Welcome to the first edition of 5 Good Things for 2021! How was everyone’s first full week back at work? Goodness me, it was strange at the school house. No students, and ALL the technology. God bless teachers who have to do this. God bless parents for logging in their child(ren). God bless principals for having to deal with all of us! God bless us, every one! 🙂 Seriously, though, what a strange time to be alive.
Let’s add on the madness that happened in D. C. and we basically have an extension of 2020. I shared a post on my Instagram story from Priscilla Shirer and asked if you were praying for our country. If you aren’t, please start. If you don’t know what to say, just tell God that. He knows.
And now for an awkward pivot….I enjoyed making it a point to find at least 5 good things about each week at the latter half of 2020, so I thought I’d continue it. I’ve got books, a craft, nail polish, a game, and a TV show on deck for you today. You’ll have to let me know if you like any of these things, too.
Books I’ve Read:
The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Just before the new year I finished up this page-turning tale of an American who marries the heir to the British throne. There are countless similarities between the current real British royal family and the fictional one in this book. The Heir Affair is the sequel to The Royal We, which kicks off the story of Bex and Nick. I approve of both the audio versions and page versions of these books, and the story, though at times far-fetched, is actually quite fun.
A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum
Not quite as fun as The Heir Affair, but 100 times more fascinating. A Woman is No Man is the story of four Pakistani women living in America but living with all the traditions of their culture. It was, at times, hard to read due to the subject matter, but I love a book about a woman coming into her own. I love a dysfunctional family drama. I love learning about different cultures through stories. This book has all of that and more. It was a fantastic read.
If you need more book recommendations, check out my Top 5 Reads of 2020. Current Reads: Audiobook- Deacon King Kong by James McBride
Regular Book- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Christmas Card Craft
I may have actually shared this last year, but I loved it so much last year that I had to do it again. All you do is save all those pretty Christmas cards you’re sent each holiday season, punch a hole in the corner of each one, attach them together on a ring, and store until next Christmas when you can take them out, put them in a bowl for everyone to flip through and compare how the families are different from the year before. I got this idea from Carmel over at Our Fifth House. She has a great design blog, is a fun follow on Instagram, and is a fellow Beautycounter consultant. Plus, this is a great way to save all those pretty cards that people invest so much time and money into. I hate throwing them in the trash, and this ensures I don’t do that and treasure them for years to come.
Zoya Nail Polish
Santa put five new nail polish shades in my stocking this year, and one of my very favorites has been this dark, coffee-colored neutral shade. It’s named Kinsley, and it even looks good on my pale skin. I thought it would be one of those colors that only looks good with a tan, but I’m digging it even without it. I’m still using my tried and true Essie Gel Couture Top Coat to make the manicure shiny and last almost two full weeks.
Scrabble Deluxe Edition
Y’all, I was born to be a gamer! Just not of the video gaming sort. I played my first game of Scrabble this past December, and I have never loved a game more! I think I’ve always loved a word puzzle, but this game brings on a whole new level of word puzzle for me and has revealed a competitive side I didn’t know I possessed. The deluxe edition has a board that spins and raised “beds” for each individual letter tile. If you’ve never played, you must do so immediately. Order your game here.
Current TV Obsession
I know I’m not the only one who’s binged Bridgerton since it’s release on Christmas Day. What a show! It’s a period piece set in London with a whole lot of drama and a little bit of steam. Okay, slightly more than a little bit. 🙂 It’s from the creators at Shondaland who brought us Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and plenty of other shows we all know and love. With just 8 episodes, it’s an easy, lazy-weekend binge. Last I read, Netflix has yet to confirm a season 2, but I believe most of us want it. Fingers crossed!
Some other favorites from these first days of the new year:
The Simplified Planner
Amazon Sunglasses (less than $15)
This Beautycounter lipstick
Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka (Cover photo)
I hope you found some new things to check out for yourself, but I’d love to hear one of your favorite things that has gotten you through these first few days of the year. Have a great week, friends!
