I only just recently sat down to begin the process of putting together the outline of my annual end-of-the-year recap that I publish right before or in the early morning hours of New Year’s Eve, since it typically takes a long time to pick what news stories/headlines to feature, cite sources, gather photos and links, etc. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to it since it serves as a bit of a time capsule for me. I can’t help it!
As I was going through notes I’ve jotted down in my planner each and every week and month – I realized that I haven’t been feeling as “festive” as I normally do around this time of year. Sure, I’ve been visiting plenty of Christmas shops and beautifully decorated garden centers in recent days – and I’ve enjoyed them very much! – but there is a sort of sense of indifference that I can’t quite shake when it comes to planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas this time around – especially when looking back at everything that’s been happening over the course of this year. It’s hard to feel cheerful or merry when the news was/is always just so bad, defeating, often infuriating and overwhelmingly exhausting.
Realizing this, and that I’d allowed myself to fall into an emotional slump I’ve seen so many of my friends and family sink into from time to time during tumultuous or uncertain times – and not wanting to fall victim to it, as well – I made a promise to both my loved ones and to myself to seek out moments of joy in old, beloved ways as well as new ways and in new(ish) places this holiday season. I may not be able to change the world around me, but I can change how I let it affect me – and I’m certainly not going to let it wreck one of the best times of the year!
With that refreshed mindset, this past weekend I headed down to Newport, Rhode Island to visit the pop-up deluxe hot chocolate bar at The Chanler, a former mansion that rests on Newport’s famous Cliff Walk that has since been converted into a beautiful hotel and restaurant.
I’d seen the pop-up on social media, and the cocoa looked divine. I figured I’d grab a cup (and a cookie!) on my way home from visiting The Farmer’s Daughter earlier in the afternoon – and it did not disappoint! Not only were the staff super friendly and pleasant while making my dark chocolate cocoa look picture perfect for me, but it was absolutely delicious, too – and it made me feel a little more optimistic about the upcoming holidays as I sat on a lawn chair and sipped it nice and slowly while taking in the views of the ocean.
And now when looking ahead at my calendar, filled with get-togethers, gatherings, festive events and even holiday-inspired craft classes (I’ll write more about that later!), I find myself getting excited again, slowly but surely – the way I’ve felt in holiday seasons’ past – which is a huge weight off of my shoulders.
With that being said, a little later on this week I’ll be sharing my first Classic-Christmas-Movie-inspired dessert recipe of the year!
Stay tuned!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 