Peppermint Mocha Mama

Necessity is...

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 22:54:00 +0000

I guess I will need to dust off the cobwebs and come back to what has worked for me for years, my blog.

You see, I have left Ravelry. They caused me harm and then called me a liar. I don't stand for either (and neither should you) so here I am. Back in my own space.

I want a place to keep track of things - recipes, crafts, life, and whatnot. I have been gone for a little over a year now. I have my reasons but they don't really matter anymore.

Time to get back to my roots... welcome home!

Taco Pasta

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:11:00 +0000

I was telling my friends that I made Taco Pasta last night and they all looked at me funny. I described what I had done and the cocked heads and furrowed brows all changed into looks of hunger so I thought I would share the recipe with you here.

It is super simple to make and the entire meal only cost me $8 so you just can't beat that. While it's just Pokey and I, we have plenty of leftovers but even with Hobbit home we would have gotten a full second meal out of it. Enjoy!

Taco Pasta Recipe
1 lb of ground beef (I use 97/3)
1 16 oz package of noodles (whatever floats your boat)
2 cups of Mexican blend shredded cheese
1 16 oz jar of salsa (heat and brand is up to you. I use Publix brand mild)
2 tbsp of tomato paste
Spices (season to taste) - cayenne, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper

Directions
1. Brown your ground beef with the spices and drain. Preheat oven to 350*F
2. Add jar of salsa, half a jar of water, and tomato paste. Mix well and let simmer on medium heat.
3. Cook noodles per package directions, leaving at al dente firmness, drain.
4. Mix beef and sauce mixture with the noodles and combine well so all noodles are covered.
5. Mix in one cup of cheese until melted and well blended.
6. Sprinkle additional cup of cheese on top of mixture and bake for 8 minutes or until perfectly melted.

As you can see, I drizzle a bit of ranch dressing across it because I love how the coolness of the ranch compliments the heat of the salsa. It is so delicious and I promise, you will love it too!

Thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 18:30:00 +0000

This image is so perfectly me in every way!

Thank you, all of you, for allowing me the time and space to work on things that needed attention. I appreciate all of the emails and messages, both here and on other social media platforms, inquiring about my well-being and making sure everything was okay. I was moved by all of the offers for help, even without any knowledge of what I was going through.

The crafting community is one of love. Selfless love. We reach out to help and don't even care what the challenge may be. We just know that someone is hurting and needs to be lifted up. I was most certainly lifted - with love and support from what others might call complete strangers. I would never call you that. You aren't strangers... you are my family that I just haven't been able to meet in person yet... and I am so blessed to have you. There were days where I turned to your messages for comfort and inspiration to make it through the day. There were days when the only smile came from your words. I can't even begin to describe what y'all have done for me these past 4 months.

Things are better now. It took a lot of hard work, a lot of love, and oh so many prayers but things are improving. Aspects of my life had to be broken down so they could be rebuilt - better and stronger. I learned a great many things about myself this past quarter and I hope to continue to learn as the year goes on. What transpired is not what I was envisioning for this year but in a way, I'm glad it happened because what has grown from it is blooming into something even more beautiful that what once was.

I know I sound cryptic and I know I usually share openly with you, my online family. This situation, this one is one that I will keep to myself, at least for now. It is still delicate and fragile. It needs to be protected as it heals and the roots take hold. I know you understand and I know you will respect that because you have already shown that me.

I just wanted to take a moment and let you know that I heard you and I saw you... and I appreciate you so very much.

Chase your joy

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 19:12:00 +0000

I have decided that 2019 is the year that I chase my joy. Life is too short to do things that don't bring you joy... and I am supporting others with the same mindset. To that end, let me introduce you to John.

John is the brother of a dear friend of mine. If you run around Ravelry and spend time along the corridors of a certain castle, you know her as Stenojoz. She has the most caring and giving soul that you could ever dream of knowing. It doesn't matter what is going on with her - and trust me, life has tossed her some pretty craptastic lemons - she is there to make sure everyone around her is okay. Her kind and generous nature must be a family trait because her brother shares it... along with her crazy creative spirit.

So when this sweet family asked if would be willing to lend a hand in getting his little creative endeavor off the ground, I was not going to say no! Look this art he created... and it speaks volumes that he gets how much knitting and crocheting truly are healing tools that keep us grounded. I always say that my number one anxiety medication is knitting.

The shirts are generously sized and so very soft! He sent me a 3x because that is what I always get but honestly, I think I should have gotten just a 2x. It is soft, roomy, and just the perfect color for me. Purple is Pokey's favorite color so you know he tried to steal it from me. I told him the minute he crafted me something, I would share.

John is waiting for you to come and see what all he has waiting for you. You can follow him on his Facebook page as or on Instagram to get a sneak peek at all his crazy new designs.

As an added bonus, he was sweet enough to give y'all a discount! Just check out his shop, order your shirt (or mug, or bag, or sweatshirt), and use the code "MYTHERAPY" at check out to receive 12% off your order!! This code is good until Mother's Day, May 12th but don't delay. I know that I see a bag in my future, as well as my mama's.

Cattle calls...

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:19:00 +0000

Don't you love going somewhere in a large group - meaning roughly 10 people - and you have to do a simple meet and greet. It is a short affair. You are told to stand up, say what your end goal is, and why you should be the one to do it. Every anxious introvert's dream come true, right?

But you do it because this project is important to you. The first person doesn't follow the directions and gives a long dissertation that doesn't even answer the prompt. The second person, who is wearing jeans of all things to a gathering of professionals, gives a summary of her life which also doesn't answer the prompt and sits down.

You are next so you stand up, state your name, declare your end goal, and give a concise answer as to why you should be the one to do it.

The other members of the party continue on the diatribe format that does not answer the question but you are smiling and pretending to be engaged. You are mindful that your face doesn't say anything out loud that it shouldn't. You are faking interest and confidence.

Once it is over, you are reminded to turn your ringer back on so that you can receive their call back with an invitation to their assessment. You head to your car, turn your ringer on, and head home.

Almost 24 hours later and no call. So what is the take away here? Screw the directions and give a diatribe next time the situation presents itself? Your personality is rubbish and everyone disliked you? You orator skills suck and you should just give up?

I honestly don't know but I can tell you that it is disheartening to see how following the directions given is not what they actually wanted. All I can do is believe that I was meant for something else. I won't give up and I won't let it get me down. I have faith that what I am searching for is out there and will be arriving soon. I was simply meant for more.

Next time, though, could you just do this over the phone and save me the two hours of driving? Thanks!

Believe them

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 02:53:00 +0000

I have this amazing friend who is so very wise. She also has some of the best sayings and on occasion, I can hear her in my head. Lately, she has been reminding me that when a person shows you who they truly are, believe them...

So I am.

I am believing them and moving on. My husband one time told me that he was amazed at how I will take a moment to process or grieve the events and then I make a plan. I have processed and I have grieved. I have also put a plan in motion and am beginning to see the little sprouts of my seedlings breaking ground.

I hope to have an update by the end of the month. I am confident things are now on the proper track.

Time will tell... But at least I can tell my friend that I believed them.

Random musings

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:44:00 +0000

I promised myself I would write more because I love writing. Not stories, per say, but writing in general. I just enjoy the act of putting pen to paper - or in the case, fingers to keys - and letting whatever random thoughts flow from my brain to the paper or screen. I laugh at what comes out because a lot of it is just random nonsense but sometimes, creative ideas come from random utter nonsense. I'm going to consider this multi-tasking and write my musings here...

Why are my glasses always dusty and why can't you simply blow the dust off? Why is it when you try to wipe the dust off, it becomes a smeary mess that required special wipey things to clean off properly?

When I was little, they didn't have the special wipey things to clean glasses so I would hand them to my mama when we were out - because I can't stand smudgy glasses - and she would lick the lens and use her shirt hem to clean them.

I have been known to do the same without thinking.. because thinking about doing it is just gross but in the moment, doesn't bother me at all.

I have been wearing glasses for 40 years.

I should design glasses for people with small nose bridges but full cheeks - the plight of my life in the bespectacled world.

I love my house being clean but I begrudge cleaning it because I know that Pokey and Hobbit are going to mess it up. Not on purpose or out of spite, just by living life. Messiness doesn't bother them like it does me. Messiness makes me physically mad. I think the phrase "living in a refugee camp" came out of my mouth last week - and I wasn't kidding because that is how it felt. I made Pokey help me clean it all up before he tucked into his game on his day off. Now I'm just trying to maintain it but working nights makes it harder than I thought it would since I am constantly exhausted.

I am not naturally a night person.

I applied for a new role. I meet all the desired qualifications, which are above and beyond the required qualifications. I hope I get it - though the interview process scares the snot out of me. Hi, I'm a random girl with social anxiety so let's spend the next 30 minutes to an hour focusing on me and what I have done in my life because that's not an area of life I suck in.

My off day outfits seem to simply consist of things I can't wear to work because of the guidelines. Today's ensemble: Twenty One Pilots grey tshirt with Trench yellow graphic of daisies and my black leggings with glittery gold Mickey head icons all over it. To me, it 'matches' and works... it's the gold that ties it all together.

I'm a boring cook. I have chicken thawing for supper and I have no idea what to do with it. Probably just going to bake it and slap BBQ sauce on it. It sounds good to me. I have the taste-buds of a toddler. I really want to eat at one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants one day but I don't like poncy food so I would need to get a burger after we leave... because burgers are the world's most perfect food.

So, yeah... this is an exercise I try to do just to keep me writing. It is so easy for me to let my relaxation things go but in the end, it is those things that help keep my anxiety at bay. Writing, knitting, taking pictures - most anything I do creatively keeps me grounded and calm. I work in a role that is honestly a bit stressful so it is important to keep a balance, especially when you are in mandatory OT that has you working super long days on a schedule that is opposite of your normal body clock. It can all pile up until you feel overwhelmed so be sure that you take time for you... and now, a gratuitous collection of things that I have recently completed because no post is complete without a photo or two...

I'm sorry... what now?

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:00:00 +0000

This is getting ridiculous. I am not going to ask forgiveness or apologize for the color of my skin - just as I would NEVER ask anyone else to do so. I am not going to seek out designers based on the color of their skin - white, black, brown, purple, or green. I am not going to seek out designers based on their physical or mental abilities either... or their age... or where they live... or any other non-issue factor because when you do that, you are still being discriminatory.

I base my decisions on the product at hand, on the beauty of the design, and on the price versus quality for which the product is being offered. Those are my deciding factors. I don't need to know about anything else, just as the seller doesn't need to know those things about me.

Can you imagine walking into a store and asking if the maker of the product was of a specific ethnic background? Would you ask if the designer of the product had any physical or mental challenges? Could you even fathom asking about what the person did behind closed doors in their own bedroom? I should hope not - because those things have absolutely no baring on whether or not the product that caught your eye is worth the price they are asking for it. The item is something you want, you have the funds, then purchase it. Plain and simple.

If you like it, buy. If you don't, don't buy it. The rest of the story is not something that has any weight in the process. Buying from a person because of the color of their skin is just as disgusting as not buying for the same reason. You show honor and respect for the item which, in turns, bestows honor and respect to the one who created it.

I grew up in Alabama. I know racism. I have seen it first hand. This is so not that. Stop it... and while we're at, stop apologizing for things out of your control. I have no privilege. My husband and I work our tails off to afford our little apartment and our cost of living bills. We have decent jobs with decent benefits. He has been working his backside off since he was 16 - 30 years grinding it out to get where he is today. I went to college (paid for by grants, scholarships, and student loans which I am STILL paying back), earned my degree - with honors because I worked hard for it, and have spent the past 25 years working nonstop. I am not yet where I want to be but I know what work that needs to be put in to get there and I am dedicated to doing it. No one has handed me anything. No one has handed our kids anything or my husband anything. We WORKED for it and we are WORKING for it.

I know this post has more than likely ruffled some feathers but I needed to get it off my chest. The events of late have ruffled mine. It is like the world is constantly looking for ways to be offended. I would rather look for ways to celebrate. Seek out the beauty in the world and if you can't find it, create it. The only way things will be as those who are causing this mess wish for them to be is to actually stop calling attention to the aspects that do not play a part in any of it - instead of looking for a black/brown/green/purple/white designer, just look for a designer. Instead of looking for a gay/lesbian/transgender artist, just look for an artist. I know you may think you are somehow rising above all when you call out these aspects of an individual but in reality, there is no need to call them out at all.

A person is a person. A designer is a designer. An artist is an artist.

No one cares that I am a married, heterosexual, middle-aged, white woman with a mental challenge who earns just enough to keep her outside of the Federal poverty lines. When I step outside my door, I don't introduce myself as such - and neither does anyone else. We, as a society, need to stop pointing out every little thing and simply look at the bigger picture. A person is more than the sum of their parts. We seem to have forgotten that and spend the vast majority of our time and energy now dissecting and shining a spotlight on the parts instead of viewing the beauty of the whole person.

Race doesn't matter. Sexual orientation doesn't matter. Religion doesn't matter. The quality of the craftsmanship, the beauty of the design, the value of the product versus the price... this is what matters.

Period.

Ten days in and...

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:17:00 +0000

I have mixed feelings about this new year. One the one hand, it is a year full of possibilities and wonder... and on the other it is 355 more days of the same old same old.

I don't buy into the whole "new year, new you" garbage that is thrown at you this time of year. You are you. Be you. Embrace you. Enjoy you. Celebrate you. You don't need to change or become the societal version of whatever norm they deem normal this week. As long as you are happy, healthy, and aren't hurting anyone (including yourself) then you are aces!!

Everyone at work has jumped on this one particular fad diet bandwagon and I did not. I don't do fad diets. I don't do diets, period. I know my body type and what it needs. Cutting things out of your diet is not healthy for you. All things in moderation. Moderation is the key to everything in life. Am I the societal version of whatever norm they deem normal this week? Oh heck no... but the flip side to that question is do I care... and the answer is still oh heck no.

Even my year of (mostly) selfish crafting got off on a strange start. I cast on a Sockhead Hat, a pair of Susie Roger's Reading Mitts, and had to start a baby blanket for Pokey to give his boss who is expecting a child apparently next week. I admit to being less than gracious about gift crafting in January when I had just declared that this year, I was going to be (mostly) selfish - I even farmed out a sweater for my husband to my mother to finish! I was serious about it this year!!

So ten days into this year and I can say that my first FO of 2019 was indeed selfish! I finished my Sockhead Hat the other day while waiting on Hobbit from one of her appointments. I love it too. I've worn it a few times and thankfully, the temperatures are going to be low (for Florida, that means in the 40s when I get off work) for the next week at least.

I really do love the colors. It is so cheerful and the weight of this hat is honestly perfect for most of the year here in Florida. I can wear simply because I love wearing hats! I also have my mitts about 75% completed as well...

I finished one completely on the 2nd or 3rd and I put it down to finish the hat and now, I picked it back up again the other day because I didn't want "second mitt" syndrome to kick and these babies are made out of merino and cashmere so you know they are delicious to work on and wear. I got to just before the thumb gusset at work yesterday...

So now, I am thinking I can finish that blasted baby blanket with a bit more grace than I started it with. Here is where I am as of right now...

I have toddler feet, I swear. That skein is about halfway done. I am not sure how much bigger it will get but I have five colors to go. It appears to end on the dark green which I think will give it good balance.

How has your new year started out? Anything amazing in the works?

Cast On The New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 01:26:00 +0000

I am holding a New Year's party - in the comfort of wherever you choose to be on New Year's Day!

That's right, no need to get dressed for this shindig. It is done from your favorite and most comfortable crafting spot. Since this is a year of (mostly) selfish crafting, I thought why not throw a party. Now, we all know my anxiety would go through the roof so we're throwing my perfect kind of party - one where we all enjoy it on our own and share via photos!!

It is so easy to participate... just cast on your first selfish project at any point between midnight and 11:59 pm ET on New Year's Day. Work until you're satisfied or life gets in the way, and then take a quick picture. You'll need one for your Ravelry project page anyway so just post that puppy up on Instagram or Twitter and use the hashtag #PMMCastOnParty2019 so we can all see what everyone is up to this year.

I am going to be more active and part of that is my promise to be a bit more selfish this year. It sounds awful but part of my challenge has been not doing enough for me and doing too much for others. My cup was empty and I could not pour from it for a long while. It is time to find a better balance so that is the goal. Saying no is not a bad thing. Taking time for yourself isn't horrible, it's necessary.

So come join in on the fun. New Year's Day at any time. Just find a project you want to make for yourself and go to town! Share with everyone via your favorite social media platform by either posting in the Facebook event I created or using the hashtag on Instagram or Twitter.

It is time

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 17:50:00 +0000

Chewy Chester Newman agrees - it's selfish crafting time

2019 is the year. I have decided. You can't change my mind. I'm doing it. It is the year that I am going to craft selfishly!

I say it every year but this year I mean it. I have spent the better part of my life crafting for everyone else but there are a few things I really want to make for me so I have decided that after 20+ years, I am finally going to do it and just use my crafting time for myself.

Okay, I admit it. I just can't be completely selfish... I will continue my charity crafting for the Disney Blanketeers but I am thinking a "one for one" system should work. For every thing I make for me, I will create one newborn hat to donate... or if I need to feel like I have actually accomplished something during a larger project, I will make a newborn hat. I honestly love participating in charity knitting so in a way, that is selfish... right?

But on the whole, my crafting is going to be for me... I promise... I mean it... this is the year... just look at my Ravelry queue... I'm totally serious... Fine, I'm going to try... happy?

Weekend Wonderment

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 16:08:00 +0000

I think this weekend, it is time to try and snap out of the Eeyore funk that I have been in since we moved and put up our Christmas decorations. Thanksgiving is still two weeks away but honestly, I need to have something cheerful and bright in this place that I am trying to learn to love.

It has been an uphill battle - noisy neighbors below and behind us, shift bid results placing me back on a closing shift so I am not getting home until well after midnight every night, days off that are inconvenient with the rest of my family's schedule, and the fact that the night before last someone stole the Disney cast member magnet that had been on my car for almost two years without incident. I am close to tears and doing my best to not despise this place. I promise I am, but right now I am just failing.

I need something magical... so I will make it magical by putting up my Christmas decorations "early" and simply enjoying them for as long as I can. Christmas time is my favorite time of year so instead of boxing myself in and only having it up for a whirlwind moment, I am going to put it up now and absorb every last ounce of joy that I can from it.

The long and short of it all...

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 12:10:00 +0000

If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably already read this but I promised to tell y'all what has been going on and I am not one to break my promises so here goes...

This has been the perfect "Sunday" morning for me. I go back to work tomorrow after the whirlwind that has been my life since September 11th.

For those who don't know, the house that we were leasing to own is now foreclosed upon. It appears as though the man with whom we entered the lease agreement with has no legal right to the house. He broke in, changed the door locks, and leased it out.

The house was apparently entered into foreclosure on 2/2016 and we signed our lease on 6/2016 without any knowledge of it. Then, on 9/11/2018, the Albertelli Law group attempted to serve papers to my precious 13 year old Hobbit. Pokey and I were both at work.

I called them and was informed that we were losing our home and had to get out. I was in shock. The person on the other line was so cold and cruel. I offered to take over payments, trying to explain that we had been living there for the past 27 months, paying our rent on time EVERY MONTH since June of 2016. She called me a "squatter" and told me that I had to move out since the house was going up for sale at auction in October.

I cried. I was scared and lost and overwhelmed. I had less than a month to find a place to live, pack up everything, and move. If I hadn't already believed in God, the events over the next two weeks would have made me a believer.

As for the awful man who did what he did, I know that he will get caught - truly bad people always do. I hope the $34,000 he basically stole was beneficial to him. Perhaps he needed it more than we did. Perhaps he has some personal drama that needed such drastic measures. Perhaps he is just a horribly bad man. Whatever the case, it is no longer my worry or concern.

So here I sit this morning - thankful for my parents and the grace of God - in our new apartment as I watch the sun rise and listen to the wildlife around the lake. It may not have been what I wanted to do but I am so blessed to have been able to do it. It is now time to simply say thank you and let the anxiety of the past 23 days go so we can all move forward with grace and dignity.

My family and I are safe and settled... That is all a girl can ask for... That and a quiet coffe morning with her knitting.

Trying to make the best of it...

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 15:45:00 +0000

That is what we are doing. I promise, there is a long and most sorted tale coming your way shortly but for now, please now that we are all fine and things must happen for a reason. That being said, enjoy some random photos from this past month because memories should always be captured, no matter how small...

I now have six of these and have started on the plain sparkly green ones. 6/24 completed on my garland!

Obligatory 'we got the keys' photo... forced smiles but you know the saying, 'fake it 'til you make it'

We saw Fall Out Boy a few Sundays ago in Orlando. They were amazing!

Andy Black released a new song and I have to say, I didn't think I would like it but I do - have a listen and I bet you will love it too. Be sure to go to YouTube and make it big because it is good for a giggle.

Gotta go, more packing needs to be done. Be back soon...

Tuesday Tunes, v.33

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000

I love this song. Yes, it's fun to sing along to but if you really listen to the lyrics, it's inspiring. Enjoy!

Motivational Monday, v.33

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000

The final bit is the hardest but it is also the most rewarding. Go, be daring today. I believe in you!

Weekend Wonderment v.32

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Working on the weekends isn't so bad but truth be told, I'd rather be home knitting in my blue chair.

Too many babies

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 14:20:00 +0000

There has been minimal progress since my last shot.

I am about baby projected out. I have a blanket on my needles now that I am sloughing through the center of since it's corner to corner. I hope to finish that portion and hit the decreases with a vengeance tonight. It is for a coworker who I fear will not be returning once her fourth - a little girl after three boys - finally arrives. Her husband enlisted and was accepted into the Navy Seals so that's a whole new world for her. She is due in 10 weeks and I started it on June 22nd, so that is almost 7 weeks ago. Unless I pick up the pace, I'm going to be cutting it super close.

My husband came home the other night and informed me that his boss' wife is expecting her third child. He doesn't know if it's a boy or a girl and would I mind making something for him. Not knowing the gender makes things hard for me but he is my husband and I do love him so we all know that I will be making a blanket for the unknown future spawn. My challenge here is that I made an intricate lace blanket for his last boss who was pregnant. It is known by these people what I can do so I feel I must either repeat the same blanket or find something equally as challenging. I'll probably just do the same one since I know it and it is honestly fun to work on.

I also just learned that my daughter's former college roommate just learned she is expecting so I am debating if I should make her something. I only met her once and even though she is super sweet and my eldest really loves her, I know my mother made her a blanket already. Not sure if I am obligated to make something for her so I'm waffling on that front.

It isn't that I don't like baby stuff, I do. I have spent most of my time this past month and a half making baby hats for the Disney Blanketeers. I am just wanting a change of scenery for a bit. Maybe make something for a grown up or something for the holidays... yes, I said holidays... we are heading into the golden quarter so I need to make a few things for presents still that I have yet to start.

Oh well. At least I will be rewarded with baby photos enjoying whatever it is that I have made them. That sort of makes it worth it... sort of.

It's the little things

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 17:18:00 +0000

That is how you know you are loved. Yes, grand gestures are great and amazing and magnificent and everything our younger selves think they should be because we watch movies and read books that constantly show us that is what love is supposed to be... but it's not. Each person has a specific love language and it is up to us to learn it, just as we have our own love language and they learn ours.

Love is found mostly in the quiet moments. The little blips in life that most don't notice until they are gone. Waking up to coffee on your bedside when you didn't even ask for it... even more, knowing exactly how you take your coffee. Folding the laundry or even helping with the folding without being asked. Picking up one of his time consuming chores because you know that he has had a bad week. Making a meal you can't stand simply because you know he loves it. Cleaning the bathroom because there isn't a cleaner on the universe that doesn't bother your asthma. Taking out the dog whose eyes are floating so you can finish a row and not lose your place in the lace pattern.

I love you too, Pokey.

I could go on but you get the point. These little things, while they may seem common place and normal, are what showing love is about so don't take them for granted. Show honest appreciation for the little acts... because that gets noticed too. If you don't acknowledge those things, and I mean sincerely acknowledge them, the person doing them will feel as though they don't matter and they will stop.

For the past decade, if I am graced with the ability to sleep later than my husband, I wake to coffee on my bedside table. When I was a homemaker, he woke me with kisses and coffee. When I worked from home, he woke me with kisses and coffee. On my weekend, he wakes me with kisses and coffee. Even on the days I have to be up at 5 am and he is peacefully talking in his sleep as I get ready for work, I give him a kiss goodbye and there is freshly brewed coffee waiting for me in the carafe.

That is his love language... and I love him for it.

Motivational Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Weekend Wonderment

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Unforgettable

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 15:10:00 +0000

That is the only word I can use to describe last night. It was the most amazing evening. The bands, the music, the family time - at one point, Hobbit got up and went to get a photo with the first act... BY HERSELF! She didn't want us to go with her. She was adamant that this was something she wanted to try and do alone so we let her... and she did it! She even has a photo of her with them, they're called Kulick and you should definitely give them a listen because they are fabulous. The smile on her face in that shot says it all - she is beaming! Don't tell, but I screenshot her photo from Instagram - look at that face...

She had to have asked a random stranger to take the picture too so double kudos to my awesome kid!

After their amazing set, The Rocket Summer took the stage. Wow. This guy will blow your mind. The sounds he was able to make and the songs he sang were just beautiful. I got one single shot of him and he is back lit by hot pink light so his face is gone. I'm not posting it here (it's on Instagram if you really want to see it, along with a few others and some videos of the night) but I did post a link to his music because you have to give yourself the honor of listening to him. You won't regret it, I swear.

After his set, I simply lost my mind. I have to admit, I am not their typical fan. I'm technically "old" by their average aged fan standard. It's okay. I don't honestly care. I smile every time I hear one of the kids in the audience say something like "Man, I wish my mom was like that" or "That kid is lucky, look at her mom" - and this is usually while I am singing along, acting like a Woo Girl, and having a blast. I did remember to get a few photos...

This was before it all started and we had just found our seats. See Pokey's shirt - Kellin dedicated the song "Gold" to "the awesome dad in the Stay Golden shirt". He was tired so he was sitting, holding my purse, while Hobbit and I sang.

This is actually the encore when Kellin and Nick came out to sing 2 Chords. It was amazing!

This man, Nick Martin, is the embodiment of pure joy. He is so happy that he truly fills the room with his energy.

There is no zoom on this image! Sleeping With Sirens was literally two people away from us. This acoustic tour was a dream come true for me. I have seen them before but I had always wanted to catch an acoustic show - and Kellin said that this would probably be the last time they do one so I am forever grateful for last night.

No concert is complete without purchasing the epic tour date shirt. There we were, 5th from the bottom on the left.

I was one happy camper. I put in some fabulous washout purple dye because Disney would freak if I went to work on Friday with purple hair even though I work in a backstage support area. I wore my pretty white off the shoulder summer dress and my sparkly pink tennis shoes. For one of the oldest fans, I was rocking it appropriately.

I did see a few other parents in the audience, my husband included, who were just sitting there. Pokey didn't really know them but he simply enjoys music so was having a good time. He has to stand all day at work so no one faulted him for sitting. The other parents though... I don't get it. They looked miserable. There was a mom and dad, looked to be about our age, sat in the row in front of us and they were just bumps on a log. It's like they thought they couldn't have fun. I was such a sharp contrast - and really always have been I guess. Granted, I am an honest to goodness fan of their music but even at shows where I'm not a super fan, I still have a good time. I think it does Hobbit good to see me up, awkwardness and all, just unapologetically enjoying myself. At one point, Kellin was talking during the lead in to "Better Off Dead" and he shared about his personal challenges with anxiety and depression. By the time he was done, just before he started singing, Hobbit and I were both just in tears because we understood and connected with him on that very real and raw level. We weren't embarrassed or ashamed. We were living in the moment - singing along, tears streaming down our faces, my arm around her shoulder and just living it.

When it was all over, I even had the courage to go to the stage with Hobbit while Nick was giving away the set lists (no, we didn't get one) and holler "Thank you" to him. He put his hand on his heart, smiled at us, and said "No, thank you!". This made our night!! The first time he came over to our side of the stage, we both waved at him and since he couldn't wave back, he gave us the biggest and cheesiest smile ever - right at us - and we were tickled. The last time we saw them, we connected with Nick and he tried to toss us guitar picks, missed, shrugged, and blew us kisses instead. That was another amazing summer night just last year.

So I guess I really can think of another word to describe last night... amazing... because it totally was!

Oh, and since it is Thursday and I try to track my projects on this day, here is an updated shot of my Marley Blanket that I am making for a coworker who is due to have her first girl in October. It will be her fourth child but her first girl...

I am literally halfway done. I have 3 more rows of the even section and then I start the decreases!

Tuesday Tunes

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Tomorrow, we finally get to go see Sleeping With Sirens on their summer acoustic tour. We caught them last year on their Up Close and Personal tour when Gossip was released. We are super excited to share this experience with Pokey since he couldn't go last time. Our seats are third row, stage right. It is going to be amazing! In honor of our adventure tomorrow, here is one of my most favorite acoustic versions of their songs for you to fall in love with...

Motivational Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000

You'll never guess what I did!

noreply@blogger.com (Peppermint Mocha Mama) — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Here, I'll give you a hint...

With my donation on Friday, I managed to log 101 Disney VoluntEAR hours already for the year! I am so over the moon proud of myself. I gave myself a goal of 100 hours this year. I had a lot going on and I wanted to challenge myself but thanks to some serious crafting during times when I didn't think I would able to, I was able to smash my goal with 5 months left in the year. All of my hours are from crafting and donating it all to the Disney BlanketEARS.

I'm feeling pretty dog gone good about myself right now.