Hang A Shining Star Upon the Highest Bough

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

I adore getting holiday photo cards in the mail this time of year, and every year I think maybe I should make one too. Since yet another year passed without an actual photo card from me, I figured I could make a little digital one to share here.

And you know what…

I'm actually not photo-card ready (especially not if it was supposed to be a family card from my spouse and me, since those three selfies are pretty much it, unless he's got some gems hiding on his phone). This is the beautiful thing about running quick little life experiments—prototypes, if you will—sometimes we realize that thing we thought would be great isn't really for us after all. Other times, something we thought would be outside our particular skill level turns out deliciously (like those bagels and rolls above).

So here's to trying. To running the little experiments. And not worrying so much about the outcome. It's just a little data point about who we are right now, in this moment in time.

And here's also to taking whatever it is you need during this holiday season. Be it rest or activity. Solitude or company. Quiet or cacophony. Merry or melancholy or somewhere in the middle.

Let your heart be light.

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Squirrel of the Week

Holiday version! Thanks to

Amanda Sue Creasey

for sending both of these holiday gems my way.

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Happiest of holidays to you! Sending so much gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you and the precious time you spend with my words and squirrels (and sometimes squirrel-y words) each week. It's been a year of change for me professionally, and the space I carve out to write here has felt so important while simultaneously feeling a little squeezed in around the edges at times. All that to say, it's been especially meaningful to have your support.

And if this time of year isn't so merry and bright for you, know that I'm holding extra space for you today. Be gentle with yourself—there's no one right way to holiday (including not holiday-ing at all).

Be well, find tiny joy—

Mary Chris