Family Photos: Oh, Christmas Trees! Oh, Christmas Trees!

Christmas Trees Christmas TreesYes, friends!! I did write Christmas trees in the title of this blog post! And it’s a true statement — we’ve got multiple trees around our house this year — more than usual, in fact!!

But, really, who am I to complain here? I love being the photographer every year when we decorate the Christmas tree!!! How cute is my mom?!? We put our trees up over Thanksgiving weekend. I thought we’d be content with just two small trees — one in the kitchen and then one in my mom’s room. And then, just like that, my mom bought another Christmas tree!! That Santa tree skirt, below, belonged to my grandparents and reminds me of my childhood holidays spent in Alabama with them!!

Christmas TreesIf you’re overwhelmed by those HUGE trees, I highly recommend a smaller tabletop tree! It’s just as beautiful and it makes the kitchen feel all kinds of cozy!!

Now this is what I call getting lit on a Saturday night, y’all

Also, a few words about the holidays…

A winter’s day
In a deep and dark December

I’ve always loved “I Am a Rock” by Simon & Garfunkel and find myself singing it a lot during this time of year.

And even though I’m generally an upbeat person, this has been my theme song for years. I’ve built walls. I’m sometimes afraid of getting close to people. I’ve used my writing as an armor of protection. I’ve felt like a rock and an island.

Holidays always have a way of making me think about the past. Last week during Thanksgiving, I got to thinking about how fall is such a hard season for me. My dad was diagnosed with cancer in the fall. And it was around Thanksgiving in 2010 that my severe depression took hold. I just remember watching the Macy’s Parade, something that was so full of fun and happiness, and I just couldn’t stop crying. A month later, I was hospitalized and it was so much scarier than any surgery I’ve ever had.

So I always get a little nervous this time of year about that depression coming back. Because it felt so all-encompassing, like it swallowed me entirely. Because I felt like I lost myself for a good 6 months. Because I worried every day that I’d never be Melissa again. Maybe I’ll worry every fall for the foreseeable future, but something I’ll never feel is shame. Depression is a physical illness and if you’re struggling, please never feel shame, OK??

Christmas TreesBut let’s end this post on a high note, shall we?? Too early for that classic “Naughty or Nice” Christmas tableau?? I’ll let you decide who’s who…

And I’d love to know, friends: Do you have multiple Christmas trees in your home? Or one huge one? Any other fun holiday tradition you’re looking forward to this season?? xoxo

Thanksgiving 2019: What Are You Most Grateful For This Year??

Thanksgiving 2019 Thanksgiving 2019Happy Thanksgiving 2019, friends!! I know Thanksgiving is actually still a couple days away, but I wanted to take some time to ask you a very important question: What are you most grateful for in 2019…??

As you can probably tell from those two pictures above, I’m SO INCREDIBLY THANKFUL for my mom and sister! That’s been the case every other year, too, but this year??? It seems especially salient. It’s no secret that I’m pretty frustrated with the state of the world — heck, I’d even go so far as to say that I’m downright angry. Things are a complete mess and it’s so easy to lose hope. I’ve found myself losing hope multiple times this year; I’ll probably lose hope again before 2019 is even over too — I mean, we’ve still got a little over a month left to go in this year. I’m constantly saying, “Now I’ve seen it all,” only to realize that, no, things can — and do — get very, very worse.

The truth is, there’s so much to get upset about, but that’s not what this post is about. I don’t want that to be what this post is about. At least not for today. We can have one day where we don’t dwell on all the bad things that are going on around us. We can have one day where we just enjoy good food and the company of our loved ones (sans politics talk, right?). We can have one day where we…just be.

Perhaps that’s the beauty of Thanksgiving and why I’m so looking forward to some downtime this week. We’ve earned it and we deserve it.

I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but I see you. I know the holidays are hard for so many people, myself included. Some don’t have families to go home to and others struggle with tense relationships, so please be gentle with yourself. Like I said, you’ve earned it and you deserve it.

Thanksgiving 2019So here’s to a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving 2019. I hope you celebrate in ways that bring you the most joy and love. I’ll be taking the rest of the week off, but I’m looking forward to coming back next week with exciting new posts, including this year’s Holiday Gift Guide!!! Any suggestions for categories?? Feel free to let me know! And follow along on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram since I’ll surely be chronicling my adventures there!

And I’d love to hear about YOUR Thanksgiving adventures, friends! Where are you headed? What delicious food are you craving? Any fun traditions in store? Have a great rest of the week!!! xoxo

[Bottom photo via Unsplash]

Why I Love Chatting About My Disability

Chatting About My DisabilityI’ve always felt that chatting about my disability was one of the greatest things I could do as a writer. And, indeed, it’s been so very rewarding for more than a decade.

Last month, my writer friend Ellen Seidman interviewed me for her blog Love That Max, which she’s written since 2008 about disabilities and life with her son Max, who has cerebral palsy. I thought I’d share some of that interview today (you can read the awesome blog post)…

Have you always been pretty regular selfie-poster? Did you never give it much thought? Had you gotten trolled before and what was your way of dealing?

Oh, yes, I’ve always loved snapping selfies — maybe a bit too much, if you ask my mom! I’ve always felt that it’s a great way to capture a moment in a genuine way…no camera tricks or filters. Just you being you.

I learned pretty early on that being a woman writer, especially one with a disability, was going to open me up to trolls on the internet. People respectfully critiquing my work has never bothered me. Instead, what’s bothered me the most is people going right for attacking my appearance. No mention of what I wrote…just making fun of how I look. Those are the sorts of bullying that I’ve received over the years and while it still stings, I try my best to let it roll off my back.

How has what happened influenced your selfie-tendencies—do you feel like you’ll be posting more now? Has this given you added selfie confidence?

It doesn’t seem like such a horrible experience with trolls would actually give me more confidence, but it has. I’ve continued posting selfies and people really seem to like it. In fact, I even started the hashtag #MyBestSelfie to encourage others to post photos of themselves and celebrate who they are!

When you were growing up, how did your parents instill confidence in you and what advice did they give you for dealing with meanies?

I credit my parents for encouraging me to believe in myself and be as independent as possible despite my disability. They always told me to never let my disability stop me from doing what I wanted in life. And, similar to not reading the comments, they taught me how important it is to not let others’ cruel words impact how you see yourself. The old adage “treat others as you want to be treated” is sounds simple, but it applies to so many situations in life, including bullies.

What advice would you give to parents to encourage their children to love themselves as they are?

It’s so important for parents to model that sort of behavior for their children. Kids see everything, so if they see their parents being hard on themselves or being overly self-critical, they’re going to pick up on that and internalize it.

Also, teaching them that we all make mistakes — that’s just a normal part of life — but it doesn’t make us a bad person.

And what advice would you give to parents to teach their children to accept others as they are? [It would be great if you could mention, too, how to handle it when children make innocently blunt comments in public.]

I’ve never been insulted when kids ask about my disability in public. I’d rather them ask than just point and stare. I think it’s so important for parents to encourage children to be politely curious — ask questions respectfully and treat the disabled person like a person. Also, parents should always reinforce that disabilities are nothing to be afraid of — that people with disabilities are people who maybe use a wheelchair to get around or use a walker to go shopping.

Thank you so much, Ellen, for chatting about my disability with me!! xoxo

5 Holiday Recipes to Share With Loved Ones

Holiday RecipesDuring the holidays, indulging in delicious seasonal desserts is a must. Baking or experimenting with holiday recipes for friends, family or colleagues is even more fun and can be quite meaningful. Sharing the holidays with family—whatever definition of family that is for you—is truly what makes the season special. This is what really defines “being home for the holidays.” Whether you’re trying out something new or perfecting an old favorite, guests are sure to enjoy the care you put into making something scrumptious. Get inspired with these five delicious holiday recipes…

Gingerbread Shake

Holiday desserts don’t have to be complicated, and they don’t always have to be baked goods either. A milkshake is the perfect choice for a middle-of-the-day indulgence or for those who are celebrating the holidays in a warmer climate. Milkshakes can be made with nearly any flavoring so making them seasonally appropriate is simple. Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg can be added for a festive flare. Specialty syrups can also be used to create nearly any flavor combination. Syrups such as gingerbread or pumpkin pie by Monin can elevate a normal milkshake into something spectacular.

Eggnog Snickerdoodle Whoopie Pies

These sweet treats are a combination of two classic favorites. The snickerdoodle cookies offer just enough spice to balance out the sweetness of the cream cheese eggnog frosting. Start the recipe by baking your favorite snickerdoodle recipe. Make sure you choose a recipe that makes soft cookies. You can also add eggnog to the recipe, replacing some of the other liquids, to tie all of the flavors together.

While the cookies are baking, mix up your frosting. Choose your favorite cream cheese frosting recipe. Something that includes milk in the ingredients is perfect. Replace the milk with a quarter cup of eggnog for a richer, creamier flavor and texture. Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a layer of frosting on the flat underside of one and make a sandwich for the perfect holiday dessert.

Holiday-Themed Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies remain a holiday favorite for good reason. They’re versatile, easy to make, and they can suit nearly any occasion. For the perfect seasonal cookies, first whip up your favorite sugar cookie dough. Choose something that’s firm enough that it can be rolled out. Then choose some of your favorite holiday cookie cutters and start making shapes. Larger, simpler shapes, such as stars or Christmas trees, often present better after baking. If you’re careful, nearly any shape can turn out well. After baking, the cookies can be decorated with frosting. Add a few drops of food coloring to add different colors. Use small candies or sugar sprinkles to adorn. These cookies are also a great activity to do with kids or any other family members that happen to be there.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

Peppermint and hot chocolate are two of the most beloved holiday flavors, so combining them seems like an obvious choice. Bakers can choose any chocolate-based cookie recipe they like to make this dessert. Adding in peppermint extract and mixing marshmallows into the dough is perfect for tying together flavors and boosting the hot chocolate idea. Alternatively, large marshmallows can be placed on top of each cookie before baking. Once they heat up, the marshmallows will be soft and gooey.

The cookies can then be frosted with a simple icing of powdered sugar, butter, milk, cocoa, and peppermint extract. Drizzle the icing over the top of the cookies, and don’t worry about being messy. Before the icing cools, sprinkle some crushed peppermint pieces over each cookie for a beautiful garnish and delicious crunch.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee is a well-loved favorite because it’s warming and filling. It makes the perfect choice for a cold winter evening. Truthfully, almost any dense cake can be used to approximate this incredibly sweet dessert. However, a fruit cake or, according to Good Housekeeping, a date cake is more traditional and suits the dessert well. Date cakes can be made by creating a date puree—blending soft, warmed dates, espresso, and vanilla together—and folding that into the cake’s batter. To create the toffee sauce, melt butter in a pan, add brown sugar, then stir in lemon juice, cream and finally pecans. Cut the cake into square pieces and drizzle the toffee pecan sauce over it.

Try some of these holiday recipes or create your own. This is definitely the season for all kinds of delicious flavors.

Holiday Recipes–Sara Stringer is a freelance writer who most enjoys blogging about lifestyle, relationships and life as a woman. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine with her husband and two kids. Compensation was received for the editing and publishing of this article.

[Photos via Unsplash]

My Essay on CNN Opinion: “My Parents Bought Their First Color TV So I Could See Big Bird”

Big Bird Big BirdThis post is brought to you by the number 22 — as in my 22nd CNN op-ed! I’m so honored that I got to write this in celebration of Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary!! I was obsessed with the show as a child and, well, I’m still obsessed, especially with Big Bird, who still don’t look a day over six!! What’s his secret?

This piece has been decades in the making — ever since I was a kid in the ‘80s glued to the TV watching Sesame Street! I’m so honored that I got to write this in celebration of the show’s 50th anniversary!! I’ve been wanting to pitch this idea all year and I was literally counting down the months until November!! I mean, what other children’s show has been on consistently for FIVE DECADES and is still so culturally relevant? Sesame Street has never shied away from tackling the tough topics of the day, whether it’s racism, homelessness or the opioid crisis.

Plus, I think it’s so cool that people my age who grew up watching Sesame Street are now watching the show with their own kids. I loved my writer friend Erin Khar’s quotes and am so grateful that she let me interview her! Follow her on Twitter for a huge dose of inspiration!

Here’s an excerpt of the piece, in which I quote my favorite song in the opening paragraph (and no, it’s not the show’s theme song)…

As a child of the 1980s, I grew up watching — and loving — that group of furry friends. Because of my disability, the show was often my window to many aspects of the world — the perfect way for me to explore and grow beyond the confines of my wheelchair. In fact, I remember my parents buying our first color TV just so I could watch the show in color.

The show’s classic theme song asks this question: “Can you tell me how to get? How to get to Sesame Street?” But perhaps it’s so much more than just a physical place. Sesame Street is love. Sesame Street is treating people with kindness. Sesame Street is friends and family — both the furry and human variety. Sesame Street is creating memories. And, like Big Bird sang, Sesame Street is home. So how exactly do you get there? Maybe all you really need to do is look around. Maybe you’re already there.

Big BirdPlus, I couldn’t let Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary go by without snapping a selfie with the Bert to my Ernie!! We even ended the day by watching some classic clips of our favorite duo!! Happy birthday, Sesame Street! Here’s to many more years of love, laughter and learning with our furry friends, especially Big Bird…

You can read the full piece here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so I see your tweet and we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo