Nudged: Celebrate the season

I did not fudge this Nudge! Even though we’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving this week in the US, the timing of this was totally random.

I added this Nudge to my bowl around Valentine’s Day when I realized I had not done a thing (other than giving Thor a sweet card). All those cute heart decorations in the basement, all those recipes for heart-shaped cookies and cakes in my to-bake file…. When did I, well, lose heart? Or have I simply grown lazy?

I have opportunities to make every day special, and there are so many ways I might have fun with this Nudge: A small arrangement of seasonal flowers. A basket full of seasonal produce from the farmers’ market. A home manicure with this season’s trendiest nail color. A baked treat that brings back happy memories from my childhood (after all, it’s pie season!).

I know this is a BUSY season for many, so I hope whatever you decide to do, it’s for YOU.

P.S. I’m thankful for you! Thank you for being part of this 52Nudges adventure with me. xoxo

What Happened: Every year, when apple season arrives (late September), I get inspired to make mulled cider. The first bag I bought got eaten, apple by apple. The second bag I bought, in mid-October, ended up in a pie for Thor. This week, I stared at the bag I had purchased and thought, “Let’s get this done!”

On a chilly afternoon, I peeled and chopped, and fed chunks into our big juicer (which I had to thoroughly clean first, because I’m not sure when it was last fired up). The juice went into a pot with a tablespoon of Penzeys’ Mulling Spices, and I set the flame to low.

How could I have forgotten about the aroma?! The whole house smelled like fall and the holiday season! After straining out the spices, I ladled some into a favorite mug, added a cinnamon stick because it was pretty (and I’d forgotten about the jar at the back of my pantry), and stopped to sip and enjoy.

The Ah-Hahs: What a delight for all of my senses! The aroma, the golden color, the warmth. Plus, this Nudge got me to slow down and take a few minutes out of my otherwise busy day to give thanks for all the blessings in my life. Lovely.