Author: Cami Grace

5 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit…Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

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5 Ways To Get In The Holiday Spirit…Even When You Don’t Feel Like It.

I have been having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. I know I’m not alone here. For some this year has been extremely difficult in every way possible, and for that I am incredibly sorry and want to give you a virtual hug.

Even though things are weird this year I realized that it’s up to me to create my own happiness. All year I have fought through the “blah’s”. I refuse to allow Covid to take away my joy. Instead of focusing on what I can’t do, I’m choosing to focus on what I can do. Just because things are different doesn’t mean that it’s all bad. So, even though I haven’t been in the mood, here are 5 ways I’m getting myself into the holiday spirit.

1. Accept

First of all, it’s ok if we’re not feeling the Holiday spirit this year. Sometimes it makes it worse to ignore our feelings and pretend they aren’t there, when they very clearly are. Maybe you don’t feel like putting up Christmas lights – it’s ok. Maybe your family doesn’t have matching Christmas jammies – it’s ok (we never do!). Maybe you don’t want to bake Christmas cookies this year – it’s ok. Sometimes we just have to let go of the expectations and do what we can. I want to emphasize that last part “do what we can“. It will get better.

2. Turn Up That Music!

Sure, maybe I don’t feel like listening to music at the moment, but simply turning on the music and skipping songs until I find just the right one is exactly what I need. Bonus affect – turn on your Christmas tree lights. It definitely helps.

3. Make a Christmas/Winter Bucket List

I recently created a Fall Bucket List. I am often hesitant to do bucket lists for fear (for lack of a better word) that I will fail and not check anything off. However, the thing I’ve found about creating these lists is that it causes me to do SOMETHING, even if it’s just one or two items, instead of nothing at all. So, I keep making them!

I encourage you to get out a piece of paper and write down a minimum of 3 things you would like to do by the end of this month. It doesn’t have to be anything big or fancy, just something you think that would be fun. Ideas (which are also going on my list) would be to watch a certain holiday/Christmas movie, bake cookies – it can even be pre-made cookie dough if that seems too much, or drive around looking at Christmas lights. I don’t know about your city/town, but I’ve seen a lot more Christmas light displays this year!

4. Make a Thankful List

It’s easy to get caught up in things that are going on around you. When my feelings run away with me and I start feeling down, I like to make a list of things I’m thankful for and I start counting my blessings. I also do this when I’m feeling anxious. It really helps you see and appreciate what’s right in front of you and blessings you might not have really noticed before.

5. Read an Advent Devotional

I really enjoy Advent devotionals. It helps get my heart in the right place and helps me keep Jesus as the focus of the Christmas season. I’m reminded to calm my heart and mind and remember the reason why we celebrate.

If you download the YouVersion Bible app you can pick from a variety of plans. This is the one I am going through this season and I have really enjoyed it. There is an audio portion that gives it a special touch and I feel is really affective in calming and focusing my mind even more.

My favorite way to read my devotional is at night right before I go to bed with just the Christmas tree lights on.

I hope you know you’re not alone in this weird season of life and that maybe this list will help give you some ideas to still make it a special Christmas season.

Much Love,

Cami

P.S. I would love to know – what 3 things would you list on your holiday bucket list?

Currently November 2020

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Here we are on the last day of November. Between this month and last we have checked quite a few things off our Fall Bucket List. Last week we celebrated a very COVID style Thanksgiving. I was sick with a cold so it was just me, my husband Mikey, and our Gryffin. It wasn’t the first time it was just the 3 of us for Thanksgiving so it wasn’t that bad (aside from being sicky). Actually it was really nice because Mikey didn’t have to work for the first time in years!

We usually wait to put our tree up until the Saturday after Thanksgiving but we decided put our tree up Thanksgiving night. Gryffin was pretty excited about it! I’ve had a hard time getting into the holiday spirit, but since we’re the keeper of our own happiness I refuse to let my dismal feelings take control.

Anyway…here’s what else we’ve been up to.

Currently Watching

Mikey and I haven’t really watched anything this past month aside from the family movie night movies so I’m just going to jump in here.

Friday family night movies have included:

  • Big Hero 6 (I really like this one – it’s sad but good!)
  • Scoob (This is a repeat. Gryffin really likes this movie. I honestly thought for sure it would be too scary for him and was ready to stop it at any moment, but he loves it!)
  • Frozen II
  • Robin Hood (we went old school)
  • Planes

Currently Reading

Farmer Boy (Little House Series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This has been taking me a long time to get through since it’s not holding my interest quite as much as the first book. I still plan to read the next one but I’m hoping there’s a little more story line to keep things going a littler faster.

The Little House Cookbook by Barbara M. Walker

To go with the Little House books, I discovered there was a Little House cookbook! I was thinking of buying this but discovered the library had a copy so I checked it out! I’m glad it’s not something I bought because most of the recipes I don’t think I would actually make, but it’s been fun to flip through.

Martha Stewart’s Organizing by Martha Stewart (of course!)

I’m not quite sure what brought me to this book, but I’m all about making my house a home and this book had a lot of good information in it. I really enjoyed her monthly calendars and gleaned some good ideas and inspiration. Definitely contemplating buying this book.

Currently Making/Baking

Pasta E Fagioli soup by Kristen with MakeTheBestofEverything.com.

I found this copy cat recipe on Pinterest and loved it! It was a big hit with Mikey and Gryffin too. I always order soup, salad, and breadsticks from Olive Garden and this is one of my favorites. Bonus, this recipe makes a lot so it’s great for a crowd!

Current Favorite

Color Street Nails!

I have tried a few different types of nails (salon, Jamberry, glue on, press on), but these are my new favorite! I love that you don’t need heat to apply and you can easily take them off with nail polish without completely ruining your nails. I’m a fan! I just ordered a couple more sets for my stocking for Christmas this year (from Mikey of course ;). These nails are sold by consultants, but I hear Dashing Diva‘s nails are similar if you don’t want to go through a consultant.

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Anyway, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and have a wonderful holiday season!

Much love to you all,

Cami

P.S. I would love to hear about your Thanksgiving! Leave a comment below!

2020 Fall Bucket List

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I was glad to welcome the fall season this year. I enjoy the fall days at home, especially when it’s extra warm and cozy inside. This year I’m looking forward to a slower pace. We don’t have a lot of plans this year and I’m perfectly okay with that. With that being said, I still made a fall bucket list – this one is just a little more focused on things we can do at home.

I also have a blank list at the end that you can print to make your own!

Food & Drink

  • Chili bread bowl night
  • Bake a pumpkin pie
  • Bake pumpkin bread
  • Make apple cider
  • Make cranberry chicken

There is something so cozy about baking in the fall! I’m looking forward to all these yummy eats!

Out & About

  • Go on a fall scavenger hunt
  • Have a fall photo shoot
  • Check out books at the library
  • Play in the leaves
  • Buy a new fall candle

Creative

  • Decorate for fall
  • Carve pumpkins
  • Make a fall decoration (I’m thinking a wreath or table centerpiece)
  • Make a thankful tree
  • Organize a room or closet

Rain or Shine

  • Go puddle jumping
  • Costume dress up night
  • Have a game night
  • Donate to a food bank
  • Mail a handwritten card

For those who want to create your own, you can print a blank list by clicking on the download button below.

Fall Bucket List PrintableDownload

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I hope you all are having a wonderful Fall season so far and had a safe and Happy Halloween!

Much Love,

Cami

Currently September/October 2020

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Playing catch up!! Our September was packed! First, our family went on a vacation. If you missed the recap, you can read all about it by clicking here. Then, my parents came to visit for 2 weeks the following weekend after we got back. It’s been a whirlwind!

This month I’ve been resting and trying to get caught up on house work, (along with catching up on work, work). Now that it’s fall, I’m really wanting to do a deep clean of the house. I’m thinking of dedicating a month to deep cleaning and trying to get it done little bits at a time. I’ll keep you posted if that happens!.

Anyway, here’s what else we’ve been up to…

Currently Watching

Jurrasic World: Fallen Kingdom

I’m not typically a huge fan of Sci-Fi movies, but I’ve always been able to make an exception for the Jurassic Park movies. I enjoyed this one. It was your typical Jurassic movie, but the story line was a little different than I was expecting. I have a feeling it’s going to lead up to more of what I had in mind in the next movie (assuming there will be a next movie). I missed some parts of the movie here and there since Gryffin was having a hard time with going to bed, but my husband bought it so I’ll be able to re-watch it soon!

Friday family night movies have included:

  • The Incredibles
  • The Incredibles 2
  • Wreck-it Ralph

Currently Reading

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

While the last month and a half has been fun, it’s also felt a bit chaotic, so I decided to go with something light hearted and comforting, which ended up being a children’s book. I finished this book, so I’m on to the next one in the series!

Farmer Boy (Little House Series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

My goodness, these books talk about all sorts of yummy food. It’s hard reading before bed because it makes me so hungry lol.

Currently Making/Baking

White Chicken Chili from the Salty Side Dish

I can’t remember if this recipe has made it on the blog before or not, but either way, this has become my most favorite fall recipe so far. The only thing I do different on this recipe is leave out the heavy cream and I add a can of mild green chilies. It’s the best!

Current Favorite

Calmed by Nature YouTube Channel

While I like to listen to music with lyrics, I often find it to be distracting when I’m trying to focus, so I was happy to discover this Youtube channel. There are so many different scenes and sounds to choose from! Just staring at the pictures is calming, then you add the sounds and I can feel my stress levels evening out.

My current favorite scene is this cozy ship cabin. The dim lights, tea, and book is extremely inviting. This is the epitome of relaxation to me.

My second favorite has been the Cozy Fall Coffee Shop.

You’ll have to let me know if you have any favorite channels or apps like this!

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I hope you all are having a wonderful fall so far!

Much love to you all,

Cami

Beach Vacation 2020

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I had hoped to get this up last month but we had so much going on that it was impossible! I honestly wasn’t sure if this vacation was actually going to happen but I am happy to report that we were able to get away and spend a whole week in Oregon! Unfortunately, as you may (or may not) have seen on the news, there were terrible, heartbreaking fires and the smoke was pretty bad, but we still managed to get out and enjoy what we could!

Here’s the recap!

Where: Seaside, Oregon
When: Tuesday, September 8th – 12th

(we spent a couple days in Canby, Oregon first to visit some friends. We were so busy hanging out and having fun that I didn’t end up documenting that part of the trip – although I’m sad because we took Gryffin to the Oregon zoo for the first time but somehow didn’t mange to get a single picture.)

After being in Canby for 3 days, we made our way to the beach!

Day 1: Playground, The Ocean, and The Beach House!

We made it in to Seaside around 3:30 in the afternoon. Check-in wasn’t until 4:00, so we headed to the park that was directly across the street from the house. We went with some friends who also have small boys and they had a blast playing together and getting their energy out.

After they were done with the park we walked down to the beach. It was smoky but there was relief by the water! The weather was in the 80’s and perfect!

After running around in the waves and watching Gryffin make “snow angles” in the sand, we headed back to the beach house to check in.

I loved the little chair in the corner. It was the perfect reading space!

The house was small for 6 adults and 3 little boys and a baby but not overcrowded. It was just a couple blocks from the beach access and the perfect distance away from downtown – close enough to walk, but far enough not to have crowds.

I’m honestly not sure which I miss more, the beach or this jetted tub!

The layout was a little weird, but I definitely would stay here again!

Day 2: Downtown Seaside and More Beach

After making breakfast (cinnamon rolls, sausage, and orange juice) and getting ready for the day we walked to downtown for some fun and shopping.

First stop was the Carousel Mall. All the boys got to ride and it was pretty fun hearing Gryffin yell “ye-hawww!”, haha.

We went back for naps and then a little more beach time.

Day 3: Cannon Beach

I honestly can’t believe it’s been 8 years, going on 9 since we left (For those who don’t know, Mikey and I lived in Cannon Beach for 7 years. It’s where we met, dated, and lived during our early married years)! It was crazy to see how much had changed and how much the little town had grown.

Soooo smoky and foggy :(

We walked around a bit and I got to see one of my favorite people I used to work with. It was so nice to catch up! After visiting for a while, we did a little bit of shopping before stopping at Fultano’s Pizza for lunch and then headed back to our beach house where we got in the hot tub since it was freezing outside (I realized I also forgot to get a picture of the hot tub outside)! It was wonderful!

Day 4: Aquarium, Beach, and Buried Treasure

We spent the last day much like the second, except it was so cold that we drove to downtown Seaside instead of walked. We walked around a bit and then ended up at the aquarium where Gryffin got to feed the seals! Yet another memory missed with my camera, but we had been soaking in the moment!

Octopus!

After the aquarium we walked to the beach where the boys dug for buried treasure. This was an amazing idea our friends came up with! We had spent the previous few days finding and purchasing little trinkets to put in the boxes. Our friend, David, left to bury the treasure and then the boys came over to dig it up. They had a blast and were so excited! We will definitely be carrying on that tradition for every beach trip we take.

Once they dug up their treasure we headed back to the beach house and rested before soaking in more time on the beach again.

Day 5: Going Home

Before we knew it our time at the beach had come to an end. It was sad to go but we were ready to be home at the same time. I missed our dog and being in our own space. The drive felt long and the smoke made it really difficult! I felt so bad for everyone who had to evacuate their home and for those who lost so much! There was definitely a heaviness throughout the week as we knew of the devastation that was happening around us. Praying for all who were affected by the fires everywhere.

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I have more to come this month! Stay tuned for the next “Currently” post and a fall bucket list!

Much love to you all,

Cami