Category: Charlotte Mason Life

Advent Diaries ~::🎄❄️♥️Page 8♥️❄️🎄::~ POETRY ~ {Day 54}

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I adore Nativity sets. This is my Haitian set. 💟

What is your jam or ‘poetry of life’ currently? A little something bringing you joy and a pause during this can-be-hectic time of year?

~Magazine dates with myself. I take a little cash and go buy a magazine and usually sit by a nature spot (in my car currently 🥶, of course! ) to peruse it. I love the quiet, the pause, and the new freshness of something to look forward to. It’s a wonderful time of contemplation and prayer! 🙏🏻

~Scriptures/poetry/prayer/journaling…my morning routine is such a lovely time to contemplate and set myself on Jesus for the day. A few words of poetry or devotionals plus Scripture under a cozy blanket, mug of coffee, and fairy lights are crucial as I love on/survive 😅the relationships in my life. I journal my way through it all. My favorite poetry currently is Ted Hughes’ Seasons Songs and my friend, Kim’s poetry, not to mention her photography is pure poetry, too. ❣️I have a few new collections I want for Christmas.

Can you spot the kitty cat? 🐈 😂✨New Christmas mug I found for $3! Yay! 😀

~ Reading is always my jam! 💗 Here is a list of some of my autumn reading favorites (September-October-November) with a little snippet to snap review. These are all perfect for curling up with this winter. Something for everyone. I wasn’t able to film a YouTube recap, so I’m wrapping it up here!

  1. Witches by Roald Dahl (sweet, grotesquely funny story of little boy and grandmother who battle evil together!)
  2. Apple Bough by Noel Streatfield (delightful story of the oldest daughter in an extremely artistic family who is finding her place. This was beautiful and deep!)
  3. Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kandano (sweet, comforting, cozy coming of age fantasy story.)
  4. The Language of Spells by Garrit Weyr (deep story following a family and a dragon through both World Wars – so lovely and thoughtful.)
  5. Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright (gorgeous farm family story with beautiful writing!)
  6. The Grey Woman by Elizabeth Gaskell (short, atmospheric story. Ending was a bit rushed, but accessible Victorian literature at its best.)
  7. The Chantry House by Charlotte Mary Yonge (longer Victorian literature with a side of ghost. I really enjoyed this one!)
  8. The Lost Heiress by Roseann’s M. White (lovely, clean historical romance that had a mysterious twist to it. I really enjoyed this one!)
  9. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson (amazingly written, gorgeous atmospheric fantasy story with deep themes of the emptiness of immortality and more. Romance wasn’t for me, but overall, I loved this.)
  10. Honey for a Women’s Heart by Gladys M. Hunt (a favorite nonfiction reread that was just what I needed to inspire my reading and my home educating!)
  11. Sylvia’s Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell (gloriously written, heartfelt, heart wrenching story set in an English coastal, whaling village. I’ll read anything Gaskell wrote! She’s my favorite Victorian writer.)
  12. The Mirror Visitor Series by Christelle Dabos (translated from French – fantasy reread that I love for its beautiful, intriguing setting and main character, Ophelia’s revelations about how we see ourselves. The first two books are my favorites.)
  13. Conscious Creativity by Philippe Stanton (a gorgeous photographer’s art philosophy, prompts, inspiration, and ramblings. So inspiring!)
  14. Amish Quilt Shop Series by Isabella Alan (simple and cozy mysteries. When I’m exhausted and need of something light, I enjoy a few cozy, clean mystery authors.)
  15. Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson (Police Detective fiction. This was unique in that Ann, the main investigator was very introverted. A little unrealistic, but I really identified with a lot of her internal processing.)
  16. Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery (I’ve read this multiple times, but this reread was with my four younger children and we all had such a lovely time together. Even my 5 yo listened pretty well!)
  17. Maisie Dobbs Series by Jacqueline Winspear (#4 & #5 in this long series of a female private English investigator in the interwar period. I disliked #3 , so was so glad to enjoy these two! Highly recommend the series!)
  18. Chalice by Robin McKinley (lovely, elemental magic fantasy that enchanted me. Can’t really explain why. A bit darker fantasy, fyi.)
  19. Deerbrook by Harriet Martineau (this was an online buddy read and had some convoluted parts and unloveable characters. However, the philosophical parts were intriguing and the nature writing was amazing. The conversations with my friends made it an interesting read!)
Library 📚 picture book stack! ❣️

~ Walking and nature drives are so wonderful when I take the time. It’s a bit cold for me, but I’m always so rewarded. My hubby is very willing to take back roads and I’m so grateful we live in a beautiful area.

Out driving with hubby! ✨✨✨

How about you? What makes you ‘sing’

currently? ❣️✨💟💜🌲📚☕️🪶🌝❄️🎄❣️

Advent Diaries ~::🎄❄️♥️Page 7♥️❄️🎄::~ PAINT ~ {Day 53}

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Our Creator painted this sunrise just for you!

I’ve been thinking randomly about Wonka Vision (from Gene Wilder ‘Charlie and Chocolate Factory’ film) …yes, my brain doesn’t turn off well. 😂 I’m desperate to paint my life with Jesus Vision… seeing all the glorious gifts and beauty around me as Love. And caring enough to share that love, let spill it over and out!

What matters in the deeper experience of contemplation is not the doing and accomplishing. What matters is relationship, the being with. We create holy ground and give birth to Christ in our time not by doing but by believing and by loving the mysterious Infinite One who stirs within. This requires trust that something of great and saving importance is growing and kicking its heels in you.

~Loretta Ross-Gotta

Watch for the Light, p.97

.50 cent notebooks to collage the covers for my SIL’s for Christmas gifts! Did I mention I have 11? SIL’s?! Ha. Better get collaging!

What if, instead of doing something, we were to be something special? Be a womb. Be a dwelling for God. Be surprised.

~Ross-Gotta

Watch for the Light, p. 101

One of my slow Christmas reads for myself this year. We all enjoy this story and the illustrations are just lovely!

We are starting during our Christmas term to use some of the activities in Map Art by Berry & McNeilly as we all are map lovers here. It’s so fun to mix art techniques with imagination. I’m looking forward to the collage maps, especially.

My 12 yo Phoebe’s map ♥️🥰 (used by permission)

They trooped out into the garden and saw the wood all lit up by the westering light as though a thousand candles had been lit upon the trees that stretched their shade deep beyond deep in the dark wood. The water was all aglint too, and the colors of the flowers burned pure and still. The sky was a deep blue-green overhead, and three wild swans were flying upriver to their home. There was no sound in all the world but the beat of the birds’ wings and the soft lapping of the water against the old stone walls. They stood for a moment at the gate at the top of the steps and the peace held them silent.

~Elizabeth Goudge

The Pilgrim’s Inn, p. 99

Advent Diaries ~::🎄❄️♥️Page 6♥️❄️🎄::~ TWINS~ {Day 52}

amyofhearthridge4 Comments

Hi 👋 Friends,

I’m getting a bit ‘behind’ on my sharing, but it’s ok. I’m not going to rush. Trying to still my heart. Anyway, here’s some inspiration for you! Good things come in twos, right? I’m so grateful for the day of small things to rejoice in.

~ my new Moleskine Daily Pocket Journal, decorating it for the new year. This is my little to-do list, line-a-day, small-slice-of-creativity journal all combined in one. I loved this practice this past year. Gratitude, prayer, check lists! Small enough to be doable daily. Do you keep any sort of daily journal? It’s life giving for me!

~Two books that have been so impactful and important to me this year by John Eldredge. Resilient and Get Your Life Back. Just a covid-cobweb-clear-out for me and a beautiful clarion call to focus on Jesus. What books are challenging you in your faith?

~Two of my favorite films that inspire me creatively! The Ben Stiller version of ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ and Studio Ghibli’s ‘Whisper of the Heart’! 💟❣️💟❣️💟 Do you have any films that get your inspiration flowing?

~I’ve been thinking a lot of home and what I can do to bless those here by being a bit more focused home keeper. Home keeping is something I have to work at and am always learning in. Gladys Taber’s books always come to mind. She was a beautiful writer of domestic memoirs in 1930’s and on. I borrowed again a favorite book from the library called Farmhouse Revival not only because I love a lot of the style in it, but it features Gladys’ home, Stillmeadow. Trying to resurrect some little things I can do to make our home one of joy and comfort. If you are on Instagram, I recommend Shanda’s little slice of life, as she is so inspiring to me in many areas, but especially home keeping!

~ Two bits of music for your enjoyment! First a peaceful, immersive, ASMR-type Christmas instrumental choice and second, a fun song to dance with your kids to!

“I’ll try to give satisfaction, madam,” said Jill as they shook hands, and then she slipped unobtrusively away into the shadows, opening and closing the door so softly that Nadine was hardly aware that she had gone until she found herself alone. “I’ll try to give satisfaction.” It was years since Nadine had heard that old-fashioned remark. Because she had not heard it for so long it struck her as being rather a wonderful phrase. Satisfied. No one ever was. The whole world was crying out with hunger of some sort, physical or spiritual. To try to satisfy. Jill was right. That was all one could do.

Elizabeth Goudge

The Pilgrim’s Inn, p. 55

Advent Diaries ~::🎄❄️♥️Page 5♥️❄️🎄::~ RIVER~ {Day 51}

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How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!

Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.

He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3, CSB

The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8, CSB

Not a River

Not like a rolling river,

not like a floating river,

down on my head it comes.

It doesn’t drench me,

it doesn’t quench me,

as long as I am stay warm.

You’re wondering what it is

oh yes, you’re wondering what it is,

It is just the frozen flakes of Joy,

that is what is!

by Ella, my 15 yo daughter 🥰🥹♥️ (used with permission)

Coffee, fairy lights, books, and sunshine ✨

The sweep of this dividing staircase was most beautiful and gracious, and it gave one a feeling of welcome like strong arms held out, the arms of that glowing personality who had welcomed them in. And Ben noticed, though George did not, that the whole structure of the staircase, with the arms held out beneath the upright panel, was like a cross.

Elizabeth Goudge

The Pilgrim’s Inn, p. 90

Advent Diaries ~::🎄❄️♥️Page 4♥️❄️🎄::~ HERB ~ {Day 50}

amyofhearthridge4 Comments

Soul Soup

•what does

your soul soup need?

what was

cooking, bubbling, freed?

•on the piping hot

cookery range of life

a heart not fraught?

a pinch of healing, less strife?

•are you set too low?

stagnant, add some salt

tweak the recipe, nice & slow

tears simmering wrought

•a delicious mass, savory

turn it up hot

your soup not ordinary

it’s changing and sought

•taste it and see

not a bland hand, but good

what more sprinkling needs be?

stir it, oh spoon, wonderful wood

•be patient, soak herbs in

spice, vegetables, whole lot

perfectly poured, bowl to brim

sweet soul soup served hot

•what does

your soul soup need?

what was

cooking, bubbling, freed?

A. M. Pine 🌲 ♥️

Thrift book haul from last week. See anything interesting? I already have Family Under the Bridge but replacing our PB copy with this hard back. 😌♥️

But Sally did not want to be set free for anything, for it was living itself that she enjoyed. She liked lighting a real fire of logs and fir cones, and toasting bread on an old-fashioned toaster. And she liked the lovely curve of an old staircase and the fun of running up and down it. And she vastly preferred writing a letter and walking with it to the post than using the telephone and hearing with horror her voice committing itself to to things she would never have dreamed of doing if she’d had the time to think. “It’s my stupid brain,” she said to herself. “I like the leisurely things, and taking my time about them. That’s partly why I like children so much, I think. They’re never in a hurry to get on to something else.”

Elizabeth Goudge

The Pilgrim’s Inn , p. 12

♥️How is your week? What things in your life need stirring creatively or spiritually? I’m going to be thinking on these things awhile…

~ Blessings!

Advent Diaries ~ ::🎄❄️♥️Page 3♥️❄️🎄:: ~ PILGRIM ~ {Day 49}

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Old Woman of the Here

spent skin of a woman

sojourner of time

passing through land

skirt swinging saggy, a sign

sixty seconds step

sixty minutes lark

twenty-four hours wept

three hundred sixty-five of dark

hourglass of bones & blood

apron-clad keeper of sun

pages turned, ink gone, all mud

pilgrim of life on the run

lantern lights sways

her burdened eyes on horizon

she follows the rickety Way

looking far, deep, for flicker of Son

tick, tock, step, step

crunch of time gravel

under her feet, pounding in head

life’s steps, horror and marvel

~A.M. Pine 🌲♥️

Inspired by favorite poem here~

I’ve been thinking about home and also how as a Christian, I believe, I’m a traveler passing through…so much for contemplation.

“Jerry and Jose,” she said softly, smiling at them, “And I’m Jill. Three J’s. We’ll be happy.”

And the twins, still most extraordinarily well behaved, smiled back at her. They liked the firm clasp of her hands, her even voice, her steady eyes. They knew instinctively that she would always be the same, not hugging them one moment and scolding them the next, and neither for any apparent reason, but reasonable and even-tempered and to be relied upon like the ground beneath their feet.

Elizabeth Goudge

The Pilgrim’s Inn, p. 88

Goodbye 👋 Autumn Mugs
Welcome Christmas 🎄 mugs!
I’ve lately loved working on my reading journal 📓 ♥️

How are you doing? What is on your mind and heart? ♥️ What’s bringing you joy? 🥹

Advent Diaries ~ ::🎄❄️♥️Page 1♥️❄️🎄:: ~ JOURNAL ~ {Day 47}

amyofhearthridge5 Comments

My Advent journey begins this year by way of a journal. I love and thrive with journals and I’ve decided to journal {paper journal AND here, my online corner) my way through a beloved book, The Pilgrim’s Inn by Elizabeth Goudge, as part of my contemplation and slowing down this season. As a way of intro, let me give you a little background into this favorite Christmastime reread. I’m thrilled to be returning and revisiting well-loved friends in Sally, Hilary, the Eliot children, Jill, and others. It centers around the increasingly frail widowed grandmother matriarch of the Eliot family, Lucilla. Both World Wars have exacted a heavy price on the generations of her family and she is especially concerned for her son, George, and his 5 children. She’s made it her mission to convince her daughter-in-law, the sly, exhausted, beautiful Nadine to move back to the country near her and the family seat, Damerosehay, the faded home that has survived.

Nadine is facing her own demons and an unrequited love affair that almost happened with Lucilla’s grandson while her and her husband were separated, who happens to be Nadine’s great nephew! (I think! It’s been a long time since reading the first book in this trilogy) Lucilla’s grandson, David, is haunted by what he experienced in WWII as a RAF pilot, his father having died in WWI, and now he is now trying to resurrect his London stage acting career. Into these family dynamics, enters a multitude of other characters, especially the wonderful, sweet Sally Adair, with her father, too. We delve deep into the 5 Eliot children’s hearts, especially the oldest, sensitive, beauty seeking Ben. This story displays Goudge’s writing at its best, beautiful and with a sharp-edged mirror inviting the reader to examine their own heart and life. I’m slowly savoring every word and so grateful for the truths straight to my heart.

I plan to share a few quotes and things I’m drawing from this deep, rich well throughout December as an Advent practice.

I’ve created some prompts (listed below) if you want to join in any way in your own journals, blogs, or anywhere. These are fully open to your own special twist or interpretation.

They are words I pulled from my memory of this story and ones tugging at my heart currently.

Journaling is a favorite tactile way to reflect, pray, and process through life. I prefer ink and paper, but slow, quiet online forms of journaling are lovely too, as long as I can balance the scrolling siren call. I’m so grateful for this cozy, lovely way to be creative, record God’s continuous faithfulness, jot down memories , and keep quotes for perusing.

A darling Advent card from my local friend! 🥰

As I write out my thoughts on this book, as well as just general coziness and seasonal delights, I thought I’d bring you along with me to share joy in the mundane.

For some added inspiration, here are a few places to dig into for loveliness. If you enjoy Instagram, I highly recommend perusing CozyKimmi! The blog that I love, currently is Tea & Paper, for lovely poetry.

Here’s the prompts!

Use all of them, some, one, or make your own!

  1. Journal
  2. Light
  3. Pilgrim
  4. Herb
  5. River
  6. Twins
  7. Paint
  8. Poetry
  9. Red
  10. Children
  11. Tea
  12. Secret
  13. Chapel
  14. Grace
  15. Feast
  16. Candlelight
  17. Green
  18. Read
  19. Apron
  20. Forest
  21. Scripture
  22. Vows
  23. Letter
  24. Music
Little bits of Christmas slowly trickling out…next Christmas mugs and books this week…

…she suddenly abandoned herself to joy like bird to the wind, leaped from her bed, her tall body in it’s yellow pajamas like a sword of gold in the sun, flashed into the adjoining bathroom, banged the door, stripped, sprang into the bath, turned on the shower, and broke into a loud uproarious song. ♥️

pg. 3, The Pilgrim’s Inn

Come let us anticipate His coming together and offer our creative hearts as worship!

Blessed Advent beginnings, friends. ♥️🎄❄️

L.M. Montgomery’s 150th Birthday {Day 46} ♥️🎄❄️

amyofhearthridge5 Comments

I can’t begin to describe how much Maud Montgomery’s writing has meant to me over my lifetime. Her writing is truly my kindred spirit! ♥️🌲❄️ Have you read her stories? Her journals or poetry? I highly recommend! If you want a stand alone instead of a series, try Jane of Lantern Hill or The Blue Castle.

I’m hoping to participate in an ‘old-school’ Blogmas. Stay tuned. ♥️🌲❄️

What’s Inspiring Me…{Day 44}

amyofhearthridge3 Comments

Happy American Thanksgiving Eve, Friends!

Thankful for all of you! 🦃🦃🦃

Here’s what I’m inspired by today…I’m thankful for this moment…

Google Image
Google Image

My 10 yo and I created a ‘tablescape’ in celebration of two of our very favorite authors here at Hearth Ridge! C.S. Lewis and L.M. Montgomery’s birthdays are this weekend and I’m planning on a bit of a treat and some tea to celebrate. 🙌

I finally braved the cold for a walk and was richly rewarded by the gorgeous blue sky!

Our whole family is so enjoying listening to the Penderwicks series and it’s such a delight to hear the giggles and conversations happening! Mr. Penderwick and his Latin and Batty with her dog, Hound are my favorite characters!

I’m in a Voxer writing mom’s group and honestly, we haven’t done much lately on the group. We are all busy, homeschooling moms after all! Occasionally, though, we post articles or ideas and just wonderful tidbits and it’s so encouraging to get the creative juices flowing. We were talking about different writers processes and I remembered this book on my shelf.

We are wrapping up a few things before our Christmas school begins! I recently found this book and we are all enjoying it.

How about you? What things are inspiring you? There’s so much to be grateful 🥹 for today!

Senior in the Wild {Day 43}

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My current 12th grader. 😭♥️ Through all the messes and mayhem, I’m so thankful for home education. I’ve loved spending time with each of these people, it’s been the hardest and the best thing I’ve done. Counting my blessings.

♥️🌿🌲

Winter Inspiration Possibilities ~ Advent, Reading, & Stretching Myself Creatively {Day 41} ❄️🌲♥️❄️🌲♥️❄️🌲♥️❄️

amyofhearthridge8 Comments
‘Watch for the Light’ is my choice for Advent readings. All my children and I will be using some of Elizabeth Foss’ Advent reading plan/activities/recipes in ‘Real Learning Revisited’. My two older children will also be dipping into Biola University’s Advent posts.
Foss uses a lot of Tomie dePaola‘s books! Excited to read these.
I’m especially excited about this collection for dipping into a few times a week.

Remember how I said I wouldn’t overload my Winter DIY Woman’s Degree?! 😂🤷🏻‍♀️🤪🙄♥️❄️☃️ Never mind that! Here’s some of my reading ideas. I tried to categorize them here so it is easier for you to go to one that may interest you. I’m going to try crossing off/checking these off as I go. Some of these are planned possibilities and I also have my mood reading genres that I’m interested in currently. Quite a few of these are rereads, which I absolutely love doing. I realize this is excessive nerd overkill 🤓 and very detailed but I find it fun! It’s something to aim at and look forward too with the cold. I hold it super loosely and that’s why I call these ‘possibilities’. I didn’t include my Bible reading, Christian devotionals, or poetry because those three are always on the go.

Dec ‘24 – Jan ‘25 – Feb ‘25 Reading List:

Buddy Reads:

December 2024

Christmas Mummers by Charlotte Mary Yonge, online buddy read ✔️

Christmas at Thompson Hall by Anthony Trollope

(online group buddy read) short story✔️

Last Christmas in Paris by Webb & Gaynor ✔️

(online buddy read with Elizabeth B.)

January 2025

So Big by Edna Ferber ✔️

(online group buddy read)

The Man They Called Thursday by Chesterton

(preread with local friend for our HS Lit Class in our Charlotte Mason co op)

Books I’d Love to Read to my Kids this Winter:

Finish By the Shores of Silver Lake ✔️and begin The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Continue/Finish The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

Read Story Girl and The Golden Road by LM Montgomery

Start the Narnia Series by CLS

Read The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery

Continuing listening to Penderwicks when we can get audiobooks from library ✔️✔️

Personal Study Challenge:

Start The Illiad (journal through it) Long introduction and 24 parts, I think? One a week over 3 months? Seems doable?

Possible joining of a few BookLoveJenna’s 2025 online book club – I’m interested in Praying with Jane Eyre, The Love Letters, and Letters of a Portuguese Nun in the winter selections. I’m very slow with nonfiction, so this group may help me finish? This is a very big maybe. I did too many buddy reads/challenges this year andI’m not going to put as much pressure on myself.

Till We Have Faces and Miracles by CS Lewis

Read a memoir: Merry Hall by Beverly Nichols and Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch

Fantasy:

I’d love to continue reading ‘The Stormlight Archives’ by Brandon Sanderson- I’m in the middle of Words of Radiance. My older kids are so excited for our preordered 5th book in this cycle. I think technically there’s some short stories/lore to be read inbetween the 5 massive books out. I enjoy his work, but they are a bit more intricate and political than I usually like so these are a loose goal mostly to be reading something with my young adults.

Reread The Fellowship of the Ring by JRRT

Ember Blade by Chris Wooding

Continue Dune Series with Dune Messiah

Reread Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Reread The Night Circus

Continue Byzantium by Stephan Lawhead

Victorian Things/Cozy Reads & Rereads:

Finish Nicholas Nickelby ✔️

Finish Woman in White

Finish Deerbrooke ✔️

Reread Anne Series

Reread Emily Series

Finish Moominvalley in November

The Enchanted Sonata by Dixon ✔️

Skating Shoes by Streitfeild

Start Elizabeth Goudge Reread/Complete 2 Yr Project with Pilgrim’s Inn, Gentian Hill, and Towers in the Mist

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope

Start Romola by George Eliot

Current Reading Moods:

Classic/cozy mystery/spy

Cozy domestic & holiday

Dips into creativity/writing nonfiction shelf

Cozy fantasy

Deep middle grade/children’s literature, classic or with classic feel

Victorian Lit

This above is a CRAZY unrealistic🤪, but fun “bucket” list for this winter! Haha! 😆 What are some things on your list? I haven’t made many home keeping, home educating, or health goals yet. I’m still thinking on that. I think I have my focus phrase for the coming year, so maybe I’ll share that eventually. I’d like to update here on the blog as a fun way of checking in and narrating/processing what I’m learning or enjoying. We’ll see. Holding it all loosely, remember, Amy?! 🤣

Teeny, gorgeous snowflakes.

How about you? Do you plan things out a bit? Or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants? I really love making seasonal lists! Chat with me in comments, please! I’d love to hear your thoughts! ❄️🌲♥️❄️🌲♥️

Ray, Anne, & Madeleine Nuggets {Day 39}

amyofhearthridge4 Comments
“I wanna be human, ‘Fore I do some art” ~ RM

Be certain of this: When honest love speaks, when true admiration begins, when excitement rises, when hate curls like smoke, you never need doubt that creativity will stay with you for a lifetime.

~Ray Bradbury, p. 46, Zen in the Art of Writing

Perfectionism means that you try desperately not to leave so much mess to clean up. But clutter and mess show us that life is being lived. Clutter is wonderfully fertile ground-you can still discover new treasures under all those piles, clean things up, edit things out, fix things, get a grip.

~Anne Lamott, p.28, Bird by Bird

What a teacher or librarian or parent can do, in working with children, is to give the flame enough oxygen so that it can burn. As far as I’m concerned, this providing of oxygen is one of the noblest of all vocations.

~Madeleine L’Engle, p.46, A Circle of Quiet

Thinking on these bits today! Happy Wednesday! ♥️

p.s. – I’m officially closing out my two reading projects from this summer! I’m still dipping into some picks, but hoping to make a new few goals for myself during the quiet, winter season. Overall, I am pleased with what I read. I probably will be less 😏 ambitious in my next goal.