Making A Simple London Fog

I have always been a coffee kind of girl.  But as I've gotten older hot coffee agrees with me less and less. Last year, at the peak of my stomach problems, I abandoned my morning coffee in favor of a cup of hot tea. 

Most days begin with a cup of Irish Breakfast Tea with milk and honey.  But some days, I feel like doing something a little bit fancier. That's when I will prepare a London Fog for myself.

A London Fog (or tea latte) is typically Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup.  I make mine a little different, but with the same delicious result. 

I start by brewing a cup of Earl Grey tea.  I usually use a decaf Earl Grey because sometimes caffeine can aggravate my reflux. 

I sweeten the tea with some honey.

For the milk and the vanilla flavor, I add unsweetened vanilla almond milk.  

If you're wanting to give it a little something extra (or a caffeine boost) - try making it a Dirty London Fog by adding a shot of espresso!

The London Fog latte is a tasty way to start my morning. Or a delicious treat on a chilly or rainy afternoon.

Have you tried a London Fog?

Thankful Thursday: January 16, 2025

I Am Thankful For:

Sunny, but cold, days

A car with remote start

Curbside pick-up

Calm before the storm

Pre-snow tasks completed

Puppy cuddles

Falling snow

The dogs running around in the snow

My sister's family is safe

Snow days

NFL Wild Card Playoffs

Soft pretzels

Sunday brunch

Listening to melting snow drip off the roof

The full moon

Bright blue skies

Homemade Ruebens

My grown "children"

Making things simple

Decluttering

Combating the Winter Blues

This post is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.  Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking help because of something you read on this website.

The dark, cold days and long nights of winter can cause many of us to feel sad.  For women in midlife, throw in the increased risk of depression and anxiety during perimenopause and menopause - and you've got a recipe for a serious case of gloom .

So how do we combat the "winter blues"?

🔵 Lighten Up

If possible, get outside - preferably for about 30 minutes a day.  Even if it's overcast or you're bundled up against the cold, you'll get some natural light which can help give you an emotional boost.  If you're unable to get outdoors - try sitting by a window.  It's not as effective as being outside, but can still provide some mood lifting benefits. You can also use light fixtures with full-spectrum lighting to mimic sunlight in your home.

🔵 Get Physical

Regular physical exercise is a natural mood enhancer and can help combat the symptoms of seasonal depression. 

🔵 Find Your People

I know... for a lot of us, the last thing we want to do when we're feeling 'blah' is drag ourselves out into the cold to go socialize.  But it really is important.  If there's one thing the pandemic taught us - it's that isolation is very bad for our mental health. Spending time with friends or loved ones, joining a class or club, or volunteering helps to reduce feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.  

🔵 Get Some Sleep

A regular sleep schedule helps expose you to light at regular intervals and allows for better, more restful sleep, which can ease symptoms of the winter blues. Some people benefit from the use of dawn simulating alarm clocks.  These wake you up by gradually increasing the amount of light in your room. 

🔵 Talk To Your Healthcare Provider 

You may need help beyond changes to your routine or self care to relieve symptoms - especially if they are significantly impacting your daily life. Your doctor can help you decide if light therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, or medication may be needed to provide you with relief.

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and Winter Blues are not the same thing. Winter Blues may come and go throughout the winter and is less likely to disrupt your daily life. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression related to a change in the seasons (some people even get it in the warmer months rather than winter). It is more debilitating and more likely to require professional help to manage.

But whether it's the Winter Blues or SAD - there is no need to suffer alone in silence. Don't be afraid to talk to people about how you are feeling.  Support is important. And you may find it comforting to learn that you're not the only one dealing with this. 

  

Sunday Inspiration: The Unimaginable

 

Thankful Thursday: January 9, 2025

I Am Thankful For:

Intentions for the new year

Days filled with creativity

Starting a new planner

Waking up early

A new book

Packing for the first trip of 2025

Early morning flights

Early check-in

Football games in the cold

Exploring Baltimore

Seafood dinner by the harbor

Late evening flights home

Snow flurries

A hot cup of tea

Trying a new soup recipe

Greek yogurt and berries

Volunteer opportunities

Aging Gracefully - or Not

If you follow the midlife crowd - in particularly midlife women - on Instagram like I do, you see a lot of  talk about "aging gracefully".  You'll see both positive and negative opinions about this term.  I have some strong feelings about it myself. 

But recently it has had me doing a lot of thinking about what exactly "aging gracefully" means. Who gets to decide what "aging gracefully" is?? 

I decided to go to the experts - women in midlife.  I put the call out to women on Instagram and Threads asking what "aging gracefully" means to them. Here's what I found out...

Aging gracefully means something a little different to each of us. For one woman that might mean coloring h. 

Some women don't care for the term "aging gracefully" and even actively push back against it.

"Absolutely no idea and no plans to find out." - the_wonky_one

For some women, "aging gracefully" means embracing this stage of life and all the changes it brings. 

"Aging gracefully is simply being comfortable in your own skin. Even if that means extra weight, some grey hair, some extra lines. It means taking all those things and rocking them with confidence 😊 Wear the short skirt or the leather pants, or the sweats 😹 Make peace with the laugh lines that were earned by expressing your joy. Eat the croissant, chase it with a glass of champagne 🥂 and celebrate the wins. You’ve arrived 🩷" - Mercy DeSimone

"For me … it means not trying too hard to be something I’m not, not chasing *someone else’s* idea of beauty and accepting - no EMBRACING - who I am right now and living my best life. And yes - that includes “being healthy” - but as a reflection of actual health status, not some bullshit, patriarchy dog whistle for looking like a teenager." - dulcieanne88

One common theme that came up over and over again was loving yourself, doing what brings you joy and makes you feel the most like yourself.

"Giving grace to myself (and the women around me) to do what feels right- as it relates to the skin I’m in and what I put out (create)." - therealchiclife

"To me, aging gracefully is aging on your own terms. Doing what makes you happy and ignoring ridiculous societal constraints… you want to dye your hair? Do it. Want to go grey? Do it. Want to wear a mini skirt at 54 (my legs have aged well 😉…) do it! Want to start a new career or just read romances on the beach? Do it. Aging gracefully is doing what makes you feel good and makes your heart happy!" - tbh519

"Basically being true to myself " - chairman_pink_ 

And maybe that's what "aging gracefully" truly means - living this stage of life on your own terms. Whether that means coloring your hair, or letting your silvers sparkle. Wearing the makeup that makes you happy, or embracing your natural beauty. Wearing comfy casual clothes, or dressing to the nines.  

As for me - i think that "aging gracefully" means doing the things that bring you joy, being true to yourself, and honoring what makes you - You! 

Leave a comment and tell me what "aging gracefully" means to you!

Sunday Inspiration: Predict Your Future

Thankful Thursday: January 2, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

Tired little grandsons

Thoughtful gifts

A Christmas cocktail

Pajamas all day

My husband making sausage rolls

A quiet Christmas

Christmas leftovers

Surprises

Making plans for the new year

Cozy, rainy days

Homemade soups with crusty bread

All the Christmas decor is put away

Making a to-do list

At home movie night

A Sunday afternoon nap

My new Kindle

Setting goals and intentions

The new moon

Feeling cute

When the headache starts to subside

A new year

Quiet evenings at home

Donut holes

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! May 2025 bring you joy, success, and countless wonderful moments. Cheers to new beginnings and endless possibilities! 

I believe 2025 will be filled with incredible opportunities and positive experiences. 

Let's embrace this new year with optimism and excitement! 

2024: Thanks For The Memories

Here we are at the end of another year.  And, as always, I find myself looking back over the past year.  What was good about it?  What did I learn this year? What do I want to carry with me into the new year and what things do I want to release and leave behind with 2024?

I started attending a monthly book club at the local library this year and I have enjoyed it very much.  This is definitely something I will continue into 2025. I've read some books that I never would have given a second look which I ended up enjoying very much! And it has been nice to get out of the house to talk books and meet some new people.

2024 was a year of medical appointments, tests, and procedures. At the beginning of the year I started having some stomach problems.  Mostly consistent, painful heartburn that was not getting much relief from over the counter treatments.  After being on prescription medication and having an endoscopy things have improved, but I still have to be careful about what I eat and take my medication. 

One morning in July, I felt a pop in my knee and I couldn't put weight or walk on it for a while. Until I felt another, smaller pop. After that I could walk on it, but it was still painful. A trip to Urgent Care, xrays, an appointment with a sports medicine doctor and an MRI later - I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon.  October brought knee surgery to have "floating bodies" removed from the knee and clean up some cartilage damage. The rest of that month and much of November was spent recovering and getting back to my normal activities. 

We didn't do much traveling this year. Not as much as last year by any means. But we did spend some time at Folly Beach just outside of Charleston, SC - including a weekend with our kids and grandkids.  The Man of the House and I also visited the Outer Banks twice this year.  Traveling is something I want to see more of in 2025.

I had some wonderful visitors this year. My cousin in Canada surprised me with a visit during the summer.  And my baby sister came to visit a couple of times which is always one of my favorite things.  I could definitely use some more of that in 2025 

The election.  Well, what can I say? I really don't want to get into it.  The one thing I will tell you is that it has encouraged me to think about what issues are most important to me and looking into ways I can volunteer or get involved to support them. 

One of the biggest memories from 2024 will probably be Hurricane Helene.  She tore through our area of North Carolina, causing devastating floods and mud slides. Power, internet and cell service was knocked out and remained spotty for weeks. Our power was out for most of two weeks, and other people had to wait even longer. We are on a well, so once our power returned we had water.  But people on the local water system didn't have drinkable water for almost two months! The area is still trying to recover, and will be for a long time. 

I have some exciting new things planned for the blog in the coming year. I hope you'll stick around for that. And definitely leave a comment or send me a message if there's something you'd like to see more of here in 2025. 

I hope that your 2024 was filled with more highs than lows. More joy than sorrow. And more abundance than lack.  And I wish great things for you in 2025. 

Sunday Inspiration: Year’s End

Thankful Thursday: December 26, 2024

 I Am Thankful For:

Foggy mornings

Warm December days

Laughter

Christmas music

Talks with my dad

Planning for Christmas with my husband

Seeing deer outside the window as I make my tea

Snuggling under a cozy blanket

Wishes for the new year

Summer pots

Candlelight

Baking cookies

Cozy Sundays

Sparkly nail polish

Being productive

Getting an early start

Immune supplements

Audio books

Christmas eve

Soup simmering on the stove

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. May all your days be merry and bright!