Happy New Year! I love the fresh start a new calendar brings - full of empty spaces that I can fill with pretty pen colors. Join me on this ride through January as I (along with Jennifer and the other bloggers) share some fresh "Some Things" for 2025! 

Some Things: 

LOVED: I always love a good trip. Due to the forecast of a major snowfall for Tennessee, we were unsure what to do during the week of vacation for Jonathan's birthday. Three inches of snow arrived on a Friday, a lovely sight from inside our house. We had plenty of food, so we stayed in all day Saturday and Sunday. Even church was canceled.

By Sunday afternoon, we decided that the roads should be clear and we could go for a 3-day excursion to Gatlinburg. What a treat! We saw more snow and were able to have slow mornings of coffee with extra time to read. We explored Cades Cove and even ventured partway up the mountain to the lookout at Newfound Gap once the road was open. Walking to dinner each evening was also fun and served two purposes. We got our steps in for the day and didn't need to find a parking space. What a wonderful few days away to relax and celebrate my husband's birthday! We also confirmed that we will truly enjoy our retirement years. 

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LEARNED: Every year, Pantone announces their color of the year! This year, it is "mocha mousse." Their website suggests that much thought goes into choosing each year's color. The subtitle reads, "Capturing a Global Mood of Connection, Comfort, and Harmony." I believe we can all use more of all three in 2025. I also found this interesting article from NPR about Pantone's history of color. 

THAT WENT WELL: We were able to go ballroom dancing and were pleasantly surprised that we remembered the steps to the waltz, rumba, tango, fox trot, and even the cha-cha. It was wonderful to see some friends that we hadn't seen in months or years and to be back on the dance floor! 

I LET GO OF: As I look back over my 2024 "Share Four Somethings" blogs, I need to let go of any phrases that capture my surprise as to how fast the year has gone! Some snippets are below that kept showing up in last year's blogs.