Here’s a Q4 recap. Captivations is a monthly post with links, stories, and news that captivated me.

October, November, December Recap
I’ve got so much to catch you up on! October was full of football, November was nearly three weeks of pseudo-sickness (mild cold or sinus infection with a little bit of allergies?), and December has been so many cookies. Here are some posts you might have missed:
- Crafting Mosaic Art at The Mosaic Workshop in Austin
- Holiday Cookie Party: Recap of 3 Parties and 43 Cookies
- I Made This! – My Year of Crafting
- Best Things I Ate in 2025
- Linoleum Printmaking Workshop at 7th Street Candle Co
Gentle Practices
I really like this list of gentle practices to add ease. Habits like creating breaks in your schedule, relaxing into doing nothing, and giving yourself permission can help you create more ease. This will give you more peace and less burnout.
Bathe in the Forest
Did you know that forest bathing can improve your health? Activating your five senses in a forest – like listening to the birds sing and smelling the flowers – can reduce stress and blood pressure. See the study details here.
New Rollercoaster
Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas is set to open the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster next year. The ride will drop 285 feet from a height of 309 feet and reach a top speed of 87 mph along 4,199 feet of track. Wow! Learn about the roller coaster here.
A Tribute
Tatiana Schlossberg, an environmental journalist, penned this piece about her battle with a rare blood cancer. It’s a detailed piece about the struggles of illness and a statement about the destruction of medical advancements in the U.S. A mother of two young children and 35 years old makes death more heartbreaking. She passed on December 30th.
Foraging Vacation
On my bucket list – a foraging adventure! I’m envisioning a single-day adventure to get familiar with it. Here’s a list of foraging vacation options.
12 Basic Values
Research shows there are 12 basic values, and knowing your hierarchy of values will guide your actions. These develop when we’re young and stay consistent as we grow.
Ode to Gratitude
If you need some journal prompts or questions to think through, my friend Sharon has some in this post.
18 Favorite Hotels
I admit – sometimes I stay at “ok” hotels on my travels and book based on location and price. I’m typically spending the majority of my time exploring, so a luxurious stay isn’t a big priority. This list of hotels has some gorgeous options, and it’s making me ready for my next trip!
5 Things I Love Lately
- The Life of a Showgirl – Taylor Swift’s newest album
- Football season
- Matcha
- Crafts
- Holiday time off




