Boxing Day

Posted on December 26, 2025December 26, 2025 by Dusty Roads

The Cozy Exhale After the Holiday Rush

While Christmas often steals the spotlight with its twinkling lights and joyful chaos, Boxing Day quietly slips in on December 26th like a deep, contented sigh. It’s the day when the wrapping paper has settled, the cookies have dwindled, and the house finally feels still again. For many, it’s a chance to reset, recharge, and savor the simple comforts that get lost in the holiday whirlwind.

Where Boxing Day Comes From

Boxing Day began in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, traditionally as a day when employers gave “Christmas boxes” to workers and tradespeople — small gifts or tokens of appreciation. Over time, it evolved into a day of rest, generosity, and gathering with loved ones. Today, it’s celebrated in many different ways: shopping, visiting family, enjoying leftovers, or simply staying in pajamas until noon.

Here in New England, we may not have grown up with Boxing Day as an official holiday, but the spirit of it fits us perfectly. After all, who appreciates a quiet winter morning more than those of us who’ve weathered a few Nor’easters?

A Day for Slow Living

If Christmas is about celebration, Boxing Day is about restoration. Think:

A second cup of coffee enjoyed without rushing
A long winter walk through crisp air and quiet streets
A cozy blanket, a good book, and zero guilt
Leftovers transformed into something delicious
A moment to reflect on the year and the people who made it meaningful

It’s a day that invites us to breathe — to let the magic of the season settle in rather than speed past.

Making Boxing Day Your Own

Whether you spend it decluttering, journaling, visiting friends, or indulging in a well-earned nap, Boxing Day is a gentle reminder that rest is part of the celebration too. It’s the perfect bridge between the festive sparkle of Christmas and the fresh start of the New Year.

So here’s to December 26th — the quiet hero of the holiday season. A day for comfort, gratitude, and a little extra coziness along the dusty roads we call home.

Christmas Eve: A Time of Traditions and Joy

Posted on December 24, 2025December 21, 2025 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

Memories That Bring Us Home

Growing up, our family had several Christmas Eve traditions that still glow warmly in my memory. Thinking about them now takes me right back—proof, I suppose, that I’ve reached the age where reminiscing becomes its own quiet pleasure.

One of the clearest memories is all of us gathered in the living room, the lights low, as we watched Amahl and the Night Visitors. I haven’t seen that film in years, and I often wonder how many children today have even heard of it. It’s such a beautiful story of honesty, generosity, and wonder. Today’s holiday favorites lean more toward The Santa Clause, Elf, and The Grinch. All fun in their own way, of course—but what happened to It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street?

Stories That Stay With Us

Speaking of Christmas stories, do you have a favorite? Mine has always been The Gift of the Magi. It gets me every time—heartwarming, tender, and just sentimental enough to bring a tear to my eye. If you’ve never read it, this is the year to treat yourself. You don’t need a book. You can read it here for free.

The Magic of Midnight Mass

Although I was raised Episcopalian, both of my parents came from Catholic upbringings, so Midnight Mass was a must in our household. I’m not sure whether the excitement came from staying up late or from the hope that we might catch Santa in the act when we returned home. Either way, Midnight Mass felt special.

I remember feeling so grown up, swept into the beauty of the rituals—the incense curling upward, the choir filling the church with soaring hymns, the organ vibrating through the pews. The sanctuary glowed with Christmas trees, wreaths, and stained-glass windows shining outward into the night. I no longer attend Midnight Mass, but the memories remain vivid and dear.

Believing in the Magic

Life felt slower then. We sat together as a family, and my parents kept the Santa Claus story alive long after we “knew”—or thought we knew—the truth. Still, the note from Santa tucked into the tree on Christmas morning, or the sudden appearance of gifts that definitely hadn’t been there moments before, kept the magic alive. How did they do it? Even now, I’m not entirely sure.

It was mysterious, fun, and it was childhood.

Wishing You Warm Traditions of Your Own

I hope you and your family enjoy your own joyful traditions—whether they involve classic hymns, cherished stories, or even a movie called Home Alone.

What’s your favorite Christmas story?

A Holiday Tradition- The Cookie Exchange

Posted on December 22, 2025December 21, 2025 by Dusty Roads

Celebrating National Cookie Exchange Day: Sweet Treats & Sweeter Traditions

There’s something extra special about December 22nd—National Cookie Exchange Day. It’s the unofficial kickoff to that delightful moment when kitchens everywhere turn into flour‑dusted wonderlands, ovens hum like old friends, and neighbors appear at your door with tins full of sugary surprises. Around Dusty Roads, we’re all about celebrating the small joys that make a season feel special, and a cookie exchange is one of those traditions that warms the heart as much as the home.

Why Cookie Exchanges Are Pure Holiday Joy

Cookie exchanges aren’t just about the treats—though let’s be honest, that’s a pretty big perk. They’re about community, creativity, and the simple pleasure of sharing something homemade. Whether you’re a seasoned baker with a signature cookie or someone who relies on the “add water and stir” method (no judgment here), there’s room for everyone at the cookie table.

Plus, you walk away with a variety of cookies without having to bake a dozen different recipes. Efficiency and sugar? A winning combination.

Mom’s Recipe Corner: A Cookie Worth Exchanging

Of course, no cookie exchange is complete without a recipe that earns a few “Who made these?” whispers. So we’re dipping into Mom’s Recipe Corner for a tried‑and‑true classic: Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies—a soft, spiced, crowd‑pleasing cookie that looks festive without requiring a culinary degree.

This cookie is a version of the classic Chocolate and Vanilla Icebox cookie. It was a staple of my youth. I admit it took more than a few tries to get the peppermint right. If the candy isn’t crushed enough your cookies are going to spread in the oven. But they still will taste good.

I found this recipe fun to play with. Sometimes I’d use white chocolate and 3 layers of dough so you got more swirls.

Let your imagination rule the day! Then , of course, share the bounty.

Share the Sweetness

Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, joining one, or simply gifting a plate to a neighbor, today is all about spreading joy one bite at a time. So preheat that oven, put on your coziest playlist, and let the holiday spirit rise—just like your cookies.