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Soon, Nelle, along with so many of TSLL readers and loved ones, will be diving into their stockings, full of goodies, treats, and surprises. And that means the holiday time of slowing down and savoring being still, catching our breath and feeling our way as we need to so begins. At least that will be happening here at Le Papillon ☺️
I wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy holidays. From our home here in Bend, Oregon, to wherever you are in our amazing world, I hope this time of year finds you knowing you are loved, that you matter, that you are enough just as you are, and realizing the many gifts you received this past year, even if they didn’t appear in the traditional form.
For myself, the gifts were many and beyond my imagination this year, and nope, they didn’t arrive in traditional form, nor were they always presented in a way I would have preferred, but there were treasures to be found. I have a feeling, if you explore enough, you will find this to be true for you as well.
And before I get to the schedule news, I have to share one more This & That find with you now before it’s too late! With a big thank you to long-time reader and member of TSLL Josanne, someone who always recommends dependable shows, films, and books to me, I pass along Home for Christmas (Hjem til jul). A Norwegian series that premiered in 2019 on Netflix and is now in its third season, you will recognize the lead actress from A Storm for Christmas, another Norwegian holiday recommendation that was chosen as a Petit Plaisir a couple of years ago.
A likeable, perhaps relatable in some ways (or many) main character, Johanne is a 30-something who “navigates romance and family drama during the festive season, juggling exes and new relationships in her search for connection.” Have a look at the trailer for the lastest season below, and happy viewing!
I wanted to take a moment to share with you TSLL’s posting schedule for the remainder of 2025. The final week of the year is my annual week off from new content, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have something ‘new’ to explore as we step into the Between the Years, a favorite time of year for so many TSLL readers, including myself.
Friday, December 26th — TSLL’s Favorite Books of 2025 post (explore past Favorite Books lists here)
Saturday, December 27th — Discover the TOP Posts/Episodes of 2025 in all of the major categories (explore all of the categories here)
Wednesday December 31st — TSLL’s Monthly Newsletter will be delivered to subscribers
Thursday January 1st — January’s A Cuppa Moments w/Shannon for TOP Tier Members
Friday January 2nd — TSLL returns to its regular posting schedule with the first This & That of 2026!
À bientôt ! ☺️🐾🇫🇷
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Shannon!
Joyeux Noel, Shannon and Nelle! Sunny weather in Bend was reported by a friendly walker we passed on a hike around our trails in our neighborhood. He was visiting for the holidays and couldn’t believe the cold and foggy weather here. Rain and wind forecasted for Christmas but we will be warm and cozy indoors with candles burning brightly. Thank you for another year of bringing light and joy into our lives…you and Nelle are a special gift in my life. Merry Christmas to you and your dear ones, and to our TSLL friends! Xo
Merry Christmas, Shannon and Nelle! May your upcoming week be filled with rest and joy, knowing that you have done your job well and helped many of us discover new and interesting things in 2025. Who knows what 2026 will bring? I hope that we can all become instruments of peace, love and connection, with a lot of enjoyment from TSLL in our days. Big thanks and a hug for each of you!
Merry Christmas, Shannon and Nelle! Enjoy this special in between time:)
Merry Christmas, Shannon!
Dear Shannon,
Your posts light up my life throughout the year! Enclosed are wishes for you, Nelle, and your family to enjoy a very blessed holiday season. Thank you for being so literate, kind, wise, inspiring and in every way a beautiful friend.
Fond regards, Claudia Knowlton
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année, Shannon and Nelle!! May your Week-Betwixt-the-Years be a lovely grounding and joyous time.
Many thanks for all the wonderful content you have created just for us, Shannon, you are amazing and very much appreciated. Happy Holidays, TSLL compatriots!❄️🕊️✨💕
Merry Christmas Shannon and Nelle- may you have joy and peace throughout this week and thank you so much for TSLL- your posts continue to inspire me and improve the quality of my life every day. Happy Holidays TSLL community!
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année! I loved to see Nellie enjoying the fireplace.
I did receive many gifts this year and I am still unpacking some of them.
It is so special to me that you shared this final recommendation! I decided to do something for me, and just for me this year, and it was to learn norwegian! It is my homework during the holidays to watch that lovely serie before resuming my classes next year. I have some books I want to finish first, but I cannot wait to rewatch the two first seasons in norwegian and renew with some actors and actresses that I have encountered during my other Netflix homeworks. I haven’t seen the trailer yet, so it is very special to me that I see it through your blog and last T&T of 2025. What a gift!
Happy holidays to everyone and their pets.
Joyeux Noel, Shannon, Nelle, and everyone! It’s a bright, sunny 14 degrees in Maine this Boxing Day, and my family (sans moi) will soon be ice skating on our small ice rink my husband and daughter made on the frozen lake. It is my and my daughters’ first ever white Christmas! Twenty-plus inches of powdery snow fell in the wee hours of Christmas Eve. Fitz loves the snow! I’m snug in front the the fire and just listened to December’s episode of a very delightful podcast, A Jane Austen Year, which was recorded at the Jane Austen house in Chawton over the course of 2025 in celebration of Jane’s 250th year. Highly recommended! I’m about to dive back in to Richard Osman’s The Man Who Died Twice, and I am happy in my heart. Wishing a year of joyful discovery, loving reflection, and quiet contentment to the entire TSLL community!
Better late than never, I hope you had a lovely holiday and Miss Nelle received a treat or two as well!