Natalie's Notebook-January Recap

Trees, tattoos, & travel

Feb 01, 2024

Hi there, and welcome! This monthly newsletter contains recommendations, interesting articles, recipes, and fun finds. Get cozy, settle in for a bit, and let’s get caught up ☺️

January Chit Chat ⭐️

Happy February! Many people describe January as the longest month ever, but I felt like it flew by as usual. The month began with some fun things and ended the same way 🙂 The in-between days were busy with work, catching a nasty cold/cough, sending birthday gifts to my daughter, and the dog running through a nest of yellow jackets.

Here are some of the highlights:

On January 1st, my youngest and I got matching tattoos! We’d been planning this for ages and finally did it. We chose something in honor of my sweet mama who passed away a few years ago.
We took a mini vacation to San Francisco. We enjoyed wandering the city, dining out, and visiting a jazz club.
Tony officiated a wedding, and it was a beautiful ceremony.
We spent a lovely afternoon at a winery with friends.
We enjoyed dinner with our dear friends at our favorite restaurant.

Everyday Loves

I received a candle warmer for Christmas, and I find myself using it daily. I love that the scent comes through from the candle without me having to light it.
The January sunrises and sunsets around here are always incredible, and last month was no exception.
These wrist spa washbands have been a game changer for my evening skincare routine. I cannot stand water running down my wrists and getting my sleeves wet when rinsing off my face, so these brilliant gems save the day.
Another Christmas gift I received and love is this over-the-sink colander. It’s sturdy, large, and adjustable. What an improvement compared to my old plastic ones.

Noteworthy Links

If you hope to do any traveling this year, here are some ideas: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024.
You can escape to forests worldwide without ever leaving your house (how relaxing is this?): The Ambient Sound of Trees.
This topic came up in conversation just the other night when talking with friends about a bad experience they recently had: How to Send Food Back at a Restaurant Without Being Rude.

From the Kitchen

The easiest tacos you’ll ever make: Slow Cooker Chipotle Honey Chicken Tacos.
I made pickled onions to go with the recipe above, and here’s how to make quick pickled onions:
Thinly slice a red onion and put the slices in a bowl or container. Bring about 1½ cups cider or white vinegar to a boil, and add about 3 heaping spoonfuls of sugar and a big pinch of salt to dissolve. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a bay leaf or some dried oregano, if you like. Pour the hot vinegar over the onions and let them cool. They’re ready to use immediately and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
I had leftover pickled onions and found this: What to do with leftover pickled onions. Then I made the yummy egg salad recipe posted there.

What were the best parts of your January? What do you look forward to this month?

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." — David Viscott