Monday, January 3, 2022

New Year, Fresh Start

Happy New Year to my beautiful readers! I'm not even sure how many of you are still out there, my posts have been so sporadic since the start of the pandemic. 

We are all safe and well, thankfully, although many of my family and friends have tested positive over the past 22 months. It's hard to avoid when you're an essential worker, and I'm so glad they have all made it through to the other side safely. 

Who would have thought back in March of 2020 that we would still be battling this virus 22 months later, with no end in sight?  I remember back when my boss (at the time) called me to tell me I'd be working from home for about a week. Here I am, 22 months later, still working from home....and I certainly don't hate it, although I could certainly do without this pandemic lingering on and on.  


You would think with me working from home I would have more time to blog, wouldn't you? Nope....our wedding team was drastically reduced due to Covid layoffs and furloughs, and those of us who remain are beyond busy. Sadly the last thing I want to do in my free time is to fire up the computer again.

However, as we enter a brand new year I have decided to try to take time to blog more often as I truly miss my interaction with all of you. Some of you follow me on Instagram, and I do try to post photos there regularly, but it's not quite the same, is it? 

Meanwhile not much changes around here....I have to say I love working from home - I'm truly a homebody and I used to be sad leaving my cozy house each morning and would look so forward to coming home each evening. The pups, of course, are delighted to have me at home all day and they have gotten even MORE spoiled over the past 22 months, if that's possible! 

One of the things I truly love about working from home is having the flexibility to take a break to tackle a chore or two. It's easy to fold laundry in between answering emails, and to start dinner in between video meetings. I have experimented more in the kitchen in the last 22 months than I ever had time for before, and nearly all of my experiments have been hugely successful!

Meanwhile it's a frigid day on the mountain top today and my woodstove is thankfully cranking out some good heat. The instant pot has been slow-cooking a batch of chicken broth since yesterday and it's the perfect night to make a big pot of soup. 

And yes, it's still Christmas in my home....the tree never ever comes down until after Little Christmas, The Feast of the Epiphany, which is also my dad's birthday. 

Here's wishing you all a very happy and healthy new year, and hopefully you'll be hearing from me a lot more often in 2022! 

42 comments:

  1. Your blog is listed on the sidebar of my blog, so when I saw you posted again, I was so excited! You are right - IG is not the same as a blog post. Blog posts are more in-depth and intimate.

    Your house looks beautiful, as always. And your pups are adorable (as always)! I hope that you continue to blog and that you share some of your yummy recipes, too.

    xoxo

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    1. Thanks Melanie and Happy New Year! I used to take my lunch break to write a blog post, and then once I was working from home it seems I work through lunch.....so I need to stop doing that and get back to posting! Hope you and Brian had a wonderful holiday!

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  2. Saw your post on Instagram that you had a blog post up. You are always a busy lady! The babies look adorable in their winter coats. They would be lost if you went back to your office. The soup looks wonderful! Cold, snowy days are perfect for hot soup.

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    1. They truly would be, Donna! Molly is constantly by my side, and shows up on many of my video meetings!

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  3. So nice to hear from you again and know you are well - and still working! Your home is such a cozy place to work from.

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    1. I love it, Sue - I go from my bed to the sofa with my laptop....then to the kitchen....then to my recliner when my day is done! Nothing wrong with that!

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  4. I always enjoy seeing what productive and yet beautiful things you are up to!

    Happy New Year. :)

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    1. Happy New Year to you as well, Stacey! I intend to be more productive in 2022, that's one of my goals!

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  5. Glad to see you posting again. Missed you. Blogs seem to be a little more personal than other forms of media. Happy New Year. xoxo Kris

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    1. They definitely are, Kris, and I hope I can manage to block some time in my day for catching up with everyone again!

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  6. Debbie, I was JUST thinking about you! I looked at your Instagram to see if you had been posting. Much like you I am a homebody and have loved working from home. I too love the flexibility, but also have full days that literally fly by. I am both more and less organized if that makes sense. In some ways I feel I have lost my mojo, but it always returns. It was so good to hear from you and see your lovely cozy home. I missed seeing your kitchen! Be well my girl and I would love to enjoy more posts if you can swing it.

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    1. Susan, you are just too kind! It seems my days are crazy busy, even with working from home....like today, it was meetings upon meetings! I can't complain, I do love working from home!

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  7. Debbie!!! Happy New Year!!! So nice to see your post, oh my your home looks so cozy and the puppies!!! So cute in their jackets!!! Isn't nice to be home? I don't really miss being out in society to be honest. I love my home, and being here with the pets and my hubby all day. I've managed to perfect only going out once a month for shopping, and then once in mid-month to pick up dairy supplies. I'm glad to hear that your family survived the virus, very scary.

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    1. I'm about the same, Rain - once a month for a big grocery shop, and then perhaps mid month for dairy and fresh vegs. This new strain of the virus seems to be spreading like wildfire, I'm so glad to be home and somewhat sheltered from it!

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  8. I was just recently thinking of you, Debbie! It's really good to hear from you. Here's hoping your mountain retreat and immediate family circle are all doing well. Happy new year to you!

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    1. Happy New Year to you as well Rita! My mountain retreat sure was cold yesterday, but today is a bit more mild....we are expecting our first 'real' snowstorm this weekend, better get the shovels out!

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  9. So happy to hear from you again! Glad all is well with you and your family (pups included) and I look forward to hearing from you more often. Happy New Year!!

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    1. Thank you so much and Happy New Year! My pups were out with their little jackets again today - they went grocery shopping with me, they just hate to be left at home!

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  10. It’s lovely to hear from you again and well done for keeping Christmas going until epiphany. That’s just as it should be. Happy New Year.

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    1. I totally agree, Kate! That's the way it was always done in my house growing up, and I love keeping that traidition alive.

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  11. It's so nice to see a post from you! Your house looks so cozy and inviting (still!). Hope to hear more from you in the future! -Jenn

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    1. I'll try, Jenn! I'm surprised at how difficult it's been to carve out time for blogging, but I need to block time on my calendar for at least monthly check ins!

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  12. I do hope you post more. I miss you and I don't especially like Instagram. Ugh! On Blogger blogs I'm having to write my comment, copy it and open the blog again to comment or it won't publish.
    Brenda

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    1. Hi Brenda!! I saw you were on Instagram for a hot second and then you disappeared again. I'll try to get more posts up this year, and find time to bounce around blogland again visiting all my friends! Happy New Year!

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  13. Good to see a post! I haven't been posting as much lately either but going to do more hopefully. Mom never took the tree down until Epiphany. I am taking off a few decorations to put away but will leave most till the 6th. A good looking pot of soup you have posted. Happy New Year!

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    1. I have put away much of the other Christmas decor, Betsy, but the tree stays intact until at least the 6th. I admit, I'll miss the cozy glow at night when I'm relaxing!

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  14. You're on my sidebar too and I'm so glad to see you back!! I had left you a comment not too long ago seeing if you were ok--- happy to see a post today, I made homemade " tater" soup yesterday--- a big crockpot full!!-- I love to make soups

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    1. I love 'tater' soup too Debbi and make it frequently! Last night was Matzo Ball Soup for my sweetie - he loves it! Tonight it's chicken and salad, a simple meal after a busy busy day!

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  15. There you are Debbie: Sure did miss you. I am not an instagram user so hearing from you today has been a highlight. Your place is so charming.

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    1. Awww, Cindy, that's so sweet, thank you so much! I promise I'll try to be better about getting posts published this year, I truly have missed my interaction with my readers!

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  16. So glad to see a post. It's been a crazy year and sometimes I wonder if someone is a statistic when they quit blogging. Happy you are well. Your house is lovely and I would definitely enjoy seeing you post a recipe for that great looking soup.

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    1. I wish I had a recipe for that soup, Patty, but it was just kind of thrown together. It's basically a chicken noodle soup using cheese tortellini instead of noodles, and I added a spash of cream at the end!

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  17. It's great hearing from you again, Debbie! I should speak, seeing as I haven't posted in months. For me, it's a much needed break after 10 years of blogging; plus I've had unexpected health issues. Love seeing the dog photos and would love some of those yummy looking recipes you've shared on IG! Happy New Year!

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    1. I'm going to try to post more often, Carol, as time allows....maybe I can reinstate a lunch break for posting!

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  18. It's always fun to catch up with you, Debbie. I've been watching your Instagram and Facebook posts go by, but there's nothing like a real blog post to see how you've been doing. Glad all is well on that gorgeous mountain of yours and hope to hear more from you and see more of your pups and your fabulous home. xo

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    1. I think Insta was a pleasant diversion the past while, Kim, but yes it's not the same as a full on blog post with all the chatter that goes with it....although some people do post super long insta posts, which could be a full on blog post, ha ha!

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  19. So glad that you will be at it again. Your home is so lovely and full of wonderful ideas. Happy to hear all are safe too!

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  20. Debbie,
    You always write the best posts and share the pure joy and sweetness of life, which we can all use nowadays.
    That soup sure looks mighty good!
    Happy New Year!
    Jemma

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    1. Happy New Year to you, Jemma! That soup was good as were the 5 soups I have made since then, ha ha - tonight is broccoli cheddar!

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  21. I love your posts, Debbie..thank you so much for sharing.

    Even from outside your house looks warm and cozy. Do you keep your outside lights on all thru winter? I find myself trying to zoom in to see out your windows..looking for visual interest. I need to add something out my windows.

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  22. Hi MJ! I keep my lights up all year (I hate ladders!!) but I don't keep them on all year, just through the holidays. The lights on the deck railing get used during the warmer months when I spend time on the deck in the evenings, however.

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I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment...I truly love reading your comments and I try to respond to each and every one of your sweet comments right here on my blog page!

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