A Summer Bucket List

The calendar says summer which means it's time to revisit my spring bucket list and move on into this new season. This was my spring bucket list...

I kept it short and sweet and still didn't do all I'd planned. I did a lot though, and there were so many fun spring happenings that didn't make the list which means I pass. 

Not that it's a test, but I don't like leaving lists uncrossed. 

Go to a Farmer's Market...not yet. I'm adding this to my summer list because I still want to get there. We just did not have a weekend where it worked this spring, but summer's my favorite for fresh produce and lots of grilled fruits and veg. 

Tackle the attic. Oops. Nope. And now it's hotter than h e double hockey sticks up there so I think we'll push this task off until autumn. Pretty sure last winter I moved the task to spring and since I'm not worrying about it in the heat of summer I guess you'll see it again when autumn rolls around. Hi hubs! 

Kayak. Done. Once but at least we got out there. We'll do more kayaking this summer and nobody will love it more than the little brown dog. 

Dye eggs with the kids. Celebrate Easter. Host dinner. Wow, raise your hand if it feels like Easter was a hundred years ago? In reality just two months. Well, technically a lot longer than two months, but you know what I mean. 

Anyway, this one was done-done-and done and I loved it all. 

Write a love letter. Hmmm...I'm going to say yes because I wrote my grandson a birthday letter four days before summer rolled in. I think when I put this on my bucket list I was thinking more of the hubs, so maybe I can still make that happen. I like writing letters and we still need to officially celebrate our anniversary. 

Hike a trail new to us. Nope. I wish we'd been able to do this, but between the weather and my ankle we didn't get to this one. We don't do a lot of hiking here in the summer because it's so hot, but never say never. 

Host a Derby party. Yup. Whoohoo! It was lots of fun too. 

Pick strawberries and make jam...fail. There's always next year, and thankfully daughter1's mother-in-law makes strawberry fig preserves and always shares. 

Visit a garden. Does my daughter2's raised beds count? Ha! 

Probably not, but I loved seeing all her plants and look forward to tasting something she's grown. 

See a ballet. This was one of my favorite springtime activities. Daughter1 and I went to the International Ballet's performance of Don Quixote to celebrate her birthday. The costumes were beautiful, the dancing exceptional, and there's nothing quite like a mother-daughter day to bring the smiles.  

Spring was busy. While I only managed to complete half my list, there were lots of fun spring events that happened, but weren't listed....my sister and niece came out to the lake one weekend for brunch, the 'kids' moved out and into their own home, we had a whole week with both girls and all the grands in the house, took our first boat ride, celebrated a soon-to-be new momma, a grandson turning three, 41 years of married life, and more. It wasn't dull. Or quiet. 

Now bring on summer...

Linking today with Joanne for Talking About It Tuesdays...hop over to her blog (Slices of Life)  and see what everyone else has to say on this last Tuesday in June. 

Springing

Spring has sprung which means it's time to check in on the winter bucket list, and add some new to-do's for spring. Out with the old and all that jazz. 

Let's review. My winter bucket list looked like this-

1. Spend a day crafting each month. Nope. Nada. Zilch. Did not happen. Not enough hours in the day, too much going on, not inspired to pull out my crafting bits and bobs when there are already lots of extra bits and bobs out right now. 

2. Try a new soup recipe. I give myself an A+ on this one because the recipe I tried was so good and definitely a keeper. Everyone, kids and adults alike, loved this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup-

3. Organize the laundry room cabinets. Didn't even try. There were a lot of things happening here this winter that were not on my list so something had to give. A whole house clean will be happening soon, so this chore can be a part of that.

4. Hike a new to us trail. We didn't hike any new trails, but did revisit one of our favorites that we hadn't been to in a while, and we enjoyed that a lot. 

.5. Read a classic. Done. I read one in January (The Good Earth), one in February (Wuthering Heights) and I'm wrapping up my March classic now (Pride and Prejudice). I've enjoyed these books so much, and am in awe of the language. I plan to read a classic each month this year and so far I'm on track. 

6. Clean out the kitchen drawers. Giving myself a B- on this one. I got to some, but not all of the drawers but since it's a relatively quick chore I'll finish it up in the next couple of weeks. 

7. Celebrate Sugar's first birthday. Of course this happened and we had the best day celebrating our little sweetheart. I wrote a whole post about it here (My Tuesday Version of Hello Monday). And I always write my grands a blog letter on their big day and this is hers-Sugar Sugar

8. Buy something pink. Yes. I bought a pink sweater to wear to Sugar's sweetheart themed party. It was a little on the warm side that day (it was supposed to be cool and cloudy, not warm and sunny), but I wore it anyway because it was on point with the party theme. 

This is the sweater, but this is not Sugar. I don't have a single picture from her birthday where I'm in the sweater, but I promise you I was. All the pics I have with me in them were taken before I changed. Whatever, here is the sweater and this is Little Miss. Pink everything is her favorite so she is a fan of my sweater too. 

9. Choose Valentine treats for the grands. This one also happened. We were in charge of the grands the weekend of Valentine's Day as my daughter and son-in-law went to an out of town wedding. I bought some fun little things for them to have including magnifying glasses, sunglasses, little boxes of conversation hearts...that sort of thing. 

10. Write a love letter. Hmmm. This was a nice idea but I never sat down and made the time to do it. Love is in the air in the springtime too though, right? I think I'll add this one back in to my spring list. 

11. Stay on track reading the Bible through the year. Check. Hubs and I started the Bible Recap reading program Jan 1st, and so far so good. There have been one or two misses which meant reading double duty a couple of days, but we don't let ourselves miss more than that. We're on track and it's been really good. 

12. Bake the Southern Living cake of the month in Jan-Feb-March. I baked both the January and February cakes and have plans to make the March recipe this weekend-a Lemon Meringue cake. It looks to be a little more involved than the January/February recipes but I'm committed. Plus I have a houseful and somebody's gotta eat what I bake besides me. 

In summary I completed 7.5/12 so just over 60%, which would be a failing grade if this were a test. 

Except it's not, so I'm not mad about it. The first three months of the year have been uncharacteristically busy with many other to-do's that needed doing, and I wanted to roll with it. Here's to spring daydreams, fresh starts, and a brand new list-

Happy Spring! 

Share Your Shelf-December

Kicking off the new year with a book post. It's the first Thursday of the month which means it's time to share our shelves and what we read in December. Before I do that let's talk Goodreads. Are you on Goodreads? If you're not, how do you remember what you read and who wrote what? 

I enjoy participating in Goodread's reading challenge each year, and in 2024 my goal was 34 books. I read 44, a mix of historical fiction, non-fiction, memoir, contemporary fiction, and mystery/legal thriller. I always struggle to answer the question, 'which one was your favorite', but those near the top of that list would be Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, and Foster by Claire Keegan. 

Now on to December. Back to December? Whatever, here's what I read in December, fewer books than other months but the holidays didn't leave a lot of open space on the calendar. 

I'm linking this post today with the Share Your Shelf girls-Joanne (Slices of Life), Marilyn (Memphis Bridges), Tanya (The Other Side of the Road) and Jen (My Joyful Life). 

1. Joy To The World: Daily Readings For Advent by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon was a preacher in the mid 1800's, and this collection of daily short readings taken directly from his sermons still rings true today. Some of the language feels 'old', and after reading day one I wasn't sure I'd like it, but am so glad I stuck with it as I ended up loving it more each day. He made me think, which is what I want in an Advent devotional. I gave this one 5 stars. 

2. The Lost City Of The Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston

Hubs and I listened to this one on Audible as we were driving here there and everywhere during the month of December. We both enjoyed it. Mostly. The author got a little 'preachy' in spots toward the end, but overall this true account was really, really interesting. 

This is the story of a project by some documentary filmmakers (Steve Elkins and Bill Benenson) who used a technology called LiDAR to search for archeological sites in the Mosquitia region of Honduras. The Mosquitia region was one of the last scientifically unexplored places on earth, and basically I knew zero about any of that, including Honduras. The author, Douglas Preston, has written a number of fiction books, but has also written for National Geographic and The New Yorker. The story flows and was very readable. Listen-able? 

Elkins search was inspired by rumors of a lost city called La Cuidad Blanca or The White City, mentioned by Spanish conquistadors back in the 1930's. The stories and rumors surrounding this 'lost city' talked about a pyramid topped with a giant stone statue of a monkey god somewhere in the Mosquitia region, and this book tells the tale of Elkins and his team's attempts to locate and unearth it. A privately funded LiDAR survey showed complex archeological sites under the rainforest, and Preston (the author) accompanied the group of scientists, geologists, archeologists, videographers, etc to investigate and verify the findings. 

A fair bit of the book deals with the hardships (that's putting it mildly) of jungle life including a disease called leishmaniasis several of the group contracted and continue to deal with still today. Let me just say, reading this book confirmed my suspicion that I'm not cut out for jungle life. Have you ever heard of a snake called the Fer-de-Lance? Well they're a fixture in this particular part of the Honduras rainforest and they cause more human deaths than any other American reptile. Details of their trek into the rainforest were gripping and I am always fascinated by people who live lives of exploration, adventure, and risk. I gave this one four stars. 

3. The Southern Criminal (Joe Hennessey Legal Thriller #2) by Peter O'Mahoney

I like a legal thriller and enjoy this series featuring the lawyer Joe Hennessey. The books are set mainly in Charleston, but the author also mentions the Upstate, which is the part of SC where I live, and I enjoyed the references to familiar spots. This is the second of six in a series and I will probably read them all. I think the individual cases in each book stand alone, but Joe Hennessey's personal storyline is a thread carried through at least the first three books, maybe more.

In The Southern Criminal a high profile lawyer is charged with murdering his wife and Joe agrees to join the defense team since he owes the lead attorney on the case a favor. There's a side story playing out too, as Joe also agrees to separately defend a well known folk singer on drug charges. These two cases intersect, the plot lines are interesting, and the characters well-developed. There's a great deal of corruption, back room dealing, and shady lawyering (not by Joe) along the way, as well as the continuation of Joe's personal tragedy storyline (his ten year old son was murdered 20 years prior). Bits of that story are parceled out and it sounds like Book 3 (The Southern Killer) will tell much more. Joe is a likable lead character and this is a genre I enjoy. I gave it four stars. 

So what did you read in December? 

What's one book you're really excited to read in 2025? 

Three Days In June by Anne Tyler is one I'm looking forward to. I love her writing and the plot appeals to me. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy coming out in March sounds really good too, and  The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff is also on my to-read list. I  love a generational tale. Frederik Bachman has a book coming in May that I'll be waiting for, entitled -My Friends.

My to-read list is long, and I could go on, but I'll leave it there for now.

Will you be participating in any book challenges this year? I will definitely set a Goodreads goal for 2025, and this year I'm also considering the 52 book challenge. I might give myself a bit of latitude on that one, but it sounds like fun. 

New year, new books...happy reading everyone!

Relaxing With The Hodgepodge

Hello December and hello Hodgepodgers. I'm glad you're here. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post then leave a merry comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's the best $5 gift to give someone? 

A fun mug, a book, a coffee gift card, fuzzy holiday socks

2. What's your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season? 

I like to sit beside the lit Christmas tree with the rest of the house lights off. Early morning with my coffee or at dusk with a cup of tea or glass of wine. Sit-marvel-pray-wonder. 

3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes?

I like gingerbread, especially with a cup of hot tea. I also like to use ginger when cooking, particularly in Asian dishes. And I always ask for extra pickled ginger with my sushi. 

Gingerbread houses weren't really a part of our regular holiday tradition, but there were some years we made them happen. Do graham crackers count because we mostly made ours using graham crackers. They're easier to keep together.   

No matter their ages my girls took the construction very very seriously. 

4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day...will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants...which one do you wear most often? 

Blue jeans are one of my favorite items of clothing and I definitely have a favorite pair. Yes it's always a little sad to see them go (first world problem I know). I like a few different brands but currently have a pair of Liverpool that I love. Of the 'legware' listed jeans are my most worn. 

5. As we head into this holiday season what's your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

Be present. Keep Jesus front and center. Find a little bit of joy in each new day. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

When you decorate the tree do you do it yourself, have a little bit of help, or maybe a lot of help? If you have help do you move your helper's handiwork around to different branches on the tree when they leave the room? Asking for a friend.  

It wouldn't be December without my annual posting of this carol, my favorite version, with lyrics that are timeless...

 

Wishing you peace in your heart and home this Advent season.

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 580

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share your answers. See you there! 

1. What's the best $5 gift to give someone? 

2. What's your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season? 

3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes? 

4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day...will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants...which one do you wear most often? 

5. As we head into this holiday season what's your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My Hodgepodge Plans

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there, because comments make the blog world go round. Here we go-

1. When did you last have cancelled plans? Were you happy about that or disappointed? 

This past weekend actually. You'll find the details here-What To Expect When You're Expecting (not that kind).  I was super disappointed at first, but I got over it and embraced Plan B. 

2. On a scale of 1-10 how much of a planner are you? 

1= I go where the wind takes me  

10=I've got a power point on it, no matter what it is

I'm definitely NOT a 1. And 10 sounds like someone who can't go with the flow when going with the flow is required, so I'm not a 10 either. I am a planner and in general, enjoy planning. I like lists and adding things to the calendar and figuring out what there is to see when we travel, etc. But I can also flex when flexing is necessary and it so often is. I'm calling myself a 7. 

3. Do you have a menu plan for the week? If so tell us one or two things that are on it. If not, what's your plan for not having a plan lol? 

I do. I hold it loosely because if someone suggests a meet up someplace I'm on board. I make a general meal plan at the beginning of the week and adjust as needed. We're out a lot and on the go a lot but since we're home this week, I'm trying to eat on the lighter side. 

I used to love the California Pizza Kitchen's BBQ salad and I'm making a knock off version of that this week. It calls for jicama which I like, but I've never cut into one so that's something new. I'm also making a slow cooker swiss steak on Thursday because I'm out for a good chunk of the day and like not having to think about dinner when I get home. 

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Bucket List Day. Do you have a bucket list? Is it written down or just in your head? What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a list, what is one thing you'd add to a list if you did? Yes I'm going to make you think about it. 

Not a written one, but I suppose there's one running through my head. I used to keep a list on my sidebar called 101 in 1001 which was a list of 101 things (both large and small) that I wanted to see/do/try/complete in the next 1001 days. I might revisit that now that I remember it's there. 

Okay, true story I went down a rabbit hole reading back over my lists and I'm definitely going to revisit. I might make it a link up if anyone would be interested in trying it too. Here are the links to my first list, and my second. The last one was 'completed' in 2018 so it's been a while. 

101 in 1001-Volume 1

Ready, Set, Goal-Volume 2

Back to today...what's one thing on my bucket list? A trip back to the UK with my hubs. Since moving back to the states in 2009 we've both made trips back, just not together. It's time. And it's on the calendar so whoohoo! 

5. Rain buckets, a drop in the bucket, couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, sweat buckets, cry buckets...which 'bucket' idiom applies to your life in some way currently? 

Nothing stands out, but 'couldn't carry a tune in a bucket' always applies lol. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Many of you who've been around the Hodgepodge a long time used to also read my daughter's blogs. They both more or less set them aside because life is busy and they're trying to be intentional about how much time they spend online while raising young children. 

Both are back, not in daily posting (ain't nobody got time for that!!), but they're figuring out what works in this season of life. Hop over and say hi if you're interested in catching up. Daughter1 shares some exciting news I will definitely be weighing in on, and Daughter2 most recently shared her baby's birth story, which isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoy reading them. I love the details written out to remember and wish I'd recorded more of life's everyday 'stuff' when mine were little. 

Daughter1-Sincerely Shannon

Daughter 2-It's Elementary 

Have a great Wednesday everyone! 

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Obsessed With The Hodgepodge

Happy new year Hodgepodgers and welcome to the first link up of 2024! If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen). Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2024-

hack, impact, at the end of the day, rizz, slay, iconic, cringe worthy, obsessed, side hustle, wait for it

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Are any of these a regular part of your speech? Is there a word not on the list that you'd like to add? 

I've asked this question several years in a row now, and most years I haven't heard of more than half on the list. This year's list feels a bit more familiar, although I've still never heard anyone utter the word rizz. If I have to choose one from the list to banish I guess I'll go with side hustle. I'm not opposed to people having a 'side hustle' but for some reason the phrase itself grates. 

Perhaps if so much of what goes on in the world today weren't legitimately 'cringe worthy' we could quit saying it. 

I don't know that I use any of these words/phrases very often, but I think obsessed is probably sprinkled into my speech here and there. 

2. What do you wish you'd done more of last year? Less of? 

more of-writing

less of-overthinking 

3. A place you'd like to visit in this new year? Do you think you will? 

England. Do I think we will? Absolutely. 

4.What are three words to sum up or describe your 2023? 

busy, joyful, 'grand' 

5. What advice would you like to give yourself as we begin a new year? 

"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Nine years ago today my first born baby girl married her sweetheart...

...what a lovely life they've made.  

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 532

Happy new year! And welcome to the first Hodgepodge of 2024! Answer on your own blog, then jump back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen). Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2024-

hack, impact, at the end of the day, rizz, slay, iconic, cringe worthy, obsessed, side hustle, wait for it

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Are any of these a regular part of your speech? Is there a word not on the list that you'd like to add? 

2. What do you wish you'd done more of last year? Less of? 

3. A place you'd like to visit in this new year? Do you think you will? 

4.What are three words to sum up or describe your 2023? 

5. What advice would you like to give yourself as we begin a new year? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

And The Hodgepodge It Goes Round And Round

Welcome to the last Hodgepodge in July. Summer is a-flyin'! If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. July 25th is National Merry-Go-Round Day. Do you call it a merry-go-round or a carousel? When was the last time you rode one? Did you enjoy that? Metaphorically speaking what feels like a merry go round you're on right now? 

I've used both terms, but probably use merry-go-round more often (although neither are said a lot!).  I haven't ridden a merry-go-round in years. I think the last time might have been September, 2007 on a weekend trip to Disney Paris with hubs and our girls. I'm not a fan of spinning anything, but as long as the ride doesn't last too long or spin too fast it's okay. I did enjoy this ride and everything else about that weekend. 

As far as what feels like stepping on to a merry-go-round...maybe home ownership? You tackle one project and turn around only to discover three more have been added to the list. 

2. What word do you have a hard time pronouncing? What word do you have a hard time spelling? What's your favorite word in another language? 

Pronouncing? Anemone, which fortunately doesn't come up in conversation too often. 

Spelling? Lately that would be Cincinatti. I have to think about it every single time. Necessity is another. 

Favorite word in another language? I love the phrases c'est la vie, carpe diem, and chin chin. 

3. What's a phrase or cliche you use pretty often and find to be true?

'Every little thing's gonna be alright.' 

I said this often to my girls when they were growing up, and I say it to myself sometimes still. 

4. When it comes to grocery shopping what is your most dreaded chore-menu planning, the actual shopping, or the unloading/putting away? How often do you shop? Do you use any of the pick up and/or delivery services?

Unloading and putting them away. Ugh. My energy is generally pretty high in the meal planning stage and even with the actual shopping, but it dips about the time I pull into the garage and think about putting it all away. I shopped on Monday and it took me almost an hour to get everything unloaded and 'dealt with'.

I bought a watermelon and like to cut that into cubes to go in the frig right away. And of course it's too much for one container which means a trip downstairs to put the second container in my other frig. I also bought a rotisserie chicken to use in a dish I was making for dinner so that had to be cut up too. Then between the rind of the melon and the carcass of the chicken I had a lot of rubbish which meant a trip up to the curb to get it in the can before the rubbish was collected. I think I got at least 1000 steps in just putting away groceries. 

I shop about every 4-5 days. I like fresh produce and it starts to get wilty beyond that.  I usually meal plan enough dinners for a full week -ten days. We don't have a delivery option out here in the country, and I don't use pick up. 

Is all this more than you wanted to know about my shopping habits lol? 

5. Something you need or want to do before July comes to a close? 

Organize a little crafty project I have in mind for my daughter's birthday, complete some lingering paperwork for our financial planner, and read the books on my nightstand that need to be returned to the library. I'm halfway there in terms of the books. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Curious to know if you've seen, or have plans to see, any of the new movies out right now-Barbie? Oppenheimer? Mission Impossible? The Sound of Freedom? If so what did you think? 

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Picking Up Where We Left Off

Sort of. 

When last we spoke on the blog it was the second day of a brand new year, and now here we are rolling in to February. I might need to jump in somewhere in the middle.  

I know many people dislike January, and there are all sorts of memes about how January is 85 days long, but around here we need a January. We need time to catch our breath, rest, walk, think, figure out our calendars, and come up with a plan to organize this new year. 

We have mostly succeeded. 

I mean we definitely rocked the resting part and honestly that was the main thing. 
We were tired. 

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."-Edith Sitwell

January here means reading books and watching HGTV curled up under a blanket. It's calling a friend I hadn't spoken to in a long while and taking care of a significant car repair. It's scheduling a couple of (hopefully) minor home repairs that need doing and it's dealing with the small mountain of paperwork that accumulated while we were holiday-ing and not January-ing.

It's spending a low key weekend out of town, saying cheers to a new year with old friends, and then everyone taking a mid-day siesta because they can. 

It's a walk in the woods on a crisp blue sky day and a swim in the lake right after...

That last bit is maybe not for everyone but some of us live for a swim in the lake. 

Mostly January says it's okay to be a little bit lazy after months of non-stop doing and I'm here to tell you it felt good. Better than good actually because we are not meant to go and do without adding a little slow and easy into the mix too. 

Last week hubs went with some buds on their annual duck hunt so daughter2 and her little guy drove over to spend the week with Nana. Her hubs was traveling for work so the timing was perfect and I absolutely loved having my girl in the house. We might have gone to bed at a ridiculously early hour every single night, but we still enjoyed chatting about all manner of things throughout the day, sipping tea by the fire, and playing cards. 

Speaking of perfect...

Be still my heart. 

This little man is just so precious. He literally lights up a room, a day, your whole entire life, with his bright blue eyes and his gentle disposition. Wednesday we drove over to my sister and brother-in-law's house because my sister is also over the moon for this little cutie and needed to see him. 

Who can blame her? 

I was reminded this week how long the days can feel when you are momma to tiny humans. Life revolves around their waking and sleeping and you learn to let go of your own agenda and needs in order to first meet theirs. 

What a special joy it is to watch my grown up girls be mommas to their littles. To realize we're not just mother and daughter any more...

...we're mother and mother too. 

Hoping your January brought peace and rest, order and energy, stillness and warmth, to the beginning of this brand new year. 

So What's New?

Besides the year I mean? Are you like me where it takes you about ten days in to find your rhythm post-holidays? I made peace with that years ago and honestly don't feel any pressure to have a long list of resolutions ready to go on Day 1. Nor do I feel any urgency to jump back into all the things or even to put up/clean up Christmas. 

Although as it happens, today I did do a bit of de-Christmasing. My plan was just to get all the ornaments off the inside tree, but one thing led to another and both trees are now un-decorated, the main tree is out of the house, Christmas dishes have been swapped out for the everyday ordinary (mostly...there's always a stray or two that hang out in the dishwasher), many many many towels have been washed, dried, and folded, and the furniture we rearranged to make room for our big Christmas crew is back where it resides the other eleven months of the year. 

Hubs and I had a mostly quiet New Year's Eve. We spent a couple of hours catching up with our neighbors, watched a lot of exciting college football, took some walks and some naps and did the tag-team thing we've almost perfected after nearly 40 years of marriage where he vacuums and I strip the beds and then I make him a BLT and he makes me popcorn and we talk about how cute our grandchildren are and how busy and how much we love having everyone here and how we also love just us. 

Yesterday I cleaned out my pantry which had gone totally rogue over the holidays and it makes me so happy to open the doors and see it all nicely organized. I was going to clean out my frig today, but I didn't have the energy for a full 'take it all apart' kind of clean. I settled for emptying all the bits of left overs and running the dishwasher. 

Tomorrow is another day filled with new mercies and enough grace to carry us through. 

I know some people like to charge into a new year as if it's something to be conquered, but I prefer a gentler approach. No big leaps, just do the next thing that needs doing while I contemplate what exactly I want this year to be and how I want to fill my days. 

I need to take some deep breaths at the start of a new year. Carve out time to pray and regroup here at home. I'll likely make a few plans and then remind myself not to hold them too tightly, and I'll let a few or maybe a hundred ideas bounce around my brain to see what sticks. 

Some people declare the first month of the year no-wine January. I'm declaring it no Hodgepodge January. I need some space right now to do all of the above so I'm taking a mini-break from the regularly scheduled random to make room for other kinds of random. The Hodgepodge will be back February 1st, which conveniently lands on a Wednesday. 

Wishing you a new year filled with lots of peace and joy...

 With pinky pink sunrise skies reminding us He's got the whole world in His hands.