a handful of helpers

A handful of helpful things that are keeping me going recently!

One: Scoopable salads. Game changers. (I’m so behind the trends haha!) I’ve been trying to eat more veggies and beans lately and discovered all of these wonderful make ahead salads that we’ve been playing since my birthday. Last week, I made one with black beans and roasted corn and feta and lots of chopped veggies. This week, we have pesto and navy beans and chickpeas and mozzarella. Quick and easy lunches for me and a bonus has been Lil Momma asking for “scoops” in her own meals. 

Two: the mood brighteners that are holiday lights. Thanksgiving weekend, we put strands of lights up across our windows in the living room (which we’ve never done) and it’s just brought a new level of cozy joy to our late afternoons and evenings - especially with it getting dark so early. A cup of tea, a book, and fun lights? Yea, please!

Three: Big dog cuddles. Maysie is the biggest dog I’ve ever had: She’s at about 35 lbs so far and so very long and lean. I was always afraid of bigger dogs, but this fluffy muppet has won me over. When I sit in a chair, she comes over and lays her head in my lap or puts her front paws on my shoulders and stares at me with her sweet eyes and it’s like nothing could be wrong in those moments. 

Four: a digital calendar for our kitchen. In trying to declutter stuff and routines, we realized that having work calendars, a shared Google calendar, and a paper wall calendar was one too many. The Mr found us a digital wall calendar for the kitchen that connects to our shared Google calendar which is amazing and cuts down on me having to manage the kitchen calendar as a task. As a bonus, it also has a meal planning app and a chores one, which should help LM remember her new responsibilities to earn her allowance (a work in progress, for sure). 

Five: Asking for help. I’ve been so overwhelmed with my aunt’s estate and navigating a disagreement about taxes and disbursement the last 4 months. Wildly, it wasn’t until I was talking to a financial planner that I realized I could ask an estate tax accountant for a second opinion and have them help me explain it all to my people. Who knew?! Similarly, I had such a wonderful conversation with my PCP recently about how “stuck” I’ve felt this year with my foot and now my back and my thyroid and, wildly again, she had some tweaks and ideas for me that might make a difference. It takes a village, I tell you. 

Anything helping you out lately?