Your "favorite things" as a coping strategy?
Plus, happy winter solstice and look out for potentially inclement weather ahead
When I was a little girl, my grandmother used to sit me next to her on the bench of her organ and play “My Favorite Things” — especially around the holidays. She was a professional having played live in theaters to accompany silent movies.
The words always moved me when she played and then later with the context in the Sound of Music movie in that scene when the kids run to their nanny fearful of a thunderstorm and she makes them feel better by thinking about their favorite things.
Will thinking about your favorite things really make you not “feel so bad”? Sometimes, maybe? What are YOUR favorite things right now? Have you asked your kids about their favorite things?
Play them the song! There are so many new versions of My Favorite Things beyond the original sung by Julie Andrews & the actors on the movie soundtrack. I counted over 70 in Apple Music! Which one is your favorite?
In play,
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Favorite things that are making me not feel so bad
Just a few ideas to keep you going!
Peppermint zygo cactus from Trader Joe’s
We got this on a whim because my husband loves succulents and it had lots of buds that looked like they were about to bloom. And, boy, did it BLOOM! And it still has a lot of blooming to go.
A neighbor friend who gifts her time & talent just to be a nice person
We’ve gotten to know our neighbors a bit better over the past few years. Why did it take us so long? One sweet mom of 4 makes the most amazing floral arrangements and we’ve been gifted more than once this year. Even though she has a million and three things going on at any moment, she’ll bring something beautiful and bright straight from her garden.
No occasion necessary. Just because.
And I think that is one of my favorite things ever.
Learning the perfect timing for holiday magic to happen x 3
We have a little outing we like to do during the holidays. It is entirely FREE, except the gas you need to get there.
Part 1 = Newport Dunes. We start at Newport Dunes to see the lights and even prefer going on nights when their official Fire & Lights Festival is not happening: Monday through Wednesday. It’s really peaceful then. We are in & out of there in about 15 minutes so there are no charges for parking. And, oftentimes, there is no one else there. We have the whole view to ourselves.
Part 2 = Nights of Coastal Lights music & snowfall at Fashion Island. Then you can drive from Jamboree Road up to Santa Barbara which leads right into Fashion Island.
🅿️ Here is how to find the BEST parking for this nightly show that runs through December 28, 2025:
🗺️ When you are on the ring road around the “island” called Newport Center Drive, you’ll want to turn in on Santa Cruz which will bring you to a T-intersection right between Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales.
🅿️ Turn RIGHT towards Bloomingdale’s and away from Neiman Marcus at the stop sign and take an immediate RIGHT where there is a pocket of free parking that had almost no cars even on a Saturday night. We went on December 13th. Walk across the crosswalk and enter the shopping area between the two department stores on foot. You’ll hear the music before you turn to your right and see the tree right behind Bloomingdale’s. If you see the Louis Vuitton ad and window on your left, you are going the right way.
🎄 Showtimes for the music and snow to start falling will start nightly at 5:30 pm (and then at 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm). We got into our perfect parking spot at 6:28pm and walked right into the start of the show!
Part 3 = Rogers Gardens drive by. Then drive past Rogers Gardens on your way home by taking San Miguel out of Fashion Island and up to San Joaquin Road where you’ll turn left to round the block. No need to even park or get out of the car to see the golden lights in all the tall trees on the block.
Not paying full price
This has to be included in My Favorite Things list! A new Lucky Strike opened in Aliso Viejo and the nearest Costco (in Laguna Niguel off Heather Ridge) had a sale on the gift cards. I know kids are going to try it at least 1x. You basically get $100 worth of gift cards for $79.99. But, wait! Right now, the gift cards were on sale for $69.99. So you are getting $30 off $100.
Hope some of these favorite things remind you think about YOUR favorite things or experiences or people who can make things “not so bad!”
Winter Solstice & Weather & Calendar Notes
Winter Solstice. December 20th is the official start of winter. That means it’s the shortest day of the year and we start getting a little light back every day. Our darkest days of December 2025 are going to be over. Yay!
Weather. In case you haven’t heard, there is wet or snowy weather predicted for next week. Nothing is certain, but just want you to pay attention to the weather as we get closer to the dates in case you are traveling or have any outdoor activities planned. This is from a December 15th update from the National Weather Service.
A mom was telling me her kids call rainy days “inclement weather” now and it cracks me up! She said they hear it from school and then use it in everyday conversation.
What about newsletters for the next 2 holiday weeks?
I usually send out newsletters sometime between Thursday and Saturday each week. This year, Christmas falls on a Thursday and so does New Year’s Day. These days of winter break make it hard to know when you will even have a minute to check your inbox (it’s okay if you don’t!).
But wanted to let you know when to expect your newsletters before returning to our end of the week schedule! Check your inbox on:
Monday, December 22nd (play ideas for winter break)
Monday/Tuesday, December 29th/30th (looking at lasts of 2025 & firsts of 2026)
Thursday, January 8th (getting back in the swing of things)
Sincere appreciation for your paid support!
Everyone chipping in just a little, makes this weekly newsletter possible. You hold a special place in my heart for your belief in me and your investment in this publication! (It’s not really quantifiable, but thought I’d pencil it out just for fun. At $5/month you’re investing about $1.25 for each newsletter you receive. At the annual rate of $39/year, you’re sending appreciation at a rate of about $.75 per newsletter). Thank you!
As always, your Play-Filled Extra is waiting below this paywall! Here’s what’s inside this week’s paid section:
From the Tiny Hikes archive: Trails near Fashion Island and Newport Dunes
A playful way to set a cozy mood + 3 favorite soup recipes for the kids to help
Did you know you can give gift subscriptions? Just go to octinyhikes.substack.com/gift where you can even gift anonymously or schedule for delivery later.
I have some new & fun stuff planned for 2026. Theme sneak peek: Noticing Nature Together.