Life Lately: January 2026

I think I say this every year, but January always feels soooooo long. I know it’s because the magic of the holidays has passed, and we are well into Winter. We had some really great weather for about a week this month, and I tried to make the most of it. And for the first time in a lot of years, I tried embrace the slowness of January. It always feels like this hit the ground running to get started on goals time, and that hasn’t really ever worked for me. So, this month, I decided to take things slow, rest when I wanted, took long walks, read a lot, and just ease into what this season is all about. Here is what I got up to in January!

Friends over for dinner

At the beginning of the month, we had our friends Rose and Greg over for dinner. Jake made prime rib, mashed cauliflower, and we roasted some broccoli. It was delicious. Our friend Rose also makes her own wines, and so we tasted a few and played a card game. I always enjoy having people over for dinner and catching up!

Hiking with Jake

The weather has been so beautiful these last few weeks so Jake and I have gone out for 3 hikes. It has felt so good to be outside in nature away from my phone. Being out in the stillness and the quiet of the woods helps relieve a lot of my stress. We had agreed to get out and hike more this year together and I am really looking forward to it!

Family time

I made time to spend some time with my mom, my brother, and my cousin Lydia this month. I went to lunch with my brother to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant for some Pho. I then went shopping with my mom for a cabinet for her bathroom. And then later in the month, I went to lunch with my cousin Lydia and her husband Patrick. After lunch, her and I went for a dog walk and were able to catch up even more and get some fresh air!

Video call with friends

I had a really nice video chat with two of my best friends from high school. It’s been a stressful month, so having a good catch-up with them really helped!

Friend in town from Anchorage

Jake’s friend Randy came down to visit from Anchorage this last weekend. It’s become somewhat of a tradition for him to visit in January! On Friday, after he got in, we went out to dinner at a really yummy sushi restaurant in Ballard and then out to a show at an Irish Pub called Conor Byrne. The next day, we had our friend Amanda over for homemade birria tacos. Jake is getting so confident in the kitchen and everyone is reaping the benefits in a big way! It was sooooo delicious! Then, on Sunday, we went for a quick hike before taking Randy back to the airport.

In the Garden…

It’s been a very quiet month in the garden. I have really focused on making sure the birds are fed. I also did a bit of cleanup and planted a new Helabore and Hosta. I am spending this last week of January planning the Spring and Summer garden and getting my seed starting schedule all set up! I am so ready for more gardening!

Things I’m Loving at the Moment…

Reading, I have finished 5 books in January alone!
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Ultra-Processed People by Chris Van Tuleken
- Long Island bu Colm Toibin
- Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender & Kendall Shores
- The Women by Kristin Hannah
- I just started The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
My homemade seed mix
Our new soda stream
My Better Everyday Journal
Herbal Teas
Long walks through the woods
My new Strawberry Coat from Cider