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This is so nasty, but it’s your reminder to clean out the filter on your own washing machine. Our washer had been in storage for the past 7 months, so it had some build-up, but we also couldn’t remember the last time we cleaned the filter. We kept getting grit leftover in the machine once we would run bleach and vinegar through it, so Jake finally cleaned out the filter. This is half of what he found in the filter. SO gross. Sooo, just a reminder – clean your filter if you haven’t recently.

This wrap for lunch was delicious. Turkey, ham, pepperoni, jalapeños, bread and butter pickles, and honey mustard. I heated everything up and chowed down.

A little lunch and Netflix. We will eventually hang our TV above our fireplace. We are both ready for that to happen. We have a lot of smaller projects that will make a big difference, but we have kind of been enjoying not doing too much this week. I need to get back after some painting…maybe this weekend I will find motivation again.

I failed to get a picture of our group, but my birth mom, Dawn, and her guy, Mitch, came over for dinner to celebrate Christmas. I totally forgot to tell them Jake and I were going to cook, so they were surprised when we started pulling out food. HA! Major brain fart on my part. I am thankful they are flexible and didn’t have dinner plans of their own. Jake grilled some delicious bone-in ribeyes and a tri tip; I made a salad (the Sweet Kale salad kit is my favorite) and sweet potato bites with brown sugar and chili powder. Mmm.

This was delicious! We always cherish our time with Dawn and Mitch. I think everyone left with sore bellies from laughing so much.

I walked in to go to bed and this sweet little girl had already put herself to sleep. She had to knock over one of my pillows first, though. Lu hates pillows and usually knocks all of them off our bed or couch. I guess she got tired after knocking over the front one and decided to call it quits.

I got up this morning, fed the girls, made coffee, and walked back by our bedroom to grab something. Rhea had stolen my spot and was fast asleep.

Here are a few of my favorite recent Amazon finds! Just click each picture for more information.

I love pineapples and Rhea keeps destroying all of her toys, so I finally ordered this. It has great reviews and should be here today, so I can’t wait to see what she does with it.

I got both my Mom and Jake’s Mom this sweater for Christmas. They have both worn it and look amazing in it. It’s super soft, too. I think I need to order one for myself…I love that it’s long in the back and can be worn with leggings or jeans.

I wear these earrings all day, every day. I never take them out. My sister loved mine so much that I got her a pair for Christmas, too. 10/10 recommend.
In our old neighborhood, we had some neighbors leave a Giving Plate on our front porch with a six pack on it. I loved this idea and told my Mom about it. She also loved it and wanted to bake goodies for neighbors and leave them the Giving Plate. I got her this set of three for Christmas. The plates have this poem on them: “This plate shall have no owner for its journey never ends, it travels in a circle of our family and friends. It carries love from home to home for everyone to share, the food that’s placed upon it was made with love and care. So please enjoy what’s on the plate, then fill it up again and pass along the love it holds to your family and friends!” Such a fun idea.