How is January almost behind us? I took a lot of time off this month to prepare for the busy market season ahead of me! It was nice to have some downtime, organize, and reset before the busy season. In just a few weeks, I’ll be back to doing markets! Make sure to follow my business page to keep up with where I’ll be if you live in the Charlotte area!
I’m looking forward to this year now that I know what to expect and have learned from trial and error. I plan to post a recap on all of my markets and talk about everything soon, so if you have any questions, leave them in the comments!
It’s currently 4:30 in the morning, and I have a few more hours before my son wakes up, so I’m sharing a series of photos from our January!
We purchased this new air fryer/toaster oven for the family for our Christmas gift. It has been one of the best investments! I have been making everything in it, and it cooks food so fast, which is important when your toddler is hungry! It’s so much easier to clean than our traditional air-fryer.
These were tostadas topped with ground turkey, taco seasoning, refried beans, rice, and cheese.
Every time we go to the park, he insists on going to the basketball court. He always points to the hoops when we’re on walks and shouts basketball! It’s so cute when he throws the ball and tries to make it into the tall basket. Plus, it’s a great way for him to run around and get all of his energy out.
I’ve been on my sourdough bread kick! I found a new timeline that fits my schedule better, and I’ll try to update my recipe soon. If you follow me on TikTok, I have it there!
Nothing is better than playing with Grandpa’s mower and tools! He loves to use the screwdriver and pretend he’s taking things apart. We bought him a toddler toolset and it’s the first thing he runs to in the morning. He loves excavators, and it’s in the shape of one.
I made Philly cheesesteak sandwiches for the playoff game! They were not good luck because the Eagles lost big time!
Pizza date with the littles! There is a cute new pizza spot in downtown Fort Mill that one of my friends and I like to take our boys for pizza!
A few weeks ago, I went to see Night Swim. It was hilariously TERRIBLE! The book was so good, and the movie ruined it. But the coffee and candy made up for it. We filled up on Portofino’s Italian food before the movie!
T.W.F. burgers with my son and grandma! I have a chicken finger lover on my hands, and T.W.F makes some of the best!
Headed out for a little lunch date with one of his best friends at the Pumphouse!
I ended the day with Humblecup coffee, shopping at Vestique, and hitting up a few more gift shops in downtown Fort Mill, SC!
We always stop at Starbucks before his hair appointment next door. I get him oat milk and ice blended with one pump of vanilla as a bribery treat. He HATES having his hair cut, but having something to distract him helps a little bit.
I’ve been trying to do a little fitness lately, but finding the time to leave the house is way too tough. I did a few 6 am workouts, but it makes the day so long! I’d rather have the energy to put into my family throughout the day, so I’ve been doing a little more at home during naps or going on long walks. After years and years of trying to find the right “fitness fit,” long walks with my headphones and a good podcast have worked the best for me. I also like Peloton and need to get back into it. When the market season started, I fell off the wagon!
Sourdough French toast!
I started playing around with some sourdough recipes! I made sourdough garlic knots and sourdough cinnamon buns!
I attempted a cucumber roll from Tiktok, and it was a failure. It tasted good, but I’ll never be doing that again. I could have just made a sandwich in a fraction of the time.
Salmon in the new countertop oven has been one of my favorites! It’s so crispy on the outside and flakes apart in the middle.
Oat milk and ice blended to save us on our Target runs! As soon as we walk into Target, he’s conditioned to point to Starbucks and yell, “MILK!”
I feel like we’ve been facing rainy days or freezing cold days the past few weeks! I’m ready for some Spring temps! My tulips and hyacinths are all coming out of the ground, which gives me the Spring fever.
Rainy day cookie for one, please!
Every weekend, we go to Ilios in Baxter Village. It’s one of our FAVORITE spots. The food is ALWAYS fresh, and we love the people who work there. It’s the only food we can get our toddler to finish every last bite.
Birthday party fun!
Rainy Friday nights call for Bibimbap.
Soooo so so so good.
We did a little cat-sitting for a neighbor. He loves cats! He had so much fun playing with her.
I dropped off my brittle for a restock and picked up dinner for myself! The Peachstand chicken salad wrap is one of my favorite grab-and-go meals!
Another cozy rainy morning.
He refuses to wear gloves but will put on oven mitts. And when it’s 35 degrees outside, we’ll take what we can get!
Another night, another bowl of Ilios!
We made the mistake of starting him on Blippi, and that is all he wants to watch. He likes the boat, lawnmower, excavator, monster truck, and bulldozer episodes the most.
This old man is still keeping up on four-mile walks! I remember when he was just a little puppy 🙁
Italian breaded chicken breast in the countertop oven! I added parmesan and basil on top! Inizio pizza and Crumbl night!
I may be late to the game, but I found the Iowa Pine cleaner on the clearance rack and Target. I had to go back the next day and buy the rest of them (10 bottles!) off the shelf. It’s limited edition, and I’m in love with the scent! I need this in my house all year.
Saturday mornings!:)
Favorite thing at the moment? This Amazon box. We’re going on four weeks with this in our living room.
Let me know what questions you have for my Little Brittle / Market season blog post!
I love your sourdough recipe! Thank you for sharing 💕 keep us posted with any new inclusions you try!!
AWWWW thank you!
Blog posts still make me so happy 🤗
HAPPY BRITHDAY MONTH!!
Just thinking about it, I can’t believe how old Leo is, either! Wild… time flies!!
Looking forward to watching your market season again! it was awesome to watch you grow – you seem so happy with this business!!
Hi, Jennifer!!
I miss seeing your comments pop up when I write!! 🙂
& THANK YOU!! I’m so so so loving all of this and the career shift! It’s been a dream.
I love these recap posts and sooo look forward to them.
SO happy that your business is thriving. You were meant to do this, obviously.
And I must say, you have the best-dressed young man I’ve ever seen. All of his little outfits are adorable!
Thank you, Susan!!!!!:)
I love a good ol’ fashioned recap! Looks like a great January in the books. It’s wonderful that you can carve out breaks as a business owner and enjoy the downtime, but at the same time be excited to gear up for another year in this beautiful new passion you have created. I am so incredibly happy for you! Which reminds me, I am due a for a brittle restock… 🙂
The oven mitts kill me lol!
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK! <3 I hope you have the best day filled with everything you love!
Thank you, Kelsey!!
Ahhhh yes, come see me at a market this year!!!!! 🙂
The oven mitts are lifesaving during cold temps hahaha
Love a blog post! Some great food inspirations too!
Thank you!!!
Miss your blogging and recaps, but totally understand you’ve got quite the busy schedule especially with an active toddler! I can’t believe how old Leo is getting, I’ve been around since Grumples was a pup (he had such a personality) Love your sourdough, can’t wait to see what else you come up with Little Brittle. I ordered the granola, cookies and peanut brittle and loved all of it, I can’t wait to order more I just wish I lived closer to try those delicious looking cinnamon rolls!
Thank you, Ashton! That means so much! I try to blog as much as I can, but it does get tough with balance! I wish you lived closer!! If you’re ever in the area let me know!!!
Thanks for posting the recap posts again! It’s good to see the pups too! <3
🙂
Hi Taralynn!
I am so happy to see your recap post and your professional growth! You deserve all the best 🙂 Also, your toddler has the best outifts ever!
It´s a shame that I live so far away because I would love to try your products and come to see you during the market season 🙂 I´ve been following for so long, I remember when you were living in a different state and when Mr Grumple was a puppy. It feels like you are good friend even if we never met.
I wish you my best, I hope you had an amazing Birhthday week! Sending you a lot of love and support from Spain 🙂
You are so sweet, Milena!!! Oh i wish you lived close too!!
Hope you’re having a good 2024 so far!
I have a toddler and she doesn’t insist on wearing oven mits outside, but it’s still just so relateable. They’re the craziest little people! Your son is adorable.
LOL, they are that, indeed!!!!
Love a recap post! There’s something so comforting about your content. Your son is adorable, I think mine is close in age (he’s 19 months now). His current obsession is Elmo but I’m sure Blippi is coming soon lol.
Awww! I have tried Elmo so many times, and all he says is “blipppp” lol so I’m doomed!!
& THANK YOU!! 🙂
I love this cute green backpack! Where is it from?
Target!:)
His oven mitts on the go made me smile 🙂
lol he’s still going strong with them!
Can you tell me what app and filter you used for these photos? I love it! Thank you so much!
Hi, I use VSCO and lightroom!
Happy to see your new posts. You’ve been a busy bee! OMG, the pic of your little guy with the big oven mitts made me laugh – hahaha!
Are you open to adopting a cat? They are so fun.
I wish!! Leo isn’t a big fan of cats, but maybe one day!!