January 2026 Monthly Musings

 It's the last Thursday of the month and time for Monthly Musings with Patty.


1. Snowy! 

Even before this past weekend's snow that dumped about 20 or so inches on us we had many days that looked like this:


 2. I'm not sure there are any winter activities I've never tried but wanted to. In fact I'd more say I've tried far more winter activities than I would have liked! I much prefer sitting by a fire reading than going out in the snow but I have tried everything from ice skating to skiing to snowboarding to sledding to snowshoeing as well as ice fishing, building snowmen/making snow angels/snowball fights, touring maple sugar shacks/seeing how maple syrup is made, attending fire/ice festivals, etc... through the years I've tried it all hoping to find some fun new winter hobby. 

3. I don't really have seasonal beverages as I just drink water year round. 

4. Shoveling and stacking wood are rather closely tied but I think shoveling snow is often worse depending on the type of snow. It's not so bad when it's nice fluffy "dry" snow but the heavy wet snow is so hard to shovel and I nearly always end up hurting my back. 

 5. I tend to like soup more than chili (though I do make a variety of both soups and chili all winter long). I wrote a post about our favorite 10 soups here but if I had to narrow that down I'd say my all time favorite soups are:

 chicken noodle (this recipe)--  I make this one so often I don't even use a recipe anymore! 


My crock pot lasagna soup 


and any version of this sausage tortellini soup (which I've made with just plain pasta before too!)

6. Dark chocolate is my favorite!

7.  We don't have any plans. I'll buy/send the boys a little box of chocolates and a card and I'll buy/make something a bit more special for my husband as well. I'm sure we'll enjoy a date night out too just not on the actual 14th. 

8.  I have some cute heart sweaters and red & pink things I'll wear in the month or so leading up to Valentine's day but can't say I'll wear anything extra special that day. I like to have fun nails too. 





9. Some years I do- I used to go all out when the kids were little with heart shaped pink pancakes and heart shaped pizzas and themed desserts. Nowadays I'm much more likely to make up a special dessert.  

cupcakes decorated with candy hearts 

cookies with Dove heart chocolates on top

pink popcorn mix-- recipe here

10. Typically when I do a love language quiz physical touch eeks out as the top choice but only by a tiny margin; most of my score are right around 19,20, & 21! I always joke that ALL the languages are my language-- it just depends on my mood at the moment. 

 Linking up with: Thinking Out Loud

Comments

  1. CatJanuary 29, 2026 at 6:04 AM

    Your post really made me hungry! ;-)
    Beautiful pictures all of them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. NatashaJanuary 29, 2026 at 6:06 AM

    Ha! I love that "all the languages are mine" thought! I've never actually taken a love language quiz. And I forgot that I usually try to have festive toenails during February. That totally counts as "festive wear"!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maria RineerJanuary 29, 2026 at 6:21 AM

    Your sweet treats all look so good!! I like the white sweater with the red heart. So festive!

    ReplyDelete
  4. HollyJanuary 29, 2026 at 6:28 AM

    Hi friend. I am not co-hosting this anymore but thanks for the shoutout ;) Anyway your lasagna soup looks fabulous! Will you share the recipe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2026 at 9:58 AM

      I hadn't realized that; thanks! I updated the post and "fixed" it. You can find the recipe here:https://www.myslicesoflife.com/2018/03/crock-pot-lasagna-soup.html

      Delete
  5. Amy ScottJanuary 29, 2026 at 7:10 AM

    Loved all your answers! You have done a lot of winter activities! I think I am making a fancy meal for V Day since it falls on a Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2026 at 9:59 AM

      I tend to get dragged on a lot of winter activities... some a bit more willingly than others.

      Delete
  6. Dara @ Not In JerseyJanuary 29, 2026 at 8:32 AM

    I laughed at you trying more winter activities than you'd want to - same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2026 at 9:59 AM

      LOL! It's the truth. I'd happily sit inside and read and just let winter pass me by.

      Delete
  7. Jenn LloydJanuary 29, 2026 at 8:37 AM

    Your soups and sweet treats look amazing! Also, I love your fun V day nails!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sunshine and BooksJanuary 29, 2026 at 9:08 AM

    Those sweet treats look delicious! My guys would love the cookies with the hearts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM

      They are a huge hit! I just saw the Dove hearts at the store this morning too.

      Delete
  9. Kim CarberryJanuary 29, 2026 at 11:22 AM

    The snow looks so pretty with you. I hope it isn't causing too much disruption. All of the winter activities you have tried sound fantastic!
    Your crock pot lasagna soup looks amazing and your heart nails are so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  10. TorontoSAMJanuary 29, 2026 at 11:34 AM

    I had the same word for our winter, lots of snow for sure! I like your heart sweater :)

    ReplyDelete

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