It's been a whole year. Remember this time last year, we were all bright-eyed, looking into the next year with "2020 vision" and excited for the possibilities of a whole new decade? Yeah that didn't turn out like anyone expected. It's fine though, so let's move onto the rest of the December roundup, the last of the year.
My blog analytics have suffered a bit since I did the redesign in October, and I hate to admit it but my lack of motivation in blogging this month has been tied to that. Of course the only way through a traffic dip is to keep going, but I generally get a lot of blogging motivation with the new year, so fingers crossed! I did publish a few recipes this month though.
December Recipes
French Lentil Goat Cheese Salad
Beer Mac and Cheese with Tomato Jam and Caramelized Onions
Field Roast Celebration Roast Review
I've also been practicing my macaron skills. Covid macarons, anyone?
Life Updates
Obviously, vaccines are starting to happen this month, though I am far, far down the priority list. I will be getting it when it's time though. An unfortunate side effect of the vaccine is my day job deciding to let us know they expect we'll be "back in the office like normal!" in July. We've been doing better than before working from home, why drag us back?! I am hoping for a monumental shift in their thinking before then but I doubt that. I'm trying to not let it depress me, lucky to have a job, you know.
Home Updates
I've been circling a few pieces of furniture from Big Lots for a few months, waiting for a really good sale. It seems like 15% is their best offer, so when I saw it pop up next on the items I wanted, I jumped. And signed up for a rewards card for another 15% off, and ended up getting two new pieces instead of the one I was intending to get.
The Broyhill Charleston loveseat replaces the one we've had since 2009 that has seen a lot of dog toenails digging in. The dogs probably logged more time on this couch than anyone and it showed. For the next version I went with a smaller loveseat because there's no real need for a big giant couch.
And this recliner. I've had a hard time deciding what to do here. This space has had a recliner in it forever. The previous owner had a recliner here. There just was no other better piece of furniture to go here than a recliner. I wish I was cooler than that but I am here to admit it's not happening. This recliner, for an original price of $299, is really comfy. I visited it in the store a few times and sat in it for a bit longer than I think the associates liked to make sure it wasn't just an initial hit of comfort from the mere act of sitting down. This comfort lasts though, and though I have not yet watched a whole movie while sitting in it, I plan to in the upcoming cold months.
Outside, I've been slowly puttering around getting the backyard ready to plant trees and bushes in February. This is my vision for the space.
Like that high-tech drawing there? The two large trees are figs, there's a palm to the right, and I'd like to put a loquat or persimmon tree or two to the left. Smaller evergreens and annuals will fill in the rest of the space. The yellow circles are potential lights that I hope to be able to connect to the current outdoor lighting in the hardscaping. Beyond the lighting, I plan to do everything myself here including: tilling the soil again, adding soil amendments because this is basically just sand, digging the holes, planting the trees, and mulching it. Hopes of spring abound even though it's the end of December with a few more months of frigid temps ahead.