Random Thoughts

Five Things Friday

Wood-burning stove
Linda Ly
Written by
21

The five little things that made my week…

1. This is what the last week has looked like in my house: a roaring fire in the woodstove, with a tea kettle (staying warm for mugs of tea) and a simmer pot (brimming with rosemary and cinnamon) heating on top.

Fresh pine needles

2. The smell of fresh pine needles is intoxicating.

Sentimental ornament

3. Every ornament on my Christmas tree is either passed down from my husband’s family, handmade, gifted, or purchased from a favorite place we’ve traveled together, like this felt bison from my birthday trip to Yellowstone this summer. It’s one of my favorite things about unpacking the boxes and trimming the tree! I can spend all night reliving the memories and hearing the stories as we hang each trinket.

Baby on board

4. We went in for our 4D ultrasound and I’m smitten with this little face! Still can’t believe there’s an actual baby in there. I’ve officially hit the third trimester and the weeks just feel like they’re flying by.

My firstborn

5. My firstborn just turned 14 on the 14th. Happy birthday to this little sweetheart! Still loving life in every way.

Linda Ly About Author

I'm a plant lover, passionate road-tripper, and cookbook author whose expert advice and bestselling books have been featured in TIME, Outside, HGTV, and Food & Wine. The No-Waste Vegetable Cookbook is my latest book. Garden Betty is where I write about modern homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. After all, the secret to a good life is... Read more »

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21 Comments

  • Avatar
    Cherryl
    December 19, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    You will still love your firstborn to pieces when the baby arrives, because love is like that! That’s what I tell all my grandchildren. Love never runs out, it just keeps multiplying. Hot tea, cozy fireplaces, holidays, and love–here, and on the away. The best Friday ever!

    Reply
    • Linda Ly of Garden Betty
      Linda Ly of Garden Betty
      January 2, 2016 at 8:56 pm

      I love that sentiment: “Love never runs out, it just keeps multiplying.” Beautiful! Hope you had very merry holidays!

      Reply
  • Avatar
    Lisa of Fresh Eggs Daily®
    December 19, 2015 at 5:53 am

    Brilliant idea to leave a tea kettle on top of your stove! I’m new to this whole ‘wood stove thing’, but I’m learing! I do have a pot of water with mulling spices in it to humidify the air and make our house smell like Christmas!

    Crazy that Tahoe already has a face! Just last summer you were barely showing!

    Reply
    • Linda Ly of Garden Betty
      Linda Ly of Garden Betty
      December 19, 2015 at 10:48 pm

      We didn’t get to use our woodstove once last winter since it was so warm, so these last few weeks have been such a treat! Tip: Put another pot on top of yours for mulled cider or wine. 😉

      Girl, the belly is large and in charge right now! My pregnancy app is telling me the baby is around 14 inches and the size of an acorn squash?! That’s some big squash! lol

      Reply
  • Avatar
    Deb at Counting My Chickens
    December 18, 2015 at 7:26 am

    Sounds like a lovely week, Linda. Happy for you. Merry Christmas.

    Reply
    • Linda Ly of Garden Betty
      Linda Ly of Garden Betty
      December 18, 2015 at 10:32 pm

      Merry Christmas to you as well, Deb!

      Reply

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