💌 M — Message: Cozy rituals for the season
🏡 O — On-Site: Listing updates + local gems
📣 V — Value: Your well-being in the calm corner
🌝 E — Extras: Holiday events + more…

Dear First name / sweet friend,

 

December is here — and it's a whole cozy mood. Call me sentimental, but with the sparkling holiday lights twinkling around town, and the candles in each of our windows at home, there’s a little effervescence in the air… do you feel it too? ✨

 

My heart is feeling extra warm and fuzzy as I begin the month beside our glowing wood stove, with a merry-scented simmer pot bubbling on top (recipe here), and drizzling rain outside —the ideal nourishing nook for creativity and writing. I'll also be savoring a few minutes with my new Moon Pages journal (more below).This is the season when these small rituals make everything feel grounding and intentional — tiny sparks of presence that feel like a hug. 

 

The Winter Solstice on December 21st has many rituals linked to it. It's a sacred pause – the longest night inviting us back into our inner light (more below). I also love to settle in with Rachel Brathen’s annual podcast episodes —first processing the year behind us, then intention-setting for the one ahead. And throughout December, we have cozy YouTube ambient scenes playing in the background. The ones with crackling fireplaces, soft snowfall, peaceful piano or jazz with a lakeside cabin, mountain lodge, or candlelit coffee house. Andrew and I pick one out each evening while we make dinner… although, the truth is, it feels like we’re living in a cozy YouTube scene already. 🥰

 

These simple rituals, simmer pot and all — plus the “calm corner” below — help me reconnect, reset, and enter the new year with clarity, kindness, and presence. A reminder: your presence truly is a present.

 

And in the spirit of seasonal magic, a new ritual continues here at Otter Moon… our handmade wreaths. Each one is crafted from wild porcelain-berry and ivy vines we gather from the trees — and shaped by Andrew, a vine-taming wizard. All the while A Charlie Brown Christmas is on repeat as our decorating playlist, of course. 🎶

 

Just curious:
✨ What rituals or traditions do you enjoy this time of year?
✨ Do you have a favorite YouTube ambient scene?
Hit reply and share — I love hearing from you.

 

And I know I said this last month, but I’m thankful you’re here. Thank you for reading and scrolling along each month, and for trusting me with your well-being, your homes, and your stories.

Your warm replies and your referrals — in physical therapy, real estate, and now Otter Moon Farmette — are truly the most wonderful compliments. Thank you, from my whole heart. ❤️

 

Wishing you and yours the coziest Holiday season, from our softly glowing ambient front porch scene (in the above photo) and Krogman's Christmas Tree Farm vibes (in the photo below taken by my niece Morgan) to your inbox.

 

 

🍊 Simmer pots — an instant mood booster

🦃 Good times at Thanksgiving – a lotta love, gratitude and laughs

✨ The wreaths are up at the Farmette – do you see the moon?

 

👇🏼 Keep scrolling – for more rituals, listing updates, Holiday happenings and cozy extras…

 

 

Are any of these the one or spark your curiosity? ⬆️ 

Reply to this email and I’ll send you details… 

or I have many more options and I'll send you a personalized list that fits your style + budget.

✨

Need a moment to shift into your parasympathetic system — the “rest and digest” part of your nervous system?
Take a few minutes to tune into your calm corner by gently stimulating your vagus nerve, the pathway that helps your body soften, settle, and chill out. Choose one of the three calming tools below… or layer them together for extra soothing vibes:

 

🌿 Bhramari (Bee Breath)
One of my all-time favorite pranayama techniques. Close your mouth and gently hum on the exhale, inhaling naturally between rounds. You can weave this into your yoga practice or use it anytime you need a reset. (Chanting Ommmm creates a similar effect —  or play this SONG and hum along.)

 

💗 Thymus Tapping
Using four fingers of one or both hands, lightly tap at your sternum/heart center for about a minute. It’s simple, grounding, and surprisingly uplifting.

 

🍦 Cold Plunges
You know I love a cold plunge — well, maybe not during, but the afterglow is quite invigorating! Try a 3–5 minute dip in the ocean or invest in your own plunge setup HERE.

 

✨🎄✨

The Holiday season in Cape May is magic! 

It's a beautiful time of year to check out all the fun festive local Holiday events — 

along with cozy gatherings with family and friends. 

And you may just see me out there singing… 🎶

 

 🕯️ Christmas Candlelight House Tours

✨ Holiday Lights Trolley Rides

🎅🏼 Cape May Stage: Let’s Catch Santa

🎄Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremonies: there are at least five!

🎉 West Cape May Christmas Parade: December 6th

🏡 Emlen Physick Estate Christmas House Tour

❄️ Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall

🌙 Cape May Lighthouse Full Moon + New Moon Climb

 

🎶 The Christmas Cantata: "Stars of Glory" inspired by a Celtic Christmas Carol will be performed at Cape May Lutheran on Saturday December 13th at 3:00pm and on Sunday the 14th during the 10:00am service. I'll be singing there and at the Congress Hall Christmas Tree lighting December 5th 6:00- 9:00pm.

See you there!🧣

 

Two podcasts: 

Processing + Reflecting on 2025

Intention Setting Practice: Manifesting a beautiful year ahead

 

 

Monastery: Face

Lolavie: Hair

 

The Full Moon also called the Cold Moon is a supermoon in Gemini tomorrow December 4th illuminating hidden wisdom, encouraging us to notice what has been quietly guiding us. What patterns or insights are surfacing for you? How can you bring clarity to your thoughts and communication? As the moonlight pours out, it is a nourishing day to detox and cleanse. 

 

Overall December is a cosmic invitation to balance your inner fire with grounding, to dream expansively while taking steady, intentional steps toward your goals. Allow this month to be a gentle, magical pause – a time to slow down, feel the warmth within, and reconnect with your inner compass. The Winter Solstice reminds us that even in the quietest, darkest moments, seeds are being planted. Trust the process. Trust Yourself.

- cosmic insight +  

pre-order your Moon Pages Journal: 

 

@coffeecontracts and use code amandalee 

for $20 off your first month

📧 Flodesk platform 50% off your first year

 

“Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.”
— Katherine May, “Wintering”

 

 

 

💪🏼 Physical Therapy - treatments in person or telehealth. HERE

 

🏡 Real Estate - book a 1:1 free consultation, grab your Seller/Buyer Guidebooks and more. {no timeline is required to start working together} HERE

 

🦦 Otter Moon Farmette - our property is your canvas to share and create your stories. HERE

 

🧘🏼‍♀️ Yoga - let's practice, in person, on my YouTube channel or at MiraCosta College - all online. My classes sell out so register soon for Spring semester.

 

Are you feeling cozy?

Thank you to those who have scrolled this far – how many times did I use the word cozy in this newsletter? ☺️

 

Whether you have a health related question, planning a move soon or years from now, 

I'm here to listen and catch up about life lately. 

I hope December is good to you. It's the last month of the year – enjoy it.

 

Wishing you a Holiday season full of delight and peace!

❤️