Right Now-January recap

RIGHT NOW

I’m listening to the silence that fills the house…and if I’m being honest- is a glorious sound indeed!

Hubby is in his happy place- aka the AZ desert

Thing 1 is sleeping- as he doesn’t start work until noon

Thing 2 is on the east coast- prepping for a relocation move

Which leaves just me and the cat…who is pouting because his preferred human is out-of-town (boy will that feline be upset when a 4 day visit turns into forever)

I’m loving…that the first travel adventure of the year went off without a hitch.   

After a few years of trial and error- we originally agreed not to  leave for AZ until after the MLK holiday weekend.   Getting there any earlier and the weather can be hit or miss....overcast/windy without the  "just right" warm winter sun that we snowbirds crave.  

We found ourselves rethinking things- as cabin fever hit us pretty hard in December-and we decided to take a chance that the mild winter CO was having-was extending to the desert SW.    

A gamble that paid off indeed!

For me the trip would include---

Wrapping up some unfinished business..

As we returned Sammy to New Mexico 

recognizing that we just aren't meant to own vehicles that 

involve ongoing tinkering.

Sunset cocktails and siestas

When the sunset potential is "meh" at best...you just make it a double

and catch a pre-dinner snooze

Coffee and cross stitch

After we returned the Sammy- we decided to go "tow-less"...

which worked out great- I had no where to go and all day to get there..

leaving me with plenty of time to stich the day away

Checking in with our furry friends

Be it Gracie- of Fountain Hills

or Pinky of Meadview...

It was wonderful to catch up with them and their lovely humans

(Cousin A and the Zs )

Lended a helping hand ...

from  supervising flooring projects

to encouraging Vegas shenanigans

There were treats to be savored..

Iconic views to be enjoyed

cultures to be celebrated

and friendships to be deepened..

I'm feeling...Nourished!    Which is good- as that is indeed the theme for this year, isn't it?

Until Next time

May we all slow down...

and take in the views

and find a way to 

soak in the warmth of a life well lived..

Hello 2026!

 Hubby teased me-  seeing that the last post I wrote was some 2 months ago- and titled "Chapter 11".....he jokingly added "As in bankruptcy?"

12.29- Visited the ICE! at the Gaylord- 

Thanks Dale and Anita for including us

impressive ice sculptures indeed!

I mean- a chapter 11 is a time for a business or individual to hit pause while they sort out a financial mess they've found themselves in.    

12.22- yummy holiday feast..

as Thing 2 signed up to work Christmas

12.15

Always say YES if she's performing in your area

Fear not- I am happy to report- no financial messes are occurring in the House of Chang.

12.12- I suggested we try "something different" this year..

Different indeed..

Campy fun with a cult like following...

Jury is still out whether we've found a new holiday tradition..

However, the last 6 weeks of this year- we did indeed hit pause so that our bodies could recover and recoup from the crud.   Coughing, congestion, never ending fatigue- we have been hit hard!   

Santa's weary helper...be kind to your retail workers

during this most magical time of year...

But now it's a new year- and a time to look forward.

Holiday baking-just wasn't happening ..

but I did try my hand at making a bundt...

Last year I started out with a theme- All Adventures Great and Small.   

That proved to be a perfect theme for me- for without a doubt- we  had a year filled with a wide range of adventures.  

 Some great, some small.  

Some filled us up with light and some had us looking for the lesson within the adventure.  

Even our adventures with crud- has me reflecting on the adventure of it all.   Number one-being maybe I shouldn't have shrugged off getting a flu shot?   Yep- Papa was right when he said "there's always a tuition to pay for life's education".

Anyways- for this year's theme- I'm going with Nourish- more specifically- 

Making no promises-or resolutions- just setting a simple intention to focus on nourish- be it physical, mental or spiritual.   And see where this new year takes us (fingers crossed not back to the cold and flu aisle of Target!)

Until next time...

Chapter 11- Once upon a time

 Our little book club lost a treasured member to the great state of Vermont.  

 Last year, as TZ packed up her bags and headed east to start a new chapter in her life- we promised we we would visit.   Now- it's ok to bail on finishing the book- it's even ok to skip the book- but for sure we weren't going to let our friend down and bail on that promise!  

Now- whether she expected all 5 of us to visit in one fell swoop- we will never know for sure- but she hosted us with the grace and elegance that is indeed her signature way!

So thank you TZ and JZ for a week filled with ...

Glorious fall foliage- 

Scoops of laughter..

Waves of new sites to see.

from the "quintessential" views of Stowe..

to the charm that is a Maple Syrup farm..

Be it a pit stop at the Apple Cider press

or a glance at the craftsmanship of Simon Pierce studio..

Vermont hit all the sweet spots..

And left us missing our friend even more than before!

Until next time..

Don't be shy about saying "Let's do it!"

You never know when you'll get a chance to make a new friend...

while connecting with some true forever friends!