As we say goodbye to December and the holidays, it’s that time of year we all reflect on the year behind and look forward to the year ahead. I did a post recently about what I accomplished in 2018 and what I hope to accomplish in 2019 here.

But I also wanted to recap the month too.

Books and Books and not

I did buy three books this month while I was at home in New Jersey. I visited my local bookstore Bookends in Ridgewood. Hubby and I were on date night and we wandered by this adorable bookstore.

Their selection seemed okay. I had asked for one book and they didn’t carry it, so I ended up buying Becoming by Michelle Obama. I’m adding it to my Feb. to read list. They have a lot of great signings including Mary Higgins Clark, Jackie Chan (yes, that Jackie Chan) and Geddy Lee. If I lived in the area, I would probably be here all the time.

I bought some wonderful books from my B&N too that were 50% (couldn’t resist!) and I got some wonderful books as Christmas gifts!

Bookends in Ridgewood, N

Thank you to T from Nite Lite Book Reviews. She got me the much coveted Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare and Fight or Flight by Samantha Young. And she also got me The Winters by Lisa Gabriele, a retelling of my favorite book Rebecca. I can’t wait to read this. It’s on my Jan. pile already.

Gifts from Thuy (she knows me so well, it’s scary)
My surprising Dec. haul. I am over the moooon!!

Knitting

I’ve been a knitting fiend! I’m almost done with my daughter’s cardigan (just have to do the edging.) I’m also making headway with my Tale as Old as Time cowl. I haven’t focused on my Find Your Fade shawl but I’m hoping to finish that by Spring. My goal is to finish a lot of my Works in Progress. I have another three or four floating around the house somewhere.

I also was fortunate enough to visit a lovely local yarn store while I was in NJ. Do Ewe Knit is in Fanwood, NJ and it’s absolutely heaven. The owner and I obviously have the same esthetic because as soon as I walked in, I wanted to buy everything.

And I did.

I mean, kinda.

She has a nice section of 50% sale yarn (and I mean NICE sale yarn.) I bought some yarn (pics below) and spoke to the owner who is very kind and charming. I can’t wait to go back. I’m pretty sure I’ll make this a stop every time I’m in NJ.

Hygge ‘R’ Us

Even though it was Christmas, the holiday where too much is not enough, I was able to be really mindful about what I bought as gifts as well as what I asked for.

I received these lovely gifts from my family that leaned more towards home coziness. The whale butter dish is something that gives me joy to look at and use and the whale spoon saver adds something lovely to my dull stove. I also got some towels and my daughter got a much needed new chair/cushions for her room. I got some great gift cards too and I’m looking forward to buying some much needed new shoes!

Hubby got me a Fitbit! I’ve been obsessed with it since I got it and it turns out, I’m totally okay with walking around in circles around the living room until I reach my step goal. 🙂

I’m really satisfied because the gifts I got were all thoughtful and items I really love. And you know, make me feel cosy.

Health

While December was pretty busy with prep, I really enjoyed my time at home with my parents. My daughter loved spending time with Grandma and Papa and they were super helpful. So while I probably ate more sugar in one week than all year, I had minimal health issues. I had some stress with traveling but that was it.

We even had a date night that included dinner (From Scratch – homemade pasta! Delicious!) and a movie! (Vice. Go see it.)

Even with the travel, I feel well rested. And with my new Fitbit, I’ve been able to focus on staying active. I even went to the gym with my dad.

I’m not saying I didn’t gain like a million pounds over the holiday. But I’m feeling pretty good about it. 🙂

Next year, we have a new boss starting at work. I haven’t really met him yet but I’m hoping he’s cool. My husband is also getting a new boss so we’re looking forward to a beginning of 2019 with a lot of change. But that doesn’t sound as daunting to me as it did maybe a few weeks ago. I’m trying to stay calm and cool.

Hmmm. Maybe it’s all the eggnog.

Happy New Year everyone!

Hope you stay safe and happy and warm!