Month: December 2020

crafting

Jude’s Birthday Bake Shop

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Hey Loves!

They tell you don’t blink because babies don’t keep. Well, my eyes have been taped open and I have barely slept and yet, my baby boy is turning 4. I am coping with the emotions of that but in the meantime, we celebrate.

Due to moves, more moves and me not have my bearings, brother Jude has only has one birthday party and watched last year as his bother was celebrated all day with no complaints. So, when he began dropping hints of his birthday with a party, I aptly obliged.

I obliged every theme idea. All 40 of them. And then sense intervened. Here are the facts. Jude is born on Christmas Day so if he has a party it has to be in early December because people have lives and things to do. We are in a pandemic so it would have to be socially distanced, masks required and very low numbers with a video link. It is December and the weather is a fickle beast so it would have to be able to be hosted inside my home.

I’ll give you a second to lament for me.

With all of that, I went to work on planning and none of the 40 themes could feasibly meet all the needs. So, I had to come up with another one that he would enjoy. I have no idea why God put a cookie decorating party in my Pinterest feed but I am grateful for it. I really thought he would over-love a gingerbread decorating party but I didn’t feel good about blurring the lines of Christmas and his birthday. I also didn’t want to make enough gingerbread that was allergen friendly.

Then, lightening struck. Gluten free funfetti mix, pre-made cookie dough, proportioned toppings and frosting adorned with personalized aprons and themed masks. SOLD!

Jude’s Bake Shop 4th Birthday was born and man, it was a blast!

All decor came from Amazon and Oriental Trading. It was quite easy to find everything. I personalized these aprons for all the attendees.

I pre-baked the cupcakes in a large cupcake tin and a regular one allowing me to freeze some for his actual birthday. Then made 1 dozen sugar cookies from pre-made allergen-friendly dough. Easy!

I sent our virtual guests a care package with the materials.

I set up tables so each family would be at one table and socially distanced and used paint palettes for toppings with snack cups and piping bags for the frosting.

Apparently there wasn’t enough sugar because I added some doughnuts. I use a cupcake Jude decorated for him to blow his candle. Hearts were full, stomachs were happy and energy was high!

Clean up was a breeze thanks to lining tables with craft paper. I disinfected after our guest left and let the sugar crash give my two a good nap. Happy 4th birthday Jude!

about me

My Favorite Things

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Hey Loves!

We’ve chatted so much about homeschool the last few months I feel like I’ve neglected to share all the other parts of my life with you. Tsk, tsk, tsk. We can’t have that, can we?

A couple of years ago, I shared my favorite things and I wanted to update that list! Here we go:

Yeti Coffee Mug: I know, I rarely suggest something with a specific brand. Hear me out. I have tried the more inexpensive alternatives and they just don’t match up. I got this coffee mug as my teacher gift last year and it is a delight. I can make coffee at 4:30 a.m. and take a swig at 7:30 and it still is hot! I mean, how many of us have been there- reheat the coffee forget about the coffee, reheat it again only to not be able to finish it, and then have to re-start this cycle again or give up entirely. This eliminates that!

Ear Buds: When then Pandemic continued, I realized I hadn’t listened to a single book or podcast because I rarely had a one time and I wasn’t in the car as much. I tried the wired-headphones but ran into two problems: 1-They were wired which meant I was always holding my phone in hand my phone on my person, and, 2- with my daith pierced, they didn’t fit (not that they ever fit well). I hunted for months for wireless earbuds that would allow hands-free listening but not block out other surrounding noise because I am a mom and I need to hear. I found these as Best Buy and for what I needed, plus working out, I am sold! They are a great price, hold a charge, and work amazingly well.

Eucalyptus Sprays: To be clear, I never once considered myself-high maintenance before the Pandemic. Not once. But once things closed I realized my self-care game was stepped way up from previous years and very soon I was hurting for some pampering. Enter eucalyptus sprays. I used this tutorial to attach Trader Joe’s eucalyptus to my shower head and y’all. Showers are now a mini trip to the spa. Bless.

Plants: This may seem basic but did you know that plants naturally filter the air??? I had no idea. When I found out I had to get over myself and make myself believe I could keep plants alive. I now have 6, (4 of which are thriving and 2 that are in and out of proverbial ICU) all named after Black Female Olympians and I am in heaven. They are so peaceful and bring such joy. I use my young living products to keep the bugs away and keep leaves shiny. I can’t wait to get some more!

Mom’s Morning Basket: If you follow me on socials (if not, join me!), you’ve probably seen this highlight about my morning baskets. Yes, plural. This is a no-judgment zone, remember? These baskets are a for-real game-changer though. In them I have books, bible studies, a bible, all the journals, and some hand-lettering guides and markers to keep me grounded and get me so full, I overflow. I love how it is all handy, organized, and easily accessible.

Facial Steamer: Just so we are clear here, I’ve never considered myself high maintenance. Just re-stating this for consistency purposes. Now, people around me may disagree but we aren’t talking about them. To me, a need to steam one’s face seemed a bit over the top. That is, until, I learned 3 fundamental truths at the exact same time. Number 1. I am not getting younger and there’s nothing I can do to change that. 2. Even though I have that “uncrackable Black skin”, I need to take care of it. 3. Taking care of my skin doesn’t make me “high maintenance”. (I also learned that high maintenance isn’t a bad thing. I made that up thanks to societal norms.) So, I got a facial steamer for Mother’s Day and in the few months that I’ve used it, I can say my pores are delighted. I will also say this will lead to you wanted to up all your skincare routines. All of them. 

Young Living Essential Oils and Other Products: Y’all! These products have changed the game. If you’ve been here for a bit, you know I’ve always used oils, tried to have clean products, etc. Well, I finally plunged into Young Living Last March and these oils are a level-up. Not just for me-my husband, my kids, and our home. I use Thieves cleaner every day. I use a DIY product from the essential oils every day. I use oils and wellness products every day. I could go on and on but I won’t. You can see how I use them here. You can learn more here. 

What didn’t make the list? Well things that are still my favorite that I honestly don’t ever want to change. I am still vey much in love with dark chocolate, Malbec, coffee and nail polish. I don’t want to see a day when those aren’t my favorite things. Like, not ever.

What are your favorite things? Anything I am missing out on?

Love you. Mean it.

Allyship

Christmas and Winter Holiday Book Round-Up

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Hey Loves!

Its the most wonderful time of the year! I mean, after the year we’ve had, let us all rejoice and enjoy the festivities! Speaking of festivities, I, like you, have had to alter them due to the pandemic. Thankfully there are amazing books to open our eyes and hearts and guide our experiences. I’ve teamed up with Lakeisha from Maya’s Book Nook to share this awesome book list with you. Don’t forget- all the links are available for you to shop or reserve from the library. Let’s get into it!

Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht is a whimsical tale about finding, taking care of and decorating the prized Christmas Tree. Beautifully illustrated with a host of diverse characters, this book is sure to have all excited for tree-trimming. (Spoiler alert: The book comes with a pop-up Christmas tree and it is gorg!) It definitely got my 2 very ready to pick out and decorateour tree!

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorn is a heart-stopping take on a treasured and timeless Christmas carol, Silent Night. Using the lyrics, the illustrations walk you through the journey to the birth of Jesus. Each image is depicted so well, I read it over and over

The Nutcracker in Harlem by T. E. McMorrow spins the classic tale into a jazzy and debonair story following Marie, the magic toy soldiers gifted from her Uncle, and the sounds of Christmas. Set in Harlem, the images are depicted with rich joy and festivities, as well as a battle for sweets calling for Marie to step up and lead. 

I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison follows the protagonist through the holiday exploring all there is to Christmas spirit. All readers can be taught or reminded of what Christmas spirit truly is-not getting presents, but rather the joy inside you that comes from all the little things-lights, jingles and activities in the holiday season. 

The Night Before Christmas by Rachael Isadora is one of my favorites. This tale, more than a century old, is retold with vibrant illustrations that are not like others. Stockings and ornaments with African-print fabric, children with braids, locs and Kufi hats and a jolly Brown Santa and his reindeer. With these illustrations, the tale is a more relevant experience for us and fills our heart with Christmas wonder. 

What’s Cooking, Jamela? by Niki Daly is a hilarious book that caused Maya to realize that the chicken on the farm is the same chicken we eat. She may or may not have refused to eat chicken for a few days. Jamela is supposed to take care of the chicken mama buys and fatten it up for Christmas dinner. The chicken ends up becoming a pet rather than a meal at the close of this story. It’s hard to find copies available for purchase, so you may have to check it out at your library or watch a read aloud on Youtube. 

Everybody’s Tree by Barbara Joosse is a new release this holiday season. Eighty years ago, a young boy helped to plant a spruce tree in his yard. Over time, the tree grew larger and the family members got older and older. The tree had grown so large, it was chosen to be the special evergreen for the town’s Christmas tree lighting. The tree becomes everybody’s as all of the residents gather around to witness the lighting.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto follows a young girl on Christmas Eve as she helps to prepare tamales for the family dinner. When Maria’s mother leaves the kitchen, and her diamond ring on the counter, Maria couldn’t help but to try it on. In an unfortunate twist of events, Maria believes the ring is missing. She and her cousins try to eat all of the tamales to find the missing ring. You’ll have to read this one to find out what happens next!

Way Too Many Latkes by Linda Glasser is a funny tale about Faigel, the maker of the best Hanukkah latkes in Chelm. This year, Faigel forgets the recipe! When she sends her husband to the rabbi for help with the recipe, Faigel gets into more than she can handle. Thankfully, the rest of the neighbors are invited to eat the neverending supply of latkes.

Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano (who played Maria on Sesame Street) tells the story of when Mami bought a roast that was too big to fit in the oven. Jose and Papa head to the local pizzeria to see if they can cook the roast there. Although their neighbors weren’t feeling the Christmas spirit initially, when the amazing scent of the food starts wafting through the air, all are filled with joy as they come together.