10 Things We Loved in December 2023

Last updated on January 15th, 2024 at 09:32 am

It’s the final day of December as I write this, and as the daylight slowly fades, the lodge is enveloped in a cosy glow of lights and the heating is keeping it toasty warm 🏡

We have decided to conclude the year on the blog by compiling a list of some of our favorite things from December 2023.

First and foremost, we want to extend a heartfelt New Year’s greeting to all of you. 🎇

We are immensely grateful for your continued support throughout 2023, whether it was through watching our vlogs, engaging with our social media posts, or being part of our Facebook group.

Your support means the world to us, and we hope to continue providing value and smiles to each of you throughout 2024. 🙏

While December naturally featured some Christmas highlights, our list will encompass everyday items that brought us joy, and entertainment or proved to be useful during the festive month.

1. Treadmill

Despite Nick’s belief that it would be returned in January 😂, I not only still have the treadmill I bought from Amazon but also continue to love it.

I needed something easy to store, considering the limited storage space in the lodge.

Being an avid reader of reviews before making any purchase, I had it delivered via Prime after reading several reviews.

I must say, I am very impressed with it. Not only does it help me achieve my 10k step goal, but it also allows me to catch up on some TV shows while I exercise.

All in all, it has proven to be one of my best recent purchases.”

2. Oxo Good Grips dustpan and brush

We needed a small dustpan and brush for the van, and initially, we considered purchasing an inexpensive one from Poundstretcher or somewhere similar.

However, we then recalled a brand that we used to carry when we had our own business – it was always synonymous with top quality.

This led us to opt for a mini dustpan and brush from Oxo Good Grips. While it was priced at £9 in Dunelm Mills, we found it for £5 on Amazon, making Amazon the obvious choice for our purchase.

We have already used it multiple times and are delighted with our decision to invest in this particular item.

3. Alan Rickman diaries

I’m always immersed in a book (Leigh), and my Kindle is a constant companion, resting by the side of my bed or tucked into my bag for moments when I know I’ll have a few minutes to indulge in reading.

I love a good self-improvement book, fiction novel, or biography. The Alan Rickman diaries marked the first time I delved into a diary-style biography.

To be honest, it’s not purely a biography, so I’d recommend it only to those who enjoy reading diaries. (Do you remember the first time you read Bridget Jones’s Diary, nearly two decades ago? I loved it)

I’ve always admired Alan Rickman’s performances in films, particularly his portrayal of Snape in Harry Potter.

The way he delivered each line was an art form in itself. I found myself captivated by the book and the insight it offered into his life, filled with acting, friendships, dining out, flights, and more acting.

Although he didn’t chronicle every aspect of his daily life, his reflections on various life situations and the people he encountered were incredibly amusing and often had me chuckling. His wit was truly remarkable.

4. Fellow Travellers & Paramount plus

We love a good TV binge after a day working on the van or filming.

This month we made our way through the series “Fellow Travellers”

Two guys, thrown together in the charged atmosphere of 1950s Washington D.C., ignite a spark amidst the McCarthy frenzy. Picture power suits, smoke-filled rooms, and whispered secrets – their love story unfolds in the shadows, forbidden but fierce. Both rising stars in the political scene, they navigate a high-stakes world where whispers can shatter careers and love itself becomes a political liability. Flash forward, fast. Decades later, their lives have diverged, yet the embers of their hidden passion still flicker. It’s a story of love, secrecy, and the lingering echoes of a time when whispers could silence hearts.

Paramount Plus

We thought it was a very good series. It is on Paramount Plus which we use as one of our main streamers.

It has a great selection of series and films. We also enjoyed the latest Transformers film on Paramount plus “Rise of the Beasts”.

5. Journey App & Leigh’s new Paper Journal

I’ve transitioned to doing most of my journaling online, although I still pull out my paper journal for a good writing session.

My go-to platform is the Journey app, which I have installed on my phone, tablet, and laptop.

The seamless synchronisation across all my devices ensures that my journal is always at my fingertips, allowing me to update it whenever inspiration strikes, whether I’m at home or out at a coffee shop.

The ability to add photos to each entry makes it a wonderful way to visually revisit past moments.

The app also offers coaching programs for those new to journaling, making it easy to get started.

While the free version is perfect for everyday use, the premium account provides access to a variety of templates and programs.

Despite embracing online journaling, I still find joy in using a physical journal. In fact, a lovely friend of ours gifted me a new journal for Christmas, and I’m eagerly anticipating the experience of putting pen to paper in it.

For those who prefer the tangible nature of a physical journal, I always recommend selecting one that resonates with you and feels special.

The decision to journal online or with a physical book is a personal one, and both approaches have their unique appeal.

For me, journaling feels like a therapeutic practice, allowing me to capture my thoughts, experiences, and emotions in a meaningful way.

6. York & Stacey and Peter visiting from Florida

One of the most memorable moments of our December was the visit from our friends from Sarasota, Florida.

It was a new experience to have them in our part of the world, especially since we were accustomed to seeing them on the usually sunny west coast of Florida.

They spent some time in London before joining us for a few days at the lodge, and then we all headed off to York.

For those who have been following our channel for several years, it’s no secret that we have a deep affection for York and often visit for the day or stay overnight.

This particular visit was truly magical. We had never experienced York at night during the Christmas season, and it added an extra layer of magic to the place.

The lights, the atmosphere, the ambiance – it was all so special. We took great pleasure in showing Stacey and Peter around, and it felt like we were seeing York through their eyes for the first time.

The city’s rich history and its array of charming coffee shops and restaurants never fail to captivate us, and sharing these delights with our friends made the experience even more memorable. (The less said about out train journey at the end of our York trip the better 🤣)

7. Lisa & Ades house moving Vlogs

One of the YouTube channels we frequently enjoy is from our friends Lisa & Ade. On their “Life with Lisa” vlog channel and their Florida Channel, they recently shared their journey of moving homes.

It has been truly heartwarming to witness their long-awaited transition into the house they’ve been dreaming of for what feels like an eternity.

If you appreciate cosy home-style vlogs featuring plenty of cooking and relaxing music, I highly recommend checking out Lisa’s vlogs if you haven’t already.

Additionally, they have a Florida channel for those who adore a bit of Disney. You can find their channels here:

• Life with Lisa Vlog Channel
• Ade and Lisa Do Disney Channel
• It’s only paper – Lisa’s Journaling channel

8. The American Hut

Our friends at the American hut kindly gifted us some new scents in December.

We had some Christmas scents which we absolutely loved and a new array of Disney & Florida-inspired smells.

Nick is obsessed with his smells so we have a draw full of different fragrances and he always has either the wax melt or steamer on the go, pumping out one lovely smell or another.

Nick prefers clean crisp fresh smells whereas I love anything that smells of baking or vanilla.

From their website “Bring your magical vacation to your very own home with our American resort theme park & food Inspired products, we know how much you love your vacations so why not bring a little bit into your own home and get transported back to your happy place”

Check them out if you love being reminded of your Florida holiday or just love a good scent around your home

9. The Big Issue

I always try to buy the Christmas issue of the Big Issue. In 2024 I want to get into the habit of buying each time a new issue is out.

It’s kind of a tradition for me to get it in December.

December is always a time when you feel no one should be on their own or out in the cold. For those of us with lovely warm homes, it’s unimaginable to have to live on the streets, especially at this very cold time of year.

I realise that buying the Big Issue once a year is very little to help and I aim to buy it each month this year.

Each purchase helps someone towards a better life.

You will usually find the vendors very friendly and always happy to have a good talk and conversation if you have the time.

Don’t worry if you don’t have cash on you, most of them now handily have a card machine so you can just swipe your card and help someone make a better life for themselves.

10. Fitbit versa 3

I recently bought myself a new smartwatch. I’ve worn a smart band for several years to track my steps but I wanted something which did a little more.

I went for the Fitbit versa 3. It tracks my steps, shows my WhatsApp messages, can take calls on my wrist, pays for things in shops using Fitbit pay and it has Alexa or Google Assistant so you can ask your watch questions while out and about if you need a quick answer to something.

It’s very comfortable and I can wear it to sleep in to track my sleep without realising it’s on my wrist. I added Bazza and a few of our patrons on our Discord fitness group to my Fitbit friends and we each encourage each other to get to our 10k steps (or rib each other if we’re way behind). 10k a day during the last week or so of Christmas hasn’t been hit that often but I’m back to it in January.

Thats our ten items for this month. We hope you enjoyed reading the blog and once again thank you for watching our videos or reading our blog posts throughout 2023

We look forward to sharing our journey with you in 2024

Happy New Year !