Beyond Words

Tomorrow starts a brand new year that, if you allow it, brings with it a tasty new beginning.  The slate is clean and the page is blank, so make it your own and make it delicious.  All that’s needed is the right attitude and the right ingredients.

Recipe For a New Year

Take 12 months and clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, resentment, hate, and jealousy.

Cut into weeks and days and into each mix well with faith, patience, courage, gratitude, and compassion.

Blend with kindness, hope, honesty, prayer, generosity, and prayer.

Sprinkle all with a dash of fun, humor, and joy.

Serve with unselfishness and a cheerful spirit.

We all know the real recipe for New Year’s Day celebrations in the U.S. is a big pot of black-eyed peas, which represent luck.  Many add pork, to signify prosperity, and make what’s called “Hoppin John,” a brothy dish of peas, pork, and rice. Said to have originated in the 1800s in the Low Country of South Carolina or, take your pick on historians, ancient roots in West Africa. Either way, the ingredients are what count as each one has specific meanings. Black-eyed peas represent coins, collard greens symbolize paper money, pork is said to bring advancement, and the accompanying corn bread symbolizes gold. It’s all about luck and it’s said that the more you eat, the more good fortune will come your way.

As for around the world, the new year is celebrated and commemorated in these unique ways:

At midnight in Spain and some parts of Latin America, revelers pop 12 grapes, one at each stroke of the clock, to symbolize success for each month of the coming year.

The Japanese eat buckwheat soba noodles, which are associated with a long life. They also welcome the first sunrise of the new year with “hatsuhinode.”

Pomegranates represent fertility and are popular in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries.

Leafy greens signify money, so Danes eat stewed kale sprinkled with cinnamon.

Here are some other fun and interesting new year good luck traditions:

However you do it, do it safely and have fun!

Tis the season and that time of year…time for a new calendar or planner. Miss Hyper Planner here loves getting out my new calendar, filling in events and dates, settling into my chair, and settling into a new year. It’s right up there with my annual “Polar Plunge” in that it starts me off fresh and refreshed and ready to take on anything!

Most of us have a lot on our plates including both professional and personal demands. Using a planner has many benefits that go way beyond simply remembering appointments. You can actually reduce your stress and even improve your health by putting one to daily use as it goes hand-in-hand in that by writing things down you don’t have to remember about them or worry about forgetting to do them, which reduces your stress, which is good for your health. Bingo!

Getting better organized is never a bad thing and neither is scheduling our tasks and our time more effectively and efficiently. Using a planner to jot down to do lists, meetings, trips, appointments, deadlines, birthdays and the likes is efficient and can also free up your schedule, leaving room for more fun and creative endeavors including self-care, exercise, the great outdoors, and maybe even a new hobby. They’re also great little keepers of the past like when you need to reference when you last went to a doctor, when you took that vacation, or when your dog needs her shots.

I’m guessing that most people think of planners in a professional workplace or school setting but productivity is just as important at the home as it is at the office or classroom. Household chores and tasks like weekly cleaning, grocery shopping, kids’ schedules, meal planning, and even DIY projects should all have their place in a planner.

One of my favorite influencers, Tania Stephens, wrote about this recently, saying “there’s something just wonderful about cracking open a brand-new planner.” Amen Tania! I totally agree with her in that the first page or month feels like a clean slate full of hope and obtainable goals. I’m ready 2026!

Back in the day I was a huge Franklin Planner girl. I loved the many pages one contained as well as all the options it offered for dates, budget, goals, and everything else under the planning sun. Once I left the workplace though, I Ieft behind a detailed planner. I became a page-a-month calendar girl and have liked it for many, many years.

For years I ordered the one from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, as each month’s artwork was provided by young cancer patients and I loved supporting the cause. Last year they stopped making them though, which broke my heart and forced me to venture elsewhere to find a similar make and model. Blasted phones and their calendars. They’re why M.D. Anderson probably stopped making them!

I’ve never felt comfortable with just my phone calendar. I know many people, maybe even you, swear by them but similar to books, there’s just something about a physical calendar in my hands that makes me smile. I do use my phone though in that I take a photo of my physical calendar pages and have a “Calendar” photo album on my phone. I know it sounds crazy but it works for me. Others say they use digital calendars for appointments and paper ones for daily planning. I did find a calendar I liked for 2025 but after reading Tania’s blog and looking at her samples, I started thinking about using a true planner again albeit a way less detailed one then my former Franklin Planner.

New year new planner? That’s the plan!

There are planners for everyone and everyone’s needs and tastes out there and it was actually a bit stressful considering the different options as I sat at my computer looking at all the choices and options. At one point I was tempted to venture into an Office Depot but being that it was pre-Christmas shopping at its highest time, retailing stressed me out even more.

Some planners are simple others are detailed. Some are formal some are whimsical. You may even have your favorite. Share, share, share!  In the meantime, here are just a few of the varieties:

• Structured planners for goal setters
• Flexible planners you add dates to and can start anytime
• Fun and motivating planners filled with quotes and tips
• Faith-filled and faith-based planners that include scripture and prayers
• Planners for those who love details
• Planners of all sizes and styles

Once you settle on a format you like, then you need to decide how you want that planner configured. The first thing I looked at were planners that had both monthly/daily and weekly pages. I want one big page for each month that I can include consistent commitments on. From there I’d like a daily page that I can write down things that pop up, appointments, and reminders. I’m a big “write it down” girl so these pages could prove invaluable to me. I’ll be making those lists and checking them at least twice.

From there you can personalize your planner if you choose with stickers, pages to doodle on, colorful pens, or whatever you like.

Size also matters. I prefer 8.5 x 11” as it allows plenty of room for jotting things down and adding things in but it’s also compact enough to fit in a purse or carry-on and fits perfectly on my desk. All the other added extras like stickers, budgeting pages, habit trackers, and stickers mean nothing to me, although I do like a “Today” type book marker so I can open up right to today or this month.

All in all, using a planner can ultimately give you a sense of accomplishment as you look back at the things you got done. Crossing items off our ever present and ever-growing to-do lists is a great feeling and a great way of staying motivated.

As Tania reminds us, the perfect planner won’t make your life perfect but it may perfectly fit your lifestyle and allow things to feel centered and doable. It could also help you take the guesswork out of your organizational ambitions and get you started on a path to planning, organizing, and keeping everything running smoothly.

If you liked what you used last year, don’t change a thing but if you’re looking for a different route or method there are plenty of choices out there. Take your pick and then take a pen and starting entering loves and life.

While putting Christmas ornaments on our tree recently, I came across a little bag of ornaments I brought home from my mom’s earlier this year after her passing. My niece rightly took home my mom’s childhood ornament that is so special to all of us, but the ones I brought home are special nonetheless.

One of them is this old-fashioned blown-glass ornament, the kind that I remember filling up our tree when I was growing up along with tinsel and old-school tree topper. The hallowed-out ornament is pretty special to me and will forever have a special place on our tree.

About the time I’m decorating our tree, I read that handblown glass ornaments like my mom’s were first made in Germany around 1850 and that it was none other than F.W. Woolworth who brought them stateside. This made me nostalgic all over again as the Woolworth’s in Santa Fe holds a special place in my heart.

Sitting front and center on Santa Fe’s famous Plaza, Woolworth’s was somewhere I frequented. Whether it was to go shopping with my mom or eat there during lunch breaks from my nearby ninth grade school, you could say Woolworth’s has been a part of my life since day one. It’s where I ate my first and still favorite Frito Pie, served in the bag of Frito’s, and where I sat the soda fountain and met up with friends. Little did I know that all that time blown glass Christmas ornaments were popular items sold.

Fast forward 20 years or so and I found myself at yet another “Five and Dime,” this time it being Vidler’s in East Aurora, NY. Quite the jump from Woolworth’s in Santa Fe, but that was the case after marrying a man from East Aurora.

Just south of Buffalo, East Aurora is the quintessential Hallmark movie town. Locals call it “the village” and a Hallmark movie was recently filmed there and is airing currently on the channel. Vidler’s plays a central role in the film and is one of my favorite places to browse around when we go there. It’s been around since 1930, is currently run by third generation Vidlers, and is considered the world’s largest 5 & 10. Inside its two levels occupying four connected 19^th century buildings right on red-brick Main Street, you’ll find everything from nostalgic candy and toys, kitchen gadgets and home goods, arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, and seasonal décor as well as an old-fashioned candy counter and popcorn machine. It’s truly a blast from the past.

This kind of trip back in time is what Woolworth’s was all about. Conceived by Frank Woolworth and formally incorporated in 1905 as the “F.W. Woolworth & Company,” his concept consisted of a fixed and low-price store that would compete with the then U.S. retailers, which consisted mostly of large and expensive department stores, specialty stores, and general stores. It was a hit and his business model was copied by others in almost every large city and small town across America. When Woolworth’s corporate office building in New York was completed in 1913, it was the world’s tallest and today is still one of the 50 tallest in the U.S.

Between the early 1900s and 1960s, Woolworth’s was one of the largest corporations in the world with more than 2,000 U.S. stores and 4,000 worldwide. Woolworth’s closed for good in 1997, the victim of changing times, competition, inflation, and consumer habits but not before Frank Woolworth took a risk that paid off big.

In 1880 he reluctantly agreed to buy a box of fragile glass baubles meant to hang on Christmas trees after haggling with a German traveling salesman who entered his store in Lancaster, PA. Woolworth wasn’t sold on their allure, but agreed to buy them with the stipulation that he could return any unsold ones. Shoppers loved them and they sold out in mere hours. What began as a small gamble would reshape Christmas traditions worldwide.

Historically, the first decorated trees were adorned with apples, candy canes, and pastries. Glass ornaments were first made in Lauscha, Germany by Hans Greiner. Other glassblowers recognized the growing popularity of ornaments and began producing various designs. Soon all of Germany was buying Christmas glassware from Lauscha. Then, on Christmas Eve in 1832 a young girl named Victoria wrote about having a tree hung with lights and ornaments. A picture of her tree was shown in a London newspaper decorated with glass ornaments from her husband Prince Albert’s native Germany and soon Lauscha was exporting its products throughout Europe.

Woolworth eventually traveled to Lauscha and ordered sets of ornaments to sell in his stores. By doing so, he gave inexpensive access to what were previously expensive and hard-to-get ornaments for most people. By the 20^th century, Woolworth’s had imported 200,000 ornaments and topped $25 million in sales from Christmas decorations alone.

After WWII, the East German government turned most of Lauscha’s glassworks into state-owned entities and production in Lauscha ceased. After the Berlin Wall came down, most of the companies were reestablished and today there are still about 20 small glass-blowing firms in Lauscha. Many silver companies also got on board, including Gorham, Wallace, Towle, Lunt, and Reed & Barton and began manufacturing silver Christmas ornaments. I have a silver ball that was my mother-in-law’s and it’s super heavy!

In a world that’s addicted to screens and showing wealth, it’s nice to know stores like Vidler’s and other general stores and five and dimes still exist as we all need a bit of nostalgia and simplicity every now and then. Especially perhaps during the holidays.

Sixty years ago this year a classic was born when “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was first seen on American televisions. No one knew at the time that it would become a classic but generations have grown to love the simple story of a simple boy wanting to bring simplicity back into Christmas. Yep, that’s really what the legend is all about. Sure, it includes Snoopy’s silly dancing, fun piano riffs, a Christmas pageant, and what is undoubtedly one of the holiday’s most enduring symbols: the infamous Charlie Brown Christmas tree; but ultimately the script reminds us what the real gift of Christmas is.

In the tale, Charlie Brown is bummed because all his buddies…Lucy, Sally, even Snoopy…seem more concerned with presents and money than the reason for the season. Commercialism has run amok and it’s taken the Christmas spirit out of one Mr. Brown. When Lucy suggests he direct the Christmas play, Charlie Brown agrees and all seems to be going well until it’s time for him and Linus to pick out a tree. There’s peer pressure from the cast to choose a shiny aluminum one, but Charlie Brown chooses a small, sickly tree that he innocently believes only needs some tender loving care, saying “This little green one here seems to need a home.” Others laugh at it and at him, but the laughter stops when Linus gives a speech of all speeches in which he quotes Luke 2:8-14.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Then Linus turns to his pal and says, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

End scene. Amen. Hallelujah.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered on CBS on December 9, 1965 and was viewed in and estimated 15,490,000 homes; nearly half of all those watching television that evening.

Shulz’s goal for the special was to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.  Many at the time even back then thought its quoting of the bible should maybe be rethought. Some even went so far as to ask  Schulz to omit any and all scripture. Schulz refused to do so. I can’t help but wonder if that happened today would today’s television producers and writers fall in line with Schulz.

In the end, the sound of sweet-voiced children singing “Christmastime is here” perfectly wrapped up the Christmas tale but it took Charlie Brown, Linus, and a droopy tree to remind everyone that unlike a shimmering aluminum tree, Christmas is not about tinsel and glitter. It’s about a King born in a barn in front of animals. You don’t get any more simple than that. Jesus could have been born anywhere, but He chose to be born in front of the lowly. If there was a tree in the manger, I’m guessing it was more like Charlie Brown’s than any color-coordinated or perfectly adorned tree.

In many Western Christian churches, including most Catholic and Lutheran parishes, today marks the Second Sunday of Advent. Growing up, we didn’t really “celebrate” Advent but I’ve grown to embrace it. Expectation and anticipation come into play as we focus on hope, faith, joy, and peace…the four candles of an Advent wreath.

The word “advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming.” During Advent, Christians patiently await the coming of their Savior, Jesus Christ. It generally begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, ends on Christmas Eve, and ranges in length from 22 to 29 days. Christians around the world have different ways of celebrating Advent. Some light candles, some sing, some eat candy, some give gifts, and some hang wreaths. As I mentioned above, one of the most popular Advent symbols is the Advent wreath.

Origins of the Advent Wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic people who gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in the cold and dark winter months in Eastern Europe. From Germany, the use of the Advent wreath spread across the Christian world.

Christians later kept the popular tradition alive and by the 16^th century Catholics and Prostestants throughout Germany used the symbol to celebrate Advent. Legend has it that the four candles and the four weeks represent 1,000 years and together total the 4,000 years between Adam and Eve and Jesus’ birth. Three candles on the wreath are purple and one is pink. They signify Christ being the light of the world and the contrast between darkness and light.

Today, wreaths are made up of various evergreens shaped in a circle that represents continuous life, as well as four candles that symbolize the four weeks of Advent. On the first Sunday of Advent, a purple “Prophet’s Candle” is lit as we focus on Hope and Jesus’ coming. The second Sunday of Advent’s “Bethelehem Candle” purple candle symbolizes faith and is followed by the third Sunday’s pink “Shepherd’s Candle” reminding us of Joy and the birth of Jesus. On the last Sunday of Advent, the “Angel’s Candle” of Peace is lit. Some Advent wreaths also add a fifth white “Christ Candle” is the middle, which is lit on Christmas.

Then there’s the beloved manger scene: a simple stable complete with animals, a mom, a dad, and a baby like no other. What always reigns me in is the fact that the King of kings chose not to be born in a castle or palace, but in what was in essence a barn. This, along with the poor shepherds surrounding Him, can serve as reminders of the poor among us, as Father Larry reminded us of in today’s mass.

Yesterday Catholics celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas. Considered the “first Santa,” good ole St. Nick wore a red coat like Santa, had a beard, and loved to share and give. He’s also mentioned in the classic “The Night Before Christmas.” Who knew?!

A very rich and generous man, St. Nicholas heard about a family that didn’t have enough money to buy food so he snuck onto their roof and threw some gold coins down their chimney. The coins landed in their stockings, which were hanging over the fire to dry. This, my friends, is why we hang stockings on fireplaces and put treats in them!

Candy canes are also sometimes found on mantels and something about them just makes me smile. I particularly love their red-and-white striped pattern as I love stripes, I love patterns, and I love me some red and white! I remember my mom hanging them on our Christmas tree and although I don’t follow her in that practice, I do have a festive vase of them sitting on my kitchen counter every Christmas. Candy canes are fun and festive and they also have an interesting story behind them.

Did you know the flavor of peppermint is similar to hyssop, which is a member of the mint family and was used in biblical times for purification? The shape of the candy cane also has religious undertones as on that first Christmas morn, who were among the first to visit and meet Baby Jesus? That would be shepherds and as they paid homage to the newborn Savior, they carried with them their crooks, which they used in the field to round up sheep. It’s no coincidence that candy canes resemble those curved, reminders and that like the shepherds, Jesus protects us like His little lambs.

The red and white colors of a candy cane are said to represent purity and love. And finally, what do you get when you turn a candy cane upside down? The letter J. Whose name starts with J? Jesus!

Funny thing though, I really don’t love to eat candy canes. I just like to look at them. Maybe I should rethink this, as peppermint like the kind found in candy canes, actually has some major health benefits.

And last but certainly not least, why do we give presents? Well, think of the 3 Kings. They brought gifts to the infant King and by giving to others, we model their generous act. Our daughter Kristen only gets three presents at Christmas, which has been our family tradition all her life. If three gifts were good enough for Jesus, they are certainly good enough for the rest of us!

All of these things explain some age-old traditions and also demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas. It breaks my heart to see the real reason for the season become increasingly secular, “offensive,” and commercial but my hope is that by sitting back and understanding exactly why we have days off in December and why stores love this time of the year, we will realize that there is so much more to it all than just time off, shopping, and Santa. I have hope.