The Christmas shopping season is among us, and Black Friday (which seems to last over a month now) Sales are already happening.  As I have in the past, I’ve put together a few gift guides, mostly consisting of things I own and love that might be good for someone on your list.  While I love bargains and good deals, I’ve never been one to shop for or buy something simply because it’s on sale.  Instead, I hope the things I want are included in a sale; if not, I’ll wait for them to go on sale.  So, some of these things are included in Black Friday sales, and some aren’t. Here are my gift guides, of things I curated for cooks, makers, gardeners, Jane Austen fans, writers, readers, and a few guides that include tech accessories. things that are just fun, and some of my favorites from 2025.    

I’ve spent a lot of time at the easel this week, painting every day.  I am pushing through to get as many pet commissions done for Christmas presents before it’s too late for oils to dry in time.  I used to sit in front of old pieces of furniture, and now I sit in front of small wood panels clamped in an easel.  Both tasks are about transformation.  Both involve paint, brushes, and creative decisions.  I have grown and changed as an artist, and my business has evolved, but at the heart of it, it’s just me and paint, pictures, and words, sharing what I’m up to each day. I’ve just been thinking a lot this week about creative seasons, how things change, and how they stay the same. Here are my four things for the week: Mansfield Park, Next Gen Chef, no need to sparkle, and new papers…  

It’s hard to believe we’re in the final two months of 2025.  Didn’t it just start?  I remember someone telling me I pressed the fast-forward button on my life when I was holding a newborn Marshall in my arms, and she was right.  The years seem so fleeting and precious, and our growing, maturing boys are a great measuring stick for the passage of time.  I love this time of year, though—the cooler temperatures and build-up of anticipation to Christmas.  I’m feeling particularly childlike as this holiday season approaches.  I’m eager to start decorating and working on handmade projects, baking, and then enjoying the calm between Christmas and New Year’s.  This will be our fourth Christmas in this house, and I think I finally feel settled here.  I’m learning it takes about that long, about three years, to feel at home in a new house.  And that feels good. Here