Hello —
I just returned to Minnesota after a month in Washington, and there is lots to do at home, but I wanted to take a break and just say thank you for sticking by me this year.
The holidays have certainly been different this year, but I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.
Our family will be spending lots of time cooking together. We love to cook, and we love to eat. (My specialty is lemon meringue pie, made with my Grandmother’s recipe. It calls for “as much butter as you can afford.”)
Over Thanksgiving, we made salt dough Christmas ornaments — something I haven’t done since my kids were really little. We even celebrated (virtually) Ari, my grandson, lighting his first Hanukkah candles. Well, not Ari directly, he’s only six-months-old.
Archie and I will spend time reading books, doing crossword puzzles (we’re pretty competitive about it!), going for walks, looking for birds, and stomping around in the snow with Moose.
And though I can’t persuade Archie to join me, I’m a total sap for holiday movies — the mushier the better. The Holiday. The Sound of Music. Love Actually. Four Weddings and a Funeral. Somehow this year, I think we’re all ready for a little escape.
Anyway, even though this year has been incredibly difficult, having my family and this incredible team made up of folks just like you by my side has made it all the better.
I want you to know that I’m thinking of you and your families this holiday season. I hope you and your loved ones find meaningful ways to connect. May the new year bring you peace, joy, and hope for the future. I know I’m hopeful.
If you’ve got a second, I’d love to hear about how you’re spending your holidays this year — just reply to this email.
Happy holidays, folks.
Yours,
Tina
P.S. I know this is a difficult time for many families. But if you have any change to spare, I hope you will consider splitting a small donation between two incredible organizations working on the frontlines of this pandemic:
