A Little List
for 2026
Hello Friends!
Today’s newsletter is a little like that surprise box of this-and-that, all jumbled together, the smorgasbord of bits and bobs. (Ok, that describes my cookie tins but they have outlived their life and the contents have departed.)
*Christmas Tips for ’26:
You need a gigantic, XXXL red bow. Every year there is some gift that requires a gigantic bow and this one gets pulled into service more often that I expect.
Inventory your wrapping supplies NOW, while it’s still fresh in your mind. Then put a note on your calendar for next October. Buy while it’s all freshly stocked.
The time to watch the bow-tying You Tube videos is NOT while you are in the throes of getting everything in boxes to mail. Add that to the October list as well.
Reflect. Rejoice. Review. What worked and what didn’t? The Christmas Roast Beast was glorious and so worth it. Future decisions made. The off-the-wall cookies were delicious but did not take the place of the traditional ones which shall return next year. Duly noted.
*Best Book of 2025: Small Town Author by John Erickson. Ticks all my boxes: Texas, authors, writing, books, history.
*New Year’s Journaling Intention: Will this be the year I actually keep track of what I read? Stay tuned…
*My Through-the-Bible-in-a-Year plan here:
I’ve also made this into a checklist for the Notes app on my phone. If you want me to share it with you, just let me know!
*Thank you, friends, for reading and joining me in these occasional musings. I’ve been thinking lately about why I write. Here’s a weird little story, as well as a quote, that probably sums it up. When I was in high-school I took part in a program called Professional Internship. At the time I wanted to go into broadcast journalism (and hey! I host a podcast now. God is good.) so I was paired up with a reporter at our local ABC news affiliate. It was a great experience and even led to some part time work at the station. One time Reporter Ed interviewed a man who could tell your personality through handwriting analysis. They rounded up a few of who happened to be nearby and we wrote a few words. The “expert” looked right at me and said, “This young lady has an incredible thirst for learning.” He was right! Was this obvious from my penmanship or the fact that I was spending my extra hours absorbing everything I could about the news biz? Either way, it fits.
And it fits into writing like so: A good friend spent some time with me this past week and we had wonderful conversations about everything imaginable, but especially teaching, and more specifically the connection between teaching and hospitality. Her favorite quote from a book she had read: Be generous with what you know and curious about what you don’t.
That’s it right there. I love learning things and I love sharing what I’ve learned. Occasionally it resonates with at least one of you and I am so delighted!
*Another beautiful quote, from what might turn out to be my favorite book this year. (And since I finished it on 1/1, this is a tall order!)
“Everybody has good work to do.”
The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
May the Lord bless each of you – and your work - richly, abundantly, surprisingly in this coming year!
Welcome Home,
Renée
Oh bother! This reminds me that I forgot to restock my wrapping paper stash for next Christmas. Hmmm, I wonder if any stores still have them on clearance….
Also, I’ll have to check out the John Erickson book. We loved his Hank the Cowdog stories when the kids were younger.
Happy New Year, Renee!
I enjoy your writing very much! Yes, our own roast was the best ever. I did not receive an auto as a Christmas gift though (which I would think might require an extra large bow).