Merry Christmas!

Here’s life lately leading up to Christmas!

Merry Christmas my dear friends!

I just finished the first draft of my word of the year post, and I think you’ll enjoy reading it! The boys and I are snuggling with sugarplums here in Charlottesville and then heading home for the holidays to Hillsborough for a long weekend to visit Grammie and Pea and the cousins!

Here’s some of the behind the scenes lately.

Our friend Jonathon got the boys some DIY ornaments followed by cookies and lots of egg nog for a little gathering before he left town for Christmas. Look at little lefty!

Survivor Finale

Ellen and I had a good time celebrating the Survivor finale. We weren’t thrilled with this season, but I thought the winner deserved to win. CANNOT WAIT for Season 50! It starts Feb 25, so get ready. It’s all returning players, and since 50 is a milestone season for the franchise, it’s going to be epic in a lot of ways.

I made a noodle and bean soup using these Impulse Beans that were sent to me as a sample. They taste as if they were cooked from scratch and were great with the kale and pesto flavors. We recommended Cholula on top too.

Evergreen Waffles

Another fun food sample sent my way are these Evergreen waffles. They’re whole grain and made with hidden veggies and so they are great in the protein and fiber departments! Look for them at Kroger plus online.

Wonder Oven in its toaster element!

I had the blueberry flavor with more blueberries on top and was a fan! They are on the hearty side, which is what I prefer, but I will test them on children next.

Some of the children I live with only eat plain things 😉

Solo Weekend

I had this past weekend without the kids and didn’t know what to do with myself at times! I watched Taylor Swift’s newest documentary (LOVE IT!) and

Plus I ate sardines while watching Southern Charm (the only Bravo show I occasionally watch).

Side note: the Fishwife Smoked Trout is SO good! Perfect for putting on salads!

I also did some wrapping and assembly of Birch’s new scooter from Grammie + Pea! Mazen is getting this teen trick scooter.

I went for a few walks. Love my new walking options.

… also did my sauna blanket when I got cold! HigherDose is 20% off this week, so if you lean cold like me – GET ONE! It will warm you from the inside out and the feeling lasts (unlike a hot shower which fades for me in 10 mins). I store it right under my bed.

Speaking of being cold, I also got this mini heater for my desk to keep my mouse hand warm! It’s so cute and modern looking. Add to cart!

Girl Dinner! True Nature Mediterranean chicken. (LOVED that it came already sliced.) The sauce was so good. Plus Great Harvest Popeye bread and broccoli I flash roasted in the Wonder Oven. I often make a sauce with greek yogurt and Cholula with salt and pepper that I dip savory foods in. Get $35 off a True Nature order with my link.

Theater Night

I did go out on Friday night to see the latest Live Arts play! We went to Zocalo first for dinner and drinks. Fabi, in the pink shirt in the back there, is going to star in Stage Kiss this Jan/Feb, so if you’re local, be sure to get tickets! They just went on sale. You can see your first show for just $4.34 too.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown was so good! It’s a musical, and the cast was animated and fun.

SIX on Sale!

If you are someone who does Dry January away from alcohol, you might want to give the SIX drinks a try! They are 20% off right now at Green Compass. They also launched Snaps, which are flavorless packets you “snap” into any drink or mocktail of your choice – ideal for travel too.