A Good Year and Sunday Morning Coffee

The first week of the new year is behind us, and if the rest of the year continues at this pace, it’s going to be a really good year!
It’s been busy planning and organizing the year but I am so invigorated! Welcome to the first Sunday Morning Coffee of 2025, where we share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun. Come see what’s new!

Season 5 Volume 1


About Me

After spending an incredible week in Northern California celebrating the holiday with our family, we have landed in Ventura, and it’s been so beautiful. It’s sunny and clear, and our bike rides have been invigorating.
In the evenings, we celebrated with friends and cooked fun meals. We also started my yearly January quest to watch all Academy Award-nominated films. So far, we have seen Gladiator II (not my choice, by the way), Emilia Perez (not what we expected, but good), and Conclave (very good!). I know the nominations aren’t out yet, so I am using the Golden Globe nominations as an early guide.
That reminds me that the Golden Globes are on tonight if you want to watch them!

If you are wondering why I care about seeing these movies, it’s something I have done for years. Usually, it necessitates me having to watch three movies the day before the award show airs, but I love it.
Dave and I did attend the Oscars one year. It was the year Titanic was nominated and won a gazillion awards. It was an unbelievable experience, and we even ended up in People magazine as we were in the background of a photo taken!
The highlight was walking into the Shrine Theatre arm in arm with Dustin Hoffman (he grabbed my arm and escorted me through security on a whim). And yes, he was about four inches shorter than me.
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My Latest Project

There is a considerable drawback to spending the week of Christmas and the week after Christmas out of town.
Why? Because my house is still full of Christmas decorations! I dread walking into our home later today only to find seven decorated trees and a ton of holiday decor.
It’s not going to be fun putting it all away, especially since this is the year I promised myself I would go through all of my decorations and recycle some of the unused ones.

As I tackle this project, you may not hear much from me in the next few days. Ugh.


It might be fun to discuss a topic every week and get your input here! Here is today’s topic:
If you could decorate one room in your home, which would it be?
My answer is: Our powder room in our South Pasadena home. I have never shown it (it’s 25 years old and not photo-worthy), and the toile cranberry wallpaper is dated.
What’s yours?
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- Film three videos for my “How I Used What I Got” series.
- Put away the Christmas decor (see above).
- Finalize the workbook for my A Sourdough Journey 12-week series.


5 Home Trends to Ditch (and Try) in 2025 (I have three!)

These Classic Cocktail Recipes have withstood the test of time. you need to try them.

My friend Janine at Happy Happy Nester shared this Easy Mochi recipe. It looks delicious.

This is the Best All-Time Color for Living Rooms.

This Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dressing sounds incredible!

And what a week it was!
- The Truth About Being “Crafty” – Mondays in the Craftroom
One of the most common things people say to me is, “I’m just not crafty.” But the truth is that creativity isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you learn. Today I’m sharing why being crafty has much less to do… - Summer at the Beach and Sunday Morning Coffee
Welcome to another Sunday Morning Coffee! Summer is flying by, and I have to say, it has been the busiest and happiest summer at the beach we’ve had in a long time. We’ve spent nearly every weekend at our beach house… - Grilling Perfectly and Tips to Use Your Outdoor Grilling Station
It’s time to fire up the grill and embark on a flavor-filled journey of outdoor cooking! It’s time to have fun with your outdoor grilling station. Planning a successful BBQ cookout is an art that combines culinary skills, creativity, and a… - A Citrus Pillow – A Handmade Summer
A handmade pillow is one of the easiest ways to add a fresh, custom touch to your home, and this cheerful citrus design is perfect for summer. Using a simple white pillow cover, a citrus stencil, acrylic paint, and a little… - Pink Lemonade Pie
Summer is the season for refreshing and light desserts, and what could be better than a tangy, creamy, and perfectly chilled Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie? This delightful dessert is perfect for hot days, picnics, barbecues, or any summer gathering. Its… - DIY Pressed Flowers
DIY pressed flowers are a beautiful and charming addition to any home decor. When made into candle holders, they are stunning. These delicate creations bring a touch of nature indoors and can be customized to fit any style or occasion. Whether…


Martha shared How to Create a Minimalist Kitchen—and Why You Should. Your thoughts?

Next week is all new blog posts, and I can’t wait to share them!
- Sweet and Savory Brown Sugar Bacon Recipe
- How to Choose a Winter Palette
- The Best Recipe for Smash Burgers
- The 12 Worst Stains and How to Remove Them
- How to Organize All Those Things You Never Thought to Organize
- A Calm and Cozy Refresh in the Living Room

- A Good Year – S5/V1
You Might Also Need…
This Week’s Top Sellers
We shared many of our favorite home items this week, and here are the top sellers!

My Instagram Feed This Week
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For more real-time updates, follow me on Instagram @My100YearOldHome









































Leslie, as always, so much helpful information! I hear you on dealing with the Christmas decor. So much fun to decorate, and NOT fun to undo it all! I’ve always said taking down a Christmas tree is so different than putting one up.
Regarding white paint for a living room, we used Dunn Edward’s Whisper…another nice warm white and similar to BM’s Simply White.
Aw thank you Becky! Appreciate the paint color recs!
Great decorating question to start the new year. This year I’m enjoying my home and only changing decor to celebrate the seasons.
A different outlook…we were with family three weeks for holiday fun. Upon returning home, I decided to stay decorated 3 additional weeks to make up for the vacation time…love the beauty, peace and coziness… no need to rush and close the Christmas, New Year door.
Happy New Year!
That’s such a great idea! Love that you got to enjoy it and not stress about taking it all down.
I agree with you Sandra….we were gone for two weeks over the holidays, and I am in no hurry to take down Christmas. What’s the rush? Going to enjoy the beauty now that all the rushing and busyness is over!
Love that!