Gosh, it’s been a while. As we wrapped up 2025, my mind was full of little, random thoughts and moments that didn’t quite fit anywhere else. So, let’s dive right in.
I picked up a can of Spaghetti-O’s recently and with the very first bite remembered exactly why I’ve loved them for four decades. Comfort in a bowl. I craved them when I was pregnant with John, though neither of my boys ever took to them. With winter weather looming, I used that as my excuse to stock up on four cans, BOGO at Publix. I shared this on Instagram and someone sent me a nasty message about how these are poison for your body. I don’t know what’s wrong with people anymore. :-)
Daddy-O still keeps Starbucks cards loaded for Sister and me. It is such a sweet thing to grab a coffee on him now and then…. even more so while wandering the aisles of Target. I may be pushing 50, but he still looks after his little girls.
Speaking of Daddy-O, he used to fill all of our cars with gas every Sunday. What a gift. Even though I’ve been on my own in regards to filling stations for many, many years, I still hate getting gas and push the limits more often than I should. My tank holds somewhere between eighteen and twenty gallons according to Google and this made me laugh. Daddy-O would be absolutely aghast.
Mother gave Whit a Lego advent calendar this year and it was a huge hit. He hasn’t had one in years and I didn’t realize how much he would still enjoy it. We saved many of the mini figures and packed them away with the Christmas decor to create a little vignette when we decorate for 2026.
While Whit had the Lego calendar, Mother and Daddy-O gave me my own version of an advent calendar. The Merry Murdle book. One brain puzzle a day all December. Fellow nerds, it was a delight. (And a treat because I hate buying books and am strictly a library girl!)
Nearly every night we were home over Christmas break turned into game night. I lost count of how many times we played Catan and Ticket to Ride. There is just something about sitting around a table together that never gets old. See our favorites here.
We also joined friends at a local brewery for a family-friendly speed puzzle night. Every table received the same puzzle and the first group to finish won. We won no prizes, but we had a wonderful night filled with laughs, teamwork and good food. Honestly, that felt like winning enough.
I never did get around to sharing the basement Christmas touches this year. Maybe in 2026. I added an inexpensive pop-up tree down there with battery lights and it was perfect. I’m already planning to get one for John’s dorm. Copious amounts of hot chocolate were consumed – this is the last recipe you’ll ever need!
The weather the week after Christmas was absolutely lovely. Honey and I enjoyed cocktails on the porch at night and slow coffee mornings wrapped in blankets. I’m missing those days right about now! Pickle Martini Recipe Here
We celebrated Christmas with Juju and Honey’s side of the family once we returned from Savannah. And just look at these boys. Errr… MEN! This also reminds me that John wore Honey’s Crocs almost the entire break. I think it’s time to get him his own pair for his Easter basket.
That’s that for now, y’all. We are preparing for either eighty-seven inches of ice and no power for weeks or absolutely nothing at all this weekend. I made my regular grocery run and figured we will get by either way. Stay warm, friends!
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