Would love to revisit this matchup in 9 or 10 years…
Ginny as “Mary” (who, she told me, would have to “run & grab Jesus” during the program) & “Joseph” (in red w/striped tunic).
Will she still be a foot taller than he?
Malina was also “Mary” in the Littler Kids’ Christmas program at their school/church today.
We cut out of there as early as we could, because the girls had a holiday dance program, too!!
The high was 2F today & it would have been a great day to hunker down & stay in, but I really had to drop off a package at UPS — the mailing deadline for this year’s jólabókaflóð was last Wednesday and I just didn’t have a good feeling about waiting until Monday (after work) to get that going. It was super-sunny out, so that made all the difference. In case you’re wondering, The UPS Store was a zoo, but everyone was in good spirits.
While I was out, I made a swing through Goodwill to drop off a couple of items, including some pictures & decor items, because…
…there’s some changes happening here, and there are a few things that I knew I could definitely live without. My walls have been adorned with the same stuff, more or less, for decades. We’ve been talking for a long time (years) about making changes — even repainting, but I haven’t found a color that I like better, so that’s not happening.
Everything else has been rearranged and/or relocated — those are three main areas, above. The Dutch girl, etc., is between the colonnade dividing the living areas & a window, the florals are by the front door, and the family photos are on the other side of the front door at the bottom of the stairway. They are mostly my shutterbug paternal relatives (from my great great great grandparents to my grandparents), but a few of my maternal line, too. We also hung or propped a few things above doorways & bookshelves, which complements the high ceiling.
The spot above the couch is still blank. A few months ago, Rusty had an old watercolor painting returned to him from a client after over 30 years. The client was retiring, closing down & cleaning out his office, didn’t have a place for it at home, and wanted Rusty to have it back. So that’s what’s going to hang above the couch. Believe it or not, Rusty found a tiny pot of “living room” paint for touching up, so that’s already done. I think that painting might be hung tomorrow!
In April, I wrote a random post that included some words about Patrick Martin @patrickmartin (IG) and his song LEAN IN, which had been featured in an episode of the Netflix series Ransom Canyon, and kind of rocked his world for a bit — in a very good way! He is such a nice guy, and just finished a new album, so maybe he’ll hit the chart for 2026, too.
I won’t bore you with ALL of my Spotify Wrapped stats, but here are a few:
I had Apple CarPlay in the Explorer, but it was clunky. It’s practically seamless in the Outback, and the big screen makes everything easy to read. (Still not sure what some of those icons mean.)
My #1 song of 2025, and the whole list!
It’s going to be FRIGID here tomorrow — high of 2℉, which is up a degree from the other day. I had an eye exam yesterday and the receptionist randomly mentioned that the “return of the light” is drawing near. We bonded.
Have a great weekend!
Well, Leslie Odom, Jr., did not disappoint. He certainly boosted my holiday spirit (which has been lagging).
He performed songs from his two Christmas albums, Simply Christmas & The Christmas Album (Spotify links), both of which have been hands-down favorites since their release. His recitation of A Visit from St. Nicholas was incredible. The energy in the room — on stage & off — was amazing. I barely sat still.
He sang a short medley of songs from HAMILTON near the end of the concert, which nearly brought down the house.
It was the best Christmas concert I’ve been to in a while… or at least until Sunday when I go see the kids’ performances.
I’ve recently favorited a few songs on Spotify from a Canadian artist named Tim Baker, and he just released an album of Christmas music which I’m also enjoying. I was especially struck by the first song, “It’s Tonight” — a beautiful love song for anytime of the year, really. (Is it a “Christmas song” because it mentions Christmas? In the same vein as with a movie that is set at Christmas? Die Hard, anyone??) Anyway, the album is Full Rainbow of Light (also a Spotify link) in case you’re looking for something new for the holidays!
I found the garland I painted a few years ago & brought it to work, where there’s a perfect spot for it.
Smirky snowman makes me smile every time.
I’m joining Kat & the Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday!
KNITTING – an FO:
J’adore ce béret, et il est terminé! (Thank you, Google Translate)
A modeled shot will have to wait until Christmas time!
Retrouve-moi à Paris!
MORE KNITTING:
Inspired by Sarah, I cast on some Snowball Throwin’ Mittens .
Super quick — the first pair is earmarked for Davy in his favorite color du jour. They’ll be so great for keeping his hands warm & dry while playing in the snow! I had the first mitten knit in just a little more than an evening.
The second one went even quicker!! Hmm… no wonder… I skipped over a big chunk of repeats for the thumb gusset! I’ll give it a go again tomorrow night (I won’t be knitting tonight during Leslie Odom Jr’s show). I plan to make a pair for Junah, too, at least.
READING:
As predicted, I am very much enjoying The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. Perfect.
