During these dark times with so much uncertainty, I wanted to share how we are spending our days and finding joy at home.
With everything going on and the stress of increased Covid cases paired with the long looming winter months and the stress of distance holidays, my mind is focused on finding ways to feel joy, calm and gratitude at home.
The last 2 months have been challenging. Covid has made school a very delicate balance a few in person days and quarantine. We have had to make difficult sometimes unpopular decisions based on Covid 19. My kids, although troopers, have started to get tired of it all and of each other. And currently Minnesota is suffering from very high Covid cases.
But thinking about the bigger picture, despite the horrors of 2020, I know I have so much to be grateful for. I heard a sweet woman on the radio recently say that for the holidays she sent all her kids all of the ingredients to make her famous mashed potatoes. Since she would not see any of her grown children or grandbabies for the holidays due to Covid-19, she asked that they make her recipe, take a photo of the finished dish and send it to her. She added that her kids would likely be extra grateful for their Mom’s cooking because their potatoes probably wouldn’t taste nearly as good as hers! She went on to say that we should all be grateful for our health this year and celebrate life above all else in these dark times.
Her words resonated with me. I am fortunate. My family is healthy and able to comfortably and safe stay home this holiday season. This is NOT a normal year. These are NOT normal circumstances and it totally sucks for everyone.
So as I look ahead at the 5+ months of winter ahead, I am arming myself and my family with ways to stay sane, embrace a cozy hygge winter and care for each other.
Monthly Fun List
To liven up our days and give my kiddos something to look forward to, my 3 and 5 year old have been helping me making monthly Fun Lists. At the beginning of the month we make a long list of fun activities to do as a family. Honestly this takes a lot of stress off me, to always come up with new things to do. Not only does it give my kids a sense of pride in their ideas but helps them take the lead on some of the activities as well.
We continue to add fun things as we think of them!
Feel good books
During a time of constant negative news, I am escaping into more hopeful positive books. Wellness books help me better my everyday life, cookbooks are always fun for inspiration and books that provide an escape like A Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner help fill the travel void. I just started The Golden Finch by Donna Tartt and am totally hooked!
And for the kiddos we are diving into books about winter, science and about different countries/cultures. Currently drowning in Curious George books about science and Nat Geo Almanacs and atlases.
Bedtime
Essential Oil through via diffuser at bedtime. Such a simple nightly ritual but it really does make bedtime extra special. I have this variety pack of Aromathearpy oils and I love them! Every night I choose a new one.
Favorite Mantra Right now
I recently read in a book a mantra that stuck with me: Once you make a decision, stick with it. Sounds simple but it is so helpful. Making decisions this year have been so much harder due to the pandemic. But reminding myself to do my research, make my delicious and then live with it, without second guessing has definitely relieved stress. And honestly this has been helpful no matter what area of life it applies to. Once my mind is made up, I am trying my best to focus my energy on that and not worry about the what-ifs until they happen.
Hot drink goodness
I am currently obsessed with these 3 hot beverages and would highly recommend all 3 after a long day or on a cold cozy night.
- VAHDAM, Double Spice Masala Chai Tea: this is hands down the best chai tea the hubs and I have ever had! It is loose leaf and makes an amazing cup of chai. We love ours with a little bit of oatmilk and a little honey.
- Turmeric latte: Since I discovered this make ahead turmeric latte mix I’ve been hooked. It’s so easy to just warm up some water + milk and mix in a little turmeric mix. It is a little spicy and so flavorful. It will warm you up in seconds. Also makes for a fun DIY gift.
- DIY healthier hot cocoa: half oat milk, half water with a tablespoon or so of raw cocoa powder. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup for sweetness. This is my favorite dark drinking chocolate.
Wearing
Overalls have been making me happy lately. They are cozy, cute and warm. Also, this plaid knit sweater (I have a grey one with a red plaid bear) brightens my day everytime I wear it. My kids have loved their Columbia winter hats and their Merino wool socks. And the hubs is rocking his cozy flannels.
Holiday Baking
Due to social distancing and our state’s mandate, we did not do our usual cookie exchanges with friends and family this year. But that didn’t stop us from making our own little baking parties! Favorites so far include: Peanut Butter Blossoms (with Hershey’s chocolate and Hershey’s hugs), Gingerbread men and snowman/reindeer poop.
Watching
The Crown! Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher and all the drama… SO GOOD! The Undoing on HBO Max which got me through several long treadmill runs, and lots of Christmas movies with the fam. The hubs and I devoured the Queen’s Gambit. Add it to your watch list!
Listening to
Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and How to Save a Planet podcast! Would recommend both! The podcast tackles the big question “what do WE need to do to solve the climate crisis?” It’s informative, relevant, relatable and actionable, plus it mixes a bit of humor and lots of hope into a doomsday topic.
Movement
Running, yoga and playing with my kids outside. E-v-e-r-y-d-a-y!
Playing
Sum Swamp (addition and subtraction) and Fish Stix (patterns). Both super fun board games for 3-6 year-olds. I purchased the game Hive for the hubs and I’m excited to learn how to play. I read it’s similar to chess in the way each piece can move in a way. Wish me luck!
Donating
This year more than ever, so many people are hurting. As a part of my gift to myself this year I hope to donate to others in different ways.
My mom and I continue to send food/basic medical supplies to Venezuela through our Aid For Venezuela GoFundMe. We are still focused on helping starving families with children, a children’s homes with over 80 small children and elderly eating primarily from the trash and living without water.
Similarly this year, my kids and I are working on donating toys to a local organization or school. This is the first year my 3 and 5 year old are helping in the process of sorting the toys to be donated.
Christmas
Although it is a very different holiday season, I am so excited it’s Chritsmas. It has been good to give our kids a bit of magic this month. We have crafted, written letters, played, sang, watched movies, set up the tree, baked, donated, and done everything we can think of to bring holiday cheer to our home.
The hubs and I have done our best to keep up our weekly date night tradition going after the kids go to bed. At home spa nights, reading by fireplace with cocktails, fun movie nights and yummy takeout when we can.
Our actual Christmas we plan to stay home and have a slow 24th and 25th. Meal wise we are going with a big Christmas Eve board with lots of yummy smoked fish from Coastal Seafoods, cheese, bread, nuts, fruit and a few extra tasty things. A smorgasbord on a platter with good wine. Our cooking efforts will be left to a richly decadent pots de creme dessert and our family’s favorite monkey bread for Christmas morning.
That’s it friends. In a moment of some much uncertainty, I wish everyone a safe holiday. And whether you are with your family, friends or on your own, I’m sending love and hope. We will all get through this if we stay home, wear a mask (please), wash your hands and do the right thing.
This poem made me happy: How to Be At Home
Originally posted 2020-12-13 11:20:07.
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