After a month-long break from our normal routine, this week brings our family back to a more traditional school / work / church / home schedule… yippee!
Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the holiday season (and snow days), but I also really love getting back into a routine without all the “extras” that seem to come with the month of December.
After the dust from our various parties and other holiday activities settled, I’m happy to be back to early mornings, simple meals at home, routine laundry days, family movie night, and a little less “excess”.
Simple living is my favorite… I’m sharing more favorites below!
FAVORITE MOMENT = Packing Up Christmas Decor
I know this sounds very “Scrouge-ish” but I enjoy packing up Christmas even more than getting it all out (although we didn’t get much out this year).
I do love the twinkly lights on the tree each morning and evening, but I also love the extra space (physically and mentally) I feel when Christmas is packed away… which I did on New Year’s Eve and never looked back!
Side Note: I also love unpacking from vacation significantly more than packing… I’m weird!
FAVORITE ROUTINE = Shoveling Snow
A few years ago, Dave and I canceled our plow service — mainly because we weren’t happy with their work (we clearly communicated our preferences with the company and they essentially ignored us 2 years in a row).
Also, at that time, we were exiting the “baby stage” and had more time available to shovel in the mornings before the kids woke up, and even during the day while they played outside.
I was initially nervous to cancel the plow service because we have a HUGE driveway, but shoveling has actually become one of my favorite wintertime activities.
Dave and I have our “routine” down pat and we can get the entire driveway done (with the sidewalk and paths to our outbuildings) in about 45 minutes.
The only downside is that our kiddos miss playing on the gigantic snow piles made by the plow trucks.
PAST FAVORITE = The Manplow
Speaking of shoveling snow… one of the reasons we can “plow through” our driveway so quickly (pun intended!) is because Dave stumbled across the Manplow Snow Pusher a couple of years ago.
It’s a massive “shovel” (up to 60″ wide) that is SO easy to maneuver and quickly clears the snow.
I use the 42″ Manplow… it’s almost addicting how fun it is to shovel!
Also, if you’re in the market for a slightly over-priced snow shovel for your kiddos, the Manplow Sprout is SOOOOO stinkin’ cute!
It’s adjustable so it grows with your child.
FAVORITE CLOTHING = Old Navy’s Ballerina Jeggings
Nora has never liked wearing jeans (it’s part of her sensory thing) but she will wear jeggings… as long as they are very stretchy, very high-waisted, and very tight so they don’t constantly sag down around the waist.
However, since she is quite tall and thin, it has been an almost impossible task to find jeggings that are tight enough AND long enough (if only we all had this problem!)
After several friends recommended the ballerina jeggings from Old Navy, I did a little research and found super-skinny, 360º stretch, extra-high-waist, long jeggings for 50% off during Old Navy’s Black Friday sales.
Miracles of all miracles… they fit perfectly AND she will wear them!
She got 2 new pairs, and then I found another pair for $7 on ThredUp, so I ordered those too.
It may have taken 10 years, but the girl has “jeans”!
FAVORITE BOOK = New Morning Mercies
I read a wide variety of books over Christmas break — everything from Nicholas Sparks to Beth Moore, from my childhood favorite “A Little Princess” to a self-published autobiography from a local farmer… and of course, dozens and dozens of children’s books and short chapter books to the kids.
However, the book I’m most excited to share is New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.
I bought it for myself a couple of months ago, and eagerly anticipated starting it on January 1 (it’s a daily, year-long devotional).
I’m generally a fan of Paul Tripp and I had heard great things about this book… so far, I haven’t been disappointed.
If you’re looking for a daily devotional that you can do in as little as 5 minutes a day (or as long as you want if you dig deeper into the suggested scripture readings), I highly recommend this one.
GET THE BOOK: New Morning Mercies
FAVORITE MEDIA = iPhone 13 Portrait Settings
Thanks to the large Apple gift card I won through the internet, Dave and I decided it would be a good time to upgrade my phone (we now plan to use my old iPhone 8 for our “at home phone”.)
RELATED READING: Family-Friendly At-Home Phone Options
So over Christmas break, Dave and I had a date-day that included our first-ever trip to Chick-fil-A and visiting our local Apple store.
I had already done a little online research before our shopping day, and although I’ve never owned a newer model phone, I decided that some of the new camera options made it worth the extra (especially since it was all covered by the gift card).
Oh my goodness, I’m SO glad I splurged!
I started playing with the camera on the drive home and was instantly amazed by the 13’s “portrait mode”. It’s not quite as nice as professional photos, but significantly better than my old phone.
I’m totally hooked and excited to take more pictures this coming year!
FAVORITE RECIPE = Split Pea & Ham Soup
It’s not January without a few bowls of Split Pea & Ham soup — at least not in our house!
I often make a ham over Christmas break (they are always on sale this time of year) and then we use the ham bone to make yummy pea soup.
We actually just had it earlier this week and the kids all ate it without complaints.
My recipe is super simple, it freezes well, and tastes amazing as leftovers.
Get My Recipe: Split Pea & Ham Soup
FAVORITE ARCHIVED POST = Take Your Weekends Back
One of the things I’m most passionate about regarding family life is intentionally planning rest into our daily and weekly rhythms.
From my perspective, it’s difficult to find time together (let alone ENJOY time together) when we’re over-tired, over-worked, over-scheduled, and over-stimulated. We need time to rest… preferably together at home!
Right now, for our family, this looks like reading aloud after dinner each night, enjoying evenings mostly at home, early bedtimes, Friday movie nights, Sunday sabbaths, and reserving our weekends to rest and hang out together — not to clean the house, catch up on laundry, sit on the sidelines of various sporting events, or run errands.
Of course, this also means we need to make time during the week to get all the things done that need to be done, and sometimes we need to say “no” to fun opportunities… but I can tell you it’s worth the effort!
If your weekends feel less-than-restful, I’d encourage you to implement one or two of my ideas to help take your weekends back!
Read the full posts here.
That’s all for me this month. 😆
If you’re interested, you can scroll through the full archive of my Favorite Things posts HERE!
Tina Bright says
Hi Andrea!
I have been a reader of your blog for about 10+ years now. I just wanted to say how much I’ve learned from you and how blessed I feel to get to know you and your sweet family. Thank you for sharing with us and being a blessing!
Tina
Andrea says
Thank you so much Tina! This just made my week!
Chris says
I totally agree, Tina. 🙂
Natalia says
I know what you mean by the two seasons: either sunny summers or cloudy winters. Here in Portland, OR we don’t get to see the sun shining very much during winter, either. One of those rare sunny days of winter when my daughter first started talking, she kept pointing at the sky asking what’s that. I first thought she sees something in the trees, then I realized she was confused about seeing the sun!!
I kind of did pack away my Christmas decorations, but very reluctantly, because, well, both baby Jesus’, from both nativity sets are missing! Like…. Gone. I’m still hoping to find them somewhere (my 6yo plays in very creative ways!!) and I still keep a box in the living room so I’ll tuck them away as soon as I find them, but I’m starting to worry they are gone for good. It is very unusual for anything to go missing in such a misterios way. I’m intrigued… and puzzled… and motivated to go through the entire house!
Thanks for sharing about the devotional! I’ll look it up! And I love your kind of weekends!
Andrea says
That’s such a cute story about your daughter and the sun! And… bummer about the baby Jesus missing. Do you think you could order a replacement? I know how infuriating it is to know that something is lost and not be able to find it — even though you have a good system for keeping things neat and organized. We lost one of Clara’s Christmas gifts the DAY after she got it… and searched high and low all of Christmas break… then Dave eventually found it tucked in a pocket of his school bag (which he didn’t use over Christmas break). Apparently she forgot that she put it in his bag… sigh!
Natalia says
That’s such a silly and unexpected place to find Clara’s gift. I’m not worried about replacing them, as I’m sure I’ll find them somewhere totally unexpected, when I’m not even looking anymore. A pocket, a pot or a pan, a drawer or behind an unused door … In the meantime I stored everything else away, so I won’t be tempted to turn into a Herod, while Jesus escaped to Egypt. Right now, I’m just puzzled and curious!
Debbie says
First, I can’t believe Nora is almost 5′ tall as I see in the picture with the wall ruler. She’s almost as tall as I am. My hubs has the portrait mode with his iPhone and I still don’t. He bought his iPhone refurbished and mine as new. His still works just as well as mine. I do like how his photos come out too. I waited until after Jan. 6 (3 Kings Day) to put away the Christmas decors. I always dread doing it because of all the glitter and the work that goes into boxing it all up. I love seeing the lights twinkle in the early morning hours and in the evening. I left the red and white accent pillows on the sofas, the red checked duvet cover on our bed, and added Valentine theme decors. It made putting away the other things bearable and the house still looks festive instead of bare.
Andrea says
Yup, we just re-measured her today and she’s exactly 5 feet tall! Only another year or two before she catches up with me!
Wendy says
Love this, Andrea. Such great ideas. Many blessings.
Wilma says
Mmmm…the snert looks delicious!! Thanks for talking about the portrait mode–I have the iPhone 11 (upgraded from a broken 8), and it has that mode as well!
Andrea says
oh wow — good to know. I could have sworn I looked at other options and they didn’t have the portrait setting. I’m glad you can enjoy it too though!
Nancy says
I made ham & split pea soup for the first time this month. We loved it! My husband and I can’t believe that our mothers never made it. I’m anticipating another batch soon because I put half of the leftover ham in the freezer, specifically for this purpose.
On another note, I’m adding the Manplow to a list of gift ideas for my husband. He’d love it.
Andrea says
haha — hope you (and your husband) enjoy the Manplow!
And yes, pea soup is SOOOOO easy and so good (and frugal). Dave never had it before I made it either — I had it all the time growing up. Glad you have learned how easy and delicious it is!
Janice says
I have begun Paul David Tripp’s New Morning Mercies Devotional too! It is wonderful! I purchased the Kindle edition and also have the NIV ‘84 Bible app on my iPhone. I liked how you can share a Kindle quote from the book on social media.
Andrea says
cool! I’m more of a hard-copy person, but I love all the extra features digital products offer these days!
Mary Gagnon says
This my sound silly, but in your New Years picture your lipstick is a great shade. I don’t wear much make up but I would love to know what color and brand it is. Thank you, Mary
Andrea says
haha — thanks 🙂
I NEVER wear lipstick… only lipSTAIN. I’ve always used the CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain (but it’s REALLY hard to find now).
My favorite color is 402, but I can’t even find it on Amazon anymore, so I’m not sure where I’ll buy it when I eventually run out.
Connie Ritsema says
I love to make soups almost anytime .My children are all out of the house and when I make pea soup I always make a large amount and give them each some to share with my grandchildren.I always use split peas.They seem to cook up more than whole peas.What is your opinion on this?
Andrea says
I also always use split peas… that’s all I’ve ever used, so I can’t tell you the difference. But if the split peas work… then just keep using them!
Susanne says
The kindergarten teacher across the hall from me took pictures of her students in front of the Christmas tree with a mug of hot chocolate on Christmas PJ day. They looked like professional photos!!!! I was so impressed with portrait mode. It’s got me thinking about my iPhone 7
Andrea says
That’s such a funny story because James’ kindergarten teacher took a picture of him with her iPhone 13 portrait mode… and that’s the first time I realized what the portrait mode was. That’s when I started looking into new phones… and then I got the gift card! It’s amazing how fantastic the photos look.
Ann says
Wow, I am amazed that you can shovel that quickly , I’m going to need to look into getting a man plow shovel . A little off topic , but is shoveling okay for those of us with DR? I had baby number six 11 months ago and shoveling felt funny when trying to use my out of commission stomach muscles, and I had a lot of back pain for several days after . Went to the chiropractor and finally scheduled some PT but still feeling it.
I believe you successfully used a program to help correct DR, could you share the name of it ? I’m debating still if PT is going to be worth the time , I have not heard of anyone having closed their gap or overcoming the back pain with it .
I love ON jeans , and the high waisted style is so great for those of us with mom tummy , I agree that stocking up in the next sizes is wise , the jeans seem to be changing constantly . I hope the high waisted stays in style for a long , long time . It’s nice to have kids wear jeans for the colder days, leggings don’t seem especially warm when it’s 9 degrees out !
I’m the same with the Christmas decorations coming down , I do love the lights when it’s dark at 5:30 but the less clutter the better . I managed to get our storage room cleared during Christmas break and 10 garbage bags off to goodwill , that felt wonderful , the playroom is next !
Andrea says
Yeah, I totally healed my Diastasis Recti — and shoveling is no longer an issue for me.
I used the Every Mother program (only around $15 per month) and it was AMAZING! The best thing I’ve ever done for my core, my back, etc.!
In the meantime, I’d probably stop shoveling if it causes pain for you.
Also, YAY for decluttering and donating all that stuff!!
Jen says
Not surprisingly, I am TOTALLY with you on the putting away Christmas and unpacking. You made it farther than me this year! I took everything down on 12/27 (I would have done it on 12/26 but we had one more celebration that day!) It’s so “freeing” to get rid of all the visual and literal clutter and have a clean slate. I love it!
Now, we don’t have to worry about much snow in Charlotte, but when we lived in GR, shoveling was definitely not on my fun list. 🙂
I am a fan of ON jeans, too–mostly because I can get talls! If Nora loves them, I suggest buying a few pairs ahead, if possible. In my experience, ON changes their jean “formula” a lot, so if I find a style I love that fits well, I stock up.
Our youngest son requested NMM for Christmas. He is loving it. Now I need to get it for myself. I have recently found Paul Tripp’s podcast and am really enjoying that as well.
Happy New Year to the Dekkers!
Andrea says
That’s amazing that your son requested NMM for Christmas! And yes, I love his podcast too!
Good idea for buying more jeans… I may have to do that!