I have no idea what to call this post. It is a where I’ve been, things I’ve done, want to do, current events and everything else edition….but that was too long of title. I’m thinking that this will be somewhat chronological, however I’m not about to guarantee that.

Grab a beverage of your choice and settle in for a while…

Last time I visited for T stands for Tuesday I had shared an Autumn recap post. So I guess its best to start where that one left off…

Since I had Halloween off of work, I decided to head to Mini-me for a girls weekend. We had a nice time exploring her neck of the woods which happens to be near where I spent most of my summers as a kid. We shopped for basic essentials aka boring stuff, went for lunch at our favorite spot by the lake, visited my favorite craft brewery (see image above) as well as stopped by a couple garage sales and thrift stores for some fun bargains. All in all, a good time was had.

In November, I had the opportunity to go to the science museum with some of my 6th graders. It was such a fun trip.  Seeing the kids in a completely different environment…their personalities really come alive.

This art piece really spoke to me for a multitude of reasons. First, it’s a “quilt”…I love quilting. Secondly, it’s made of wood. My dad was a woodworker. I grew up with the sounds of saws and the smell of fresh cut wood.

Finally, this was a beautiful tribute to beloved family.

The beginning of December we were able to sneak in a little trip to Wisconsin to visit with Mr. G’s aunt and uncle. We always enjoy our time with them.

We went to Dreamland Supper Club, a traditional Wisconsin supper club…it was our second time going to this one. It’s hard to explain but there is something very nostalgic about a supper club. After struggling with the previous sentence and explaining myself I turned to Google which had this following to say…

 

So there you have it…what I was trying to say without the dancing. We aren’t dancers…lol.

I’ve been trying my hand at sourdough since a friend at work gave me some of her 100 year old starter. This was my first loaf. It was tasty but a bit dense. I’ve been continuing to try new things since then. Eventually I’ll get the hang of it.

I thought I’d share a fun find from a local second hand shop. This side table is VERY eclectic and right up my alley. I’m pretty sure that someone began trying to refinish the piece and it went poorly so they…or someone else…decided to make more of an art piece of it. I was immediately taken with it and knew it was coming home with me. I’ll likely share another look at it when I share my new furniture.

I added the white painted sticks with fairy lights to enhance the Christmas vibe in the living room but I think they will be staying forever. I love the soft light.

Speaking of Christmas…

I made some fabric trees from scraps in my sewing room.

If you look in the background you’ll see the new couch.

Here we are Christmas morning…

sitting enjoying the quiet and being thankful that both our kids were still asleep under our roof. I was also thankful that I was able to host Christmas because I was just getting over having Influenza A. That was rough. I haven’t been that sick in quite some time. I imagine that it might have been worse had I not had my flu shot.

Marvin enjoyed easy access to the ornaments from the bench beside the front door. Little stinker.

Our Dickens scene adorned the lawyers cabinet again this year. It’s the perfect place for a small winter scene. Since it gets dark so early during winter, having the warm light from the houses really can lift the spirits.

Since getting our new furniture, we were able to put the Christmas tree in a different spot this year. I really love it!

Mini-me started a new trend or maybe tradition with gifts this year.

We decided on drawing names and also a dice game/white elephant type thing. So each person was buying 2 gifts in total. Mini-me decided to wrap her gifts in a very unique way. She created a war hammer and a shield. She joked that is what her college debt and degree got her….serious crafty skills.

I wasn’t planning on joining her unique wrapping however the gift basket I put together wouldn’t fit in any box we had…so I made a house. My sister-in law also brought a uniquely wrapped gift but we failed to get a photo of it. A new tradition is born. We’re already looking forward to next year!!

Now for the heavy portion of my post…I’m not sure how many of you know but I live in Minnesota, in an outer ring suburb of Minneapolis. Right now this is not a great place to be. It does not feel good. It is hard to act normal, post content, carrying on as usual, like everything is ok…because its not. ICE is everywhere including near and around the school I work at…intimidating families we serve at bus stops. Making families scared to leave their homes because ICE is profiling…grabbing people because of how they look or sound not because they have any sort of actual warrant against them. It’s heartbreaking. It has to stop.

This is the only kind of ice I want to see…

Another cool…get it…cool example of ice I want to see. This was in the courtyard at my school. The rooftops and topography created the unique drift of snow.

I’ve started a new journal of sorts for 2026. Maybe more of a reflection or diary. Not really sure what to call it at this point.

Basically I’m tracking my steps, the weather and anything else on my mind each week. On the opposite blank page I’m thinking I’m going to do some sort of collage. Whether its memory keeping or just for fun is yet to be determined…and honestly might change from week to week. Depending on how personal things get, I will probably be sharing some of my progress here.

Mini-me is coming to stay with us for a couple weeks as she is having knee surgery next week. She tore her meniscus on her other knee while traveling for work. She had surgery on her other knee for the same reason 12 years ago. Poor kiddo…oops…adult of mine. Still my baby, no matter how old she gets.

If you’ve stuck around this long…thank you. It’s been hard to get myself to post anything. It almost feels wrong to just go on with normal crafty fun stuff and sharing it when the world is falling apart around us. With that said, I do want to try to post and connect more. It’s good for mental health. It’s good to have a voice. See the good, be the good.

Linking up with Elizabeth and friends for T stands for Tuesday.