Seasonal Sentiments January 2026 Rewind

How has your January been, besides the crazy weather?

Did you make any resolutions this year—or decide to skip them altogether?

Either way, I hope you’re settling into the new year in a way that feels right for you.

And if the year didn’t start quite the way you hoped, let me just say this: you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not behind.

January has a lot of pressure attached to it, and sometimes just getting back into a routine is an accomplishment enough.

We paused our half-bath remodel during the holidays, fully intending to jump right back in once the new year rolled around.

Fast forward to today…

Somehow, it’s the last day of the month, and we haven’t done a single thing yet.

Just a whole lot of “we’ll start again next weekend.”

Honestly, we just needed some downtime after the holidays, and as you’ll see in a few, we decided to prioritize spending time with our kids.

So, if your January felt slower than expected, or your plans are still on the back burner, consider this your permission slip to give yourself some grace.

There’s still plenty of the year left—and progress doesn’t have to start on January 1st to count.

Let’s rewind the month together…

WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN January

A Beloved Puzzle Tradition (and One Very Big New One)

Every year during Christmas week, I pull out our Night Before Christmas puzzle and work on it right on the coffee table.

It’s one of those simple traditions I really look forward to.

This year, though, Christmas came and went—and somehow the puzzle stayed in the box until after all the decorations were packed away.

Even though it’s January, I couldn’t skip it.

It’s my favorite puzzle, and it’s just too much fun.

But now, I’m working on a new puzzle!

You see, for Christmas, my brother gifted me a brand-new puzzle—Thomas Kinkade Studios: Harry Potter Diagon Alley—and let me tell you, this one is no joke.

It has 2,000 small pieces and is officially the hardest puzzle I’ve ever attempted.

I knew right away this wasn’t going to be a quick project, so I pulled out my puzzle roll-up mat because there’s no telling how long it’s going to take me to finish.

This is as far as I’ve gotten so far… and I’m fully committed.

If you’re a puzzle pro, I’d love to hear your best tips or strategies—especially for tackling a puzzle this size!

Birds, Beaches, and One Very Cute Armadillo

We were so fortunate to have our youngest son home with us from the week before Thanksgiving through the first week of January.

He loves bird watching and photographing wildlife—and we always enjoy tagging along on his adventures. (The photos you’re seeing here are ours, not his—but you can see his amazing shots on Instagram @allen_wildlife_photos.)

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

The first outing of the year was a trip to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.

Just Rich and our son went that day—I was home battling a cold that had turned into a sinus infection and wasn’t feeling up to it.

They had a fabulous day and came home with lots of bird and alligator photos and plenty of stories to share.

Merritt Island

For our last outing together, we took a day trip to Merritt Island.

We spent some time at Canaveral National Seashore, which always feels a little strange in winter—walking along the beach bundled up in sweatpants and sweatshirts.

After that, we visited Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and drove the wildlife trail.

He took tons of photos, and we were lucky enough to spot plenty of alligators along the way—

and even the cutest little armadillo.

It was a fun way to spend our final day together before he returned to New York.

A Chilly Day at Renninger’s (and a Few Fun Finds)

Renninger’s Antique and Collectors Extravaganza is one of our favorite events, and since it only happens three times a year, we were excited to attend the first show of 2026.

Normally, when we go, it’s warm—but this time it was cold.

That didn’t stop us, though, and we still had so much fun browsing the hundreds of booths.

We didn’t come home with as many treasures as we sometimes do, but we did find a few special pieces.

I was most excited to come across three small Wedgwood saucers—well, two saucers and one that’s technically an ashtray.

They will look beautiful displayed in our living room.

I also picked up a milk glass vase and a couple of coordinating wall plaques that I’ll likely paint, along with a few new items: two wooden bowls —one heart-shaped.

I’m planning to turn those into candles, so be sure to stay tuned for that project!

January Days at Disney

If you’re new here, we are Disney passholders and love spending time at the parks.

Especially when a new festival starts!

Festival of the Arts at EPCOT

January means it’s time for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.

We couldn’t wait to get there, even though it was cold and we had to wear our winter coats and hats!

It was also a little disappointing for me because even though there were several gluten-free options at the food booths, most of them contained dairy, so I couldn’t eat them.

Rich’s new favorite was the peppercorn-crusted striploin with grilled asparagus, potatoes au gratin, and au poivre butter from the Artist’s Table booth.

And his favorite, year after year, is the sushi donut from the Goshiki booth!

Even though I didn’t get to eat much at the food booths, I still really enjoyed seeing all of the artwork throughout the park.

From expensive framed paintings,

To the chalk art on the sidewalks, we are in awe of all the talent that’s on display!

We also had fun participating in the Lorcana Scavenger Hunt and Collector’s Quest—especially since Lorcana is a Disney trading card game our boys enjoy.

The festival will be open through February 23rd, so I’m sure we’ll be sharing more next month!

A Park Day with Griffin

Griffin, our son who lives with us, doesn’t have an annual pass, but we knew he would love joining us for the festival and seeing all the art, so he grabbed a discounted Florida resident ticket and spent a day at the parks with us.

We started the morning at EPCOT, collecting Lorcana cards and riding a few attractions, including the newly refurbished Test Track—he was especially excited to see what had changed and to ride our favorite ride, Guardians of the Galaxy!

Later, we hopped over to Animal Kingdom for the rest of the day since Griffin is a huge fan of the Zootopia movies.

Disney recently re-themed It’s Tough to Be a Bug movie inside the Tree of Life to Zootopia, and it was fun to experience that update together.

We also rode Dinosaur for the very last time and ate at Restaurantasaurus, which is set to close on February 2nd.

That area holds so many memories for our boys, so it felt bittersweet—but we’re also excited to see what’s coming next with the new Indiana Jones and Encanto-themed attractions.

WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN January

DIY Projects

• DIY Winter Simmer Pot — We kicked off the month with a cozy winter simmer pot that fills your home with a warm, inviting aroma, using simple, natural ingredients you likely already have on hand.
• Winter Wreath from a Christmas Garland — I showed how to repurpose a Christmas garland into a simple winter wreath, perfect for stretching seasonal decor a little longer.
• Easy Glitter Hearts for Valentine’s Day — These glitter hearts are an easy, budget-friendly way to add a little Valentine’s charm without going over the top.
• Tips to Upcycle a Grapevine Heart — If you already have a grapevine heart tucked away (or you can buy one for this project), I shared how to upcycle it for Valentine’s Day decor.

Decor

• Winter Home Tour — I shared a look at how our home is decorated for winter, focusing on cozy layers, simple touches, and decor that works well after the holidays.

Organization

• How to Organize Your Kitchen Using Zones — We talked through organizing the kitchen by zones to make everyday tasks easier, more efficient, and less frustrating.

INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB

Each month, I love sharing a few things that have inspired me lately, and the following posts from around the web caught my eye.

Whether you’re looking for motivation, a fresh idea, or just something fun to scroll through, I hope one (or more!) of these gives you a little inspiration as we head into a new month.

• Do you love the Super Bowl or just the commercials? Either way, you’ll want to invite people over after seeing these winning game-day football party ideas!
• Can you believe Valentine’s Day will be here soon? You still have time to make these adorable DIY hearts!
• Want a more organized home? These 100 clever tips work in every room!
• I think I found my dream house here, except I would prefer the wood floors slightly darker.
• Need some inspiration for decorating your home? These 10-minute decorating ideas are sure to help!

FAVORITE SEASONAL FINDS

With spring right around the corner, I’ve started keeping an eye out for simple, affordable pieces that make it easy to refresh our home for the new season.

Walmart has so many great spring finds this year, and I love that you can add a few fresh touches without doing a full decor overhaul.

Here are some of my favorite picks to bring a little spring to your home.

Scalloped Tray | Arched Mirror | Ceramic Vase

Bow Candle Holder | Kitchen Towel Set | Sugar Bowl

Woven Planter | Jute Rug | Framed Wall Art

Brass Table Lamp | Blue Area Rug | Block Print Pillow Covers

HOME ORGANIZATION WEEKLY TASK

During the winter months, we focus on our home’s workspaces, and in February, our home organization focus is on the office and paperwork.

• Week 6- Office
• Week 7- Paper Clutter
• Week 8- Craft and Hobby Supplies
• Week 9- Tax Prep

Remember, these weekly tasks are meant to help—not add stress.

Do what you can, when you can, and know that progress (even slow progress) still counts.

POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Even though winter isn’t quite over yet, this time of year always has me looking ahead to lighter days and fresh starts.

I thought it would be fun to pull a few spring-inspired posts from our archives—perfect for gathering ideas now and saving them for when you’re ready to start refreshing your home.

Decor

Discover some easy, approachable ways to bring spring into your home with color, texture, and simple swaps.

DIY

Learn how to make a DIY grapevine topiary you can customize and enjoy year after year.

Organize

Here’s help to get your craft spaces organized and ready for all your upcoming spring projects.

Closing Thoughts

As January comes to a close, I’m reminded that the start of a new year doesn’t have to be rushed or perfectly planned.

Sometimes it’s about easing back into routines, savoring small moments, and finding inspiration along the way.

Thank you so much for spending a little time here with me this month—I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

I’m looking forward to what February brings and can’t wait to continue sharing simple ideas to help you love your home through every season.

Blessings, Donna and Rich