Good Monday morning! Just like that, we are back to our ordinary days. And I am not unhappy about that. As much as I love the Christmas season, and I do, I am looking forward to regular days and cozy nights. What does that look like around here? Mornings with my coffee by the fire...
Snuggling by the fire with the pups and fluffy throws...
And regular meals like our dinner last night... baked ziti, salad, and fresh bread...These are the things that make the ordinary days my favorite.
Finally, I don't usually choose a word for the year, but this year I am.
I recently realized that I need to be slower in most everything I do. One night a few weeks ago, I was doing my nighttime skincare routine when I suddenly realized I didn't need to rush through it. Why was I going through it like I was standing next to Bob Barker playing Beat the Clock? What about the time not long ago when I was in such a hurry that I brought a package in from outside, and a day later, I had no recollection of bringing it in or where I'd put it? Or last month, when I forgot that I had gotten water on the bathroom floor and, in my haste, I slipped and fell? Nothing injured, thankfully, except perhaps my pride!
For my purpose, there may be better words to choose, like intentional, focus, or deliberate. However, slower is the one for me. The fact is, I just need to be slower. I need to slow down and be present in each moment, not hurrying either physically or mentally. Why do I seem to rush through things? It may be that I once had four children who needed me every day, or that I am, at my core, a people-pleaser. It may be that I was younger once. Whatever the reason, I recognize that I need to make a conscious effort to do and be slower.
I hope you have a wonderful January day, my friends. For many, it is back to work, back to school, back to life. And aren't we blessed to be able to do just that?? Today I will be packing away Christmas and chasing dust bunnies before making a nice, regular dinner of chicken and potatoes tonight. Keep all the Christmas joy inside, my friends, as we head into the blessedly beautiful ordinary days.
Billie Jo
I'm ready for routine too.
ReplyDeleteYour ziti dinner looks very good.
Slower is a good word, and one I should remember too. On Sat I was hurrying making dinner and ended up slicing my finger. Now I'm forced to do everything slower because it doesn't take much to start the bleeding again. If I'd just taken my time in the first place, I'd be in a much better spot. So, thanks for that reminder.
I am back to work and while not really that thrilled about, it does feel good to be back to a normal routine. Slower is a wonderful choice of words. I too am trying to be in the moment and not rush. I'm glad your fall in the bathroom wasn't serious.
ReplyDeleteAhh, I like this word! Of course for me right now, I couldn't go much slower, but there is a lot to learn when you slow down, whether it is a conscious choice or not. We have taken down our Christmas things, except for the lights in the living room windows, I really like the glow of white lights. We turn on the little fake fireplace, and it's so cozy in here, snow falling, can't complain. I'm also glad you weren't seriously hurt when you fell, that's scary stuff!
ReplyDeleteThe word Slower sure is a good one to focus on and a good reminder for me as well. Enjoy a cozy week.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me laugh and feel well. Very, very inspiring. Thank you. I must come back to your blog more often.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Billie Jo, and it's so nice to visit with you this morning. I absolutely love your word for the new year. When we get older, we rush and sometimes slip and fall. I have done that a few times mopping the hallway floor, and it's a slippery floor at that, and then fell down flat. The red cardinal throw your pup is wrapped around is wonderful. And I love your plain white coffee cup. It's fitting for this month of January, as it sometimes snows. Your ziti meal looks delicious, and my mom used to make rigatoni, which looks a bit similar. Your sunrise photos are so pretty, and I can't forget to mention your delightful Header and side bars. I hope the new year is being gentle with you so far, my lovely friend.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a slower month, too. And everyday things are the best!
ReplyDeleteSlower is a great word. I admit, I am not thrilled to be back to normal this morning but I do genuinely love ordinary days the best... I am sure by tomorrow everything will be good!
ReplyDeleteI love getting back to normal after Christmas and New Year's. Today is the day I plan to put the tree and decorations away. Most years I've had all that done by now, but this time around I was slower. :^)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year blessings to you All my dear Friend! 🌟 I love your word for the year. I think that's a great plan in being slower with intention in all things. ;) Wishing you health, happiness and peace in 2026. xo
ReplyDeleteSlower is a good word for the year. Mine is "spiritual". It is nice to have everything back to normal again.
ReplyDeleteYour meal of baked ziti, salad and bread looked so good, Billie Jo. Like you, I like the ordinary days. Slower is a good word for the year. I am still trying to land on just one, so will continue to use my word from 2025, glimmer seeker. Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday Billie Jo! We went first thing this morning to get both of our drivers licenses renewed. That's a relief to have it done for another five years. I like your word for the year. I'm not choosing a word but trying to be more determined to be consistent in my reading of the Bible every day. I start out every year gung-ho but start procrastinating at some point in the year. I don't know why, I love reading it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful start to the first "normal" week of the year my friend.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I just shared that I want to continue to work on slowing down with a friend. I too can rush, rush and rush. Slow down and enjoy the little things.. I worked on this in 2025 and I plan to work on it again in 2026.
ReplyDeletexx oo
Carla
I like your word. This year, I am just liking the idea of a "word for the year." And I love how each one seems to be personal. I hope your word refocuses you often throughout the year. Oh, and yes to normal (ordinary) meals. Like baked ziti!!:)
ReplyDeleteSlower seems to suit you just fine! In fact, I always had the impression that you are never fast, as you always notice and enjoy the small things. I love your mug. And your outside photos are ASTOUNDING! You really should make a collage of them and hang them up somewhere.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I hope you have a great year, at a slower pace!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! There is comfort in the necessary routines that help us know where we are and what we need to do next. There is comfort is doing things slower, with focus, and appreciating the current moment for what it is.
ReplyDeleteAnd who wouldn't have a wonderful day when it's begun by snuggling with your precious pups?!!!
Your dinner looks wonderful! We are all back to our routine today. It feels nice, yet I'm tired. I keep telling myself that keeping up with my 2 year old great nephew will keep me young! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo. I think your word for the year is perfect. I know that I need to slow down. Life has gotten so busy for me, it seems, and I am always hurrying to get something done. Your word reminds me that it would be good for me to go much slower so that I can savor and enjoy more. Thanks for your inspiration, my friend!
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, this was such a beautiful blog post! First off, I love the word you chose for your year. I haven't chosen one for myself in years, but I was challenged to do so today by my principal at a morning session we had at work. I was so inspired by her that I wrote her a quick note of thanks; she later texted me telling me how much she needed to hear what I had to say, and that it made her day. But it was true! I didn't do that for accolades, but to encourage her for challenging us as a staff. I think your word is perfect. I'm going to share about my word of the year tomorrow...I hope you check out the post that is scheduled to publish bright and early! Thanks for being you, my friend, and for sharing a piece of your heart here in blog land. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSlower - I like that! I totally need to slow down and be more present rather than rushing through things. Love the picture of your cute dogs and the cosy fire. Have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, your word *slower* is perfect. Just reading that, I could feel myself take a deep breath and agree with you. I need to be slower. I need to learn to relax and not feel like everything is a marathon. Thanks for this reminder. (and I have to comment on the "anonymous" creep. Do these people not have lives?) I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteI love your word for the year, my friend! Slower is such a wonderful word it and of itself, but when we see how it can be used in our lives and help us enjoy more of the goodness that God has blessed us with...well, that's a win! xx
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly identify with your word - Slow. I do the same thing - hurry with what I'm doing, skimming words instead of really taking them in and seem to be in a rush so much of the time. There is just too short to hurry things along like that. Blessings to you as God uses your word for this year..
ReplyDeleteRecognizing and savoring those moments should help you slow down too. That is a wonderful word of the year! Wishing you all the best in 2026.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great word Billie Jo and it is much like mine.. STILL.. "Be still and know that I am God." I didn't really select this word...it came to me. Your photos look so warm and cozy...just like I would picture a cold Winter to look like. Just this morning, I told my husband that I can not find my ear buds. I have the case, but where in the world did I put the buds themselves? I don't even remember picking them up... Things like this is what makes me know I need to Slow down and be still,
ReplyDelete