1. Today is a VERY special day, my friends. It was this date, December 5th, back in 1999 when Jay and I officially become a couple. That is half of my lifetime. Is that not crazy or what? If you want to see a couple good blast from the past pics, be sure to check out this old post and this old post, commemorating the special day. But really, I am one lucky girl. Thanks babe, for keeping up with me for so long. Love you lots. xo We’re heading out for a much-needed date night tonight, so I’m super pumped.
2. Baking cookies is apparently a great way to get some extra steps into your day. I learned this yesterday…I had almost 6,600 steps by 11:30am!
And as for my cookie baking? I’d say it turned out to be quite a successful day.
I still have three different recipes to make, but I got done so much more than I anticipated, that I’ll probably end up baking more than just those three recipes. I mean, there is still plennnnty of time left in December to bake! Bring on all. the. cookies.
3. While baking said cookies, I made sure to blast my new Pentatonix Christmas album that I downloaded the other day.
I absolutely LOVE their music. They’re just SO talented! Jay and I used to watch whatever that show was on MTV that they were on (??) and that’s when we first fell in love with their music. I was so excited to see they had a Christmas album!
4. For whatever reason, I am also totally into the Nick Jonas song, Jealous. It’s just got something going on that makes me want to sing along and bop my head while I’m driving along in the car.
5. Do you guys like my new mason jar tumbler? Super cute, right?
A blog reader, Jamie, recently reached out to tell me about her Etsy shop, The Jar Half Full, and she generously offered to send me a jar of my own. A portion of the proceeds from her shop go to The Siobhan O’Sullivan Foundation in honor of her best friend, Siobhan, who is now a quadriplegic due to a spinal cord injury she sustained in 2013. I was so impressed by her willingness to support her friend that I just had to share it with you guys.
6. I also wanted to share an Indiegogo project from another fellow blog reader, Jessica. She’s been a reader for a few years now, and recently emailed me to share her new venture. Her project, Prayers & Apples: Making Neuroscience Legit, focuses on bringing attention to holistic treatments for depression, obesity and generalized anxiety disorders, and it’s certainly intriguing. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested!
7. We have a family Christmas party to attend this Saturday, and it will most likely be Lucas’s first encounter with Santa since last year. Something tells me he’s not going to be a fan, but I guess we’ll see what happens!
8. I am so excited to start using my new Keeping It Together planner for 2015!
The amazingly generous Jessica from KITLife sent me a brand new planner to use for 2015 and just by simply skimming through, it makes me WANT to be organized. It has some of the cutest little touches and some awesome extra little goodies!
Thank you again, Jessica!
These would definitely make a great gift for someone in your life who either a) loves to be organized or, b) NEEDS to get organized. Either way, I’d definitely check out their shop!
9. I’ve been debating on whether or not I want to buy a photography course for my DSLR. I’ve recently seen a few different online classes for DSLR cameras come through on Groupon and Living Social, and I’ve wondered whether or not they’re any good. Then Ruthie recommended this course to me, which is on sale, and I’m thinking I may give it a go! I feel like there’s just SO much more I could learn from my camera…anyone else have any experience with taking a course like this?
10. I recently saw this blog post from Melissa and thought it was really cute: 31 Nice Things To Do For Yourself This December. Anyone doing anything nice for themselves out there so far??
11. Jay and I polished off an entire bag of pretzel m&m’s in less than three days…
Those things are just way too dangerous around me.
12. I never thought I’d see the day (naïve mom much?!) but we have definitely got a bit of a picky eater on our hands. We were spoiled with the way he’d eat pretty much anything we put in front of him before, but he’s recently become much more “selective” in what he eats. Even some of our go-to’s (sweet potatoes, yogurt, avocado, meatballs) have been hit or miss.
So now I’m trying to navigate this whole picky eater stage, but it’s most definitely posing a bit of a challenge. Especially when I need to pack his lunches during the week for daycare…who knows whether he’ll be a fan of something one day to the next!
13. For those of you who had asked previously about my messenger bag that I got from Stitch Fix a couple of months ago…I’ve FOUND IT!!
I happened to be online shopping at Sole Society (<—affiliate link) looking for some new shoes (like I really need them, but anyways…) and started browsing the bags when I came across this one (the Presley). I had to a double take but, yep, that’s definitely it!
14. Have you guys seen the new “Home for the Holidays” commercial with Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard? I love those two! They are just too adorable, and that commercial totally gets me in such a festive mood.
Okay, that was one long Fun Facts Friday post. Time to wrap it up! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend ahead! Anyone have anything good happening??
Molly says
Sometimes I feel like one of the first to read your posts, thanks to a very early rising baby! But thank you for keeping me company while he has his breakfast! Anyway, what do you do with all those cookies??
Molly says
*like the first one, oops!
Christina Winske says
Today is my date-aversary too! lol. Also, every single one of those cookies looks amazing. That must have taken forever. Have a great weekend :)
Linz @ Itz Linz says
holy cookies – those look amazing!! and 6,000+ steps by 11:30am?!?! that’s impressive!! i’ve been wearing a yoo activity tracker lately so the reality of how many steps i’m taking has been shocking!! let’s just say i thought i was moving way more than i actually am, apparently!
Ann Fisher says
We are looking forward to Christmas in the village in our little town. It will also be the first time my daughter sees Santa so we will see how it goes! I’m hoping she’s still so young that she won’t mind the big jolly guy holding her :)
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Happy dating anniversary to you and Jay!!
On a random note, that planner made the OCD planning freak in me get a little light-headed. Must get one!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Oh my goodness – I was in 7th grade in 1999. ;) Just a little poke at you because you’re older than me.
I’d like a dozen buckeyes please.
We have some seriously picky eaters too. It’s exhausting. lol
Kristen says
love that bag!
Samantha @ Anatomy of My World says
I just found out that Pentatonix is going to be at my local mall today singing for the christmas tree lighting! Might have to make a stop because I love them!!
Katie@LifesNextBigStep says
Those cookies look amazing!! And I listened to Pentatonix all day yesterday – I LOVE them so much! Lastly, we also are living in Picky Eater City. It’s pretty much a pain. I’ve found if I don’t overwhelm her with options (like, just giving her 2 things instead of 3 or 4) she does much better…but even just last week she was all about pasta, this week she wants nothing to do with it. So confusing!!
Laura says
Thank you for the planner information. I’ve been on a quest for a new, better laid out one for weeks now. Around 18 months, my toddler also flipped a switch in regard to eating. Thankfully, she will still eat nutritious food at daycare (even brussel sprouts!), but at home it’s been all about the macaroni and cheese and Annie’s Organic O’s.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Congrats on your time with Jay! The two of you sound like such an awesome couple. Enjoy your date! This weekend I am looking forward to relaxing, watching some Christmas movies and doing a little baking. -)
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
So many cookies! I think I need you to come to my house and help me bake :) You seem to have it down pat! And yay for you and Jay!! Amazing how fast time flies by!! Have a great weekend, Courtney!
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
Congrats on your dating anniversary! All of your cookies look DELICIOUS- you have some lucky neighbors and co-workers! Can’t wait to start my cookie baking next weekend :)
Kelsey Bjelland says
You are a rockstar baker, girl! I’m so impressed with that spread! I am going to make peanut butter blossoms this afternoon… love those!
cait @pieceofcait says
enjoy your date night!!! <3 those cookies look fabulous.
Stephanie says
Thanks for posting that photography course! I’ve been looking for a photography course to learn more about my DSLR and that seems like a great(and affordable) option.
Sylvia says
Courtney that bag is fab, I love it! Do you think it would fit a regular size notebook? If so, it would make a perfect school bag, thinking about getting it!
Bethany says
Awesome cup :) and those cookies look SO yummy!!
Jessica @ Prayers and Apples says
Thanks so much for sharing! ♥ And congratulations to you and Jay… and SO impressed by your mad baking skills! :) xo
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says
that messenger bag is SOOO cute!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
I haven’t gotten into cookie baking yet, but I came close enough with biscotti baking this morning. So yummy!
It’s funny you mention Lucas getting picky. I just polled my mom friends earlier this morning about Ethan getting picky. He used to eat anything (except broccoli), from chili and curry to just basic plain chicken and green beans. Now even his favorites are getting thrown on the floor. What’s up with that? Hopefully it’s a phase.
Danica @ It's Progression says
I love that commercial by Dax Shepherd and Kristen Bell – they’re so cute.
Happy dating anniversary! Hope you guys have a fun night celebrating!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Courtney! Wow, you guys have been together a long time. My hubby and I celebrate the day we met, because we basically we’re in each other’s lives from that very day and starting dating shortly after. I LOVE that mason jar. Need one of those Happy Friday!
Ruthie Hart says
OMG 1999, that is nuts!! Happy happy day it is to celebrate! Your post earlier this week inspired me to get my bake on (I am hosting a cookie swap next week and was just planning one treat….well now I am doing 4 haha). I can’t wait to make those turtle graham bars this weekend!
Ford is SO picky. Literally I can name all the things he likes on one hand. Ugh
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Such a poser with the spoon!! Great pic!! You made a s**t load of cookies, it’s no wonder!! Awesome work!
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork says
Holy smokes! Cannot believe the number of cookies you made!
Congrats on reaching such a milestone! I’m still a few years away from reaching that, and my husband is even further (he’s older).
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork says
P.S. I have also heard that camera course is good from, I believe, http://www.secretbloggersbusiness.com/.
Anita says
That commercial is so cute! I love it! It definitely puts me in a festive mood. :)
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Nice job on all those cookies, Court! I didn’t have any plans to do a big cookie baking extravaganza, but you’re making me want to do one now! ;)
We randomly saw Santa Claus at Home Depot last weekend, and Hunter didn’t know what he thought about him. There were no tears, but he just stared at him like, “Who the heck is this guy?!”. It was too funny.
Claire says
Oh boy! Welcome to the picky eaters club! My almost 15 mnth old is the princess of picky eater ;-) I still revert to the toddler pouches or some yogurt so she gets enough cals/nutrients after I let her fool with her finger food for a while. Some of the organic pouches have great mixes with kale, spinach, chia seeds and stuff so at least I know she’s getting something healthy :-)
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That planner looks fabulous! I am super Type-A, so that is totally right up my alley. I’d love to try it out :)
kristin @ W [H] A T C H says
i gotta see that commercial — i love those two!
Ashley Carole says
That is a lot of cookies Courtney! You have got some patience in the kitchen. Hoping to hear about some of your favorites!
Samantha says
I am on the cookie baking train as well, but what do you do with them all? Give them away straight away, freeze them for closer to Christmas, or…? Just looking for some tips!
Jenny says
That planner looks great. I’m a bit of an organiser junkie and I’ve been trying to decide what planner to go with for 2015 (left it a big late though!) – do you know if they ship to the UK?
Jenny
Ps happy anniversary!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
Hope you had an amazing date night….AND I just bought the Pentatonix Christmas album and love it!
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner says
I have been Jealous too!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Aw, thanks for the shout out, Courtney!
I really love that planner! I love using planners and am really picky about what kind I have. That looks like one I could totally live with.
Shawna says
holy cookies. wow. my bff is a pastry chef and used to run a shop in Rensselaer (til she had a baby in September), and the only time i’ve seen someone make so many cookies or sweets was when i’d visit & help her during her busiest catering days and we’d have every inch of her shop’s kitchen covered in sweets. also totally love “Jealous” and that you’re promoting readers’ businesses! enjoyed this post.
Courtney says
Oh really?? What was the name of her shop?? I’m fairly close (actually, VERY close) to Rensselaer!