Happy First Day of Winter! ❄️ Dear Rebecca, Winter Is Here is a favorite read this time of year.
Dear Friends, hello again! I thought I’d catch up on my prompts by using them for more introspection and planning. Most of these areas, besides the marriage-focused ones, I will be including my children as we learn together. You are invited to join me in spirit or in your own planning…read on, if interested. ♥️❄️🎄
In the New Year ~2025~ I’d like too…
Light Candlelight in my marriage relationship and invest in my friendships deeply:
• planning dates, trips, times of prayer together with my husband, I’d love to jot down memories from these times and print off photos etc as a memorial of gratitude for God’s faithfulness.
•I’d like to reprioritize pen pal notes of encouragement, coffee dates with family and other friends, texting people who come to mind in prayer, local, and church women’s groups I’m in. We need one another more than ever.
The color of Green reminds me of hope, health, and creativity! It’s my favorite color 🍏🌿🌲🌱🍃🪴
•I’m planning on a few set creative challenges, especially using Bella Grace and Conscious Creativity for ideas.
•Figuring out a healthy way of living tailored to my needs and season of life and then being faithful to it.
•visiting my creative “heart homes”, if I can, occasionally or at least once next year. A special coffee shop, cabin, specific nature spots, and yes, Barnes & Noble. 😂 I love dreaming and planning at these places and it gives me something to look forward to! Yes, my major heart homes are the Lake District, Cumbria, England 🏴 and P.E.I., Canada, 🇨🇦 but no plans soon for returning there. 😉🥰😍😂
My Reading life is a life-giving to me. I’m intentionally keeping it simple this year with two challenges and open-ended possibilities.
•my first challenge is to start reading all Kate Howe’s current Victorian Literature Favorites as a project for myself. I actually haven’t finished or read many of these and thought it would be fun to challenge myself with some deeper reading.
• I absolutely love Chantel’s open-ended word categories this year, so hoping to plug in what I read there. I may not do them in the months assigned, but will look at them throughout the year.
• I was so inspired by this video talking about ideas for this gal’s reading journal. I don’t pre set up most of my journal pages except in the opening, preferring to work on them as the year progresses. I’m hoping to tweak some of her ideas to work for my journal.
•I want to tie on my Apron of home keeping and hospitality in a new, fresh way this year. Sometimes this means making a meal for a new mom or dropping off a bouquet of sunflowers you grew. It can mean more than hosting in your home. I have an older house with one small bathroom. How can I use it to bless my hubby, children, and those around me? This isn’t an easy area for me, so I want to grow. I’d like to put some effort in helping my husband fix a few things and focus on a small, container flower garden on my older deck, as a way of extending our home this summer. I’d like to host bonfires in fine weather, as we have a lot of outdoor space. Praying for the Lord’s leading. I’m setting up my little to-do planner/memory book in anticipation! I feel like I’m being asked to focus on ‘Taking Heed/Paying Attention” as my phrase for the year. I found a quote by Charlotte Mason, my educational philosophy heroine, that uses the phrase “expectant attention” and it hit me like a lightening bolt. I want to pay attention to the Lord’s still small voice in expectancy for all the glorious Truth and Love He has for me.
Amy Carmichael quote for my phrase of the year! “Expectant Attention”Little paper doors that open with goals and ideas! 🥹😍Charlotte Mason quote Scripture Truth
•I’d love to take to the Forest and field more. Nature walks and returning over and over again to numerous nearby favorites has blessed us immensely over the years on rotation. We truly strengthen our relationships with each other and walk away with little bits of beauty that keep on giving. These usually just cost me a bit of planning, a lunch thrown in a bag, and a little gas for an unmeasurable amount of Joy.
•Lastly, I want to really revamp and dive into my Scriptures this year. The Holy Bible is my life map and I honestly, adore it. I don’t understand it and it’s hard to read at times, but by faith, it will not return void in my life. I’d like to try a bit more focused journaling around it and I was so inspired by Doris’ journal here. She’s not using it for prayer and Scripture items, but I feel I could adapt some of it.
How ‘bout you? Do you have a focus or goals for 2025? I’d love to hear! 🥰😍
I was struck and inspired by these adorable, amazingly crafted children’s shoes on a flea market date with my hubby. There were teeny nails on the soles. 🥹🥰 The craftsmanship was astounding and frankly a bit convicting. Reminds me of the care that the artisans in the Old Testament put into creating the Temple and everything in it!
Hello, Dear Heart 💜 ♥️🖤💗 ~
How are you? The days of advent are winding up to the happiest birthday we could ever wish to celebrate and remember. Come, sweet Jesus, come. I’ve some catching up to do here and prayerfully, I will do that this long weekend. I’ve been thinking about feasting.
•💘what are you feasting on?💘 what is feeding you?•
~•How are you doing mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and creatively?•~
I know this is a lot to consider, but more than ever, I feel a pull to receive all that the Lord has for me as a whole person. Our world is so fragmented and fractured. It demands of us a lot of ‘black & white’ type living, choices, ‘left or right’ thinking and that is just not human reality. We are a living, breathing human collages, sewn together with so many experiences, pieces, and ephemeral bits. We are intricate masterpieces! I’m asking for clarity from the Lord as I move into this next year about who I am as a daughter of God.
Winter abounds in wonder. Wonder is the dawn, after a snowfall, when the world is quelled by a quiet like no other quiet. When icy mosaics are etched on the panes of the window. When the red bird of winter -hope perched on a bough-shatters the washed-out tableau. Wonder is the soul burrowing into the darkness, kindling the flame deep within.
Barbara Mahany
The Stillness of Winter, p. 8
I’m SO excited about this book as winter tends to be a hard, dry season for me in many ways.
I’m still praying over these areas and trying to focus my heart and mind on gazing fully on Jesus. I want to be wholly His and feasting on His Truth. I love 💕 discovering new ideas and inspiration, so I thought it would be fun to link some things that have recently encouraged me and are feeding me. I don’t necessarily love/agree with everything from all of these creators, but still can pull enough from them to challenge and spur myself on. I will give a brief overview of where I think my own journey is in each of these areas:
Mentally ~
Honestly, I’m still learning about resting in the Lord. Poetry, the Psalms, the Gospels, and instrumental music soundtracks have really helped. Covid era junk, hard relationships, and politics have messed with my anxiety a bit. The winter cold and darkness are difficult for me, but I’ve felt a real inner breakthrough this year. It’s slow and sure. Thanks be to God. Saying ‘no’ to certain things {regular news and too much social media, for example} and ‘yes’, to gentle things that are still a bit outside of my comfort zone, have help me think a bit deeper, yet led me away from the sleepless, racing brain. It’s finding the right things to challenge me, yet not contribute to worry or fear.
I’ve felt a bit dry, so praying about some ways to refresh and refocus in the new year. I recently read through The Gospels quickly and was so filled and blessed. One of my winter goals is to read Psalms from the paraphrase, The Message by Eugene Peterson. I find different translations or word studies really help. I hope to look at place names closer in the Bible in 2025, as I love names and the process of naming. Do you have any ideas or things that have helped you with your spiritual life? I really would love to get back to prayer walks and going to nature spots intentionally for focusing on the Lord, but need to get some new snow pants soon. I’m so cold! 😅 {you can call me wimp, it’s ok 😂}
Sophie, our cat, is SUCH a lovely beastie…so thankful for her 🥹😅♥️
Emotionally ~
This is tied into all of the above and other categories, but honestly, less Instagram, YouTube, Patreon, and newsfeeds has really made a difference for me. I miss some of the lovely people and STUFF I was involved with online {Voxer groups, Booktube, Zoom meetups, Marco Polo etc}, BUT I know that at this time, they got out of control after covid. I felt fractured between all that I have here in my ‘real’ life and the wonderful, but mistimed relationships online. So much online is fed by FOMO, “the fear of missing out”, and everything is hyped months in advance. That’s not bad, necessarily, like Walmart putting up Christmas stuff around Halloween. 😳🤪😏😒 I’m finding however, for my season of life and personality, prolonged exposure to this racing FOMO ruins me.
Things Helping Emotionally ~
Getting into nature! My local friend and I took our kids on some nature rambles this autumn and it was WONDERFUL. We talked books , ideas, and life, while enjoying the outdoors. We have plans for an outing in January.
Journaling to process. I’m finding a small amount goes a long way. Even making lists has really been helpful. Gratitude lists, prayer lists, hardship lists, things I’ve noticed lists, the list 😏 is endless!
Taking long breaks from online things if I catch myself getting stressed or overwhelmed by them. Life is too short for stress from random social media.
Analog recording of life and reading. I still love and enjoy online friendships and especially the friends I’ve made in the reading community, but pulling out of things like Goodreads/Storygraph/ some Booktube has really helped settle my emotions. These things aren’t bad and I’ve enjoyed them in other seasons, but for me, currently, I needed to cut and limit them.
Reading light and fluffy things in-between more challenging reads. I try not to have too heavy a ‘diet’ of marshmallow reading, but at times of extra stress, light reading is helpful.
Physically ~
This is a hard area for me to talk about honestly. I’ve always struggled with my self image, weight, and moderation. Even in highschool when I was an athlete and very ‘healthy’ on the outside. Ever since I’ve been having babies and been more sedentary, I’ve struggled with my weight. I’ve been on multiple diets, eating plans, exercise regimens, etc, etc, etc. During 2020, I lost a significant amount of weight in a highly structured program {Bright Line Eating} and was in a loving support group with some other strong, Christian women. We are all Charlotte Mason home educators and even met on annual retreats. These women are amazing, loving people! In late 2022/early ‘23, I found myself struggling with this and stopping the program. I really haven’t found a balance since then. One interesting thing, though, has been that my sleep has always been touchy and now that I’m not low-carb currently, it’s been significantly better. Go figure. Extreme low carb, I’ve been reading about, can mess with sleep. Good sleep is something that heavily contributes to ALL these areas!! All this to say is that, I’ve really been focusing on my internal battles through prayer 🙏🏻. I feel like that’s something I’ve never fully dealt with, no matter how well I do with the externals. I still am floundering and am not where I’d like to be health-wise. I’m trusting that some of the anxiety, 😟, self-loathing, and bad cycles are being worked though in a better way. Will you pray for me? Also that I know when enough is enough? Just finding where I need to be with my faith and in my body, for me. Not falling for the cultural definitions of worth, health, or value, but looking at myself through God’s lens. I also feel humbled over and over again. This is a pride area. Unfortunately, one gets a lot of attention and validation when one looks well and “with it” on the outside, even if I’m a tomb full of dead man’s bones on the inside. I want to be wholly Jesus’, inside and out. I want to walk in obedience to His guidance for me.
I don’t have anything currently that’s 💯 percent inspiring me currently right now in this area. I feel a bit fragile and burnt out. I have read a little by Geneen Roth lately and I’m thinking about it. Thanks for sticking with 🤪that long rant
The kids decorate the tree now. My work is finished. 😂♥️🎄
Creatively ~
Last but not least, I’m sooooo excited and inspired to find that in some ways, I’m settling into what I love to create and what inspires me in my life. I’m a Gatherer of Fragments. The Recycler of Remnants! I absolutely love things made of pieces. Stained glass, mosaics, collages, poems, ephemera, journals, photographs, and quilts. What do you love? What absolutely inspires you?
The overly simplistic magazine Bella Grace! I just love its sweetness. I got a subscription for Christmas. 🥰
The old Disney version of 101 Dalmatians. Roger’s commitment to his music and Cruella is my favorite villain. She shows me what selfishness looks like. She makes me laugh at how odious self-centeredness can become!
The Ben Stiller version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Soooooo inspiring on SO many levels.
Favorites of mine! ♥️ my children don’t like the film. 😂
There is so much to see-things that tell of His love and grace; things that show His Presence;the treasures of His Book. There is no limit to what we shall see except the limit of our own power to see. “Open Thou mine eyes” is a prayer for us all.
And then listen. There is much to hear. What did God say to me this morning in what I read in His Book, in what I heard from others who love Him, in what I heard deep in my heart, through something He caused me to recall? Whatever it was, let me take time to “comprehend” it, hold it fast, and live in the light of it to-day.
Amy Carmichael
Edges of His Ways, p. 174
💗🥰How about you? How are you doing in these areas? Do you take time to evaluate things? How are you feeding yourself ? ♥️
Splashes of redNew recipe we made up! Peppermint tea, a little hot water, then two scoops favorite hot cocoa mix, favorite milk, then more hot water, mix! Delicious peppermint cocoa.Rich reds…red reminds me of grace! ♥️🎄
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!
Witches by Roald Dahl (sweet, grotesquely funny story of little boy and grandmother who battle evil together!)
Apple Boughby Noel Streatfield (delightful story of the oldest daughter in an extremely artistic family who is finding her place. This was beautiful and deep!)
Kiki’s Delivery Serviceby Eiko Kandano (sweet, comforting, cozy coming of age fantasy story.)
The Language of Spellsby Garrit Weyr (deep story following a family and a dragon through both World Wars – so lovely and thoughtful.)
Thimble Summerby Elizabeth Enright (gorgeous farm family story with beautiful writing!)
The Grey Womanby Elizabeth Gaskell (short, atmospheric story. Ending was a bit rushed, but accessible Victorian literature at its best.)
The Chantry Houseby Charlotte Mary Yonge (longer Victorian literature with a side of ghost. I really enjoyed this one!)
The LostHeiress by Roseann’s M. White (lovely, clean historical romance that had a mysterious twist to it. I really enjoyed this one!)
An Enchantment of Ravensby 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.)
Honey for a Women’s Heartby Gladys M. Hunt (a favorite nonfiction reread that was just what I needed to inspire my reading and my home educating!)
Sylvia’s Loversby 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.)
The Mirror VisitorSeries 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.)
Conscious Creativityby Philippe Stanton (a gorgeous photographer’s art philosophy, prompts, inspiration, and ramblings. So inspiring!)
Amish Quilt Shop Seriesby Isabella Alan (simple and cozy mysteries. When I’m exhausted and need of something light, I enjoy a few cozy, clean mystery authors.)
Full Disclosureby 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.)
Jane of Lantern Hillby 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!)
Maisie Dobbs Seriesby 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!)
Chaliceby Robin McKinley (lovely, elemental magic fantasy that enchanted me. Can’t really explain why. A bit darker fantasy, fyi.)
Deerbrookby 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.
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.
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…
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 MugsWelcome 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? 🥹
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.
It’s a cold, ill, rainy wind that blows no good today. Soooo, of course, that makes me think of books. Ha. Who am I kidding. EVERYTHING makes me think of books. 🙃🤓😌😏😂♥️
I wanted to give you a heads up on a GORGEOUS nonfiction writer I’ve found this past year. Her writing is poetry to me. I’ve almost finished up Slowing Time by her as it’s set up seasonally so I am waiting for the winter section. She is of a different faith tradition than myself, but ties her practice to nature and the seasons so beautifully that I find I can pull out things that speak to me as a Christian.
I think she has only four books, so I hope to collect the last of hers which I’m waiting to find called The Book of Nature.
Have you discovered a new-to-you writer/artist/singer this year?
Do you find yourself returning to old favorites and habits in times of stress and upheaval? Sometimes, for me, this isn’t a good thing, because I have to work very hard to make good choices in a few areas where I’m prone to excess. However, books, music, and nature or domestic detail photography all have their place in a kind of “on-the-spot therapy” for me. I am definitely a rereader especially if a book encapsulates a certain ‘feeling’ I’m after or setting I love.
Poetry that I return to again and again!Wild, windy days and whipping yellow
I recently pulled off my shelf a favorite reread series that’s so interesting that I got immediately sucked in all over again. I was reminded how much I love rereading, because so much more can be caught and different things highlighted. The Mirror Visitor Series isn’t perfect, but it has so many interesting characters and so many ideas to think on, I just love it. I was again reminded that it’s not always good for me to rush reading or be trying to keep up with all the new stuff. One big downside to Bookstagram and Booktube. Poetry, too, is something I absolutely have favorites of, I’m so rewarded and surprised as I cracked open the pages and take a deep drink all over again.
I don’t own a PB copy of the last book, The Stormof Echoes yet, can’t wait to collect it for the gorgeous cover alone. My favorites are the first two, by far, but they are all so immersive. Josh Garrels oldie, but goodie
I’m very eclectic in my reading, listening, and watching tastes. I like quirky, kind of off-the-beaten-track things with a side of classic. I’ve noticed a shift lately back to my old Josh Garrels listening, instrumental BTS (my one and ever only K-pop fandom), a craving for films like Sound of Music, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Babette’s Feast. I watched a few episodes of Over the Garden Wall with my kids the other day. It’s a bit toooo creepy for us, but some of it is interesting and has such a gorgeous atmosphere. How about you? What do you gravitate towards when life is feeling weighty?
Two reread favorites 🥹♥️Tree gazing and listening to…what are they whispering? Hello light, my old friend.
How ‘bout you? What are some healthy ways you refresh yourself? Do you need something new and different? Or do you return to your comfortable, hole-y sweater of inspiration? It goes without saying, that the Holy Bible is super comforting to me because it shows that there is nothing new under the sun. We are all so flawed. I need deep gulps of Jesus.♥️ I definitely occasionally need a ‘Tookish’ adventure to get me out of a funk, but generally, returning to my old Baggins favorites and home comforts blesses me immensely. What richness we’ve been given! ☺️♥️🕸️🕷️🌿🍂🍁🍄🌾
Somehow I’ve lost my way with writing (and in general, creativity). Words and the authors (all artists, really) behind the ink have watered my soul in ways I can’t even begin to express. I want to find my way back to putting pen to paper, expressing memories, emotion, ideas, and ultimately, hope.
I’m starting by finding a few things to spur me on, but really just writing down anything each day. You start by doing. You continue by consistency. It can be randomness, but it’s out of my brain and it’s concrete.
Collage is probably the best way of describing the way I want to write and create. A simmering ephemera soup of colors, ideas, and encouragement. Incidentally, I also make collage art. I’ve just started doing it a bit more consistently. I recently realized that I’ve always collaged in some way, through scrapbooking, junk journaling, quilting, collecting words, and a little bit through photography, too.
How ‘bout you? Are there creative areas you want to resurrect in your life? Have you considered how different seasons of life, and circumstances (for me, covid, years of all little kids, distracting social media, health challenges) have made it difficult, but not impossible to come back to these areas.
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 