The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Paris Day Four: Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, Musée de l’Orangerie, and Saying Goodbye

I wanted to get these 2019 trip recaps finished before the end of 2023…which brings us to our final day in Paris.

*Sob*

I was not ready for this fairytale to end, but we had…

Paris, Travel
Dec, 28, 2023
13 Comments

Watches, Bedsides, Socks and Handedness: Some Random Questions

I was reading one of Jenny’s posts last week when she was discussing a painful (though thankfully short-lived) arm injury. As part of her healing process, she wondered if she might have to switch…

Christmas Treasure Hunt 2023

About five years ago we came up with the idea to create a Christmas morning treasure hunt for the kiddos – a series of clues leading to a joint gift. They loved the experience…

A Christmas 2023 Summary (We Stayed Healthy!)

We have this fun family tradition of always being sick on Christmas. And when I say always, I am giving in to hyperbole. It has only been 12 years out of the last 14….

Christmas, Holidays
Dec, 26, 2023
26 Comments

This Weary Heart Is Still Rejoicing

I grew up in a home surrounded by music; over the holidays, records, cassette tapes, and festive CDs were constantly being played – if Mom wasn’t sitting at the piano making her own music….

Happy Things Friday: The Friday Before Christmas 2023

It’s almost Christmas. I feel like I’ve been blogging about festive things for months now, but also can’t believe the final stretch of the holiday season is officially upon us. I’m happy and sad…