My NOT Top Ten: 2021 Edition |
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Hi Friends! Let's all take this first graphic not-so-seriously if it doesn't resonate with you. For me, it is a great reflection on the year - unexpected, confusing and a little ridiculous. But we made it! The Decades of Strength ladies and I actually just released a podcast episode talking about how we wrapped our 2021 goals, and did this less-than-thrilling past year actually change us for the better or worse? You can listen here. So in the interest of finding some amusement in the chaos (not to mention avoid the toxic happiness trend I've seen around the web), I am sharing my NOT Top Ten things that happened in 2021. Read on for some eye rolls, head shakes and reasons to feel excited about welcoming 2022! |
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Ok, admittedly this one looks about as superficial as it comes - but the issue runs deep. My hair. It's a WRECK. Early in 2021 I was feeling really low and I cut my extensions, darkened it to brown and tried to give it a break from any sort of treatment. But I just couldn't adjust to the change and lightened it back up in April. Sure it looks better (to me), but it's all smoke and mirrors. Above you can see what my hair looks like in its natural state. It is broken, damaged and so thin that it won't even hold a hair elastic. It's always been very fine and prone to this, but when my hormones tanked a year ago I had no idea the lasting effect it would have on my hair. I didn't realize the lag time there was from stress and only recently I've been in a bigger panic about how it still looks. I've healed a lot in 2021, but this physical marker of beauty has eluded me my whole life, and I'm currently at rock bottom. I had all my bloodwork rerun a few weeks ago and will connect with my functional medicine doctor next month to talk about which markers are back online again (there are MANY - yay!), and what I can do about the lagging deficiencies that may have something to do with this. |
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In February, the chickens moved in. To our heated, attached garage that is. The weather turned brutally cold and even though these are hearty birds, we couldn't bear to have them exposed to the brual elements. So my husband built a makeshift coop next my car and the girls brought them down to their vacation home for several weeks. They were so happy that they started laying eggs during that time, which doesn't usually happen during the cold, short, dark days of winter. I didn't love having our garage smell like a barn or having their morning banter set the dogs off at 5am, but the unexpected eggs were a nice show of gratitude. But if it did NOT want to hit 30 below with the windchill this February, that would be fine too. |
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This guy sure is cute on a plane isn't he? We traveled several times with him in 2020 and into early 2021. He's obviously zero work and truly provides me comfort during an experience I hate. We did have him certified as an Emotional Support Animal, but as many of you noted, in early 2021 that travel allowance expired. Only we had no idea. We got him out to San Diego in March no problem, but upon arriving at the airport to return home, we were told he would have to ride in the cargo section of the plane. Obviously that was an 'ABSOLUTELY NOT' (we would have sooner rented a car and driven home), and we were fortunate enough to check in with some pretty awesome Delta agents who let us through. We do have paperwork to register him as a service animal so he can fly with us again, but I haven't officially started that process yet. |
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Oh the recipe fails!! There are so many! Some get revisited and revised and others never see the light of day! Here are just a few: Gluten Free Lasagna: LOVED this version with the fresh gluten free pasta sheets. But it was not ok with the no-boil noodles. They took up way to much moisture and practically evaporated all the cheese. I will get this one right, but haven't had the time yet. Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls: I took @laurenfitfoodie's fabulous protein cinnamon rolls and used gluten free flour in place of regular and learned that without gluten and proper adjustments, any bread recipe just basically scones. Actually, really delicious in flavor and totally edible....but NOT cinnamon rolls. I ended up finding a great recipe here (they took some work and a hail mary, but the result was amazing) and used Lauren's recipe for the frosting. You may have seen them in my Christmas morning stories - they were a dream come true! Cake Pop Blondie + Zucchini: just no. Tasted ok, looked like a nightmare. Stick with the original. Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Bake: This was good but felt too much like many other creations, so I shifted and made a buffalo chicken dip. I was testing out higher fat, lower volume foods at that point in the year and was really pleased when that casserole turned into this dip. Cookie Dough Protein Bars: They tasted incredible and had only three ingredients (protein powder, cashew butter and coconut flour) but they were way too high in fat to call protein bars. Apple Cinnamon Bars: These were the first draft before this, which I love SO MUCH MORE! |
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This sweet girl. Holding her sweet girl. In April, we decided it was time to open our hearts and our home to fostering a dog again. We took in Jill and she was amazing. No one fell harder for her than Elle. Saying goodbye was devastating and she still talks about how much we miss her. Truthfully, if I could go back in time, I would change our decision and we'd have adopted her. |
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In June we drove out to Colorado. On the way back we thought it would be fun to stay in Omaha a night and recharge while the girls played at a hotel water park. We were so very wrong. Upon walking into the hotel, we encountered countless signs that it was probably not a great call to stay, but the girls were already excited about swimming and Redstone was in desperate need of a run. So we decided to stay. Until this. No toilet seat in the bathroom (based on what I saw of the parking lot, I am assuming it was probably out there), and no attempt from hotel staff to remedy it. So our 14 hour drive home turned into twenty-something after wasting about 6 hours here. Kind of a bummer because I know now that Omaha has a lot to offer...just not off THIS particular exit. |
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In August we took a last minute trip to Northern Michigan - but missed the mark. We stayed in Boyne City and were really disappointed. Restaurants were mediocre, the town was not at all dog friendly and our hopes of beach days were mostly rained out. It wasn't all bad - we had the experience of a lifetime at Sleeping Bear Dunes outside Traverse City, ate the world's best pretzels at Petoskey Pretzel and found a spectacular dog beach in Harbor Springs. While we loved the water and landscape of Northern Michigan, for the time it took to get there, we'd probably head back to Colorado - or at least NOT stay in Boyne City again. I know there was more to enjoy and we were just limited by our choice of Airbnb. |
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And I don't want to pick on Michigan! I learned that 2021 was NOT the year to go out to eat anywhere. This sad salad was just one of many disappointing meals we had while on vacation and out in Madison. The poor service industry suffered so much - and my heart goes out to all service workers who showed up even amidst the awful manners and noncompliance of so many rude patrons who didn't agree with the mandates. I will say the exception to this was in San Diego. We always stay in La Jolla and had some of our best meals of the year at The Taco Stand, The Cottage and Mr Moto's Pizza. |
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Ok one more food-related note - and this one only makes the Not Top 10 because I WISH I could share it! PEScience is developing some savory flavored proteins. I used one here to create a protein bread (grain free!) grilled cheese sandwich. Think cheesy garlic bread meets ALLLL your protein goals!! Hoping I get to share this and more in 2022. FYI PEScience is offering free shipping this week until January 5th on all US and Canadian orders! My code Katie saves 15%. And BONUS - I'll be sharing 5 - $50 gift cards to those who tag me in a recipe story this week. Just use hashtag #katiecrokus and you're entered! |
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These three all changed schools this year. It was a rocky and unexpected start to 2nd, 5th and 6th grades. Two are at one school and one at another. It was not ideal in any way but we've all persevered and I can genuinely say that after several months of adjusting, they are all happier than ever. |
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Do you remember the skunk?! The smell and the memory are living rent free in my head forever! Five months later and we are just now beginning to get the stench off his head, our house and the sunroom furniture. Poor Redstone took a direct hit to the face and the smell was so toxic at first that I had no idea what happened. I of course ushered him inside where he panicked and rubbed his body across anything that didn't move. We are so grateful he didn't lose more than his sense of pride. I've since read stories of dogs losing sight or other senses. This was a rough one. |
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Ahh December was such a cluster!! Too many hiccups to recount, but this one is still fresh in my mind. We flew out to Pittsburgh for a wedding we had been looking forward to for months. But it came right smack in the middle of about 15 other imobile commitments. So when weather threatened our early morning flight home, my husband and I hopped in a rental and drove all night through deplorable conditions to get home. The next day was a blur of birthday celebrations, the arrival of a new kitten, ski team placements, more driving, holiday wine sales and more but we made it. |
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I have a 12 year old. Some might wonder why this amazing feat of parental fortitude was relegated to the Not Top Ten. And don’t misunderstand - I am weak with gratitude for having this extraordinary human as my firstborn. But TWELVE IS HARD. I’m starting to think that the decades I was so hard on myself was just practice for what it is like to have a teenager. I’ve never been as fun or as fascinating as her dad, but I’ve always held my place as her confidant. Until recently, when a new phase came upon us, and evidently I am to blame. And not just for this shift in equilibrium, but also for any misunderstandings, lack of communication, poor weather, gridlocked traffic, missing socks, bad hair days (you get the picture) - all firmly planted in the ‘Mom You Suck’ camp. It’s hard. I’m learning to solve less and empathize more, while admitting to her that I actually do NOT know how she’s feeling, despite having experienced adolescence myself. But not during a pandemic. Not with social media. Not without a phone when all my friends had one. Not having changed schools in 6th grade. So I will sit in silence with her. Wait patiently for the moments when she ‘comes back’ even if only fleeting. Lose an hour of sleep if that’s the time she decides she wants to talk to me. Christmas Day was especially hard, as I alluded to in my stories, and I don’t want to live it again. But there are land mines everywhere, so I know I will. And every time I set one off, I’m tested…but at least I’m given another opportunity to try again. Do you have daughters? Please, tell me your secrets! |
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Oh and one more thing; amidst all the chaos of the year and subpar parenting moments, I have to give a huge shout out to my husband. There is no one I'd rather do this life with. And if you are in a place where you can laugh about family and marriage too, give this list a read. Guaranteed to make you laugh out loud and nod your head in appreciation. Number 9 and number 30 are EVERYTHING. Happy New Year friends!! And thanks for reading my Not Top Ten (ok 13, but it just seemed right). |
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For a limited time I have my PRINTED copy reduced $10 off - almost the price of the digital copy alone. Shop it here. Did you know that the digital version of my newest book, Food For Thought has clickable links in the index? Just tap on the recipe you want and you'll be brought straight to that page. I love easy. |
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