Saturday Meanderings

Happy Saturday! I am traveling to a fun destination this weekend and I cannot wait to share it with you next week. We are having some official winter weather here in Phoenix which is a bit overdue. Finger is mending, however, having the splint on is clumsy (knocking over drinks, getting it caught in closing the door), but is protecting it from painful bumps. Let’s get started chatting about all good things the first full week in 2026!

Dismantling Christmas

Though many people remove their holiday decorations right after Christmas, our family tradition is to leave them up until the Epiphany, January 6th. Slowly the sparkling lights and greens are coming down, and it is always a little sad to remove the joy. At the same time, the bareness of the house feels just right for the winter months—a quieter backdrop ready to be filled with warm blankets, fragrant candles, and the glow of a crackling fire.

Though I try to minimize my use of plastic, I truly cannot live without Ziploc bags. Not only do I rely on them for food storage, but many of our Christmas decorations are tucked away in them as well. Ribbons that have already been pre-cut for the garland on the banister or mantels are stored and reused year after year, depending on my color scheme.

My favorite use of Ziploc bags is for storing Christmas tree lights. Each strand is rolled into a neat circle and slipped into a bag, with the plug end left hanging out. Before the lights ever touch the tree, I can plug them in to make sure they’re all working—saving me from the frustration of discovering a dead section once the tree is fully decorated.

Plastic tubs are gradually filling with artificial garland, and we’ve yet to take down the tree. Since it went up in mid-December, it’s still looking fresh. Christmas artwork is slowly being swapped out for wintery scenes, including this watercolor I recently purchased.

Even though taking down the holiday decorations is a slow process, I enjoy the chance to pause and appreciate the pieces I’ve collected over the years. So much can happen in a single year, and the future is never guaranteed. It feels important—especially now—to notice, savor, and be grateful for each and every day.

Flu Season

There are reports that this flu season is breaking records. According to The Hill, the CDC says doctor visits for flu-like illness are at their highest level since 1997. Earlier this week, I started to feel something coming on. I’m typically very healthy and rarely get sick during the winter, but knowing I’d be flying out of town, I decided to take action right away.

My personal “nip it in the bud” approach has always worked well for me. Once a virus or flu truly takes hold, I think you often just have to ride it out—but catching it early can make all the difference. Being around large groups of people, traveling, or letting yourself get stressed and run down only increases the chances of getting sick.

What do you do when you feel something coming on?

Here’s what works for me. As always, you may want to consult with your healthcare professional to see whether these remedies are right for you.

1. Building your immune system. There is so much we can do to build our immune system~eating fresh, whole foods; getting exercise and fresh air; a solid night’s sleep, and managing our stress. I like the Metagenics brand due to the high quality of their ingredients. In Immune Active, there is Quercetin, NAC, Zinc, EGCG & Vitamin C which supports immune health, antioxidant defense & glutathione production. It is non-GMO & gluten-free. You can purchase this directly through Metagenics or get it from Amazon here. 

2. In addition to Immune Active, I also take Oil of Oregano. Oregano oils have been used in traditional medicine as therapy for a variety of conditions in respiratory diseases and parasitic and fungal infections. It is noted for being a natural antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory. I will typically take 1 capsule if I am feeling off; 2 capsules if my symptoms are worse. Recommendations are to not take it more than daily for 2 weeks, however, do your own research on this.

Since it tends to repeat on me, I always take it with a meal or just before bed. I like the Gaia brand due to its quality. You can find it here.

3. For congestion or allergies, I like D-Hist from Ortho Molecular. It supports sinus and respiratory health, normal viscosity of mucus, and healthy nasal passages. A natural product, the ingredients are Vitamin C, Quercetin Dihydrate, Stinging Nettle (Leaves),Bromelain (from Pineapple),and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine USP. D-Hist is a bit pricey ($83), but a bottle has 120 capsules and really works. You can find it here at Amazon.

Of course, Vitamin D and Vitamin C are important ones to take on a daily basis.

There is nothing better than a big bowl of homemade chicken or turkey soup. Right after Thanksgiving, I made several containers of turkey noodle soup, and I was especially grateful to have it on hand this week. I happily gobbled it up for two days straight.

After a day of resting, leaning into my home remedies, and getting a good night’s sleep, I woke up the next morning with all symptoms completely gone. I felt great and spent the rest of the week being extra mindful—washing my hands often and steering clear of crowds. Here’s hoping my travels don’t invite any unwanted flu bugs along for the ride.

A Garden Surprise

My winter garden is nearly non-existent. I’ve been struggling with watering issues and invasive weeds. The only thing I planted in October were a few tomato plants. Typically the winter growing season in Phoenix is an abundant one and it’s been sad to see only a few plants in the garden.

But lo and behold, look what I found! Without an abundant crop, I’ve only been visiting the garden intermittently. So what a wonderful surprise to find this beautiful tomato, and several others that are almost ripe for picking.

Of course, we quickly used this for BLTs! Very yummy and it made me so happy.

Our Baby is 25!

It’s hard to believe that I’m nearly 70 years old with a 25-year-old child, but life has a way of gifting you miracles. Our sweet Elisabeth celebrates her birthday on Epiphany, January 6th, and this year she turned 25. We marked the occasion with dinner at a rooftop restaurant of her choosing.

We are so proud of her accomplishments and, even more, her depth of character. And now—perhaps the biggest milestone of all—she can officially rent a car on her own!

Then….

and now.

Wrapping this up a bit early today as I am writing this while at the airport. Wishing you a very happy and healthy weekend! Stay safe out there!