The end of 2025

It's a little hard to wrap my head around the fact that December and 2025 will be ending in about 12 hours here.  All and all, I have to say 2025 wasn't too bad of a year for us and December was a great month.  There is just something magical about this time of year whether you are enjoying the lights and celebrating, having meals and drinks with friends and family or watching Christmas movies at home in the lights of the tree on while in your comfy clothes, reading a good book or playing cards/board games.  We also enjoy being secret Santa and giving exceptional tips/donations this time of year.  Receiving is always nice but giving is definitely a more lasting feeling of joy to me. This time of year can also bring bittersweet moments when you think back on past Christmases, and you are missing people that are no longer here.  It is the yin and yang of the season that has to be balanced which isn't always so easy.

Down time this month was watching a LOT of Christmas movies; new and old favorites that I watch every year.  I also read Raphael the Herald Angel as I do every year.  It's a book from the 1950's that my great, great grandmother gave me when I was young and it is a favorite that I always read at the beginning of December.  I also read One December Morning by Emma Davies that was a really nice read.  I enjoyed her writing and will be putting a number of her books on the to read list.  Today I am starting Food for Thought by Alton Brown and I'm looking forward to it.

We did eat out three or four times this month and it was all delicious.  We have one more dinner out this Sunday with my brother and his partner.  It is at Firefly which is my favorite place of all so I guess you could say we saved the best for last. I also spent a lot of time in the kitchen cooking and baking.  I made various cookies and brownies treat boxes for some of our friends.  They are always appreciated, and I enjoy doing it.

Sprinkles are a favorite of mine for some cookies, cakes and cupcakes so it's always fun to pull this tin out.

For breakfast today I made bagels.  Culinary Adventures with Lori: 52 Recipes in 52 Weeks #3 New York style bagels   They are so delicious, and I don't make them often enough.  I think I'll add make more bagels on my 2026 list of intentions.

Tonight, we're having a chili bar and jalapeno peppers.  It went over well for Halloween, so I figured let's do it again.  Tomorrow it will be TBG and I and we're having a relaxing and reflecting kind of day with various bits and appetizers to munch on throughout the day and then lamb chops, whipped potatoes, cranberry sauce and green beans for dinner.  

I've been off work since Friday the 19th and Binx is loving every minute of it.  I think he especially has enjoyed not having the alarm go off at 4:30am every weekday.  I know I have.  With our schedules, he rarely is home alone for more than an hour or two but he has loved having us both here together more often.

I hope everyone is doing well and feeling the joy of starting a new year.  How was your month of December?  After Christmas I usually go into a self-imposed hibernation until the end of February.  Does anyone else?