I’ve just woken up from a delicious nap after a day that started with a long walk under the sun, and ended with a bowl of homemade ice cream. Summer is here people, and the living is good.
This week reminded me to pay attention to the everyday ways we can romance our significant others. When I got back from a particularly sweaty run on Tuesday afternoon I walked into our bedroom to be greeted by crispy cool air – Chris had put the air-conditioning on for me while I was out running so that when I came home I could get nice and cool quickly. I am grateful for the thoughtful things he does for me as second nature. Those little moments and actions are what make up a life together.
My Mormor (grandmother) celebrated her birthday this week and we gathered as a family on Saturday morning to show her just how much we love her and how grateful we are that she is still with us. After losing Chris’s Nanny early this year I am more aware of just how fortunate I am to have my grandmother still in my life. I am grateful that she is such an outstanding character in my life and has so much to teach me about a life well-lived.
On Friday I went out for dinner with Caroline and Josie. I had the most delicious fried zucchini and corn fritters with haloumi, and some lemon curd ice cream (next flavour experiment at home I think!). I am grateful that these ladies are in my life, and that we caught up for a last minute dinner: it was just what I needed to finish off a week that felt like a sprint from start to finish.
This year we have decreased the amount of Christmas presents we are buying, and focusing more on spending time with the people we love instead. The spirit of the season is all about family, and I am grateful that we live so close to my family and Chris’s, and also the friend-family we have made for ourselves. My goal for 2016 is to spend more quality time with people, and enjoy the adventures that happen when you surrender to the moment with people you love.
Something a little flippant: I am grateful for the new Netflix show ‘Jessica Jones‘. I love the exciting story lines, her smart mouth answers and kick butt spirit. Every night Chris and I sit down and watch one episode (I don’t have a long enough attention span to binge on TV shows) while we eat dinner and it’s our time together to lose ourselves in a super hero story with a great heroine.
Also this week:
- The December issue of Yum. Gluten Free magazine came out featuring four of my favourite holiday cookie recipes! So grateful to have worked with the incredible Yum. team this year.
- My friends (Leah, Cate, Lynn, and Jess) and I hosted a moveable holiday feast to inspire your celebrations this season. I brought a killer kale salad.
- Visitors make this season special and it’s always nice to have something delicious on hand to have with your cup of tea. Try this seasonal coffee cake.
- Celebrate the season with my Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint White Chocolate Frosting – these will jingle everyone’s bells – promise.
Tell me friends, what are you grateful for this week?