Wednesday Hodgepodge: January 21, 2026

 

Today, I am trying something new. I am joining a new link-up party Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by From This Side of the Pond. In 2026, I want to bring some fresh content to the site and this looked like a fun link-up!

Are you ready? Let's go!

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

We have not had any real snow yet this winter, but it's coming...probably this weekend. Therefore I have not done any of these activities yet this year.

As far as winter activities go, I love to go sledding. I never missed an opportunity to go sledding when Hockey Guy was little.

I love a quiet snowy walk. I love the silence that snow can bring and am looking forward to that silence if it comes this weekend.

My Word for 2026: Peace

 

Some years I struggle to come up with my word for the year. Other tyears I jump on a trend such as "Thrive" for 2025. Sidenote, To be really honest, last year was not giving me much to thrive about. For 2026, my word came pretty easily. My word for 2026 is "Peace". Peace is a really beautiful word that has lost its true meaning lately. It has moved from a beautiful, soft word to being a throw away line. For this year, I am taking back peace and below I am sharing how I am working to have more peace in my life.

Friday Favorites: January 2, 2026

 

Happy New Year Besties! Welcome to the first post of 2026 and the first Friday Favorites of the New Year. I am back to work today but had some time over the last few days to compile a quick list of some things that I am loving lately. Thank you to the hosts Erika and Andrea, and now on to my Friday Favorites. 

1. Woodford

This little guy joined our family right before Christmas. He is a black lab mix that we named Woodford and he is just so sweet. He definetly knows he is home and with his forever family now. To read more about Woodford and our sweet Stormy, check out my post from earlier this week. 

Life Lately-Welcome Home Woodford

 

Hey there Besties. I have a very fun post today. Before, I get to our fun news, I need to back up to early October and share some not so fun news. Hang in there with me, the end of this post will get Better. 

On October 2nd, we lost our ten year old dog Stormy to a sudden and severe case of pneumonia. I tried to write a post about him a million times since he passed away and every time I sat down to write about him, I just couldn't make the words flow. I think it was the heartbreak and the chaos of all this happening the day that the federal government shut down for 43 days. It was the absolute worst. 

Stormy in Hilton Head 2025

Monthly Musings December 2025: Holidays and Ringing in the New Year

 

Welcome to the last Monthly Musings of 2025. We are sharing a week early this month as next Thursday is Christmas. First, I want to thank everyone that participated in Monthly Musings this year. Whether you particpated every month or just a few times, you are such a special part of this community and I truly love reading your posts every month. I would also like to thank my co-host Holly who puts up with my typos in the graphics, my last minute reminders and has rolled with the punches with me on our monthly link-ups for around eight years now.

Ok, are you ready to talk holidays? I am!

1. What holidays do you celebrate?

We will celebrate Christmas and New Year's. I do also love the story of Hanukkah.

Monthly Musings December 2025 Topics

 

Lots going on right now so I am running a little bit late for Hello Monday and getting the topics up for the December Monthly Musings. We are getting together for the last Montly Musings of 2025 a week early due to Christmas. Montly Musings will be this Thursday instead of next Thursday. 

I hope you will join Holly and me on Thursday for Montly Musings!

Monthly Musings November 2025: Thanksgiving/Holiday Prep

 

Hey there Besties! We are one week away from Thanksgiving here in the United States. I for one am ready for the holiday season to start. Holly and I are hosting Monthly Musings a week early in November to share all of the tips and tricks for prepping for Thanksgiving and kicking off the holiday season. If you are linking up with, please share all of the holidays you celebrate this time of year and if you are Canadian, tell us about your Thanksgiving in October. Ready, set...holidays!