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If 2020 taught us anything, it is what is important. Our health, the roof over our heads, our family and friends, the time we have together. Thanksgiving week is my favorite week of the year behind Christmas. I feel like it is the kick off to the Christmas season. In a normal year, I am excited to spend some time with family on Thanksgiving and then going shopping on Black Friday with my mom. We have been shopping every year since 1993, except 2016 when I was 38 weeks pregnant.

I can sit here and be sad about all the things that we missed out on this year, but I am not going to do that. This week, I want to be thankful for all the memories we have created this year. All these months of extra time I got to have with Zoe when she was young. Daily parties celebrating anything happy. All the outdoor walks and play. Our crafting, sidewalk chalk drawings. The ability for Chris and I to work from home and keep Zoe out of daycare during a pandemic. This week I am going to focus on the fact that I get to spend Thanksgiving with my two favorite people, cooking our favorite things, watching the Macy’s parade in whatever form it will be. Maybe creating a few new traditions of our own.

I took some pictures around our house to send to my mom of our Christmas decor. I thought I would share them here. Don’t mind the rocket mess on the floor in our living room. I think it is Zoe’s favorite purchase that Chris made. Girlfriend has been entertained for hours by it. If you are looking for a Christmas idea, this would be great for a boy or girl. Honestly, I have been having just as much fun as her.

We have a little village and nativity scene on our entertainment center. I love this Snoopy popcorn scene. It plays the Snoopy song, lights up, and pops popcorn. It is SO cute!

I never really did a house tour after we moved in. Mostly because we never got to fully decorate before the pandemic hit. We had just gotten settled in. I feel like we have a good handle on Christmas though! I plan to put out all our outside décor on Friday, so I will share that next week!

This past weekend, we spent a lot of time just hanging out. The weather was nice, so a good chunk of it was outside. Saturday we watched a little football, and Zoe wanted to watch the Nutcracker Saturday night. I pulled the smore machine out while she danced around the living room making up her own ballet.

Yesterday, I secured a turkey and ham yesterday, and am planning out the details on how to actually get these things cooked along with all our sides at one time with only one oven. Fun times. We watched The Grinch before bed last night.

I think we wore Mac out this weekend. He couldn’t keep his eyes open last night.

Speaking of finds, Target had a box of macarons with red velvet cake, salted caramel and pistachio. Yum!!! Definitely be on the lookout for these.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Please stay safe this week, especially if you are traveling to spend time with family. I know for a lot of us, Thanksgiving is going to look different this year. That doesn’t mean that we can’t make it great!

Happy Friday, friends! I am going to be honest with you, this was a tough week. I don’t know what it was with the moon cycle, the way the wind blew, something in the water….but parenting was an uphill battle this week. I am never anything but honest here, so I wanted to share that. It isn’t always rainbows and butterflies…though sometimes it is literally. Girl mom life.

I went and picked up BBQ Stop for us yesterday for lunch. That was a nice break from soups and salads. My stuffed potato was bigger than my head. Challenge accepted.

Do you guys have any plans this weekend? I need to track down a turkey. I was going to order one from HoneyBaked, but its too late to have one shipped and thawed in time. I called our local store to ask about curbside pickup, and the guy was rude AF to me so I was like you know what…I don’t need this. I am going to try to make one on my own. The thought is terrifying. I feel like I have some really great dinner recipes, and I can bake some really good cookies. But I have never made a large bird before. Or a huge ham. I should have sorted this out before this week, but I guess I was in denial.

Favorite Song: I haven’t shared a song in a really long time. I used to every Friday. Truth is, I don’t really listen to much new music. But Hi-Rez is one of my favorites and he released a new song this month that is so awesome and very relevant. You have to go about 1:20 in to get to the actual song. The idea of the video is really cool.

Favorite Purchase: It’s 2020 and I am ordering family Christmas pajamas and mommy and me pajamas. These were delivered yesterday and I LOVE them. I cant wait for the family ones to come in too!

Also, because I am old AF and am having all kinds of foot problems with my right foot…I ordered a pair of orthotic slippers. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with acute plantar fasciitis and pes deformities (high arches). I bought a pair of slippers a few months ago that I absolutely love. And they really help with plantar fasciitis because they have memory foam in them. They don’t exactly do anything to support my arches though. The pain has been so awful lately, that its shooting up my entire leg. I have had these slippers for a week. They aren’t near as cozy as my first pair, they are heavier and clunky, but that is because they have support for both my heel and arch. They are still cute, not that it matters. They have a hard rubber sole that you can wear outside to walk the dog or whatever too. I am alternating between the two pairs I have. Barefoot is no longer an option for me.

Favorite Recipe: I made thai chicken soup the other day, it was so yummy and delicious. It was the perfect comfort I needed. This doesn’t take a million ingredients, and you literally throw it in the crockpot and forget about it. Until about 3 hours in, when you kitchen starts to smell like the best thai restaurant ever.

Favorite Workout: I did this POP HITT workout on Wednesday and it wore me out! No jumping does not mean easy. Not even a little.

Favorite Reminder:

Favorite Funnies:

What a title. I mean, I don’t really want to call it weekend things on a Wednesday….or shove this all in a Friday post. You know? It has been a long week and it is only Wednesday. Work is nutso, there must be something with the moon because Zoe has been testing my every last nerve that I have left, and just other life things that make you wish you weren’t an adult.

We did have a fabulous weekend. We watched some Christmas movies and made homemade hot chocolate and smores.

I have found my new favorite adult beverage of all time. Half apple cider, half amaretto, dash of cinnamon. Freaking amazing. Don’t take my word for it, a few of you messaged me that you tried it after seeing it on my stories and are in love as well. Don’t sleep on this. How much longer can we find apple cider in stores?? I am stocking up!

Zoe goes through cycles with her toys. She got Violet last year for Christmas, and while she has always liked her and she makes an appearance fairly often for a few minutes at a time….she is in heavy rotation now. I think it is really sweet to see her brush her teeth and put her to bed every night.

I cant wait to take Zoe to the American Girl store in Atlanta sometime next year. Given that things calm down. I think that it will blow her mind.

Saturday night, Chris and I poured some drinks and got busy in the basement unpacking the million boxes of video games that we have. We got them all unpacked, and I think he is still working out some placement of things down there…but the games are done!

Now to find the time to play all of them!!!

Sunday morning, Zoe and I were up early making a white chocolate oreo pie with homemade whipped cream. Zoe said it is the best pie she ever had. It was pretty damn delicious.

We then got started on breakfast, making biscuits from scratch (what a labor of love!!!) and gravy for them with a few other things. I declared that the kitchen was officially closed after that. But we all knew I was bluffing and I ended up making homemade fettucine alfredo for dinner later that day.

It has definitely cooled down here this week. We had to turn our heat on, as it is dropped in the 30s overnight! I am pretty sure my neighbors think I am nuts, outside walking at 6am in the weather…but I am not quite ready to give up my morning walks just yet. That fresh air has been so good for me before the start of my work day. I still have that northern blood running through me, the cold never bothered me anyways.

I didn’t realize that Thanksgiving was next week until I looked at the calendar Monday morning before my meeting. I can hardly believe it! This will be the first year ever that I do my own thanksgiving meal. It is really depressing to think about. It will just be the 3 of us. Not family late lunch. No Black Friday shopping all night and the next day with my mom. I hate this pandemic so much sometimes. It has taken so much from us all. I am going to focus really hard on remaining positive and making the most of our day. Maybe we can make some new traditions. Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions? Are you planning on spending it alone this year, or are you braving a larger gathering?

So many decisions this year that I have not enjoyed making. As we round the corner after next week, we are coming up on Zoe’s birthday and Christmas too. I wish people would have taken things more seriously this year. I wish everyone would just wear a damn mask and do their part to help contain this shit. This is my absolute favorite time of year, and I am trying to do everything I can to make it as fun and normal as I can. But inside it kills me a little more each day. Then I look on social media and see all the hate and think to myself, maybe I am glad we aren’t going out places and seeing all these assholes. It is nice to live in our little bubble and ignore a lot of the stuff going on.

This guy isn’t mad about it…

Happy Friday! I feel like this week has been a long one. We are super busy at work right now, but not with our usual job type…so it is really slowing me down. It has been interesting to see how the different markets have been performing through this year. It has definitely been quite the roller coaster in my world for sure. I am just thankful to have work and to do it remotely on my own schedule. Even if that means I was up here in my office until 11:30pm one night getting a job out.

I never got around to posting about my weekend. We didn’t do a ton, I just felt so tired and worn down. We did do a Michael’s curbside order, and purchased a new Christmas tree for our hearth room. The tree is gorgeous!!!! I was able to get the traditional white light flocked tree that I really wanted. I did some chippy ornaments on it that I got from a local shop, and then simple red and white balls. I am waiting on a tree collar to put around it, but I just love it! You can see it from our kitchen too, which has been nice while I am meal prepping.

Also bringing me a ridiculous amount of joy is this cute little fiber optic tree and string lights in my office. Since I spend so much time up here during the week, I wanted to bring in a little happy for the holidays.

Chris had “off” Wednesday. I say “off” because he never really has off, but his company was “closed” for the holiday. So we decided to drive out to Landmark and get their delicious burgers. I think we had only been one other time since we moved. It was nice eating a weekend meal during the week.

Which was also followed up by Thursday morning surprise donuts from Dunkin yesterday. I had to run and pick up something yesterday morning, and figured it was an excellent excuse to surprise Zoe with her favorite. She had a huge smile on her face the entire car ride and thanked me for her donut about 20 times. It’s the little things, you know?

Favorite Purchase: Walmart restocked my beloved sweatshirts that I basically live in. They look like Aerie for under $12, fit perfect, wash nicely, and are so cozy. Highly recommend. I picked up two more colors that I didn’t already have.

I had seen a few people post on Instagram about this lip gloss, and I was running low on my favorite and thought I would try it out. I still wear lip gloss most days. It helps me look more alive. My all time favorite is Buxon, but it is $20 a tube and I go through them pretty quick. I have never found anything I liked as much though, so I stick with them. I do like NYX, but they don’t have as much lasting power for me. I am seriously blown away by this one!!!! It goes on butter smooth, has a little bit of a glossy look to it, but way more color payoff than most glosses. It looks like a lipstick but feels like a gloss on. I am in love and plan to buy more shades. You cannot beat the price for quality. Grab it!!! I have it in the color Reef, and it is so pretty.

Favorite Recipe: This isn’t exactly a recipe, but how amazing does this tree board look? I also default to a fun board for weekend snacks.

Favorite Workout: On Thursdays I typically do a full body workout. I usually stick with Heather Robertson most of the time, as I like the way she structures her workouts. This one popped up as a suggestion when I was looking for one and figured I would check it out. I really liked it. It moves FAST! I hardly had time to get in position for the next move before it was starting. You do four rounds and bam, you are done! She has a full standing no squats, jumps or lunges dumbbell workout that I want to try soon.

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up with Steph and Jana. I only got through four books this month. There were several days when I just didn’t feel like reading. It happens. The books I did read were good, and definitely worth adding to the TBR! In 2019, I didn’t meet my reading goal on Goodreads and I was bummed. This year, I thought I was being lofty and set it for 52, one per week. Well, as of now I am 60 books in for the year!!! Who knew we would have a pandemic and I would be reading a lot more overall?!

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

This book captured my attention pretty early on. I don’t know what it is with me and stories about twins. (I always think about PLL haha.) This was written from Fern’s point of view, and then you get Rose’s POV from her diary. I had some suspicions from the beginning and I was right in the end, but that didn’t take away from the book at all. There was definitely a twist or two I didn’t expect. This book touches on Asperger’s and people with certain sensitivities, and I think it was done really well. This is the writing I come to expect from Sally Hepworth and I am here for it.

Bottom Line: Read it! I flew through it because I wanted to see how it all turned out! (This one comes out early 2021, so pre-order now!!)

**I received a copy of The Good Sister from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

I enjoyed the second book just as much as the first, and flew through it! I really love all of the characters and the drama between the two families as they continue to find out what happened to Russ and Rosie. I have some theories, but wont know for sure until I can get my hands on the third book!!

Bottom Line: Definitely enjoying this series! Be sure to start with the first. This you need to read them all, and in order.

Bet Me by Lila Monroe

This is the cutest book! I absolutely loved every minute of this. The characters were really fun, I definitely LOL’d several times, and just love a good enemies to lover romp. It was one of those books that I kept wanting to read any second I had to spare. It was just light and fluffy and the right time for me to pick it up. I only have one complaint that I wont say because spoilers. And it wasn’t that big of a deal for me.

Bottom Line: Read it if you are looking for a fun fluffy romcom!

Date Me Like You Mean It by RS Grey

I absolutely loved Aiden and Maddie in this book. It was everything I have come to expect from RS Grey, but a little more this time. It was different somehow? More angsty than her usual and, and I liked how it was split into two parts. I laughed, I got frustrated for the characters, I had all the warm happies, I just loved it. This is a friends to lovers romcom that takes place over a year in Austin and Vail, and you get some Christmas in here too! The chemistry was hot hot hot and I couldn’t put it down.

Bottom Line: Read!!! This might be my new favorite from her.

**I received a copy of Date Me Like You Mean It from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Zoe’s Monthly Favorites

I have decided to start sharing a few of Zoe’s favorite books each month. I have done a few posts in the past sharing books she loves. Lately, we have been reading a ton!!! At least one at bed time, and sometimes several throughout the day.

The Monster at the End of this Book

I had this book when I was younger, and I am not sure what happened to it. I was on a mission to find it for Zoe awhile ago and I am so glad I did. Zoe cracks up every time we read this together. I hear her remembering most of the book as she “reads” it to herself too. I just saw that it is on super sale right now here.

I Want To Dance

This is such a sweet book about a bunny that wants to join a ballet class, and the teacher and girls in the class accept the bunny and all her friends. Zoe always comments on how beautiful the book is when we read it. I ordered this book from Carly. Please visit her shop here! If you are needing book suggestions, message her on Instagram and ask her to create a wish list for you! She found so many books for me that Zoe absolutely loves. (She didn’t ask me to say this, she doesn’t even know I am. I am just really impressed with Usborne books and plan to order more.)

The Little Engine That Could

Zoe said that this was a lovely book. It made me smile when she used the word lovely. Who doesn’t love a story where the underdog pulls through? I think I can I think I can I think I can.

Room on the Broom

I know Halloween is over, but Zoe really loved this book and we have still been reading it over and over. The witch in this book shows that there is room at the table or “broom” for everyone. I can’t think of a better message. It also shows the power of friendship and being kind. Definitely a must read for little ones.

Currently Reading

I want to start reading Anxious People because I need to hop on it for book club, but I am in the mood for something lighter. Hopefully I can get both finished before then!

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary