I can’t believe it’s 6:30 pm, and I’m finally getting around to writing today’s recap post. I had an emotionally draining morning, but sometimes you need a good breakdown to feel better. I’m sure my ugly tears had nothing to do with my time of month either 😂 It’s always the few days before where I literally cry at the sight of a dead bug.
Anyways, enough of that. On a happy note, I’ve been addicted to watching the NYT cooking channel on YouTube! I can’t stop! The videos brightened up my day. They just did a cookie week, and watching them cook in their homes in a casual setting made everything so much cozier and relatable to watch. I have a feeling videos like that will be the new Food Network. If you want something happy to watch while working, that’s it! Warning though, you will want to make cookies asap! I’m already planning tomorrow’s bake sesh.
It’s officially the third week of Vlogmas! After hitting publish on this post, I have to hurry up and edit today’s video and get that up on my channel! I now remember why I was so exhausted come January last year. I know my blogs have been a little bit slower this December, but most of my energy goes into YouTube during vlogmas. They will be back to regular programming as soon as December 25th hits! I still wanted to hop on here today to do a mini weekend recap! 
The mornings are officially frigid and cold here. December weather is like a box of chocolates down here! One day it’s 30-degrees, and the next day it’s 65-degrees. I do love drinking my coffee outside in the morning for a few moments while my dogs play. The sunrise is always gorgeous, but as soon as the show is over, I go straight to my heated blanket on the couch. 
I’m so excited for you all to see my office when it’s officially done this week! My tweed pull-down shades I had made will be getting installed tomorrow, and then I have a few more pieces to hang on the wall. It’s so cozy, and I can’t wait to start working in my office space full-time! I will miss my couch, but it’s so nice to have a designated spot. 
On Thursday night, I made the tastiest white bean chicken and kale soup! It was so spicy and flavorful. I filmed the whole thing for vlogmas so the recipe is up on my youtube channel. I’ll add it to my blog soon, too! After making soup, I hopped on a zoom call with Meighan, Kelsey, and Caitlin for a happy hour. That was so much fun! 
My mom came over on Friday morning to go for a hike and make peanut brittle.
I hurried up and ate a quick breakfast. My gluten-free bread was going stale, so I made french toast with it and a side of warm blueberries and an apple chicken maple sausage. 
My mom and I hiked the neighborhood trails, and someone hung a swing on the path! It was so much fun! There’s something about swings that bring out the kid in you. 
We did a casual 4.5 miles before getting started on or peanut brittle! 
We bagged them all up in the cutest little wrapping, ribbons, and gift tags from Hobby Lobby.
My mom and I stayed up late watching Christmas movies and eating Chick fil after driving around the neighborhood looking at lights in the golf cart. 
I had a crazy busy day on Saturday. I had three work projects to do, but it was so fun! This was the only photo I took all day, which is why I had to film a q&a on Sunday! Lately, peanut butter toast with fig slices is my favorite! 
Kyle and I did a little dinner night in Baxter Village when I got home! We are obsessed with Killington’s Wings! 
On Sunday, I filmed my coffee Q & A for my youtube channel, and I thought this mug my dad bought me was so funny! I did cut back to one cup of the day, but this mug is about the size of my head! 
For today’s vlogmas, I’m going to be showing you what I made for lunch…carbless chicken nuggets!!! Of course, I used some leftover chick fil sauce to dip them in. They were AMAZING!!! I’ll do a separate blog just for that recipe!
😋
Well, time to go edit vlogmas! I hope you all have a fantastic week!
Questions for you!
- How was your weekend?
- What is your favorite holiday recipe? (sweet or savory!)
- When was the last time you had your hair cut!
YOU FOUND IT!!!
My weekend was good! A lot of organizing which was very, very needed. Not done yet, but soon!
I love frosted cream cheese sugar cookies decorated w/royal icing 😋
The last time I had my haircut was when salons opened back up in MN… so April maybe? May? I already need another 🥴
I SO need an organizing day!!!
ohhh I can’t wait to bake cookies this weekend.
I am enjoying your vlogmas videos SO much! Thank you for all the effort you put in – definitely brightens up this somewhat strange time ♡
Thank you, Shelby!!
You look incredible, Taralynn! Hope you had a great weekend! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
You’re so sweet, Charmaine!
Thanks for the chicken nugget suggestion, looks really easy. 🙂
And they’re so tasty!
Your gingerbread bars are to die for.
AW THANK YOU!
Been frequenting your blog ever since the Tumblr days, and am now catching up on your vlogs on Youtube! Thank you for sharing snippets of your life and for staying true to yourself through the years. Whenever I feel like I’ve lost part of myself, being too caught up in the realities of life growing up, coming back to your blog helps me find parts of myself again.
awww thank you so much, Jamie!!!!
Pretty good, had an all day migraine Sunday though. Favorite holiday dish is savory- cheese and shrimp dip. Got a haircut a couple weeks ago. I’m back to going every 8-10 weeks. My stylist and I both wear masks the whole time and I feel safe while I’m there.
Oh no! 😞 Migraines are the worst!
My weekend has been wonderful- I’ve been lighting candles, we’ve been cooking big warm dinners and enjoying lots of holiday movies, and the holiday cards and warm wishes have been pouring in daily so those messages of love are plastered all over my walls.
My favorite HOLIDAY dish- it used to be Starbucks gingerbread latte, it was one of those things I enjoyed every year no matter where I was and it has been so special to me for a long time. We never had a special holiday meal growing up but as an adult, since I’ve been married- its been evening cocoa with my husband, not even every night, but most nights in December. Always with a whipped cream, cookie, etc and it makes me feel special and makes the season magical the way the latte did.
I might have just trimmed my own ends yesterday… it’s been over a year since my last professional cut! Definite #goals for next summer when ?normalcy? resumes.
I just wanted to say I’m still LOVING Vlogmas and binge watch it every few days lol, and for your blog next year I’m really excited for your small towns of Charlotte tour (you’re seriously giving me ALL THE FEELS about moving there someday!) and dear Santa, I have 2 winter blog requests for you to consider:
1) more sweat session featuring you and Emily (it helps to have someone do her moves in a modified way or slower when you’re just getting started and I appreciate you being SO REAL with that)
2) more soups/chilis either in step by step with the photos or video *yup, even slicing the veggies like how you did the kale because hello, I’ve NEVER done it that way before and I’m a little excited to try* because I’m hoping to do 1 hearty soup every week of winter to get my veggies in while I take a cold salad break before spring/summer
Thank you Tara– merry merry Christmas.
Jenny
Hi, Jenny!
Thank you so much!! ♥️
Ohhhhh ending the night with hot cocoa sounds divine! Love that tradition.
Yes, I can’t wait to do the small town series starting in January! 😊
& thank you for keeping up with vlogmas!!
I am enjoying vlogmas soo much!! I am really glad you decided to go for it.
But making peanut brittle is exactly as intimidating as I remember it from the past few vlogmas! 🙂
I am so sorry that you had to go to the doctor. I have had quite the journey with headaches (a constant headache for 3 1/2 years now, a three week stay at a pain clinic, migraines that sent me to the ER, an operation on my head etc.) It is very frustrating. I hope you don’t give up and keep trying to find what is wrong. If you have many migraines or headaches, I suggest a pain diary. It will help doctors take you seriously if you document everything. Let me know if you have any questions and get better soon!! All the love, Nadine
Thank you, Nadine!!
omg, it is so intimidating! I will always stand by that 😆
I hope you are feeling better!
Hi Taralynn,
Once again, I absolutely loved your Q&A! You are so sweet sharing these answers with us and my heart melted when I heard you answering my question <3
My weekend… I cleaned the house, worked on blog, went for shopping, had coffee with my best friend and went to the cinema with her daughter. She is 11 and she is so cute! I love spending time with her 🙂
To be honest I haven't had my hair cut since…. August. Shame on me but I will have my cut for Christmas!
I am watching your Vlogmas every day, thank you so much for doing it! Have a nice week <3
Hi, Milena!
Thank you ♥️
Awww that sounds like the perfect weekend.
August? 😆 i think it’s been since January for me!
Thank you for watching my videos!!!
I couldn’t get the code to work 🙁
Hi, Kay!
The funds on the card have been used up! Keep a look out for the next starbucks giveaway!