Here we are - it's 2026!
Here's how I spent the first day of the month.
We spent New Years Eve with friends. They left around 10. Bob decided by 11:30 that he didn't need to stay up to see the new year in, but I did stay up and watch the ball drop, then I headed to bed.
I started off the day downstairs, walking 45 minutes on the treadmill. We still have tables set up down there from our Christmas dinner. We left them up as we have a group coming for supper soon and it seemed crazy to take them down, and then set them up again.
Here's how things looked from our porch. It's been snowing a lot since Christmas and it's been cold. It was 15 degrees when I got up.
I got ready and started a load of laundry - getting the sheets washed.
After having breakfast, Bob and I headed out. The roads were snow covered, but not too slippery. We had initially planned to go out and see the David movie, but it was all sold out. We'll have to do that another day.
We went to church to get this newsletter put out. It's something I do and publish every 2 months. It has an article from the pastor, upcoming events, birthdays, anniversaries, lots of photos of recent events and any other interesting things that have happened in our church life.
This is our mailbox system at church. It's two sided, so the other side has the same set up. It's so nice to just put cards or info into people's mail slots. We put a newsletter into each slot and were on our way.
We decided to take a little drive in the country and take in the beauty of the snow.
After we got home and had lunch, Bob took care of the driveway and then used the electric shovel to clean off the patio and deck in the back of the house.
I don't know about you, but once January comes and I take my Christmas things down, I get the urge to start cleaning and organizing. So this afternoon, I did some cleaning out of cabinets. I cleaned out this little cabinet in the living room that tends to collect odds and ends.
Then I cleaned out a little pantry closet.
I got all my Christmas things taken down and put away. We do keep the skinny tree up through January to provide a little winter cheer.
While I was working on these things, it started snowing again! It's kind of a losing battle trying to keep the driveway clear right now.
We had a good supper; ham with mashed red skin potatoes and roasted carrots.
Then after supper, just a quiet evening. Here we are watching Midlife Stockman, a show we really enjoy on Youtube. He's in Detroit and cleans up properties that are abandoned or that people are unable to do themselves. He always says it's about "working hard and loving your neighbor". Good advice to start the year with!And that's it - the end of a good day and the start of a new year.
30 comments:
That's a busy day! Your dinner looks delicious and I am so jealous of that organized pantry cupboard!
I really like your little cabinet. And I have never heard of an electric shovel! Is it kind of like a snow blower? Our church mailboxes are similar to yours. The giant pine tree in the snow is a gorgeous photo!
I love how you started the new year on your threadmill. I always try and start a new year with a run too. 'Start as you mean to go on.' I was wondering: when you have people over for dinner, where do you put your threadmill? Or do you just cover it?
I can’t go on my treadmill like you it is out of order and my SIL is trying to repair it. But I am also usually cleaning and tidying things in January. You are having a lot of snow here we have a few centimetres and all is stopped in our region the road traffic is paralysed! I hope everything goes back to normal soon.
Happy New Year! Your snow pictures look just beautiful and I am fascinated by the electric snow shovel - I've never heard of electric shovels, it looks like fun to use haha. I also love your church mail system, what a good idea. Have a lovely week!
now this is a great journal of your day.. Sounds good to me except for driving in the snow... my little tree is still up, all other Christmas is packed away. the tree stays until I tire of it, usually the first of Feb. I did not know about electric shovels, wow. I would love to have a pantry, and have never had one. after my brother and I moved out of my parents home, he put shelves on one wall from wall to wall, ceiling to floors and mother hung a curtain she made and that was her pantry, in the bedroom just steps from her kitchen
Hi Mari- I like the meal you had prepared- one of my favorites in Mince and Mashed Potato- a Scottish Tradition. Best Wishes. KEV.
Hi Mari! I am amazed at all the snow! It's beautiful. I love to watch those guys that clean up yards for free. There's one called SB Mowing (I believe) and I really enjoy seeing the finished results and the reaction of the tenants. I just came by to say hello and wish you a happy new year :)
Love seeing all the snow around you! So pretty! I'm glad we don't have to drive in it, but it is pretty to look at! Your home looks cozy and happy & Clean!! Nice! The newsletter looks nice too. I like the Lighthouse theme. I hope you enjoy your wintry days and stay warm and safe and healthy! Happy new Year!
What a great space you have downstairs. I've seen the treadmill before but not sure I've seen the entire space. Tables, I agree. Why take them down to put them back up. Love the snow motor shovel. Something I'm interested in looking at as well. Wishing you a wonderful 2026! Thanks for all your fun posts, last year.
What a fantastic way to get mail or cards and such out to church members. This is so neat. Lots of snow around you all, but I know it is so pretty. I'm not jealous, but I sure wish we would have a week of the white fluffy snow. I admire you for keeping up with your walking on the treadmill. I really need to do this. Enjoy your day Mari.
These are my favorite posts! Well, these and your recipes! Anyway, thank you for sharing your day with us. That is a great deal of snow! And I love that you keep the little tree up. There is something about lights on a winter night that makes everything cozier. Have a locely afternoon, my friend!
You had a busy first day of the year! I always get the urge to clean and organized too when I get all the Christmas decor put away. We always have a string of light up in our family room. I put colored lights on for the Christmas and winter season and in the Spring I change them out for just white lights. It does bring cheer to long nights and a sort of ambiance to summer nights with the windows open! Happy New Year!
The snow is lovely. We get a rare heavy snow about once every 5 years and it shuts down the city. I love it, in fact most around here do too. It's so neat to be in our homes, watching my the snow fall. Usually we have to drive 40 +minutes to get to snow. I'm hoping for snow this winter because it's been about 4 to 5 years since.
I'd love to have a nice basement like you all have back east. It's a great place to entertain.
I always enjoy taking down the Christmas things and I, as well, usually take the time to sort through things. I haven't done any sorting this year but it's on the agenda.
I have a walking pad that I got for my birthday but haven't been on it for a few weeks. Being sick, I just didn't have the energy or motivation. I'm starting back this week.
Your snow photos are beautiful! There is something so clean and quiet when snow is on the ground. Here in Tennessee, we do occasionally get now but more often than not, it's rain. It somehow feels warmer when there is snow on the ground. The rain usually comes with wind and that makes it feel so much colder.
Happy New Year!
Your snow pictures are beautiful. Electric snow shovel is interesting. I still have my tree up, no ornaments on it, just lights. I'm really dragging my feet on taking it down. I hope you have a wonderful 2026. Leslie
Hi dear Mari, welcome back. I have been having health issues (I made a post entitled Health Issues in case you are interested in seeing it), and so my presence has been not the same as it has been. I will look over your posts this evening and please feel free to check out my Health Issues post, I have been asking for prayers for those who pray.
Thank you so much and God bless you. I will be back this evening to comment here and catch up with you.
Oh Mari, that photo of the big pine tree in the snowfall is just beautiful. It looks like a Christmas card.
I love that you have a basement to entertain in. Great place for your group to come and dine.
Christmas is all put away here too and the house is "dull" but clean. Trying to get more eBay things up for auction so there is always a pile on my table to be photographed...Its never ending but if we sell, its so worth it. If we have company coming it all goes in one of the bedrooms and close the door... works for me ... haha
Sue
Mari, you have such a beautiful home and you really know how to set out a wonderful dinner table!
In previous years (in other states) I've enjoyed the church mailbox system at Christmas, as you have pictured. I miss that. It's such a good idea!
My brother recently got one of the electric snow shovels and liked it so well that he bought one for my other brother for Christmas. It looks like it's doing the job for Bob. You had a busy first day of 2026.
Pretty to see the snow coming down by the pine tree.
I never heard of an electric snow shovel. Great idea.
Another great idea is the mailbox system!!!
Your snow is beautiful but it does look cold! I like the idea of leaving up the little tree for cheer. So sweet. Stay warm!
You did have a busy day. I like your snowy scenes.
A busy day but a good day.
You do have a lot of snow!
All the best Jan
Dear Mari, your ham dinner looks scrumptious 😋 My favourite potatoes are the yellow ones 💛
Your Winter photos are absolutely stunning and captivating. We are getting more snow here right now in Montreal and quite a bit. No complaints from me, I love ❤️ it.
I have watched Midlife Stockman on YouTube and he does amazing things for people.
Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
Well we started today with freezing rain, then rained most of the day. The fog rolled in heavy and now waiting for the snow. At least we are gaining a minute a day now of daylight again. Soon it will be Spring. I need to take my Christmas down this weekend and transition to Winter decor. Could not do it with my mom here. Janice
I enjoyed spending the day with you in your lovely home and your pretty scenery around you.
I am late again, catching up, but happy to read your post, Mari! That snow is pretty, but I am happy to be in Florida. It's back in the low 80s here this week! :) Sending a hug! Stay safe and warm up there! xo
I love that you leave that tree up, Mari. We took everything down this past weekend and the house seems a little too sterile for my taste. I miss the lights...and yup, we're buried in neverending snow lately, too. Flurries every day, just enough to keep it looking fresh.
Wow Mari I want some of those roasted carrots! Love your winter supper. And the snowy weather really is beautiful. Our weather has been so warm, I crave some wintriness. But I got your same bug to do cleaning and organizing! I inherited some furniture from my mother and now that Henry is in assisted living and his children are selling the house, we have to go and get it. I don't really have room for it but I'm going to make room, because my mother wanted me to have it. Anyway ... it does feel good to get some junk thrown away and a bunch of stuff taken to Goodwill. I was so impressed with your church newsletter when I saw a copy of it. Just wonderful. Such a labor of love! xoxo
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