The Happiness Report No. 22

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It’s the little things, Christmas music, movies, baking and tradition that make this season special. 

Good morning friends, how was your weekend? Mine was busier than I had planned it to be but that seems to be the way things are at the holidays doesn’t it? I am finished shopping and wrapping but I just can’t seem to stop baking, every time I think I am finished I find something else I want to make. I revisit old favorites like this coffeecake, and this one and these cookies(which are my all time favorite) and try new recipes as well. 

I’ve been Christmas shopping for myself lately, and I purchased a few things from TJMAXX(online), this book, this book, this Christmas cookbook by Donna Hay, and Laduree Savory! I had some cute clothes picked out but I did not get them because this year other than a handful of occasions I’ve been living in yoga clothes and pajamas. 

On Saturday I made bolognese sauce, you know the one that you make when you are having family, and you it simmer it for 4-5 hours and the scent wafts through the whole house? It was just my husband and I for dinner but while it was cooking it felt like “the good old days” when family could visit. Now that there is a vaccination maybe that will happen sooner than the end of 2021. 

I watched a few Christmas shows that I have seen at least a hundred times but the Christmas season would not be complete without them. 

We’ve decided that to change things up lately and are now eating dinner our the dining room every night. We light the candles, set a beautiful table and have a leisurely dinner, it’s festive because the room is decorated for Christmas and the lights from the candles and the trees glow in the mirror. Ironically it has taken covid to get us in the room, in the past 12 years we have probably used the dining room 12 times. 

I’ve been enjoying the early morning hours by myself; by the glow of the Christmas tree I read, write and relax before the world wakes up and my 3 fur babies vie for my attention. And late night walks to see the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. It seems as if everyone has embraced the candles in the windows and every tree and shrub in their yard bedecked in twinkling lights. This year more than ever I think we can all use a little more Christmas than usual. 

It is the little things that I enjoy the most at this time of year. the sounds of the season in my car, at the store and on the playlists at home that are in the background until a favorite tun catches your attention and you find yourself singing along and maybe even dancing. The memories conjured up from the scent of baking cookies that take me back to my grandmothers side and the lights of my Christmas trees that remind me of my mother and where I got my love of all things Christmas. 

What is making you happy lately? Are you celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas with your family and friends virtually this year or are you lucky enough to have them in your home already with you? What are you baking or making? Are you still celebrating all of your family traditions or have you let some go by the wayside this year? Perhaps you have even made a few new traditions?

Whatever you are doing, make sure that you are taking care of yourself, mentally and physically. Now more than ever that is very important. Give yourself some grace if things are not going as planned and embrace whatever is happening, this is a strange new year for all of us. 

This video will give you a little pick me up and a few tears. 

Have a great day!