Reflection and Anticipation
Dear ones, can you believe we have come to the end of 2025? Actually, this is probably the most relaxing week of the year… the week between Christmas and New Years Day. Gone is the flurry of Thanksgiving preparation thrusting us quickly into Christmas with all the decorating, shopping, wrapping and of course food prep for the big Christmas dinner with family. Now, we can slow down and enjoy this unhurried time with family and friends or just enjoy the solitude of peace and quiet.
Christmas Brunch was not only delicious, it was also quiet and peaceful.
The Captain and I usually leave our Christmas decorations up until after New Years, I still like the twinkling of lights as we sit by the fire and it is even better when my thoughts are not racing toward the next thing that needs to be done. It is this time that I can casually and tentatively plan for the new year. It is also a time when the Captain and I drive around looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate or take walks, work on jigsaw puzzles, or catch up on our favorite Christmas movies that we missed during the month.
Some find it hard to believe that we don’t put up 13 trees for Christmas as it was always our tradition. Since my illness, we have left those 9 and 12 ft trees in storage and opted for a much smaller tree. This one is so easy to decorate as nothing is attached. I just placed pine cones, ribbons and straw squirrels and owls between the branches.
Our Florida weather has been cool. Well, cool for us. We have been waking up to temps requiring a jacket or sweater which can be shed by lunch time. However, the forecast is for temps to be down in the 30’s on New Years Day which is really cold for us. When it gets this cold, the alerts go out to watch for falling iguanas! It sounds funny, but the iguanas literally get so cold they fall from trees and some of them are quite large so it could be a hazard. We are also warned to not try to rescue the iguanas or assume they are dead because it is only a temporary situation for them. Many unknowing people have put them in their car to perhaps take them to a vet, only to have them warm up and come to life again, sometimes causing serious car accidents. I might also note that these “cute” iguanas are not native and have become a nuisance problem as they can be quite destructive and are a threat to our native wildlife as well. Plus they can grow 5-7 feet long.
This time of year brings glorious sunrises and sunsets which we try not to miss. There is something about the Gulf waters that make them even more beautiful.
Here in the Cape, there are tour boats that will take you out into the Gulf to watch sunrises and sunsets without any land obstructions. We have taken friends out and they are always amazed. The Captain and I enjoy watching both sunrises and sunsets from our courtyard or Secret Garden as we sip our coffee/tea.
I am always trying to come up with unique ideas for my Bible Study Ladies Christmas Gifts. (I get them all the same thing) For a “fun gift” this year, I took advantage of the McDonald’s brief Grinch special early in December.
McDonald’s promotion featured a green Grinch cardboard box filled with sandwich, fries, dill salt, drink and a pair of Grinch socks. Every day for 5 days, the Captain and I rushed to buy them, knowing this special would not last long. It lasted 5 days here in the Cape before they ran out of socks, etc.. I wasn’t going to give my Bible Study Ladies a McDonald meal, but I did want to use the Grinch box and the pair of Grinch socks. I just thought it would be a fun idea using the box as not only a themed gift but I didn’t have to wrap it. 🥴. And yes, we did tire of McDonalds lunch every day for 5 days but we can laugh about it now!
To the Grinch box, I added Red & White Tissue Paper, Hot Chocolate Packets, Mini Marshmallows, Red Cocktail Napkins, Red & White Hot Cups with Lids, Red & White Straws and Candy Canes. I also stuck in the Grinch Socks, a Red Cocoa Cup Tree Ornament and Specialty Soaps for relaxing in the tub.
Lastly, I want to comment on our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. It is always beautiful but this year it was awesome and for some reason… more meaningful for me. I am sure many of you had the same kind of service at your church. For those who many wonder what it is all about…I want to share this with you.
- Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.
Dear Kari,
I love the sun rises and sun sets in Florida. In fact, Ron and I love all of Florida. At one time we thought we would live there, but decided to stay close to family and then family moved. Loved your tree and the casserole and bread made my mouth water. Happy New Year to you and the Captain.
Stay well and healthy my friend.
Hugs and love,
Sandy and Ron
We love the sunrises and sunsets here and well, everywhere. We try to take pictures no matter where we are as there is something special about them that The Captain and I have got to photograph. It is hard to have family far away…we have to rely on Facetime for most holidays. Have a great 2026! and thanks for stopping by.
Oh, I wish I’d known about the grinch boxes! Those are wonderful and I love your supplements! I really love your tree. It’s sort of perfect! I didn’t get all my trees up this year and like you, will be leaving what I have for a bit. I need the cheery lights in these dark days of winter. You may be having a cold one, but here it’s in the teens and snow, so cherish that weather! Yours will change before ours does!
Jeanie I think my energy level has dropped since my surgery (perhaps yours too) and I do enjoy decorating just not putting out as much as I used to do. it is warming up here, about close to normal after that cold snap. I wish you and Rick a wonderful healthy New Year for 2026. thanks for stopping by my friend.
Happy New Year Kari and the Captain! We started putting away Christmas yesterday, still not finished, but hopefully in the morning. I love your woodland tree, it is beautiful! We scaled down the size of our trees a couple of years ago and it is much easier on our backs. Those iguanas would scare me! That is a cute idea with the Grinch socks and all of the wonderful gifts you tucked inside the McDonalds box. I know your friends loved it. I love the candlelight service where by lighting one candle and passing it, the darkness is dispelled! Jesus is the Light! May those walking in darkness discover His glorious light! Thank you for this sweet post, my friend and sister in Christ!
Thanks Pam! It is very cold here this first day of January…41 degrees and frost in the middle of the state. I miss my mild mornings. LOL. I find myself taking more shortcuts with seasonal decor these days. Have a great and wonderful day with your family and friends..In Christ.
Kari, always look forward to hearing from you. I know what you mean about the time between Christmas and New Year’s for reflecting and relaxing. Right now our dining room table is covered with a 2000 piece puzzle that will not be completed in time to set a table for tonight. Your gorgeous table from your previous post inspired me sometime today to set a clock theme table by the fireplace for two. I can see why your New Year’s Eve one is your favorite table. Love everything about it, Those clock napkin rings are so fun.
This morning you taught me new things about iguanas and made me chuckle as you made your daily trips to McDonald’s to get the Grinch boxes and socks. May leave our tree up and add owls and pinecones for the winter. Though not a singer, my husband suggested I join the choir for the Christmas Eve service so I could see the candlelight move from one to another. It’s a time I won’t forget. Yes Jesus is the “Light of the World”.
Blessings to you and the Captain!
Jan I appreciate you so much and I always look for your comments when I post. We have a kindred spirit…much like Anne of Green Gables and Diana Barry. 🥰 As I stated in my post, we have always attended the Candlelight service and it has always been special but I believe the Holy Spirit was moving in and among us this year. He is always there, Perhaps it is because we were watching and listening. We used to have church Watch Night Services on New Years Eve where we played games, prayed and waited for midnight but that has not been for a number of years. I miss it. A table for two by the fire sounds wonderful. Happy New year my dear friend.🙏🏻🥂. Go Jayhawks!
Good morning, Kari. Your tree is so pretty! It can easily go into January with its woodland theme, I love that. Those beautiful sunrises and sunsets are what keep your zip code on buyers’ most wanted list! I can attest to damge those iguanas can do, as my great niece was porting one from a pet store and it got loose in my nephew’s $$$$ truck, not caught for over a month (even using surveillance cameras, traps and cages with food enticements). He got rid of the teuck afterward. I didnt see that Grinch promotion, but how cute! My Jacqueline would’ve loved that too.
The Christmas Eve candlelight service is always beautiful and introspective.
Wishing you a very beautiful new year. ❤️
Thanks Rita for stopping by this cold morning in Florida…42 degrees this A.M….brrrrrrr! Those iguanas are horrible…they can somehow eat or destroy mortar on brick as well as eat or gnaw on ANYTHING. And they bite and multiply like rabbits. They also eat our little geckos! I am sure your J would have loved those Grinch meals….I think McDonald’s bit off a little more than they could chew. LOL. Happy New Year to you and yours my friend.🥂