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Savoring life in the Berkshires

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Looking on the Bright Side

Published on December 2, 2010 By Emily. Updated on December 3, 2010

Hard to believe it’s officially December.  Where did 2010 go?  Unfortunately, December brings with it winter, cold weather, bad roads, and students who are more than ready for vacation.  It rained all day yesterday and then I had a big fight with a department store who wouldn’t let me order through their website or via customer service.  We didn’t have any bagels left for breakfast this morning.  Sometimes, things just don’t go the way I plan.  But there are lots of things currently making me smile, too.

1.  Bailey’s new coffee creamer

We never buy stuff like this (and by “stuff like this”, I mean flavored coffee creamer).  We rarely make impulse buys of products we’ve never tried before.  But a couple weeks ago, the new creamers caught our eye, and there was one of those coupon dispensers offering a dollar off, and for some reason, we bought a bottle of Bailey’s Hazelnut Coffee Creamer. Suddenly, the urge to drive half an hour for Starbucks hot chocolate with hazelnut is gone…and my hot chocolate intake is way up.

2.  The electric blanket

It’s almost winter and we keep our apartment pretty cold (because we’re cheap like that). It wasn’t until I started dating Brian and visiting his parents house that I discovered how wonderful electric blankets are.  How did I survive 20 years of my life without one?  Granted, it does make it a little harder to get out of bed in the morning, but its totally worth it.

3.  My hilarious students

They just are.  They don’t even realize that they’re funny.  I am having so much fun teaching this year (it’s much less stressful than my last position).  It’s really nice to have a job that I look forward to going to every day, even when it’s cold out.

source

4.  Beard On Food

One of my food-loving friends lent me her copy of Beard on Food: The Best Recipes and Kitchen Wisdom from the Dean of American Cooking by James Beard.  I’ve barely started reading it, but I love what I’ve read so far.  It even inspired to me make hamburgers, of all things.  (They were good, by the way)

5.  Christmas decorations

Yes, I am one of ‘those people’.  I am really excited about all the Christmas decorations and the music that has been appearing over the past couple weeks.  As soon as we got home from Thanksgiving with the in-laws, we put out Christmas tree up and set up the nativity.  And then I wrapped Brian’s presents. Now I’m just counting the days until Christmas gets here.

6.  Christmas music on Pandora

Growing up, my family had a big collection of Christmas music.  Brian and I have a couple Christmas albums, but its not the same.  Luckily, Pandora has a wonderful collection of Christmas music.

What’s making you smile?

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Comments

  1. Carol says

    December 2, 2010 at 10:18 am

    What’s making me smile? God’s gift of Jesus and wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws!

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Emily
I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #MassMoCA #ArtMuseum
Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #ShopLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #PlantConnector
This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #BerkshireMuseum #PittsfieldMA
My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
Link in profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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#RelishmentsBakes #BakingFromScratch #baking #igers413_food #semihomemade #pie #ApplePie
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies
I can't remember the last time I baked bread, some I can't remember the last time I baked bread, something that was part of my routine for a long time. Today school was cancelled due to the extremely cold temperatures outside and I took the opportunity to make 8 loaves - most of which will be put into the freezer until they're needed. Baking more bread was part of my 2022 theme of "resume" and I'm so happy to be back to it.
Recipe, as usual, from @breadin5
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#RelishmentsBakes #BakingFromScratch #HomemadeBread #baking #igers413_food #BreadBaking #BreadIn5 #ArtisanBreadIn5 #igers413 #BerkshireFoodies
New on the blog: my first posted CSA menu plan sin New on the blog: my first posted CSA menu plan since September! I didn't intend to take so much time off, but I'm looking forward to the meals I've planned over the next 2 weeks using @mightyfoodfarm produce.
Follow the link in my profile to see the post.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
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