The Thankful Project: November 3rd

The Thankful Project: November 3rd: A Place

Today's thankful project is to think of a place you're thankful for. My mind immediately starts running over all the places I've been lucky enough to visit in my life. I could talk about all sorts of travel adventures both near and abroad but I think the place I am most thankful for is home. 

It's no secret that I love to travel and I'm blessed to have a job that sends me all over on a semi-regular basis. Then when I'm not traveling for work I typically go on European vacations for fun…so I've racked up quite a few frequent flyer miles to say the least. As much as I love traveling to amazing places, I have to say that I'm most thankful that I have a place to come home. There's something comforting knowing that no matter how far I travel or how long I'm gone, I can come home to my own little space and regroup. 

You can see some of the most beautiful places in the world, but you only have one home- and that is where the people you love and your heart lie. 

Merry Christmas from the Traveling Cupcake

It’s been officially one week since I’ve left England, and it has been a bittersweet one at that. Sometimes I find myself zoning out with flashbacks to memories of England, and it doesn’t even feel real; it feels like I dreamed up all these people and none of it really happened. It still is a mix of emotions, I miss everyone terribly, however I’m excited to see my family again and catch up with old friends. Tonight I’m just so thankful to my family for giving me the world. I’m grateful for the wonderful people I met and the incredible things I got to experience while I was abroad :)

Now that I’m home, I can get back to one of my loves: being in the kitchen. I’ve been cooking and baking up a storm since I’ve been back preparing for Christmas. First was a batch of banana muffins for the boys to eat throughout the week. Then I made my traditional homemade doggy treats for the neighborhood dogs: peanut butter bones! Abby has some waiting for her in her stocking in the morning, shh! Next I started the lovely Christmas traditions like Kringlas (a traditional Norwegian bread-like-cookie that’s shaped in an “8” shape), Rice Krispie Wreaths, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Reindeer Treats, Molasses Ginger Cookies and this year Panetone Bread Pudding. It has been a week covered in flour and sugar!

It’s almost midnight and it’s time to get back into the kitchen to start whipping up everything for tomorrow’s marathon of food as well. A huge brunch of egg strata, homemade carmel rolls, raspberry jello salad and mimosas followed by a large dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, bread, salad, green beans and lots of desserts and hor’d urves too.

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

I hope you all have a very merry and bright Christmas! Enjoy this holiday season as a time to reflect on the positives of this past year and cherishing the family and friends that have blessed your life. Merry Christmas from the Traveling Cupcake: May your Christmas always be sweet

Getting in touch with my Shakespearian side #stratford #shakespeare #travel #studyabroad #england @bellasumer