"People who are ready to change aren't waiting on a new year."
— @koddidunn
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AM I THE ONLY ONE WALKING AROUND OUTSIDE IN MY ROBE THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING?
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This year, the holidays are looking unlike any others we’ve ever had. Because it’s been an enormously challenging time for me personally, including the fires in Northern California that impacted my life, it’s not easy to sit down amidst the challenges and write about silver linings. But having acknowledged that, I do know that some truly beautiful things have happened as a result of the pandemic.
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It is easy and even natural not to see the bright side, but on Thanksgiving week, there’s no better time to take a look at the bright side of what this last year has brought and find the silver linings of this huge cloud.
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SO FUN HAVING PATRICK HOME THIS SUMMER AND WE EVEN GOT HIM INVOLVED IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS! WE LOVE SPINDRIFT!!
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Certainly my own silver linings include how grateful I was to spend the entire summer with my son, @nocrumbslefts_otherkid, despite the challenges that can accompany togetherness.
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In addition, I got to see that my self-care and unplugging imbalance was not going to serve me long-term, so in these last months I have moved in the direction of realizing that I have a deep need for rest. Slowing down is a worthwhile venture, but it does not come naturally to me.
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This came as a surprise: while I have always seen myself as such a city girl, spending the better part of the year in a cabin in Michigan has been deeply beneficial for my soul. The quiet, the trees, the stars, which are visible in the dark night sky in a way they simply aren’t in the city, have been unimaginably healing. I couldn’t have even considered spending so much time away from the city, had it not been for the pandemic. It has changed the way I work.
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I’ve grown to appreciate people more this year, and in some ways, I’ve let my guard down. It’s been a heart-opening experience and certainly part of the bright side. I am encouraging myself to see these positives, these silver linings, as I we move into the holidays.
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It was especially powerful this week to hear Crumbles share their silver linings. We received so many amazing and heartfelt answers, far more than we have room for, and we have included some of our favorites below. I hope you find them as inspiring as we did.
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ENJOYING A SUNSET WALK WITH ROY AND PATRICK
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SEASON 3 EPISODE 4
IT'S OK NO MATTER WHAT
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In this new episode, I talk with notable artist Heather Gentile Collins, whose public murals you may very well have enjoyed, about how it’s easy live without fear when you are living in your purpose. We explore the idea of the “sixth sense,” our heart’s intuition versus the ego/brain, and how we have experienced winks from God. Ultimately, it’s not about the number of years you put into your life, it’s about the amount of life you put into your years. |
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As a small business, we really appreciate you! To show my appreciation, I will personally cover your shipping this weekend. Check out the email arriving tonight at midnight for details. To make sure the email lands in your inbox, be sure to add teri@nocrumbsleft.net to your address book. It’s your last chance to order handmade kitchen jewelry in time for the holidays, so Let's Go!
NOTE: If you live outside of the United States, we have something special for you, too. Check your email.
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MEGAN ENJOYING FAMILY TIME
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I got to quarantine with my grandparents, aunt, and cousins, and it was absolutely delightful! I learned to make so much Burmese food and practiced my Burmese with them every day! I'm so grateful the shelter in place order let me make beautiful memories with my grandparents every day, including celebrating my grandpa's 90th birthday! He has dementia, so every day with him remembering us and telling stories is truly a gift.
Megan Win
@Mwin18 |
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I watched my 19-year-old daughter vote in her first presidential election. We voted as a family. I beamed with pride to see both of my kids slide their ballots into the voting box!
Jill Rappin
@jillrappin |
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I'm a person who used to sweat the small stuff, and this pandemic has allowed me to see the big picture and let things go and shrug them off easier than I ever thought possible. I even find myself helping others to let things go.
Kelly Kardos
@Kellykardos |
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YOOJIN AND HUSBAND ON THEIR WEDDING DAY
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I got married to my best friend! Although none of our families were able to join, we did a small self-unification ceremony with a couple close friends outside in a park. It was perfect.
Yoojin Lee
@leeyoojc
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A NOCRUMBSLEFT RAINBOW NESTING BUNDLE
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This pandemic brought my queer community closer together than ever. My wife and I were able to come up with a down payment on a house, and we're moved into our forever home. This pandemic also brought me closer to myself and has caused me to dig deeper and unpack my biases.
Annelise Ely
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When I was furloughed, I decided to take voice lessons seriously for the first time in five years (I had taken a hiatus after I earned my degree in voice). I rekindled my love for opera and my desire to one day make a living with my instrument.
Allison Chang
@alliechangchang |
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"Awe" walks: taking time to be outside, noticing something small and beautiful, breathing it in, and realizing, with awe, that the world is amazing.
Theresa Collins
@tscteach |
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I was forced to embrace my gray hair. I have been coloring my hair for about 15 years, and after being forced to see it emerging bigger and bigger every day, I have decided that I really like it! No more chemicals on my hair! More money in my pocket! Less time in the chair! Very happy about it!
Anonymous
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JENN AND HER DAUGHTER COOKING TOGETHER
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I could never have imagined the bond that has grown and strengthened between my 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son. This year, they have realized the value of one another, and it's been wonderful to be along for the ride! From made-up weird games, to helping each other out, performing scenes from Hamilton, cooking together, and sharing a love of books, it is truly our family's silver lining!
Jenn Richter
@Therichters1301 |
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I've reflected on what is important to me, and this time has made me understand the value of human touch. I miss hugs.
Anonymous
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I am so blessed. I'm a hair stylist in LA and was unable to work for seven months. Clients reached out with gifts via Venmo, PayPal, and gift cards for groceries and coffee treats. My partner helped fill in the blanks that unemployment couldn't fill. I was able to rest during that time and refocus my life. I'm starting graduate school in January. People are fundamentally good and generous!
Sparrow Fox
@SparrowFox |
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I have never felt more connected to my 7-year-old son's learning process, the way his mind works through problems, and the joy he finds in discovery. It has improved as well as challenged our connection to one another and given me an even more enormous respect for our talented schoolteachers.
Ann Volkwein
@annvolkwein |
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having the world slow down allowed me to be surrounded by family, in a bubble, while I fight through surgery, chemo, and radiation. It has been a time to really get perspective on what is important.
Sarah Warner
@Elbow17green |
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I worked from home for the month of April and was able to watch the birds in our bird house fledge the nest one afternoon. One by one they stood at the opening, at first with hesitation, and then took flight to the mother bird in a nearby tree. She would chirp and chirp to coax them out. It was so sweet to watch the entire event unfold. I would have totally missed it otherwise!
Katie Bower
@Tastebykate |
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My daughter and son-in-law have been trying to have a baby for several years. During COVID, I decided to retire early. I had always said when I have a grandbaby coming, I would retire. Well, after I decided to retire, they called to say they are expecting a baby in January of 2021! I had worked about 12 hours away from them, and now I'm 5 minutes away!! Can't wait to welcome Georgia into the world.
Anonymous
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TERI IS ORGANZING HER DRAWERS TOO
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I started tackling every closet, pantry, dresser, and then the basement. Each week I focused on a new area. I wanted to be able to see change around me. Eventually, the focus was on myself (the hardest nut to crack). Completed a Whole 30 in September, and I am a new person, mentally and physically.
Rhonda Michalek
@misshayseed |
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Our family, scattered all over the place and too busy to travel or get together, has reconnected. At first, it was just to make sure everyone was healthy, but it's been a great way to get to know my siblings again and rediscover each other's kids, pets, and hobbies. We've shared recipes (including a few from nocrumbsleft), wedding photos, and projects on our weekly Zoom calls.
Susan Neilson
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KATHERINE WORKING FROM HOME WITH HER #1 GIRL
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I get to avoid a hefty commute, which allows more time with my wonderful daughter. I also get to spend my lunch hour getting dinner ready and making homemade food for my #1 girl.
Katherine Williams
@kgrafwilliams |
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ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL SCARVES SHE KNITTED
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Simplicity. Not doing something all the time. Previously I was always running somewhere. I've been fortunate to work from home and spend time with family and on simple pursuits like knitting, cooking, puzzles, reading. Kind of like an extended snow day!
Anonymous
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TOMATOES FROM KRISTI'S GARDEN
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I now have a clarity I had been missing for years. I wholeheartedly embraced being home, nesting, loving on my family, growing our own food, slowing down, resting, and regrouping. We went back to basics as a family, and for that I am extremely grateful.
Kristi Nazzaro
@Soul_Positive |
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I've had all three adult children back home cooking, laughing, working, studying, and watching old family movies. We went on Whole 30 for 60+ days and felt great. In my craziest dreams, I couldn't have come up with a plan for all of us to be under one roof in 2020, but I'm so very grateful it happened!
Judith Bevill
@judith_s_b |
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This week we are giving away a Crum-bowl on this post!
Click below to the post and enter.
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No Crumbs Left is as much a cookbook as it is a philosophy for fostering your creativity and building your skills and pantry to serve delicious food confidently.
David Frank, Textile Artist & Chef
Sea Cliff, New York
@Davidcharlesfrank
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If you want to be featured here with the cookbook, DM Teri and let her know.
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Turkey Soup! Perfect for the day after Thanksgiving with all of your leftovers! Click here for the recipe.
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I adore horseshoes. Horseshoes have long been considered lucky and traditionally were held in place with seven nails, as seven is considered the luckiest number. They make me happy! I love to celebrate the idea of magic in every form, and this is one of the symbols that always feels so lucky to me. I'm delighted to share it with you! You can find it imprinted on some of the nocrumbsleft pottery.
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We are adding an exceptionally talented, creative, next-level freelance food videographer with a real understanding of social media photography to our team. If you have a superpower for food videography and an especially good eye for props, styling, and composition and are based in or near Chicago and will be available a couple days a month to work with us, please email teri@nocrumbsleft.net and send a reel or amazing examples of your food videography.
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