It’s my favorite time of the year–the week between Christmas and New Year’s when the stress of the holiday is behind me and the pressure of resolutions, goals, and a new set of to-do lists is still a few days off.
I can bask in the glow of the Christmas tree, nibble on peppermint bark and Christmas cookies, and enjoy the clutter of presents that aren’t yet put away.
Help us ring in 2021 at the Ultimate Coffee Date link up! We’ll toast the New Year on Friday and keep the coffee brewing and the champagne flowing!
Unwrapping Christmas
We had a quiet Christmas. My son and my Mom came over for a few hours, but by 6:00 pm they had left, the dishwasher was running, and I was curled up with a new book. I was grateful to be able to see them, but missed my daughter, and my sister-in-law, and all the friends I would have seen over the holidays.
Nothing says Merry Christmas in 2020 like a
touch-free thermometer, pulse oximeter and blood pressure monitor.
I didn’t let our small guest list shrink my Christmas baking, though.
The pain-in-the-ass apple pie, with snowflakes this time.
My first pecan-pumpkin pie–so rich!
My favorite gift was a complete surprise from my mother-in-law–an AeroGarden herb garden. I have been eyeing one for a while, and am excited to grow fresh herbs year-round without getting devoured by mosquitoes.
Weekly Run Down
My workouts were all over the place this week. Some days I woke up before my 5 am alarm, some days I hit snooze until 6. The weather was cold, warm, wet, and frigid. My achilles was tender, fine, and iffy. I did three Peloton Pilates classes (a new category of workouts for them) to earn a “flash” badge, and otherwise did a bit of this and that.
Monday: 10 min Core + 10 min Pilates + 3.5 Scooby Miles + 30 min Strength
I woke up shortly before my alarm, and did two short Peloton workouts before taking Scooby out, because I knew he could wait a bit longer.
It’s hard to tell how big this Frosty is–
the decorations behind him are in a two-story window!
Tuesday: 10 min Core + 10 min Pilates +30 min Corepower Yoga
My Achilles was bothering me, so I made it an easy day. I’ve been craving the familiar flows of Corepower yoga, and did this short C2 class from the free options.
Wednesday: 10 min Core + 10 min Pilates + 3.75 Scooby Miles + 20 min Strength
My husband adjusted the timer on our lights so I could enjoy them on my morning runs. Scooby isn’t impressed by the reindeer, though.
Thursday (Christmas Eve): 10 min Core + 4.7 Scooby Miles + 20 min Strength
I got up early to start my baking, but first a Christmas Eve run and Holiday-themed strength workout.
After Snoopy, this is my favorite neighborhood decoration.
The propeller spins, and the runway lights are a nice touch.
Friday (Christmas): 10 min Core + 3.25 Scooby Miles
The upside of not having holiday house guests is that I could take Scooby on a Christmas run guilt-free. By the time I got back my husband was up and ready to open presents.
Saturday: 10 min Core + 3.1 Tread Miles + 30 min Ride
I was not in the mood to deal with temperatures in the 20s, so I let Scooby out in the backyard and then put my new Christmas shorts to the test on the treadmill (10 min warm-up run + 30 min holiday bootcamp) and the bike (30 min Elvis Ride–so fun!)
I probably would not have picked out this style or color, but I love them!
After a break for coffee and breakfast, I signed up for Corepower Yoga on-demand, and did a full 60 minute C2 class. As I wrote above, I’ve really been missing the structure of their classes, and since they’ve dropped the price to $19.99/month (for now at least), I’ll get my money’s worth even if I only take a few classes a month.
Sunday: 10 min Core + 30 min Tread + 30 min Strength + 30 min Ride
Another frigid morning, another sweaty workout session in my basement–with the door ajar to keep me from overheating. I did one more Peloton holiday-themed workout and my first of the new workouts with Beatles playlists–the upbeat songs are perfect for spinning.
My plan for this week is to come up with a plan for next year!
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up. We’ve gotten each other through quite a year, haven’t we?
Are you setting goals for 2021?
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Your pies are exquisite! I’m glad you didn’t let your smaller guest list impact your baking. Ozzy barks at all the reindeer in the neighborhood, real or otherwise. Haha! Enjoy this week of downtime. Most of my goals are coaching related and I suspect that will be the case in 2021 as well.
I should get serious about work goals. Coasting worked for 2020, but I need to get on it for 2021.
I too enjoy the downtime between Christmas and New Years, although I will be working a few days next week and feeling a little more immune to COVID. Laughing at your health related gifts. I hope you never need that pulse oximeter.
We already used that one to make sure we were ok. 😉
I’ve got to work some this week too, but it’s a lot easier to put in half days when I just half to go downstairs to my office!
Yum on those pies!!
I laughed at your COVID gifts.
My goals were not very elaborate. I learned that after this year. Maybe for 2022 I will plan something special.
Yeah, I’ve got new calendars to put up — dare I put anything on them?
write it in pencil. My 2020 one was a mess of cross-outs.
You sure did keep busy this week Your pies look amazing and I am not a pie person at all. We do have the same BP monitor 🙂 have fun with that! Thanks for linking and see you at coffee
Hah! I guess we can assess our symptoms at least. 😉
Love the pies. What’s your new book? Boo on your troublesome achilles.
I feel you with wake times. Yesterday I could have slept in until 7/730 and was wide awake at 630
I read Becoming Duchess Goldblatt and now am reading The Dutch House. This is what happens when the Christmas tree occupies my puzzle corner!
Becoming Duchess is on my Kindle. Maybe I’ll get to it over break. I really need to finish the year strong there
I love all your workouts, Coco! Great variety and you are so consistent with a daily routine. The only baking I did happened Christmas Eve afternoon…I made kringla (a Norwegian treat) . Oh, I guess I also made a spontaneous apple crisp Christmas morning…my sweet tooth has been quite happy these past few days 😉
Yeah, my sweet tooth will need to be pulled soon — it’s taking over. 😉 Kringla and apple crisp sound delish!
I always love the photos of your holiday baking because the pies and cookies always look so delicious! Glad that you had a nice Christmas, even if it was smaller than usual.
I’m looking forward to all of the Beatles themed classes but probably won’t get to them for another week or two since there are a few other classes I want to take first.
It’s so hard to choose! There are so many older Artist Series classes I want to take.
Wow- those pies! They look incredible. You appear to be a woman of many talents, one of which is definitely pies!
Thanks! I really enjoy baking — at least a few times a year.
I have some goals for 2021, but nothing too specific. I wish we knew more about when it will be safe to race again- that would make planning a little easier!
I was trying to figure out a timeline for vaccination, but it seems too early to tell. I still can’t imagine the logistics for the general population.
What a wonderful week! I put out a normal amount of baking as well. We can always freeze the leftovers. Plus, I don’t mind stress eating. 🙂
It’s hard not being with the people you love. I did get to see my parents, but we missed out on so many friends and neighbors. It sucks – there’s no other word for it.
We have had temps in the 20s, and I have tried so hard to get out of walking Luna, but girlfriend needs a mile or so to keep her sweet. No rest for the mama. Ever.
Luckily Scooby’s OK if he misses a walk — plus it’s been much warmer later in the day!
Those pies look yummy! I’ve been hearing great things about The Beatles theme workouts. What shorts are the ones you’re referring to in the picture?
They are Adidas — I usually only wear compression shorts, but they didn’t chafe or bunch up.
I agree about this being a favorite time of the year.
Sorry your Achilles was giving you trouble. Hope it’s feeling better soon!
Your pies look so good 🙂
Thanks again for the recipe!
Those gifts are hilarious! I’m sure next Christmas’ presents will be less health-related.
I couldn’t live in your house when you bake… I’m addicted to cakes, cookies, pies, everything. I’d eat them all on my own!
I am now planning no more than 3 months ahead – and even that is wobbly. I have a race mid-January and in March. Not sure if they are happening, though!
It is a dangerous time to be in my house! I won’t bake for a while after this. 😉 I guarantee I won’t be racing in March. Maybe the fall?
Ok, what’s up with all the health gifts? Mr. Judy has a serious “it’s a deal” mentality — me to, but most of the packages arriving here are for him — anyway, we already have the touchless thermometer & the BP monitor (because he has high BP). Used to have a pulseox, but mostly I used it for tracking my RHR & now I have my Garmin for that.
Sounds like a nice, low key Christmas. I know you were missing family, but in some ways, there’s something to be said for a lower stress holiday. Although in some ways I guess it’s higher stress too.
Good luck getting your plan in place this week!
We did not have a touchless thermometer, and my son was thermometer-less until recently! I snagged a basic one at the start of the pandemic, but by the time I knew he needed one they were no where to be found. I don’t think we need the BP monitor, but the ILs thought we did!
Ah, I see. I actually do monitor my BP as well — because high BP runs in my family, too, but so far I’m ok, which I’m pretty certain is due to running!
I’m with you- I love to enjoy this week and still feel Christmas-y. I was also laughing at some of our 2020 themed gifts- my son got an air purifier and an iphone sanitizer.
Hope you’re having a great week!
Yep, those are 2020 gifts for sure!
You always get in such a great variety of workouts — nice job! I’m jealous of your ability to get in yoga, strength, etc. I’m just a runner and that’s all I can ever do.
Your pies look great!
I had to giggle – the Happy Hips class looks like everyone is learning to break dance! 😉 Is there a certain use for the pulse oximeter? I had to look that one up as I’ve never heard of it before.