Looking Ahead

With the last of our in-person shows behind us, I find myself looking forward to the upcoming year. This time of year is always filled with complexities. On the one hand, I hate winter. After the first snowfall, it can all go away, return to an acceptable 45 degrees, and stop being miserable. On the other hand, I always feel inspired for the new year. These long, grey days and cold, dark evenings lend themselves to sitting under my favorite quilt and planning for the upcoming year. 

I am finishing up my holiday shopping this week, and at the top of my list is a new notebook for 2026. I do love a new notebook, dear reader. I love the endless possibilities with what I can do, the new ideas just waiting to be written down, and all the excellent ideas filled with potential that The Bibbed Wonder will shoot down. Sigh. Despite his nay-saying, I am excited. 

I think I am going to purchase a different type of notebook this year. One that is more of a journal with unlined pages. Eric always demands visuals of my ideas for new soaps, so I think I will get a bit more creative with my 2026 Soap Bible. I also think I need new colored pencils and a new pen that feels good in my hand. The Bean is constantly carrying off my stuff, so I need new tools and a new bag to carry them in and keep them from her grubby little mits. 

Some ideas for the year include travel soaps, cold- and allergy-relief aromatherapy products, a hyaluronic acid body cream, and, of course, new seasonal scents. We will see just how many of these make it to fruition. The Bibbed Wonder is quite liberal with the chopping block. Sigh. 

This winter will also be when I complete my children's story about Lester. I am scheduling writing days to help me focus. The new rough draft is complete. I need to rework it. Who would have thought writing a little children's book would be such a process? It's a lot. My perfectionist side is coming to light with this project, and I really just want to do it well. I want to create something beautiful, fun, and meaningful. I don't want to slap it together and call it good.  

I am also planning for in-person shows. We have new friends helping us with in-person shows, so rethinking our display is also at the top of my list. Things need to be simplified, streamlined, and easy to pack. However, they also need high visual appeal. This is going to take some thinking. 

So, dear reader, that is what is going on in my head for the upcoming year. I'm always excited to create new products for you and products that will help improve your quality of life. At least, that is my goal. On this snowy December day, stay safe, be smart, keep looking ahead, and keep washing your hands.