Festivities and Traditions

For the first time this month, I worked on Monday this week.  It seemed strange after having a few long weekends, but I had some time off coming up later in the week so I didn't need Monday off, too. 

It was a busy morning. When I finally had finished my meetings for the day and could stop for lunch, it was 1:30.  It was another one of our extra cold days, but I noticed that the sun had come out, so I decided to take the girls out for a trip to Preuss Pets to expend some of their energy over my lunch.

We had a nice walk around the block before heading into the store. Then we went inside to do a little shopping and to visit the fish, ferrets, and Poppy the rat.  Then, before heading home, we took another walk around the block for a little more excercise.  Then it was back home to finish my work day.

After work, I had several errands to run, including a stop to do some final grocery shopping before the holiday rush.  The girls rode along.  I felt very accomplished when we got home with my to-do list complete.

On Tuesday, I decided to use my lunch break to make a visit to the Festival of Trees at the Turner Dodge house.  This big, beautiful, historic home hosts this event every year, and every year I say I'm going to go, and I never do.  I was determined to change that this year.

I am so glad I made the time to go, and I think going earlier in the day was perfect.  I thoroughly enjoyed walking through the house and checking out all of the trees.  The Peacock tree was one of my favorites.

I had had hoped to have a little bit of time to get the girls out for a quick walk on my lunch as well, but I just didn't have enough time. 

Thankfully, the temperatures on Tuesday got above freezing for the first time in days.  Boy did it feel nice!

After work I wanted to take the girls out for a nice walk somewhere.  I went through the list of local small towns we had visited so far this holiday season and came to the conclusion that the only place we hadn't visited was East Lansing, so off we went.

We arrived in town, found a place to park, and headed off for a walk down Grand River Ave because the sidewalks were dry and safe for walking.  We had a really nice walk and stopped in front of the Christmas tree downtown on the way back to the car.  It had been so peaceful with all of the students out of town.  

Wednesday was even warmer than Tuesday had been, and the girls clearly knew it because they insisted on spending more time outside throughout the day.  

I took time over my lunch to do some meal prep, making a few sheet pan dinners, roasting some spaghetti squash, and starting some veggie broth.    

I was happy for the milder temperatures too, since it was our final Wednesday night dog walk at the shelter for the year.  We had a nice dog walk, and afterwards, I got the girls out for a walk too.  It had been another really productive day.

I had a half-day of work on Thursday and I was excited about our plans for the day.  When I finished my work day, my first order of business was to make a batch of my Great Grandma's sour cream cookies.  This is a quick and easy recipe and I had a nice batch of cookies in no time.

After finishing the cookies, I loaded the girls into the car to start our journey toward Nicol's house.  I wanted to make a couple of quick stops along the way to give the girls a little adventure. 

The temperatures for the day were in the 40s most of the day with a high of 50 expected late in the day, and rain moving into the area in the early afternoon.   

I was happy that there was barely a sprinkle when we stopped in South Lyon at the Witches Hat Depot for a walk.  There was some really interesting history in this little park.  

We made a second stop at Villa Bar Art Park, but didn't stay long because the rain picked up as we arrived.  After this stop, we continued on the way to Nicol's. 

When we arrived, Fiona was down for her afternoon break so I got to spend some time playing with Picasso.  He was pretty excited to get to play with grandma. 

When Tyler got home from work, Fiona came downstairs from her break, and we all loaded into Nicol's car to make the trip to Hines Drive for the Wayne County Lightfest.  This is an annual tradition for us, and it is always fun, but this year may have been the most fun yet.

Fiona and I sat in the back together and we laughed and sang Christmas songs and had the best time.  She loves singing all of the Christmas songs and knows all the words, it is adorable!  And we all laughed so hard as she demanded that we listen to Feliz Snowyballs, better know to the rest of us as Feliz Navidad.  She loudly sang out Feliz Snowyballs, mumbled the portion in Spanish, and then screamed out the chorus..."I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!"  It was the best.

She enjoyed the lights and so did I.   There are lots of pretty and unique light displays. 

The girls were comfy in the back of the car and I know they love being included.  The picture isn't good, but I wanted proof that they were there.

After enjoying the lights, we headed to Del Taco for dinner, which is also part of the annual tradition.

My original plans had included spending the night so that the girls and I could spend some time Friday with Nicol and Fiona.  I was excited about our plans, but unfortunately, due to the potential for bad weather, we all thought it would be better for me to head home to make sure I could make it there safely.  The threat of a Flash Freeze warning was just too much of a threat to risk it.

Luckily, we didn't get the dangerous freeze, but the temperatures did fall through the night bringing us 20s for the day Friday.  It brought with it a dusting of snow and some blustery winds.  And with that, i had no desire to leave the house.  Luckily I had prepared for the possibility that we'd be stuck at home due to weather so we had a really nice, lazy day.  It isn't often that I just stay in my pajamas all day, but it seemed the perfect day for it.  

After a lazy Friday at home, we had a productive day around town on Saturday.   

It started with our final shelter dog walk of 2025.  We had five really nice dogs to walk this morning, and boy were they full of energy.  

Seeing Frisbee lounge in the volunteer area after his walk makes every crazy minute of harnessing and walking dogs worth it.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend time helping make life for the shelter dogs a little better.  

After dog walking, I took the girls with me to run a few errands.  While I officially finished my Christmas shopping yesterday,  I decided to pick up a couple of small items from some local small businesses.  

One of our stops was in Old Town, so we also got out for a good walk and a visit to Preuss Pets.  I loved seeing the eel in with the fish.  The girls were excited to visit the rats.  We all enjoyed our stroll around Old Town.

Next, we made a stop downtown.  We took another enjoyable walk, stopped for a picture with the giant ornaments, and I made a stop in one of the stores for a quick purchase.  Then we headed home for a late lunch and a little break.

After the girls ate, they both curled up for a nap.  The rest of the afternoon was quiet and relaxing.

After dark, we headed to Dewitt to a drive through light display held by a church in the area.

It was a short drive, and the girls were able to hang their heads out the windows while we were there.  I figured it was a nice little adventure for them, and it was officially our last holiday event for the year.

We then took our traditional drive to look at all of the homes decorated for Christmas.  We've done some short drives earlier this season, but this was our official Christmas light drive.  We saw some very festive homes along the way.  Then we came home for dinner and I spent the rest of the evening watching Christmas movies while the girls snored the night away.

This morning we celebrate the Winter Solistice.  I'm happy to say farewell to Fall and welcome Winter.  I am really looking forward to the days getting longer.  Sadly, all of our snow has melted, and it is looking like the temperatures most of this week will be above freezing, so I guess we won't have snow on the ground for Christmas.   

Today is my mom's birthday and it also marks 6 months since losing my dad.  While we have tried to make the most of the holiday season, knowing he won't be here to celebrate with us this week has always been on my mind. 

So I haven't made any big plans for the day. I have a few last minute decorating touches to make, presents to wrap, some cleaning to do, and I'll probably start to do a little prep for our Christmas Eve festivities, but if I'm not up for any of it, that will be okay, too.

I hope you all get a chance to spend time with those you love and enjoy the holiday season.  Merry Christmas to you all from me and the girls!