Gracious Rain

January 5, 2026January 16, 2026

Seasonal Dilemma

So–I have this puzzle. It’s pretty, sure. It’s half finished, which is a plus. It’s Thomas Kinkade, so that says it all.

But there is a problem with it. Actually three, to be precise.

Number one: It’s missing a piece. An edge piece. Can you sense my eye twitching madly?

Number two: It’s reaaaally hard. I don’t believe I’ve ever said those words in a complainy, whiney voice about a puzzle before. I LOVE hard ones, but this one is almost irritating instead of challenging. Alllll the saaaaame colorrrrrrrs!!! Yikes.

And lastly,

Number 3: There is a snowman. I’m fine with it. There is even a bright red scarf around that snowman and somehow, I’m still fine with it.

BUT there is a wreath on the lamp post. A Christmas wreath. Totally betraying the fact that I’m doing this CHRISTMAS puzzle…

after Christmas.

How can I bear it? There are rules about things like this.

Deep breath. Deep breath.

Perhaps I can comfort myself by imagining that this perfect family in this perfect house in this perfect Thomas Kinkade painting…

in real life isn’t any better at putting their Christmas stuff away in January…

than I am.

Yeah, that works.

Heh, heh.

January 2, 2026January 14, 2026

The Baby Sirens

Eleven days old and eyes not quite opened yet. The pictures are much more blurry than I’d like–

but we were nearly frantic to get them before Dali came and snatched the babies out of our hands. Which she is more than happy to do if they make the slightest peep.

She’s kind of a weird mom. She acts like she doesn’t trust us AT ALL.

As if we’ve ever gobbled up any of her babies before.

Sheesh.

So our quest is to hold them as much as we can without them setting off the alarm bells…

which then triggers mama, and she comes running. Seriously. One meow and it’s all over. If we don’t put it back in the box she will take it herself. It’s nuts.

Oh, yeah. We didn’t make it. Party’s over. Here comes mama.

Little nark.

January 1, 2026January 16, 2026

It’s Time

My new day planner for 2026 is a rare kind of inspiring for me–and I’m not sure why exactly. I mean…I’ve had dozens of dayplanners–right? This one looks mystical and magical and full of fairy sparkles–which, of course is a big deal and very, VERY important…

but I’m still not quite sure why I feel like something is different.

It could be this.

Let’s go.

December 31, 2025January 13, 2026

Fondue New Year’s Eve

It’s become an incredible tradition to have Fondue on New Year’s Eve. Cheese and Chocolate to satisfy all the sweet and savory cravings of every single soul on this night–the last night of 2025.

We are each tasked with bringing at least one sweet and one savory dipper. My job is to show up with a boatload of pretzel bites…which I did. Thanks for the help Jessica & Rhen. With our family ever expanding, the dippers are becoming more and more amazing. Strawberries, cheesecake bites, Little Smokies, pretzels, potatoes, apples, pumkin bread…and it goes on and onnnn!!

One of the best nights of the year!!