5 Good Things | No.18

Another week begins! Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? Stay tuned for a delicious recipe post coming later this week that you might want to add to your Thanksgiving Day menu. While I get that put together, let’s have a look at five of my favorite things from last week.

Holiday Nog

Funny enough, I’m not a fan of eggnog. I think it’s pretty disgusting actually, but when I ordered the Winter Collection from Nutpods, I knew I’d have to try it. Turns out, it was my favorite flavor in the pack, and it’s now available as a set all its own. It’s just the slightest hint of holiday flavor to your coffee, not sweet, and made with coconut and almond milk. It also won’t break your fast if you’re into intermittent fasting.

Recipe- Ina Garten

I mean, need I say more? I could just give you the link and you would know to just trust and click on it. Okay, so here’s where I have to tell you what I did differently.
I actually only cooked the chicken thighs the way she said to– dry completely, salt and pepper, cook in a cast iron skillet in olive oil for 15 minutes on each side. It was the crispiest, yet juiciest chicken thighs I’ve ever made. It’s like having the crispiness of fried chicken without having to actually fry chicken.
Now, I am dying to try this actual recipe, and it’s going on my list for next week, but I have to get some grain mustard, and naturally, I forgot to put it on my grocery list when I went this weekend.
The point of sharing this recipe is to make your chicken thighs this way. You don’t just have to bake them, which is what I always do. This way was 100% delicious and husband-approved.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas at the Normans is officially on! I, like most people this year, have decided to put up my Christmas tree and decor. I actually always put it up before Thanksgiving; well, I have since we moved back to Greenville. I used to be a rule follower and wait until after Thanksgiving. But it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and my home feels happier somehow. I used everything I already had, except for new tree lights, and decided to use both ribbons I’ve used in the past few years on the tree. I also decided to use our fun ornaments instead of themed ornaments, because 2020 needs all the happy memories it can muster. I also highly recommend getting as many disco ball ornaments you can stand because the light show they put on in your house is pure joy-inducing.

The Gallery Wall is Back

Before the tree went up, I knew I wanted to tackle the gallery wall space. I wanted to go a different direction this time and wanted to include more art. I dug through all of my stored pieces, made a few myself, and couldn’t leave out the newest piece from Stacey Edwards (the golf cart). It’s not finished but coming together nicely. Tip: I traced the sizes of all my frames onto old, crappy wrapping paper and used painters tape to figure out the layout that I wanted. That way I only had to put holes in the wall once. Tip #2: Use Command Picture Hangers. What a renter’s game changer!

Magic Erasers

This may be the most random favorite I’ve ever had, but I’m telling you, they are truly magic. I have cleaned some previously impossible-to-get-out stains this past week, and I am a believer in this product.

Let’s make this week a good one! Mine is going to be busy, and it appears it may be a stressful work week. However, I’ll keep coming home to see my twinkly Christmas decor and remember to find plenty of joy and good things. I hope you do too!

Author: Elizabeth Norman

I'm a home grown Alabamian who ventured away for a while, but now I'm back! Follow along with me on my journey living the Norman life.