Whatās this another post? Just like the rest of you I wasnāt expecting a post today either.
Happy Boxing Day!
I recently learned that my mom lied and Boxing Day is not a day to clean up and box up old things. It was probably a ploy she cleverly used to get us to clean the house.
Yea Iām an idiot for still believing it as an adult but tell me it doesnāt make sense to clean before the new year. To start fresh. It makes more sense than spring cleaning.
2020 is just about over. I want 2021 to get off to the best start possible. But also Iām nervous about what 2021 will bring. Or maybe more accurately what will I bring into 2021.
Things I plan to leave in 2020 are:
Unrealistic Expectations. Itās not a secret that I donāt think highly of myself.It was only recently when I started to think of my self worth. Itās kind of the reason I started this blog. My standards for myself kept growing and I never saw any improvement in myself. It wasnāt just what I did wasnāt enough but I wasnāt enough. even now I still donāt feel like I am enough.But Iām working on setting realistic expectations.
BitternessandResentment. I lost a few friends this year. People who were takers attached to me. It felt like they would drain me but didnāt add anything to me. I plan to learn to let go. When you donāt know how to forgive and let things go hurt turns into bitterness and resentment. I donāt want carry feelings of resentment into my new season. If I want to move forward and not backward, I have to release what hurt me.
Failure mindset. Things didnāt go as planned in 2020. Failure is not permanent. I canāt continue to let uncomfortable change, failure and disappointment control my life. Normally when things turn bad I become pessimistic. I tell myself all Iāll ever do is fail.
How Iām preparing for 2021.
Reflecting on 2020. What did I do right? ā Wrong?
Clean my room. Iām so used to cleaning before the new year starts.
Make goals. I want goals that are manageable and realistic. Goals I can actually accomplish.
Make a vision board. I plan to map out my 2021 plans. I want to be a powerful manifestor.
Side note! I brought myself a advent Calendar today because there are also 25 days between Dec. 26 and Jan. 20, I plan to countdown to inauguration day 2021.
Letās use the remaining days of 2020 to prep for a FANTASTIC 2021!
I would have posted sooner but yesterday and today was crazy between going to work, getting last-minute presents, and trying to wrap everything before people came over.
Usually, Iām a gift bag type of person, but I tried to live out my Hallmark main character fantasy. I watched two videos on how to wrap presents, and letās just say Iām going back to gift bags next year.
Wrapping problems aside, last night was so fun. Iām surprised I stayed up until midnight- saying that makes me sound like an old person, but I was just sooo tired. But it was worth it to see everyoneās faces as they opened their gifts.
My boyfriend has wanted a new longboard for a while now. He always talks himself out of buying one because of the price. So I knew it was perfect even though I went over the agreed-upon $50 gift limit we set months earlier. Giving him his gift was the highlight of my day. I donāt know if it was his cute little smile or the fact he just started smothering me in kisses, or the fact he ran outside at midnight to ride it. He was like a little kid it was soo cute.
Since we open presents on the 24th we donāt usually do much on the 25th.
The kids played with their new toys while the adults just at and watched tv. Soul came out on Disney and Wonder Woman premiered on HBO. So we were so busy watching the movies.
When we were done with all the new stuff it was time for a classic. We decided to put on Harry Potter and make our own butter beer.
I tried to convince my family to play a Harry Potter drinking game with me but they were completely against the idea.
Apparently watching Harry Potter which wasnāt even my idea was soo boring. My sister fell asleep during the first movie.
Today was overall fun. the little ones had a great time opening all their gifts.
Iāve had this recipe for butterbeer saved in my notes for a year. This isnāt my usual recipe itās not even my original recipe. But I donāt remember where I got the original recipe from.
Ingredients
1Ā cupĀ light or dark brown sugar
2Ā tablespoonsĀ water
6Ā tablespoonĀ butter
1/2Ā teaspoonĀ Ā salt
1/2Ā teaspoonĀ cider vinegar
3/4Ā cupĀ heavy creamĀ divided
1/2Ā teaspoonĀ rum extract
4Ā bottlesĀ (12 oz. bottles) cream soda
Instructions
In a small saucepan over medium, combine the brown sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until the mixture reads 240 F on a candy thermometer.
Stir in the butter, salt, vinegar and 1/4 heavy cream. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the rum extract.
In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped, about 2 to 3 minutes.
To serve, divide the brown sugar mixture between 4 tall glasses (about 1/4 cup for each glass). Add 1/4 cup of cream soda to each glass, then stir to combine. Fill each glass nearly to the top with additional cream soda, then spoon the whipped topping over each.
I canāt believe how fast this month has gone. Christmas is in 1 day, and Iām still not ready.
Last night instead of posting, I was too busy getting lit. My friends and I had an ugly Christmas sweater party. I seriously lack photos because the night was soo fun that I didnāt really stop to grab my phone or a good camera to take a picture of our whole group.
We kept the party small due to COVID. But with the right people, you couldnāt even tell it was just the 7 of us.
We were too busy eating and talking and just having a good time together. Honestly I love having dinner parties. More importantly I love having potlucks. Because our menu was fire! Adobo chicken, Jamaican curry goat, some amazing cauliflower mac n cheese- I literally had to find a copycat recipe for that.
Iām glad everyone else contributed to the actual meal because all I made was dessert and brought alcohol.
But we didnāt really care about who brought what. We cared about being together.
Especially once we started playing little games. The holiday bingo and word unscramble were definitely fun. But pin the Santa hat on Baby Yoda was the highlight of the night.
I know, weāre nerds!
Last night was so fun, but today was work.
All-day was dedicated to cooking Christmas dinnerā¦or I guess Christmas Eve Dinner technically. My family is a little weird; we donāt celebrate on Christmas Day. We celebrate at midnight on Christmas Eve.
I absolutely loved making tamales with my boyfriendās family. We put on Christmas movies and got to work.
I loved how the whole family was involved. Growing up, it was always just my mom making tamales and me. And the last few years, itās been me by myself.
But not today! We had an assembly line, and everyone had to work.
It started with Nena putting the masa on the corn husk and the banana leaves. Her telling us what to do.
It was weird that we had a bunch of āaddings,ā as my niece calls them. We added potatoes, green olives, and jalapeƱos with carrots to them. Something Iāve never done before, but itās delicious.
I started counting, but after 145, I gave up. Weāre still steaming 3 pots of tamales as I type this.
Look at this picture my boyfriend got of the pupper.
After we finished assembly the tamales, we started on dessert.
Apparently, we donāt do anything small in this house because we made cookies on cookies on cookies. Almost 200 cookies. Iām gonna be Oprah.
You get cookies! And you get cookies! Everyone gets cookies!!!
I canāt wait until tomorrow to eat everything and to open presents.
One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is getting into the car, getting some hot chocolate, play Christmas music while taking a drive to see all of the Christmas lights.
I went with something local but my brother went to see the Christmas lights in Dodger Stadium. The video and pictures of it was festive, beautiful, and full of holiday spirit. Iām sure thereās still time to see it but I donāt think Iāll be going this year. And Iāve seen pictures and videos of it so itās like Iāve already gone.
For the first time in a few years my neighborhood is full of Christmas lights. Iām so glad more families are moving back in my neighborhood. My neighbors decorating skills are amazing. Some houses looked like they belonged on The Great Christmas Light Fight. I wanted to take pictures but I was so caught in the moment of it all.
Maybe Iām being dramatic but it feels like the sparkles are more needed than ever this year. My favorite part was when I found a group of houses all having an candy cane archway. Did I pull over the car to walk through an arch in front of someoneās house? Yes, yes I did.
Now that Iām home I plan to put on some Christmas music and get in the zone so I can wrap all those gifts!
I know Christmas can be busy, but my Christmas wish for you is that you just take the time to enjoy this time of year with family and friends!
Christmas is in 4 days and I just canāt believe it. Iām almost ready for Christmas. How about you?
My boyfriend was the one who helped get me back into the spirit of Christmas. He decided it would be nice to do something more traditional and fun to build a Gingerbread House.
I donāt think of myself as being particularly creative, but I do love crafts. Gingerbread houses remind me of my mom. When I was a kid, she baked the gingerbread house and little gingerbread kids from scratch. It was my job as a kid to decorate and eat the gingerbread kids. As an adult, I now feel my baking skill level is below average. I have never baked a gingerbread house before, and the only gingerbread men Iāve ever made were well under par.Ā
We found a cheap gingerbread village in Target. Which was incredibly useful as it provided all of the gingerbread pieces, icing, and decorations. I actually didnāt expect to get the decorations, and Iām really happy with this kit!
If Iām honest, decorating a gingerbread house isnāt as easy as it looks. The gingerbread pieces had markings on them to guide us when doing things like the door and windows, but piping the icing neatly was still quite tricky. Itās actually challenging sticking it all together as they kept sliding around and falling. Yet, once it was all together, it held well and looks really impressive.
This was the very first time my boyfriend made a gingerbread house. He didnāt get the point of them. He asked a bunch of questions. Who would actually eat them? If you arenāt going to eat them, then why go through the process of making them? Isnāt that just wasting food?
My boyfriend and my brother made their houses look so great. Mine looks like it was hit by hurricane cookie-trina. If I can be honest, I donāt know if it was that successful, but I donāt know if I can consider it as a fail; Iāll let you decide!
Hope you enjoyed it, and have you made your Gingerbread house yet? Have you ever made a Gingerbread House? Did yours look better than mine? It probably did.
Thank you very much for reading this blog post, and I hope that youāre still enjoying blogmas! Iāll see you again tomorrow for the final week of blogmas, so make sure you stay tuned for that!
Christmas is all about sharing. Today, Iād love to share something from my family with yours- a family heirloom. My family is a little different; some of the most cherished inheritances are our own family recipes.
Great-grandma Goodallās biscuits. Itās the recipe my Great Grandma Gwen originally made, then passed down to her son, my mom, and me. Itās one Iām proud as punch to share when I go to othersā homes as well.
I did have to change it a little because I never learned to cook them correctly. All I had was a copy of a photo of the recipe.
I tried to keep it close to the original, but Iāve never had them, and it took a lot of experimenting to find a version that I actually like to make and eat. I ended up with a cross between a dinner roll and a flaky biscuit.
The most important thing was getting the right amount of yeast. Itās all because the yeast back in the day were called cakes and were the size of bouillon cubes. Yeast packets now are nothing like that, and I know because I used all three packages when I made it the first time.
What I was expecting after using all three packs!
So now itās your turn to give it a try. Letās get startedā¦
Hereās the ingredients youāll need for thisĀ
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flourĀ
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter (softened)
1 tsp. salt
1 large egg
1 pkg. quick active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp.)
1/2 cup hot waterĀ
1/2 cup hot milkĀ
Directions
Mix 2 cups of flour, sugar, butter, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add the hot water, hot milk, and egg. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed for 1-minute scraping bowl repeatedly. Stir in enough remaining flour to make the dough easy to handle.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and springy. Place dough in a large bowl greased with shortening, turning to grease on all sides. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise about 1 hour or until doubled in size. The dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
Grease the bottoms and sides of a large muffin pan. Make dough as directed, push fist into the risen dough; divide dough by cutting in half. Pinch off dough and make 3 balls of equal size; put 3 balls in each muffin cup and brush with butter. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise for about 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Brush tops with butter.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #recipeswithbunny.
Todayās, post it later than usual but today was a roller coaster of emotions.
I started today off with a massive headache and felt sluggish. I decided that as long as i didnāt have a fever, still had my sense of taste and smell, or was throwing up, I could still work. Letās skip the gross parts, but a $175 covid test and a trip to an urgent care later, Iām fine. My body was so stressed; it caused me to have a migraine, and I learned I suffer from anxiety nausea. Before today, I thought that was just something they made up for Chidi in The Good Place.
Christmas is just around the corner, so I thought today I would share my Christmas wish list.Ā
I wasnāt originally going to do a Christmas wish list post. Still, I just loved reading other bloggersā wish lists, so I decided to make a post of my own. I personally love buying Christmas gifts for my friends and family ā but they are always asking, āwhat do you want?āĀ
I sometimes find it hard to answer this question because I actually feel pretty content with everything I have. I hate asking for stuff because I can purchase it myself or talk myself out of wanting it if I need something. Iād rather people save their money instead of buying me stuffā¦ for the fun of it, here are some things that Iād like.Ā
Before I get started, I am mostly doing this for Blogmas purposes, and probably most things I will save up and get myself.
Starbucks gift cards-Ā if you know me personally, you know my caffeine addiction.Ā
Books or Barnes & Noble gift card-Ā Books are on my wishlist every year and have been since I could read. I know, I have so many books that I need to start reading, so I shouldnāt really be asking for any more, but I canāt help it.
A random knick-knack or clothing-Ā I am a huge fan of anything bee, cactus, and bunny-themed, or anything yellow. Still looking for those bumblebee tights from me before you.Ā
Polaroid film-Ā I have a polaroid camera that I love and can always use film. Again, another practical gift.
Meal prep containers-Ā I really need to start eating healthier. Not just healthier but eating more in general. I know eating one meal a day is not healthy, but it feels like I never have the time to cook for myself.Ā
And that is my Christmas wish list for 2020.
What are you hoping to get for Christmas? Please do share as I love interacting with you guys, and after you read my wish list, it is only fair that I read yours!
Iāve been into DIYs so much lately. This time its wreaths!
Christmas is right around the corner, and Iām still doing some basic decorating for myself.Ā
I was due to have my driving test today, and it was canceled due to COVID. And thereās no idea when we will be able to reschedule it. Instead of sulking about still not having my license, I went to a friendās house, and together we decided we needed a craft day. Which was great because I had no idea what I was planning to write today.Ā
Onto the wreath you came here to makeāyouāll need the following:
a metal wire frame
different types of greenery
Ribbon or twine for hanging
An assortment of random things for a little razzle-dazzleĀ
Hot glue for the embellishments
I found a metal wire frame at a dollar tree. It was a total score. 2pack, and the frames are 8 inches.Ā Ā
Target is where I got my greenery. They have fake Christmas tree branches. I also scored a cypress, pine cone, and berry stem filler/decoration thing. Both were $10.Ā
As my niece called the random bells and flowers, the toppings were also from a dollar tree.Ā
Once you have all your supplies hereās how itās done:Ā
Arrange your greenery how you want it to look.Ā
I cut a few pieces I felt were too long and made sure it didnāt look too bulky. They are made of wire. I used scissors, but if you have wire cutters, I definitely recommend them.Ā
Begin attaching the greenery āone by oneāto your wire frame.
If your frame is bigger than an 8-inch frame, I would recommend making bunches, so you have an evenness around the entirety of the wreath. I think groups will help you get so many gaps.Ā
Since my frame was small, I draped the greenery over the edge, winding around each stem a few times to ensure itās secure. Overlap your bunches with the previous to cover the branches.
Fill in any gaps and add embellishments.Ā
For the purpose of hanging, create a loop. Cut an inch extra of the amount needed to hang your wreath. Tie the circle around the back of the frame and make a knot.Ā
When you begin layering on your add-ons, pay attention to cover the stems. Also, pick flowers that hold their shape.Ā
As you can see from the picture, I didnāt really know where I was going with this. I started placing different stuff I bought, and this was the result. To be honest, in the beginning, mine looked shocking, and I wasnāt very impressed with it. Still, as I got further around it, suddenly all came together. For my first try, this looks great, and this one only took 30 minutes to make.
Suppose I had a place where I could decorate myself. In that case, I could definitely see making a new wreath each year as a new holiday tradition. Itās easy and fun, and you can make them how big or whatever shape you want. Maybe next year Iāll do one again, but it will be a Disney wreath.Ā
While Christmas is probably the more known holiday at this time of year, there are a few others that also take place around the December period. One of them being Hanukkah.Ā
From lighting the menorah to learning a few prayers, this is how I celebrated my first Hanukkah.
The biggest thanks to Lexi for allowing me to celebrate with her and for answering all of my questions. She was very nice about my limited knowledge of Hanukkah outside of āthe Hannukah songā by Adam Sandler and his movie Eight CrazyĀ Nights.
It was the best Saturday night of December so far.
WHAT IS HANUKKAH?
HANUKKAH vs CHANUKAH? both are considered correct, thoughĀ HanukkahĀ is the most widely used spelling, whileĀ ChanukahĀ is more traditional.
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that takes place over 8 days, on the 25th day of the Kislev (a month in Hebrew), usually in November-December. This year, we start lighting the menorah on Thursday night, December 10, 2020.
The celebration commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where, in short, Jews fled from Greek-Syrian oppressors during the Maccabean Revolt. At the time, the King condemned the local Jews to a life āworshippingā Greek Gods that they could not believe in. Led by the Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons, Jews took back their hand and cleansed a Temple that had been tainted by their oppressors.
While doing this, Judah found enough oil that could keep the menorahās light burning for one day at the most. However, a miracle happened. The oil lasted for 8 days. Burning day and night and giving the Jews hope and comfort, knowing that God was with them and keeping them safe. Hence why many Jews today call Hanukkah The Festival of Lights.
TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS
Hanukkah revolves around the lighting of the menorah ā a nine-branched candle, basically. Each candle represents a day of the festival. After sundown throughout the eight days of the holiday, a candle gets added and lit. The middle and ninth candle is called Shamash, which is used to light the candles. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left (just as Hebrew is written from right to left) but are lit from left to right.Ā
Traditionally, you are meant to recite blessings and prayers during the lighting of the menorah. However, each family does it differently these days. You are then to place the menorah in a window to remind others of the miracle that inspired the holiday.
It was so welcoming when we did the prayer; even though I felt a little awkward not knowing the prayer, we held hands. It just felt very welcoming and like being a part of a family.
I always assumed that just like Christmas, Hanukkah involves an exchange of gifts. Families do this differently; some do it like Christmas, where presents are exchanged on one day and focus on their religion/ faith for other days. Some give others one gift a day over the festival, and some offer more. There is no right or wrong way to do things as each family is different.
I did get to watch as Lexi gave her boyfriend a lovely gift. A record player and a vinyl he has been searching for. They both live and breathe music. It is literally how they communicate, so watching this was so cute.Ā
TRADITIONAL FOOD
Like Christmas, I assumed that Lexi and her family would go all out for a Hanukkah dinner. Nope.
Latkes
Lexi did make latkes (potato pancakes), which are the best things on this planet! She also made challah, which is something you eat during the sabbath. Sabbath or Shabbat is a day of rest and even a day of pleasure and delight. It begins at sundown on Friday and ends on Saturday evening.
She made the bread herself, which is something she will have to teach me to do. She did a three strand braid, and my goodness, it was bigger than both our faces. Again each family makes them different and gives them a unique twist to them.
The main point of Hanukkah is expressing gratitude and love. Gratitude and love for your friends, family, the life God gave you. But most of all, gratitude for everything God has done for you and with you. Itās not about presents, or sparkling lights hanging from your rooftops, or even the delicious food that gets served. Itās about remembering the past, being thankful for it, and the lessons you have learned. Accepting that it is the past, and you have learned a lesson from it. And look forward to the future with love and compassion, the very same thing God does for you every single day.
My coworker, for the longest, was definitely not on board with my festive happy optimism. She went through a breakup during quarantine. Sheās so much happier now and better off without him. But I think my coworker started to get into a funk for a while when she realized that she would be alone this Christmas.
Up until Friday, she was not even putting up a tree for Christmas. She actually really enjoys the holidays. Sheās still not on my decked out in DIY holiday earrings level, but now Iāll catch her singing āFa la la la la.ā It still counts even with her eyes rolled.Ā Ā
So we discussed her celebrating the transition and appreciating the individuality of this particular season.Ā
Try toĀ see things through a positive lens. Think of all of the good things that could. Just around the corner could be something better than expected. The future is a surprise gift, just waiting for you to open.
Remember to respond, not react.Ā Things donāt always go our way, and hiccups are bound to happen. Getting upset and anxious about it and reacting doesnāt help anyone. Some things are just out of our hands, and we have to trust and believe that they will work out. Itās called faith!
When the memories begin to flood your mind, and the ache in your heart gets very real because you will miss your current life. Do your best toĀ remember the fantastic lessons you have learnedĀ since your last big transition.
Embrace the change.Ā Change excites me. However, the transition part isnāt always the most fun. It is uncomfortable and sometimes ugly ā¦ that isā¦ if you allow it to be. Find ways to have fun along the way. Laugh and make new memories!
BE FLEXIBLE.Ā A very self-explanatory and elementary concept, but itās VITAL to decking the hallway!
Let things go.Ā Some things work wonderfully in your current season that wonāt work in the new season. Donāt try to hang on ā¦ If you lose a bunch of weight, youāre old clothes donāt fit anymore, right? Something is freeing about entering into a new season and starting fresh.
Remember toĀ maintain an attitude of gratitude. If youāre thankful, itās tough to be upset. Be grateful for what you have, for what you have experienced, and where you are going. Be grateful for the people in your life.
If youāre not in a season of change or transition right now, you will be at some point. Itās inevitable. Just remember to enjoy the process.
