Happenings Around the Nest - 16

This Week's Happenings Around the Nest

Happy 2026 to you! I hope your holidays were merry and bright. Stepping away from blogging for a bit gave me time to enjoy family, rest, and come back feeling refreshed and ready for January.

Here's what has been happening in our neck of the woods!

New Beginnings!

I love a new year and the promise of new beginnings. I one of those who falls for it every single time, lol. The fresh calendar, the clean slate, the feeling that maybe this is the year everything clicks just a little more smoothly just draws me in.

This year, I'm thinking less about big resolutions and more about balance. Balance in our home, with our family, and in the rhythm of everyday life. Doing the work when the energy is there, stepping back when it's not, and letting things unfold without forcing everything to be productive. It feels like a good way to move into this brand new year.(for the record, "Balance" has been my goal for the last 3 years...hoping 2026 is the year! 😃 )

A New Purchase

I finally bought a Kindle, and I'm already wondering why it took me so long.

I love reading, but somewhere along the way I stopped making space for it. Reading on my phone never worked for me because it's impossible to unplug when notifications keep popping up. And while I've tried reading on an iPad, it still feels too connected to everything else I use it for.

The Kindle feels different. It's simple, distraction-free, and easy to carry anywhere. I've already taken it into the tub, into the sauna, and tossed it into my bag without a second thought. It reminds me of how much I used to read and how much I've missed it.

I'm really looking forward to getting back into that habit, even if it's just a few quiet minutes at a time. The goal more reading, less scrolling!

If you've read anything great lately, I'd love to hear about it. I'm always looking for good book recommendations.

This week in a quick snapshot

• Trending: Nothing, lol. It's the week after Christmas and the blog is quiet. 🙂 The top performers right now are my baked brie and stuffed dates - very last-minute appetizers for holiday get-togethers. This little dip in traffic happens every year, which tells me no one is decorating, starting big projects, or worrying too much about their plants (ahem… they're looking for a little attention!). And that's okay. This week is perfect for resetting, slowing down, and easing into the new year.

• Watching: Ray and I recently finished The Diplomat season 3 on Netflix, and we loved this show. It's so well written and definitely the kind of show you actually have to pay attention to, or you'll miss important details. The acting is excellent, the pacing is smart, and the character development really pulls you in. One of those shows that makes you put your phone down and actually watch (actually - binge!)

• Reading: With my new Kindle, I have a growing list. Right now, I'm reading Love, Mom, by Iliana Xander a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing and pulls you in quickly. It's the kind of book that makes it hard to put down once you get started. I also downloaded The Pivot Year, by Brianna West which is set up as a daily read to help reset my headspace in the morning. Highly recommend!

Missed the last few weeks? Catch up here!

Wishing you a great weekend ahead. Stay warm, enjoy the season, and feel free to send along any book recommendations, favorite reads, or even something you're looking forward to in 2026. I always love hearing from you.