Natalie's Notebook- January Recap

A teeny virtual vacation, book recs, & marry me chickpeas

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Welcome! This monthly newsletter is not just about recommendations, interesting articles, recipes, and fun finds; it’s about sharing a part of my life with you. When I write these, I like to imagine we are meeting in person for coffee, lunch, or a glass of wine to chat. So, pour yourself a drink, find somewhere comfortable to sit, and let’s get caught up. ☺️

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January Chit Chat 🎉

January felt long and hard. With disastrous wildfires, blizzards, plane crashes, and other tragedies in the news, I had to balance out all the heaviness with joyful things such as walks in nature, time with friends, solitude, reading, and family time. As I’ve written before, reflecting on life’s happenings from the previous month reminds me there’s plenty to be thankful for, even the small things.

Here are my January highlights:

• I tackled some home decluttering, beginning with my guest room. I have a list of areas/rooms to clean and purge, and it felt so good to get this done.

• Tony and I attended a special dinner and wine pairing event at one of our local wineries. The meal was an ode to the chef’s favorite Parisian restaurant, Le Relais de Venise, whose menu has featured one meal only since 1959: steak frites. We were excited to attend because it’s our favorite Parisian restaurant, too!

• We attended (and helped organize) a human trafficking awareness forum and learned some valuable information.

• My daughter-in-law was able to come home to visit after a six-month-long deployment in the Middle East. As a family, we enjoyed cooking together, watching movies, wine tasting, and a celebratory meal out.

• My dear friend’s visit here from Ireland was a huge blessing!

January 2025

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Everyday Loves

• These washable cotton rounds are so soft, silky, and easy to wash. I prefer them much more than the disposable ones you can buy.

• For the past few months, I’ve been lighting a taper candle each morning in my living room while I sip coffee and read/listen to this or this. It’s such a gentle way to begin the day.

• I use this makeup brush shampoo weekly, and it works well.

• I enjoyed reading and listening to these books last month: Ordinary Grace, Unreasonable Hospitality, Like Mother, Like Daughter, and A Little Less Broken.

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Noteworthy Links

• “If you truly want to make a change in the new year, it’s best to focus on small, manageable goals that are fun and easy to do.” Tiny Ways to Change Your Life.

• When I Quit Drinking, Shirley Temples Made Going Our Fun Again-"What had I done to deserve such opulence?”

• When you need a teeny virtual vacation: One Minute Park.

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From the Kitchen

Here are some delicious things I made last month:

1. One-Pan Harissa Chicken and Broccoli

2. Marry Me Chickpeas (I skipped the Orzo and doubled the chickpeas)

3. Fragrant Coconut Chicken and Sweet Potato

4. Gluten-Free Lemon Cake

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May your February be full of love and delight. ❤️

With love, Natalie xx

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“If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.” - Oswald Chambers

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P.S. Thanks for reading and hitting the ❤️ at the bottom of my posts. This helps others find Everyday Natalie 🌸

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