21: Things I love Thursday

Happy mail.

I am reviving an old post format that I might not have used since 2016. 

This week, I am loving…

… that so many of you signed up for the Secret SANta Swap again this year and that you want to spread some joy during the holiday season. It makes me so happy.
Also, this is the last call. If you’re interested and would like to participate, please sign up by the end of the day! I’ll be sending out swap partners this weekend! (I’ll be posting this late, so if you miss the deadline, reach out and I can see if I can still accommodate you.)

… our new home. I know I owe you a bit more details and I will get to that, but for now, let’s just say, I am so happy to have a bigger kitchen, a fireplace, more space, an office, an extra guest room, and double-pane windows! Boy, do they make a difference!

…. a postcard (see above) that I received from Engie! This made my week! Thank you, thank you, my friend, for the sweet note!

… a new coffeemaker. I didn’t realize how old our coffee maker was but digging through my blog archives (thank goodness for those!), we bought it in 2013, so it’s no surprise that it finally bit the dust after 10+ years. As you might know, I love my pour-over Chemex glass carafe, but I always have a regular drip coffee maker as a backup (in case, we have guests and I want to brew a whole pot, or for already ground coffee that I can’t use in the Chemex, like my beloved Gingerbread Coffee that will hopefully soon be available at Trader Joe’s again.) I did a bit of research and settled on a Braun Multi-Serve Coffeemaker which can brew a cup, a whole pot, cold brew, and it even has a hot water function for tea. It just arrived today so I can’t really speak to all the functions, nor its longevity, but it looks sleek and I look forward to using it!

NaBloPoMo. What else is new? I am always looking forward to it every year and I love that our community around it has been growing once again. You’re all truly amazing for signing up for this and keeping up with the writing, connecting, reading, and commenting! Kudos to all of you! You also might have noticed a lot of batch commenting as I am trying my best to catch up on your posts. And if you’re getting burned out: remember, the end is near. We’re over two-thirds through the month! 

this soup. We’ve made variations with ground turkey instead of ground beef and substituted diced potatoes for the cauliflower rice, but both variations are delicious! Do yourself a favor and make this soup sometime. It’s so good. 


I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2024
Links to the Participants List and NaBloPoMo2024 Blog Post Ideas! Happy writing!

14 Comments

  1. I’m so glad your new home is such a source of joy. I’ve put that soup on my list of dishes to try. Thanks.

  2. Congratulations on the new home. It sounds like a real improvement. Double pane windows do make a huge difference! We have single pane at work and it gets really cold when you sit next to them. Wishing you many happy days in front of the fireplace this winter,

  3. The new place sounds amazing and you must be loving the extra space and AN OFFICE WITH A DOOR.
    San, I cannot believe I forgot to mention the Secret SANta Swap. I meant to include it in this week’s Happy Things. I will give a shout-out tomorrow in my Saturday giveaway post if it’s not too late. Sorry :|
    That soup looks delicious!

  4. Lots of fun things! I am trying not to let the Canada Post strike destroy my soul, but it’s so hard to come into the holiday season with no snail mail. Wahhh.
    Getting ten years out of a coffee maker seems amazing these days!

  5. I also got a postcard from Engie! Thanks for reminding me- I need to put in on my blog. She sent some great ones.
    Your new home sounds awesome. I can’t wait for details!

  6. I can’t wait until you show us around your new place. Such exciting life developments!!

    I’m excited for the Secret SANta Swap. I was just thinking about how I’ll need to fit in a bit of shopping at some point once I get the info about my person!

  7. This is a great format for a post. I’m so happy for you that you are enjoying your new home. Good windows do make a big difference. Every time we’ve moved the windows are the first upgrade we make. Thanks for organizing the Santa swap. I’m looking forward to it. You’re the internet hostess with the mostess!

  8. Oh, I bet you are super happy to have a new place AND a new coffee pot. My favorite was a Cuisinart that I had for over 10 years and it was awesome but it finally shorted out and I was so sad. I liked it so much though that I bought my Mom the same exact one for Christmas!

  9. Your new home sounds wonderful. I would love a fireplace. Sitting by a fire always makes me happy. I bet it is wonderful. But then you live in California…

  10. Those are all happy things, especially your new place with your new kitchen and coffee maker! I said I wasn’t going to do the Secret SANta swap, but I’m changing my mind if there’s still time. I have FOMO. If not, don’t worry, just exclude me, I’ll be OK.

  11. Happy about your new place. Oh that soup looks scrumptious!

  12. Loving… the batch avalanche of comments from you.
    … that you’re enjoying your new space, that is so great!
    …NaBloPoMo as well. 💕

  13. I forgot that you had moved until I got the email about it! You caught me just in time as I had ordered my cards already but hadn’t mailed them yet so I can fix your address (it would have gotten forwarded to you anyways of course!).

    I’m loving that we are entering such a festive time of year. I really do love the holiday season. With Thanksgiving being so late this year, Christmas will feel like it’s coming even faster than usual!

  14. So many happy things! I love that you have a beautiful new home and can’t wait for the grand tour. And I also love NaBloPoMo but I’ve once again gotten behind on commenting. It’s so hard to catch up!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *