January is almost over. I’m okay with that. The main upside of this rather dismal winter month is the increased light we’re getting each day. At first it wasn’t very noticeable, but now we’re – occasionally – no longer eating supper after dark.
It might be getting lighter but it sure hasn’t been getting warmer. Brrrrr. It was frigid in our part of the world (-16.5 C without windchill one day, or about 2F). Thankfully, we finally got some sunshine. After what felt like weeks of overcast, depressing skies – sun, glorious sun! It makes such a difference.
Who’s ready for some Happy Things?
COTTAGE CHEESE
You know I have been having a “cottage cheese moment”. Imagine my delight when I saw the lunch Belle had prepared for herself on Monday (it ended up being a snow/ice day off school). Cottage cheese! Have I made a new convert?
TEENS/A CLEAN BATHROOM
Speaking of Belle and the snow day, I decided since we were all home we might as well work together to cross chores off my list. Belle is now quasi in charge of the main bathroom and I got a jolt of deep happiness when I walked by the door and saw a neat, tidy, smells-like-lemon bathroom. Yet another perk of teens. They can do a decent job of helping around the house!!!
CHOCOLATE SHEETS
These were the one thing Belle requested my brother bring from Denmark. Thin sheets of dark chocolate are like sweet clouds of delight when left to melt on top of warm peanut butter toast. It is hard to overstate how delicious these are and I am rationing them since we only have a few boxes.
VOLLEYBALL
Our local college sports teams have group ticket offers for amateur groups to attend for a reduced price. So I picked up a batch of tickets and some of Belle’s friends came to the volleyball game with us. It was a lot of fun (though our team lost). My parents also came along and it ended up being a really special afternoon. I realized I’ve never been to a sporting event like that with my mom…ever. Turns out she played volleyball in middle school (how did I not know this?) and was quite invested in the game.
NO MORE FEATHERS
Years ago we got a set of three matching pillows. They happened to be down filled (perhaps synthetic feathers – they weren’t expensive). At first, this seemed great. They were very soft and puffy. Pretty quickly they became my nemesis. Feathers would poke through and feel scratchy and every single day feathers would escape and float to the floor.
This went on for literal years. I bought extra pillow protectors and those feathers kept poking through. Finally, I replaced the two square pillows (there was nothing wrong with the pillow covers) about a year ago.
But for some inexplicable reason I didn’t touch the lumbar pillow. Every single day it annoyed me because every single day at least one feather would escape (by now, so many feathers had come out the term “pillow” could be used loosely).
I finally did something about it, ordered a new pillow – NOT feather-filled – and it has made me dispropotionately happy.
LUNCH DATE
Wednesday morning John pitched the idea of a lunch date. I’m not always the best at rolling with spontaneous suggestions, but that same morning someone told me about a great taco shop in a nearby town and we decided to check it out.
It was delicious!! We will definitely be going back. It was extra fun to go somewhere new and it was the cherry on top (or pico de gallo) to have it taste incredible.
THRIFTED BOOTS
I’m realizing an update on my boot situation is long overdue.
I asked for reader suggestions a few months ago and ended up buying some brand-new Wind River boots. They were a good balance of practical and aesthetically pleasing. They were on sale. They were rated well for cold winters.
It also turns out they were uncomfortable. My right foot always felt tight (I checked the boots and they were each the same size). Eventually, after wearing them around the house for a week or two I had to admit defeat. I tried on various other brands at a variety of stores and decided my $20 thrifted Sorels would be fine for another winter.
And then…I went to a thrift store (you know where this is going, right), and I spotted a pair of Columbia Telluron winter boots in a men’s size (so naturally wider). They have Omniheat which Engie has rhapsodized about multiple times. And they were $20. And in like-new condition. Sold. They have been great. They are chunky, but easy to walk in and warm.
That same trip I also scored a pair of North Face “dressy” winter boots. And a thrifted pair of new (fake) Uggs. Did I “need” either of the extra boots? Maybe not, but I’ve been wearing them all for different things and it has been so nice to have more comfortable winter footwear.
So for far less than the pair of one new set of boots (I promise, I really did have full intentions of buying new), I ended up with three pairs of second-hand boots.
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- Peppermint mocha SILK creamer. Nicole texted me a picture before Christmas when it showed up in BC and I all but ran to the store in my bathrobe to buy some. Alas and alack, they didn’t carry it in Atlantic Canada (at least where I live) until after Christmas. Why?? Better late than never and each day my cup of coffee with a hint of pepperminty goodness is sheer delight.
- Belle’s sleepover at my parent’s rental. It was so fun for everyone.
- Belle walking down to rant (school as a teen can be frustrating) – and get a homemade cookie – from my parents. She came home in a great mood, spent quality time with my parents, and got fresh air and exercise.
- Baked French Toast.
- Taking a sick day. Saturday night, almost out of nowhere, I was achey, had a bit of an elevated temp, and a stuffy nose. I ended up staying home from church on Sunday, skipping both of Indy’s afternoon basketball games and it was…wonderful! Forced rest, but I felt well enough to pick away at all sorts of little tasks.
- Our whole family ending up in the living room without any lights but the twinkle ones on the mantle and just…chilling. Sprawled on different couches and chairs. I don’t even remember what we talked about, but we were warm and cozy and together. It was a nice moment.
- Roasted broccoli and cauliflower.
- Sitting in the sunshine at our dining room table.
HELP ME CHOOSE!
I’ve decided I want to organize a little gratitude practice for the month of February. I need help naming it! I circulated a few options to friends and every single person had a different preference. It’s time to crowdsource – the name with the most votes will win. What’s your favourite?
Loading ...Happy Weekending!
- Did you vote? If so, are you likely to join my club/society/group/team?!
- Who cleans the bathrooms in your household?
- What is your favourite topping for toast? Peanut butter + banana is my all-time favourite, but those chocolate sheets are a strong contender.
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mbmom11
I only recently realized how good roasted cauliflower and broccoli are. But most of the family only eat them steamed, so I need to wait for one daughter to come home to justify making them.
What deal on those boots !, you live in a snowy climate so more than one pair makes sense! Did you return the full price ones?
I have a hard time with gratitude and joy right now so I went with triple T. It’ll let me think about things that are victories even if I’m not joyful.
Elisabeth
Roasted veggies are so delicious; I feel like the flavour is so much deeper. Yum.
I DID return the full-price boots.
There are seasons of life that do not lend themselves to feelings of lightness or gratitude. Those are hard, sometimes dark, places to be. Sometimes the little victories are so small – and so dwarfed by the hard – as to feel insignificant, but I do think that recognizing them does help just a tiny hint of light. Sending hugs <3
Maria
Gold stars for having winter footwear that works and is comfortable! It’s not like you won’t get AMPLE use out of all the boots. Winter is not a short affair here… I’m definitely guilty of trying to just make do on the winter boot/shoe situation and then being frustrated by it.
I’m looking forward to the gratitude club and did vote!
My big happy thing is that we made it to my parents house on Wednesday – two days late thanks to airline cancellations and delays, but we made it! The previous week I was solo parenting AND we had five houseguests (including four extra kids under 9). So after a lot of crazy, it’s especially sweet to be here. And my older sister and her kids were able to come visit at the same time!
Elisabeth
Winter is long and there is a shoulder season where I can definitely wear the boots for the chill, if not snow and ice.
What a happy thing, Maria! I’m so glad you made it, though I’m sure the delays were not fun with kiddos in tow. I hope you have a wonderful time visiting with family.
Katy @ Practical Walk
Great score on the boots!
I recently got a free stitch fix box and almost kept a cute dress from it. I decided to send it back due to the price. Then went to Goodwill and got another dress, way cheaper and just as cute! Thrift store prices make it hard for me to pay full price.
Elisabeth
That’s my favourite – when I see something I like, say no because of the price and then find something equal (or better) at a thrift store.
NGS
I walk MILES a day in my Columbia boots. MILES. I never complain about my feet being cold. I don’t know how Columbia does it, but I am a convert for life.
I like peanut butter toast. I mean, I would basically eat peanut butter all day long if it were allowed. I’ll take other things on toast (jelly, honey, apple butter), but I’ll always default to PB if allowed.
Elisabeth
Yes, what wizardry is happening at the boot factory we don’t know about?
PB is so amazing – I can’t/don’t want to imagine life without it.
Diane
When I first saw Chocolate Sheets, I thought we were talking bed sheets and I was so intrigued about what that combination of chocolate in bed was going to be, and then, can I saw I was just a teeny bit disappointed that these are not bed sized pieces of chocolate? But chocolate on toast sounds lovely too. My sister in law who lives in Amsterdam sent us chocolate sprinkles that they put on toast, which I thought an interesting idea.
I feel very bougie to say it, but we have biweekly cleaners come and they do the bathrooms. We’ll wipe things down with a Clorox wipe when needed, but the top to bottom cleaning is done for us. Though during the pandemic the oldest kid did it for a while.
I like “The Grateful Hearts Group” – to the point without making me feel like I have to be too upbeat. But maybe that’s just where I am four days after Inauguration here in the U.S.
Elisabeth
Ha! Bed sheets. I can see how that WOULD be confusing. Alas they are not giant pieces of chocolate. I know about the chocolate sprinkles and I wonder if they’re as good as the sheets? I think I can buy the sprinkles at a local grocery store. Maybe I can champion them importing the chocolate sheets (for toast, not the bed).
It’s not bougie. You work a very, very intense job, have three kids, and a busy life. I think it’s incredibly smart to outsource this work. Gold stars!
The Grateful Hearts Group keeps making me think of The Grateful Dead (and then The Dead Poets Society). We shall see what way the voting goes. I will leave it in the hands of the poll since I’m rubbish at making decisions.
Nicole MacPherson
OH NO NOT THE BOOTS. I guess all’s well that ends well but DAMMIT.
Elisabeth, my Jan fave things is going to include that creamer because although I drink my coffee black 95% of the time, once in a while it’s fun to have flavoured creamer and it was on sale after Christmas so of course I stocked up. Hopefully I will finish it before it expires. CAN oat milk really expire though? I am not going to risk explosive diarrhea so I won’t really test this. OR WILL I?
Roasted broccoli and cauliflower are my jam and we have them at least a couple times a week in the winter. Yasss, bring on the cruciferousness.
OMG Elisabeth, I have the best story for you with regards to pillows. So I was laundering the sheets and as I gave Jake his to put back on his bed, I looked at his pillows. I do not even know how to describe what kind of shape they were in. So lumpy. Anyway, one of the pillows was new when he got a new bed (prior to this house’s new bed) in 2018. The other one dated from when he went from crib to “big boy bed.” To say they were crappy would be an understatement. So I put it on the list of things to do and then I was at Superstore, and the free gift that week was supposed to be some kind of granola bar pack, but they had run out, so they were giving out two hypoallergenic pillows with every $300 purchase! I could not believe it. IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER.
Speaking of best day ever, I have never even heard of chocolate sheets but that feels like a life-changing experience.
Elisabeth
Maybe you should feed the creamer to your husband to level the playing field after the “poisoning” incident last year?
Isn’t a splash of that creamer just THE BEST. I love how festive it tastes. And thank you for reminding me to text my husband to get me another carton at the store.
First, what a leap – from granola to PILLOWS? Bizarre, but that is amazing. Oh the “big boy bed” transition. I remember it well.
It is life-changing.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I don’t think oat milk really expires and even if it does, I am pretty sure the date is probably well into the middle of the year, so I think you have time! Live on the edge a little Nicole!
ccr in MA
I had to vote for the Finding Joy in Gratitude Club because I immediately imagined saying, “Oh, that’s a fig!” when something nice happened. No, I don’t know why, I just roll with it.
Elisabeth
Ohhh. What a great idea! “That’s a fig.” How about if FIG doesn’t come out on top, we can still find a way to incorporate it, because that is genius!
Nicole MacPherson
Oh I forgot to say of course I’m in to the gratitude challenge, I do that every day anyway! I’m in!
Elisabeth
Yay! <3
Shelly
I like the word collective so I was drawn to the only choice that had it.
Although for the FIG, now have “get Figgy with it” floating in my brain. I’m sure it must be some 80’s or 90’s song… I think it’s “get jiggy with it”?
I like FIG Collective. I have no idea why I like the word collective!
I plan to join as it would be nice to notice more joyful things even if small.
And 💯 to have teens help clean bathrooms. I do upstairs but my kids each do a sink and toilet on the main level and basement. My most hated chore is bathrooms so it is nice to not have to do them all.
Elisabeth
You know…I also like the word Collective (it sounds less clique-y than Club). So even if FIG wins, I think I’ll make an executive decision and pick Collective at the end.
I’m so glad you’re going to join in. More details soon.
Suzanne
No more feathers!!!! As a person who has been living with a down filled couch since 2012 (it was a hand me down) (and far too high quality and in such good shape it felt wrong to get rid of it) I feel so much delight on your behalf! We have feathers everywhere! They constantly poke me! I am allergic to down! We are planning to get a new couch this year and I am So Excited.
Those chocolate sheets look amazing! I need to see if I can find them for the next gifting occasion for my husband.
Elisabeth
The chocolate sheets are SO good and if you’re going to Europe soon, be on the lookout. They are delish.
The feathers are the worst. And I’m allergic, too!
Hks
Finding the glimmers! https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/glimmers-journal-reflect-on-the-small-moments-that-bring-you-joy-safety-and-connection/9781324082071.html
Elisabeth
Thanks for sharing! I love the idea of “glimmers”.
San
Uff. January is/has been so hard. I can definitely go for a gratitude challenge in February! I voted for the Joyfinders Party because I really need to find joy where I can going forward.
Elisabeth
You have had a hard end to 2024/start to 2025 🙁
Onward and upward?
Jenny
I voted! And I’ll definitely join the club.
I’m eating toast with peanut butter right now- I need one of those chocolate sheets! I’m also drinking my tea with peppermint mocha creamer (although mine is Nutpods.) I got two containers on sale after Christmas, so I’ll be drinking it for a while. And… roasted broccoli and cauliflower are soooo delicious.
Elisabeth
Oh yay – I’m so glad there are lots of people extending the pepperminty goodness into the new year.
We bought a container of Oat Nog yesterday per Indy’s request 😉
Lisa’s Yarns
Wow! There’s a three-way tie for the name of the challenge. you came up with some excellent options! I will be participating because I need more positivity in my life right now. Plus, I love a good challenge.
Phil cleans our bathrooms since he feels strongly about not hiring a cleaner!
My favorite topping for toast is also peanut butter with banana. I would love to try those chocolate sheets though! That sounds like a fun treat.
Wow, you had some amazing success thrift thing this week!
Elisabeth
You love gold stars and lists, so stay tuned 🙂
PB with banana is total comfort food for me.
J
I voted, and of course I’m in for the challenge. YAY for getting rid of feathers, they are a hazard.
I love toast with peanut butter, then I sprinkle berries on top. SO GOOD. I have it at least once a week for breakfast.
Elisabeth
I’ve never sprinkled berries on top, but it sounds like a much more nutritious option than jam. I’ll have to try this!
ernie
I voted and I’m ready for the challenge. I have a similar feathery pillow situation in my living room (not my family room) – we don’t use that room as much, so I’m waiting (for what?) to replace the pillows. So dumb. They weren’t pricey, but those damn feathers refuse to stay in the pillow. They are the perfect size/color for the colors in the room. The three youngest girls rotate cleaning their bathroom. I clean the master bathroom – but Coach sometimes cleans that shower (hate that job), and Reg usually cleans the first floor bathroom, because he showers there. Then there’s a full basement bathroom that gets clean when someone is home from college and using it regularly, or if a kid has friends over in the basement – they clean it before they entertain.
Elisabeth
REPLACE THE PILLOW, ERNIE. It is amazing – AH-MAZING – to not have a single feather on the floor this week. Why did I wait so long?
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Yeah for finding not one pair of boots but three. Amazing. I wish we had such amazing thrift stores here.
I did vote but it won’t be the name apparently. I may join but I have so many challenges going on I may have to skip a few and keep my focus. We’ll see.
Elisabeth
No pressure! Onlookers and cheerleaders are encouraged 🙂
Stephany
I voted for The Kindness Collective because that just sounds like such a sweet thing to have right now. And I am definitely in for the challenge. We all need some positivity in our lives right now.
How do you always find such amazing things at thrift stores?! I am so impressed by you. I want to start thrifting this year because I’m trying to spend less money at businesses that have questionable contributions, so it’s a good time to start doing this. There’s a Goodwill near me and that’ll be my first spot. I’ll report back how it goes!
Elisabeth
So we’ve ended up with Finding Gratitude in Joy (I’m a bit surprised this won, to be honest!), but I liked the word “collective” so much that I made an executive decision to change it from Club to Collective. Club seems a bit exclusive and isolated, but collective gets to the heart of this being a global gratitude practice <3
We are so fortunate to have great thrift stores, but I think the #1 reason is because we go so often. Since we have top "kill" time in the area of thrift stores every week, we can take a quick pass through. I generally know what it is I'm looking out for as well. I'm excited to hear how your thrifting goes.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I love cottage cheese! Welcome to the club, Belle! In my family, we like to eat it with tortilla chips, and if you can’t get someone on board by encouraging them to eat a bag of chips alongside a thing, I don’t know how else to do it! I did vote and will probably join in, but I need to know the details before fully committing. Also, I see what the top name is and I am surprised that was the one that most people chose!
Elisabeth
Yum. I bet the salty crunch of chips with cottage cheese would be AMAZING.
I was surprised that was the top choice, too.
Really, it’s just writing down something you’re grateful for each day for the month of February. I haven’t decided how to collate things. Maybe I’ll ask people to submit some of their FIGs at the end of each week and tack them on to Happy Things Friday? Maybe I’ll just do one big round-up at the end of February. Time will tell. (Look at me living on the edge – ha.)
Ally Bean
Give me a Jarritos Grapefruit soda and I’m in heaven. I like The Tiny Triumphs Team because alliteration is cool
Elisabeth
They didn’t have the grapefruit brand, but I would LOVE that. Yum. I will be on the lookout.
I thought for sure The Tiny Triumphs Team was going to win. Colour me surprised it ended up being F.I.G.!
Michelle G.
I didn’t get to vote, but I LOVE the name that was chosen! What a great idea!
Sabine
While I have not read all the comments, I just wanted to mention that you might also find chocolate sheets in France (there is a Belgian brand Jacques with a product Matinettes that I have seen in Dutch supermarkets).
When I was working for a family in France, a common goûter was actually 1-2 squares of dark chocolate on baguette.
I am team Cottage cheese (sweet – with jam or berries) 🙂
Elisabeth
Ohhh. I am intrigued and will be on the look out when we’re in Paris. The kids finished a box of the chocolate sheets this morning (I have been rationing them and they don’t know where the final two little boxes are). I would gladly bring some home in my suitcase!
In French class, Belle made a “pain au chocolate” of sorts which was just a baguette with dark chocolate. I know that’s fairly common in France and I can see why. Bread and chocolate. Two of the best food things on the planet.
Melissa
Those chocolate sheets sound extremely decadent. I think them on toast would be a bit too much, but I love peanut or almond butter with banana on toast. That is often my pre-workout breakfast. Our son cleans his bathroom, although I touch up sometimes. When the girls were homeland they were all adults they shared the bathroom cleaning. When they were at school, and I was working more, we had a cleaner, but during COVID, we shared the cleaning because we couldn’t have a cleaner, and I had a big project for work. It is so helpful when kids take over regular chores, and also good for them.
Elisabeth
They are so delicious.
I agree that chores are good for kids, and a necessary part of keeping the family wheels turning. It’s a lot of work to do chores solo and so this is their contribution. We still get complaints about dishwashing emptying and the like but they do it despite the complaints so I have learned to ignore the lengthy sighs…