Welcome to an 1864 farmhouse…life is good!


Sunday, January 04, 2026

as they say - that’s a wrap!


And just like that, somehow the month of December with all its hustle & bustle has flown by.

We bundled up and went to our favorite tree farm where we spied this beauty sitting in a field,


as well as this cutie! (Yes to both please!)


Favorite ornaments were pulled out of an old trunk, 


and our tree was decorated on the 24th. While that’s a lot later than we normally decorate, university exams
 ran long into the month. No worries, it was something new to do on Christmas Eve. This was the first year we brought home a Douglas fir, and while a bit shorter than usual, it was a snap to decorate and easy to get the tree topper on! 



My mom gifted me with a replica of the old-fashioned Swedish angel chimes I remember my grandmother having. I love their gentle sounds. 




And this year’s pickle gift will come in handy on these cold January nights!



On New Year’s Eve we enjoyed favorite snacks, sipped non-alcoholic bubbly, and as always, banged pots and pans at midnight (good thing the neighbors aren’t too close!) New Years dinner was traditional pork roast and sauerkraut … said to bring a year of good luck. Who knows, but I’m not one to toss the possibility out the window - besides, add mashed potatoes, veggies, and some cranberry sauce – what could be better?!



And here we are in a fresh new year filled with dreams. While I am definitely a list maker and have plenty of things I’d like to accomplish, for now, in this moment, I want to be still.

Winter is here, and I am ready for the cold, ready for hibernation, ready to be cozy. 

The fire is blazing,




the greenery will stay put,



along with some special Santas, I just can’t bring myself to pack away quite yet. 



A friend of mine has already taken everything down, boxed it up, and has a fresh 2026 slate to do anything she wants with. That’s OK, remember – you do you.  

So whether your decorations are packed away and all is fresh and clean, or whether you’re sitting at dusk enjoying candlelight and fairy lights, here’s to 2026 - absolutely filled with possibilities!




 
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