Monthly Archives: December 2025

Around Here

Posted on by
8

Around here, my long awaited Christmas vacation is winding down. It’s back to work on Friday even though it feels like I’ve hardly had a break. I’m cherishing these last few days.

Around here, Mother Nature is doing her Ohio thing where the mercury rises to 65 degrees one day and then plummets overnight to a daytime high of 20. Factor in a wind so strong it will knock you down and suddenly winter has arrived.

Around here, I have several projects underway. One is to remove most of the Christmas decorations but I’m leaving up the tree for a while. It has white lights, pretty ribbons and woodland themed ornaments. This tree is pretty in the winter without being Christmasey. Some snowmen and other non Christmas specific things will stay out. Meanwhile, the place is bare in spots and piled up with totes ready to store.

Another project involves finally getting my craft room in order. This is where I store hobby supplies, holidays decorations and extra decor. I have a weakness for vintage and antique items and like to freshen up my home by rotating in and out small pieces of interest. That room is a habitual mess but I swear this is the year I get it done. To that end, I bought a shelving unit which I assembled over the weekend. Progress can be seen but, golly, there’s much to do.

Around here, I am working on my reading goal for the year and considering what my goal should be in 2026. I’m finishing up my 101st book – one over the 2025 goal. While that list includes some good fiction, there was very little nonfiction and several kids books. This is a sign of how tired my mind was and how badly I needed some quiet, fun distraction rather than learning and enrichment.

I’m thinking about knocking the goal down to 75 or 80 to make it easier. My goal means absolutely nothing but it does keep me reading and it keeps me always ready to start the next good book. There’s some wisdom in making it high just to keep me engaged with my TBR.

Scout is enjoying having me home and especially appreciates how much time I have spent relaxing with a book lately. He finds reading time a wonderful opportunity for naps!

Around here, I’m gearing up for my January No Spend Challenge. This is an annual tradition and one I look forward to every year. I’m currently compiling my annual list of things to do that don’t involve spending money. I’m up to about sixty activities ranging from fun things like dabbling with watercolors and putting together a puzzle to going for a hike and doing chores like cleaning closets and decluttering.

Around here, as nature turns cold and less habitable, I am turning inward. My mind is quieter. I’m using this time to calm my nervous system. Two doctors have informed me recently that I’ll never be better until I work on this. Soft lights, quiet, and the softness of home are just what I need and exactly what I aim to embrace during my No Spend Challenge.

Around here, there are stories waiting to be told and others waiting to be read. Some are waiting to be lived. A new year is just around the corner.

I’ll be around here if you need me.

Merry Christmas

Posted on by
7

I was obsessed with this tree outside our building at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

We were fortunate enough to see their holiday light spectacle in snow. From both Scout and I, Merry Christmas!

Christmas At Stan Hywet

Posted on by
6
The back of the home.

The former estate of Goodyear co-founder F.A. Seiberling, his wife Gertrude and their children is a magnificent sight to behold any day of the year. They call it Stan Hywet and somehow it becomes even more amazing during the holidays when the estate is decorated both inside and out.

My fella and I were part of the sold out crowd that made the trek to Akron on Sunday to enjoy the spectacle. It’s only appropriate that Christmas is a big deal here because the family moved in the house in December 1915, eager to celebrate the holiday with family and friends.

We got there early to tour the house before the line got too long. This is the entrance to the library.

There is such beauty in every room.

And the details! I especially appreciated the dining room with lots of ferns, mosses and mushrooms incorporated with white lights.

So many lovely trees.

We hung around till dark to enjoy the outdoor lights in the frigid cold.

If you ever get a chance to visit this place, I hope you will go. This was my second visit and it was absolutely worth the time!

Getting Christmas Ready

Posted on by
4

For the last few months, I have been laboring under the belief I have all the time in the world to prepare for Christmas.

Turns out, that’s not true. Friends, Christmas is next week. Did you know that? Evidently, I haven’t been paying attention.

My list of people to shop for is pretty short compared to most but I want to get it right and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find things I actually want to give.

This has led to procrastination on my part.

On Monday night, I made a list of all the things that still needed to be bought, wrapped, mailed, baked, cooked, cleaned and otherwise negotiated and it occurred to me that I might be in trouble. But I wrapped almost everything, inventoried baking supplies and got almost all the cards ready to mail.

Almost.

But, as I sat at work yesterday and struggled to focus on a task at hand, it occurred to me that my window for acquiring the last few gift items I needed and some supplies for a potluck dish this weekend was rapidly closing.

So I did something I prefer to avoid and dashed to Chillicothe after work for a quick trip down Bridge Street to grab what I needed.

I had braced for a stressful experience, thinking that traffic and lines would worsen as all us 9 to 5’ers invaded the stores. After all, when you work all day, you fit in those errands where you can!

But it wasn’t too busy, I got what I went for, and made it home at a semi-reasonable hour. Even more notably, most people seemed to be in a decent mood. I thought it was festive and great fun as I turned up the Christmas music and enjoyed the holiday lights along the way!

I’m calling that a success.

In all, the thing I have dreaded and procrastinated wasn’t so bad. That’s usually how it goes!

How are you doing with your Christmas preparations? Are you one of those people who was done in September or do you fly by the seat of your pants like me? Do tell!

Christmas At The Broadmoor

Posted on by
4

I attended a conference in Colorado Springs earlier this month. It was held at the Broadmoor Resort which opened in 1918 as a European style resort that feels a little like stepping back in time.

The words dignified, genteel and stately come to mind. 

The Broadmoor has attracted presidents, royalty and celebrities and has a hall of fame filled with pictures of some of those famous folk. Of course, being me, I was more interested in the art, architecture and library.

I was also more interested in the Christmas decorations. They are all dolled up for the season everywhere you look with trees, lights and festive decor to magnify the beauty of this place. 

This was the view from my room before the snow. Isn’t it gorgeous? 

Since I stayed on Ohio time, I sat here to read and write in the early morning hours. Some hotel staff were around and a few early risers were up and about but it was reasonably peaceful.

One of my favorite things about this place was the quiet of the rooms and guest hallways. From my room, I didn’t hear a hair dryer or people passing by in the hallway. But take the elevator to the ground floor and wait for the doors to swoosh open. The minute you step out of the elevator, there’s Christmas music playing. And none of this modern stuff either. Think Bing Crosby. 

All of this combined with an incredible snowfall we received our first night there and the whole experience was absolutely mesmerizing. Here’s my room view in the daytime with all the snow! 

You know how I like details so stay tuned for more observations from this place. 

Snowy Day

Posted on by
8

Snow came fast and heavy yesterday, prompting me to cancel plans and stay home. I made a pot of tomato soup and watched the birds attack the backyard feeders. Renee Zellweger’s depiction of writer Beatrix Potter played while I idly flipped through a magazine.

This was my first day in I’m not sure how long when I wasn’t required to carry on a conversation, go places, or even use my brain for much.

All my internal batteries have been badly drained lately. There’s been no time to recharge and I’ve been venturing into treacherous waters as my nervous system is lit up like Times Square most of the time.

So, yesterday was absolute, immeasurable, and pure bliss. Was I sad for my cancelled plans? Yes. Was I happy to do what I was doing? Also yes.

This morning dawned cold. After breakfast I ventured out into ankle deep snow to check the bird feeders and snap a few pictures. It was gray then but the afternoon has since transformed into a gorgeous blue sky day. After my walk, I came in for a hot shower with peppermint scented soap and promptly curled up with a book and cup of hot chocolate.

I write to you from a soft perch on the couch where I can see the Christmas tree indoors as well as the snowy day outside.

Classic Christmas music plays in the background while Scout luxuriates in a patch of sunlight.

This is what I needed and I am grateful for two slow days in a row.

Make no mistake, there are a million things that need my attention. I brought home a work proofreading project. Gifts need wrapped and Christmas cards need attention. My house needs a good scrub and I need to pay a couple of bills. I have got to make a list of last minute gifts, stocking stuffers and a plan for baking and cooking.

Things need done and a little planning goes a long way toward simplifying life later.

For now though, I’m going to continue relaxing and simply enjoy being. I hope you will do the same.