Happy Things Friday: 12 January

Happy Friday. Another day, another week, and we’re now firmly into the new year.

This was a mostly good week. There were some “moments”. Shall I discuss?

Perhaps I’ll start by recalling the morning our toilet overflowed and flooded the floor of our main bathroom. You know how I feel about doing much of anything before 8 am. Thankfully, the toilet had the good sense to wait until 8:15 am to overflow. Nevertheless, I was still not amused and did not enjoy the extra laundry and mopping said flooding required of me so early in the day.

Then there was the “snow day” which was mostly rain and high winds (school needed to be canceled, I just didn’t feel like working with kids home). I never found my Snowday Mojo and it showed. There were a few bright moments, like lighting candles at breakfast (the day seemed so full of promise at 7 am), L reading a funny graphic novel to me, and the giant dining room table fort the kids created, complete with an old play teaset that hasn’t seen use in years. But mostly it was me feeling cranky from the constant disruptions and, at one point, a screaming match between the kids.

Overall I felt tired this week; like no amount of sleep could give me enough energy to do anything extra. So I mostly didn’t. I cooked, I worked, I ate, I exercised, I blogged, I shopped for groceries, I did things with people I love, and that is a week well-lived. So while it was a cold and grey and very uninspiring second week of January, things feel better when I focus on the Happy Things.

Moving on.

DELICIOUS FOOD

I remade the Lemon Chicken recipe I raved about a few weeks ago and it was just as much of a hit the second time around. So easy, so good (I sub chicken stock for the white wine).

I also re-made the vegan lentil soup from last week. I tossed in veggies I had on hand (bell peppers, some leftover corn, some broccoli slaw) and it was yummy once again. In my opinion, the soup is elevated about 1000-fold by crushing up a handful of my all-time favourite crackers – Sweet Beetroot by RW Garcia – and sprinkling in some pumpkin seeds. I literally could not stop raving about how good this tasted.

Finally, a new recipe. I felt very “snacky” this week (hello there hormonal cycle), and I made these No Bake Protein Powder PB energy bites. I didn’t have chia seeds on hand so I didn’t use those, I sprinkled in a handful of pumpkin seeds because I might have a slight addiction problem, and I skipped the chocolate chips and coconut…but otherwise followed the recipe (you’re welcome Lisa). They were very good.

THRIFTING + CONSIGNING

Both kids needed new pants – one keeps wearing holes in his knees and the other WANTS holes in her knees and dared to grow several inches in the last few months so most of her pants are now capris – and I had a few other wish-list items I’ve been keeping my eye out for that we managed to snag.

While we were running some weekend grocery errands, we stopped by our favourite thrift store. The clerk was enamoured with the kids. When I went to check out, she was gushing about how good they were at shopping for their own clothes and didn’t seem to mind being at a thrift store. It is kinda our MO!

In honour of dressing my body as-is, I bought a pair of pants several sizes bigger than what I’ve been wearing that feel like butter and don’t cut off my circulation. One child told me they looked terrible (maybe it’s the relaxed leg/flare – FLARES ARE IN AGAIN! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?), but I ignored their advice and bought them anyway ($5.75); I also really liked this shirt and bought it ($3.75). I own about 5 T-shirts and some of them are years old and none are very inspiring. For the child who wears jogging pants daily and won’t stop growing/wearing pants out, we found FOUR pairs of thrifted pants.

I also did another purge of my wardrobe and came up with a dozen things that I don’t love. Why was I keeping them? Off to the consignment store they go! Once again I feel like I’m down to only clothes I wear regularly, need (I don’t love my leggings, but they work and I need them under snow pants this time of year), or love.

SUSHI

For the first time – ever? – we bought the kids sushi just for them (usually they just nibble on sushi we buy or make for an at-home date night). They loved it. This feels like an exciting step. I was well into my teens by the first time I tried sushi, so I love that they already enjoy this flavour and texture profile. I mean…it’s delicious! I also have plans to pick up a platter the next time I’m solo parenting – easy supper idea for the win.

A RELAXING YOGA VIDEO

Tuesday I woke up feeling especially tired; it was bone-cold and pitch black outside, and I was not thrilled about heading to my yoga mat. I almost cried with delight to discover the word for the day was RELAX and it was a floor practice that involved three cozy blankets and basically zero abdominal or arm work. It really brightened my day.

THE COMMUTE

Sometimes I have to pinch myself that this is their “commute.”

BONUS ROUND

• Favourite snacks from the US, brought by a visiting aunt. When I texted to ask her to bring some (Dot’s Pretzels; original flavour) she said she already had them packed in her bag <3
• Sunshine after many dark, dismal (cold) days.
• A forecasted snowstorm that fizzled; school was on (that was Monday; Wednesday WAS a snowday)!

• For obvious reasons (Exhibit A: my blog name!) I paid special attention to this quote in James Clear’s most recent newsletter. What a great distinction and something I strive to do – not always successfully – in my day-to-day life: The pessimist criticizes, the optimist creates.
• My peppermint mocha creamer. Still delicious.
• My Sprouted Planner. I am loving planning out the weeks and months ahead.
• Improved flexibility. I knew that I needed to incorporate more stretching into my life, but I am thrilled – and a bit surprised – that less than two weeks into daily yoga I can see noticeable improvement!

• A sweet thank-you gift from a friend who elevated it with her fabric wrapping.
• My blog was mentioned in the opening segment of this week’s Best of Both Worlds podcast episode!
• Close friends are grandparents (again). Their son and daughter-in-law had a second child, just 3 days ahead of their first child’s first birthday!!

• My blogging friend Tobia creates “blackout” poetry and I thought her creation this week was stunning.

• Monday’s guest post – thanks again, Jan! – marked post #100 on my new blog. Woot, woot.

• This scene. A was reading to L and they were both sitting in (empty) laundry baskets. On the couch. I don’t pretend to understand, but it did make me smile.
• Rhythms and routines. I’m going to do a whole post about this soon, but I find rhythms and routines deeply soothing to my soul in the dark days of winter. Turning on lamps in the evening, lighting candles, hot chocolate for the kids each day after school. Little things like this can take on a bigger significance when everything else seems cold and bleak.

And that’s a wrap.

Your turn. How was your week? Any misadventures in your house – indoor plumbing seems to be cursed in our household? Do you alter routines seasonally? Sushi – yes or no? Do you find routines comforting?