I’m a few days later than planned with this recap, but I’m glad I took the time to look back at the first month of the year.

Read

2026 reading is off to a good start with The Age of Innocence, The Giver, and The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper. Flora and the Jazzers was a notable picture book.

Do

• As usual the White Elephant party was a fun time and we even came home with a brand new hydroponic system (which I have yet to set up).
• I was grateful for the opportunity to attend my grandfather’s funeral. I took the four oldest kids on the train and we were able to stay two nights and enjoy time with relatives, including some we hadn’t seen in many years.
• Our piano teacher offered to come to our house to teach, which has made things so easy (especially at this time of year when pushing the double stroller is a challenge).
• The older kids also went to a homeschool history program where they listened to a Revolutionary War militia man reenactor and got to ask questions and handle some props.
• Andrew got a shiny new truck to drive for work!
• We went to a contra dance, which had such a good turnout, including lots of kids who knew what they were doing and participated cheerfully. I just love contra dancing, even if I’m not that good at it. 🙂
• And of course, there has been plenty of snow to play in and shovel!

Eat

Two Taste of Home recipes were hits: Andrew surprised me by requesting this zucchini ricotta bake and Juliet received many compliments on double orange cookies (made with orange juice concentrate and zest).

I also revived my sourdough starter, which had been in the freezer for three years! I’m still working on perfecting my bread technique, but I did discover sourdough discard crackers and made at least half a dozen pans (with everything seasoning or parmesan on top).

Drink

Trader Joe’s maple espresso tea and Celestial Seasonings gingerbread spice were two of my favourite school time beverages in January (with lots of milk).

Listen

It seems like I hadn’t listened to any great new (to me) music in a while, but now I have two to share: “I Did It for Love” and “More Heart, Less Attack.”

I may have shared “I Miss You When You’re Gone” before, but it’s such a nice one… and Andrew texted it to me when I was away!

Meditate

“As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” -Luke 8:15

Any favourites from January that you’d like to share?