ve got an amazing husband to fall back on for support, a house full of family, and a handful of amazing friends to turn to. I’ve got a whole team of you here on social media ready to interact with me and share some giggles at the click of a post!! I’ve made new online friends through our shared Love of vintage stuff, crafting, love of community, etc.
So to all of you who help break up my day and make me laugh, smile, reflect, learn, etc thank you!! To my new found friends I’m so excited to get to spend time with you when it’s safe!
To all of you getting through this thing day by day and doing your best to follow the rules and show kindness, Thank you!
Yesterdays announcement on Christmas restrictions hit me hard. I held it together over the evening but I literally burst into tears over breakfast this morning. And you know what … that’s ok. It’s ok because the announcement sucked, the realization of what it all means just flat out sucks. There is no sugar coating it! Watching other people skirt the rules or flat out ignore them is straight up maddening. Sometimes it’s hard to not get angry and blame others for this mess.
So this morning I had my cry and I pulled myself together and I’m not going to sit here and spew toxic positivity at you and tell you it was rainbows and butterflies all afternoon because it wasn’t! My mood continued to reflect the weather! Kinda dark and gloomy but progressing through the afternoon. But I will tell you I spent part of the afternoon doing little things to help other people (because acts of service and gift giving are how I express love) and honestly that was the highlight of my day. I got my parents groceries at Ralph’s Farm Market because I truly don’t want them in stores if we can avoid it and I feel very safe doing their shopping at Ralph’s. We dropped off our reverse advent calendar donations (a few days late) to Cloverdale Community Kitchen. I dropped off the tree ornaments a new friend had me make. I generally kept busy!
During my brief out and about today you know what I noticed??? People trying their best to follow distancing protocol. I noticed staff that were welcoming and smiling behind their masks (you can tell) I noticed most people are being kind and doing the best they can to get through this. I noticed kindness despite adversity and fear. I noticed thankfulness from others and then I remembered the quote from the Grinch.. “Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more”. Maybe this year we all need to find a way to make it mean a little bit more. Maybe we can all try to flow through our days with kindness and intention. Maybe we can try to find the good. Share a smile. I’m not saying to suppress the hard feelings but try to find the silver lining. Again I’m not going to throw toxic positivity at you and tell you a list of ways to stay positive. I’m just asking you to make an effort to see something good in each day.
Hell im sure I’ll have another good cry before the week is over but I’m going to try my best to take care of myself, my family, and actively try to look for that silver lining!
Today I cried and felt sad but my silver lining was feeling safe shopping and seeing my parents from the driveway when we dropped off the groceries. Jacob singing jingle bells in the truck! Hearing my Mom cry briefly on the phone then pull herself together and tell me how happy she was to see us today (even if it was only a few minutes from the drive way). Listening to her tell me how much she liked the little chocolate treats she found in the grocery bag! The air hug from 10 feet away when handing off an order to a new friend! Spending a few minutes alone arranging the beautiful flowers I got at the market and finally getting these words out.
We’re all in this together! ❤️
I’m thankful December is here! I’m thankful for the glow of the Christmas lights, our beautiful tree, and the magic that comes along with this time of year!
It’s that time of week again friends! I’ve been busy creating lots the past few months. Christmas signs, decorations and most recently wreaths.
Yesterday we went for a drive and picked up a wreath kit at Floral support. It was so nice to create our wreath cozy at home. Normally I take the wreath class with Surrey parks and rec but obviously due to covid that was a no go!
We had left over wreath supplies so we made a second one and walked in the rain to Grandma and Grandpa’s! We hung it on their door and rang the door bell … they got to visit briefly through the glass. My Mom was so excited to see us then she was in tears as we left. But shortly after returning home she called us and was so happy she got to see Jacob and told me how much she loves her wreath. For that I’m thankful.
It’s been a hot minute since I shared a recipe but these cookies are too fun to not share!! They are soft, festive and chewy and everything that a Christmas cookie should be!
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sprinkles
1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar for 2 minutes. Add the egg and milk and beat to combine. Add the molasses and beat until fully combined. Set aside.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and salt.
3. Beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no dry patches remain.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and place dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour but I usually leave mine 24 hours
5. Preheat oven to 350F. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
6. Add Christmas sprinkles to a shallow bowl.
7. Use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough into even balls of dough.
8. Roll the dough in the Christmas sprinkles and place on the prepared baking trays, at least 2” apart.
9. Bake in matches for 10 minutes and cool on rack
Are you listening? Can you hear me?
Mid November and it feels like there is nothing really happening here. It feels like we’re stalled somewhere between Summer and Christmas. Usually this time of year we are just a few miles from the hustle and bustle, the parties, the merry & bright. But right now I think we’re standing on a rug that’s slowly being pulled out from under us. I’m emotionally prepared for the restrictions I think are coming. I’m emotionally preparing for December to look extremely different from years gone by. I’m just holding on.
It’s been a year. 2020 kind of feels like a relationship where one gives everything and the other just takes. The kind where you lose your time, give your love, and wake up with your hands tied and you desperately beg for the other person to untie you and work together to get through the storm. Maybe if you just try to work together and hold on.
My only advice is to keep holding on. Believe that relief from these hard times is coming. Try to overcome the frustration. Try to do the right thing. Just try. That’s all any of us can do!
I’m sure this season of life has got many of us down. I’m sure many of us are angry, frustrated, annoyed! I’m sure many of us want to scream from the rooftops to get people to listen. Even the most positive parts of me are feeling a little lost, hopeless, and probably a little more annoyed then I care to admit. I know I’m not the only one. I know I’m not alone, Just hold on.
That’s all we can do and I’m thankful I’m still here and healthy enough to try to hold on a little longer!
Don’t expect others to always support your choices but do not let their opinions change how you feel about your choices. You will never be able to see yourself through their eyes, so see yourself through your own eyes and don’t waste your time trying to make everyone else happy. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Make you happy.
Be supportive not over bearing. Be kind but firm. Tread lightly and love fully.
Remind yourself that everyone gets to make their own choices, their own mistakes, your triumphs are your own. Make your own choices and own them. You don’t have to justify your choices but you have to accept the outcome of your choices.
Life never turns out quite how you thought it should but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exactly how it’s supposed to be.
I’m thankful that I didn’t have to answer the phone this morning. That nothing in me felt the need to justify my choices to a man who treated me so poorly. I’m thankful that those closest to me all had the same reaction when they saw the number on the phone. A reaction somewhere between WTF and anger. I’m thankful that time of my life no longer has any control over me.
Hello November ❄️
Can we believe it’s November?!? I’m happy to report the kids absolutely loved Halloween at home! We were busy most of the day with activities and fun!!
Now that Halloween is done ive fully switched my mindset to all festive all the time!!! I even baked Christmas cookies!! I couldn’t help myself!
We ventured to Potters on Monday to see their beautiful Christmas display and do a little Christmas shopping!! I’m so thankful to get to spend this holiday season with my boys and getting to embrace all the season has to offer!
Spooky season is almost over!! We’ve been embracing the Halloween season and are looking forward to a Halloween at home! Due to Covid we won’t be trick or treating but instead have planned some fun activities for the kids! We’ve got a piñata, candy hunt, pumpkin carving and a wiener roast planed!
I’m thankful Mother Nature has been blessing us with some beautiful weather and that it looks like Halloween will be clear!!
Happy Thursday friends!
Yesterday Jacob and I spent some time baking! I’m so thankful he loves being in the kitchen! I love his eagerness to learn!
Life With The McGavins 