New Year's Eve Plus Reflections on the Year

 Back around the first of December, Mark and I went to the Outlet Mall. I bought some really cute navy velvet pants at Loft and I found the most beautiful shirt at J Crew. It was a little dressy for dinner at home on New Year's Eve - but hey! I'm 67 years old and can wear what I want to wear, right?

We had removed all of our Christmas decorations (except for our Nativities) and I had redecorated the mantle for New Year's Eve. Since I was on vacation, I made sculpey clay stars one day and had a star theme.

I was very pleased with how they turned out!

I bought some new gold ribbon and traded out the polka dot.

It was not an "over the top" mantle decoration - just right, in my humble opinion :-).

I was able to update the flowers and use the centerpiece ONE MORE TIME. I sent a text to the three ladies who sent it to us telling them that it was the gift that kept on giving. My boss made the box for me years ago and I use it all of the time.

I bought New Year's champagne flutes at Publix and had one at each place on the table. I went back and placed a star at the bottom of each glass - party favors :-).

At one point, three of the guys were backed up to the fireplace. It was cold.

We decided to celebrate when the ball dropped in New York City -- which is actually only 11:00 p.m. in Alabama. We were proud of ourselves for making it! You can see the stars hanging from the light over the island - I bought those stars. Guy was pouring our champagne for toasting.

One couple was unable to join us so we snapped a photo to send to them. We snapped some practice rounds and we snapped one with only 10 seconds to go. In one of the photos you can see the champagne glasses. None of the photos was good of me, but once again - oh well!

I bought nice New Year's paper plates and we ate dinner on paper so the clean up didn't take as long. Mark and I were in bed by 12:30. Our menu was smoked brisket, roasted multi-colored dutch potatoes, salad, rolls, an appetizer and several desserts.

Mark left for the farm on New Year's Day morning and I puttered around the house all day. I sent a lunch/dinner like the one below with him to the farm. We had sliced ham, greens, and black eye peas. I actually added two of those baby potatoes from the night before to my plate!

I cannot believe it is now 2026. Wow!

2025 was quite a year. We lost Mark's brother and his wife - Bill and Rebecca - exactly one month apart. Our family had two weddings - one in Delaware and one in Birmingham - a nephew . . .and a niece. Both weddings were fun and true celebrations.

We hosted a fun brunch for our niece on the day of her wedding.

I graduated with my Associate Degree and moved on to Samford University as a Junior. I did a lot of studying in 2025!

My sister came for a visit and was at graduation.

We had an outside picnic/memorial for my sister who had died at the end of 2024.

Mark and I took a great trip to Amsterdam, Germany, France, and Switzerland.

We enjoyed meals with our long-time supper club - we even spent a weekend at the lake together.

We enjoyed meals with neighbors and meals with people from our Sunday School Class. I continued to work and Mark continued to volunteer. I continued to teach our adult Sunday School class and facilitate on Tuesday nights for the young adults.

Our sweet grands continued to thrive and grow.

I hope and pray that 2026 is a year of peace and a year of joy! I keep trying to think of a personal word for 2026, but I'm not very good at doing that!! I have jotted a list of possibilities, but haven't settled on a single one.