I know a lot of people travel to escape the cold and snow – and it really is hard to beat a beach vacation in the winter.
But there’s also something so magical about this season. Especially with a toddler!
In this email:
Thoughts on winter
NEW video on Youtube
Hidden Gems in Japan
Where we're headed in 2 days
Our favorite (easy!) hot cocoa recipe
Over the weekend, we bundled up, grabbed a thermos of homemade hot cocoa (so easy, find the recipe below!), picked up some treats from a local bakery, and headed to a nearby sledding hill.
I love that where we live we can drive about 20 minutes to the mountain where it’s an absolute winter wonderland.
We got there as fat snowflakes were falling, like something out of a movie. Juniper literally shrieked with excitement when she saw people sledding down the hill!
I learned quickly that it’s pretty difficult trudging uphill in deep snow and sledding down at 34 weeks pregnant, so I mostly just watched Ben and Juni.
It brought me so much joy to see them having so much fun, and it made me extra grateful for winter.
Might sound weird, but it’s true.
Do you like winter, or no??
Speaking of magical winter experiences…
We shared that the weekend before last, we went to one of the best winter destinations in the USA – Leavenworth, Washington – and we (aka Ben) put together a vlog with all the winter wonderland adventures we got up to!
I dare you to watch this video and not add Leavenworth to your winter bucket list!
(As always, all comments and likes on our videos are so appreciated and help us grow that portion of our business 😘)
So much love and work goes into creating our itineraries, and I am so proud of what we’ve created.
It is packed with our actual on-the-ground experience, insider tips, amazing hotel recs, and map locations, to make planning your own trip SO MUCH easier.
I fully intended on having this done (much) sooner, but if you’ve been following us this past year you already know we’ve been dealing with a lot during 2024. I guess late is better than never, right?!
If Japan is on your bucket list and you like unique sights away from the crowds, this route is the PERFECT plan for you.
In 2 days from now, we’re flying to Minnesota to spend the holidays with family and friends.
We’re super excited (obviously), but I’m also realizing I didn’t quite put together just how pregnant I’d be when we booked these flights a few months ago 🙈 Whoops.
I’m feeling great overall and my doctor was fine with this trip, so I’m just hoping I’m still feeling great 2 weeks from now when we have a long travel day to get home 🙃
Our current obsession: Super easy hot cocoa recipe
Yes, I know you can just buy mix at the store, but a few years ago I started experimenting with making my own, and it’s so much better!
You can adjust it to your preferences (sweet or not sweet) and it’s so easy. You probably have most of these ingredients already!
Whole milk (or an alternative milk)
Cocoa powder to taste
Maple syrup to taste
Splash of vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
I usually do this all to taste, adding a little more here or there because I prefer it with more cocoa and less sweet, but figure out what ratios you like.
Optional: You can add other flavors, like food grade peppermint extract or almond extract to switch things up! And if you’re not sharing with kids (or a pregnant lady!), you can add whiskey, schnapps, or Kahluah for a fun twist.
Whisk it all together over low heat, and pour into a thermos for your next winter adventure.
And if you’re having it at home it’s really good with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a mini candy cane (or all 3!).
