Hello and happy Monday Friends ~
And Happy 2025!! It's my first time checking in since the calendar officially turned.
Matt and I did lots of lounging on New Year's day. We watched the Rose Parade, played cards, watched movies and he played video games while I read. We helped Annie work on her puzzle and she hung out with us a bit too.
Annie and I have been having such fun while she's been home. Going out shopping, hanging out a lot, great chats, watching shows, playing games and working on her puzzle. It's going to be so hard to watch her leave back to FL this week. But I've treasured every minute and we're planning to meet up with her in AZ late winter/early Spring - like we usually do to visit my Dad and step Mom. And in between we will text or talk on the phone almost every day - so that helps too. 💗
I don't usually do new year resolutions - as I think they're too easy to break and feel down on yourself. I typically pick a word for the year. Something I can go back to meditating on all through the year. More of a concept than a resolution of any kind. But it gives me a sort of beacon to keep finding my way back to for a little extra purpose for the year.
This year my word is HOME. For many different reasons:
*an obvious one is literally being home more this year as we were gone so much last year with our epic trips etc. We have projects planned around here and just want to love our first married year continuing to plant our roots here
*spiritually I want to go back "home" - to the start and dive more into the word. I do a lot of devotional time with books I have, but I'm not always as good about reading my bible. That changes this year!
*and mentally/physically going back to the basics or "home base" to get back on my healthier routine...especially for the sake of my arthritis etc. Matt & I have lots of plans of golfing, playing pickleball, camping - very active things and I plan to lead the charge with all of it!
We had even hoped to be snow shoeing by now - but we still don't have snow. It's just so crazy and really hurts our winter industries up here (ski trails, snowmobiling, sled dog races etc) Plus we need the moisture badly. Our bay was so low last year already, that if this keeps up we won't be putting in our dock this Spring. So I'm hoping that changes and we can get out in the woods for good exercise and activity soon!
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
some coffee with protein creamer and a little bit of sugar-free cinnamon roll flavor creamer. Also a grapefruit. Annie's boyfriend's family sent us a crate full of wonderful citrus fruit from FL for Christmas. Everything in it has been SO delicious!!
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
Costco run, other errands, Matt & I meeting with our financial planner (starting NY the right way there too), home projects, hospice work
THINKING ABOUT:
What a blessing my kiddos and Matt are in my life and reflecting on all my hopes for them and fun for us all in 2025!
AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I still have my decorations up and enjoy the glow each night. My besties and I have been getting together to do Christmas in January for around 30 years now and I'm hosting it this year. We get together this weekend, so I wanted to keep up my decorations for that. ✨❤️💚
CURRENTLY READING
My new awesome herb book I got from Aaron for Christmas. It's called The Cook's Herb Garden: Grow, Harvest, Cook
by Jeff Cox & Marie Pierre Moine
I also added The Little Book of Cottagecore: Traditional Skills for a Simpler Life by Emily Kent on my kindle
Plus, when Annie & I were out shopping recently I also picked up the newest edition of In Her Studio: spaces and stories of creative women (love those magazines!!)
ON THE TV TODAY:
When Calls the Heart, Virgin river, All Creatures Great & Small (starts this week), The Rookie starts this week, movies taped & cooking shows, lots of football (Packers lost - boo....but at least Vikings lost to the Lions - yay!)
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - leftovers
TUESDAY -
WEDNESDAY -
THURSDAY -
FRIDAY -
*will be doing a Costco run and figure out meal plan for the week
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
read, organize craft plans in my office, do fun workouts (too cold to walk outside)
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
I found this on Youtube and it's called "Vintazy" and shows a vintage pic while playing fun vintage music. Nice back drop for cleaning/reading. And they have nighttime jazz ones nice to fall asleep to as well.
FROM THE CAMERA:
We got all dressed up and headed out in New Year's Eve. Look at our cute downtown all decorated for the season. ✨ On our way there it started to snow and added a lot of pretty - however it didn't last. Sigh
I made some yummy ranch dill pretzels for a new year's eve snack for Annie (& a friend she hung out with) and for us all to nibble for new years day lounging.
I also made this truly amazing blueberry french toast bake. Annie's direct quote: "Mom this is fire and you should definitely make it again!" 😋
I will share recipes later this week!
Lots of wonderful lounging on NY's day
The very difficult - but finally completed puzzle Annie had gotten at Christmas
Bubba last night giving the evil eye to the Vikes so the Lions would win (& they did! 😉)
I still have an ipad coloring addiction when I'm not reading. Going to try to focus on more books and crafting now. 🙈
As you know, Matt spoiled me so much at Christmas but this little gift was definitely a fave and makes me so happy. It's a little bookstore that lights up that I'm loving on my bookcase (in between the books) in my office. Annie's friend was over crafting with Annie on new year's and they put it together for me. Isn't it adorable??
💗💗💗