Share Four Somethings—December 2023
As we inch ever closer to turning the calendar to a new year, I’m sharing the final “Share Four Somethings” of 2023 at Jennifer’s linkup of something I’m loving, reading, learning, and eating.
I also share my previous month’s One Second Everyday video . . .
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
What I’m Loving
- STORYWORTH AND A NEW PENCIL
I received wonderful gifts this Christmas. Here are two that stand out.
One is from our daughter Jenna. She gave my husband Jeff and I each a subscription to Storyworth. It’s a site that sends you a weekly prompt about your life. We’ll send in our responses digitally all year, then at the end of 2024 they’ll be printed into a hardbound book. It’s a beautiful and easy way to gather your life’s stories.
The second gift is from my son-in-law, Trey. Because he knows me, he knew I’d love this new mechanical pencil that he also has. It’s a Pentel Orenz AT model that automatically feeds in new lead. You never have to click. It gives you the perfect amount of lead as you write, so the lead is never too short and it never breaks off from being too long. I’ve loved using it already.
Thoughtful gifts from thoughtful children.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
What I’m Reading
- FEEL-GOOD PRODUCTIVITY
I can’t help myself; I love reading productivity books. This one by Ali Abdaal, Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You, was published last Tuesday. I have a review copy.
Abdaal’s premise is that the root of productivity isn’t self-discipline; it’s joy. He says if you find ways to make your work feel good, productivity almost takes care of itself.
In some ways we intuitively know this. We are often productive with the things we enjoy doing, and stall on the tasks we don’t enjoy. But Abdaal has loaded this book with six small challenges in each chapter to help us carry it out.
So far the book is easy to follow both in the reading and in the practicing. I hope to implement it more in 2024.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
What I’m Learning
- 3 THINGS TODAY
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with my to-do lists the past several weeks of 2023, so I’ve returned to a tried-and-true productivity hack that has worked for me in the past: Listing my top 3 things to do each day.
While I still schedule more than 3 things for the day, I list the 3 most important ones at the top of my digital calendar as “3 Things Today,” and try to accomplish those first, when possible. If I complete those tasks, then anything else I accomplish is just bonus.
Sometimes they’re large things; sometimes they’re as mundane as “Finish laundry.” Either way, my mind rests easier knowing I’m at least making progress on the most important things of that day.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
What I’m Eating
- MISS MIRIAM’S SURPRISE
Do you have foods you only make seasonally? This brownie-like treat is one that my family makes only at Christmas. I don’t know why it’s called Miss Miriam’s Surprise (I guess a Miss Miriam originally created it?), but it is decadently delicious. I made it this year for one of our Christmas parties, and had some left over that I put in the freezer. I’ll thaw them out a few at a time to enjoy in 2024.
Here’s the recipe we use for this chocolately, caramel treat.
MISS MIRIAM’S SURPRISE
One 11-ounce bag of Kraft caramel candy squares
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 box German chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup butter
6 ounces chocolate chips
1 cup nuts (optional)
Mix cake mix with 1/3 cup evaporated milk and 3/4 cup butter. Stir in nuts (optional). Refrigerate half of dough.
Press unrefrigerated half of dough in 13×9 greased pan. Bake at 350° for 6 minutes. Remove from oven.
Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips on cooked dough.
Remove plastic wrap from caramels. Melt caramels with 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Pour on top of cooked dough.
Drop refrigerated cake mixture by spoonfuls over the caramel and cooked dough.
Bake 15-18 minutes. Cool 30 minutes before cutting.
Enjoy!
What is something you are loving, reading, learning, or eating here at the end of 2023?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’m linking at these blog parties
I hope you enjoy Storyworth as much I as did. I loved answering the questions so much I extended the subscription one additional year and just this week received the book. It is well done and quite the insightful project. Find some old photo to include = One trick I did was to go to google earth and find photo of the houses we used to live in – I didn’t have outside pics of them. I also googled the a photo of the mark and model of my first car since I didn’t have a good photo of that either.
I too love productivity books and have used the same trick on my to do list – top three things. We sure do think alike!! Happy New Year, Lisa.
Oh, I’m glad to hear you did Storyworth and loved it, Jean! That’s exciting. I was wondering about photos. I included one in my first story. I’ll follow your advice and look for my older home photos too!
I love the idea of Storyworth. That was a very thoughtful gift indeed! And I don’t like mechanical pencils, but I know some people love them. Never having to click your lead must make writing seamless.
I think I may try the 3 things per day hack. I’m overwhelmed my my to-do list and I tend to ignore it and just do nothing (or whatever randomly pops into my head).
Soon the page will turn on the new year, a good time to try new things!
My daughter is thoughtful with her gift-giving. I have trouble thinking of good gifts like that. 😉
Yes, a new year is a great time to try new things. Lots of new things will come our way, ready or not.
Oh that dessert sounds so delicious! I love the idea of tackling the 3 most important things each day; I often find my list is much too long to do in one day and tend to keep reprioritizing as I go. Funny enough, cleaning the house almost always makes it way to the bottom of the list! 🙂
Cleaning house isn’t usually at the top of my list either, Joanne. 🙂 Although I do love having a clean house. And the dessert is one of my all-time favorites. It’s a bit laborious to make, but it’s worth it!
I’ve never heard of Storyworth before, Lisa. I’ll definitely have to look into that.
Blessings in the New Year!
It’s hard to believe it’s time for another new year! Hope yours kicks off with a good start, Martha.
Lovely post Lisa. A friend of mine is doing Storyworth for her husband who has a type of Dementia, their daughter had also gifted them the subscription so that they wouldn’t lose their Dad’s story… when his memory eventually goes.
Happy new year!
blessings, Jennifer
What a beautiful idea for your friend to collect those stories while she can. We have a few journals that my mom kept before she got dementia and they are treasures. Happy New Year to you too!
Storyworth sounds amazing, what a thoughtful gift. I’ve never heard of mechanical pens, but I’m glad you like it.
I am quirky about liking writing utensils. 🙂 Hope you have a Happy New Year, Astrid!
The gifts your daughter and son gave are so thoughtful! I love the concept of Storyworth. As for current reading: my husband and I are reading Facing Jerusalem by Zac Waller & Luke Hilton (who both live in Israel). I am also enjoying The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams.
Hi, Lisa – Those are very thoughtful gifts. I am off to check out STORYWORTH right now. 😀
I have never heard of Storyworth! I’m going to look into that. Thanks for sharing that and for linking up today! I also love thoughtful gifts from those I love, especially when they also have meaning. A friend of mine gifted me a beautiful church made out of an old book; she gave me that because my life is centered around serving in church, and that’s where we met, and also because she knows what an avid reader I am.
Happy new year to you and your family!
The Storyworth account sounds like such a neat idea. I often think about writing down stories for the kids and grandkids. Weekly prompts would be helpful. That pencil sounds really good, too.
I like to read productivity books, too. It hit be a while back that productivity, or organizing my time or things well, isn’t a goal I’m ever going to have completely conquered–it’s an ongoing journey.
I think my grandson had a lawn mower like your grandson’s. 🙂
Storyworth sounds like a really neat thing, I enjoyed seeing your 1 Second a Day.
It is def the season for seasonal food! And I’m revelling in it.
I’ve seen ads for Storyworth. It’s an interesting idea. I sort of use my blog for that. It’s interesting to see how you change over time. #ShareFourSomethings
Your Top Three Things productivity tip sounds like something I need to do. Or get better at doing! I do something similar but not as simple, and maybe that’s why I fail so often? Hmm. Hope you have a very happy New Year!
Lisa, I love the gifts you received … tailored just to you, which is the most thoughtful kind of present. Miss Miriam’s Surprise sounds like my kind of dessert. I hope 2024 includes many blessings for you and your family. ♥️
Thank you for helping me out with my birthday shopping for our son’s January birthday! He loves a good mechanical pencil and this will be more fun to purchase and send to him than just sending him money or a gift card. 🙂
That Miss Miriam’s Surprise sounds delicious!
Happy New Year, dear Lisa.
Happy New Year!! I added Feel-Good Productivity to my Goodreads shelf, it sounds interesting! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
Huh… I’ve never heard of Storyworth. I’m going to have to check it out. What thoughtful gifts. I enjoyed hearing about your 4 Somethings.
Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Such an excellent productivity hack:) An “old but goody” or tried and true, as you said, but one I’ve gotten away from! Great reminder! And don’t you just love gifts that fit you perfectly…because someone knows you so well? I think so kind of gifts are the absolute best!! Happy January, friend!