December 29, 2024
Welcome to A Lovenote.
A weekly digest where I say hello and share. You’ll find things you can cook this week + some things you didn’t ask for but might enjoy. I’m so glad you are here!
Hi you!
I know the holidays are charged with so much emotion for so many reasons, so I truly wish for you that yours was a happy one.
Ours was pretty perfect. I gave myself a little bit of space and grace this year. My usual Christmastime routine is to make a million lists, get the house decorated ‘just so’, grocery shop like a boss but then go back to the store every day leading up to Christmas for something totally unnecessary like paprika, and exhaust myself in the process.
This year, I tried very hard to find gifts that I thought my people would truly love, wrapped them with care and savoured watching them open them. That was it. I drank champagne all day Christmas Day, and I relaxed. And I was still exhausted after it all. But I was truly happy with how it all went.
At one point in the afternoon, I opened up Instagram and found a little gift. It was the reel above and in it, Charlie Rose asks Fred Rogers, “Who’s made a difference in your life?” Fred answers:
“Oh a lot of people. But a lot of people who have allowed me to have some silence. And I don’t think we give that gift very much anymore. I’m very concerned that our society is much more interested in information than wonder, in noise rather than silence.”
I absolutely love this. In this season of hustle and anticipation of ‘new year energy’, I can feel my whole being screaming STOP! Just slow down. Just give me some space to think clearly, to feel, and to renew. It reminded me of a post I wrote about a year ago. And it inspired me to create the 10-Day Winter Wellness Challenge. I’m doing it for me, but I hope you’ll join me. You can find the details here .
Perhaps this week you’ll be inspired to give yourself the gift of silence. You don’t need to be in a quiet room or sitting in meditation to access silent connection. Whether you’re at work, or grocery shopping, or cooking dinner, or sipping on a mug of hot cocoa, breathe deeply into the quiet truth of who you are. I hope you’re enjoying it.
Now, let's dive into today's newsletter, shall we? And I will see you next year!
xoxChristie
My sweet dad and I on Christmas Eve | The #1 Trophy Husband | I caught this sweet moment between the kids | A Christmas Day Cross-Country Ski | A good reminder | My little guy - not so little anymore!
What caught my eye this week …
HABITS Leading up to the 10 Day Winter Wellness Challenge, I’m going to be focussing on getting 10,000 steps in every day, getting sunlight into my eyes in the morning and staying hydrated with my electrolytes. (use my code Lovestory15).
READING Loving Wedding People, by Alison Espash. I am invested in the relatable characters and can’t wait to see what happens to them. I’m about 2/3 of the way through.
Brain fog is real. Here are ways to avoid it.
LISTENING. So many end-of-year wrap up podcasts from some of my favourite follows. This podcast on Manifestation really resonated with me. I am hoping to incorporate some of these learnings in the meditations I will be sharing in the 10-Day Winter Wellness Challenge.
SHOPPING Did your teens spend the afternoon of Christmas posting their ‘Christmas Hauls’? This phenomenon is so very new to me but I wanted to share with you the items my kids got beyond excited for this year. 1. Digital Camera, 2. UGG slippers, 3. Sol de Janiero Bum Bum mini set, 4. Aritzia Polar Tech, 5. Adidas Spezials, 6. Skin Care headband, 7. K18 Hair Mask, 8. Bauer Mystery Minis, 9. H&M hoodie and sweatpants, 10. Aritzia Sweatpants.
For me, I got the coziest HUSH blanket, this 5-minute Journal, this shower oil, this Uniqlo cashmere sweater (and the matching hat!) anything from Vuori, but I love my joggers, the softest new bedding.
And from years past, but I love, love, love: Dyson vacuum, our Samsung Frame TV, my Crate & Barrel Champagne Coupes (would be a lovely NYE hostess gift).
SCROLLING I have many friends who would identify as ‘boy moms’ and I had no idea that there’s an app for that.
FOOD Let’s recap the 2024 trends in food, shall we….
Then there was scrambled pancakes….
Did you even know there was a Dense Bean Salad movement?
And who can forget Girl Dinner.
And French Onion everything…..don’t judge but I’ve been craving French Onion Soup so you’ll likely see that v. soon.
May you enter into 2025 with stillness and space. I hope you will join us for the 10-Day Winter Wellness Challenge! Thank you for being here!
As always, I would love to hear from you!
You can catch up on last week’s Lovenote here.
From the blog this week...
This week’s meal plan
Thank you for being here!
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These easy protein peanut butter and jam cups are the perfect midday treat. Rich and creamy peanut butter center, with a dollop of sweet jam hidden inside, they taste so good you won't even be able to tell these are packed with protein!