How we spent the snow day (J, 13)

Journaling a bit here because I know one day it will seem like a distant memory, the same way looking at the toddler pictures does!   J and I hunkered down for a cold, snowy weekend and it was perfect.   We started with a trip to Barnes and Noble.  Saturday included some reading and we made sauce, meatballs and fresh pasta.   On Sunday, we spent more than 2 hours making clay projects with Cat Stevens playing in the background, the snow falling hard, and just being together.   We ended the night with Episode 1 of Game of Thrones.  J loves the series so I'm going to dig in a bit with him.  Nothing fancy.  Just a lovely weekend home together.  

"Hygge is about being cozy, comfortable, safe & surrounded by people we love, " and Pia Edberg notes, "Hygge was never meant to be translated—it was meant to be felt"

“Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.” -  Meik Wiking

What I read: 2025

 A mix of genres but here is some of what I read in 2025: 

Zero to One, Peter Thiel

Caroline, Sarah Miller

Who Really Cares: the surprising truth about compassionate conservatism,  Arthur Brooks

Cherished Belonging, Gregory Boyle

In Praise of Walking, Shane O'Mara

The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt

Building Thinking Classrooms, Peter Liljedahl

Community of Leaders, Vince Molinaro

The Advice Trap, Michael Stainer

All the Way to the River, Elizabeth Gilbert

The Women, Kristen Hannah

The Great Alone, Kristen Hannah

The Seville Communion, Arturo Perez

The Rackateer, John Grisham

Queen Bees and Wannabes, Rosalind Wiseman

*There were likely others and a handful I started but didn't finish, but this is a good summary.  Cheers to even more in 2026.  

Art Show

 Joe was selected to have his pieces presented in the middle school art show.  I love this for so many reasons. First, he just loves art class and art club after school. His art teacher thanked him last night for being a leader in that space.  Second,  He's not a naturally gifted artist, by a text book definition.  In my opinion, this makes his interest and his accomplishment even more cool and interesting!   When I was in school, I had the view that you were "good at art" or you weren't and that was that.  It would never have occurred to me to pursue it because I enjoyed it; regardless of whether I was considered good.  I was proud to see Joe recognized for something he enjoys so much.  I loved his work!  

  

Forty-five!

 Hello, 45!  Here we are.  I began this morning looking at some old posts from birthdays.  My first on this site was when I was 31; so that means this little garden I till, and more often than not these days, neglect, has been going for 14 years.  It truly is like an old friend and looking back; my younger self also seems like a friend - hopeful, innocent, unaware of the incredible blessings and painful moments that would lie ahead. 

Here we are.  I know pain and blessings will continue.  The bumps, bruises, highs and lows are a sign that I am alive.  Never perfect but always trying.  I am so eternally grateful for the wonderful 45 years I have had and can only pray that they continue. 

"So please, just fight for the things that crack light into your life, fight for the things that soften you.  Protect the people you love, leave them better than you found them.  Defend your heart, do whatever it takes to keep it open despite what it has been through.  Forgive, not just others, but yourself, as well.  Slow down - taste, and touch, and feel and care.  Create the things you want to see in this world, stay as curious as possible.  Honor your joy, do not shy away from the good that is trying to reach you - do not convince yourself that you are unworthy of it.  Be strong enough to be gentle.  Be brave enough to break.  Be all that you are.  Be all that you are. - Bianca Sparacino