The house remembered her whole life. It had always been the sameā¦it had never changedā¦not really. Only little surface changes. How she loved it! She loved it in morning rose and sunset amber, and best of all in the darkness of night, when it loomed palely through the gloom and was all her own. This beauty was hersā¦all hers. Life could never be empty at Silver Bush. Somebody had pitied her onceā¦āso out of this world.ā Pat laughed. Out of the world? Nay, she was in the world hereā¦her world. ā I dwell among my own people.ā Wise Shulamite!
There is just something about Septemberš¾šš that has gotten under my skin and deep down into my soul. The golden tinge, the lazy, drift-y woodsmoke through the warm sunās slant, the cool, autumn-touched mornings, and the swirl of leaves š behind my van as I go a toolinā down the road. Sigh. I declare September as my ānew yearā, the sitting among fluttering Queen Anneās Lace with the Chicory and Golden Rod as my only resolution. Oh, glorious September, donāt go with your woody smell of freshly sharpened pencils, favorite cardigans pulled out, and bold Zinnias flaring out of gardens. The cicadas screaming buzz, green speckled grasshoppers, and that deep, dark secretive cricket singing from behind the refrigerator. There is an end of summertime, early autumn š rustle and crunch to everything, cornstalks, leaves, and a rattle and roll to the landscape. It is SO unbelievably beautiful and Iām thankful for new seasons and new, fresh beginnings.
Never put the key to your Happiness in somebody elseās pocket.
Iām really trying to get into focused prayer and devotions. I have a well established devotional time, but it has been very distracted and disjointed. Iām loving the second half of Ezekiel! Itās an intense book, but oh, thereās some richness and encouragement, too.
Again He said to me, āProphesy to these bones, and say to them, āO dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the LORD GOD to these bones: ā Surely I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live.
Ezekiel 37:4-5, NKJV
I bought this charming pumpkin, her name is Hazel. š ā„ļøšøļøš·ļøš
Physical:
Iāve really struggled and I know itās because my good habits were not well established again after letting them fall by the wayside. Homeschooling began and it has been a battle for me in getting enough well, everything. šš Sleep, water, walks, and healthy, nourishing meals. Pray for me to slowly integrate these back in as our homeschool days are evening out now.
Mental:
Honestly, with school beginning, Iāve felt myself feeling ācrazyā and even though homeschooling is going well, itās just that added āon- nessā that I know contributes. We have extra outside obligations, also, and I know that adds to this feeling. Iām recognizing I need to adjust some of my summer habits and be very choosy about what Iām giving mental space to and also remembering to judge my feelings by Truth. Taking my thoughts captive! My sister sent me this quote to think on:
The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not be able to do something, and enter Godās realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His Almighty Power. Nothing is too small for His love.
Corrie ten Boom
Emotional:
Iāve been *trying* to turn off social media (curse you, Booktube- jk, jk! ) and actually use my hands to make bouquets, write penpals, and lately, create altered composition notebooks. Creating with my hands always helps encourage and calm my emotions. We took a little āTookishā adventure the other day to a cemetery with gorgeous leaves and had a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie šŖ snack there, yes, I know thatās sort of weird , but we loved reading the history of peopleās lives on the headstones šŖ¦ and enjoying the autumn atmosphere. We then visited a new-to-us public library and it was fun setting aside my Baggins habits of wanting to hide in my house all the time. šš
Half of a .69 cent composition notebook šcollaged into a gratitude journal! šAnother half a composition notebook collaged into an Inspiration notebook! Much easier to cut them this way in half than the other way. My hubby says heāll help me with a saw next time! š I may do some of these as Christmas gifts. Used Modge Podge over and under it all! So fun and relaxing!
Servanthood: thinking š¤ on this quote! šØā„ļøš
Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. It will devise subtle, religiously acceptable means to call attention to the service rendered. If we stoutly refuse to give in to this lust of the flesh, we crucify it. Every time we crucify the flesh, we crucify our pride and arrogance.
Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, p. 130
Verse focus:
I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing. Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase and they will be secure on their land. ā„ļø
from Ezekiel 34, NASB
Last, but certainly not least, Iāve been so encouraged and enjoying my reading. I finished Volume 1. of Charlotte Mary Yongeās delightful family saga, The Pillars of the Home, with my favorite online book people, Victorian literature lovers. Victorian literature is fast becoming a favorite genre! We will continue Volume 2 for Victober! I also SO enjoyed Distilled Genius by Susan Branch, a collection of her illustrations and hand lettered quotes. Branch and I differ in some worldview and lifestyle aspects, but overall, I loooved this collection. Iām currently rereading for the third time, her Marthaās Vineyard: Isle of Dreams, one of my favorite memoirs of all time.
I love reading seasonally or at least I get in certain reading moods as the seasons ease into the next. šššš¾šššæļøš»ā„ļø šHere are five reads that I recommend that feel September-ishā¦
1. From the Heart of the Home: Autumn by Susan Branch {this is a delightful collection of joyful reflections, illustrations, quotes, and recipes to get you into the fall mood}ā„ļøš»
2. Pat of the Silverbush by L.M. Montgomery {Iām reading this currently for the first time and itās lovely and cozy for this time of year}
3. Christy by Catherine Marshall {beautiful story full of hope, growth, faith, and wonderful female friendships}
4. The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry {honestly, I pull this short poetry collection out all times of year, but have been craving it lately}
5. The Grasmere Journals by Dorothy Wordsworth {beautifully simple journal entries from the sister of the poet William Wordsworth. The domesticity and pace of life is just so relaxing to me and the English Lake District setting is perfect}
P.S. William Shakespeare is another I feel drawn towards. Whatās your favorite play of his?
Do you have any favorite reads that smell and feel of September? ā„ļø Please share!
What are you reading š, exploring, or creating this weekend? Happy September, friends! šš„°š»ā„ļøāļøšššššš¤šššš¬šāØš¾šš²
Iām mostly sipping coffee āļø {maybe Tazoās Lemon š Loaf tea, later} and loving The Grasmere Journals by Dorothy Wordsworth š„°.
Sunlight flooded the ancient schoolroom, and chalk dust danced in the slanting rays. The massive brass inkstand on my desk gleamed like gold, and little rainbows glanced from the glass over the photograph of our Queen centrally placed on the rear wall, in the most honored position.
Donāt you feel a tug, a yearning to sink down into the silence and solitude of God? Donāt you long for something more? Doesnāt every breath crave a deeper, fuller exposure to his Presence? It is the Discipline of solitude that will open the door. You are welcome to come in and ālisten to Godās speech in his wondrous, terrible, gentle, loving, all-embracing silence.ā
Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, p. 109
Focus Areas:
Spiritual ~ I was a bit sluggish this week about REALLY pressing into my quiet times and calming myself down enough to enter in. We came off a wonderful, but exhausting graduation party for my oldest son and it takes me a long time to recover from events. I kept up with my group reading plan, but didnāt deeply meditate and pray/journal as much as I want to. The end of this week has been better and it feels so good to soak in Matthew among other things. My sister reminded me of Pray As You Go app which helps me focus as I begin my prayer times. ā„ļø
Physical ~ I honestly struggled a bit with getting in the groove with my food. Just grazing and bingeing, even on āhealthyā things. Out of exhaustion or anxiety, finding myself feeling hungry in my MIND not legitimately hungry in my stomach. I found that listening to the audiobook of Rezoom by Susan Peirce Thompson or Half of Carlaās YouTube really helped me calm down a bit. Not making or having unhealthy choices in the house really helps me, too. I did get out on my walks with my audiobook. Iām 56% through Klara & the Sun and šÆ itās thoroughly intriguing. I bought a new tshirt and struggled with the mental battle about my worth because it was a bigger size. š Just be brutally honest here. I am excited to receive it, though, and support my friendās creative endeavor .
Mental ~ I had so much fun updating my book journal and purging/ organizing my reading stacks. I decided to focus on one particular stack of things Iām reading with others or have wanted to read for a long time. I gave myself permission to set aside books that were too silly, not grabbing my attention, or just weighing me down. I read a few poemās every day (Oliver, Wordsworth, and Native Nations poems) and it was so nice. Iām super interested in learning about the āBalkansā area after finishing the historical fiction thriller The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
Emotional~ I had some hard relational talks this week that were good. I tend to avoid and stuff down which isnāt healthy. I really tried to keep up on some household rhythms and itās amazing how much that lifts my mood. Just putting a fresh weed š bouquet on a clean dining room table with tablecloth, washing the dishes after each meal, etc. Being outdoors really helped me! I also did a fun video about my favorite things and I wrote two snail mail letters. Iāve been trying to sleep a little in afternoons lately and itās SO nice. I did get a little Totoro stamp set and some new, darling stickers which was a blessing. Maybe Iāll show them to you next week. Stationary is the way to my heart! šš
I watched āHeidiā performance with two of my children ā„ļøš²Shakespeare in the Park (Macbeth) with some friends and three of my children ā„ļø
Servanthood ~ this was tough this week. I think coming off the graduation party made it extra hard. I want to focus more on the little things I can do for those around me and do them well. Not be so distracted. I was able to do some fun things with others last week and it was wonderful to connect in those big things, but I can see some daily practices I believe Jesus wants me to give more in. ā„ļø He is so gracious and faithful to help and strengthen us. I do want to start gratitude journaling again to practice thankfulness and get outside my head. Look for a Joy Journal entry soon, hopefully.
Verse Focus for Coming Week:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Graduation party leftovers ā„ļø
How about you? How did your week go? Bless you all! šæšā£ļøāØšš»š§ļøšš„¦āļøš³š±
For a habit is a delight in itself; poor human nature is conscious of the ease that it is to repeat the doing of anything without effort; and, therefore , the formation of a habit, the gradually lessening sense of effort in a given act, is pleasurable.
Charlotte Mason, Home Education, p. 121
My focus areas:
Spiritual: been really trying to keep up with my YouVersion apps Bible readings with friends. However, I decided I needed a slower soak also, so I began the New Testament this week and wow, itās been so lovely. Just Jesusā words. Journaling and meditating on it all. Iām reading a few devotionals and Mary Oliverās nature poetry has been turning my heart š to my Creator. Iāve been prioritizing spending my quiet time outdoors, too, because it adds so much.
Physical: I was able to get out for a long walk one day and listen to an audiobook. It was wonderful! Hopefully, going again today. I tend to be pretty sedentary, so walks are something I want to make time for. I adjusted my food a lot this week and checked in with my sister each night. I felt very āhangryā at times and journaled etc to help. Iām admittedly seeing a few things that are creeping in that I canāt be moderate in. I will be just taking those out of my diet. I know this seems extreme, but for me, it works. Iām trying something Iām calling BLE Lite (Bright Line Eating), in which I follow the plan closely with a few planned exceptions. Iām definitely easing back in as this program is pretty intense and structured. However, I do think I work better with clear boundaries.
Rezoom: The Powerful Reframe to End-the-Crash-and-Burn Cycle of Food Addiction by Susan Peirce Thompson, p.73p. 74Show up for yourself, Amy, by making nourishing, thoughtful meals.
Mental: Iām trying to chose good books to read and journal/narrate/collage about them. Slowing down to create or discuss calms and soothes my anxiety. I participated in a Zoom book discussion on Anthony Trollopeās The Belton Estate. I can get too introverted and find myself āhidingā and I want to challenge myself and grow, not stagnate. Iām rereading a challenging book about home as a ministry and itās so good. Iāve been taking naps with my 4 yo occasionally and this makes a huge difference physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Emotional: I took off the week from YouTube and itās been so nice. Iām on a year break from Instagram. I enjoy aspects of social media, but I have to balance these delicately otherwise, I personally find myself anxious, discontent, and not present. Naps, nature, walks, etc all contribute to a more balanced emo š¤ state for me! š I also did a few creative things this week that filled my cup like collaging, filming book reviews, sending a penpal letter, and writing. I took myself on a coffee date and also picked up a favorite magazine. I want to be careful not to always associate buying things for comfort, because I actually find more genuine peace in the things that cost š² NOTHING. However, occasionally, itās fun to get a special gift. š
Servanthood: I wonāt be giving a ton of actual real life details here as this is a personal area between me and Jesus, but, I do want to share action steps I want to try. I want to include one or more children in whatever Iām doing around the house, ie – take a child grocery shopping or take walks with kids sometimes, etc. I want to plan some activities to do WITH kids that arenāt work related. The reality of life here with a big family is we are often working together. Thatās good, but I also want to do purposeful fun activities occasionally.
Verse Focus for coming week:
ā¦His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.
from 2 Peter 1:3
So, overall, a good week, and Iām hopeful! Planning on checking in next week. Thanks for being here. ā£ļøā£ļøā£ļø Let me know how you are? Lots of love, Amy š¤š²š¤
Granny never seemed to worry what time it was. š²She got up with the sun and went home when it went down. She took things slow and easy, never hurrying at all. ā„ļøNo matter how often Satsuki asked Granny to teach her something, Granny never complainedšæ, and no matter how often Satsuki made the same mistake, she never lost her patience.š
My Neighbor, Totoro: The Novel by Tsugiko Kubo, original story and art by Hayao Miyazaki, p. 107
Readingā¦ on the top of my stack: Seasons of Your Heart: Prayers & Reflections by Macrina Wiederkehr and Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen. A wonderful, intriguing bit of Miyazaki to fill your joy cup.
Noticingā¦summer flowers, clouds, barn swallows, warmth, and summer smells! šæ
Summer by Susan BranchPine-scented air and Life-giving words ā„ļøšæLake Michigan, little boys, sand, heart-shaped rock from almost 16 yo son, and comfy orange pants ā„ļø
What are you listening to, reading, watching, & noticing? ā„ļøš„°šæ
Original Painting by Lore Pemberton. My friend protecting her plants.Image originally from National Geographic 1976.
These three above selections were shared by my friend and this is what I think has been brewing for awhile in my heart, but started coming out as I simmered a bit over them. A collage of bits of letters, ephemera, and poetry for you! ā„ļøšæ
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 