the Wednesday hodgepodge

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm here with Joyce again today for the weekly hodgepodge...this is a post that I dearly love; thank you, Joyce, for your inspiring and thought provoking questions each and every week! I'll jump right in.

1. What's one thing on your to-do list that you need to get done, want to get done, or must get done before the year ends? I have a lot of things I want to get done while I'm on winter break from work. The thing I need to get done is the last of my Christmas shopping and the wrapping of all the things. Aside from that, I'd like to get some cleaning/organizing/purging/donating done. There are lots of trouble spots in my home that need to be sorted through. I'm on a mission to simplify! 

On that list of things to go through are the things in Dad's hutch and I want to go through all of my books. 

2. December 17th is National Maple Syrup day...are you a fan? Do you like maple in other food items such as candy, cookies, donuts, oatmeal, hot toddies, coffee? I like maple syrup, but I don't think I'm a fanatic about it or anything crazy. We have a local candy store that's been around Memphis for generations called Dinstuhl's; one thing I used to love getting from there were their maple creams. I think it sounds like it would be delicious in coffee! 

3. Time Magazine names a person of the year every year. The tradition started back in 1927 with a man of the year but has since changed not only to an individual, but also to consider the impact of a group, movement, or idea that influenced the year. The selection is not always someone or something good (think Hitler in 1938 and Stalin twice). This year, they've named the AI architects as their "person" of the year. Is this a good choice, a logical choice, an obvious choice? Who do you think should have been named person of the year? I can see how naming the AI architects the "person(s) of the year" would be a logical choice; even though we don't think of AI as human, someone had to start it up at some point, and the mastermind behind it is pretty brilliant. That's just my humble opinion. While AI is pretty scary, it's also something that is making life easier for a lot of people. I don't think it's good in the sense that it will eliminate jobs for people, but it's something that is around and not going anywhere for a long time. Like everything in life, there are pros and cons to this newer form of technology.

I'm still all for letting the big wigs at Chick Fil A running the country; why not let them be the people of the year? 

4. What's a city, state, or country that you've visited that you never care to visit again? Tell us why. I'm about to say something super controversial here, so I hope we can still be friends after today. I think Disney is overrated. I get the magic of it for young kids, but I've been there several times and don't really care to ever go back. I'd go back to Epcot, but even that seems far fetched. I realize that this isn't a city, state or country, but it's all I could think of. 

5. Next Sunday (December 21st) marks the first day of winter. What's one thing you love about this new season? I kind of love winter, friends. I love the early nights, the season of embracing all of the cozy vibes, the snow, the promise of an impending new year, and that magical week between Christmas and New Year's day. I love the thought of snow days and time spent snuggled up at home with nowhere to be. I don't necessarily dislike January, either, like most people. I'm told that February is the longest month at school, because it's the only month with no breaks. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Thanks for being here for me this week, friends. I had a rough ending to my birthday/start of the new week. I received some shocking news and it literally almost took me down. I called Marilyn, because what else would I do? She was here within ten minutes, and came right upstairs to my bedroom and laid on top of it with me. She hugged me, encouraged me, let me cry, let me sit in silence, and just locked eyes with me while we talked. I will never ever take this kind of friendship for granted! I'm so thankful for her, and that she is so close to me these days. 

I'm also thankful for you and your kind words to help get me through a tough start to the week. I'm not sure if I'll be back here tomorrow, but I plan on being here Friday to celebrate the final day of school for me. I can't believe semester one is almost over! Time has flown, and I am still so grateful to have a job that I love. As I write this, I'm group texting the ladies I eat lunch with everyday. 

I spent some time at Dad's grave with my sister and mom for my birthday on Saturday. I'll share more about the weekend on Friday. Thanks for being here to read my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn xoxo

a quick word and a possible blog break

 

Hey, friends. I wanted to share a quick post with you this morning that I made on social media yesterday. Here it is below and the words I wrote.

It’s a different and quiet birthday morning. For the second year in a row, I’ve woken up with this deep longing of missing people who used to be in my life, my dad being at the top of that list. It’s weird waking up not knowing if your people will even remember your birthday since they don’t have anyone to remind them anymore. I’m sure they will eventually reach out to me today, they’re good like that.

But it’s different being on your own. I’ve had several cards that I’ve been hanging onto because I wanted to have something to read when I woke up this morning. I’m not one who treasures things, but words? I hang onto those. It was a blessing to save those cards and read all the messages my friends and students at school wrote. Honestly, a lot of them made me cry, but that’s also not a hard thing to do.

I am feeling extremely grateful for another year of life, for my sons, my amazing family, and for this incredible support system of friends who love me dearly. I often don’t feel worthy of that kind of love, but God gave me all of these wonderful people who have been life lines to me. Because of that gratitude and because I’m a reflective kind of person, I spent some time doing one of my favorite things already today: I wrote out a thank You prayer to God in my journal while Christmas worship music played in the background. I savored my coffee and enjoyed not having to rush off so early to be anywhere. I loved waking up to texts and FB birthday messages and responding back to some of the more personal ones (I’ll definitely get back to all of them at some point).

And where else would I want to spend my birthday then at church with so many friends? I’ve been there all weekend, actually, but have loved that time spent singing. I write all of this just to say that I’m grateful for today, for the start of another year of life. Life looks so different than what I thought it would be like, but I’m okay with that. There are still days when I struggle and honestly I felt that when I first woke up today, but the Lord was sweet to turn it around for me. Even saying it all here is like therapy. He really has been faithful to me all of my life. Here’s to year 49.

It was an okay weekend; I don't mean to be all maudlin here, but I feel like I have so many things on my mind. I literally woke up with all the feelings yesterday. I wanted to mention this today, because I honestly don't know if I'll be back here to write this week. Of course that could change and I'll be back each day. I'm okay, nothing has changed with me and Chris, and my family members are all well. It's just me feeling all of the things, and after spending part of last night with Marilyn and telling her this, I may just need a break to prevent even more of the burnout that I'm currently feeling.

I'm only sharing this today because I feel like if I don't, a lot of you will wonder or even text me. I'm open to talking! Just not here. I pray you have the best week, in case I don't "see" you here again for a while. Thanks for always being here to encourage me and to read my posts. Love to all.

Jenn ❤️

Friday Favorites, the merry everything edition (12.12.2025.)

 

Merry Friday, friends! I have four and a half days of school left for the first semester after today. I'm officially on countdown mode, and everything is holiday celebrations from here on out. I'm here for every bit of all the festive fun! I had so many favorites from this week; I'll jump right in! 

I'll start with outfits from the week:

I didn't do Christmas clothes everyday this week, but I alternated. Do you have a favorite? I think mine is the one with the red flats, or the one with the Merry sweatshirt and green pants. I rewarded myself for making it to Thursday by wearing something comfy and cozy, which was when I wore the Dallas Mavericks hoodie and leggings. I'm writing this on Thursday night, and today is our actual comfy/cozy day; I don't know what I'll be wearing as of yet. 

One favorite from this week was seeing Marilyn Sunday night; she went to a fun jazz concert at my church called Jingle Bell Jam. I love this type music! It will always remind me of my dad. He loved attending this with me each year! 

These were my favorite wintry images from Instagram this week! I love this last one; it's by the account Accidentally Wes Anderson. His photography is stunning! 

Judging from the views this post got, Tuesday was your favorite blog post day, when I shared my Christmas home tour for this year. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out after you read this post! Lots of you had such nice things to say to me on that one; thank you! 

My Christmas cups are my favorite! 

Doodling in my planner at work has been my favorite this week. I've gotten to the point where I'm doing so many different things at work each day, that I have to write it all down to keep up. I had a moment on Wednesday when my memory completely failed me when it came time for second grade intervention; I tried starting over on the lesson we'd been working on, but one of them corrected me immediately. 🤣

This little ten minutes of peace each day at 11:45 with fifth graders is my new favorite. I eat my snack, I drink the water I keep with me, and I catch up with two of the students in this room every single day. 

I've been going to the chiropractor twice a week in the afternoons after work, and to get there, I drive down one of my favorite streets in Memphis: Shady Grove. The homes in this neighborhood are massive! I was stuck in traffic yesterday, so I used the opportunity to take some pictures. 

Choir practice is always a favorite! This was Wednesday night when we had an extended rehearsal to prepare for our Christmas program this weekend. 

My little space at work is my favorite; I want to figure out something to help it be more organized on the table behind me at some point. I haven't wanted to move things around or change them, but I'm comfortable enough now that I feel like I can start to make it reflect me more. 

Christmas nails are my favorite! 

Lastly, this one is my favorite. I won't be seeing a lot of him this weekend, unfortunately, due to my schedule. I was talking to him about this on Thursday as I was driving home from Memphis, and he told me to make time for him sometime on Friday before I have to be at  rehearsal, otherwise he would be parked outside at the church until I came to see him. Well done, Chris, well done. That being said, I will be seeing him tonight before I have to be at the church, and I'll see him on Sunday. 

What was a favorite of yours from the week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 

thankful Thursday

 

Happy Thursday, friends! I was doodling at work yesterday and writing down things I'm thankful for so far this month.

I have this paper calendar/planner at work that I keep track of what I do at work each day, my schedule, and important paperwork. I love this one, because it has month at a glance, and each week has it's own set of pages. At the end of each month, there's a "notes" section, and that's where I keep a gratitude list going. I try to jot down a few things each day, just to keep me grounded and to have my perspective in the right place. There are so many things that I take for granted; doing this helps me to remember to not do that! And spoiler alert: I mess up in a million ways each and everyday of my life. Somehow doing this also keeps me humble. I'm not saying I have it all together, but this definitely helps me. You can see what I've written so far for this month, but here are a few more things I'm thankful for:

• fun choir rehearsals
• the ability and gift of being able to sing
• that I'm able to be back in choir after a two year hiatus
• God's continual provision for me in every possible way
• good talks/visits with my sons
• a cozy home
• excellent sleep in which I don't wake up too often
• hugs from sweet students to help fill up my love tank
• good health
• talking to someone from my old life (pre-divorce)
• less pain in my back and chiropractor visits
• a great mid-year evaluation with my principal and hearing the sweet things my co-worker told her about me

There's so much more, friends. So much more, but I need to run. Tell me something you're thankful for this week! I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn ❤️

the Wednesday hodgepodge

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm here with Joyce again today for the weekly hodgepodge...this is a post that I dearly love; thank you, Joyce, for your inspiring and thought provoking questions each and every week! I'll jump right in. Also, in case you missed it or if you're new here, yesterday I posted my annual Christmas home tour. I hope you check it out! 

1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holidays? What helps you keep your focus when the season's busyness and commercialism start to take over? For years I struggled with this very thing, but I really don't anymore. I know that no matter whether gifts are given/received or not, that the gift itself isn't at all what the holiday is about. To me, Christmas means celebrating the birth of my Savior, Jesus. I celebrate His birth by gathering with the people I love, and while we do exchange gifts, that is second to me. The real gift is Jesus, and a time of gathering with my family and friends. I love the season itself, not the day necessarily. The season is wonderful because people are a little more kind than at any other time of year. It really is a magical time of year, not because of tangible things, but because the spirit of Christmas is everywhere. 

When I do start to lose focus, I remember that I need to focus on my loved ones and friends, not the stuff that I buy for them. I don't expect perfection and I've learned to be content whatever the circumstance. I need to remember this more, but I give it my best shot.

2. What's one small thing you want to savor before the year ends? I want to savor this season of everything feeling festive. I want to embrace the joy and beauty that I see all around me! I know I will also want to savor each and every moment I get with my sons while they're all in the same city. I can't wait for this, actually. 

Please enjoy the adorable photo I got from Noah this week of Santa with his new pup Rocket. He'll be coming home with Noah in a couple weeks! I can't wait for them to get here. 

3. December 9th is National Christmas Card day. Do you still send Christmas cards? How do you feel about this tradition? I'm not including the whole question,  because this is something I've never done. I love receiving them, though! I've already gotten two in the mail, and I will usually display them somewhere in my home. 

I love these sweet pictures above; I'll always remember the year Dad made nametags for our Christmas eve meal at their house. 

4. What's your least favorite holiday related task? What's your favorite? My least favorite is dealing with the leftovers I always seem to have an abundance of. My favorite is definitely making my home appealing when people come over. I clean, I light candles, I put on Christmas music in the background. 

5. Let's do a little holiday "this or that". My answers are in the red ink.

shopping or wrapping

baking or decorating

eggnog or wassail

real tree or artificial (I prefer real, but I have an artificial one)

turkey or ham

white lights or colored

ugly sweaters or matching pajamas

peppermint or cinnamon

presents on Christmas eve or presents on Christmas day

5. Insert your own random thought here. I recently discovered the Christmas album by Maverick City Music and love this version of Oh Holy Night. Enjoy!

I can't wait to read your answers to these! Thanks for being here to read my blog today, friends. Love to all! 

Jenn ❤️💚

Tuesday Talk: Come on in! A Christmas Home Tour.

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm taking a break from my inspired writing Tuesdays to share my Christmas home with you. Come on in! 

My Christmas tree is my favorite; I splurged on a new one last year, and I'm still just as smitten with it now as I was then. I love the new collar that I recently added; my sister Trish bought this for me a couple of weeks ago. Wasn't that nice? She knows how I feel about tartan plaid! 

I was so excited to decorate for Christmas this year because of how different my home looks now that it has fresh neutral paint, and new furniture. I think Chloe adds a nice touch, right? 

I love my mantel and hearth! Mom bought me new mantel decor last year, and I still love it this year. I don't hang stockings anymore, because of obvious reasons. 

I love having a coffee table to decorate and pretty books to display atop. 

This was before Chloe ate the bowl of ornaments. 🤣

Glimpses of things around the living room...I love these prints that are hanging. I actually keep them up all year, because I feel that strongly about them. They were gifts to me from my sons a few years ago and contain the lyrics to my favorite Christmas movie song, and a favorite passage from Scripture.

I like to use all the spaces in my home, so this includes the backs of doors. You'll see this same type thing in a few different rooms. I love this little sign that hangs by the front door; I want people to know that as they leave my home. It says, "You are so loved."

These are from the room that used to be my dining room; I don't know what to call this space now, but it's definitely not that. I'd love to make it into a little den or sitting room someday. I love the lamp on top of the piano; it's from Dad's house. He loved brass, and I have several things like this of his. 

It houses my favorite piece of furniture: my Dad's old hutch filled with a few of my favorite things.

I love this little gold basket of homemade napkins that Mom made for me several years ago.

I kept things simple in my kitchen, because I didn't want a lot of clutter on my countertops.

I love this old thermos bag that I found at an antiques store a couple of years ago. I filled it with greenery and berries. Also, how cute is my little sign above this door that leads to the garage? 

This piece of furniture is a new addition this year! I bought this cabinet a few weeks ago off of Marketplace. I love how it's painted! I keep mail and quiet time supplies inside, and I store my purse on one side when I'm not using it during the week. (I take a backpack to work everyday for my personal bag.)

This is the door leading into the downstairs half bath; I've never shown you this room because it was hideous before it got a fresh coat of paint! Now I think this little space is adorable.

I love this little board where I keep things that mean something; the pictures beside it were a gift from my dear friend Andrea several birthdays ago. 

I love this picture of my sisters and me that was taken while we were in Colorado last year!  

I like to add berries to faux plants that I have around the house. 

I love tea towels! A few years ago, I bought these stick-on towel rods that I attached to the ends of my kitchen cabinets. I love hanging towels there to display them, and the Christmas ones are just adorable. 

These old windows lead upstairs; I like their Christmas wreaths that I attached to them.

This is the top of the antique lawyer's cabinet that sits at the top of the stairs. I love these little gingerbread men! 

I love my Christmas bedroom! 

I love this little frosted Christmas tree that I added lights to last year. It gives my bedroom a little extra touch of magic. 

Do you have a favorite space? I love to decorate and to make people feel loved and at home when they're here, so I think my style reflects that. It's not fancy, but it's lived in and super cozy, at least in my humble opinion. I love seeing this kind of thing, so I can't wait to read some of your posts if you wrote about this recently! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn