Month: November 2017

Early Christmas Music You Can Get Away With

/ jennced15 / 2 Comments

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone most people aren’t going to look at you weird if you want to listen to Christmas music prior to December 1st. I sit on the fence with Christmas music before December. Some years, I really need the good feelings that Christmas music brings to my heart and I need it sooner rather than later. That means I fluctuate between Black Friday and December 1st as my Christmas music start date. This year . . . I could use some of the music a little earlier but just to make sure I don’t get the rolling of eyes, here are 5 songs that are apart of Christmas albums (or should be) but aren’t necessarily “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”.

 

 

 

 

What Do the Kids Want?

/ jennced15 / 2 Comments

In honor of my niece whose birthday is today; I have decided to ask all the kids where they would like to go. I posed three questions and only wanted the first thing that came to mind. The questions were:

What is one place that you would love to go?

Who would you take with you?

What is one thing you would want to do while you are there?

  1. Ella states: Hawaii is on the top of her list. She wants to take her parents, her cousin Carson and me (Yea!!) The top thing on her to do list would be to learn how and make a real flower lei. 
  2. Elena says: Disneyland is the place she would most like to go to and she wants to take her mom since she will come with her on all the scary rides. 
  3. Evie knows: Camping is on her list of things to do and she wants to do it with her family. Not that I blame her; I like camping with my family as well. While sitting by the campfire she would love to roast marshmallows. I know some great spots out in the PNW! 
  4. Zeke says: He is all about the fish at the aquarium and to make sure he doesn’t miss one any of them, he will need to bring his big sister Ella along. 
  5. Olivia (communicated telepathically to me since she is just over 1) says: She would like to go anywhere there is a lot of warm water to play in. I am guessing she must mean some place like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, not that I can blame her. Her parents are a must and she is hoping to spot the Northern Lights while lounging in the warm water. 

Reading through their answers, tells me many things: First, family is important. Second, the things they want to do are a direct reflection of their interests and hobbies. Third, the places they want to go are places that they have been before or places that us adults have been to and told them about. Something to consider when you get ready to plan your next getaway with the kids.

What Is So Wrong With Leftovers?

/ jennced15 / 2 Comments

Thanksgiving is coming up and the majority of us are going to have leftovers. I am okay with leftovers of the entire dinner as is for one additional time but I really don’t want to eat the same dinner over and over and over again. I love that in the last couple of years there has been a steady incline in recipes that help use up the Thanksgiving leftovers. This year, I am actually making extra of some of the items to make sure I get to make the leftover recipes. Here are the ones that I am eyeing.

  1. Turkey, Brie and Cranberry Mustard Panini from Just a Little Bit of Bacon 
  2. Cheesy Leftover Turkey and Mashed Potato Bites from the Today Show 
  3. Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Muffins from Just a Test 
  4. Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs from The Kitchn 
  5. Thanksgiving Pizza from The Gunny Sack 

Joy Ride

/ jennced15 / 7 Comments

I have to tell everyone . . . I have had a hard couple of weeks and the stress has been wrecking havoc on my digestive system and my sleep cycle. It was so bad at the end of last week that Friday night when I was driving home from work, all I wanted to do was come home and go to bed pulling the covers over my head. I did get home and managed to eek out some interest in a movie but sure enough, I just wanted to go to bed. Once in bed I decided that I wasn’t getting out of it in the morning unless I had to. Luckily the next morning brought a brighter perspective.

When I woke up, I laid in bed thinking about things and decided that staying home was only going to make it worse, so the best thing for me was to get out of bed and get out of the house. For a long time now, I have been keeping a list of places and things that I want to see when I have a moment (which seems to be never). I decided that today was the day I was going to accomplish the list.

I got up, got ready, quickly ate breakfast and then sat down to the computer to map my route. It ended up being a VERY big circle of stops all over the Portland metro area. I left at 11 am and actually wasn’t able to complete my list because places where closed or it was dark.

I had the best day ever!! I have now learned the real meaning behind the term “joy ride”. Just being outside in the sun, enjoy the beauty of fall, mingling with others, brought a huge smile to my face. I was reminded that yes, life is difficult and completely sucks at times and yes, you can have those moments where it is okay to draw the covers over your head but going forward in gratitude for what you have, what you see, where you live, and those you love, really can bring a smile to your face and your heart.

As we go into November, I pray that everyone will try to have an “attitude of gratitude”. A little bit of it goes a long way and once you have it, pass it along to others in the form of service. We will look back at those moments with love and happiness and will be able to make it through all the dark stormy days of our lives.

If anyone wants to see my crazy drive–here it is!