The Season of Perpetual Hope

I sit here writing at the end of a very chilly, rainy day, eating a baked potato and chili (what could be better right now??). We don’t get rain much around here, and this year it’s been MUCH drier than usual. I can’t remember the last time it rained. My first thought this morning as I was preparing to leave was - and this is a little embarrassing - I couldn’t remember what kind of shoes to wear in the rain.

This morning, I found someone had jacked up my car in the night and stolen the catalytic converter. Apparently, this is a Thing happening right now. Our friends had their truck stolen as well. How tempting it would be to let that dampen our days. I’m not a perfect person and I certainly said too many cuss words and cried a little but in the scheme of things, life could be so much worse. And no one is stealing my holiday joy!!! THIS IS CHRISTMAS! The season of perpetual HOPE.

I am so excited to have launched my little candle baby today - Ronan’s Wild Winter Orchard candle. I’d love if you read about what that meant to me, and learn a little about Ronan and his fight with cancer in his short life. His mama Maya is a spark to be around, and I admire her strength, bravery, openness, and resilience. My friend Sam at Standard Wax and I started developing this scent - uh… was it like a year ago? It’s fruity, earthy, and just kinda different in general. It felt like the holidays indirectly. Like the comfort of walking into a warm home when it’s cold outside. I hope to have more candles to come, but for this first limited run, it was important to me to support the Ronan Foundation with the proceeds from these sales. We love and support you Maya. <3 and we honor his bright-eyed memory!

A few more extra things / thoughts:

I found these Dunder Cards (like Cards against Humanity but.. all things Scranton-related) on Etsy and I think we are all freaking out about how good they are!!

If you’re still at a loss for thoughtful gift ideas for any friends - e-courses make great last minute gifts (read: no shipping!!). Last year, my friend Emily gifted me a Masterclass subscription and I have LOVED it. I have been wanting to try Rachel Denbow’s natural dyeing e-course - Foraged Color. What is better than the gift of learning and stretching yourself creatively?

Josh got our kids a checkers set and surprisingly it has been such a hit. The kids have super absorbed learning about strategy and anticipating moves, especially our 7 year old - seriously she could beat me now! Love this handmade set via Etsy, you can pick any 2 colors!

This week I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I’m so relieved to have some else tell me why I’m so tired and just extra relieved that it’s not normal at all. It’ll be fun feeling rested again. Can’t even remember what that feels like!! Did you know that on average, you stop breathing 1-5 times per hour while you sleep? I did a sleep study last week, and yesterday I found out that I stopped breathing 103 times per hour during my study!

Today had so many high points but I ended today singing El Scorcho as loud as I could in the car while I did some Christmas shopping alone. It was what I needed.

I have a blog post coming up on tackling a remodel / renovation of your own! I’ve gathered a ton of questions on IG, but feel free to leave questions here, too. I’ve got a lot already so it might be a two-part sitch.

Hope you are all enjoying this holiday season with people you love, and hope you feel loved as well.