Share Your Shelf-December

I think the link up might have been last week, but as per usual I'm easing in to January and not apologizing for it. I'm not someone who charges in to the new year. We're often exhausted as the year winds down and I love taking it slow in the first month of the year, particularly the first couple of weeks. Life will pick up speed and the calendar will fill up, but for now slow and easy down the new year road I go. 

This link up had four hosts previously but Joanne (Slices of Life) is going it alone this year so hop over and add your list of books read the month prior. Here's my short but sweet December list- 

Anxious People by Frederik Bachman

Let me start by saying I really love Backman's writing. I've read a number of his previous books and enjoyed all. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, a creative and original tale where a 7-year old girl is best friends with her grandmother, is my favorite. 

Most of Bachman's books feature quirky yet somehow relatable characters, and most get rave reviews.  Anxious People had many reviewers saying it was just okay, but I really liked it. Four stars for me. 

In Anxious People a failed bank robbery turns an apartment open house into a hostage situation, trapping eight anxious strangers together. The would-be-robber vanishes, secrets come to light, and the captives discover they have more in common than expected. Funny and tender Anxious People explores themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the quiet ways in which people can truly help one another. 

Grace (Sisters of the Heart #4) by Shelley Shepard Gray

A Christmas themed novel given to me by a friend in my book club. She wraps up Christmas books in brown paper and everyone grabs one. So thoughtful! This was mine, and while it was a bit 'Hallmark-y' I liked it. It was the end of the year and light felt right. 

Grace is apparently the fourth in a series by this author, but it was easy to catch up with the main character's back stories. The novel is set in a tightly knit Amish community, specifically in a Bed and Breakfast owned and run by an Amish family, The Brennemans. 

The family is ready to close down for the holidays until two unexpected guests arrive seeking shelter. First comes Levi, angry and insistent on staying. Then Melody appears, nearly nine months pregnant and alone, with no explanation for her journey from Kentucky.  The Brennemans offer warm hospitality, and daughter Katie is determined to uncover the secrets they carry. 

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson 

I'm still on my 'read a classic every month' kick, and this was December's selection. The language and vocabulary alone in these classics make me want to read more. Hubs and I listened on Audible, and I loved it. I don't know if I ever read this as a child, but hubs remembered it well. The narration is top notch and made the listening more fun. 

Treasure Island was published in 1883, and blends moral lessons with adventure. It's had a huge impact, both on later tales of adventure and our perception of pirates,  that still holds true today. 

This is the story of Jim Hawkins, a young boy who goes in search of treasure after finding a treasure map. He faces shipwreck, a pirate mutiny, sword fights and more. It's the story of a young boy who overcomes the odds. 

The tale begins at the Admiral Benbow Inn on England's Bristol Channel where Jim and his parents encounter an old sailor, later revealed to be Billy Bones, former first mate of the famed pirate Captain Flint. 

After Bones death Jim takes the map to Dr. Livesy and Squire John Trelawney, who organize an expedtion to find the treasure. Together with a crew, Jim joins Long John Silver on an expedition to an uncharted island to find Flint's treasures. It soon becomes apparent many of the crew are former pirates under Silver's command and a mutiny is brewing.   

Themes of good and evil, fortune and greed, survival and resourcefulness, loyalty and betrayal are all explored. Five stars for me. 

If you're reading something great, send it my way.

The Hodgepodge. Full stop.

Happy new year Hodgepodgers! I hope you had a happy restful holiday and are easing in to this new year with joy. I'm looking forward to lots of random fun here on Wednesdays and am so glad you're joining in with the weekly hop.  

If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Onward in to 2026 we go...

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2025? 

fractured, anchored, grateful 

2. I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how we shouldn't be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along : ) 

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 about how the words are chosen). Here's the list for 2026- 

67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted  • my bad • reach out 

Which one (if any) do you use most often? I like the word perfect and that would be my most used on this list. I have no plans to stop. 

Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? I'm not a fan of my bad and would be okay if we let that one go. I know 67 is overused, but not in my crowd. Perhaps if I had teens or tweens in the house? 

Is there a word you think should have made the list? How about 'circle back'? 

3. What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your 'ideal' nightly ritual? If so what's your ideal? 

Is falling asleep on the couch considered a ritual? I do this a little too often. 

My nightly ritual is pretty simple-pjs, wash face, moisturize, retinol, and brush/floss teeth. I often do the face wash early in the evening if we're not going anywhere. I'm not the person doing any kind of housework in the evening. If we're home we watch something on TV and I might also read or work on my blog. My energy level is on a downward trajectory after 5 PM. 

4. January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favorite? Last thing you ate made with beans? 

I like all beans, with green beans being my favorite and limas my least liked. Still I'll eat them, but mostly just in soups or stews. Black eyed peas are actually a bean and we had those on January 1st so that would be the last thing I ate made with beans. 

5. Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate. 

I can be, but it depends on the group I'm with and who's doing the embarrassing. I can definitely fake it and pretend I'm not embarrassed when I'm actually cringing on the inside. As a child I think I was pretty easily embarrassed but as an adult I've learned to laugh at myself. 

I will say I'm someone who is easily embarrassed for others, even when they might not feel it themselves. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I've made a simple winter bucket list, nothing too crazy, just a few things I'd like to do in the next three months. I find a list motivating in terms of helping me tackle some of the nagging to-dos that don't seem to get done if they're not written down. I can't explain it but somehow it works. Do you have a new year-new month-new season bucket list? 

Hello Monday, Hello New Year

I say every January the official start to the new year for me is this week, sometime five or six days into the month. Christmas is still up at my house, but today is the day. Hubs took down the outdoor lights yesterday, but inside I'm still fa-la-la-ing. 

We had a nice weekend beginning with a walk to a nearby waterfall Friday morning. Let's go ahead and call it day date episode 12. 

I was wearing a hat. I forgot there would be a picture. 

The little brown dog loves this particular hike, and in fact he'd made this same walk just last week when he spent Christmas with my daughter1 and her family while we traveled. 

The minute he gets out of the car he starts panting like crazy because he smells the water and wants to get to it pronto.

We came home and had lunch, then mid-afternoon hubs and I went to the movies (episode 13). We were trying to remember the last time we went to an actual movie theater and couldn't be sure. I think it was way back in May when Mission Impossible came out, and before that who knows? We don't go to the movies often, but happened to be there twice this weekend. 

We wanted to see Song Sung Blue and had to drive a couple of towns over to where it was still playing. We loved it. Neither of us had read anything about it, and turns out it wasn't at all what we thought it was going to be. Still we loved it. I thought Hugh Jackman was playing Neil Diamond, but he's actually playing Neil Diamond in a tribute act. So good! The camera absolutely loves Kate Hudson, and the story was unexpected. Bring your kleenex. Just sayin'. 

We're rarely in this town so I checked the always trustworthy internet for a dinner rec. We ended up at a place called The West End Dinner Club which we enjoyed. It has a speakeasy vibe and the food was good. I had salmon and hubs had mahi and both were tasty. 

Saturday we did a few things around the house and I picked up a few groceries we'd be needing for the grandkids overnight visit. These two were celebrating their wedding anniversary and we said the kids could spend the night so mom and dad could have a night out in the city. 

They arrived just in time for us to load them back into the car to go see the new film David. This was the first movie in a theatre for Little Miss and she had a grand time. I mean there was popcorn and a comfy recliner so what more do you need? We liked the movie a lot and the message is excellent. It's an especially good boy flick which is rare. Also very true to the Biblical account which was nice to see. 

We came home and had a fondue party. You haven't lived until you've made fondue with a three year old lol. Little Miss pours and mixes with great confidence.  

I thought ahead and covered the table with a disposable cloth, but it still felt like there was chocolate everywhere. 

We started with cheese fondue and hubs also grilled some small steaks because it seemed like we needed more than cheese and chocolate for dinner. And popcorn. 

Hi. We're the grandparents.  

There were vegetables for the cheese and fruit for the chocolate so calling that a win. 

After dinner it was showers for the boys and a bath for little miss, and then pjs and basketball on tv. Everyone slept and we had bacon and waffles and leftover fruit before church. Shout out here to parents getting three kids dressed and fed and in the car along with themselves for church every Sunday. I felt a little like I'd run a 5k. 

Our sermon yesterday was on 1 Samuel 17 aka David and Goliath. We'd just seen the movie the day before so my ears perked up when the pastor mentioned the chapter he would preach from. Coincidence? Not likely.  In short...we all have our giants. Be like David and think less about my giant and more about my giant God. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to this brand new year. 

Joining Holly (Pink Lady) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books) today for their regular Monday morning hop. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 635

Happy new year Hodgepodgers! Here are the questions to round one of 2026 (round 635 for real). Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (January 7th)  to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2025? 

2. I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how we shouldn't be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along : ) 

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 about how the words are chosen). Here's the list for 2026- 

67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted  • my bad • reach out 

Which one (if any) do you use most often? Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word you think should have made the list? 

3. What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your 'ideal' nightly ritual? If so what's your ideal? 

4. January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favorite? Last thing you ate made with beans? 

5. Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Happy New You!

That's how we say it in our house. Happy new YOU! When our oldest grandson was two years old this was how he greeted the new year, and we still love it. 

So will it be a new me, or the same old me in 2026? I'm hoping for a slightly improved version, but I suppose I'm the one who will need to make that happen, so the answer is still up in the air. 

We put a boatload of expectation on the turning of a calendar page, don't we? 

Before we move forward let's look back at the week that was. Monday around 5 hubs had a thought about whether or not his passport was expiring this year or next so he went to check. He returned shortly and asked, 'Where's my passport?' 

I don't know. I mean we keep them locked up always in the same place, but when he went to check it wasn't there. So we backtracked in our thinking trying to remember when the last time was that he flew, until I remembered we had taken the passports (and every single identifying piece of information we own including our birth certificates and our marriage license) to the DMV in August when we went for our Real ID. 

Hmmm...so what did I do with them? I mean we both knew I'd been the one carrying the bag and hubs kept his cool but y'all it was a problem. A PROBLEM!! 

We knew they'd been in a tote bag and we spent the next couple of hours turning our house upside down looking for that bag in obvious and ridiculous places both, because at this point I figured I must have put it somewhere that made no sense. 

We had gone to breakfast after the DMV and even though it was all the way back in August I still phoned the restaurant and the sweet hostess went and looked in their office and under the counter and anywhere she could think of which I appreciated. I knew I hadn't left it there because I'm kind of paranoid about this sort of thing, although apparently not paranoid enough to put it all back in the spot we have for important documents. 

At some point I got on the computer and asked what to do and the internet very helpfully laid it out for me.  I went ahead and ordered a copy of my birth certificate and our marriage license because those things were easy. Hubs birth certificate would be another story, because he was born outside the US in a military hospital that no longer exists. Whoo boy. 

We finally went to bed. Hubs said we'd figure it out and let's just go to bed and see it with fresh eyes in the morning. Neither of us slept much, and when I got up he was already on the phone trying to sort out his paperwork dilemma. We both were sure the bag was somewhere in the house as opposed to truly lost or stolen, but we couldn't think of any other place to look. I decided to go look once more in one of the places I'd already looked three or four times, but this time I methodically took each thing out of the space, and hallelujah! there it was.  

Honestly I felt like I had a little PTSD from the whole experience. I know this experience falls under the heading of first world problems, but it was a problem nonetheless.

Tuesday was nice. I piddled around the house, made a big pot of lemon chicken orzo soup, caught up on blogs, and played Mah Jong with some neighbors. 

On the last day of the year (Wednesday) we went for a walk. It was cool but not windy and the sky was so blue. Some of us chased chipmunks...

we smiled at the cherry tree beginning to bloom-

...and we spent the afternoon watching football. I made a Mexican style spinach dip to take to the next door neighbors that evening. They invited us, along with another couple, to ring in the new year with dinner and cards.  

It was fun and we didn't have to drive anywhere which I consider a win on NY Eve. 

We haven't taken down a single decoration yet and I'm not mad about it. We're relaxing and enjoying sitting by the tree still, so probably won't worry about it until next week. 

On the first day of this brand new year we took another walk and watched a lot more football.  'Tis still the season. I blogged a little , and we made a semi-traditional meal for dinner. Hubs grilled pork chops and made black eyed peas and I made cornbread and cooked cabbage to go with. Technically you're supposed to eat greens and I often do spinach, but I had a head of cabbage in the frig I wanted to use so we made it work. 

If you don't know what I'm talking about you might not live in the south. 

I played around with a winter bucket list and also took a look back at fall to see how I did. Remember fall? I kept my want-to-do's back then pretty simple-

Not sure why I made a list of the odd 11, but of the 11 I checked off eight. I didn't get my photo book made, I didn't memorize three verses (although I did memorize one) and I didn't make soup in my pumpkin tureens. I will definitely get the book made this winter, there were too many other holiday related tasks to be done this fall for me to spend a lot of time making a book. I'm not fast. 

Hubs and I tackled the attic but there's still more to be done there and we'll continue working on that job this winter. Good times. 

Moving forward into the new year, new season with a new list which I'll post soon. It's a work in progress. Like me. I hope your new year is happy and bright. 

Merry 2026! 

Pop! Clink! Fizz! It's The Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers and happy new year! I look forward to more random fun here on Wednesdays in 2026, but for now let's close out the year that was. 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. Cheers! 

1. Did you make resolutions or set goals for the year we're waving goodbye? How did that work out for you? Will you set any goals for this new year, new season, or new month? Share one or two if you'd like to share. 

My personal self-improvement (for lack of a better word) goals for this year were more in my head than written on a piece of paper or a blog. 

I also made seasonal bucket lists which always have a few tasks on them along with some fun things too. I did okay with those,  but there were many things I didn't get to and I'm fine with that. Mostly fine. I use the bucket lists more as a guide or reminder as opposed to a 'MUST DO!!' kind of thing. 

I need to review my fall list and make one for winter still, and hope to get to that this week. 

2. When did you have the most fun this year? 

It's hard to choose just one thing, but some of the most fun I had would definitely include time spent with grandkids (and their mommas) at the lake. 

We also took a beach trip all together and that ranks high on the fun list too. 

College friends here for a weekend was another highlight. 

3. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2025? Tell us why. 

If you read my post yesterday (linked here-Anchored) then you already know my answer, but it's this one-

Cornerstone...'

 '...when darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace

  In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil...Christ alone, Cornerstone, 

    weak made strong, in the Saviour's love, Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all...' 

I also love this one by Christy Nockels and it's another that goes along with my word of the year. I've seen her perform live and she's so good. 

My Anchor   ...

'My anchor, forever, My shelter within the storm, 

You're my deliverer, You never falter, 

You're the rock I stand on...'

4. Best (or a favorite) bite of something delicious you tasted this year? 

 Again, it's nearly impossible to choose just one, but most recently this crab and cucumber appetizer with the coconut lime vinaigrette over all was so scrumptious and something I want to recreate at home. 

5. What do you want to do more of in the new year? Less of? 

More of? 

more time spent in creative pursuits, more movement, more prayer, more filling my mind with 'whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy..' I want to think on those things.  

The world screams the opposite so swimming against the tide has to be intentional. 

Less of? 

less spending, less couch time aka no broken bones, there's probably more but nothing is coming to mind

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on, 

with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." ~Hal Borland 

Thanks for joining in here each week. It's such a wonderful group of bloggers of every age, stage, geography, and background, yet we come together easily to encourage, laugh, share, discuss, and support. 

The world needs more of this. 

Wishing you peace in this next new year xo Joyce 

Anchored

Before the year comes to a close I want to revisit my 2025 WOTY (Word Of The Year)-anchored. 

The dictionary defines anchored like this- "to make something or someone stay in one position by fastening him, her or it firmly.'' The Bible dictionary adds to the definition with this- 'held by an anchor, moored, fixed in safety', and in the Bible itself the word anchor is an emblem of hope. 

So how did that word play out in my life this year? 

Blogging is a funny thing in that we're writing about life, but of course not all of life. There are always things happening behind the scenes that don't get talked about here, but that nonetheless add meaning and mystery, heartache and blessing to our daily lives.  

That has certainly been true here in 2025. While our immediate family is doing well there have been a lot of hard, confusing, disappointing, and just plain sad things going on with people we love and care about. I suppose that's always true to some degree, but this year it feels especially so. 

Plus, the world. Ugh. I know I'm not the only who's feeling exhausted by the all the conflict, the complaining, the hate that's so prevalent today. It would be easy to feel adrift...completely unmoored...in this world and in this year marked by upheaval and just plain ugliness if I had no anchor to 'fix me in safety'. 

On January 1 of this year hubs and I committed to reading through the Bible together every day. We followed the chronological plan available from The Bible Recap, and we also listened to the brief daily podcast where the host, Tara Leigh Cobble, adds clarity to the day's reading. She does an excellent job of staying on point, while providing links to deeper dives into various topics if you want or need to know more. 

Being anchored to God's word this year has been such a gift. When life feels confusing or sad Scripture remains a solid steady place to stand. Returning every day to the promises found in God's word provided not only comfort but direction, reminding me the world may tilt and change but He never does. 

In 2025 God's word has truly been an anchor for my soul. 

We recently sang an old song in church called Cornerstone (linked here),  and the words really struck a chord with me. They brought my word to mind...

    '...when darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace

    In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil...Christ alone, Cornerstone, 

    weak made strong, in the Saviour's love, Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all...' 

I have the good intention every year to memorize scripture, but I'm just going to be honest and say things don't stick the way they did even a decade ago. Makes me so grateful for the many verses I learned while growing up because those adhered like glue, but adding a lot of new memory work is hard. If you're reading this and you're under 50 do it now!

I did memorize this simple verse though, and I say it to myself often, including several times on Monday because Monday ended up being a day and as a result Tuesday will probably be the same.  

He is my hope. My cornerstone. My anchor...and I will carry that with me into this new year. Today too.