January 2026

Oh the promise of a new year, and yet, every year we end up in a month where the time seems to speed by, and stand still. For personal, political, and professional reasons, this month has been a challenging one to say the least. I’ve tried to stay positive, to not spend days in the fetal position, to not explode with rage and frustration, to find gratitude in every day, but it’s been hard. I’m still not in a rhythm here, mainly for reasons out of my control, but many are things that are ultimately my responsibility. I’m still learning, still growing, still making mistakes, still navigating this life and its many challenges. 

I’d fully anticipated having my AirBnB experience up and running that I worked so hard on, and that the amazing Blair Heagerty did an amazing photo shoot of, and that my incredible friends showed up and modeled for. But, AirBnB has not approved it, which makes no sense, so one of my many tasks for the day of catching up is to reach out to them to try and figure out how I can get it approved and start marketing it. If that doesn’t happen, then I’ll figure out alternative platforms, or just go it alone. And, I’m still working on the permitting process for getting the commercial building approved for hosting events. The first meeting did not go well because of parking issues I’m still working on a solution for, and figuring out how to have the least impact on my neighbors. So although the space is ready, it’s sitting unused, unheated, and the once thriving indoor plants have all now frozen and are brown and lifeless. And to top that off, the display refrigerator that I preemptively filled with healthy beverages, is now coated in sweet smelling ice from the cans that exploded. 

I have a new contractor working on remodeling the level that I hope to turn into the commercial kitchen, but it’s been unbearably cold in there, and he’s had some issues that prevented him from doing it all in the week that we’d scheduled. So there’s new insulation up, rotten wood removed, but a heap of debris where the retail space will be, and one of the brand new windows decided to form a crack clear across it. Another call I have to make. Next week should be better. 

I’ve missed a couple of the farmers markets, but will be back on Saturday with my bone broth and collagen marshmallows. I’m amazed at how popular the Golden Milk ones are. I’m starting to get regulars, starting to recognize people. It’s hard to not spend all of my profits on goodies from other vendors, but I need to be realistic and start making back some of the money that I’ve invested in this venture. 

The ducks are doing well. Monte moved them to the greenhouse we built for them because of the crazy storm and sub zero temps. I let them out for a bit while I was getting their hot water bucket from the house, and they ended up just kind of laying in the snow. They’d try to get away from me, and then just land on top of each other and sit there until I gathered them one by one and put them back. 

People are always asking me if I like the cold. I don’t dislike it. And I’m not out working in it like my dad did growing up. I’m warm inside, in front of a computer, or in the kitchen, or working on turning over the AirBnBs. One of my favorite things is watching the snow, and the snow blanketing everything. Erasing the tracks, covering the dirt, providing a beautiful blank slate. It’s good for my soul. Something about it is so peaceful. 

What I don’t like are the off the charts propane and electrical bills. We went out yesterday and assembled what I imagined would be a genius way to remove snow from the solar panels, by tossing a long nylon rope over the top, and then dragging it across to scrape off the snow. It didn’t work, and now the rope is caught between two of the panels. Maybe I need a thicker rope? All I know is that I’m desperate for a solution to minimize the bills, and maximize the solar generating power of that massive structure. I have to figure out what is causing the bills to be so much bigger than last winter. The electric car I leased is getting used as a commuter car every day for Monte to get to his jobs, so that is probably a big one, but at these rates it might be cheaper to take the truck and fill it up with gas. I’ve been told it’s better to keep the splits running constantly, than to turn them on and off, which still doesn’t make sense to me, but with the temps in the single digits, I can’t afford to turn them off and risk pipes bursting. Similarly I was told to keep the house at 68 with the boiler, then to have parts of the house at 55, and heat them up when they’re being used, which also makes no sense to me, but I’ve been told by many people that is true. I want to get a couple of pellet stoves. Those have amazing reviews, and seem much less expensive to run than the propane and the electricity, but everytime I try to go to the pellet stove store they are either closed or the small steep driveway to get to the building seems too icy to risk driving up or down. At this point that may be a winter 2027 goal. 

I turned 46 on the 20th. I’ve always tried to do something special for my birthday, but this year there was just too much going on, and celebrating was the last thing that I wanted to do. I actually scheduled work in California that week to keep me distracted. I’ll raincheck it this year. Or make up for it next year. We’ll see. 

I have so many goals for this year, many of them contingent on my ability to host events here. I desperately want to start enjoying being here. Finding time to read, to write, to create, to try snow sports, to cook new things, to spend time with new friends. To fully utilize this very special place, to start working on the future, create community, share my skills, find peace, find inspiration, find happiness. To change my list of dreaded to-do’s to a list of things that will move the needle that I enjoy doing. 

I’ve tried to incorporate more self care into my daily life. As much of this as I can I do in front of the large windows overlooking the property. I start the morning reading and journaling while on the PEMF mat (that may or may not be giving my body the benefits that were marketed so well to me) while sitting under a red light. I take a bunch of supplements promising to keep my skin young, my hair growing, my body healthy, my mind functioning. My skin care consists of a toner and oils that I rub in while doing lymphatic drainage and sculpting massages. If I can make the time (and find the discipline) I do 100 kettle bell thrusts, and spend 10 minutes on the vibra plate. I get fresh air when I visit the ducks twice a day. I’ve just treated myself to a towel warmer that I plan on using for pajamas and socks, as well as one of the giant towels that I splurged on for my guests and myself (nothing worse than a towel that’s too small when you’re fresh out of a shower). I’m trying to get better at reading a book before bed instead of endlessly scrolling tiktok, although that gives my mind the distraction I crave as I follow my virtual friend’s lives on their journeys. The bed is preheated by the time I get in it, and if I’m lucky I can sleep clear to 4am before my monkey mind jolts me out of sleep with adrenaline that doesn’t wear off until between 7 and 8am. 

I try to find tiny pleasures, things that don’t take a lot of time or effort. Adding a small branch that’s broken off of one of the Maple’s to a vase, spending time on a paint by number set, lighting a candle, burning Palo Santo, a glass of wine and a good tv show, or a cup of what I call Warm Maple. It’s a hot chocolate, but with maple syrup instead of chocolate syrup, and I top mine with a pinch of flaky sea salt. I’ve used both homemade cashew milk (unreasonably good), as well as local whole milk, both versions are great. If you have an electric milk frother, it makes it that much easier, otherwise it just takes a couple of minutes on the stove. You can spike it with rum, brandy, or my personal favorite Metcalfe’s Maple Cream Liquor. 

I hope that this year turns around, that the promise of shedding the things that don't serve us, and welcoming in the year of the horse, of forward motion, excitement, and rapid transformation will pay off. I hope we all encounter so much ease, on our bodies, minds, and spirits. I hope this madness will end, that we'll start to bond and create community, that we'll feel safe in this country again, that we won't continue to have to fear for ourselves and our neighbors, that we can get the care that we deserve, that we can be present and not in a constant state of anxiety. In the meantime, treat yourself to a warm maple, get cozy under an electric blanket, turn the TV on or grab a good book, and escape for a spell.

Recipe: Warm Maple

The easiest way to do this is with an electric milk steamer. Of course you can heat the milk and use the frothing wand, but then you have to dirty another piece of equipment, and that delays the gratification of sitting down and enjoying your hot maple. The froth, as with a cappuccino, is the best part, and with the flakes of french sea salt you’re in for a real treat. 

1c Whole Milk (or homemade cashew milk if you want to use a plant based alternative. 

1T Maple Syrup (Baird Family is my favorite!)

Sprinkle of Maldon Sea Salt

2 oz Rum, Brandy, or Metcalfe’s Maple Cream Liquor

Gently bring the milk and maple syrup to a simmer, whisking or using a frother until the milk is hot and foamy. If making the adult version, pour alcohol into your favorite mug. Pour hot frothy milk into mug and sprinkle with flaky salt.