December 2017 Favorites

I thought it would be fun if I took a moment each month to let you know what things are currently striking my fancy, so here goes the December installment! 

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CURRENT FAVORITES:

BOOKS:

This month, I read Anything by Jennie Allen (which wrecked my view of comfort and surrender in the BEST way!), All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (very good!), Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl (good, but very long), and A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (soo good!!).

QUOTE:

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus

MOVIES: 

I've been watching Christmas movies like they're going out of style (and, please, if they are, don't tell me; I don't want to know!). My favorites are Eloise at Christmastime, It's a Wonderful Life, and Elf.

SONG: 

Of course, what kind of a Christmas fanatic would I be if I didn't listen to all the Christmas music this month?! My favorite song is probably O Holy Night, but I have several albums and artists I like, including Pentatonix, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, and of course, classics like Burl Ives and Nat King Cole.

I have a couple different Christmas playlists I created on Spotify (here and here), a peaceful piano one created by Spotify itself, plus one more "chill" one from Kendra Adachi (The Lazy Genius), so I've been set up pretty well for the season! Check them out if you're looking to have better Christmas music curated for you for next year (or if you're one of those people who doesn't stop listening to Christmas music just because Christmas is over; I am).

FOOD: 

I made some really good veggie chili for my community group that made so much I had tons of leftovers (a win-win in my book!). 

MEMORIES FROM DECEMBER:

I loved decorating for Christmas, watching Christmas movies with friends and family, enjoying lots (too much at times) of great food, and celebrating the season. I also thoroughly enjoyed hosting a bridal shower/bachelorette party for a good friend of mine and going to her wedding!

I went to a couple of great concerts this month, too. I went to the Needtobreathe concert with some friends (and bumped into more friends there), and the next night, my family went to the For King & Country/Casting Crowns Christmas concert! It was quite a weekend of great music!

My best friend and I also got to record some videos to share at our church during the Christmas Eve service (to let people know what's coming up, etc.). We filmed some of the original introduction videos for our church four years ago (!!), and it was so much fun to do it again!

LOOKING FORWARD TO IN JANUARY:

I'm looking forward to my no-sugar challenge (championed by Lindsay at Pinch of Yum), because it's just what I'm going to need after eating all the cookies this month and feeling a little over-sugared. I have no problem eating sweets when they're balanced with more nutritious foods, but I tend to overdo it over the holidays, and taking a break from them is going to be so good!

I also have a roommate reunion in January, and I'm so excited to get to spend some time with my dear, sweet friends. I don't get to see them anywhere near enough, and I cherish whatever time I do get to share with them.

What were some of your favorite things this month? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!