MY PUZZLE TABLE

Writing for a purpose and doing a jigsaw puzzle are extremely mentally stimulating
...As both keep your mind in a constant state of engagement. 

The 4pm darkness of January at the table.
TAKEN: JANUARY 10th, 2026

For the last number of winters, after the December holiday break, I always hunker down and have a jigsaw puzzle on the go until I leave for my birthday trip in April. For my tenure,  I park myself in front of our patio door to get as much natural light as possible.

I used to have a puzzle board that I would store under a bed when not in use. Then, in the first winter of lockdown, I dropped a whopping ten bucks at the Habitat for Humanity and bought myself an official puzzle table. 

I generally head to our local Wal-Mart when the puzzles come out for Christmas but this year the pickings were so slim that I had to head to Amazon to find the stylized puzzles I enjoy doing.

As I have mentioned before, I enjoy doing puzzles with vibrant colours that tend to focus on travel, food, or pets.... No big surprises there on any front!

Anyway, this year, I only managed to take on three. The last one will probably take me until the end of the month, simply because I have been working weekends to stay caught up.

That said, I have decided to share my 2026 collection thus far.

Once the third one (below) is completed, the table will be moved back into the garage, and my furniture will returned to being arranged accordingly.

Though the snow returned this week, words can’t express how glad I am to be at the tail end of winter this stinking winter. Or shall I tell you how I really feel?

Full disclosure: If I did, major profanity would definitely be involved!

#yagottalaughaboutit

1st one finished. 750 pieces.
Title: Dog Days of Summer
TAKEN: JANUARY 31st, 2026

Look the snow is gone!
2nd one finished - 1000 pieces.
 Title: Wintery Night Bonfire
TAKEN: MARCH 7th, 2026

Look, the snow is back!
3rd and final - 1000 pcs
Title: Mountain Retreat
TAKEN: MARCH 18th, 2026

IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

Had an amazing cousin vaycay!
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

Like most reading this, I am sure you can relate when I share that my first cousins were my very first friends. 

I have fond memories of my grandparents and my mom's different siblings’ homes being full when celebrating birthdays and holidays. In a nutshell, we all had a close connection growing up.

As we aged, and we have unexpectedly lost those we never imagined would pass away so soon, we decided to try again to plan an annual getaway. The messages started to flow in late September, for a week away in February 2026 for Huatulco Mexico.

Now, we have tried numerous times over the years to get everyone on board; with no luck. My one cousin from Saskatchewan (in the green sundress) and I tried for the last decade to plan something and things would always fizzle out. 

We've tried to organize a large home where we could all stay, all-inclusive vacations together, but nothing seemed to stick. 

At the end of the day, vacationing takes disposable income and truly is a luxury item, so I totally understand how some wouldn't want to participate in a 'first cousin trip' and do their own family thing. 

That said, it was something my cousin from Quebec mentioned (on the end in the red shirt) this time around that had my travel buddy hubby deciding to commit. He said, "I am tired only seeing my cousins at funerals!"

Of the thirty cousins I have on my mom's side, we have already lost six. The last passing was particularly hard for me, to which I penned My Favorite Cowboy in his honour.

As I look at the photo I am sharing (with two elsewhere on the 72 foot boat when the pic was snapped), there are so many others that I wish had made the trek.

I guess there will always be hope for next year. 

Because Lord knows... I will be there with bells on!