Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and as usual, things around Shady Pines have gotten a little more… lively than expected. I had this year’s holiday all planned out—menu finalized, grocery list printed, and roles assigned. Ma was on dessert duty, Uncle R had turkey honors, and I was prepared to glide gracefully through the…
Holiday
Why Thanksgiving Is My Favorite Holiday (Hint: It’s the Food)
Every holiday has its charm, but if you ask me which one sits firmly at the top of my list, the answer is easy: Thanksgiving. It’s the one time of year when it’s not only acceptable but expected to plan your entire day around eating. Forget the presents, the fireworks, and the champagne—give me turkey,…
Christmas Movie Bucket List 2025-2026
Since I was doing a Fall Bucket List I thought I would do a Christmas Movie one as well. I am actually starting this one this month (November 2025) and will work through it until the end of the year. Any movies I don’t get watched this year I will pick up again next November….
Thanksgiving Prep: The Art of Delegating (and Avoiding the Kitchen)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that Thanksgiving has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute it’s pumpkin spice season and everyone’s still debating how early is too early for Christmas music, and the next—bam!—you’re knee-deep in grocery lists, table settings, and last-minute cranberry sauce emergencies. Now, I love…
Happy Fourth of July 2025
Y’all, can you believe it’s already the 4th of July? It feels like we were just putting away the Easter decorations and brushing pollen off the porch rockers, and now here we are, gearing up for fireworks, cookouts, and all things red, white, and blue. Independence Day has always held a special place in my…
Father’s Day Without Him: 25 Years Later and Still Missing My Dad
Father’s Day always finds me a little quieter, a little more reflective. Even after 25 years, there’s still a tenderness that rises when the calendar turns to June and the world starts talking about dads. You’d think time would blunt the edges, and in many ways, it has. But there are some losses that settle…
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays: Taking a Few Days to Unwrap and Unwind!
Here we are, just two days away from Christmas! The tree is trimmed, the gifts are wrapped (almost), and the house is filled with the smell of holiday treats and the sound of my favorite Christmas carols. The season always brings this beautiful mix of hustle and hush, and I hope you’re feeling the same…
A Very Holiday Mishap
As the holiday season approached, I decided this year would be different. I’d finally get a jumpstart on my Christmas preparations instead of scrambling at the last minute like a contestant on a holiday game show. So, I made a plan: I would decorate the house, bake cookies, and maybe even attempt to wrap presents…
Holidays at Our House: A Christmas Full of Soldiers
Growing up, the holiday season in our home was more than just a time for family gatherings and festive decorations – it was a time to open our doors and our hearts to those who couldn’t be with their own families. Every year, our home would fill with soldiers who couldn’t make it home for…
Gift Wrapping 101: How To Wrap Any Shape In A Jiffy
Gift wrapping can feel like a daunting task, especially when faced with oddly shaped presents. While a box makes life easy, items like stuffed animals, jars, or even bottles can be challenging to cover neatly. The good news is that with a few tricks, you can wrap just about anything quickly and beautifully. Whether you’re…
![\\\\\\\"\\\\\\\"](\\\\\\\"https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=r2cEh1aAod000d\\\\\\\")