Author: Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life

I try to create a culture of celebration in our home. For life, for the little things, for wonder and for whimsy. I try to find the beauty around us and teach my son Wyatt to find it, and appreciate it and love it as well. We are a homeschool family, and we love it. We love the freedom it gives us to explore a topic or idea more deeply, and I like that I can adjust our schedule around Wyatt’s other needs. Wyatt has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and his week often has therapy, doctor’s appointments, naps peppered throughout which would make a traditional school schedule difficult. He is also an asynchronous learner, and I love that I can tailor learning to where Wyatt is at that moment. We have a house full of animals and will probably add more because we like a zoo. We have one cat, Miso, who is a rescue. She is 14 years old and my little floofy girl. We also have one leopard gecko, Luna, a pictus gecko named Harlow, a pacman frog named Freddy, and two crested geckos, Applejack and Oliver. We love all of our little friends! My husband Billy, Wyatt, and I are all curious, creative, stubborn humans which makes for some fun times around here. We love the outdoors, except we are not made for high temps so we retreat inside when the temps start to soar. We are nature lovers through and through. We are trying to downsize our lives too, to live more simply, to buy things that last and eat real food from small local farmers. (and of course Goldfish crackers) We live seasonally and are always up for adventure. We love books and reading, and can be found at the library at least once a week!

Comfy Cozy Christmas Cinema: Coyote Creek Christmas

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn comfy cozy christmas6 Comments

Last week, Billy and I continued our trend of watching Hallmark Christmas movies. We have never watched them like this before and we (me) are enjoying the comfort of them. This makes number 4 since November!

The pick last week – Coyote Creek Christmas.

I figured it was time for the woodsy cabin-style Christmas trope, and this one looked perfect. I also wanted to watch since it stars Janel Parrish, who I loved in Pretty Little Liars, where she played the scheming Mona. Not going to lie, I loved that series and Mona’s character was possibly the best on it. So I was excited to see what she would do in a Hallmark movie!

Ryan Paevey plays her love interest, and also the character that is going to cause all the drama in her world For like five minutes Billy and I kept saying to each other “Who is that guy?” “Why does he look so familiar” “We have totally seen him in something else”. Yeah, we did. The very first Hallmark Christmas movie that we watched this year, Hope at Christmas.

Janel Parrish plays Paige, who is back home at her family’s inn in Colorado for the holidays. Her family has owned Coyote Creek for her entire life, and every year the Christmas party for the guests is amazing and a big deal. The inn and the holidays spent there are actually not just important to Paige, but the whole town as well. Paige is very excited to go back home and see what her parents have planned for this holiday season.

However, when she gets there she learns that they haven’t planned anything at all! Well, this is right up Paige’s alley, because that is what she does, naturally – plans events. She comes up with a plan, Christmas Around the World, and begins instituting it and it all seems like it is going to be just perfection. Except.. she doesn’t know that her parents have been working behind the scenes to sell the inn, and Dylan, the cute guy with the cute kid who is staying there, is the potential buyer. Dylan and his brother own a hotel chain and they are looking at the property as an investment.

Dylan is also confused, as the inn is beautiful and thriving and he is usually called in to buy properties that are failing. He mentions this to Paige’s parents, who say they just are ready to retire and didn’t want Paige to feel obligated to take over for them, so they didn’t mention it to her, although of course they are looking for just the right time.

I am sure you can all guess the rest. I will say that the ending was a smidge more realistic.

There was also a cute little tradition in the town of Coyote Creek, where the residents have to find a little statue of Charlotte the Marmot, who is hidden around the town. When you find her, you need to add some sort of clothing to her (scarf, hat, etc) and then rehide her. I thought this was adorable! 

Hallmark once again set up an absolutely gorgeous setting. I almost like to watch these movies just for the setting alone! This one was filmed in Canada, not Colorado, and it was absolutely beautiful. The landscape, the upscale resort cabin inn – I would have stayed there in a heartbeat.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. Out of the four we have watched now (Hope at Christmas, Navigating Christmas, A Merry Scottish Christmas and now this one) I would list it as my second favorite, just behind Navigating Christmas.

I have another movie review up tomorrow, but be prepared, it is not a Hallmark Christmas movie!

Comfy Cozy Christmas Coffee Catch Up: Holiday Lights on the Farm

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Coffee Catch UP, comfy cozy christmas13 Comments

Hello everyone! And phew, how is that for a blog post title?

We had a family emergency with Wyatt last week that we are all still processing, and we took it easy the rest of the week afterwards. Lots of staying in our pajamas and vegging out. Look at that crazy hair!

We did however, get dressed Sunday evening because I had bought tickets to Holiday Lights on the Farm at Wolcott Mills Metropark, and I knew Wyatt would love it. There was going to be lights, farm animals, a wheelchair accessible wagon ride, and best of all, Santa! It was also an hour away from home, but my kid needed something happy. And he never stopped smiling.

The drive wasn’t bad, and we got there about 15 minutes early which I was glad we did, because there were already cars lined up to get in! You needed to buy tickets beforehand, but it was a sold out program. I knew we were probably only going to stay a short time instead of the whole time so I wanted to get in at the start. And first stop, Santa! We were the second people in line so I was happy to have that part checked off my list right at the beginning. (Yes, I am a total nerd and had an order of efficiency in mind – Santa, wagon, then see the lights and then when Wyatt was ready to go, we had to the “big” things already done) I hadn’t told Wyatt about Santa being there so that was a fun surprise for him!

Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the elves were all so kind and helpful!

When I had been looking around for an event for us this year, one of the reasons I picked this one was because it mentioned right on the page that it was all accessible by wheelchair – and they were right! But I was most excited about the wheelchair accessible wagon ride, because I knew my boy would love that. He loves transportation, tractors, trucks, trains, etc and I knew he would dig that. And he absolutely did. The smile never left his face the whole ride!

The employees were fantastic. They had a wheelchair lift to get him up and down which Wyatt of course loved, and then they also strapped his chair down so that we didn’t need to worry about hitting bumps and him rolling around (even though his brakes were on). Again, everyone was so kind and accomodating.

The ride itself was fifteen minutes, and it was so pretty and peaceful to see all the lights of the farm fading away into the distance from the wagon. We went in a loop, looking at different trees made of lights before heading back to the farm area, where the lights welcomed us back. It was a really good time.

Once those two big things were checked off my list, we were free to just explore the animals and the lights!

I loved all the ducks and geese and especially the chicken coop.

Wyatt was not a fan of this fellow..

Billy and I were so excited to see Lil’ Sebastian (not really the name but iykyk) but Wyatt was super weirded out and afraid of him/her. So Wyatt and Billy skipped this next stop, where I met the Percheron Fern.

Then got this moody dramatic cow photo.

Billy said it needs a UFO in the background. I think he is right.

Wyatt cracked up in the dairy barn where he could not get over how “stinky” it was. He wasn’t wrong, but we did get to see little calves!

We stayed about an hour, and it was the perfect length of time for us. We all had a blast, and it was nice to try something new. And for me and Billy, to see Wyatt so happy!

We definitely have it on our list to do again next year!

My Sunday-Monday Post

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized30 Comments

My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Hello everyone!!

Last week was a weird week, full of appointments and then a scary 24 hour ER visit Thursday with Wyatt. We are home now but I am still emotionally recovering from it as a mom. Wyatt seems to be doing well though. If you all could just keep him in your prayers and send him good vibes that would be much appreciated.

Read Last Week:

This was pretty cute!! And I am still in love with that truck.

Reading This Week:

I am really enjoying this cozy series set in Michigan by Amanda Flower. I can’t wait to snuggle up

with this one this week.

Posted Last Week:

My Almost Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Comfy Cozy Christmas Podcasts

A Merry Scottish Christmas Movie Review

Comfy Cozy Christmas Coffee Catch Up

Watching and Listening:

We finished up Season Two of Wheel of Time and while I am not as interested in it as Billy, the season finale was pretty awesome. We also started watching Lark Rise to Candleford and we are both really enjoying it so far.

We have also been watching children’s Christmas movies with Wyatt. Last night we watched Mickey’s Christmas Carol and A Charlie Brown Christmas. As for us, we watched Coyote Creek Christmas which was cute. Tonight we are watching We’re No Angels starring Humphrey Bogart, and this is a buddy watch with Lisa at Boondock Ramblings. We will be posting about it on Wednesday! (I think.)

Other than that, I have just been listening to Christmas podcasts, watching various YouTubers (Gold Shaw Farm is our top watch so far this month), and listening to Christmas music.

And that is it from me today! Stay safe everyone!

My Almost Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn comfy cozy christmas, holiday gift guide5 Comments

Who else is cutting it pretty close this year? I feel like Christmas snuck up on me! All I know is that I usually have most of my shopping done and this year, I do not. I am close though, and I do know what I am getting the rest of those on my list so I am halfway there. I just need to order it all!

I do have some ideas too, for those who might be wondering what to get those last few people on their lists.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. If you chose to purchase something I would get a small commission at no extra cost to you!

For babies and the littlest ones

LeapFrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo || Manhattan Toy Toadstool Cottage || Woodland Sensory Book || Playskool Stacking and Sorting Toy

Wyatt had that Spin and Sing Toy and I can still hear the song clearly in my mind… he loved it, a lot. I also love that soft toy full of cute little plushies, and this sensory book filled with cute animals and crinkles and things to touch and play with. Finally, I actually bought this stacking and sorting toy for my niece this year. I love how cute it is, while being portable, and easy to clean!

Hape Kitchen || Melissa and Doug Busy Board || Dino Crawling Toy

I wanted to add these three items too!

The toy kitchen we got Wyatt when he was little was like one of the best gifts we ever got him. He played with it for years! I like this one because it is understated and not too big, so even if you don’t have a big play space this will work. This company also is very good quality based on the toys we have bought and should last, and this one is very affordable at under $100!

This busy board is another toy Wyatt loved as a little. He always was latching and unlatching, reading the numbers, counting, opening the doors.

The Dino toy is actually a toy I gifted my cousin’s daughter when she was like 1. She is now 14! Anyway, this toy still is around and all the kids have played with it over the years, so it definitely can stand the test of time!

For Kiddos

Disney Villains Clue || Arts and Crafts Vault || Watercolor Set || Yoto Player || Metal Detector

An array of items here! Most of these are items we have honestly, except that Clue Game which is on our list. We are a board game family and that version of Clue looks pretty cool!

The arts and craft vault is invaluable. I can’t even tell you how many times I have pulled that out for Wyatt and his cousin and left them to just create – kids love it, and it is handy for adults too!

The watercolor set is so affordable at around $20 and comes with everything you need. Paper, brushes, paints, refillable brushes, and a pen. It is the perfect kit for a beginner or a child!

Wyatt loves his Yoto Player. There are so many card options you can play on it – stories aimed at the smallest child on up to classics like Anne of Green Gables and Treasure Island, stories that involve popular characters from Disney or Peppa Pig, music… just so many. He will often just wander into his room and listen and play. The card system makes it easy for kids who have dexterity issues and small children to work, since you just stick the card in and it doesn’t matter which way it faces or what side goes in first. Just pop it in and it plays. It can also be used for other purposes as well, like a nightlight and also parents, it is safe. No camera, no mics, and no ads. A wonderful alternative to screen time!

Last is the metal detector! This is actually the one we bought Wyatt for Christmas this year. He loves stories of pirates and we thought what a cool thing a metal detector would be – he could go search for treasure, just like a pirate! I liked this one because it looks like it can be used more places than a beach, which is a hard place to visit when you are in a wheelchair! How fun though to explore and look for “treasure!” I am excited to use it with him; who knows what he will find! It also says it is lightweight, another plus if you are a kid.

Dinosaur Take Apart Stem Toy || Magnatiles

These two are both kid in my life approved! Wyatt loves taking things apart and putting them back together again, especially with these little kid drills. And you absolutely can’t go wrong with Magnatiles! They come in all sorts of different size sets as well as fun themed ones too, like this forest animal version.

For Adults

Skullcandy earbuds || Anker Wireless Charger || Chenille Throw || Darn Tough Socks || Reading Journal (designed by moi) || Clay in Motion Handwarming Mug

So…that person you have no idea what to get but you still are getting them something. These are my takes on the usual suggestions. Practical things, soft things, cozy things. We own many of these and so they come with our seal of approval!

Billy and I both use the Skullcandy earbuds. They are a great price, are comfortable and work well! The wireless charger is not something we own but it is something that Billy has on his list. Lol. I trust him when it comes to tech, since he works in tech. And it does sound very convenient, besides being a great price!

I have the chenille blanket in the rust color and I love it. Wyatt is actually using it as I type! It is warm and soft and snuggly and I could own a million in all the different colors available. Also very affordable at $26.99!

Billy is a sock nerd. I can’t go wrong buying him socks, but they have to be the right socks. He is a fan of many brands but Darn Tough is one of his favorites. They have a lifetime warranty which is awesome, and he says they are breathable and comfortable!

Journals of all kinds are good gifts I think, but a reading journal for a reader is a fun way to track your reading – without using an app! I made a few and they are available on my Amazon Storefront but I love this cute and cozy one.

Finally, a mug. Can you really go wrong with a mug? I love the cut of this one’s jib. Made in America, with a special pocket of sorts that warms your fingers too! It looks perfect for being all comfy cozy, one of my main goals in life….

And….that’s a wrap! Hopefully this was helpful!

Comfy Cozy Christmas Podcasts!

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized7 Comments

Lately, I have been doing a lot of listening ~ to music, to books, and to podcasts, and I knew I wanted to start listening to some uplifting or interesting seasonal podcasts. So I searched around and found some pretty perfect ones!

The Calm Christmas Podcast: Oh, I have been loving this one! I always hop around within podcast episodes, looking for the ones that pique my interest first before fully immersing myself in just listening to them all. The very first episode of Calm Christmas made me a fan. I know that this podcast is one I will listen to all season! Beth Kempton shares from her home in the English countryside all about how to be mindful during this season, how to nourish our souls and our families, words from some of her favorite authors, and about traditions of the season, how and why they came about and a little history about them. It is utterly delightful. Favorite episode so far: Settling in for a Cozy Winter: A 2022 Winter Episode and I am looking forward to going back and digging in to the rest!

A Cozy Christmas Podcast: This podcast is chockfull of goodness! Stories about stories! Books, and writers and artists, pop culture, holiday traditions – it covers it all. It was almost hard to pick a first episode to listen to, there were just so many that intrigued me and that I wanted to listen to! And I will, as this holiday season unfolds. Favorite episode so far: The Hallmark Christmas Movie Episode but I also really enjoyed Jolabokaflod: The Christmas Book Flood.

The Lost Christmas:

This podcast is super neat. I love how it includes explores Christmas all around the world, and also goes into the lore behind some of our traditions. The website description says:

A dive into the characters, stories, traditions, food, and everything else surrounding the Christmas season all over the world. Each episode ends with a passage from The Lost Years of Santa Claus book, recounting stories that fill gaps in the Santa Claus mythos and answer questions about the man himself and his real story.

Favorite Episode So Far: Wassail! Drinking to your health at Christmas

Christmas Past:

Similar to the Lost Christmas Podcast, Christmas Past also delves into stories about our traditions. As described on the website:

Since 2016, Brian Earl has been telling the fascinating stories behind our favorite holiday’s traditions through the podcast, Christmas Past. Inspired by public radio style storytelling, Christmas Past provides a lens through which readers can view Christmas as festive, cheerful, strange, and above all, endlessly fascinating. Think: NPR meets Clement Clarke Moore.

Favorite Episode So Far: A Charlie Brown Christmas (and for those short on time, it is only around 13 minutes long!)

I am enjoying exploring all of these podcasts and all the different stories, traditions, and calming content they provide this time of year!

Comfy Cozy Christmas: A Merry Scottish Christmas Movie Review

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn comfy cozy christmas11 Comments

Billy and I have been watching a boatload of Hallmark Christmas movies lately! This one was definitely escapist, with little tension, a focus on family, and highland dancing. Oh and an awesome castle! Because who would not want to spend the holidays in a castle? And then… find out that the castle belongs to your family and you could totally live there and be a Lady or a Lord? Because that absolutely happens in this movie. A little far-fetched but who doesn’t dream about something like that sometimes?

This movie stars Scott Wolf as Brad, who I know from the new Nancy Drew series, and Lacey Chabert as Lindsay who is apparently a Hallmark movie queen in her own right but I know her from Mean Girls best – the total opposite of her Hallmark movie persona.

Anyway, they are not the love interests in this movie. Well she is, but not with Scott Wolf, who plays her brother. This is the first time I have seen her in something other than well, Mean Girls, and I found her adorable.

Again, Hallmark kills it with the setting. Billy and I are suckers for a good setting and like I said, a Scottish Castle is like a dream for me. And this castle is a real one, the Duns Castle Estate near the Scottish Borderlands, which has been standing since the 14th Century. And you can really actually stay there!!!

This movie, like I said, was a bit far-fetched and one of our least favorites of the four we have watched. Brad and Lindsay find out that there mom ran away from her titled family and estate to run off with an American musician as a young woman and never looked back. Her brother (their uncle) passes away, and the estate is left to their mom to decide what to do with. And she wants the kids to take it over. And believe it or not, they don’t immediately jump at this chance. I was in disbelief. So there is a lot of hemming and hawing over that, some romance for Lindsay, and my favorite part, the bonfire and highland dancing!

I was a highland dancer for a year of my life a child. I loved it but was too afraid to compete so I didn’t proceed further. My mom and my aunt however were highland dancers most of their lives. My mom always hated it but my aunt loved it. They were both so good at it!

My mom is the dark haired one, my Aunt Barb the blonde. Aren’t they just beautiful in their regalia?

Anyway, the movie had a highland dance off and I was there for it! I would love to visit a pub with a dance off like that!

Overall, this movie was ok. The plot was a little overblown, but the setting was perfection. We enjoyed it even though it was not our favorite!

Have you watched this one? Yay or Nay?

Comfy Cozy Christmas Coffee Catch Up

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn comfy cozy christmas12 Comments

Hello everyone! I hope your week is off to a good start!

We have been taking it pretty easy around here lately, enjoying Christmas movies and books, and of course, homeschooling.

We started Santa’s Tasty Treats Around the World from The Waldock Way, and while we won’t get to all the cookies or countries, that is ok. Our first visit was to Christmas Island, which is apparently also the first stop that Santa makes. The cookies – coconut macaroons. They are so delicious and dangerously easy to make!! Just four ingredients! I think next we will visit Germany – but I plan on buying the cookies for that one before we hop over to New Zealand and their Anzac Biscuits, which we will make.

Saturday my sister-in-law Chrissy and I visited the Potter’s Market! This is an awesome market full of handmade pottery from local artists, and I love going every year. Over 140 artists place their work on display and they also have daily pottery demonstrations. It is really cool to attend! It’s a great place to find gifts, and I also bought myself a little something – a rabbit ornament. Our tree was sadly lacking my love of rabbits!

Sunday we had a little get together with my cousin, his children, and my brother and his family. It has been months since we have all hung out and it was nice to get together again.

With the first of December, Wyatt got to start his countdown to Christmas paper chain that we created, full of book titles. It has been a fun end to the night. He rips off the link, we get the book, then read it before bed, and it is a very lovely new tradition.

And that is it for today my friends! What is going on in your world these days?

If you feel like it, check out all the posts on our Comfy Cozy Christmas link up! It is up this entire month and is open for any holiday posts! Find it here!

My Sunday-Monday Post

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized28 Comments

My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Happy December everyone! It’s a weird and misty day outside this morning here! Thank goodness for my coffee and my comfy quilt.

Read Last Week:

So I finished up Lending a Paw and it was adorable! Minus the murder of course. And I still want to run a bookmobile, preferably one with a cat companion!

I also listened to The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens on Hoopla, and it was delightful! It was not my intended book to read after the Laurie Cass but I wandered over to Hoopla for an audiobook and found this one.

Reading This Week:

I am actually going to start this one this week. I will probably combo read and listen because well, it’s December!

Posted Last Week:

Thursday Morning Coffee Catch Up

Comfy Cozy Christmas: Hallmark Movie Review- Navigating Christmas

Literary Gift Guide for Romantics, Realists, Dreamers, and Poets

Watching and Listening:

This week we have been watching Wheel of Time Season 2, Father Brown (although, I am not a fan of this newest season), and Christmas movies. We watched A Garfield Christmas (1987 version!) last night with Wyatt and he loved it. I did too, but I always shed a few tears watching this one, believe it or not.

Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are hosting a Comfy Cozy Christmas Linkup this year! We each have a dedicated page on our blogs with the linky, and we would love to have you link up as well! It is open to all seasonal holiday traditions, not just Christmas, but we just really like alliteration. Anyway, you can find that in my list of pages or under the header, depending on where you view the blog from!

And that is it from my world this week! I hope you all are well!

My Literary Gift Guide for Romantics, Realists, Dreamers, and Poets

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn holiday gift guide8 Comments

Happy Holidays my friends! I love love love browsing online, making lists, saving collections, and I am always on the lookout for literary gifts – for others and for myself! People are so creative and artistic, and I love finding just that one quirky or artsy or special piece for the ones I care about. I apologize if this list gets long; I had a very difficult time editing down, I just loved everything I had in my collection! I had thought it would be fun to organize into different literary movements throughout history then I started narrowing it down too much and it was out of hand. So I picked a few favorites!

This post does contain Etsy Affiliate Links.

Mary Shelley || Lucy Maude Montgomery || Edgar Allan Poe

So, in this category I had to include L.M. Montgomery to lighten up her fellow more Gothic Romantics, although she wasn’t quite in that movement. Just some light among the darkness, and I love the juxtaposition.

Jack London || Jane Austen || Mark Twain

I have to admit, it gave me a kick to include Jane Austen with these two guys, but she is definitely a trailblazer and could more than hold her own with them. I actually had to look up where she fit in regard to literary periods, because it’s been a long time since college and she seemed sort of on the cusp to me. And I was right – she sort of straddled the time frame and writing of both the romantic period and realism. For this gift guide though, we won’t debate too hard, and we will put her here.

And isn’t that ornament adorable!!

Ernest Hemingway || F. Scott Fitzgerald Old Sport Sweatshirt || F. Scott Fitzgerald Gatsby Bracelet || Virginia Woolf (front and back shown)

I have a solid love for the Lost Generation in my heart. I am head over heels for Fitzgerald and that whole era of writers; it just feels so raw and real (and fun) and I would have loved to pop in and visit and have a drink with them in a cafe somewhere in Paris. Update: So before I could even post this, the Virginia Woolf cup sold out. I am leaving it on here though in case you want to save it in Etsy or check out the rest of the pieces this potter makes. And I am adding a Walt Whitman Version in the next section!

T.S. Eliot Print || Emily Dickinson Sweatshirt || Robert Frost Mug || Walt Whitman

I love poetry and I know they each have their own eras and places in literature, but I am giving them their own space, because they are poets and I feel like they would want that. These are quotes from three of my favorite poems – The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot, Hope is the Thing With Feathers by Emily Dickinson, and Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. I also have to giggle at the thought of them being reproduced like this – what do you think these poets would have thought of it? I mean, I am planning on purchasing that Eliot print for my kitchen to hang over our coffee area, which I am sure he would have hated. But, I do have an actual love of that poem and can recite it by heart so there is that as well. And then of course Walt Whitman, that great American poet.

I was a little flexible and loose with the categories and literature periods and writers, so I hope you forgive me! I also hope you enjoyed this list as much as I enjoyed making it!

Need more holiday posts in your life? Make sure to check the Comfy Cozy Christmas link up!

Thursday Morning Coffee Catch Up

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Coffee Catch UP12 Comments

Good morning! Thursday mornings are super busy for us! Wyatt has physical therapy and speech back to back and we have an early start. I finally have a chance to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, thank goodness.

Hmm where to start?

Thanksgiving! I didn’t take many photos during our celebration; I was totally in the moment, enjoying family, food, and hanging out. I hosted at my little house this year which was different for us but we loved it, although it was tiring! Whew! Most of my family are pescatarians, so we didn’t even make a turkey, even easier. We made something that when I tell most people they are like, say what? But let me tell you, it was delicious. We made a version of shepherd’s pie but with salmon, and oh my goodness. It was perfect. I’ve seen it called online fisherman’s pie, but the recipe we used just called it fish pie which sounds not as nice but tasted amazing anyway. Lol. This photo is not mine, it is from the website where we got the recipe.

Everyone brought a dish or two – we had cheesy potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn pudding, Billy’s homemade sourdough loaf, pumpkin pies that Chrissy made, and then my Nantucket Cranberry Pie. Well, the Pioneer Woman’s Nantucket Cranberry Pie, but it was my contribution. Everything was fantastic and I ate way too much.

Wyatt and I were mostly lazy Friday (Billy had to work, but thankfully from home), but we did take some time to make a countdown to Christmas chain! This one has a book title on every loop, and when Wyatt tears that one off, we will read that book that day! I’m pretty excited to start it tomorrow!

I also did some online shopping, and bought our Christmas homeschool curriculum. Oh, and also tickets to Holiday Lights on the Farm! It is held at a metropark near us and there will be lights, Santa, snacks, all sorts of fun things. And best of all, a wheelchair accessible wagon ride! I am super excited about it.

Saturday we got back to it, and decorated for Christmas!! I think I am going to do a separate post on this so… you will have to wait. Hopefully it will be worth it. LOL.

Sunday we took it easy again, before we had to get back to business – school, work, therapy.

I do want to share this video I took of Wyatt at therapy on Monday! He was having a blast, and every time I watch it I smile. I hope it makes you smile too!

And that is it for today! I hope you all are doing well! What is going on in your worlds?