Winter Solstice

 The days are going to get a little longer now.  

Saturday night, my family attended the Winter Solstice Event at the Ernie Miller Nature Park.  We went last year and it was super cute and decided to attend again.  They only allowed 30 people per session and it's a nice sized park.  There was night trail hiking (my advice: don't turn your flashlight on, it totally ruins your night vision and others night vision and makes it more difficult to navigate and see the stars), moon viewing, star gazing, storytelling and wish making.  My niece wished for a poodle.  She told me as soon as she stepped through the wishing tree. 

Tonight, we got to view The Great Conjunction!  The last one was in 1632, when telescopes were in their infancy and Galileo (he made his first telescope 14 years before) was alive.  I drove somewhere to see it because I knew I wouldn't be able to see it from my home.

It made my little nerd heart happy.

You can see two separate planets!  This was right at 6 pm.  Did you get to see it?

Today was Peyton's last in person day before Winter Break.  We gave all his teachers Thank You cards with a Target gift card inside.  I know High School teachers normally do not get recognized as much as lower great teachers.  They all deserve a little something this year. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!  

Happy Friday!

 Happy Friday friends!  I have a lot of blog reading to catch up!

School is nearing it's end for the year. Only three days left for the kiddos then it is winter break!  Since most of their stuff is online, they can work on missing assignments and everything to get caught up during break.  Let's just say...Peyton is a bit behind in English.  Alli's online teacher is actually getting online a few times during break to open tests and quizzes for kiddos.  She's getting paid for it, don't worry. :)  The principal asked her to do it and who doesn't like extra money.  

I found someone to order Girl Scout cookies from.  My daughter is no longer involved in GS and my niece isn't either.  But, I have an order in.  Shipping a few boxes to Tanner.  Hope he enjoys.

My new job.  I love it.  I love the company, the coworkers, the work!  It's all new and exciting.  My first month and I already had two PTO days to take.  I did them on the 23rd and 30th.  That way I would get two five day weekends in a row.  I received a super nice sherpa blanket and am awaiting a package from UPS with goodies from our employee engagement committee.  This is so different coming from a government setting to a corporate one.  I know 2020 has been the pits for some, but I call this new job a bright light.  

Here are a few pics from the past week or so.  :) 

A fun secret santa exchange!

Hims a love bug 

KC Wine Co Winter Lights

We went on a Thursday night and there was only one other car though!

Go see lights during the week!

Loves the heating blanket.

Work buddy!

Currently (12)

 

It's the first Wednesday of the month and that means it is "currently" time.  Hop on over to In Residence to link up and participate!

Baking

Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Pie

Brie Bites

Chex Mix

Up next on the baking front: Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls, Fudge, Sugared Pecans and maybe one more thing.

Decorating

My tree has been up for a few weeks, but I turned the lights on yesterday.  December 1st.

My fireplace is also decorated.

The porch will be done this week sometime.

Gifting

Violett's birthday was last weekend and we gifted her some Koala Calico Critters.

Hoping

For a smooth December, some sort of peace in this time, for everyone to be happy and healthy.

Sending

I did three Bookstagram swaps.

I've done quite a few RAOK swaps.

I am going to send Tanner his package overseas soon, the box

I have doesn't fit all his stuff from people.