On the raclette. The Native Cafe in Lexington, Ky does raclette nights in their cozy greenhouse turned cafe for winter. They serve it over either crusty baguette slices or roasted potatoes. Me scrape, two scrapes…yummo. My fav is over potatoes
My daughter and I chose a common book (Little Women- her first time reading it herself and my 14th) to read together this year. She is 22 and living 5 hours away, so it is a really nice point of connection to check in with each other about where we are in the reading and what we are noticing. I am hoping we do this every year.
Like Sarah, my husband and I do A LOT of reflection, journaling, and discussion for the new year. This year we both did a deep Rule of Life creation, which focuses on the seven virtues, so it reminded me of Sarah's goal. We probably journaled and discussed for 12 hours over about 4 days. Then, we check in with each other throughout the year. This year we (especially my husband) very much wants more explicit discussion of virtues and personal virtue creation and following with our children. (Our world very much needs it.)
I homeschool my kids (14 and 12) and I love a good bingo card and visual check-list for us. Such a good idea to use AI. Mine are typically crappily drawn on some scrap paper laying around my homeschool, so it would shock everyone if I showed up with the beauty that Sarah made!
What does reading together mean? Actually reading together a book or reading time together each reading their own? We read a book out loud together at advent each year. It's always a funny book. Which makes us a great laugh.
My word for the year is rise. It actually came to me written on a star in a gift box. I keep thinking of Hamilton's song with the words Rise Up. Aka the song I'm not going to throw away my shot.
I started a writing g class that both excites me and scares me. Completing the class and my goals for the class are my one and only goal.
But I do love the bingo card idea and may make one for my whole family this Valentine's Day.
Love this! :) I started doing birthday bingo cards because I tend to be more invested when things are personal (I also have never celebrated Valentine's Day).
My favorite challenge I've done several times was the "photo a day" or 365 challenge. I remember thinking at the time that the photos were so boring, but now looking back at them I love each and every single one. Especially for the years we lived in Madrid, Spain: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=82712079%40N00&text=365&album_search=1&view_all=1
I am a high-achieving person who desperately needs to make peace with the fact that I can't do as much as I wish I could (and who also needs to plan a wedding this year). Right now, the goal I am bringing to the table is constantly reminding myself that I have set most of the deadlines I am trying to adhere to, so I can just let them go if I am not meeting them.
Sarah-- for your faraway theme park, may I recommend the Efteling? https://www.efteling.com/en Located in the south of the Netherlands. It is so good! Tickets are relatively inexpensive and if you go during an off season, it's not that busy.
My word for the year is "NO". For years I have been the friend who is always there, always available for everyone else. This past year I needed my friends and sadly found out that only one of them was truly there for me in my hour of need. The others were only available when it served them. A hard lesson at 56 but a good one to learn. I plan to join some other crafting groups and make new friends and be careful this year about whom I allow into my circle. Shout out to Renee for always being there!!!
UPDATE- I have now chosen a theme song for my year. Dried Paint by EmilyAnn Jamerson. Bonus she grew up about 15 miles from where I did! Eastern Kentucky girls!
Thank you, yes, I'm ALREADY on Monroe. (I was giving myself a hard time for ONLY being on Monroe. "Woah is me, I'm so behind on this challenge that I totally made up for myself to read long books about complicated history.") Taking that "ALREADY" energy into the rest of 2026, thank you!
On the raclette. The Native Cafe in Lexington, Ky does raclette nights in their cozy greenhouse turned cafe for winter. They serve it over either crusty baguette slices or roasted potatoes. Me scrape, two scrapes…yummo. My fav is over potatoes
70 books. That’s impressive
My daughter and I chose a common book (Little Women- her first time reading it herself and my 14th) to read together this year. She is 22 and living 5 hours away, so it is a really nice point of connection to check in with each other about where we are in the reading and what we are noticing. I am hoping we do this every year.
Like Sarah, my husband and I do A LOT of reflection, journaling, and discussion for the new year. This year we both did a deep Rule of Life creation, which focuses on the seven virtues, so it reminded me of Sarah's goal. We probably journaled and discussed for 12 hours over about 4 days. Then, we check in with each other throughout the year. This year we (especially my husband) very much wants more explicit discussion of virtues and personal virtue creation and following with our children. (Our world very much needs it.)
I homeschool my kids (14 and 12) and I love a good bingo card and visual check-list for us. Such a good idea to use AI. Mine are typically crappily drawn on some scrap paper laying around my homeschool, so it would shock everyone if I showed up with the beauty that Sarah made!
I’ve leaned into the bingo card energy in the past few years and love the tone of possibility but not obligation that it sets.
What does reading together mean? Actually reading together a book or reading time together each reading their own? We read a book out loud together at advent each year. It's always a funny book. Which makes us a great laugh.
My word for the year is rise. It actually came to me written on a star in a gift box. I keep thinking of Hamilton's song with the words Rise Up. Aka the song I'm not going to throw away my shot.
I started a writing g class that both excites me and scares me. Completing the class and my goals for the class are my one and only goal.
But I do love the bingo card idea and may make one for my whole family this Valentine's Day.
Love this! :) I started doing birthday bingo cards because I tend to be more invested when things are personal (I also have never celebrated Valentine's Day).
My favorite challenge I've done several times was the "photo a day" or 365 challenge. I remember thinking at the time that the photos were so boring, but now looking back at them I love each and every single one. Especially for the years we lived in Madrid, Spain: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=82712079%40N00&text=365&album_search=1&view_all=1
Maybe it's time for another year of photos!
I really like the poster and I want one, but I can't get nano banana to make anything good.
I like that be on time for church is a Outdoor activity
I am a high-achieving person who desperately needs to make peace with the fact that I can't do as much as I wish I could (and who also needs to plan a wedding this year). Right now, the goal I am bringing to the table is constantly reminding myself that I have set most of the deadlines I am trying to adhere to, so I can just let them go if I am not meeting them.
Sarah-- for your faraway theme park, may I recommend the Efteling? https://www.efteling.com/en Located in the south of the Netherlands. It is so good! Tickets are relatively inexpensive and if you go during an off season, it's not that busy.
My word for the year is "NO". For years I have been the friend who is always there, always available for everyone else. This past year I needed my friends and sadly found out that only one of them was truly there for me in my hour of need. The others were only available when it served them. A hard lesson at 56 but a good one to learn. I plan to join some other crafting groups and make new friends and be careful this year about whom I allow into my circle. Shout out to Renee for always being there!!!
UPDATE- I have now chosen a theme song for my year. Dried Paint by EmilyAnn Jamerson. Bonus she grew up about 15 miles from where I did! Eastern Kentucky girls!
I love the bingo idea and the family goals poster. Sarah - what's a scratch-off activity?
This! https://www.adventurebook.com/products/scratch_off_family_adventure_book
Whimsy is my One Little Word (Ali Edwards) this year! Loved to see it in my email as the episode title today. 😊
Oh I want to hear more about your year of whimsy!!!
I’d lost track of Maggie’s challenge to read presidential biographies! She’s already on Monroe!
Thank you, yes, I'm ALREADY on Monroe. (I was giving myself a hard time for ONLY being on Monroe. "Woah is me, I'm so behind on this challenge that I totally made up for myself to read long books about complicated history.") Taking that "ALREADY" energy into the rest of 2026, thank you!
Maggie, I tried to read along with you and I’m on Adam’s. You’re killing it.
Okay, but John Adams’s Presidency stressed me out!