Monthly Inspiration and Happy New Year

Inspiration, New Years, Reflections,

Hello and welcome to my first blog post of 2026. I’ll start by taking a look back at 2025.

We started 2025 by celebrating my 60th birthday in January and in December received a special gift.

Sandwiched in between were a wonderful spring as our world came alive, the trees unfurled their leaves and flowers bloomed in bright brilliant colors. New life was born, as we witnessed three clutches of killdeer hatch from their eggs. Summer came and we had some fun here on the blog with a game of hide and seek and a round of caption the photo, I spent many hours enjoying the pond for both recreation and daily workouts, and despite the hot dry weather our gardens flourished. We had bumper crops this is 2025.

This morning as I looked back over my previous New Years blog posts, I discovered the one from 2017 had only been viewed 16 times over the years so I sure many of my current readers have not read it. It is still applicable now as we enter 2026 so I have updated it and am reprinting it below as our monthly inspiration.

Thanksgiving Throughout the New Year

2025 was a good year for us. We are truly grateful for so many blessings, and with that statement I share with you my 2026 resolution. My resolution is not something new that I’m going to start but a continuation of something that I have been doing, that I need to continue and perhaps do more of.

My resolution for 2026 is to acknowledge and give thanks for all of our blessings.

When I was a teenager, I remember my dad saying, “gratitude will change your attitude”.  At that time, I didn’t get it. These words were simply dad’s way of pointing out that I (or someone) had a bad attitude, or as he also liked to say I (or someone) “needed an attitude adjustment”.

As I matured, I came to have a greater understanding of this phrase and believe this to be true. One time when my two youngest daughters, who are three years apart in age, were preteen and young teen, they were fighting over a scarf. For some reason, that day, the girls both decided to wear that particular scarf. I don’t believe the scarf belonged to either girl specifically, so it was probably a hand-me-down given by a friend or relative. The girls’ words to each other were mean and hateful, and I thought that they were going to start hitting each other. I put an end to the fight by confiscating the scarf; neither girl would wear it that day. Having three sisters myself, I realized that fighting over clothes was something sisters do, but this fight was so disturbing that I could not overlook it. I couldn’t understand how these girls who had so much – lived in a nice house, were well fed, had closets and dressers full of clothes, toys, books etc… could be fighting over something so petty. These girls obviously did not appreciate all that they had, they did not realize what things were truly important, and they needed an attitude adjustment. I gave the girls an assignment. Each girl was to write down 25 things that they were thankful for and give me the list by the end of the day.

This was a powerful lesson. As I was driving to work that morning I began developing my own list in my mind. I saw the blue sky and the sun still coming up and was grateful for the gift of sight. I could hear the radio playing and the noise the vehicle made as it traveled down the road, my hands and feet worked properly to operate the vehicle, and these were blessings that not everyone was fortunate enough to enjoy. I thought about how I was thankful to being born in, and live in Michigan, in the USA. My list grew to include my job, my husband, my family and so many others in my life, and I was truly humbled. Most of these things were not things that I had earned or deserved, they certainly were not entitlements, and any of these things could be taken away from me at any moment.

Humility turned to empathy and compassion as I thought about people who did not have these things, and I realized it was from the goodness of God that I was who I was, I had what I had, and I was living the life I was living.

Eventually I came to realize that greed and pride cannot coexist with gratitude and humility, and while empathy and compassion may foster kindness, they are not compatible with anger and resentment. Not only does acknowledging and giving thanks for my blessings make me a better person, it gives me a peaceful feeling.

I’m not sure if this lesson had an impact on my daughters. I did receive their lists and while each of them listed family as something that they were thankful for, neither of them listed the scarf.

I don’t know that I will start a gratitude journal, but I will not wait until the 4th Thursday in November to celebrate Thanksgiving. I will carry the spirit of Thanksgiving with me throughout the year.

Wishing You a Happy New Year and Godspeed in 2026.

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December is Going Fast

Christmas, Christmas Tree, Reflections, The Farm, Winter

Going, going, and before we know it December 2025 will be, gone. We will be starting a whole new year. But today I’ll just catch up on a few things from this month.

Finishing What We Started

Back in February, I wrote about our adventures in shopping for a used car. At that time we did not find a vehicle that was what we were looking for so we decided to have some repairs done to our 2006 Honda Odyssey and continue to drive it. After some inexpensive repairs it continued to serve us well until a few weeks ago when the cold weather set in.

When my husband told me the van was not running good, we decided to restart our quest for a different vehicle. After about a week of searching online and at dealerships, discussing what type of vehicle would serve us best, how much we wanted to spend, and waiting two days for the snow to stop so we could safely travel the 45 minutes to view the vehicle that we hoped was best, it finally happened.

We purchased a 2016 Toyota Highlander. It’s been a week since we brought it home and I am so thankful every time my husband comes in and says, “I love that car”. I have to give a shout out to Jim Riehl’s Friedly Chrysler Dealership in Lapeer, Michigan and our salesman, Mike Lamet, who made the car buying experience pleasant and seamless. We couldn’t be happier.

Preparing for Christmas

Wednesday was our nicest day this week. My husband and I went to the farm to cut our Christmas tree. I know it’s late for putting up a tree, but we thought it best to wait because we are concerned that the tree will dry out before Christmas. We will keep it well watered, but we had a very dry year, and the tree is already excessively thirsty.

The temperature was near 50 degrees (10 Celsius) but as you can see there was still snow on the ground.

The sun was doing it’s best to break through the heavy cloud cover.

We did see bits of blue sky.

Some of the chickens even came out for a visit.

After looking at a few trees, we finally selected this one. The first one we looked at was nice until my husband went to start cutting and discovered a crook in in the trunk near the bottom. The next one was also a nice tree, but I thought it was too tall for our space.

The one that we brought home was full but still short enough that we could put it up on the table we have been using for the past several years. I like the idea of having the tree on the table thus Ranger isn’t tempted to lift his leg on it. Male dogs are known to do that with real trees.

Once we got the tree home and up, I discovered I only had one strand of lights that worked (and two that didn’t). Not enough for the tree. Since we planned on doing some shopping on Thursday, we decided we would pick up some lights then. Decorating the tree would have to wait.

On Thursday our first stop would be Hobby Lobby so I figured we could pick up some Christmas lights there. My husband asked me several times that morning “are you sure we can get lights at Hobby Lobby?” Since they always have a huge Christmas section, I was sure that they would have Christmas lights. What I didn’t realize was that they had all of their Christmas items on sale for 60% off. The light section was cleaned out.

Since our next stop was Culvers for lunch we decided we could run into Walmart (next door) to grab some Christmas lights. I truly realized how late we were getting the tree up when Walmart was sold out of the lights we were looking for as well. We were looking for strands of the muti-colored mini lights. They had None. They had a lot of strands of all white, but we didn’t want that. We also found, hiding on a bottom shelf, some strands on multi-colored lights with the larger bulbs. Since we didn’t want to spend the whole day running into stores that may or may not have what we were looking for we decided to go with the larger bulbs.

It was late in the day, and we were pretty worn out by the time we got home so decorating the tree would wait another day.

On Friday I decorated the tree while my husband made a delicious pot of chicken soup for our dinner.

This year our tree is decorated with lights and angels. It’s been several years since I decorated with my Snow Angel collection, so I decided this was the year. Incidentally the angel on the top our tree is older than some of my kids. My best guess is it’s around 35 years old and I have never replaced the lights in it.

The rest of the shopping we did on Thursday included picking up a few gifts for the grandkids and making sure I had things I need to make Christmas brunch.

I still have a few gifts that I am making that need to be finished but I should have time to finish things up by the 25th, even if I take time out to watch the Lions game on Sunday. I might even have time to do some baking. 🙂

Thanks for visiting.

Did you put up a tree this year?

Our First Christmas Card

Christmas, Dad, Reflections

We received our first Christmas card of the year. It was from my dad. You may remember that my dad passed away last year. Actually, it was one year ago today. The Christmas card that we received was delivered by my daughter on Saturday, when we gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Let me back up a bit to explain. Last year when we were cleaning out my dad’s apartment, and finding new homes for his belongings, my daughter took two computer printer/copiers. We didn’t know if they were any good but no one else wanted/needed them so she thought she would at least give them a try. She had the printers in storage until several weeks ago.

Now back to our Thanksgiving celebration. Lindell handed me a small slip of paper, she said “when I opened one of those printers, I got from Papa, this paper popped out.” Tears clouded my eyes as I read the following words.

I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars,
Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away that tear.
For I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs,
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can’t compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring.
For it is beyond description,
To hear an angel sing.

I can’t tell you of the splendor,
Or the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas,
With our Savior, face to face?

I’ll ask Him to light your spirit,
As I tell Him of your love;
So then pray for one another,
As you lift your eyes above.

Please let your heart be joyful,
And let your spirit sing.
For I’m spending Christmas in Heaven,
And I’m walking with the King!

I know how much you miss me;
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I’m not so far away,
We really aren’t apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear,
And be glad I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory
Of my undying love.

After all “love” is the gift,
More precious than pure gold.
It was always most important
In the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other
As my Father said to do,
For I can’t count the blessings
Or the love He has for you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
Wipe away that tear.
Remember I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year!

These words were not originally written by my dad (I have found them attributed to Wanda Bencke), but this is the message Dad sent to his loved ones this year.

Thanks for visiting.

Monthly Inspiration

Inspiration, Reflections

Hello and Welcome!

With December, and the Holiday season, upon us I decided to share some quotes about giving.

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. ― Pablo Picasso

Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give. ― Ben Carson

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart. – Arab Proverb

It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. – Mother Teresa

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own. – Abraham Lincoln

and with that I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.

Thanks for visiting