Hello friends! It’s time for another Feel Good Friday, and today I am going to share with you some things I’ve come across over the last month as well as some that have been with me almost my entire life. Feel Good Friday is all about making ourselves better and living life to its fullest, but sometimes it’s also about visiting those moments in the past that just fill you will warm fuzzies. Some memories spark joy in me, and I will hold onto them as long as my mind allows, and I hope that in sharing they spread a smile on your face as well. (This blog uses affiliate links).
Gifts with Purpose: Late this summer, I had the opportunity to hear Jenni Earle speak at a local shop, where she told her story of how her business came to be, as well as shared all of the struggles she met along the way. Her path was not an easy one at all, riddled with a divorce and a backstabbing business partner. However, she overcame it all to become who she is today and create the business she now runs rather successfully, This is Jenni Earle. Jenni’s grandfather always had a bandana on hand, and that led her to create her bandana business. Her bandanas are hand dyed, and filled with deeper meaning. When she spoke, she told stories of customers, like the 80-something year old who needed two because she was backpacking across Africa, or the lady who needed to buy several for all of her friends who got chemotherapy together. I was absolutely enamored with Jenni and her business and wanted to share with you in case you need any special last minute stocking stuffers. I bought one for Emmy when I met her. 🙂 She has so many beautiful bandanas, but this one is my favorite.
On Hospitality: Today I have a large group of moms and toddlers coming over from Wilder’s play group that we recently started attending. We’ve loved going as all of the moms are so down to earth and kind, and Wilder gets so much out of it as well. Every house I’ve been to has a great space for hanging out and for the kids to safely play. I offered to host the cookie exchange which is today, and as soon as I sent the email I apologized for our small house, our crazy dogs, our lack of parking. I’ve gotten to know these women, and they aren’t going to judge me, so why was I judging myself? I shared these thoughts on instagram and how I was trying to stop apologizing and embrace the coziness, and I received a wonderfully thoughtful comment I wanted to share. Amber from Young Oak Interiors said, “I once read that the most uninviting statement is to apologize to your guest for your home. Since then no matter what the status, size, location of our home, I’ve tried to embrace it so everyone feels welcome.” Wow. I want my guests to feel welcome, and to be honest, I am falling in love with my house, and I want them to feel that from me and find the happiness that I find within our cozy walls. Today I am opening the door, and I won’t apologize! I will instead invite them into my home and life, and welcome the opportunity for them to get to know me a little bit better.
A Healthy Soup: I’ve been keeping up with the Last 90 Days challenge put together by Rachel Hollis, and for the month of December, I decided to give up dairy. I just was eating too much cheese and it wasn’t doing my skin any favors. Chris had a craving for potato soup this past weekend, so he found this recipe for dairy free vegan potato soup, and it was delicious! I ate mine with a side salad, and Chris ate his vegan dairy free soup with bacon on top and grilled cheese on the side. 😉 I appreciate that he made the soup so that I could have it, too.
Feel Good/Do Good Traditons: Emily Henderson shared a post where she asked readers for ideas for do good/feel good traditions and I really enjoyed reading through the comments. My absolute favorite idea came from a reader named Shannon who wrote, “My family started a tradition where on Thanksgiving, my parents would give each kid a sum of money. We got to pick how we wanted to bless someone with it. We left gift cards to Target on the shopping carts, went into a restaurant and picked a random family to pay for, bought someone’s movie ticket, etc. We all went around town together doing this. It was SO fun to be sneaky and giving at the same time. We all loved coming up with different ways to spend our money. At the end, we all went to a movie together.”
Our very kind neighbor sent us a check for Christmas, and it was such a surprise. I am going to ask the kids tonight what they’d like to do with it to do something good and surprise someone while we are out and about. I’m so excited for the opportunity to do it!
Sweet Holiday Song: Since this is the season of Christmas, I want to end this post with one of my all time favorite holiday songs. When I was a child, I was a huge fan of the Muppets, so much that when they had a resurgence when my older kids were little, we ran to the theater to catch their movies. We played their albums over and over on our old Fisher Price record player, and each Christmas, we would pull out John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together. I hope you will listen to this beautiful version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The juxtaposition of Rowlf’s and John’s voices is perfection to my ear.
That’s it, friends! I would love to hear about your favorite childhood memories, or Christmas songs that bring feelings of nostalgia to you. Drop me a comment and spread some joy!