January

Ah, January, my least favorite month.

Trips and Activities

We returned from Rexburg the day after New Year's in one piece.

I went to a book swap party with some friends (childhood-themed.)

That's it for the month, so maybe that's why it's been boring.

Birthdays and Holidays

Our NYD in Rexburg was fun and relaxing. I made the black-eyed peas that we ate with the Lees. I also dipped chocolates, something I'm good at and enjoy. :)

James turned 37! He got fancy cheeses again for the 3rd time in a row. I think that birthday tradition needs to stay forever. I also made him boiled peanuts, German chocolate cake, and brown butter almond brittle ice cream, plus a steak dinner. We spread out the goodies over a weekend.

Weather

We had a few cold days (below zero) but NO snow to speak of. Surprisingly, my old town in Florida got 8 inches!

Sickness

Though I didn't take them in, I'm 90% sure that Lewis and Samantha had the flu a week apart from each other. No one else had fevers, but we all experienced some level of tiredness, headache, etc.

Repairs

Waiting on a part for the stupid microwave. It stopped spinning a few weeks ago, and the first part I ordered was damaged in transit and had to get returned. It should be an easy fix. I was bummed when it burned a hole in my rice bag.

Projects

Setting things up for the new year in Primary was a little busy, as expected, but it's gone well.

the annual cleaning out of things (Konmari method)

made and canned orange marmalade, turkey and gravy dinner

made 2024's photo book, the longest one I've ever done

miscellaneous 3-D prints

I got a whole bunch of fabric from my neighbor. I've made 2 rice bags from that and spent a ton of time organizing and planning my next projects. From previous materials, I made a T-shirt quilt for Samantha.

December

Trips and Activities

I had dinner with my presidency at the Chinese place. (Sis. Hall paid. :)) Then, we saw Wicked.

Rexburg after Christmas (Dec. 26th to Jan. 2nd)

first time eating at Sushi Time, the AYCE place in Idaho Falls. It was scrumptious.

ice skating for a few lucky kids. The roads were too icy to take the big van up to Victor that day.

movies new (The Wild Robot) and old with the family during the week in Rexburg

swimming at Green Canyon a few days after Christmas

Birthdays and Holidays

our first voluntary Christmas at home. I kept things simple and had the most relaxing Christmas Day in 15+ years.

Jacob's birthday: We went to War of the Rohirrim and ate Big Jud's at the Lees'.

New Year's Eve/Day: also very chill. The Lees came over for the traditional black-eyed peas, rice, cornbread, and greens.

Weather

unseasonably warm, but we had a dusting of snow on Christmas morning, which felt special

lots of snow in Rexburg, so the kids played outside a lot and made a snow fort. I didn't like seeing 8 wrecks on our drive there the day after Christmas.

Sickness

Lucky me, I had Covid during the 2nd week of December. Thankfully, I had finished all my Christmas preparations early so I could read the new Sanderson book and recover. Mission accomplished.

Repairs

rock chip, new back brake pads and rotors, and a new tire for the van. Ouch.

Projects

I made a minimal number of baked goods (whole wheat bread, banana bread) and handed them out to my presidency and ministering families.