Here in begins real life again. Breakfast at home. Pretty dishes. Writing projects. Recipe projects. Laundry. Cleaning. My fast + furious desktop computer. Conference calls. Charlottesville!
And the surgery waiting room. Matt just took Karen to the hospital and we will be waiting for a call around 3PM to signify we can go see her. We live just a mile from the hospital, so Karen said it would be wise to hold the waiting room at home instead of in the hospital’s tiny wing.
He asked me to make breakfast while he got ready to go and requested a smoothie. I happily whipped one up.
Blended dough style, which means oats were the majority ingredient!
The Mix
For TWO smoothies
- 2/3 cup oats
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1 big banana
- 1/4 cup Vega Tropical Shake n Go smoothie mix
- 2 tbsp ground flax
Toppings
- Rosie’s Best original granola (which I froze and thawed – worked great!)
- Lauren’s espresso salty nuts
- A taste of Nutty’s Butterscotch
As we unpacked our ENTIRE car and put away all of our Christmas presents, we discovered we had quite a crowd waiting to play outside! I would have loved to let these kitties inside to play, but Matt is very strongly allergic to cats, so unfortunately we can never have one as a pet – or even pet one for fear of dander on the hands 🙁 These guys live a few houses down with a pack of about 6 more!
As much as I love Christmas, this tree has GOT to go! It’s darkening up my bright and airy living room.
Thanks so much for all of your kind comments about Karen <3
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I’m ready to take down our tree too, which is weird since I usually love leaving it up until late January!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
The Christmas tree is starting to come down today as well – I’m sad though, it looks so pretty!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
We’re undecorating today. I love the holidays but after the 25th I’m ready for all the jazz to be down.
Hope her surgery goes well!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
I took down my tree ASAP on Boxing Day.
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
I’m taking down decorations today too. It helps to mentally start the new year with last year’s decorations removed.
As fun and satisfying as the holidays are in so many ways, it really feels good to return to normal routines.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Wow I completely love the look of your living room! That chair is awesome!
My tree is still up and we still turn it on at night… sad story.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Oh sweetie, I will be thinking about her all day. I know this is scary for all of you. I am sorry that your family has to go through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) says
Karen will be in my thoughts. I hope everything goes well. I’ll be praying for you guys.
PS I love your pear place mat! It is so very bright!
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
Love that placemat! I’m headed to Pier One after work to look for more on clearance 🙂
I’m really allergic to cats too (though not deadly or anything). I have never really wanted one for a pet though…always been happy with dogs! Have a good day!
Justy2003 says
Hoping everything goes well for Karen today.
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
I never want to take my tree down! Ever! 😛
Hope Karen’s surgery goes well! Good luck to her!
Katie D says
I think the gray kitty is a Maine Coon!!! I have 2 Maine Coons and they have a similar ruff, tail and furry ears/paws!
Alison says
Good luck and a speedy recovery to Karen!
Kristin says
Praying for smooth hands of the surgeons, and no spread of the cancer! Hope she does well.
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
Sure know the feeling of unpacking the car after a christmas away! Seriously, it took me over a day to stow and organize all the christmas gifts, suitcase contents, etc. etc.
All the best wishes and prayers for a successful surgery for Karen.
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Allison @ PickyEatingRD says
We soooo need to put away all our Christmas decorations. They are everywhere though and a bit overwhelming!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Thinking of Karen today! Praying for a successful surgery.
Valerie @ City|Life|eats says
Best wishes to Karen 🙂
kate says
Ditto! You guys are in our thoughts!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I hope the surgery goes well!!
Liz says
Definitely keeping Karen in my thoughts today. I pray the surgery goes quickly and takes care of everything.
Camille says
All my best to Karen! I hope she gets well soon!
Also, you should put Matt on antihistamines so you can get a kitten 🙂 I always thought I was allergic to cats but discovered that it is only some cats. My Dad is the same way too. Maybe Matt is as well? My kitten and I rub faces and I have zero problems!
Kath says
He haaaates taking medicine. My parents have always had cats and he is miserable when he’s there – if it gets on his clothes, he will be allergic when putting his sweaters away for the summer!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i really want out tree down too…but i’m SO not in the mood to actually do the work! laziness at its finest…
Amanda (Eating Up) says
What about Siberian Cats? They’re supposed to be really good for people with allergies, and they’re super cute!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Hope your mother in laws surgery goes well 🙂
Jil @ Big, City, Lil Kitchen says
Best wishes to Karen!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I’ll be thinking about Karen today– good luck to her!
I LOVE that mat/towel. SO cute!! Pier One?
Kath says
C+B!
alana (at) the food says
karen is one lucky lady to have so many good thoughts going her way (including mine!)
tree comes down january 1 in our house… is that strange?
April says
I’ll be thinking good thoughts for Karen today!! 🙂
Erin @ Shortcut to Bliss says
Where is this AMAZING pear tea towel from? I am crossing my fingers it is a tea towel as I am slightly obsessed with them.
Kath says
C+B!!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
Awesome mug and bowl!
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food says
Sending hugs & prayers to Karen 🙂
You have such a beautiful home!!!
Alaina says
Soon our tree will go back in the box. All 3 feet of it 🙂
Hope Karen’s surgery goes well 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I need to get my tree down as well – something about seeing Christmas related things (trees, hearing Christmas songs, etc) depresses me. I hope Karen is feeling ok today. 🙂
Natalia - a side of simple says
As much as I love traveling and visiting and vacation-like get-aways, home + routines have my heart. Saying extra prayers for Karen this morning!
Ann @ Day by Day says
It is nice when you get back from a vacation just to be in your kitchen using your own dishes and get back into your own normalcy. I love it!
My Dad used to claim to be allergic to cats, but my Mom loves them, and we always have one. I think that was just his excuse because he’s a dog person, but he eventually gave up. Poor Dad!
I hope everything goes well today! I know it’s a stressful day. I hope Karen recovers quickly!
Karen says
My very best wishes to Karen; she’ll be in my prayers today. Will be waiting for positive post-op news from you this afternoon…take good care, Kath.
Cyclist Kate says
Best wishes to you all on this day and the days following. Somewhere I “know” that Karen will have a full recovery!
I read above that Matt hates taking medicine, but have you guys ever thought about allergy drops? They’re essentially allergy shots–small doses of the allergens taken to build up immunity–but instead of having to go to the doctor, the doctor mixes up your specific formula (they’re custom formulated to have only the things you’re allergic to) and puts it in a little dropper, then you put five drops under your tongue every night for 3-5 years (I get a fresh batch every month, arrives automatically in the mail, very convenient). I’ve been on them for 2 years and went from not even being able to be in the same house with cats without itching and wheezing, to being able to stay at my parents’ house with three cats and two dogs with no problem except for a little itching on my neck–no sneezing or wheezing at all! They’re expensive, but it’s been totally life changing and is naturopathic medicine, so I’m not so skeeved out about taking it every day for 5 years. Just something to keep in mind!
Again, best wishes for you all today.
Kath says
That does sound like a solution, but I’m afraid the cost and effort might not be worth it since it’s really only a problem a few times a year. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Allison K. says
I’ll be praying for Karen today.
Also, LOVE LOVE LOVE the pear placemat!
KimMomofNine says
Best of luck to Karen today. Been awhile since I’ve posted but wanted to let you know that you are all in my thoughts from my corner of Canada 🙂
Sweet chair!
Josie @ Skinny Way Of Life says
I like the tree even if it is darkening the room, I think it makes the living room look homey : )
I hope everything goes well with Karen, and for a speedy recovery! *hugs*
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says
Praying for you guys!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
I am sending loads of love to Karen and the two of you today! Let me know if you need anything.
sheryl says
Prayers for Karen and your family!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Yeah, our Christmas tree is coming down New Year’s day – not a fun job!
Elizabeth (SomethingPithy) says
Waiting for calls from the hospital is the absolute worst. When my mother was in (and out and in again and so on and so forth), I kept my phone literally 6 inches from me at all times. (Couldn’t keep it in my pocket, because what if my butt rejects the call? Or there’s some mysterious signal killing force field created by the rivets?) It’s really not fun.
So I hope the day goes quickly and the surgery goes well.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
lauren’s nuts are so tasty – i think they kept me up when i ate them at night – that espresso works!
fingers crossed for karen.
Ashley says
Thinking about you + the family today. All the best! p.s. I’m also allergic to cats + in general do not like them at all 🙂
Elisabeth says
We’re all thinking about Karen & your family today!
Stephanie @ The Travelling Tastebuds says
Kath… you have such a beautiful home 🙂
Meg says
Hey Kath,
I’m about 30 miles from Charlottesville.
Would still love to get together while I’m hear
For two weeks!
We’re headed to Beer Run with my cousin tonight!
Tell me what you want to do!
Email me
Megs
Mama Pea says
I missed sending you well wishes for Karen, but she is in my prayers today, as are you and Matt.
laine @ beets, butter and mountaintops says
I took mine down the day after Christmas. So happy to have the space back!
Is that tiny white building part of the hospital?
nicole says
I hope Karen’s surgery goes well. You’ll be in my thoughts!
Katherine: Unemployed says
back to life; back to reality! at least you survived! best wishes with what you have going on
Alicia @culinarybliss says
Keeping you guys in my thoughts today.
Glad the granola still tastes great! I like to keep in in the fridge all the time because it keeps longer that way.
Sarah says
Mmm, that looks yummy! Love your coffee mug! I agree, the tree at my house has also got to go.
Namaste Gurl says
Best wishes to your mother- in- law, Kath! And happy day to you and Matt 😉
Donna Porter says
I totally agree that the tree has to go. My is just annoying me at this point. Prayers to Karen today!!!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
what a wonderful breakfast! i’m having a lovely break at my parents’ house during the holiday season, and i am NOT ready to get back to real life! 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
Wishing Karen a speedy recovery!!! 🙂
Katherine says
I hope Karen’s surgery goes well and she recovers quickly.
Love your living room!
Nicole, RD says
I love your living room and tree 🙂
Best wishes for Karen.
Sana says
Can you guys have dogs as a pet?
Kath says
He says he’s not allergic to dogs, but he sure sneezes a lot when he pets them! But not like cats. A dog is a possibility, but not a priority right now.
Juniper says
I work at an animal shelter. Cats are lovely aren’t they?
You can pet them by the way, just wash your hands afterwards and it should be no issues for allergies.
: )
Kelly says
I’m highly allergic to cats too, but this doesn’t stop Brad from petting them. I just act like he has the plague until he scrubs in like he’s about to perform surgery. Tell Matt I feel for him!
Peggy says
Aww, what cute little kitties! Hope Karen is doing well!
Leila @ Spinach and Skittles says
I wish we had a Crate & Barrel…I want those cute pear place mats! Good vibes out to Karen today.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
We haven’t taken down our tree yet! I’ll be sad to see it go because it means the holidays really are over! 🙁
Hannah says
Fingers crossed for Karen – hopefully everything goes smoothly for her.
Ling says
My fingers are crossed for Karen– may her surgery and recovery be speedy.
as for fun plates/mugs- urban outfitters is having a sale on cute stuff– did you know they are affiliated with anthro?
i dislike cats very strongly- to the point where i might’ve suggested i’m allergic to avoid contact… some cat lovers just don’t understand:)