this and that...

 Only 12 more days until Christmas vacation!  I'm thankful for my kids right now though--and proud of how hard most of them are working.  Even the tough one, that even up until a few weeks ago I was still trying to figure out, are doing pretty good.  They're listening and (hopefully!) learning.  They're reading and writing and researching for our upcoming debate. And, most days, we have fun.  It's good and I'm so grateful because about a month ago I was counting down the months until SUMMER--which is still a long way away, ha!  So, while I am glad that we only have 12 days left in the semester, I'm also excited about what we're up to and busy planning and dreaming up new, cool things we can do to get them excited about learning--and trying not to think about how much time is going to be taken up by testing next semester.

And, I'm also so thankful that I'm feeling better and better as the days go on.  I'm still tired, but even that is getting a little better.  I'm back to cooking and cleaning and doing laundry and it's just almost back to life as normal--none of it seems like a monumental, overwhelming task anymore, which is such a welcome change.  I actually cooked every night this week so far--and even tried a few new recipes.  On the recommendation of a friend, I've been browsing 2 new websites, Little House of Veggies and Chef Chloe.  Both have SUCH yummy looking, healthy food--and both recipes that I've tried have been really easy. 

On Monday, while Landon was doing his weekly dinner with some guy friends, I made this avocado pesto pasta.  It was super easy and really good.  I basically made it exactly as the recipe said. 


And then tonight just seemed like a good night for soup--it was cold outside and starting to feel like winter--and it's the first of December.  So, I tried this potato soup recipe from LHOV and both Landon and I really liked it.  It took a little time to make, but was pretty easy--and there are a lot of leftovers!

Speaking of wintertime and Christmas, this weekend we're going to pick out a Christmas tree and decorating the house and I can't wait!  It always puts me in the best mood to turn on the lights of the Christmas tree and see the house all decorated!

Happy December!