"Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you've got a Christmas tree in the living room." — Nora Roberts
READING:
Scandinavian Philosophy:
The Nordic Theory of Everything by Anu Partanen — “A Finnish journalist, now a naturalized American citizen, asks Americans to draw on elements of the Nordic way of life to nurture a fairer, happier, more secure, and less stressful society for themselves and their children” (Goodreads). I wanted to love this book. I did not. It was more preachy and political than I had hoped.
Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much, Just Right: The Swedish Guide to Creating Balance in Your Life — “At its core is the idea that we can strike a healthy balance with the world around us without having to make extreme changes, and without denying ourselves anything.” (Goodreads) Now you’re talking!
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles — “He can’t leave his hotel. You won’t want to… In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery” (Goodreads). Great writing and such a good story.
WATCHING:
My favorite Christmas movies and specials: White Christmas, Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown — Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack always makes me smile while Linus’ recitation of the gospel of St. Luke always brings me to tears. “That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!” We also watched Christmas Vacation, Elf, Prep and Landing, and Home Alone 2. Eric finally saw Home Alone last year for the first time. This year, it’s Lost in New York.
LISTENING TO:
Dessert Island Discs podcast — “Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.”
My Christmas Playlist — Everything from Band Aid to Bing. Occasionally, I add something new, but this list has been my classic go-to for decades.
Smooth Jazz Christmas station on Pandora — I can never get enough of Vince Guaraldi and George Winston, especially at Christmastime.
PLANNING:
Ideas for next year’s photography challenges and blog posts.
A living room refresh — paint, carpet, a few fireplace tweaks…stay tuned.
ENJOYING:
A little Christmas celebration chez nous — just the Larsons and, of course, the three beagles. We had Champagne and hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening along with Jesus’ birthday cake and Swedish pancakes and Swedish meatballs for brunch the next morning.
16 Days Off — Although we don’t have any special plans for the holidays, I am so fortunate to be able to take a nice long break. That’s exactly what I want and need as 2020 comes to an end.
FEELING:
Hopeful — In a few days, 2020 will be over. We have been diligent about virtual learning, social distancing, masks and hand sanitizer. Through it all, I’ve stayed healthy, relatively happy, finally optimistic. I can’t help but think that 2021 will (eventually) be better. I am eager to spend more time with friends and family, to see people’s smiles, and to travel again. Here’s hoping!
