January 2025: Recipe for A cheerful New Year!

You know this time of year can be difficult for many people: illness, a death in the family, or financial challenges. Being separated from loved ones can cause sadness that is hard to overcome. I’ve found myself repeating what a dear friend shared years ago. To make it through the tough times, you need someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to. I’m so grateful for the love my family and friends share with me and my deep relationships. As far as something to do, the list is endless.

I look forward to seeing Lutz and planning our next adventure together. Here’s a little encouragement for those needing a recipe for a cheerful holiday: Take a few minutes this month to let those you love know, plan to do something each day, exercise, walk, sing, call a friend to catch up (no more avoidance), and start planning something to look forward to! It will help to cheer you up!

Lutz and I made a difficult decision, but I flew to Seattle alone. I stayed with my cousin Amy for five days before heading to the grand Christmas with my family in Oregon. It just made my separation from Lutz that much easier. We cooked together, and my favorite was shrimp tacos! We laughed, shared stories, and just caught up and enjoyed each other’s company.

Decorated her lovely home…

We went out to see her cute town…And cooked some more!

Lutz spent Christmas with his son in Munich, helping his sister, Doris, and her husband, Dieter, who is recovering from surgery. Their children and grandchildren were also there. It’s been a long time since Lutz has spent Christmas with his side of the family.

Lutz was not bored, that’s for sure. He dug up his mother’s old Christmas cookie recipe and baked up a batch of chocolate cookies for his family and sons.

After a wonderful time with Amy, I headed to Brookings, Oregon, to see my mom, my sister Melissa, and her husband, Steve. Melissa and Mom picked me up in Medford, three hours away, so we decided to have a girl’s night out. Well, Mom had her two cosmos, and as we were leaving, her walker caught in the carpet, and she was thrown off balance. Yep, down she went!

A visit to the hospital was necessary to check her out. All was well, and by the time we left the hospital, she had the staff in stitches and made a proposal to the doctor, but he was already married.

The days were lazy here due to the rain and cold, but we went for walks on the beach when we had the chance.

I stayed a few days with my mom in her adult living apartment. I was busy every day. We had a game day and even a visit from Santa…

We made holiday ornaments…

I had eggnog and Christmas Carols…

We even had the local high school choir come and entertain us one evening.

One afternoon, we headed to Crescent City to see the local dance studio’s production of the Nut Cracker Suite. They even had guest dancers from New York, Portland, and Medford…

Mom got me up and at it! I attended her exercise class with her.

The decorations at Mom’s Ville were so beautiful. She had to pause for a picture next to one of the 20-some-odd decorated trees. “Mom, is this your favorite tree?” That’s an inside joke. You can only guess what she says every time we walked past it!

I met several of Mom’s close friends and joined them all at the Christmas Party. Mike is a character! These two and their side-kick Jeanette give the Ville folks a run for their money.

We looked forward to more families arriving by preparing meals and menus and cleaning the house. Melissa, my sister, makes killer bread and used my gluten-free flour for one loaf. I don’t want to learn to make it because I would eat the whole loaf.

Melissa and Steve’s Daughter Oceanna, her husband Chris, and their children Autumn and Levi arrived on December 23rd. We decided to spend Christmas Eve at our favorite restaurant in town, The Black Trumpet. No dishes for us! My mom’s meal was her favorite seafood soup with a kick of spice.

They even had snails!

Plus, we had to sample each dessert! This lemon Tres Leches cake was a close tie for the win.

The cream cheesecake was so good. Light and smooth and very creamy. My favorite!

But the kicker was this homemade chocolate cake for the win!

Christmas Day dinner was a smash! Of course, I also had my hands busy with delicious desserts and my favorite smashed potatoes.

Oceanna and Chris made the best chili from the leftover tri-tip from the night before.

Chris’ homemade green salsa verde was the cherry on top —AMAZING!

My Daughter Jericho, her husband Albert, and their two daughters, Ruby and Eva, arrived on December 26th, so the house was full to the brim!

When the gang was there, we taught them to play Rummy Kup. Mom taught them all a new one she learned at her Ville (retirement home): blindfold drawing instructions! Our neighbor had to grade our drawing. I wish I knew this came when I was teaching. It is hilarious!

My son, Jarrod, Made it up for a few days and got to stay at my Mom’s Ville in one of the rooms for guests! It was perfect for us all, and we had our transportation to get to all the happenings. The best part was taking my mom out for a spin to watch the huge waves and eat a deli sandwich!

Of course, we had to hit up the local Mexican restaurant for a big family meal!

My favorite picture for the prize was a three-generation shot taken by Albert. This picture is just priceless. So many wonderful memories were made this year. It was incredible how we all simultaneously made it to one location near the same date!

After twenty-odd days with my mom and family, it was time for me to leave. I flew to San Diego with my son on December 29th and watched a Slow Horses TV marathon on Apple TV. A new season started on the 30th, so it looked like our New Year plans were all set to go. I hope we still have enough homemade Tamales from Albert’s dad for the series! Now, that is a wonderful New Year’s evening for me, and I’m hoping Jarrod was ok with it.  I hope your holiday was filled with someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to; mine sure was. I’m looking forward to visiting with my best friend, Jennifer, whom I’ve known since I was twelve. We’re hanging out in Encinitas and having a mini-class reunion with friends. Plus, I’m looking forward to Lutz joining me in January here in San Diego. Now, that is something to look forward to for sure. I’m sending you and your family the best wishes for a Cheerful New Year. See you next month!

Fave Recipe: German Lebkuchen Cookies

These are delicious and a must during the winter holidays-moist and delicious with eggnog or spiced warm wine!

Fave Resource: Nine New Year Ideas To Celebrate with Children

I’ve published this in the past, but it is so good and has some great ideas for helping children make resolutions and implement changes in their lives. These are super for the classroom or at home. The whole family can join in and try some activities at home before the kids return to school!