I recently ditched social media for a while. It was a random decision, so I don’t know when I’ll return back, but what I do know is I have truly been enjoying every day life without it. Sadly enough, I have found how much more time I have to do things with the people in front of me, rather than scroll through an app. My mind has even had time to relax and not feel so frazzled or frustrated because I have no clue what people are saying or doing. I’ll be honest, I do enjoy social media, and I do see the good in it, but taking a break from it every once in a while is necessary and is usually freeing and eye opening in one way or another.
So while doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles may not be a few of my favorite things, this list below are some of things that have become some of my favorites recently.
Drink
London Fog Tea
If you know me, you know I love Aldi. Recently, they had a boxed mix of London Fog tea and I have become addicted to it. It’s such an easy fix, too. Just pour half a cup of the London Fog tea mix and add in equal parts milk, heat to your liking and enjoy! I love a good hot cup of tea so I was excited when I found this easy treat. If you’ve never had a London Fog before, I highly recommend trying it, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I have sure enjoyed it lately.
Podcast
Verity by Phylicia Masonheimer
If you’re looking for an in depth, theology based podcast, I encourage you to check this one out. Though, I will say, I am a big fan in general of Phylicia’s stuff, her books, her blogs, her IG interactions, etc. She knows her bible, and she wants to equip you to know it, too. Her recent podcast series over all things women, in relation to what the Bible says, has been intriguing as well.
Music
Since marrying Wes, my taste in music has widely broadened, so I have a wide range of taste when it comes to music. I made it simple and just shared a playlist on Spotify that has a bunch of my favorite jams as of recently. You can check it out here.
Book
I’ve loved reading since I was a child, and the love has never left no matter what season or stage of life I’m in. After becoming a SAHM/WFHM, my time spent reading was very little, so as a treat to myself, I decided in 2021, I would try to read one book a month (so far, so good). I don’t really recommend, because I don’t really read, parenting books. However, this book was highly recommended to me so I finally checked it out, and it was SO worth it. I truly believe every christian parent should read it. And reread it. And reread it again. This book was Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp. My short read for February, which ironically was another parenting-like book, was Raising Tiny Disciples by Phylicia Masonheimer.
TV
If you have Netflix and are a Great British Baking fan, then you’ll love the two new shows, Nadiya Bakes and Nadiya’s Time to Eat. I’ve already preordered her cook book, that’s how much Wes and I have loved her shows. We’ve also made a list of things we want to try from the show!
Activities
I’ll sound old, but I love puzzling. Each year, four of my best friends and I go on a weekend girl’s trip and every year, we make sure to bring a puzzle with us (specifically a 1000 piece). It’s our thing. And I love it! But recently, I wanted to start doing them as a family at home. So during the recent snow storm, I busted out a simple 300 piece one. What I didn't know was how much my husband would love it. Equally surprised, our 3.5 year old thought it was the greatest thing ever. She even managed to put together 5 pieces all by herself. So this month, we’ve moved on to a 500 piece one. We got this beautiful Disney collection that comes with 4 500 piece puzzles from Walmart. We’re currently working on Cinderella, per the 3.5 year old’s request.
On the flip side of sounding old, I’ll also sound like a child, another activity I’ve recently taken up and find quite relaxing, is coloring. While I do know and even own some of the adult coloring books, I’ve found it more fun to color from my daughter’s coloring books, specifically her giant, over sized book, which includes, flowers, butterflies and mushrooms.
Comfort items
Every now and then I splurge on myself. Over the last year, I somehow accumulated several Victoria Secret giftcards, so what did I buy last month? A super soft, fuzzy robe! And I don’t regret that decision one bit.
For Christmas, I received some AirPods, game changer if you’re a parent. Game changer if you’re not. So getch’a some ASAP.
I’m not a huge fan of wool, maybe it’s just because I’ve never really worn it a lot, but Wes had picked out some cool patterned, wool socks for Christmas. Unfortunately they didn’t fit… him. They do however fit me perfectly, and I can’t stop wearing them. I can’t believe I’ve gone my whole life without wool socks.
So as the song goes, these are a few of my favorite things — especially now, during this time of not constantly scrolling through my apps. Have some favorites? I’d love to hear! Shoot me an email or drop a comment below, let’s be friends!