Guess what got a little use today?!
This morning, I decided to take a break from the treadmill and roll out the ‘ol yoga mat. I searched around on my On Demand channel to see what was available. Unfortunately, one of my favorites from before isn’t on there anymore, but I did find a different one that was great. About 45 minutes of pilates/ballet moves which was nice, gentle, but able to work up a sweat.
Around 1pm I had a conference call to hop on to, which worked out perfectly timing wise. I had just finished up a batch of my Pumpkin Black Bean Soup, so I let that simmer while the call was going on.
I also made the photo black and white because, well, a big batch of that stuff just never looks all that appetizing in the big pot.
I had to make a couple slight adjustments to the original recipe this time around – I didn’t have any red wine, so I used white. I also accidentally bought chicken broth instead of vegetable, but both substitutions turned out great!
About 3/4 of the way through the call, I couldn’t hold off any longer so I grabbed a bowl. I also topped my soup bowl with a fun little purchase I discovered the other day…
Mini saltine crackers! Not sure how I never spotted these before but I love them…perfect for soup!
And for snacking on well after your bowl of soup is gone.
After l finished up with lunch and my call, I snacked on an apple and worked on putting away all of the Halloween decorations.
Apple is gone, decorations are put away…and we’re just that much closer to being about to put out the Christmas decorations(!!).
Yep, I said it. Christmas decorations. I’m eagerly anticipating Thanksgiving and I’m trying so hard not to rush the holidays, but these darn Christmas commercials I’m seeing and hearing are just getting me excited! I mean, they’re already playing the Hershey Kisses Bells commercial?!
Question for the Afternoon:
For those who celebrate Christmas, how long does it take for you to start “getting festive” (i.e., decorating, listening to music, etc.)?
For me, it’s usually Black Friday. That’s the day I start blasting my Christmas tunes and watch Elf while putting up the Christmas tree (just like I’ve done the past two years).
Chelsea @ Cardio and Cocktails says
Thanksgiving usually does it for me because of all the family that gets together and we usually do winter activities (ice skating, etc). This year my sister is in London so when she gets back for Christmas, we will be in full blown celebration mode!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says
In college I would *occasionally* allow myself to start celebrating Christmas slightly before Thanksgiving, but only because after Thanksgiving there would usually only be two weeks or so left in the semester and then we all went home for break. Generally, though, I am a hard and fast “Christmas MAY NOT start until I’ve digested my Thanksgiving dinner” sort of person. I just don’t want to get Christmas-ed out, you know? That would be so sad.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That soup looks delicious and those mini saltine crackers are just too darn cute! ;)
I am almost always beyond ready to decorate for Xmas as soon as Thanksgiving is over. If I am not already in the Xmas spirit, celebrating Thanksgiving and going shopping on Black Friday really put me in the mood. Bring on the Christmas music!
Rachel says
omg we have the same tradition! LOL! I always put up my tree on Black Friday and watch Elf haha!
Lisa says
Oh, I need to try out that soup. I’ve had soup basically every night this week. Good job on getting some yoga in, I stretched today which was pretty unusual! Yah, I’m pumped for Christmas, we’re decorating this weekend! I can’t wait to bust out the tunes already.
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life says
AH! Those little saltines are so cute! And that soup sounds delicious. I honestly could start celebrating (decorations, music, etc.) right now if my family and friends were into it! All of the commercials that are on already are making me so excited! :-) Oh, and I LOVE the movie Elf, too!
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
It’s always the weekend after Thanksgiving. That has been tradition in my family for so long! But waiting until then is definitely an exercise in restraint!
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
We try and hold off until December….but I will be starting my shopping before then!
Fizz says
Oh oh!! I have already started listening to the Rockin’ Holidays Pandora station. I swear I tried to wait…I tried!!
That soup looks deelish!
Megan says
I’m not going to lie, I’ve listended to a Christmas station on Pandora the past 2 days at work. :) I know it’s far too early and I’m not giving Thanksgiving it’s due by already jumping to Christmas but I just can’t help it! I’m going to try and hold off on getting out the decorations until the weekend after Thanksgiving though, we’ll see if I make it.
Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapes says
Black Friday marks Christmastime for me, too. There have been decorations in department stores (I’m looking at you, Macy’s) since October, which is crazy, and I’ve seen my first few Christmas TV commercials this week.
Sabrina @Work It Ms Jackson says
November 1st! I used to work at Target and was on the team that reset all the aisles and we would come in overnight on Halloween and set Christmas, including the Christmas trees. Doing that for so long makes it feel like I’m waiting forever to put up Christmas decorations now. lol
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Sadly I haven’t had any Christmas festivities until right before Christmas for the past 2 years, Christmas is just low on my priorities list during law school finals! And this year my last final is on Dec 22nd… So rude. I’m hoping to get into the spirit though this year, it’s so sad when Dec 26th comes and I realize I had a week or less to enjoy the season!
Sri Devi says
A little holiday humor ;-) http://pinterest.com/pin/80220437083725783/
Courtney says
LOL just repinned that one! Thanks ;)
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
I’m with you… I usually wait until Black Friday to break out my Christmas decorations!
Marielle says
I made that soup last week, so good! My Christmas spirit will come after Thanksgiving…..although its hard hearing Christmas music around already!
Shannon says
My family usually puts up the Christmas decorations the first or second weekend in December.
Courtney says
I was looking at that soup saying, “Oh, wow. Those look like little, mini saltines.” Lo and behold, they are. They look so stinkin’ cute! Also, I always like seeing your cute holiday/seasonal decorations. =)
alyssa - life a la wife says
Mini Saltines? Genius!
Danielle @ itsaharleyyylife says
I’m ready for Christmas too! Today when I was blogging I went to Christmas Country on Pandora… and I’m proud of it! I blame Starbucks with their red cups! (:
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Usually on Thanksgiving Day, I’m taking out the Christmas music. One year, I started listening to it right after Halloween, but then I got sick of it by December 1st. So since then, I’ve learned my lesson and waited until Thanksgiving. ;)
Sarah says
Love your tradition of watching elf on black friday! It’s literally my favorite christmas movie and it never fails to put me in the christmas spirit! Those mini saltine crackers are so addicting to sit and snack on all afternoon. Definitely guilty of doing that on more than one occasion :)
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I go with December 1st as the day to break out all my Christmas stuff (which happens to be on a Saturday this year, perfect). It’s my first time having my own apartment over Christmas, so I’m ridiculously excited for decorations/tree/christmas baking!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I’m super excited for Christmas too! I usually start to REALLY get in the mood the day of/after Thanksgiving as well. Can’t wait to bust out the decor and do some shopping! :)
Molly@This Life Is Sparkling says
We usually put up our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year were going it the first weekend in December. I start listening to Christmas music after Halloween… ;) But not ALL the time :)
Jennifer L says
First off, I’m new to your blog (been reading about a week or two now), so hello!
I’m a holiday nut. This weekend I put on Elf while I did some cleaning… so yeah, that’s already done. I don’t put up decorations until black Friday either, but I struggle not to! The holidays aren’t that stressful for me, so I like them to be around as long as I can. In fact, each summer I miss Christmas and I end up watching some holiday movies… yep. I’m insane………… anyway, I can’t wait to start seeing Christmas stuff up on the blogs I read! I love seeing others’ decorations. So if you wanna break out the holiday mugs or something, at least one of your readers will enjoy it this soon :)
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
My dad cringes every time a holiday commercial comes on the TV, but I on the other hand am starting to get a bit excited. My mom took down the Halloween decorations and put up her turkeys..hehe
Lauren says
This is hands down one of my favorite soup recipes. It never disappoints me.
michelle kim says
I turn on the Christmas jams when November rolls around and then go to the malls around December just to look at all the decorations (and put up the tree and decorations in the home after Thanksgiving).
Khushboo says
When I lived in London, the turning on of Christmas lights on all the streets got me in spirit…it usually happened around this time of year!
Tara Deal | Treble in the Kitchen says
I am the same way about Christmas….Black Friday mean Christmas music and well Christmas everything!! :) I just can’t wait!
Kelly @ Femme Fitale says
I’m usually the Christmas decoration queen. However, we just moved to Australia 2 months ago from the Great White North, so Christmas is going to be soooo strange this year! December is one of the hottest months here…
Nothing like singing Jingle Bells with flip flops on.
Megan says
Hey, I wanted to share with you, One of my friends works at Hottie Pilates in Austin and they have some videos on Youtube that you could check out for something different…
Courtney says
Thanks for letting me know! I’ll have to check it out :)
Renee @ Fit For Motherhood says
I really have to get back into yoga/pilates again. I have been doing lots of weights and cardio, but I need to change it up. Thank you for motivating me to take my workouts in that direction. :)
We love Christmas around here, so we are actually starting to decorate already. Pretty much as soon as Halloween is over we take down those decorations and begin putting up Christmas ones.
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
I get festive right after Halloween in terms of listening to music sometimes and watching a couple movies. I won’t decorate the house/tree till after Thanksgiving, but I’m SO happy Thanksgiving is early this year! It’s like the holidays last even longer :)
Shannon says
hm… my family is too small and not really into the whole Christmas holiday thing… kinda sad. I remember when I was younger I loved opening up presents but now… it’s just… a time to relax I guess. But reading your excitement makes me excited regardless :D
Bek @ Crave says
I usually wait for December till the festivity and Christmas planning, decorating etc gets in full swing! Oh and that’s when the christmas tree goes up- 1st of December! We have a new one this year (after 20 years!)