Susan here, presenting our Ask-A-Wench question for November.
With the holidays often causing stress as well as fun, what comfort activities do you do to help unwind and relax? Here are some of the tried and true therapies we recommend . . . .
Mary Jo Putney:
My great relaxing indulgence is sinking into a tub of hot, fragrant water with a good book and a mug of Sleepytime tea. The first real project I did when I moved into this house in 1993 was remodeling the bathroom, and that included installing a whirlpool tub with really good reading light, plus an electric fan heater in the ceiling. Decadent, much? Sometimes one of the cats will come in and keep me company, often by stretching out on the edge of the tub within petting distance. When Reggie joins me. I get a great, rumbling purr when I scratch his little head. Relaxation doesn't get much better than this!
Anne Gracie:
I don't have one comfort activity — it's different things for different situations. A walk with my dog along the creek is always a source of joy and unwinding. Curling up with a book by a favorite author is another one. Making things — jewelry, Christmas decorations, tiny things for a dolls house — is another form of relaxation for me. Gardening also — there is something very therapeutic about attacking a weedy patch and leaving it bare and ready for planting, or freeing and displaying the plants that were struggling to grow. Cooking is yet another — I lik 
e to give baked gifts, and home made jams and chutneys to friends. Christmas in Australia is in summer, so there's plenty of fruit, and it's very satisfying to watch over a large bubbling, spitting pot, and at the end of the day be rewarded with glowing, jewel-toned jars of delicious jam.
Pat Rice:
I'm afraid I'll get smacked if I say my favorite activity is to head down to the beach to watch the waves. Would it help if I added that we would stop in at one of our favorite wine bars and watch from inside by the fire? But contrary to popular belief, it does occasionally get cold in Southern California, so if it's going to be a gloomy day, I'll take my own fire and couch and curl up with a good book and a warm comforter around me, with hot chocolate, please.
Cara Elliott/Andrea Pickens:
I guess it’s no surprise that, like many of the other Wenches, my favorite way of decompressing from the stresses of the holidays (and most every other stress) is to curl up in a quiet spot with a good book. I confess, dark chocolate often joins us. But I also find cooking and baking is very soothing. I tend to bookmark interesting recipes, especially from The New York Times food section online, which has an amazing variety of mouth-watering treats. I’m always on the lookout for good pasta sauces—and good desserts. Baking cookies or brownies is the perfect way to soothe the soul—the smell of heated butter and sugar creating magic in the oven is the world’s best aromatherapy!
Nicola Cornick:
Like the other Wenches I have a variety of favourite decompressing activities. On the healthy side there is swimming and also walking the dog. I find being out in the fresh air always makes me feel less stressed and if that can involve a walk on the beach in some wild weather, then all the better! To counterbalance that there is my unhealthy habit of comfort eating – preferably chocolate in some form or other, and shopping, which I enjoy but isn’t good for the wallet! Listening to music is a joy and can usually take me away from stresses, as can sitting in front of the wood burning stove, curled up with a good book.
Joanna Bourne:
My great self-indulgence is … I throw pots.
Not at people, though there are times that would be satisfying. I make vessels of clay. Cups, bowls, plates, and my latest indulgence in hobby-ness, flower pots.
You use an entirely different part of your mind and spirit to do this kinda arty stuff. Maybe I do this in the same the way other folks embroider or paint. Potting is wordless and physical. There's a sense of connection to simple places in your mind.
I hafta say I am veeeery bad at potting. Part of the satisfaction of doing it, in fact, is the utter lack of ambition with which I approach the work. "Oh good," says I, looking at some oddly dysfunctional and asymmetric object. "That must be Art."
Jo Beverley:
Perhaps I have a wonky adrenalin system, because I don't do stress, not even in situations that other people would think unavoidably stressful. This is a blessing and a curse — the blessing is not being stressed, but the curse is the irritation or even infuriation (is that a word?) it can cause others. Anyone else here like that?
Christmas isn't stressful for me, but if a situation does put me a bit on edge I'm likely to bake bread. The kneading is soothing, the warm kitchen is comforting, and the eating boosts seratonin. There's also some brain-massage music that I like called Inner Journey. I play in through headphones at the dentist.
Susan King:
When there's time – and too often there is not – I enjoy simply being alone. In a busy household, finding hours to think, to read, to be creative and quiet can be a rare privilege. To really decompress, I get out 
for a walk (I love fall weather!) or grab a few minutes for the tai chi and qigong forms that I’ve studied and practiced on and off for years — I’m pretty chill if I can do that regularly. No matter what else is going on, I need a hands-on creative activity – lately I’ve been knitting and crocheting, as it's soothing, especially when the yarns are pretty and the piece uncomplicated. When I can't be alone, I'll watch a little TV with the guys in my household…ghosts and alien shows are a true secret indulgence!
What do you do to relax and remain a calm center as the holidays ratchet up around you? We would love to know what works for you all!
Susan
P.S. The Swan Maiden, part of my Celtic Nights e-book series, is now on sale for 99 cents for Kindle, Nook and any digital format you prefer — only in November, so grab it while you can. This classic Scottish medieval has just enough romance and adventure to offer an escape from all the to-do lists this holiday season. Enjoy!
We have double stress here. Christmas in December, then New Year. Then Ukrainian Christmas in January, and another New Year!
Actually, I think I’m a bit like Jo Beverley in that I don’t find Christmas stressful. I love Christmas (a good thing, when you do it multiple times a year) so much I’m fine with all the craziness!
Cats are fantastic stress-relievers. I wasn’t a cat fan at all, but in the past ten months have had two pregnant strays turn up, and now I love them.
Well, kittens might not be stress-relievers, but they’re great fun!
We have double stress here. Christmas in December, then New Year. Then Ukrainian Christmas in January, and another New Year!
Actually, I think I’m a bit like Jo Beverley in that I don’t find Christmas stressful. I love Christmas (a good thing, when you do it multiple times a year) so much I’m fine with all the craziness!
Cats are fantastic stress-relievers. I wasn’t a cat fan at all, but in the past ten months have had two pregnant strays turn up, and now I love them.
Well, kittens might not be stress-relievers, but they’re great fun!
We have double stress here. Christmas in December, then New Year. Then Ukrainian Christmas in January, and another New Year!
Actually, I think I’m a bit like Jo Beverley in that I don’t find Christmas stressful. I love Christmas (a good thing, when you do it multiple times a year) so much I’m fine with all the craziness!
Cats are fantastic stress-relievers. I wasn’t a cat fan at all, but in the past ten months have had two pregnant strays turn up, and now I love them.
Well, kittens might not be stress-relievers, but they’re great fun!
We have double stress here. Christmas in December, then New Year. Then Ukrainian Christmas in January, and another New Year!
Actually, I think I’m a bit like Jo Beverley in that I don’t find Christmas stressful. I love Christmas (a good thing, when you do it multiple times a year) so much I’m fine with all the craziness!
Cats are fantastic stress-relievers. I wasn’t a cat fan at all, but in the past ten months have had two pregnant strays turn up, and now I love them.
Well, kittens might not be stress-relievers, but they’re great fun!
We have double stress here. Christmas in December, then New Year. Then Ukrainian Christmas in January, and another New Year!
Actually, I think I’m a bit like Jo Beverley in that I don’t find Christmas stressful. I love Christmas (a good thing, when you do it multiple times a year) so much I’m fine with all the craziness!
Cats are fantastic stress-relievers. I wasn’t a cat fan at all, but in the past ten months have had two pregnant strays turn up, and now I love them.
Well, kittens might not be stress-relievers, but they’re great fun!
My main de-stressor (at any time) is one of my cats who jumps in my lap every evening. I set stroking her soft fur and listening to her purr. If there was a way of bottling that, we could do away with all of the anti-anxiety meds.
Actually, I feel very little stress at Christmas. I love it and feel invigorated by it. Felt that way even when I was younger, still working, and throwing the big family Christmas Eve party. It was a lot of work, but it never got me down.
My main de-stressor (at any time) is one of my cats who jumps in my lap every evening. I set stroking her soft fur and listening to her purr. If there was a way of bottling that, we could do away with all of the anti-anxiety meds.
Actually, I feel very little stress at Christmas. I love it and feel invigorated by it. Felt that way even when I was younger, still working, and throwing the big family Christmas Eve party. It was a lot of work, but it never got me down.
My main de-stressor (at any time) is one of my cats who jumps in my lap every evening. I set stroking her soft fur and listening to her purr. If there was a way of bottling that, we could do away with all of the anti-anxiety meds.
Actually, I feel very little stress at Christmas. I love it and feel invigorated by it. Felt that way even when I was younger, still working, and throwing the big family Christmas Eve party. It was a lot of work, but it never got me down.
My main de-stressor (at any time) is one of my cats who jumps in my lap every evening. I set stroking her soft fur and listening to her purr. If there was a way of bottling that, we could do away with all of the anti-anxiety meds.
Actually, I feel very little stress at Christmas. I love it and feel invigorated by it. Felt that way even when I was younger, still working, and throwing the big family Christmas Eve party. It was a lot of work, but it never got me down.
My main de-stressor (at any time) is one of my cats who jumps in my lap every evening. I set stroking her soft fur and listening to her purr. If there was a way of bottling that, we could do away with all of the anti-anxiety meds.
Actually, I feel very little stress at Christmas. I love it and feel invigorated by it. Felt that way even when I was younger, still working, and throwing the big family Christmas Eve party. It was a lot of work, but it never got me down.
I rarely stress, I think I am too lazy to go to the trouble. I do what I can, leave the rest go and enjoy myself. If I do feel slightly stressed I just pick up a book, gr
ab a coke and sit down. Jan
I rarely stress, I think I am too lazy to go to the trouble. I do what I can, leave the rest go and enjoy myself. If I do feel slightly stressed I just pick up a book, gr
ab a coke and sit down. Jan
I rarely stress, I think I am too lazy to go to the trouble. I do what I can, leave the rest go and enjoy myself. If I do feel slightly stressed I just pick up a book, gr
ab a coke and sit down. Jan
I rarely stress, I think I am too lazy to go to the trouble. I do what I can, leave the rest go and enjoy myself. If I do feel slightly stressed I just pick up a book, gr
ab a coke and sit down. Jan
I rarely stress, I think I am too lazy to go to the trouble. I do what I can, leave the rest go and enjoy myself. If I do feel slightly stressed I just pick up a book, gr
ab a coke and sit down. Jan
Like Jo Beverley I don’t do much stress. We have family here for either Chirstmas or Thanksgiving, but I have simplified the meal we share. Everybody’s favorite foods, made ahead, frozen, and then cooked OR prepared ahead and cooked ahead in the crockpot. Everyone enjoys the food, but I am not kitchen bound on the holiday.
I regularly read, cross-stitch, and enjoy favorite foods. Maybe I just use the de-stressers everyday?
Like Jo Beverley I don’t do much stress. We have family here for either Chirstmas or Thanksgiving, but I have simplified the meal we share. Everybody’s favorite foods, made ahead, frozen, and then cooked OR prepared ahead and cooked ahead in the crockpot. Everyone enjoys the food, but I am not kitchen bound on the holiday.
I regularly read, cross-stitch, and enjoy favorite foods. Maybe I just use the de-stressers everyday?
Like Jo Beverley I don’t do much stress. We have family here for either Chirstmas or Thanksgiving, but I have simplified the meal we share. Everybody’s favorite foods, made ahead, frozen, and then cooked OR prepared ahead and cooked ahead in the crockpot. Everyone enjoys the food, but I am not kitchen bound on the holiday.
I regularly read, cross-stitch, and enjoy favorite foods. Maybe I just use the de-stressers everyday?
Like Jo Beverley I don’t do much stress. We have family here for either Chirstmas or Thanksgiving, but I have simplified the meal we share. Everybody’s favorite foods, made ahead, frozen, and then cooked OR prepared ahead and cooked ahead in the crockpot. Everyone enjoys the food, but I am not kitchen bound on the holiday.
I regularly read, cross-stitch, and enjoy favorite foods. Maybe I just use the de-stressers everyday?
Like Jo Beverley I don’t do much stress. We have family here for either Chirstmas or Thanksgiving, but I have simplified the meal we share. Everybody’s favorite foods, made ahead, frozen, and then cooked OR prepared ahead and cooked ahead in the crockpot. Everyone enjoys the food, but I am not kitchen bound on the holiday.
I regularly read, cross-stitch, and enjoy favorite foods. Maybe I just use the de-stressers everyday?
I work retail. At Walmart. (Cue insane laughter.) I de-stress reading historical romance Christmas anthologies and novels. They keep me sane amidst the madness. The anthologies are especially great to read during breaks and lunch at work. That”s probably why I made my publishing debut with a novella in a Christmas anthology last year. My other comforts are my dogs and my cat. They are always happy to see me.
I work retail. At Walmart. (Cue insane laughter.) I de-stress reading historical romance Christmas anthologies and novels. They keep me sane amidst the madness. The anthologies are especially great to read during breaks and lunch at work. That”s probably why I made my publishing debut with a novella in a Christmas anthology last year. My other comforts are my dogs and my cat. They are always happy to see me.
I work retail. At Walmart. (Cue insane laughter.) I de-stress reading historical romance Christmas anthologies and novels. They keep me sane amidst the madness. The anthologies are especially great to read during breaks and lunch at work. That”s probably why I made my publishing debut with a novella in a Christmas anthology last year. My other comforts are my dogs and my cat. They are always happy to see me.
I work retail. At Walmart. (Cue insane laughter.) I de-stress reading historical romance Christmas anthologies and novels. They keep me sane amidst the madness. The anthologies are especially great to read during breaks and lunch at work. That”s probably why I made my publishing debut with a novella in a Christmas anthology last year. My other comforts are my dogs and my cat. They are always happy to see me.
I work retail. At Walmart. (Cue insane laughter.) I de-stress reading historical romance Christmas anthologies and novels. They keep me sane amidst the madness. The anthologies are especially great to read during breaks and lunch at work. That”s probably why I made my publishing debut with a novella in a Christmas anthology last year. My other comforts are my dogs and my cat. They are always happy to see me.
In winter – hot chocolate (dark chocolate) with a heating pad on my feet. When my feet are warm, I’m relaxed. Oh, all this while reading, of course.
In winter – hot chocolate (dark chocolate) with a heating pad on my feet. When my feet are warm, I’m relaxed. Oh, all this while reading, of course.
In winter – hot chocolate (dark chocolate) with a heating pad on my feet. When my feet are warm, I’m relaxed. Oh, all this while reading, of course.
In winter – hot chocolate (dark chocolate) with a heating pad on my feet. When my feet are warm, I’m relaxed. Oh, all this while reading, of course.
In winter – hot chocolate (dark chocolate) with a heating pad on my feet. When my feet are warm, I’m relaxed. Oh, all this while reading, of course.
Bread is my comfort food. There is nothing better than fresh warm bread and butter, or even just the bread on its own. Swimming and walking are relaxing and I also like to make digital photo albums.
Bread is my comfort food. There is nothing better than fresh warm bread and butter, or even just the bread on its own. Swimming and walking are relaxing and I also like to make digital photo albums.
Bread is my comfort food. There is nothing better than fresh warm bread and butter, or even just the bread on its own. Swimming and walking are relaxing and I also like to make digital photo albums.
Bread is my comfort food. There is nothing better than fresh warm bread and butter, or even just the bread on its own. Swimming and walking are relaxing and I also like to make digital photo albums.
Bread is my comfort food. There is nothing better than fresh warm bread and butter, or even just the bread on its own. Swimming and walking are relaxing and I also like to make digital photo albums.
Curling up with a book underneath my electric blanket is a good way to escape everything. But I also love a good walk; I favor a city park with a lovely pond. There’s a good cafe just down the street from the park, so life was pretty good yesterday afternoon.
Curling up with a book underneath my electric blanket is a good way to escape everything. But I also love a good walk; I favor a city park with a lovely pond. There’s a good cafe just down the street from the park, so life was pretty good yesterday afternoon.
Curling up with a book underneath my electric blanket is a good way to escape everything. But I also love a good walk; I favor a city park with a lovely pond. There’s a good cafe just down the street from the park, so life was pretty good yesterday afternoon.
Curling up with a book underneath my electric blanket is a good way to escape everything. But I also love a good walk; I favor a city park with a lovely pond. There’s a good cafe just down the street from the park, so life was pretty good yesterday afternoon.
Curling up with a book underneath my electric blanket is a good way to escape everything. But I also love a good walk; I favor a city park with a lovely pond. There’s a good cafe just down the street from the park, so life was pretty good yesterday afternoon.
I sometimes make a whole pot of tea, and drink all of it myself in the course of a couple hours, while reading a book.
I’m not a person who stresses much, but if I go to the gym for a yoga class, followed by some time in the whirlpool or sauna, I come home as relaxed as a limp noodle.
I sometimes make a whole pot of tea, and drink all of it myself in the course of a couple hours, while reading a book.
I’m not a person who stresses much, but if I go to the gym for a yoga class, followed by some time in the whirlpool or sauna, I come home as relaxed as a limp noodle.
I sometimes make a whole pot of tea, and drink all of it myself in the course of a couple hours, while reading a book.
I’m not a person who stresses much, but if I go to the gym for a yoga class, followed by some time in the whirlpool or sauna, I come home as relaxed as a limp noodle.
I sometimes make a whole pot of tea, and drink all of it myself in the course of a couple hours, while reading a book.
I’m not a person who stresses much, but if I go to the gym for a yoga class, followed by some time in the whirlpool or sauna, I come home as relaxed as a limp noodle.
I sometimes make a whole pot of tea, and drink all of it myself in the course of a couple hours, while reading a book.
I’m not a person who stresses much, but if I go to the gym for a yoga class, followed by some time in the whirlpool or sauna, I come home as relaxed as a limp noodle.
When I was working, I would save up my Regency novels or S&SF and binge read on the holidays, when I wasn’t sleeping or suffering through pneumonia. That was before the internet. These days, I hunt pedigrees! I am a third-generation breeder of purebred dogs, and my breed has a dangerous genetic bottleneck from just after WWII. The trick is to find a living dog which avoids that bottleneck in its pedigree and it involves tracing bloodlines from the mid nineteenth century forward, then using Google searches to locate living examples of that family. It’s a very specialized form of historical research and totally fascinating to me, especially since my own knowledge of the bloodlines goes back before the bottleneck existed, so they are more than just names on paper. (Funnily enough, I am not the least bit interested in genealogical research, but the passion must be similar.) At any rate, when I’m searching, nothing else exists.
When I was working, I would save up my Regency novels or S&SF and binge read on the holidays, when I wasn’t sleeping or suffering through pneumonia. That was before the internet. These days, I hunt pedigrees! I am a third-generation breeder of purebred dogs, and my breed has a dangerous genetic bottleneck from just after WWII. The trick is to find a living dog which avoids that bottleneck in its pedigree and it involves tracing bloodlines from the mid nineteenth century forward, then using Google searches to locate living examples of that family. It’s a very specialized form of historical research and totally fascinating to me, especially since my own knowledge of the bloodlines goes back before the bottleneck existed, so they are more than just names on paper. (Funnily enough, I am not the least bit interested in genealogical research, but the passion must be similar.) At any rate, when I’m searching, nothing else exists.
When I was working, I would save up my Regency novels or S&SF and binge read on the holidays, when I wasn’t sleeping or suffering through pneumonia. That was before the internet. These days, I hunt pedigrees! I am a third-generation breeder of purebred dogs, and my breed has a dangerous genetic bottleneck from just after WWII. The trick is to find a living dog which avoids that bottleneck in its pedigree and it involves tracing bloodlines from the mid nineteenth century forward, then using Google searches to locate living examples of that family. It’s a very specialized form of historical research and totally fascinating to me, especially since my own knowledge of the bloodlines goes back before the bottleneck existed, so they are more than just names on paper. (Funnily enough, I am not the least bit interested in genealogical research, but the passion must be similar.) At any rate, when I’m searching, nothing else exists.
When I was working, I would save up my Regency novels or S&SF and binge read on the holidays, when I wasn’t sleeping or suffering through pneumonia. That was before the internet. These days, I hunt pedigrees! I am a third-generation breeder of purebred dogs, and my breed has a dangerous genetic bottleneck from just after WWII. The trick is to find a living dog which avoids that bottleneck in its pedigree and it involves tracing bloodlines from the mid nineteenth century forward, then using Google searches to locate living examples of that family. It’s a very specialized form of historical research and totally fascinating to me, especially since my own knowledge of the bloodlines goes back before the bottleneck existed, so they are more than just names on paper. (Funnily enough, I am not the least bit interested in genealogical research, but the passion must be similar.) At any rate, when I’m searching, nothing else exists.
When I was working, I would save up my Regency novels or S&SF and binge read on the holidays, when I wasn’t sleeping or suffering through pneumonia. That was before the internet. These days, I hunt pedigrees! I am a third-generation breeder of purebred dogs, and my breed has a dangerous genetic bottleneck from just after WWII. The trick is to find a living dog which avoids that bottleneck in its pedigree and it involves tracing bloodlines from the mid nineteenth century forward, then using Google searches to locate living examples of that family. It’s a very specialized form of historical research and totally fascinating to me, especially since my own knowledge of the bloodlines goes back before the bottleneck existed, so they are more than just names on paper. (Funnily enough, I am not the least bit interested in genealogical research, but the passion must be similar.) At any rate, when I’m searching, nothing else exists.
Sonya, I always envied my Ukrainian and other friends who had double the holidays. And yes, kittens might not be stress-free, but they give you so many laughs and that’s very good for us.
Sonya, I always envied my Ukrainian and other friends who had double the holidays. And yes, kittens might not be stress-free, but they give you so many laughs and that’s very good for us.
Sonya, I always envied my Ukrainian and other friends who had double the holidays. And yes, kittens might not be stress-free, but they give you so many laughs and that’s very good for us.
Sonya, I always envied my Ukrainian and other friends who had double the holidays. And yes, kittens might not be stress-free, but they give you so many laughs and that’s very good for us.
Sonya, I always envied my Ukrainian and other friends who had double the holidays. And yes, kittens might not be stress-free, but they give you so many laughs and that’s very good for us.
Cats are excellent for relaxation, aren’t they? I think the sound of a cat purring is a wonderful sound and if they’re sitting on you, a wonderful sensation.
Cats are excellent for relaxation, aren’t they? I think the sound of a cat purring is a wonderful sound and if they’re sitting on you, a wonderful sensation.
Cats are excellent for relaxation, aren’t they? I think the sound of a cat purring is a wonderful sound and if they’re sitting on you, a wonderful sensation.
Cats are excellent for relaxation, aren’t they? I think the sound of a cat purring is a wonderful sound and if they’re sitting on you, a wonderful sensation.
Cats are excellent for relaxation, aren’t they? I think the sound of a cat purring is a wonderful sound and if they’re sitting on you, a wonderful sensation.
Great attitude, Janice. More people should try to cultivate it.
Great attitude, Janice. More people should try to cultivate it.
Great attitude, Janice. More people should try to cultivate it.
Great attitude, Janice. More people should try to cultivate it.
Great attitude, Janice. More people should try to cultivate it.
Louisa I always feel for the poor sales people at Christmas time — such a frenzy of hard work, and customers not on their best behavior. A Christmas novella is indeed a lovely short escape. And animals are so good to come home too — dogs are especially welcoming, and some cats, too, but even the cats who get snooty about being ignored while you’re off doing frivolous things like working to afford their cat food — the snootiness is a sign that you still matter and your absence was noted. 🙂
Louisa I always feel for the poor sales people at Christmas time — such a frenzy of hard work, and customers not on their best behavior. A Christmas novella is indeed a lovely short escape. And animals are so good to come home too — dogs are especially welcoming, and some cats, too, but even the cats who get snooty about being ignored while you’re off doing frivolous things like working to afford their cat food — the snootiness is a sign that you still matter and your absence was noted. 🙂
Louisa I always feel for the poor sales people at Christmas time — such a frenzy of hard work, and customers not on their best behavior. A Christmas novella is indeed a lovely short escape. And animals are so good to come home too — dogs are especially welcoming, and some cats, too, but even the cats who get snooty about being ignored while you’re off doing frivolous things like working to afford their cat food — the snootiness is a sign that you still matter and your absence was noted. 🙂
Louisa I always feel for the poor sales people at Christmas time — such a frenzy of hard work, and customers not on their best behavior. A Christmas novella is indeed a lovely short escape. And animals are so good to come home too — dogs are especially welcoming, and some cats, too, but even the cats who get snooty about being ignored while you’re off doing frivolous things like working to afford their cat food — the snootiness is a sign that you still matter and your absence was noted. 🙂
Louisa I always feel for the poor sales people at Christmas time — such a frenzy of hard work, and customers not on their best behavior. A Christmas novella is indeed a lovely short escape. And animals are so good to come home too — dogs are especially welcoming, and some cats, too, but even the cats who get snooty about being ignored while you’re off doing frivolous things like working to afford their cat food — the snootiness is a sign that you still matter and your absence was noted. 🙂
Reading bliss.
Reading bliss.
Reading bliss.
Reading bliss.
Reading bliss.
Sounds wonderful Laura. A friend of mine has just discovered the joys of making digital photo albums — they do sound enticing.
Sounds wonderful Laura. A friend of mine has just discovered the joys of making digital photo albums — they do sound enticing.
Sounds wonderful Laura. A friend of mine has just discovered the joys of making digital photo albums — they do sound enticing.
Sounds wonderful Laura. A friend of mine has just discovered the joys of making digital photo albums — they do sound enticing.
Sounds wonderful Laura. A friend of mine has just discovered the joys of making digital photo albums — they do sound enticing.
Parks in the city are essential to mental health, I think. I’ve just dropped some visitors outside the Botanical gardens in Melbourne — they wanted some quiet walking through beautiful gardens, and these were just the ticket.
Parks in the city are essential to mental health, I think. I’ve just dropped some visitors outside the Botanical gardens in Melbourne — they wanted some quiet walking through beautiful gardens, and these were just the ticket.
Parks in the city are essential to mental health, I think. I’ve just dropped some visitors outside the Botanical gardens in Melbourne — they wanted some quiet walking through beautiful gardens, and these were just the ticket.
Parks in the city are essential to mental health, I think. I’ve just dropped some visitors outside the Botanical gardens in Melbourne — they wanted some quiet walking through beautiful gardens, and these were just the ticket.
Parks in the city are essential to mental health, I think. I’ve just dropped some visitors outside the Botanical gardens in Melbourne — they wanted some quiet walking through beautiful gardens, and these were just the ticket.
Sounds lovely, Karin. A friend of mine used to get so relaxed in her yoga class that she’d fall asleep — and snore — which did nothing for the relaxation of the others in the class. Eventually she was asked to leave the class. 🙂
Sounds lovely, Karin. A friend of mine used to get so relaxed in her yoga class that she’d fall asleep — and snore — which did nothing for the relaxation of the others in the class. Eventually she was asked to leave the class. 🙂
Sounds lovely, Karin. A friend of mine used to get so relaxed in her yoga class that she’d fall asleep — and snore — which did nothing for the relaxation of the others in the class. Eventually she was asked to leave the class. 🙂
Sounds lovely, Karin. A friend of mine used to get so relaxed in her yoga class that she’d fall asleep — and snore — which did nothing for the relaxation of the others in the class. Eventually she was asked to leave the class. 🙂
Sounds lovely, Karin. A friend of mine used to get so relaxed in her yoga class that she’d fall asleep — and snore — which did nothing for the relaxation of the others in the class. Eventually she was asked to leave the class. 🙂
Wow, Mary Jane, what an interesting thing to be doing — and how wonderful if you can help solve the problem. Best of luck in tracking it down.
Wow, Mary Jane, what an interesting thing to be doing — and how wonderful if you can help solve the problem. Best of luck in tracking it down.
Wow, Mary Jane, what an interesting thing to be doing — and how wonderful if you can help solve the problem. Best of luck in tracking it down.
Wow, Mary Jane, what an interesting thing to be doing — and how wonderful if you can help solve the problem. Best of luck in tracking it down.
Wow, Mary Jane, what an interesting thing to be doing — and how wonderful if you can help solve the problem. Best of luck in tracking it down.
Multiple Christmases are especially good when you’re young and everyone feels obliged to give almost as many presents the second time!
Multiple Christmases are especially good when you’re young and everyone feels obliged to give almost as many presents the second time!
Multiple Christmases are especially good when you’re young and everyone feels obliged to give almost as many presents the second time!
Multiple Christmases are especially good when you’re young and everyone feels obliged to give almost as many presents the second time!
Multiple Christmases are especially good when you’re young and everyone feels obliged to give almost as many presents the second time!
I’m so impressed by the number of people who don’t do much stress! Clearly I need to take lessons. But it’s heartening to know there is another way and as you say, Sue, if you have those favourite everyday activities they will act as de-stressers for you.
I’m so impressed by the number of people who don’t do much stress! Clearly I need to take lessons. But it’s heartening to know there is another way and as you say, Sue, if you have those favourite everyday activities they will act as de-stressers for you.
I’m so impressed by the number of people who don’t do much stress! Clearly I need to take lessons. But it’s heartening to know there is another way and as you say, Sue, if you have those favourite everyday activities they will act as de-stressers for you.
I’m so impressed by the number of people who don’t do much stress! Clearly I need to take lessons. But it’s heartening to know there is another way and as you say, Sue, if you have those favourite everyday activities they will act as de-stressers for you.
I’m so impressed by the number of people who don’t do much stress! Clearly I need to take lessons. But it’s heartening to know there is another way and as you say, Sue, if you have those favourite everyday activities they will act as de-stressers for you.
That’s fascinating, Mary Jane. I didn’t even know people did such work. Good for you.
That’s fascinating, Mary Jane. I didn’t even know people did such work. Good for you.
That’s fascinating, Mary Jane. I didn’t even know people did such work. Good for you.
That’s fascinating, Mary Jane. I didn’t even know people did such work. Good for you.
That’s fascinating, Mary Jane. I didn’t even know people did such work. Good for you.
I love bubble baths, books and a wine or tea. When we built our house the lighting designer wanted to know if I wanted a chandelier above the soaking tub. I told him no I want bright lights to read by. He looked at me very oddly.
I am gradually agreeing with those that find excercise a remedy for stress, but I still prefer curling up with a book.
I love bubble baths, books and a wine or tea. When we built our house the lighting designer wanted to know if I wanted a chandelier above the soaking tub. I told him no I want bright lights to read by. He looked at me very oddly.
I am gradually agreeing with those that find excercise a remedy for stress, but I still prefer curling up with a book.
I love bubble baths, books and a wine or tea. When we built our house the lighting designer wanted to know if I wanted a chandelier above the soaking tub. I told him no I want bright lights to read by. He looked at me very oddly.
I am gradually agreeing with those that find excercise a remedy for stress, but I still prefer curling up with a book.
I love bubble baths, books and a wine or tea. When we built our house the lighting designer wanted to know if I wanted a chandelier above the soaking tub. I told him no I want bright lights to read by. He looked at me very oddly.
I am gradually agreeing with those that find excercise a remedy for stress, but I still prefer curling up with a book.
I love bubble baths, books and a wine or tea. When we built our house the lighting designer wanted to know if I wanted a chandelier above the soaking tub. I told him no I want bright lights to read by. He looked at me very oddly.
I am gradually agreeing with those that find excercise a remedy for stress, but I still prefer curling up with a book.
I read or binge watch to relax. ARound Christmas I try to watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol (my favorite is the Alastair Sim one) and some old favorite Christmas story, like Edith Layton’s The Hounds of Heaven.
Or I putter around the apartment. I am always amazed at the amount of stuff there is to be picked up and put away with only one person (me) living here. This month I will be having a look through the closet to see which Christmas decorations I want to put out, and looking at my gift list to make sure that I don’t make the same mistakes I made last year — my goal is to make all new mistakes.
I read or binge watch to relax. ARound Christmas I try to watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol (my favorite is the Alastair Sim one) and some old favorite Christmas story, like Edith Layton’s The Hounds of Heaven.
Or I putter around the apartment. I am always amazed at the amount of stuff there is to be picked up and put away with only one person (me) living here. This month I will be having a look through the closet to see which Christmas decorations I want to put out, and looking at my gift list to make sure that I don’t make the same mistakes I made last year — my goal is to make all new mistakes.
I read or binge watch to relax. ARound Christmas I try to watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol (my favorite is the Alastair Sim one) and some old favorite Christmas story, like Edith Layton’s The Hounds of Heaven.
Or I putter around the apartment. I am always amazed at the amount of stuff there is to be picked up and put away with only one person (me) living here. This month I will be having a look through the closet to see which Christmas decorations I want to put out, and looking at my gift list to make sure that I don’t make the same mistakes I made last year — my goal is to make all new mistakes.
I read or binge watch to relax. ARound Christmas I try to watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol (my favorite is the Alastair Sim one) and some old favorite Christmas story, like Edith Layton’s The Hounds of Heaven.
Or I putter around the apartment. I am always amazed at the amount of stuff there is to be picked up and put away with only one person (me) living here. This month I will be having a look through the closet to see which Christmas decorations I want to put out, and looking at my gift list to make sure that I don’t make the same mistakes I made last year — my goal is to make all new mistakes.
I read or binge watch to relax. ARound Christmas I try to watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol (my favorite is the Alastair Sim one) and some old favorite Christmas story, like Edith Layton’s The Hounds of Heaven.
Or I putter around the apartment. I am always amazed at the amount of stuff there is to be picked up and put away with only one person (me) living here. This month I will be having a look through the closet to see which Christmas decorations I want to put out, and looking at my gift list to make sure that I don’t make the same mistakes I made last year — my goal is to make all new mistakes.