Share Four Somethings - December 2025

Each month we're each invited to share things in these categories: Some Things I Loved, Some Things I Learned, Some Things That Went Well, and Some Thing I Let Go Of. I usually like to include a little bit of a bonus: Some Things I  Read and a little of What's Coming Up Soon. 

Some Things I Loved:

I love all the holiday things! Christmas lights, Christmas sweets and treats, Christmas decorations, Christmas movies, Christmas music, and best of all, the family time! 

Some Things I Learned:

Here's a bit of useless knowledge I learned recently. I feel like most people refer to these creatures as gnomes, but in fact these guys that have their faces obscured by their beards and hats, with only the nose visible, are actually called gonks. Gnomes are European folklore figures, and their faces are visible. They're more like garden guardians and associated with protection and good fortune. Gonks are based on Nordic "nisse" or "tomte" and associated more with winter holidays and home protection. And we do see these characters around during the holidays. I don't think it's bad luck to call a gonk by the wrong name, but why take chances! 

We saw these gonks at one of the metro parks,
and our son and granddaughter gave us the "gonks
vs gnomes" information

Some Things That Went Well:

Our trip to Maryland for Christmas went very well. We had good weather and roads for the drive there and the drive back. Everyone in the family was healthy so no colds and sniffles got in the way. The day after Christmas there was weather advisories so we adjusted our plan and went out for lunch instead of dinner (that was my birthday meal) so we were able to get home before the roads got treacherous. 

Looking back over the year, I'm reflecting on what went well and what didn't in terms of my Word of the Year. I tried to focus on following through and practicing the habits and disciplines I wanted to develop. I was able to establish some really good habits and be consistent with them, so in many ways the Word of the Year 2025 - Practice went well. There's room for improvement in a lot of things as well, especially being disciplined and consistent with the household tasks that I don't enjoy! 

Some Things I Let Go Of:

Unplanned, and certainly before we'd intended it, but we are in the process of letting go of one of our cars. My RAV4 came to an abrupt stop one Sunday night as I was on my way home from a chorus event, and we couldn't get it started again. Fortunately, when the car died it was just a couple miles from home so my husband was able to come get me. It was bitterly cold that night and the tow trucks were kept very busy. Then it was Tuesday morning before the garage could check the car and let us know what it needed. Bad news - it needed a new engine. UGH. We made the decision to sell the car at a loss (which means paying off what we owe on it too - another UGH) and start over by buying something newer. 

RIP old blue RAV4

So . . . letting go of that car and a fair amount of money . . . but yes, I'm super happy about our almost new 2024 RAV4! I've always laughed at the car dealership ads with the new cars "gift wrapped" in someone's driveway, but given the season I said I wanted a big red bow on my 'new' car. Imagine my disappointment that the dealership didn't have one to give me. Thank you, AI photo editing, for helping me add one.

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Some Things I Read:

Finished and reviewed these since my last SFS:

Monet For Nothing by PJ Fitzsimmons

A Holiday By Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister (review coming!)

Here are the books I'm currently reading:

A Certain Darkness by Anna Lee Huber

 

All of my reading news is at Just A Second if you're interested.

What's Coming Up Soon?

In a couple days, our son and our daughter and her boyfriend will be here to spend New Years with us! Knowing they'd be coming so soon made it a little easier to say goodbye to them when we packed up after the Christmas trip. We're planning a couple of fun things to do while they are here, and I took an extra day off work to spend with them. Just hanging out together and playing games and toasting the New Year will be a real treat!

Near the end of January, I have a Regional chorus event I'm going to which should be a lot of fun.

Share something in the comments, or share four somethings with the rest of us in the link party!

This post will be linked at My Joyful Life in the Share Four Somethings link party.

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 ©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

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Scripture and a Snapshot - His Star

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

~Matthew 2:1-2~

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LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the seas,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

~Psalm 8~

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WQ - Holiday Memories

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

My post this week is a simple collection of quotes and photos, as I'm taking some time to spend the holidays with family, making new holiday memories. Thank you for stopping by, whenever you happen to visit. At the bottom of this post is a linky where you can add your own post sharing a quote or two about the holidays and the memories associated with this time of year. You'll also find more info about the Wednesday Quotes link-up and see the date and theme for the first WQ of 2026. A full list of topics and dates, and a button for 2026 are coming soon!

It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul. ~Caroline Kennedy

Holidays are about creating cherished memories with loved ones and finding magic in the simplest moments. ~Jeremiah Say

Since I'm always working, my best holiday memories are definitely when I can just go home and spend time with my family. ~Chris Brown

Every year we celebrate the holy season of Advent, O God. Every year we pray those beautiful prayers of longing and waiting, and sing those lovely songs of hope and promise. ~Karl Rahner

Before we took down the tree each year, Dad would always say a prayer that we would be together the next Christmas. I cling to that prayer, which serves as a reminder that it's important to be grateful in the present for the people you love because, well, you never know. ~Catherine Hicks

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home. ~Charles Dickens

Traditions are a gift. The gift of family identity and harmony. The gift of being connected to our heritage. The gift of continuing the best of that heritage. The gift of spiritual and family values. The gift of shared memories. ~Me, from The Gift of Traditions at Homeschool Coffee Break

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Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive. 

Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me. 

And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking. 

~Gregory Maguire~

Wednesday Quotes 2025 Themes

January 8 - Planning Ahead/Setting Goals

January 22 - Winter Sleep

February 5 - Love Inspires Us

February 19 - Staying Balanced

March 5 - First Impressions

 March 19 - Looking After Yourself

April 2 - Competition

April 16 - Spring Colours

April 30 - Morning Routines

May 14 - Memorable Vacations

May 28 - Telling Your Stories

June 11 - Summer Fun

June 25 - Patriotism

July 9 - Hobbies

July 23 - Being Adventurous

August 6 - Spirituality

August 20 - Writing Letters

September 3 - Chocolate

September 17 - Making and Keeping Promises

October 1 - Autumn/Another Spring

October 15 - Daily Bread

October 29 - Night Skies/Stargazing

November 12 - Good Manners

November 26 - Celebrating Holidays

December 10 - Winter Wonderland

December 24 - Holiday Memories

January 7 - Resolutions

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 ©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Light and Glory (Advent IV - Love)

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel."

~Luke 2:25-32~

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

~John 1:14~

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©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

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Everyday Images #77

Welcome to another installment of my challenge and reminder to myself to take photos somewhat regularly. I'm not a photographer, but I enjoy taking everyday photos of things I find interesting or want to remember later, and I find that I notice interesting things when I'm intentionally watching for them. Having some prompts that are open to interpretation has helped me pay a little more attention to what's around me. Every two weeks I have a few words and phrases that I'm focusing on, and I try to find opportunities to take pictures of these things each week.

December Prompts - Everyday Images #77

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at home (monthly)

collection

love

white

traditional

pine

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at home (monthly)

collection - I added to my collection of coffee-themed ornaments

love - I need to remember to smile when we all look down at the camera. LOL

white - lots and lots of white snow fell on the weekend!

traditional

pine - well, technically my wreath is made of Canaan Fir, but I tend to use "pine" as a generic term for evergreens, even though I know it's not correct.

And a few bonus photos:

I went to the Holiday Open House at the Ohio State House. The chorus performed some Christmas music, and I looked around at some of the beautiful (and huge!) trees and decor. And paused to enjoy some Nutcracker highlights.

The first Saturday in December was pretty nice weather. I went to Timbuk Farms first thing in the morning and looked around a bit, and picked out my wreath and porch pot. I thought this little guy in the petting zoo area was absolutely adorable. 

In the afternoon, we went to Pataskala for the cookie walk. I think this might be the only photo I took though.

Part of our haul:

From Pataskala we headed over to the Dawes Arboretum for the Winter Wonders Walk. We thought this projected light display was really cool!

Strolled along the walk past the historic house and grounds, and enjoyed many great views of the lights. It was pretty chilly by then, and we were getting hungry, so we hustled along.

Last Thursday we met the kids at the mall and took in the holiday drone show and got hot cocoa. 

This past weekend it got pretty cold and we got some more snow. In the morning, hubby and I went to help and an open house for a childrens center ministry. When we got back we visited Oakland Nurseries, mainly since I hadn't been there yet. 

No photos of it, but on Sunday night when I was on my way home, my car died. Just gave up the ghost. Made for an interesting evening and a somewhat challenging week. 

Tuesday night we had tickets to the Blue Jackets game, and I guess Santa did as well.

I am sharing my photos every other Thursday, along with my prompts for the next two weeks. You can use all or some of the prompts for your own photo posts, or none of the prompts and just link up a post featuring your photos. Simple rules: Your posts must be family-friendly; the photos must be your own; and the post must be mostly photos. If you do share I'd appreciate a mention and link to A Fresh Cup of Coffee on your post.

Everyday Images will continue in 2025, every other Thursday, and the link-up is open for two weeks. I'm planning to continue in 2026, and I hope you'll continue to join me!

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Wrapping Up 2025 - Everyday Images #78

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Everyday Images #78 will be a wrap-up of 2025 photos. Share favorites from the year, collages of the monthly and quarterly collections, a highlight from each month, or whatever works for you. Thanks for playing along with me, and I look forward to Everyday Images 2026!

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 ©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation.  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.