Saturday Meanderings

I hope you had a meaningful Christmas. Ours was a bit different this year, and while we tried a few new traditions, it reminded me that at the end of the day it’s really about family and a lifetime of memories. Welcome to the last Saturday Meanderings of 2025. So let’s jump in and recap all the good things from this past week.

Hot Cocoa and Cookie Gathering

Last Sunday evening, we hosted a hot beverage and cookie get-together with neighbors and friends to celebrate Christmas a bit early. Even so, I’ve been eager to try an attractive holiday cocktail I spotted on Instagram—it looked simple enough and perfect for festive gatherings.

Using my baked donut trays I added pomegranate juice, fresh cranberries, sprigs of rosemary, and a bit of fresh mint. I froze them overnight, then released the “wreath rings” by running a little warm water over the bottom of the pan. Once removed, I placed them in a zip-top bag and kept them frozen until the gathering—such an easy make-ahead detail.

Look how festive they are in these Eve coupe glasses (currently on sale) from Crate and Barrel! The wreaths fit perfectly inside the glass and can be topped with Prosecco, sparkling wine, or even flavored water. As the wreath slowly melts, the pomegranate juice blends in and adds the most delicious flavor.

Wouldn’t these be beautiful for New Year’s Eve with a touch of edible glitter? Needless to say, they were a big hit.

As you know, I’m not exactly a natural DIY-er when it comes to crafts. However, last year at the Pinners Conference, I attended a brief class from Chalk Couture on using silkscreen stencils. Pulling that skill out a year later, I was able to create a simple but charming sign for the hot cocoa table. Placed on a small stand and accented with fresh greenery, it added just the right amount of ambiance.

A variety of cookies from Trader Joe’s were arranged on a round silver tray, and my friend Libby Bissa contributed some of her beautifully designed sugar cookies. They truly are little works of art, and I’m always amazed by her attention to detail. Individually wrapped, they made the perfect take-home treat for our guests.

The hot cocoa station was stocked with dark chocolate–covered marshmallows and gingerbread mug toppers for an extra festive touch.

What made the evening especially meaningful, though, was sharing a set of questions with our guests about their Christmas and holiday memories. Hearing childhood stories and learning more about one another added such depth to the conversation and made the night feel truly special.

Making a Gingerbread House

I made my very first gingerbread house in 2018, and it turned out to be a surprisingly rewarding experience in design, decoration, and construction. Since then, I’ve created several gingerbread houses in a variety of styles—from a log cabin to a hen house to even a travel trailer.

For quite some time now, I’ve secretly been longing to build a gingerbread house inspired by our own 1910 home. The challenge, of course, is that no template exists unless I create it myself. Honestly, I could write an entire blog post about the trials, tribulations, and countless learning opportunities that have come with this project alone.

A great deal of time has gone into it, and I wish I could show you the finished result. Unfortunately, in our typically very dry climate, I’m currently battling unexpected humidity—thanks to a few days of rain—which has caused the gingerbread structure to soften. For now, construction is officially on pause. Boo hoo.

Special Treat this Week

You know how much I love hearing from you in the comments below. One of my readers, Katherine, is especially generous with her thoughtful remarks and feedback. She recently shared that she was interested in making my Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies but didn’t have access to sourdough discard.

When I discovered she lives nearby—only about a 30-minute drive—I decided to portion out a few cookie dough balls from the recipe and deliver them to her myself.

What an absolute delight it was to meet such a lovely person in real life. We became fast friends, and it was an added joy to meet her sweet husband, Barry. As it turns out, Barry is a rosarian, a Master Gardener, and an expert in all things roses and water conservation!

Katherine, meanwhile, is quite the cook. She sent me home with a loaf of her Banana Bread Supreme (which is far better than my banana bread!) and even a bag full of rose petals for our chickens.

When I started this blog, I never could have imagined it would lead to such meaningful connections and the joy of new friendships. Sadly, the only photos of Katherine and I weren’t useable for me to share.

Our Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning began as Christmas Day for our daughter, Elisabeth. Since she had to work on Christmas Day itself, she came over with her boyfriend, Trevor, to enjoy a few of our family traditions. Her dad made Eggs à la Goldenrod for breakfast, and then we opened presents by the tree. With her being the only child home, the morning was entirely about her—and she didn’t seem to mind one bit.

That afternoon, we attended a new Christmas Eve service and were very pleasantly surprised by how meaningful and moving it was.

Unfortunately, sweet Finn had other plans for the night and kept us up with some significant intestinal troubles. By morning, things escalated with vomiting as well. All in all—both literally and figuratively—Christmas Day turned out to be a rather tiring and messy one. Still, we count our blessings and keep moving forward… right?

The good news is Finn is better after a vet appointment yesterday. We think he is eating lantana in the yard, which is very toxic to pets grows like a weed here in Phoenix. Sigh.

Our Clever Department of Transportation

As much as I do not like driving on our busy and dangerous freeways, I so appreciate the clever digital signs that the Arizona Department of Transportation displays. They are memorable and I believe, send the right message to drivers on the road.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has an annual contest that they open to the public for safety message sign content. In 2025, over 3,000 votes were cast for the 10 finalists. Here are the two winners.

Hopefully, these signs will continue into 2026. Rumor has it the federal government doesn’t want innovative signs that may distract the driver.

Holiday Oddities

A couple of very strange things happened this past week. When I went to take a photo of our freshly decorated tree, the image on my phone screen—before I even pressed the shutter—appeared to be vacillating, as if something were moving in front of the tree. To be sure I wasn’t imagining it, I called Scott in to take a look at the image on my phone. He saw it too.

I snapped the photo, and this is how it turned out. After waiting a few seconds, I took another picture—and the exact same image appeared. I waited again and took yet another photo, still with the same result. Finally, after a bit more time passed, I was able to capture a clear image of the entire tree.

Looking back through the photos, it truly appeared as though something had been moving in front of the tree…and then was suddenly gone. Definitely odd.

Then, at 2:49 a.m. on Christmas morning, our camera near the front gate recorded another strange phenomenon.

So now I have to ask—could it be the ghost of Christmas past, present, or future?

Goodbye 2025 and onward to 2026

As I look back over the past year, the first thing that comes to mind is how quickly it all went by. It leaves me wondering how we can truly embrace the idea of slower living in a world that seems determined to rush us along.

When I reflect on the highlights of 2025, they all center around time spent with family and friends—those everyday moments that quietly become the most meaningful. Each morning, I give thanks to God for another day, for good health, for the gift of community, and for a faith that continues to ground me.

The next time we meet here, it will be a brand new year—2026. As we step into it, my hope is that we carry forward the lessons of the past, treasure each meaningful connection, and embrace every small moment of joy.

May this coming year bring peace, laughter, and the courage to try new things, the patience to slow down, and the wisdom to appreciate the life we are living. Sending hugs and heartfelt gratitude to all of you who make Life at Bella Terra such a joy and a journey worth sharing. Lastly, remember to stay safe out there.