My Favourite Things
One of the family favourite movies growing up was Sound of Music. And while we didn’t watch it EVERY New Years, we watched it enough times at New Years for it to be associated with the holiday.
Do you remember the song Maria sings to the kids as they run into her room frightened because of the storm? “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings, these are a few of my favourite things...I simply remember my favourite things and then I don’t feeeeel sooooo baaaad.”
For many people this year has been a challenging one. For us it has meant not seeing my parents the entire year. Or getting to see my brother and meet two of his kids I have never met. It has meant less play dates (both for Elizabeth and for me!). But there have been little joys and laughter and bigger-picture things that have helped lighten the weight of the year.
So today I want to share with you some of my favourite things that help me not feel so bad. (And where I am able I will include links to each of them!)
Podcasts:
Around the time that Elizabeth was born I started watching less TV and began listening to more podcasts. It is a way for me to engage with the outside world, still learning or having a laugh while at the same time nursing or doing laundry or making meals.
My top three podcasts this year:
That Sounds Fun with Annie F Downs
With 2 podcasts a week (Mon and Thurs), interview style, I am consistently encouraged and challenged by these conversations. Two of my favourite have been Episode #223 with Mike Kelsey and Episode #133 with Charles Martin
Also with Annie F Down, her and her friend Eddie (host of The New Activist in partnership with IJM) talk for 30 min every Tuesday and Friday about pretty much everything and anything. They began at the start of stay-at-home orders as the pandemic hit the US, and haven’t stopped. It is a gift being able to listen to these two friends talk about life.
A podcast from The New York Times, this comes out every weekday. Episodes are roughly 30 min and consider one topic from the news. High quality in both podcast and professionalism, I find it a good source for deeper dives into current news. This has been especially practical during this year of turmoil, and it is the podcast Bob and I most frequently talk about.
Music:
I have always loved music and have a rather eclectic mix saved in my Spotify. And narrowing it down has been quite the feat. But these are the ones that when they pop up when my playlist is on shuffle I don’t skip over. Now, my Spotify account says my most played song this year is actually “Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2 but I’m gonna blame that on the littles.
My top three songs this year:
“Constellations” by Ellie Holcomb
“Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham
”Hang On” by NeedtoBreathe
Books:
I have a stack of 10 books waiting to be read, and it somehow takes me so much longer these days to actually finish one. However, when I do get the chance to read I love it. These were my favourite of the year. (And yes, I did ready some fiction, but none wowed me enough to get on this list. And just for fun, I think my all-time favourite fiction book is “Not My Will” by Francena Arnold)
My top three books this year:
“Beholding and Becoming” by Ruth Chou Simons.
This is written more as a devotional, each chapter just a few pages, but with beautiful original artwork and direct challenging words. I read it in January and I believe it really set the tone for my year.
“That Sounds Fun” by Annie F Downs.
Technically this book doesn’t release until February 5, 2021, but since I preordered it, I was able to listen to the audiobook and LOVED it. Annie F Downs has spoken so much into my life over the last few years. And this book is very timely. Put it on your list to order!
“Reforesting Faith” by Matthew Sleeth.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many tree analogies in scripture? Or why God speaks to Moses through a burning bush? Or wondered about how faith can and should play a role in the environment? Then this book is for you. It was easy to read but convicting and challenging.
Instagram:
Social Media can be a wild beast at times. But if I had to pick one, Instagram would be my favourite way to stay connected with people and be encouraged and inspired. When I find myself swiping quickly through stories though I know it is time to cull the feed of who I am following. There are a short list of people I never skip through, the ones I actually read and engage with.
My top three instagram follows this year:
@anniefdowns
Are you surprised? Probably not. Annie F Downs is a speaker, podcaster, and writer in Nashville TN. She is funny and endearing and grace-filled and God-centred.
@ruthchousimons
Her posts are filled with deep truths that lift my eyes off myself and onto Jesus. I always slow down to read her words. Also, her artwork is stunning. She’s mom to 6 boys in the mountains in Colorado.
@sarah_hau
The wife of one of Bob’s groomsmen at our wedding, Sarah is, in her words, an “unexpected pastor’s wife”. Living in Vancouver, mom of three, with the coolest style, her posts (and especially her stories) are thoughtful and intentional. When she reposts something, I know it is something I should read.
TV Shows:
When Bob and I sit down together in the evening after the girls are asleep, we are often so tired that we watch those comfort shows we’ve seen often, or the ones that we know will make us laugh: Brooklyn 99, Kim’s Convenience, Rust to Riches. But there have been a few shows that we binged and enjoyed. (Well, 2 that we watched together and 1 that was just me! Can you guess which one?)
My top three TV shows this year:
(On Netflix) What a show. Detailed. Intentional. Moving. Fascinating. Victorious.
(On Amazon Prime). An Eco-Challenge following dozens of teams, their stories of overcoming and perseverance, all in the stunning setting of Fiji.
(On Netflix, but I believe can be found other places as well). While it didn’t follow the story line of the books completely, it was a beautiful portrayal of a character I love deeply. In fact, finishing this 3 season show I promptly returned to the books and am currently reading Book 7, “Rainbow Valley.”
Recipes:
Early on in the pandemic, I rearranged our kitchen. This meant that I would be able to cook meals if desired behind a closed door. Bob would take the girls for a time of play and I would enter my place of rest, complete with a candle, a plant or two, my apron hanging on the wall, and all my essentials within an arms reach. I have grown to love this time creating yummy food my family loves.
My top three recipes this year:
Ever have just one banana left, which is not enough for that banana loaf? Enter these quick and simple but delicious muffins. I make them in a mini muffin tin and they often don’t last more than 24 hours in our house.
For Christmas 2 years ago my mom gave me a cookbook called “Yum and Yummer.” It is my go to book now for inspiration and contains some of my favourite recipes. For example, I never cook chicken without marinating it now! But my favourite recipe is the Beets and Treats Buddha Bowl. Everything is baked on one pan. And when you get a bite of quinoa, beet, kale feta cheese, walnut, blueberry, and the balsamic dressing that goes with it? Nothing can “beet” it.
For years Bob has been asking me to make “stiff” waffles. So often with batter waffles you have to eat the waffle right away or it will start to go limp. I did some research and realized he wanted “dough” waffles. Finally, a few months into the pandemic, I decided to try it. I found a recipe that looked good, ordered the pearl sugar on amazon, and, well, considering we have them at least once every three weeks, it was a success! We’ve eaten them with fried chicken, peanut butter and bacon, and syrup and fruit. Such a hit that there was a few days where Bob was trying to convince me to start a business with these waffles!
Here are some other things that have become favourites.
My favourite bible study of the year was the 2020 Lent Study from She Reads Truth where we studied the book of Jeremiah. It opened my eyes to the depth and value of studying the Old Testament.
My favourite comedian has become Dustin Nickerson. Between following him on Instagram and listening to his podcast, “Don’t Make Me Come Back There,” I appreciate his humour and his honesty. If you are looking for something fun to watch, go rent his new special “Overwhelmed”
My favourite new charity to support is Pre-emptive Love. There are many charities I love and support, locally, nationally, and globally. This year I have been really impressed by the work that Pre-emptive Love is doing around the world, but specifically in the Middle East. When others are pulling out because of uncertainty, they are running in to help. I’ve also been really impressed at the way they engage those that support them.
And finally, but perhaps most importantly, these are my favourite moments, the memories I will carry forward from this year.
Bob is the one person who makes me truly laugh. And we have shared many moments this year laughing together, dreaming and scheming, talking culture and politics. I am thankful that my husband is also one of my very best friends.
Elizabeth loves to help, and on days when the recipe is simple and I am not pressed for time, having her come into my kitchen with her own little apron, standing on her stool and being my little helper have been precious.
Eleanor loves phones and will pretend most anything is a phone. Listening to her one-sided conversations will melt any weariness away.
My favourite alone-time moments are sitting where I am now, in my rocking chair in the living room, slid towards the fire, candle lit, feet up, blanket draped over my lap and pillow supporting my back. From this spot in the house I can hear if the little one napping upstairs is waking up, or if the big one on her quiet time is sneaking another treat without permission. It’s here, with bible open, pen out, a cup of tea at hand that I find my favourite thing of all: time with Jesus. It is this, more than any of the things above, that helps things not feel so bad.
So here’s to 2020. It definitely is one for the history books. For me, I will remember it as the year we started Seas of Pure Grace, the year I became self-disciplined, the year my faith grew.
And as I look forward to 2021, I can say with completely honesty that I wouldn’t change anything. I have no new resolutions or big projects to start. Rather, I will continue on in consistency, taking it one day at a time, one right thing and then the next. But perhaps I will write about that next week.