Hi friends,

You know my weakness for navel gazing so did you expect to escape 2025 without a look back at the year that was here at Field Notes? I hope you’re still in soft pants and unsure of the date altogether. We had a lovely, busy Christmas. We hosted the extended fam this year and it went well and also I was sound asleep on the couch by 8:30 p.m., apron still on. Christmas is a lot and I always look forward to these “in-between” days after the big day and before everyone returns to school when the kids can sleep late (the dog never does so I’m up anyway) and all the pressure has lifted.

As we turn towards 2026, I’m still considering what to prioritize both personally and here at Field Notes as well as vocationally. Looking back is always helpful for clarity on what’s ahead. I mean, as a family, we are doing this work - we got a dog! we have another kid graduating high school in the spring! our 25th wedding anniversary is coming up! etc. etc. - so of course it makes sense to do this for our work-work, too.

ℹ️ I actually have a big announcement coming - like next week! - for you about a new project. I’m very excited about this one and I think you’re going to love it. So keep an eye out for that next week.

And of course I have a book manuscript due in two weeks as well (my timing remains impeccable) which means that if you happen to see me in public, muttering to myself in my sweatpants with a messy bun on my head while swearing I’m quitting writing books, that is to be expected at this stage of the process.

But I always like to take a moment here before the old calendar is tucked into the drawer and the fresh one is hung on its kitchen hook to look back at the year that was here at Field Notes. So let’s take a peek behind the curtain, shall we?

A peek behind the curtain

• We were just shy of 4 million views here at Field Notes! (What in the world??)

• I’ve been