Common Sense Home Good News Letter 12/14/25

The brilliant sunlight promised warmth, but it was a false promise, as the temperature barely crept above zero, even at high noon. Inside, however, was a different matter indeed, with the kitchen filled with the aroma of gingerbread and family members gathered round, working together to create their "masterpiece".

Growing up back on the family dairy farm as the youngest of six, Christmas season was cookie season. We poured over recipes, usually trying one or two new ones each year. We made up dozens upon dozens of cookies. As the extended family drifted in and out over the holidays, there were always cookies on hand for snacking, plus more than enough to send home cookie plates for those that wanted them.

Nowadays, family has spread to the four winds, and our baking has scaled down considerably, but we still like to make some holiday favorites. (Especially with weather like we had this December, when the extra heat of the oven is much appreciated.)

This week, the boys and I tackled a gingerbread house. My eldest made up the pattern, and Duncan and I tackled the baking and decorating. Their grandma would have been proud of them, as gingerbread houses were another long-standing family tradition.

As we head towards the shortest days of the year, it's a good time to reflect on our blessings, and to rest and renew.

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

Make something together. Choose a small project — baking, building, repairing — and work side by side. Shared effort strengthens bonds as much as the finished result. I always say, "Many hands makes light work."
Keep a little extra on hand. Cookies, soup, or simple snacks make it easier to welcome family, neighbors, or unexpected guests with ease.
Honor a family tradition. Revisit one seasonal custom, even in a scaled-down way. Continuity brings comfort, especially in changing times.
Let warmth do double duty. Use the oven, stove, or a sunny window to warm both your home and your spirits during the coldest days.
Pause for gratitude and rest. Short days are nature’s reminder to slow down, take stock of blessings, and allow yourself a bit more quiet.

Resilience grows in shared moments, and abundance is found in the warmth we create together.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

Laurie and Duncan and the gingerbread house

This week's featured articles...

This is the gingerbread house recipe we used, with building and decorating instructions, plus a couple of photos of the BIG houses our family used to build years ago.