I know it’s technically still autumn and here on the southern California coast, autumn is about as winter as we get, but I can’t help myself. I’ve been winter hyggeing hard since Thanksgiving. I’m also one of those people who refuses to recognize the winter holidays until the day after Thanksgiving (No hating on those who jump right in after Halloween. Whatever makes you happy.) so once that day hits I get my holiday on. And this year I’ve really upped my winter and holiday enjoyment. It’s been one heck of a year and I’m desperately needing the self-care. So here’s what I’ve been up to in hopes it inspires some cozy and joyous good times for you as well.

Warm Drinks

I used to be a major hot chocolate fan, but in the last few years I haven’t really drank any. My sister-in-law recently made me a very delicious cup that reminded me of how much joy it can bring and I immediately stocked up. Of course, you can’t drink hot chocolate constantly so I’ve also been enjoying my tea, especially Trader Joe’s decaf candy cane green tea and peppermint tea, in mass quantities. There’s something about a warm cup of anything that just makes the day or night a little bit cozier and sweeter. I haven’t gotten into the hot toddies yet, but thanks to a friend sending me some recipes, I’m about to.

Christmas Movies

Of course, there are the classics, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story, Bad Santa, The Grinch, Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Santa Clause, Christmas Vacation, etc. But this year, I decided to take it up a notch and for the first time ever, embrace some cheesy made for TV holiday movies. People love these things and figured they’d be good background entertainment while doing the more mindless work and home tasks.

I called it my “Cheesy Christmas Movie Challenge,” but have to say, I’m currently failing at this challenge. I started with Netflix’s “Let It Snow” and really enjoyed it, so I thought there must be something to this phenomenon and got excited. Then I watched some Hulu movie about a couple about to divorce, then the wife gets into an accident (on the way to submit the divorce papers) and develops amnesia so the husband tries to win her back. I won’t spoil the ending, but I’m sure you can guess it. I also wouldn’t recommend it and the rest have been downhill ever since. I haven’t finished a single other movie and think I have to go back to rewatching all the classics.

Candles

I’m lighting the heck out of some candles. Especially ones that smell like cinnamon, apples, gingerbread, or man beard. There’s just something about some glowing light and delicious smells that creates an air of romance and magic. Plus it covers up anything stinky.

Cooking and Baking

I’ve always enjoyed baking. Mix all the ingredients up at once, pop it into the oven and voila, deliciousness is created while I clean up. Cooking has been a bit more challenging. If, like baking, I can throw a bunch of ingredients together and let it become something while I clean up the mess (lasagna, soups, etc.), I nail it. Or if it’s really simple and quick. But when it comes to a million steps that seem to have to be done at once and the predicted hour recipe turns into three, no thanks. The creative outlet many get from this pursuit has mostly eluded me. Until recently.

*Can’t go wrong with some delicious sugar cookies!*

For whatever reason, as it’s been getting colder, I’ve been getting more into it all. Creating my own recipes or variations of others’ recipes that actually turn out. Somehow now knowing when to stir and when to chop. And the meals have been Michelin Star worthy! Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but I could probably open up a restaurant if I had to. I also discovered Kitchn last week that I think is going to take my chef skills to a whole other level. There’s this Plan & Prep section that I used to prepare 6 different kinds of holiday cookies in 2 hours!

Loved Ones

I (almost) always appreciate that I have the absolute best people in the entire world in my life. And I’ve been feeling the love and gratitude for them even more so lately. No matter what I have going on, they’re always in my corner rooting for me and making me laugh. It’s been tough sometimes, because of what I do for work, to have the same energy to socialize that I once had. But I’ve been making my own social life a higher priority lately because I know I need it.

I went back home for Thanksgiving where I realized my lifelong dream to run a race on Thanksgiving morning with my cousin immediately after getting off the plane (No one ever said I was entirely sane.), ate dinner with approximately 50 relatives (I have a massive family!), spent quality time with my sister, brother, sister-in-law, and niece, had a music video dance party sing-along with some high school and college pals and their kids, did brunch with my mom and aunts, and almost another Thanksgiving dinner with some more relatives before flying back.

Since then I’ve run a 10k with a bunch of friends, attended a tree decorating dinner, one of my best friends is flying into town tonight so we can celebrate our birthdays together, and the bf and I are hosting our annual holiday party this weekend. I’m looking forward to the continued conversation, laughter, play, and delicious food and drinks that are sure to accompany this holiday season and on into 2020. My heart is full!

It’s the Simple Things

I know this is cliche, but it really does come down to the simple things in life. The thing is I don’t know that I’ve always believed it with the entirety of my being. There’s always been this part of me that wants bigger and better. An empire. The next thing. But when it comes down to it, my happiest moments are the simple ones, including the things I talked about above. And I’ve been appreciating that more fully. The Christmas carols on the radio while I’m driving. My niece and friends’ children taking my hand. Cuddling with the bf and our dog on the couch. Fresh baked bread. Birds singing. How green it is right now due to all the rain we’ve recently gotten. Christmas lights on houses. Sun. Rain. I’m really enjoying the moments because really that’s what we’re all working for anyway. Retirement. So we can do all this. Why not do it all right now? Then we never actually have to retire, but rather can keep on living our best lives for as long as possible.