You guys. We made it to December. I’m not celebrating the fact that 2020 is almost over, though. Have you noticed that every year starting with 2016 has been worse than the one that came before? Part of me wants to shout from the rooftops, SMELL YA LATER 2020, DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT, but tbh I’m concerned about what 2021 may bring if I do that. So I’ll just quietly whisper (tiny voice) we made it to December, y’all.

I had a busy workweek and was kind of looking forward to a relaxing, chill weekend, but – well, you know me. I just don’t do that sort of thing. On Saturday we were out the door for Nugget’s swim lesson: Peanut is done for the year. Both kids were supposed to go through December 19, but with our COVID numbers going through the roof Steve and I had a long talk about whether the kids should continue with swimming. I felt strongly that being able to swim is so huge for safety – and I think it’s fun and want them to enjoy it – and Nugget in particular has made major strides in getting over some fear he was dealing with last year; I didn’t want to finish early. But the numbers are undeniably terrifying. In the end we compromised: we pulled Peanut out because there are eight kids in her class, but we are letting Nugget finish out the season because he is the only one in his class. He had a great lesson, then we headed home for lunch and rolled right back out to hit a local vintage market and farmstand a few minutes from our house, for this year’s Christmas tree. We thought about driving out to Middleburg to cut our own like in 2018, but in the end we decided, it’s 2020, let’s just do the easy thing. Peanut picked the tree, it was trimmed up and loaded on the car, and we were home in less than half an hour. Nothing to it. Spent Saturday evening blasting Christmas carols, eating party snacks and decorating the tree – a tradition.

We had no plans on Sunday. I had some vague ideas about cleaning out the guest bedroom or organizing the family bookshelves, but in the end I just loafed around the house – other than a brief family hike at one of the local parks. No exciting bird sightings on the hike, but we notched two new-to-us species in the front yard: brown creeper and yellow-bellied sapsucker. And I think I may have seen a northern flicker, but I didn’t get a good enough look to say for sure.

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Reading. Season’s Readings! (Sorry. Had to do it.) It’s been a mostly-Christmassy week here. I started the week off with the rest of The Folio Book of Christmas Crime Stories. As with any short story collection, there were hits and there were misses – but overall it was a lot of fun. Moved on to Village Christmas: And Other Notes on the English Year, by Laurie Lee. Contrary to what the title and the wintry cover scene would have you believe, it’s not really about Christmas. There’s a little Christmas in the beginning (mostly the caroling and winter scenes from Cider with Rosie) but it’s just a small part of the book. I suspected this, based on the subtitle. Still good! It’s Laurie Lee, after all. Then I set aside the traditional Christmas books (or deceptively non-Christmas, as the case may be) to whip through the latest issue of Slightly Foxed, which arrived midweek and sat temptingly on my coffee table from Thursday on. Really enjoyed this one – especially the last essay, about writers’ superstitions and talismans. Finally! Ended the weekend with some Trollope: Christmas at Thompson Hall and Other Stories. Trollope is never the wrong choice, right?

Watching. The usual this-and-that. A few episodes of Rick Steves’ Europe, The Great Festive Bake-Off, and The Mandalorian. I told Steve that I am having a love-hate relationship with the Rick Steves shows right now. On the one hand, it’s Rick Steves, so how could it be anything but great? But on the other hand, I am decidedly pouty as I sit on my couch, in the butt divot I’ve been working on since March, watching Rick travel to all the places that I can’t go. STOOPID COVID.

Listening. Still working on podcast back episodes. A few episodes from the Tea or Books archive. I was delighted to find that Simon and Rachel found Marilynne Robinson’s When I Was a Child I Read Books as opaque and incomprehensible as I did. That made me feel less stupid for not understanding any of it!

Making. Not much – once again. The usual piles and piles of work product. It was kind of a crappy week on the work front, but I guess that didn’t stop me from churning it out. Curse my Type A work ethic. In nicer news, I made a decorated Christmas tree, and lots of yummy snacks to enjoy while we hung ornaments – including a “cheesmas tree” inspired by Lavender and Lovage, old family classic artichoke dip, and bourbon-soaked fruitcake cookies.

Moving. I thought about “forgetting” this category this week, because I really was not on it. Just one hike and a lot of pacing around while on work phone calls. No running, no barre, no strength training, no yoga. No fun. Must do better next week – I deserve better.

Blogging. In time for holiday shopping season, I am sharing my outdoor gear pet peeve on Wednesday. And then December’s edition of Themed Reads on Friday. I’m excited about this one, so do check in then.

Loving. Is it trite to say I am loving my Christmas tree? Guys, it’s just been such a long pandemic. Twinkle lights lift the spirit, and I really need that right now. I am loving having the tree right next to my bookshelves, having my space bedazzled by tiny white lights, and looking at all my favorite ornaments – pottery ornaments picked up on my travels; National Parks ornaments; sloppy homemade kiddo contributions; nods to Cornell and Jane Austen and paddlesports – all of my favorite things, basically. It is bringing me such joy. And yes, come December 27 I will be googling “where to compost Christmas tree near me” but these two things are not mutually exclusive. Twinkle on, friends!

Asking. What are you reading this week?