Weekend Coffee Share....Come Sit with Me

It's another week of Weekend Coffee Share. I always love everyone's posts. Are you like me and try to visit everyone? It doesn't always happen but I try. I have loved getting to know different bloggers and I figure if they take the time to write a post, I'll find the time to visit, even if it's a week later. I truly enjoy what you all share and I often learn so much. 

Check out all the other posts on Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. I'm off to go visit some now. #weekendcoffeeshare.

If we were having coffee we'd probably talk about:

The weather: Nothing new to report! Rain! We did spend last weekend in Seabrook, Washington and there were some VERY high winds and heavy rain. We arrived late Friday night and during the middle of the night the wind just kicked up and was so loud and it shook the house. Thankfully there are breaks in the rain but I would like the breaks to be several days. Ha! No snow in the forecast that I am aware of. 

What we're thinking about: Do you ever look back at the past year and think what was different about this year than last year. I have been doing that because this year I feel more overwhelmed with things, like there just isn't enough time to get it all done. I've lowered the expectations a bit, not in a negative way, but in a way that allows me to manage it all as best I can. I find myself thinking..."oh, if only I could be snowed in for a week, then I could stay home and catch up". I try to remind myself that many of these "things" don't matter in the grand scheme of life and to give myself grace. 

It's also been harder for me to sit and blog, and even harder (than usual) to sit and visit and comment. I've decided to not post much until the beginning of the year and hopefully I can get back on a good track of blogging and commenting, because I do enjoy it. 

What we're thankful for: I'm thankful for the great customers and coworkers at work. They are so fun. Many of our regular customers an boxholders bring us gifts and they are so sweet. Customers have been great, not too many grumpy ones.

Around the house: Thankfully none of our Christmas lights have gone out (they seem to do that every year). My hubby set them up on a bluetooth plug in thingie he found at Costco so he can set them to turn on and off at certain times, which is nice because then we don't have to remember to go around flipping switches. 

For the love of food: I participated In Jo Traceys BKD (Brookford Kitchen Diaries) Cookbook Club for this month and made Nigella Lawsons Chocolate Christmas Cookies. They are really good though not very "pretty", only because I should've let my glaze cool off a bit more and thicken up. You can find my post here. 

I was going to attempt to make my own sourdough bread bowls for clam chowder, but my first practice round failed and I haven't had time to do another round, so I ordered them and will practice sooner for next year. 

I haven't done any Christmas baking this year. I didn't plan ahead and I just haven't had the time. I will probably make caramel corn this weekend. 

Our boss at work made this for everyone yesterday for lunch. During December we are so busy, she will either buy or bring lunch for everyone. This is called Chalupa. It's basically shredded pork roast, pinto beans and seasoning that you put over corn chips (like Fritos) and then top with lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatos, olives, etc. It was really good. 

My MIL makes Whoopie Pies a few times a year. They are yummy tender chocolate cake like cookies that have a cream filling. They are one of my favorites. 

For the love of books: I've decided to change things up for 2025. I'm not going to do my 12 books from 12 friends. I'm still on the fence with the 52 book challenge. I need to look at the themes more. BUT I am excited about joining a pass along book club. A gal I follow on IG did this last year but it filled up fast. I noticed the other day she had 6 slots available. Here's how it works. Each person picks a book to read in January (you can buy it or one you have), then before January is over, you finish the book and send to a person you are "assigned" to. They will read that book for February. Someone will have my name and send me their January read. When I finish that one in February I will pass it along to my person...etc. I'm looking forward to it. My goal this next year is to read through books I have on my bookshelf and also my Kindle books. For my January book I chose The Zookeepers Wife. I have 4 books to finish in order to meet my 2024 Goodreads goal. I'm in the middle of 2 right now and can at least finish those, but really not sure I can get 4 done. 

What we're listening to or watching: While we were in Seabrook we watched the Grinch (cartoon version) and Home Alone 2. I haven't listened to any podcasts or watched anything else. I just feel like I haven't had any time. 

Favorite quote: While this is funny, it's kind of how I've felt this last month. It's been going around social media so you've probably seen it.

I'm just going to jingle part of the way. I'm tired.

Favorite photo(s):

Miss Pepper had her preschool Christmas program. She loved her outfit and shoes, and we have NO idea where she learned to pose..haha. 

Random or not so random things: Last weekend we visited Seabrook, Washington. We have come to really enjoy this little urban beach community. This year it celebrated 20 years of existing as a destination community. I have shared about it from time to time. My husbands boss owns a house there and it happened to be available and he offered it to us. It worked out great since both our girls, son in law and grandkids were coming. We had a nice weekend despite the rain. We took advantage of the breaks in the rain to go do things. We were gone Friday night through Monday. Saturday morning I woke up 5:00 a.m. realizing the power was out after a heavy windstorm the night before. We headed downstairs, turned on the gas fireplace and hoped the power would come on before all the kids came down. I ended up falling back to sleep for about an hour. Thankfully the power came on around 8:00. I was hoping to go somewhere and watch the King Tides, but it just wasn't to be! 

The town is so festive for Christmas. Above is the coffee shop and below is outside the bookstore. 

View of the ocean from the front porch of the home we stayed in. It's a short walk down to the beach.

Main street at night. We went out really late in hopes of getting a picture with no cars. 

Town hall! 

Playing pickleball in between rain showers. 

We took a quick walk to the beach and didn't stay long because it was so cold. I will say I love this little community, but the Oregon beaches are prettier in my opinion.

Someone wanted to go to the pet store and had to hug the dog.

Hubby took this the morning after the big wind and rain storm. 

While there I did some Christmas shopping. I really wanted to support the local businesses somehow. It was fun. 

I am almost done with one puzzle I have been working on and have a winter scene puzzle that my hubby got me for my birthday. I ordered the puzzle below to do while we were at the beach. We got it done! 

I am on, I think, Day 115 of Duolingo and doing pretty good with it. I feel like I'm understanding and reading it well but if I were to try and speak it on the fly I feel like I would draw a blank. If we were having coffee I might ask if you do it and if you do, do you have the paid version and think it's worth it?

With Joy Unquenchable,
Kirstin