theinbetweenismine

just a girl living the expat life

Archives for December 2019

Monthly Favorites | December

filed under: monthly favorites

1. When I visited my family in May, my sister passed on this Naketano Long Hoodie to me. Naketano was a popular German clothing brand (which sadly has been discontinued) and I was trying to get my hands on one of their awesome, cozy sweaters. I bought one online (from leftover stock) and my sister had this one and decided to pass it on to me. I love it. It’s so comfortable and cozy. Plus, it reminds me of my sister every time I wear it.

2. As you might remember, the Revlon Hair Dryer and Volumizer* was on my Christmas wishlist and someone snagged it for me from my Amazon Wishlist. I can already attest to the positive reviews I’ve read from others. 

3. The Friends LEGO set* was a Christmas gift I didn’t know I wanted, but it’s giving me much joy this holiday season!

4. My friend Tanja gave me this 4Ocean bracelet* for Christmas, and not only is it pretty, it also supports a good cause. 4Oceans’ purpose is to end the ocean plastic crisis and every purchase supports the clean up of 1 pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines. They have bracelets representing different ocean inhabitants (this is the manatee bracelet).

5. It’s probably not a surprise that Trader Joe’s Organic Breakfast Blend Coffee* made my December favorites’ list, because I took a break from coffee for three weeks and couldn’t wait to get reunited. 

6. I don’t often bake cookies throughout the year (if not to say, never), but I love me some Vanillekipferl for Christmas.

7. Christmas Cards make me the happiest in December. But you already knew that.

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

Our Christmas

filed under: good times, holidays

The weekend before Christmas, I finally got around to baking some holiday cookies and since it’s just two people eating over here, I stuck with one of our favorite cookies: Vanillekipferl. 

Saturday night, we walked the ‘Fabulous 40’s’ to look at all the Christmas lights. It’s always fun to see how many people go all out for the holidays, but it can also get pretty crazy around these neighborhood blocks, as so many people from all over come around during the holidays to see the lights. Our street is usually used for parking, so it’s is often packed in December. Thank goodness, we have a driveway! 

We started Christmas off with an unexpected dismissal from work on the 24th, which resulted in my lounging around in my PJs on Christmas Eve morning and waiting to FaceTime with my family (who were all gathered at my sister’s house again this year for Christmas Eve). It’s always great to be able to “join” them via FaceTime, but also always sad to not be there in person. 

In the afternoon, I set our table for dinner and started cooking around 5 pm. I always make a point to plan a three-course meal,  print a menu card, and decorate our table, even if it’s just the two of us. It puts me into the Christmas mindset and I simply love doing it. 

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Ok, so the (frozen) potato croquettes that I bought turned out to be tater tots. That’s fine. They were still delicious, just not what I expected.  Will have to make them from scratch next time.

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This is what Christmas presents under the tree look like when all of your family and friends are far away. Do you think Amazon will start sending Christmas presents in pretty wrapping any time soon?

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We opened a few gifts on Christmas Eve (mostly the ones from overseas), but also saved a few for Christmas Day (combining both German and American traditions). We also watched “A child’s Christmas in Wales“. 

I baked fresh scones Christmas morning and put on a big pot of coffee. Yes, what you see there was my first cup of coffee in 21 days and it was glorious! 
We also unwrapped a few more presents.

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I spent most of the afternoon drinking tea, eating cookies, watching Elf, and building this:

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Are you jealous? You should be. I had almost forgotten how much fun LEGOs are until I started putting this set together. Turns out, you’re never too old for LEGOs.

As I mentioned before, December 26 is an official ‘second Christmas holiday’ in Germany, so I tend to take this day off as well. I spent most of the day in my lounge pants, I worked on my blog for a bit (you might have noticed a few minor changes around here, like the header image) and had more tea and cookies (just because). In the evening, we watched ‘It’s a wonderful life‘, because there’s no Christmas around here without George Bailey. 

As always,  the holiday cards that I received over the last few weeks were my favorite! Thanks so much to everyone who sent out cards this year. If you don’t see your card, it might still be in transit.

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How was your Christmas? I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Currently | December

filed under: currently, holidays

LOVING | my new mug(s). (I got a total of 4 new mugs over the holidays and I couldn’t be happier!)

ENJOYING | the 2nd Christmas holiday. Because it’s a holiday in Germany and everyone should get not one, but two holidays for Christmas. Period.

EATING | holiday cookies and scones.

DRINKING | my first cup of coffee in 21 days. Hallelujah.

WATCHING | holiday movies. They’re my favorite. So far, I’ve managed to see quite a few classics, but I also found a German holiday mini-series on Netflix that I am still hoping to watch! 

READING | Ugh. I was reading “Normal People” by Sally Rooney and then my loan expired and I wasn’t finished. Now I have to wait to be able to borrow it from the library again. 

HOPING | that you all had some good times with your family and friends over the holidays, and also

WISHING | I could have hugged some of mine.

THANKFUL | for all the friends that sent Christmas cards and little packages in the mail this holiday season. It really made the holidays that much sweeter!

ADORING | all the Christmas decorations in the neighborhood.

SENDING | Christmas cards and a few packages. You must know that wrapping gifts and putting together little packages is probably one of my most favorite things to do around the holiday season, but most of my Christmas gifts were ordered online this year, because the added cost of shipping is just insane (especially when sending overseas), but also deprives me of the gift wrapping part.

KEEPING IN MIND that not everybody looks forward to the holidays because people have strained family relations, or are far away from their loved ones, or or are generally stressed by the holiday expectations. I see you. Do what feels right.

What’s going on with you currently? 

Five Things Friday Vol. 5

filed under: Friday Five

Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.

You guys, I don’t know why I haven’t thought about this earlier, but if you have some cloves in your spice cabinet, put some in a little bowl on your living room table and enjoy the beautiful Christmassy smell. It’s so lovely.

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I have exactly three work days left in 2019. I was already planning to take off the 26th (as this is an official second Christmas holiday in Germany and I insist to have the day off as well), and then on Wednesday, on Impeachment Day, Trump gave all federal employees a day off on Christmas Eve. This might be the only good thing he’s ever done for me. Haha. Since I am planning to facetime with my family on Christmas Eve (when they’re all gathered at my sister’s house), this just makes things a lot easier for me (and I don’t have to find a quiet place during my lunch break to do it). 

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I haven’t baked any Christmas cookies yet and will remedy this asap. I am baking Vanillekipferl tomorrow. What’s your favorite Christmas cookie?

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I saw my dear friend Susi again last Sunday for the last girl time of this year. We hung out, had tea and even took a dip into the hot tub. Oh, don’t mind if we do!  Just the right thing to do to relax and catch up before the holiday craziness (well, it’s not going to be so crazy around here, actually, but you know what I mean)!

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Today is ‘reveal day’ for the Secret Santa Mug Swap 2019. I was hoping to share with you all mugs that have been exchanged this year, but I’ll have to postpone the blog post, as sadly, not all participants have received their packages yet or have posted their mugs. But rest assured, I’ll share as soon as everyone has received their swap packages. In the meantime, go check out the hashtag #secretsantamugswap2019 on Instagram for some sneak peeks! 

TGIF!

December Link Love

filed under: link love

Around the Interwebs

I found this interesting: The 3 core skills that every person needs for a healthy romantic relationship.

The American Dream is killing us.

The 2010’s have broken our sense of time. No kidding.

I am looking into this: The only five email folders you need. Does someone use this system?

I think this doesn’t just apply to grief, but it’s a good observation. The mistake I made with my grieving friend.

Best books of the year.

Around the blogosphere

Homemade holiday gift ideas.

12 Ways to Live more Sustainably/Frugally. Some good tips!

Food for thought. Sometimes I hate the Internet. And I am part of what I hate.

Craftiness/DIY

Cute! Felt Hot Cocoa Ornament.

What a great gift idea: DIY Photo Lantern.

7 DIY felting projects for the holiday season.

For my runner friends

5 quick and effective running workouts for the holidays. Do you keep running through the holidays?

Running Strides – when, why and how to do them.

Deliciousness

Holly Jolly Santa Cookies. These look too pretty to be eaten!

Healthy Chicken Broccoli Soup. We tried it and loved it!

Genius! Put leftover mashed potatoes in the waffle maker!

Share a good link with me in the comments!