Hopefully by starting out the first month of the new year with a Four Things post will propel me to do a Four Things post each month in 2026. Here are my Four Things for January: Theo of Golden, Redesign in the great room, Indiana Football, and favorite comfort food for cold winter days.
What I’m Reading
I’ve actually finished this book in 2025, but it made such an impression on me that I want to be sure to share it with you. Theo of Golden is easily the best fictional book I have read in a very long time, possibly ever read. Rather than using my own words, here is the summary on the back cover of the book:
A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another. It is one of those books you don’t want to end. I’ll definitely be reading Theo of Golden again — and I rarely read a book more than once.
What I’m Working On
I’ve been dreaming up a redesign of two areas in our great room for several years- the built-in shelves and the space by the stairs and enlisted the help of our favorite architect/designer (and friend), Nicole Pierson. Nicole stopped by for a consult to take a fresh look at both spaces, which, while perfectly acceptable as they are, feel ready for an update that better reflects how we live and use the room today. I came prepared with a stack of magazine clippings along with a few rough sketches I’ve drawn over the years to help communicate the vision taking shape in my mind. I’ve spent a long time thinking and dreaming about these areas, so I’m especially excited to see what Nicole imagines for them—and even more excited to finally begin bringing these projects to life.
What I’m Watching
Last night, we tuned in to the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Indiana University Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes. Both Kirk and I grew up in Northwest Indiana, and while I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard football fan, this season had my attention in a way it never quite has before. We watched on the edge of our seats, as we watched the nailbiter of a game.
Indiana’s story and our hometown Indiana roots made it impossible not to watch. The Hoosiers began the season as the losingest major program in college football history and finished it by capturing their first-ever national championship. They ended the season a perfect 16–0, Indiana became the first team in modern college football to do so. It was, without question, the most unlikely championship run the sport has ever seen and it was so fun to watch!
What I’m Loving
Tieghan Gerard’s comfort food recipes are absolutely hitting the spot right now. Last week, I made her One Pot White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese, it was no surprise to us that we both loved it. It makes a generous amount, but we had zero complaints about enjoying it again as leftovers—it was just as good the next day. These recipes come together quickly and can be on the table in less than an hour. For this recipe I used regular size shell pasta.
Yesterday, I made Tieghan’s One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, for dinner and it’s equally delicious. Cozy, flavorful, and so satisfying, both of these dishes are going to stay on repeat throughout the cold Minnesota months ahead. Note: I used large elbow shells in this recipe, which was great, but I do love a shell pasta! With Rochester, Minnesota possibly facing -50° windchills on Friday, these are exactly the kinds of meals that make staying home feel like the best plan of all.
Next up on my TO DO List: Purging an organizing our storage area in the basement – probably a good thing to work on with this frigid weather! Any other Hoosier fans out there?
