Feel Good Friday 52

Well, it’s officially been one year of these weekly posts, and I can safely say, I will keep this going.  It feels timely that this post falls during this week, which has been one of the most anxiety riddled times that I’ve ever lived through.  Between the election and a couple of sick children last week (who thankfully tested negative for Covid), my own nerves have been on fire, and Wilder has probably watched too much TV as I sat with my computer open to CNN. Now, more than ever, we can all use a little cheer.  By the way, I want to add a little caveat that I am writing this post Wednesday morning before I know the outcome of our nation’s presidential election. I don’t know where we will stand by the time you are reading this, but no matter what, we can all benefit from some self care, crafting goodness, seasonal music, and more joy. I pray that this post brings you a little hope and joy today.

Support Local Shops this Season

The new location of Scent Workshop, as photographed by Emmy when she walked by, because, yes, we can walk there!

The season of giving is upon us, and I know in this time of social distance, it’s really easy to just head to Amazon and click away and order. Over the last two weeks, I have interviewed a couple of my friends who own local stores here in Greensboro, Scent Workshop, and Be Kind Kids.  In these conversations I specifically asked them how we as a community can help our local stores, and they had some great insight.  You can find those interviews here and here. I would highly recommend checking into your local stores that you love because their survival depends on us, and how they perform this holiday season could define if they are able to go on.  Check their websites, call them and find out what you can do!  They are generally more than happy to create gift boxes for you to send out, even if they don’t show that on their websites.  Remember that when you support them, you are supporting your own local economy and tourism, and you are keeping a dream alive for a small business owner.

True Crime Podcast with a Mystery Solved

Raise your hand if you love true crime podcasts!  What is it about these dark mysteries that captivates us all? I have to admit, it’s always slightly disappointing to come to the conclusion and feel like you’ve spent all of these hours listening to get nowhere, aside from deeply emotionally invested.  Well, some friends recommended Bear Brook to me last week, and I made it through in less than a week because it was so intriguing, but also… I knew that when I reached the last episode (for now) there would be a solution to much of the unsolved mystery.  Bear Brook was well executed and I love that much of the crime was solved… highly rewarding!

Healthy Delicious Curry

Screen shot of the recipe that I shared in my instagram stories… so good I have to share it here, too!

I am constantly saving recipes that look healthy and delicious to my pinterest recipe board, and then when Chris and I sit down on the weekend to plan our weekly meals, I read some of the titles aloud.  Often he surprises me, because I recall saying, “Oh I don’t know if you’ll be willing, but this sweet potato lentil curry sounds good, and it’s from my favorite food blog.” I was pleasantly surprised that he said, “Sure,” and I made it Monday evening for dinner.  (By the way, I didn’t even notice that the creator thinks it is a perfect Monday recipe until I posted it here…. coincidence, but I concur!) Making it was much easier than I had anticipated, and it was delicious!  I’ve been enjoying leftovers this week.  Additionally, it’s easy to make it vegan as the only non-vegan item in it is fish sauce.

Stress Eating Much?  Try These Workouts!

While I’ve been running, walking, and doing yoga, I have really lacked in strength training since leaving the gym behind in March.  Looking at myself in the mirror, it became clear that I could benefit from a little toning (and a little less eating… but let’s not talk about that.) I struggle to find the time for a long dedicated workout because on the mornings I run for 30 minutes, I still need to walk my dogs for 45 minutes, and that doesn’t leave me a lot of time after.  Back in April I subscribed to Peloton to use their “outdoor” class section for interval running.  Well, now I am mixing in their short strength classes 2-3 times a week.  I love that I can choose a class based on how much time I have and what part of my body I want to work. They’ve also recently added barre classes and again, you can find some that are just 15-20 minutes each.  I’ve got time for that a few times a week, and I know you do, too!  The app is only about $14/month and it’s been worth it to me.   We don’t even have the peloton bike or a treadmill, but the app offers much more!  I am hoping to one day get a bike though because I miss spin classes, both teaching and attending! By the way, those who have the Peloton bike… is it worth it?  We’ve been contemplating it!

Favorite Holiday Song

Each week leading up to the holidays, I thought it would be fun to share a favorite holiday tune. Christmas Lights by Coldplay has long been a favorite of mine.  This year especially, I think we need a little light and hope, and the lyrics speak to that:

Oh, Christmas lights
Light up the street
Light up the fireworks in me
May all your troubles soon be gone
Those Christmas lights, keep shining on.

You can give it a listen here.

Simple and Free Christmas DIY

With the holidays upon us, I thought it would be fun to share a seasonal craft with you each week I am all about simple DIYs that use things you already may have on hand, and I love this upcycled cardboard house garland.  Might have to make one of my own out of the packages that will be arriving here!  I actually was inspired by this and created a couple of cardboard townhouses for Wilder to color and decorate.

Let’s Get Personal

Finally, on a personal note, I just want to share a bit about Halloween.  At the time, we did not have Covid test results yet, so we kept our kids at home.  It was very different, but we made the best of it… Wilder trick-or-treated at our house alone, and was thrilled with his one simple chocolate bar. We enjoyed time together as a family and  finally carved our pumpkins.  Emmy’s friends who she was supposed to go out with (the same two girls she’s hung out with through this time), texted her when they were at the end of our driveway to let her know they had a bag of candy they had collected for her.  She opened our door and waved and said hello, and after they left she brought her candy inside and told me what had happened.  I was so touched by that one simple act of kindness.  She showed me peanut butter cups, and said, “Mom!  They even gave me some of their good candy!” Even when things are hard and different, there is still so much good out there.

Wilder in his thrifted farmer costume- everything was thrifted (even the work boots!) with exception to his toddler John Deere tractor hat. He loves farms, farm animals, and the farmers market, so this felt right and was easy and comfortable.