I hope you had an oh-so-fulfilling Thanksgiving!
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The cool weather has finally reached us in the South and it is fabulous! I love wearing cozy clothes and staying warm by the hum of my sewing machine inside 😉
Read on to hear all about what I’ve been lovin’ this month!
1. Hot Cocoa + Sewing Quilt Blocks
This one is a double whammy! 😉
While I still love the smell of fresh coffee, this pregnancy has totally thwarted my taste for it. As you know from my Pregnancy Tips & Tricks post, I have been enjoying ginger turmeric tea, but sometimes you want something a little…creamier. I’ve been lovin’ this hot-cocoa-for-one recipe. I make it with almond milk and it is totally delightful – particularly when paired with sewing!
Speaking of sewing: I took a skills building class a few weekends ago with one of the quilt guilds I’m a part of locally and learned how to construct the Hanging Gardens quilt pattern. I think it’s the perfectionist in me, but I am so methodical with how I do things that I never even unpacked my machine during class – I spent the whole time cutting (despite having my strips meticulously cut weeks ahead in preparation for class…). One of my fellow class-goers pointed out that at least by the time I get home I have the least fun part out of the way and can actually start sewing.
Honestly, I learned so much in this class! Lots of tips and tricks that will save me time {which in my case is invaluable since everything takes me forever!}.
The blocks are coming together quickly now and I’m lovin’ constructing them! I’m using fabric from Rifle Paper Company‘s Les Fleurs collection with Cotton + Steel for my quilt and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together! I’m kind of ashamed to admit that I had more than enough fabric in my stash for a queen size quilt… “Hiiiii! My name is Jordan and I have a fabric hoarding problem.”
2. All the handmade baby goodies
Baby M is so spoiled. She has received so many handmade gifts already! My boss has knit her several hats {see 2 of them here!} and TWO blankets. The mother-in-law of a friend I’ve worked out with for years at our local YMCA made the most beautiful pink blanket for her {see it under the taggie below!}. And my dear friend Kristy made her the perfect quilt and the most perfect taggie! Fingers crossed this is an accurate representation of Baby M in a few years #FutureSewist
3. Knitting Progress
As I admitted in last month’s post, I made myself a knit project bag in hopes it would inspire me to work on the shawl I’ve been trying to knit since last year…
Well, I’m happy to report I’ve been making progress!
Since the photo above was taken, I’ve added the FOURTH ball of yarn and am plugging along. It’s far from perfect, but maybe one day it’ll be done and I can proudly wear my flawed shawl everywhere!
4. Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen
I saw Laura Miller’s shout-out about this book and immediately jumped onto Amazon to order my copy.
It arrived just in time for my 29-week appointment where I had the pleasure (ha) of indulging in the most sugary of drinks for my glucose test and traffic court the day before. So, it was good company that week 😉
I’ve been really enjoying the message Erica shares. She takes a very non-judgmental approach to pregnancy, birth, and motherhood in a way that encourages you (as the reader) to practice more self-love and to open yourself up to the reality that nothing will likely go as planned {a hard pill to swallow for a Type A like myself!}. The book is so informative and [as a public health grad with a soft spot for nutrition] I really love how she has woven recipes into the book that incorporate foods your body will benefit from most during the differing months of your pregnancy.
If you have a preggo on your holiday list, get her a copy of the Nurture book!
PS: As is obvious in the photo – I’m lovin’ my new Birkenstock’s. Slip-on shoes that can loosen as needed when/if your feet swell during pregnancy = win!
5. I planned a Bake Off!
Staff in our building have been hosting monthly events for employee morale and this month was our turn! I was on the planning committee so I took the lead for my department. I kind of love planning events like this because I get to nerd out on organizing everything (and I got to see all the sweet treats being submitted – yum!).
One of the best parts about the Bake Off was that even our Superintendent participated! I had heard he’s a great baker so when he walked in with his cake, I was over the moon!
It says a lot when someone as busy as the man leading a district of 4,000+ employees & 24,000 students takes the time to bake a cake for the employee Bake Off…he’s great!
6. Chili
This weather is perfect for chili and I think there is nothing better than coming home to chili in the crockpot after a long, cold day! I was getting bored with the chili recipes I’ve relied on in past years so I found a new one to try – this vegetarian chili recipe is a winner! It’s smoky sweet and pairs perfectly with a spicy cornbread (try tossing 1/4 cup of jarred diced jalapenos into your usual cornbread recipe).
7. The Nursery is coming together
If Baby M sticks to her due date, we’ve got 8 weeks left which I know will fly by! The Hubs and I are huge planners so he had the crib assembled months ago, but we only recently finished some of the final touches.
During our trip to Canada, I was 9-ish weeks pregnant. She was still our little secret since we hadn’t told family and friends yet. At the time we weren’t sure of the gender, but we both love animals so we were sure she would too. While in Ottawa, we stumbled upon Maker House Co.’s Craft Fest and picked up the bear and beaver prints for the nursery. They’re finally hung and I love all the memories they stir up from our way early #babymoon.
PS: If you ever visit Ottawa, you must stop by the Maker House Co. It is such a neat shop – filled with goods from local makers. You’re sure to find the perfect, unique souvenirs there.
8. my sister!
This month she threw a shower for Baby M and it was absolutely perfect. She spent a ton of time, money, and energy on this and I really appreciated it! We had a small group which was perfect – I had time to mingle with all of our guests.
After the party, my sister declared “Now Baby M’s closet has more than just blue in it!”
She has been my biggest supporter – constantly hand-me-down’ing clothes and baby equipment from Little Guy, sharing her maternity wardrobe, and calming all my fears. Without her, I don’t know what I’d do.
PS: My adorable sister greeted me at her door wearing a Canny tunic I made! She’s the cutest.
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What have you been lovin’ this month? Let me know in the comments so I can jump on your bandwagon!
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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}
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resliced by Jordan 