Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by Lori
Here we are at the end of the first month of the new year – already! I know you’ve heard it plenty of times before, but isn’t it amazing how much faster time goes by as you get older? Here’s a little recap of my monthly favorites from January 2022, blur that it has turned out to be!
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Monthly Favorites for January 2022
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
What if you could go back in time and change some of the choices you made in your life? Would you pick a different partner, career, city to live in?
Nora Seed finds herself in a situation where she can do just that – live different versions of her own life, as many as she chooses – until time runs out. The catch is, she has no idea how much time she has, or what the consequences of her choices will be.
There’s a bit of Nora Seed in each of us – who doesn’t think, at least occasionally, about how their life could be different if you’d made different choices?
What is the best way to live?
My daughter gave me The Midnight Library for Christmas, and once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.
The Betty White Challenge
What a way to turn a sad event on its head, and make such a positive impact! In case you somehow missed it, Betty White, actress and renowned animal lover, died just short of her 100th birthday on January 17th.
I don’t know where the idea originated, but suddenly it was all over social media – donate just $5 to any animal shelter in Betty White’s name, on her birthday. We did, and so did thousands of other people across the country.
It was a blessing for the shelters and the animals they care for, and a wonderful way to honor a woman that brought so much joy to us all over the years.
Personally, we donated to The Animal Pad, which does a phenomenal job of rescuing dogs from the streets in some of the poorest towns in Mexico. They bring them to the US, and give them medical care, training, and love before placing them in forever homes. My daughter and her husband have adopted two pups from The Animal Pad, so we’ve got a personal connection to this organization.
Snuggly Slipper Socks
Of all the gifts I’ve received over the years from my mother, this year’s gift was probably my favorite! She got me socks!
I am always, always cold – sometimes I think I’m part lizard wanting nothing more than to lie on a hot rock in the sunshine. So this year my mother sent me half a dozen pairs of the warmest, fuzziest, toastiest slipper socks ever.
Believe me when I tell you I wear a pair every single day. My toes are no longer froze!
Cozy Wool Blanket
My favorite throw blanket is not new, but it does wonders to keep me toasty warm. I can’t watch tv without it (and my slipper socks – I’m telling you, I am cold-blooded)!
This blanket lives across my lap, around my shoulders, or wraps me like a burrito, anytime I need it. And right now, I need it often.
If you are wondering if the investment into a good wool blanket is worth it, the answer is yes! With proper care, it will last a lifetime, too – cost per use is pennies!
The Yummiest Macaroni & Cheese
My husband and I love, love, love a good mac and cheese. Unfortunately, I don’t love cooking, so all too often I’ve relied on the orange stuff from a box (the deluxe version with the semi-liquid plastic cheese, not the powdered stuff).
But last week I tried my hand at making mac and cheese from scratch and guess what? It’s really not complicated at all! I used this recipe for baked macaroni and cheese from The Chunky Chef, and it was so delicious! Try it, you won’t regret it. And while there are lots of fancy gourmet versions of this dish out there, we really enjoyed the good, classic version. It’s going to be on regular rotation in this house!
ZillowGoneWild on Instagram
If you are active on the ‘gram, you may have already run into this fun account. It’s just what it says – they identify a residential property on Zillow that is in some way – uhhh, unique, shall we say. Think of a normal ranch house with a huge root cellar full of potatoes. Or a house decorated entirely as a nod to the local pro football team. Or filled with medieval dungeon decor.
You get the idea. Always fun to see!
Arcona Wine Oil
No, it’s not to drink! This wine oil gets lightly smoothed onto my face each morning and evening.
It drenches my parched skin with moisture, makes any rosacea miraculously disappear, and has the most indulgent fragrance ever. I first experienced this product during a spa facial a few months ago, and just had to bring a bottle home with me. I love it even more now that we are in the driest months of winter.
So good!
The Last Kingdom, TV Series on Netflix
Do you miss Game of Thrones (at least, the first few seasons)? This show has a similar feel to it, but it focuses more on history and less on fantasy.
The Last Kingdom is a British historical fiction television series based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories series of novels. The year is 866, and Alfred the Great defends his kingdom from Norse invaders. Meanwhile, our hero, Uhtred — born a Saxon but raised by Vikings — seeks to claim his ancestral birthright. Uhtred is forced to choose between the kingdom of his ancestors and the people who have raised him, and his loyalties are constantly tested.
Seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix, Season 5 is in production.
Read More:
- 7 Novels You Won’t Want to Put Down
- 3 Great TV Shows That Will Keep You Guessing
- 8 Edge-of-Your-Seat TV Shows to Watch Now on Amazon Prime
- Favorite Finds: February 2022
Final Thoughts on Things I’m Enjoying in January 2022
So, there you have my favorite things for January 2022: A novel, a challenge, a tv series, skincare, and some cozy warmness!
Oh, and don’t miss out on that amazing mac and cheese recipe!
What are some things you are loving right now?
