A sky and rock reflection

 

Although we have turned the calendar to the year of 2026, I wanted to share this post that I wrote a few days after Christmas. It is about reflecting on the delivery of emotions that I felt in 2025.

Although there were many, this one picture describes a portion of my spirit.  

I took this picture on my trip to Colorado this past Summer...

I look at this photo and even though there is a beautiful sky and a mountain of jagged rock, I see a year.

The jagging stone rising from the earth feels like healing. These rocks didn't become strong by avoiding storms; they were shaped through the storms.

Weathered edges, layered history, standing firm anyway.

This is exactly how healing showed up for me in 2025.  Very slow, uneven and jagged many days. There was a mending that happened quietly, in places no one else could see. 

The open sky whispered gently to me.  Always having clouds shifting and the light changing, nothing staying still for long. 

The year 2025 invited me to see beauty in places that I rarely took the time to see. 

The sky stretched wide as the clouds drifted, creating many different shapes. They remind me that not everything needs to be understood or carried at once. 

Some things are meant to move through, NOT stay forever.  In the quiet vastness, I'm reminded to breath, to release what I cannot control, and to trust that clarity always finds its way back, even after the sky has been full. 

Thank you all for allowing me to share this post even though 2025 is now gone.  My blog is like a journal and I wanted to make sure I included these words in web-log.   

Praying God's favor upon you all..

shug..

** I have a busy morning ahead.  I'm spending the morning and mid-afternoon with my little niece. I haven't had a day out with her since before Thanksgiving and we both need it.  I'm sure that Hobby Lobby will be one of our stops as well as some Mexican food for lunch.  I'll be back later tonight..stopping by to visit you all.  

All about Valentines

 How many of you pull out decorations when February rolls around? Do you sprinkle hearts around the house or maybe swap out your everyday pillows for something red or pink?

Or...does Valentine's Day come and go with barely a mention?

 Source:  Facebook

I've seen some really cute quilted hearts on facebook and some really neat decorations on Pinterest....even some dessert recipes, BUT....I'm not one that takes the time to pull out decorations for such a short time.  Check out these cute charcuterie boards...

Source:  Pinterest

Source:  Pinterest

I think that Valentine's seems to fall into one of those love it or leave it categories.  I have friends who go all out....special dinners, cards, gifts...the whole nine yards.  And then I have friends (like me) who feels like it's just another commercial day.  

Here I am sounding like I'm a Fuddy-dud.  I'm not...I'm really not.  I may have a special candle out, or a simple heart shaped candy dish, but these are my contributions to the Valentines decorating theme.  

Of course, I'm always up for a nice evening meal where Sam and I can celebrate in style...at a restaurant...that serves a delicious meal.  lol..   

So....my questions for this post are:

Do you decorate for Valentines Day?

Do you make it a big celebration or keep it low key?

Do you celebrate by giving to friends, your love, your family...OR all three?

Do you prefer to have dinner out or make a valentines day dinner at home.  

I would love to see how Valentines looks in your homes.   

As a side note......I still have every single Valentines Day card that Sam has ever given me....I think the count is like 58!!  I love to pull them out and look at the messages he wrote in them, as well as to see how much cards have changed over the years.  

Hearts to you all....💞💞💞💞💞

Shug....

THE FIRST FULL WEEK...

 The glitter on my floor is almost gone, but no matter how many times I sweep, I still catch a few shining pieces in my vision as I walk through our living area. 

The New year is actually happening now!  Welcome to the first full week of the year and I can hear it shouting...."Okay dear Shug, let's begin."  Let's get back into the daily routines of doing laundry, cleaning bathrooms and being in the kitchen.

Wait....wasn't I just in the kitchen for what seemed like a month and half? It's back to cooking normal meals!

I'm looking forward to the small wins this week....things like drinking more water and putting the sodas away....Drinking water on purpose! AND the biggest win will be remembering WHAT DAY IT IS.  MY days have been everywhere on the calendar.  Is it Wednesday? Is it the weekend yet?  Lately, I've had to ask myself these questions over and over again. 

This week though...it thinks it's in charge! It wants structure and I sure hope I'm ready to deliver.  

I'm up for the challenge and plan to make the best of it.  

HAPPY MONDAY!!!  

SHUG....💛

MY WORD FOR THE YEAR.

 Such a Beautiful Sky this morning!!

We have no Wifi or TV service this morning which means I am posting from my phone!!  This makes it a little harder to make a post!  We  had a notice that it should be back on by 10:30 A.M.  

I have finally decided upon my word for the year...  I guess you could say that I plan to use this word sorta like a "Gentle" compass for my heart.  The good thing is, I can choose this word, but there really are no demands placed on me.  I think it will add perhaps a steady focus that I can reach out to when life feels scattered.  Much prayer went into making sure that this word was for ME.

My word is not one that most people would choose, and I can't really say that it's one that I would have grabbed.  This particular word was placed on my heart for a reason!!!

I think it will be a guide me in my everyday moments, and if I allow it to, it will meet me in the ordinary things of life as well as the unexpected things.  This is what I am hoping for and what I believe the word is for. 

One thing that I've come to realize about choosing a word for the year is that everything doesn't have to change all at once.  I will grow with this word!  My goal is to let the meaning of the word, along with scripture, sink deep and influence me in my walk forward, one day at a time.  

So....what is this small word?

"The Lord will fight for you; you

need only to be still."

Exodus 14:14

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

Choosing this word "STILL" is an intentional invitation to slow my spirit and rest in what truly matters. Still will cause me to breathe deeply, trust fully and to remain grounded even when circumstances feel unsettled. 

I am looking forward to how this word will encourage me to be present and not rushed. And.... I'm excited about the expectation of being anchored rather than living with anxiety.

Great things are ahead of us for this year of 2026.

Shug.  💛