Eating out, fast food and junk food for many of us are a huge blow to the checkbook. So, for the month of January I am planning to focus the whole month on dupe recipes of our favorite restaurants and healthy at home versions of some favorite snack foods. What are some restaurant favs that are a temptations for you?

I quietly tiptoed into Substack a week or so ago and am enjoying sharing reflections there. I'll also be sharing some cooking content as well as we step into 2026. Today's post, though, is about asking if we are too old to take on new ventures. If you are interested, here's the link: https://substack.com/@hopedstephens/note/c-192771119?r=6vj7pm&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

I'm not sure about you guys but this has been a long week for me. I am so thankful for the celebrations, the family and friends, and all the good food. But I am also ready for some lighter meals and a 'long winter's nap'. How about you?

Not that Boxing Day is something that we celebrate in the States, I am a bit curious about it. My understanding is that it's a day of sort of casting off the extras of Christmas Day and sharing it with those who need it (or want it). In some ways, I think we actually do that in our home...to some degree. By evening, I found we were already putting away and giving away some gifts that didn't actually serve us currently. I found myself looking into my refrigerator early this morning and thinking, "Oh, wow. I so need a reset." Time to clear out old, clean out the mess and start fresh. I'm not doing it yet, but thinking about. And the rest extends far beyond the refrigerator. How about you? What thoughts are going through your head this Boxing Day?

My wishes are a little late but only because it has been a sweet day of being present with family. I pray your day has been blessed.