It’s that time of year again when family members begin asking what my boys would like for the holidays. I have such a hard time compiling a wish list on their behalf, partly because we don’t have a lot of space for more toys and partly because… READ MORE!
Thanksgiving has always been a pretty low-key holiday for my family. The dress code is only slightly more formal than elastic-waist pants, and a tablecloth is usually the extent of our decor.
As for family activities, we used to attend the high school football game before eating our traditional Thanksgiving lunch. Now that we’re grown up, we still eat turkey, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and cranberry sauce in the early afternoon, but we’ve replaced morning football with an afternoon viewing of The National Dog Show before dessert. (Team Bichon Frise!)
Since there’ll be three kids under four at my parents’ house this year, we probably need to plan some family activities other than being lazy in our comfy clothes. Like downloading a bunch of Thanksgiving printables to keep the little ones entertained (and out of the kitchen).
For my latest Cool Mom Picks column, I’ve rounded up my favorite Thanksgiving printables, including coloring pages, craft projects, and decorations. Check all of them out here and then come back to let me know which you’d print for your Thanksgiving gathering.
PS – Last-minute Thanksgiving decorations that’ll add a festive touch.
This time of year, I’m partial to almost anything pumpkin-flavored — except hot pumpkin tea. For some reason, I just can’t wrap my head around the idea of it. I did, however, enjoy a pumpkin spice tequila-based margarita at a friend’s wedding on Halloween.
Before fall turns to winter, and everyone’s favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte is replaced with a Peppermint Latte, I thought I’d share eight of the yummiest-looking easy pumpkin spice recipes. Not surprisingly, most are desserts because that’s the way I (pumpkin) roll.
1. Not only do these pumpkin muffins from Sarah Hearts have a super moist texture similar to pumpkin bread, but there’s cream cheese filling hiding inside.
2. For a deliciously seasonal grab-and-go breakfast, bake a batch of these chewy oatmeal pumpkin chocolate chip muffins from Avery Cooks.
3. Described as a cross between fudge and bark, The Kitchen Prep‘s pumpkin spice latte bark would be the perfect complement to an afternoon cuppa.
4. If you prefer to go full fudge, this white chocolate pumpkin spice fudge recipe from Mom on Time Out would be my recommendation.
5. Sorry to burst your bubble, but there’s no actual pumpkin in a Starbucks PSL! On the other hand, the pumpkin spice coffee creamer recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction includes flavorful pumpkin puree.
6. Make The Cake Blog‘s pumpkin cupcakes the day before and top them with homemade cinnamon-flecked cream cheese frosting before you serve them.
7. I won’t judge if you want to eat an actual dessert like leftover pumpkin cupcakes for breakfast. Or you can whip up Skinnytaste‘s pumpkin spice cream cheese to enjoy on a bagel as a healthier option.
8. Because you can’t go wrong with a classic pumpkin roll. Plus, Gimme Some Oven‘s trick for cutting perfect slices is genius.
Which pumpkin spice recipe looks the most delicious to you?
(And which would you actually try making at home?)
PS – Eight eggnog recipes to get your psyched for the holiday season.
If you read this blog, you probably have an interest in happiness or good habits or self-care.
And if those topics interest you, you’ve probably read something by the author Gretchen Rubin, who writes about building a happier life. Maybe you’ve listened to her podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, which she co-hosts with her sister, Elizabeth Craft.
I’ve been meaning to read Gretchen’s breakout book, The Happiness Project, since it hit the New York Times Bestseller List. A good friend gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago, and it’s been sitting untouched on my bookshelf since I unwrapped it. For whatever reason, the timing never felt right to crack it open.
I started listening to Gretchen’s podcast this summer, and while the content was informative, the banter between the sisters just wasn’t entertaining enough for me to continue past a few episodes. There was something about their conversations, or maybe their voices, that just didn’t excite me.
Also, it kind of bugged me that the show isn’t called “Happier with Gretchen and Elizabeth”.
Since I haven’t been able to psyched myself up about Gretchen’s work in the past, I didn’t give much thought to her latest book, Better than Before, when it was published earlier this year.
Until this week.
In the most recent newsletter from the girls at The Hello Sessions, Joy and Melissa discuss Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies, a framework the author developed while researching Better Than Before. Simply put, it describes how people respond to all expectations:
Joy and Melissa included a link to a Four Tendencies quiz in their newsletter, and, curious about my own Tendency, I took it.
Turns out, I’m an Obliger, although I can’t say I’m terribly surprised. I work hard to fulfill my promises to others (meeting deadlines, showing up on time), but I almost never follow through on promises I make to myself (going to bed early, eating less candy).
Another example: I’m hardly ever motivated to go to the gym unless I’m working out with a trainer.
Now, of course, I want to download Better Than Before on my Kindle so I can learn how, as an Obliger, I can successfully change my habits.
Although… If reading Gretchen Rubin’s newest book is an expectation I impose on myself, what are the chances I’ll actually follow through?
Take the Four Tendencies quiz and then leave a comment below. Are you an Upholder, a Questioner, an Obliger, or a Rebel?
(photos taken by Laicie Heeley in Baltimore this past weekend)
This weekend’s link roundup includes a 3-ingredient cake recipe, a personal trainer for — ahem — down there, how to dress for family photos, and more!… READ MORE!
