tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50796867363531896802024-03-19T04:48:45.114-04:00Ordinary Days of Small ThingsKimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-73504592473108853602024-03-13T05:00:00.001-04:002024-03-13T05:00:00.135-04:00Ordinary Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UelcrzaOiaE9mqJKEuDzQ084AXuPkceYnooOHmf9ecqbDkLscqE9XrCAxFAr4GtQsZcGx_y_EaF4w6i4xc7pq4XSVzZ7WERfumsJkHsGmH-mKCJv0F41Z7bBrzya3f7OkgOkSpvNvUhg_SKeNgTHgD1XjasyMG-r12wGuRs8X5dKTVLfl7eBKfqlCJ8/s530/Thrift%20Store%20Items.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="530" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UelcrzaOiaE9mqJKEuDzQ084AXuPkceYnooOHmf9ecqbDkLscqE9XrCAxFAr4GtQsZcGx_y_EaF4w6i4xc7pq4XSVzZ7WERfumsJkHsGmH-mKCJv0F41Z7bBrzya3f7OkgOkSpvNvUhg_SKeNgTHgD1XjasyMG-r12wGuRs8X5dKTVLfl7eBKfqlCJ8/w640-h636/Thrift%20Store%20Items.png" width="640" /></a></div>I am in love with the ordinary things<div>of life, fresh air, acts of kindness</div><div>old soul conversations, watching</div><div>things grow, listening to the rain as </div><div>it empties its heart toward earth.</div><div>Remembering the times I ran through</div><div>it unafraid, spontaneous, freedom</div><div>filled. I find pure joy in the joy of </div><div>others. I am drunk on simplicity and </div><div>nostalgia, and old thrift shops run by</div><div>volunteers who just want to change</div><div>the world one human at a time. I greet</div><div>the morning with eyes that still have</div><div>remnants of pain but will see their way</div><div>through it. I am determined to create </div><div>something beautiful every day, whether </div><div>art, or peace, or a path for those who</div><div>are lacking in light. I wish for nothing</div><div>more than soft hands filled with giving,</div><div>this is where I find my rest.</div><div><br /></div><div>- ullie-kaye</div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-65194745562910785222024-03-02T05:00:00.011-05:002024-03-02T05:00:00.187-05:00Small Things - First Saturday in March 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwO9_zfR9TlFRsqvp768DwaECF-80d-TVHIczpetGc7Eqyt3P7FFDNx9NNHXC4FrAfH76KN73nNx6yZlNgPVmachxI9wvg77BRHl7aCFoAgd0YSGPSqiGOVrXgYSdhd5IbroeN-DYb8ItfMoExAX3zmXGZ-PnL417oT4Jxsogoloo3yHd9CixBzDLs-s/s595/Screen%20Shot%202020-07-23%20at%206.29.12%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="591" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwO9_zfR9TlFRsqvp768DwaECF-80d-TVHIczpetGc7Eqyt3P7FFDNx9NNHXC4FrAfH76KN73nNx6yZlNgPVmachxI9wvg77BRHl7aCFoAgd0YSGPSqiGOVrXgYSdhd5IbroeN-DYb8ItfMoExAX3zmXGZ-PnL417oT4Jxsogoloo3yHd9CixBzDLs-s/w634-h640/Screen%20Shot%202020-07-23%20at%206.29.12%20AM.png" width="634" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7amPxd5kvN1a0ktVYkjDaXQgKfROz01SRKmXaca0oJ7jMQ-fVX6F_xX9wDTrct8He8-ZOFyxg5l6uSj2BEoJv8luZ2gL_QNbZXgt0f6Lkbg9GiYm02qwA4THcYtHZAy6z86XNhes-_-99Hgm2UH4QExPB4oGGjJoJwFcbN-SC16vvV2HlQinyewKsDSo/s677/Small%20Things.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="138" data-original-width="677" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7amPxd5kvN1a0ktVYkjDaXQgKfROz01SRKmXaca0oJ7jMQ-fVX6F_xX9wDTrct8He8-ZOFyxg5l6uSj2BEoJv8luZ2gL_QNbZXgt0f6Lkbg9GiYm02qwA4THcYtHZAy6z86XNhes-_-99Hgm2UH4QExPB4oGGjJoJwFcbN-SC16vvV2HlQinyewKsDSo/w640-h128/Small%20Things.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">"</span><i style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."</i></p><p></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo;"></p><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); clear: both; color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: start;"></p><p style="text-align: start;"></p><div><p style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>- </b></span>GLADYS TABER</span></p></div></div><p>In no particular order, here are six <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">SMALL</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">THINGS</span></b> that have saved me this week.</p><p>1. If you've been visiting with me here, then it will come as no surprise to you that I LOVE old movies and sitcoms. 90% of what I watch are movies and sitcoms from the 50's, 60's and a few from the 70's. So I was overjoyed when I came across this YouTube channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@keepingwaltindisney">Keeping Walt in Disney</a>, which "celebrates the Disney of Walt's era", which I'm sure at least most of us can agree (at least if you're my age!), was the best! I hardly know where to begin! Will it be, Savage Sam, The Three Lives of Thomasina, Beyond Witch Mountain? The collection is vast and memorable! If you loved watching Walt Disney as a child, take a trip down memory lane and revisit a beloved classic!</p><p>2. As I said, I watch very little in the way of modern day television, but if and when I do it's usually on PBS. I just finished watching Season 4 of <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/shows/all-creatures-great-and-small/#">All Creatures Great and Small</a>, and let me tell you, this series is my current personal favorite! Have you seen it? It's available with a subscription to Masterpiece through Prime Video, or you can also subscribe through PBS, which is what I do. I've started over from the beginning now with Season 1 and I'm amazed at how much I had forgotten! I heard just this week that they are currently filming Season 5 and there will be a Season 6! And to top if off, one of my favorite characters, Tristan Farnon is returning this coming season!</p><p>3. <a href="http://discipleship.org">discipleship.org</a> I haven't spoken much about my spiritual life in recent months, well, let's be honest, I haven't spoken on much of anything. But that is, in part, because of the deep work the Holy Spirit has done and is continuing in my life. Perhaps I'll share more in an upcoming post, we'll see. I have spoken before about the profound impact that John Mark Comer and <a href="https://practicingthewayarchives.org">these videos</a> have made on my life in recent years. John Mark has recently written a book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3P5bphg">Practicing The Way</a> (AFFILIATE LINK), which speaks to this same subject, as well. I am going to be reading it soon with a friend of mine, and from there we may begin meeting with a small group of women who are interested in reading it as well, and then who knows, we'll see where the Holy Spirit takes us. <a href="http://discipleship.org">discipleship.org</a> has a wealth of free ebooks that I've been perusing, as well, some along the same line of thought as Practicing The Way. If you're interested in learning more about a more ancient, holistic, relational, embodied and emotional model of discipleship, I encourage you to check out the Practicing The Way videos, reading the book, or look through the offerings at <a href="http://discipleship.org">discipleship.org</a>.</p><p>4. This post I read on Facebook this week,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sisteriamwithyou/posts/pfbid0UpgBQAs2yeaCp3yjh9tvgBNV6oAyTQeHaBNNFcKJYSWZRiuskb9TWCJEJbnxpak5l"> "I want to be a come as you are friend"</a> Kind of in line with the small group my friend and I are considering starting up this year. I listened to a podcast this week that spoke to this as well. So many people feel like they can't come to church in their brokenness, so they put on this false self in order to be accepted. And I'm just shaking my head thinking, if you can't be broken you and saved you at the same time? This was never a prerequisite for Jesus, and the church needs to have the same capacity as Jesus. Either that, or stop saying "come as you are" when what they really mean is, "come until we find out". Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of churches that are doing this well, I'm not here to call out specific churches (althought I could). I'm talking Big C church, as in natinal/global. We need to do better, and I want to be a part in that!</p><p>5. This recipe for <a href="https://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com/big-mac-tacos/">Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos</a>. Can't say it's actually saved me, because we haven't made them yet. But I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since I saw it. Weird thing is I'm not even much of a Big Mac fan, like I NEVER order it! But I have had it, and something about this recipe just has me intrigued. Part of me thinks why mess with tacos, especially with a Big Mac? But I'm going to have to try thig one. Have you made this? What are your thoughts? Watch for a follow up post soon.</p><p>6. The Cold and Flu Bomb. I mentioned in <a href="https://www.kimberlylottman.com/2024/03/go-slowly-still.html">my post yesterday</a> that I've been battling some upper respiratory crud this week. We actually had to take our daughter to the ER this week and she ended up being diagnosed with pneumonia, which kind of freaked me out, since I already had symptoms. Things did get worse for me, but never along the lines of her symptoms. Still, I've felt pretty crummy for several days now, but yesterday things finally took a turn for the better. I attribute it to the recipe that I am about to share with you. It brought me back from the worst case of flu I've ever had in my life a few years ago, and whatever it is I've been fighting this week couldn't stand up to it. I had actually forgotten about it (HOW??), until I became so frustrated with all of the OTC treatments I'd been pushing for days. Two doses of this and that same night I was already feeling relief. I'm still not quite 100%, but I'm still taking it and every day I feel better than the last. If you ever get the flu or just a really bad cold, this stuff works!</p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>COLD AND FLU BOMB</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">*1 clove or garlic, minced</div><div style="text-align: left;">*1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 Tablespoon of honey (local is best)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper</div><div style="text-align: left;">Juice of 1 lemon (organic)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Add this to 1/2 hot, 1/2 cold filtered water. Should be warm, but not too hot. Drink 2-3 x per days until symptoms subside. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">*The minced garlic and ginger may float to the bottom. I mince mine fine and they still find their way to the bottom of the cup. I use a spoon and stir it as I drink and also spoon the piece up and put them in the mouth and then chase it with the liquid. The garlic and ginger are essential to fighting colds and flu, so don't let it sink to the bottom and stay there! Get every last piece!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6660219858662771113" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; width: 670px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">❊</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>and this post contains affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>we receive a small commission from Amazon.</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>We appreciate your support</i></span></div></div></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-23369260749483101512024-03-01T08:00:00.008-05:002024-03-01T13:05:59.834-05:00Go Slowly Still<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhTQsQHbClAxigGha5SBDl_u5JpGkNIz-Zz15SQQ8fXqvfe9WT9AFNU5abR1Frzwcn95bS9qeDDOzcQbLBiGtUKBmttq1D5UbM-6imEEwAnSq0syftWkvgStNI5lONSQ72AFUyy8-cYBGlxehAWh8UTD3-e0vvtB4J29ocWpJnQIrYeNGDNmq438Z420/s532/Early%20Spring.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="532" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhTQsQHbClAxigGha5SBDl_u5JpGkNIz-Zz15SQQ8fXqvfe9WT9AFNU5abR1Frzwcn95bS9qeDDOzcQbLBiGtUKBmttq1D5UbM-6imEEwAnSq0syftWkvgStNI5lONSQ72AFUyy8-cYBGlxehAWh8UTD3-e0vvtB4J29ocWpJnQIrYeNGDNmq438Z420/w640-h632/Early%20Spring.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Avenir;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chocolate mint from last years garden. I noticed yesterday one tiny sprig appears to be coming back to life. </span></span></div></div><p style="text-align: left;">This time of year, in the transition between winter and spring, life is a contradiction. There is birdsong and thunderstorms, daffodils and mud puddles, a pretty spring dress covered up by a warm winter coat. Just as we begin to think winter will never end, nature begins to give us signals that beneath the still cold ground, spring is stirring! It sneaks, unsuspecting from the folds of winter. But one must watch closely to see it, to be aware. Perhaps where you live the snowdrops are in bloom, while for others snow will be on the ground for many weeks to come.</p><p></p><p>Here in Virginia the daffodils have made their appearance, and the early budding trees are showing glimmers of new life. This year, as with last, winter didn't make much of an appearance. With the exception of one snowfall of about 6", late February into March has been rather mild. I've lived in these parts long enough now to not be fooled by a false spring. We think we've landed full into spring only to get pulled violently back into winter, maybe even a couple of times. But the forecast isn't looking too promising for winter to have a last hurrah. Still, I'm not convinced. The biggest snowfall we've had since moving here was 16", and that was in mid-March. I guess time will tell.</p><p>I feel the pull of spring racing to move me forward, but I'm not ready. Maybe you aren't either, and that's okay. It's still early yet, the equinox isn't for a few more weeks. And while the days are lengthening, one aspect of this season that I love, I'm not quite ready yet to unfold from the slower pace of winter. Perhaps it's this upper respiratory illness I've been nursing this week, but deep down I know that's only part of it. I'm simply not ready to rush headlong into all the doing. It's early yet, the mornings, still cold. It's time to dream and plan, start some seedlings, tending them gently and intentionally protected still by the warmth of the hearth. There's no reason we shouldn't keep this pace, as well. Gently, slowly, tenderly, allow yourself to emerge from the darkness. There's no reason yet to expect life to come bursting forth. </p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i>Go slowly still.</i></span></p><p>Pay attention to your body, your desires, your creative impulses. Learn to trust your own pace and rhythm. Just as you would not expect a seed to shoot up into a plant overnight, allow the same slow growth in your own life. The seeds we plant in our lives will not poke their tender heads above the soil for many days, perhaps even weeks. But this doesn’t mean growth isn’t happening, it’s simply beneath the surface. Just because you can’t yet see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.</p><p>What plans and dreams do you have for this season? What tender seeds have been planted in the soil of your soul? Are you ready for spring, or still lingering in these final days of winter? Share your thoughts in the comments.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">"Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Avenir; font-size: x-small;">- ISAIAH 43:19 NLT</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); color: #274e13; font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14px;">❊</span></p>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-90125550817289763252024-02-28T11:28:00.003-05:002024-02-28T11:29:47.989-05:00God's Masterpiece<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB69g_B33jK7iRBfj-Xc7DqbLFfSgX8ml-udeKKU03IANQbQZNfmj-FYxynz1V4Be-a7Cf6A-lHFgSmtJ88givPnzWreLu5Hn9YKEQhJvn0ZOoeGS4zt1rxzoxlWvHLklAI5l_8GBuNReN47eGrx-9byFQpK4-UfBYTV3q4ueS_sCWQwapoAiwaQLOW4/s2048/Crochet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB69g_B33jK7iRBfj-Xc7DqbLFfSgX8ml-udeKKU03IANQbQZNfmj-FYxynz1V4Be-a7Cf6A-lHFgSmtJ88givPnzWreLu5Hn9YKEQhJvn0ZOoeGS4zt1rxzoxlWvHLklAI5l_8GBuNReN47eGrx-9byFQpK4-UfBYTV3q4ueS_sCWQwapoAiwaQLOW4/w640-h640/Crochet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Sometimes the biggest things God does start out in the smallest, most ordinary acts of daily faithfulness. The things we do so often and with so little fanfare that we don't even think about them anymore. We can spend so much time wondering and worrying if we're fufulling God's primary will for our lives. Yet ultimately, God's will isn't about the things we achieve, its about the people we become. Life is more about how He uses us to make a difference to the people who cross our paths, even while we are just going about our normal, sometimes boring lives.</i></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>God's primary will for our lives isn't about a particular job or circumstance. It's not about the city we live in or whether we're married or single. We are in God's will when we awake with a willingness to go wherever He leads that day, to seek Him in the ordinary, and to love and influence the people around us.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Life is what is happening all around us while we're waiting for the thing we hope will give us some inner peace, contentment and joy. But the problem with that is when and if it happens, we usually enjoy it for all of about three and a half minutes. But when we really start to pay attention, we realize life is full of small wonders that can make all the difference in a day, an hour or a lifetime. And those small, ordinary moments are no less holy than the big ones. In fact, maybe they are more holy because it is the million little pieces of our our lives that really shape the people we become.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>In J. R. R. Tolkien's, The Hobbit, the wizard Gandalf says, "Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I've found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>The true joy of life is found in the every day. It's the moments that don't necessarily take our breath away at the time, but often become the ones that matter most. When we look back on our days we realize such moments are the very threads that make up the tapestry of life. Taken together, these seemingly ordinary threads of joy, sorrow, conflict and laughter make something exraordinary. With every small thread, God is carefulyl and thoughtfully weaving a masterpiece."</i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: x-small;">- MELANIE SHANKLE</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: x-small;"><i>Church of the Small Things</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); color: #274e13; font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14px;">❊</span></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-88912357005621376692024-02-13T06:00:00.000-05:002024-02-13T16:10:02.377-05:00The Somber, Beautiful Season of Lent<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtMz2-17pGZgjMy2gJWl0T1Xw5WZlQbI5OhUV4OhqgAZ-cErVCDV5-bNfTZ2xxD1dCNWNQHkjy0UJ2CK7jBH5g1CfgQfHoWBVlBA2nHF3k4CM1qFQrqEkv7wuszdFEY88LGQI2g9_pOM/s700/Screen+Shot+2021-02-17+at+7.24.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtMz2-17pGZgjMy2gJWl0T1Xw5WZlQbI5OhUV4OhqgAZ-cErVCDV5-bNfTZ2xxD1dCNWNQHkjy0UJ2CK7jBH5g1CfgQfHoWBVlBA2nHF3k4CM1qFQrqEkv7wuszdFEY88LGQI2g9_pOM/s16000/Screen+Shot+2021-02-17+at+7.24.07+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">Tomorrow is the first day of Lent. I'll be sharing more about how I am observing this beautiful season of the church year with you in the coming days, but for today, here is a lovely passage on Lent from one of my favorite books, </span><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/danceoftimeorigi00judg/mode/2up?q=the+dance+of+time+by+michael+judge">The Dance of Time</a> </i><span style="text-align: left;">by Michael Judge. The labyrinth in the picture is just a short walk from my daughter's apartment. Last year I walked it on New Year's Day, and weather permitting I hope to visit it again this weekend as part of my Lenten observance.</span></div></center>
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<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent lasts for forty days, in imitation of Christ's self imposed exile in the desert at the beginning of His mission. During this time the faithful are expected to give up vices or pleasurable habits, pray and attend mass more frequently, and meditate on the state of their souls. In medieval times people donned sackcloth, smeared their faces with ash and water, flogged themselves and foreswore most food and drink during the Lenten observance. In spite of its severe customs, Lent is a hopeful time. The word comes from the Middle Earth word, lengten or "lengthen", a reference to the fact that the days grow mercifully longer during this time.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">Of course, people being people, all of this Lenten-self sacrifice had to be rewarded before it even began. Throughout Europe for three days before the beginning of Lent, businesses closed, streets were blocked off and everyone headed for church, where they went to confession. Afterwards, kegs were tapped, bottles drained, and sweet meats and other foods, soon to be forbidden, were consumed in a bout of wild merrymaking.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">Eventually these pre-Lenten revels became concentrated into the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, called Pancake Day, after the sweet pancakes traditionally eaten during the party. In Medieval France where the day was known as mardi gras, or Fat Tuesday, a vast carnival was celebrated during which an enormous ox was paraded through the streets of Paris, surrounded by common folk dressed blasphemously as priests and nuns. The people banged drums and kettles in an unconscious imitation of a Roman triumphal parade. Years later in France's former debauched colony of New Orleans, the party known as Mardi Gras became America's most famous orgy, and a raucous song in the depths of winter. Eventually, however, in New Orleans as in all christian lands, Lent arrives with the grey dawn of Ash Wednesday.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">Ash Wednesday is calculated backwards forty days from Easter. It is so named because on that day Catholics stand before the church alter and receive on their foreheads a smeared cross of ash from the priest. along with an admonition, that in some churches is still whispered in Latin.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;"><br /></span></i>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">Memento, homo, quia pulvis es</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">et in pulverem reverteris.
</span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">(Remember man, that thou art dust, and unto dust though shalt return.)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;"><br /></span></i>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">The ashes come from a very specific source. On Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, members of the congregation hold palm fronds, in imitation of the crowds who welcomed Christ into Jerusalem. Afterwards the palms are ceremoniously burned, their ashes collected and stored. They reappear the following year on Ash Wednesday, to be daubed on the foreheads of the faithful. The symbolism of Ash Wednesday's is circular, striking and sublime. A year after the Savior's symbolic entrance into the city, the very ashes of the banners once held forth to honor him now prepare the faithful for the season of His crucifixion. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #3a6829;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #3a6829;">- from The Dance of Time</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3a6829;">by Michael Judge</span></div>
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<h4><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">♱</span></h4>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-1550015171234112024-02-12T10:42:00.003-05:002024-02-12T10:42:24.978-05:00The Betsy Tacy Book Club- Book 1 - Betsy Tacy Discussion<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXaOrdHRrahyphenhyphen5uJKbnVTPruHzrr3D-jvhxnQS5hkPiQYCDu3gbMi-FDrGRkUiQXQalLdW6KCSPX4nf-eT_xgTA3zbOmXMFO2XcAUYs3kbhTQCDTAufzRdYuUNstNUj8UFECtZXBup49jxbLKozXcKBXlow5Bsd2wC_kglp7Oalq2pHQmxGedCZq3xjDY/s837/Betsy%20Tacy%20at%20the%20Bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="837" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXaOrdHRrahyphenhyphen5uJKbnVTPruHzrr3D-jvhxnQS5hkPiQYCDu3gbMi-FDrGRkUiQXQalLdW6KCSPX4nf-eT_xgTA3zbOmXMFO2XcAUYs3kbhTQCDTAufzRdYuUNstNUj8UFECtZXBup49jxbLKozXcKBXlow5Bsd2wC_kglp7Oalq2pHQmxGedCZq3xjDY/w640-h462/Betsy%20Tacy%20at%20the%20Bench.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Good morning, friends! I am back from my social media fast and ready to discuss all things Betsy-Tacy with you this morning!</p><p>If this is your first time reading this delightful series, I hope you have enjoyed getting to knowBetsy Ray and Tacy Kelly! In reading this series again for the first time in many years, I was reminded of the first time I was introduced to it and how much I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am happy to report that my enthusiasm has not waned in the least! This series remains one of my all time favorites!</p><p>For the sake of turning this post into a short story of its own, I thought I would just highlight a few of the happenings in the first book that I particularly loved.</p><p>First off, I just loved Betsy and Tacy's first meeting, and in many ways I so relate to Tacy, especially, who darted at the sight of Betsy running towards her, and then in her own way, trying to push past her shy fears and shouting out her name just as she closed herself safe behind the door. But of course, Betsy didn't know at the time that Tacy was terribly shy, and not understanding what she said, she mistook it for name calling. My heart always breaks for Betsy in that moment, too, who was so excited to potentially have a friend just her age, only to be disappointed when things not only didn't turn out as she had planned, but mistook her for being rude. Of course, eventually they make things right and all is forgiven. Being an introvert, I've been misunderstood a time or too, myself, so I'm so glad that Betsy was able to reach a place of understanding, and all the more so as she came to know Tacy better.</p><p>There are two other passages in this book that I always find especially sweet and endearing and the first is in Chapter 8 - Easter Eggs. Tacy's little sister, Bee, has just passed away and the two girls have not played together for awhile and Betsy has grown especially lonely for Tacy's company. In the story Betsy dresses without disturbing anyone and walks over and stands outside Tacy's house. Eventually Tacy comes out and the two walk together up to their little bench at the top of the hill where they decide to climb a tree. After awhile Tacy begins to open up about Bee's death and funeral. How pretty she looks surrounded by candles, and how sad her mama was, and at some point Tacy started to become emotional. That was when Betsy did what she often does, she begins to tell Tacy a story of how beautiful heaven is, and when Tacy questions whether Bee can see them, Betsy assures her that she can. Eventually they climb up a little higher in the tree and place a lovely purple egg for the birsds to take to Bee in heaven. </p><p>The thing I find particularly lovely about this part of the story is how Betsy, even at her tender age, didn't push Tacy for information. She simply wanted to be with her friend doing the the things they had always done together, and that created a safe place for Tacy to open up. When Tacy became emotional, the author says that it made Betsy "feel queer", but rather than asking Tacy not to cry or completely changing the subject, Betsy begins to speak of all of the positive things that Bee is now experiencing in heaven, and assuring her friend that Bee is safe and well.</p><p>I think so often in life, especially during seasons of grief, even well meaning people can bombard others with the inquistions and their odd way of wanting to know all the details. If you've experienced the death of a loved one, you probably know that after awhile you really do become weary of answering all the questions and rehashing it all. It is good to have a friend who is comfortable enough to sit with you in silence, or even just invite you to lunch and not even bring up the heartache you are experiencing, but at the same time, remains open should you feel the need to discuss it. That kind of friend can be hard to find.</p><p>And then later in Chapter 12 - Margarent, Tacy has an opportunity to return the favor. Betsy has just come home from spending the summer away to find that she has a new baby sister. With the time frame of the first book being roughly 1898 or 1899, I assume that in those days families did not discuss such things as pregnancy, and with Betsy being away most of the summer I suppose it woud have been easy for to have no clue that her mother was expecting. Still, I remember when I read this the first time thinking it was a little odd that Betsy had no idea her mother was pregnant. Regardless, what we do know is that Betsy did not warm to the idea at first, in fact she became quiet upset about it. As was the case when Betsy went and stood outside Tacy's window after Bee's death, Tacy instinctively knew where to find her friend, and, as Betsy had done for her, she did not make Betsy feel she was wrong for being upset. Instead she comforted Betsy with her own experiences of having younger siblings; "You can't keep on being the baby forever," Tacy said. That statement alone assured Betsy. To know that Tacy had once been the baby herself and she seemed ok. Tacy also assured her that even though the baby was funny looking now, it would get prettier, and after awhile Betsy was feeling much better about her new baby sister.</p><p>I love that in this part of the story it is Tacy who is the comforter, which is very different than the shy, reserved little girl who often has nothing to say. The author even points this out; "All of the sudden she thought how odd it was that Tacy should be talking like this. Usually she herself did most of the talking. But now Tacy was doing the talking. She was trying to comfort Betsy. And she had comforted her. All the sore hurt feelings were gone."</p><p>I am in season, even this late in my life, in which God is growing me. He has placed me in situations recently where I mayself have been called on to comfort and encourage others, which is as odd a thing for me as I'm sure it was for Tacy. And isn't it lovely how often in life love compels us step out of our comfort zone to be there for another? I also relate very much to Betsy in this chapter, as well. I was almost seven when my brother was born, and while I had known for awhile that my mother was expecting, I really had my heart set on a sister and recall being visiblly upset when my father came home from the hospital with the news that I had a baby brother. But like Betsy, it didn't take long for me to push past my disappointments. Almost seven years separated us, so we never had a lot in common, but I have many wonderful memories of the things we shared together as children.</p><p>So now it's your turn! What were some of your thoughts, favorite chapters, passages as you read through this first book in the series? Are you enjoing it so far, looking forward to move on to the next book, Betsy Tacy and Tib (who we were introduced at the end). I'd love to hear from you! Just leave your entry in the comments, and then join me here again on Monday, March 4, as we continue the discussion!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); color: #274e13; font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14px;">❊</span></p>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-72269311412315857352024-01-22T05:00:00.008-05:002024-01-23T13:19:23.245-05:00A Day of Light: Candlemas Celebrates The Light Of The World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H982adtKu62iK0qwCcgBxsKtVY85OKdDOzCzXrPcEaloTyamF2dbOk4eiOlRNUB-ssUdJ4T0URP8pcnr8XtKht398Fos_Y_PaKxyxQhs6uFvCSbBY88Q0uRtNW4ie19EAT6iVVMMPShgXYzvTfle1Zhn9ctAqGGoTNgdYSyDAf6sW1M-pb7I3GgkAeg/s646/Candlemas.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="645" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H982adtKu62iK0qwCcgBxsKtVY85OKdDOzCzXrPcEaloTyamF2dbOk4eiOlRNUB-ssUdJ4T0URP8pcnr8XtKht398Fos_Y_PaKxyxQhs6uFvCSbBY88Q0uRtNW4ie19EAT6iVVMMPShgXYzvTfle1Zhn9ctAqGGoTNgdYSyDAf6sW1M-pb7I3GgkAeg/w640-h640/Candlemas.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been about twenty years ago now that I was first introduced to The Liturgical Year (Year of the Lord), and my life has been so blessed since that discovery. Slowly marking time by tracing the events of the life of Christ through the year has broadened and deepened my walk with the Lord in ways that I could never have imagined, and it all began with Candlemas (February 2). Also known as The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and likewise,The Feast of the Presentation of Christ, Candlemas symbolizes the day when Mary went to the temple to be purified with her newborn son and to present him to the Lord. It was the first personal remembrance and observance I made all those years ago, and it remains one of my favorites to this day. It likewise marks the beginning of Spring, although in the Northern Hemisphere you have to look closely to see that change is coming. The shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere is The Winter Solstice, which occurs on or around December 21. From that day on the daylight grows until we reach equal hours of day and night on The Spring Equinox, which occurs on or around March 21. The mid point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox falls around February 2, Candlemas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
You might be more familiar with Groundhog's Day, but as with so many of our Americanized holidays and observances, its roots have a much deeper and symbolic meaning.<br />
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Depending on what part of the world you grew up in, Candlemas symbolizes a number of different events, or, in our home, a combination of them all.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY</span><br />
Under Mosaic law, a woman was viewed as unclean for 7 + 33 days 40 days) after child birth, and as such, could not go into the temple. From the 25th of December, February 2 marks forty days.<br />
<i>See Leviticus 12:2-8, Luke 2:22-24</i><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST</span><br />
But long before the Church in Rome began observing the day of purification, other branches of Christianity, such as the Greeks and the Armenians centered their observance around Christ first coming to the Temple, and was known as "the redeeming of the firstborn," or in Hebrew, <i>pidyon ha-ben</i> and is why this day is also known as The Feast of the Presentation of Christ.<br />
<i>See Exodus 13:2, 12-13, Numbers 18:15-16</i><br />
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It wasn't until some time in the 600's that the Roman Church began referring to the day as The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So while the Eastern Church focus was more upon Jesus, in the Western Church the emphasis was upon Mary. Today is primarily observed by the Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0ydLhcgcogWw8ovw8RUfsULY4a6Menw2YaWAzE7sCZQdNJLr43G7RG8H__bk8BNC9uoiiiFIuiJeneFceQXMFFjR4NX4fOQB5M13Rqng5l_eO3f_N6PDAi62I_rfN8AZ0im1GTHRigpB_tFUbtHZmicwKph3I6Y-KxZNH3gQQHEADEffi7Zb_bOwJ=s274" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="255" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0ydLhcgcogWw8ovw8RUfsULY4a6Menw2YaWAzE7sCZQdNJLr43G7RG8H__bk8BNC9uoiiiFIuiJeneFceQXMFFjR4NX4fOQB5M13Rqng5l_eO3f_N6PDAi62I_rfN8AZ0im1GTHRigpB_tFUbtHZmicwKph3I6Y-KxZNH3gQQHEADEffi7Zb_bOwJ" width="255" /></a></div>THE FEAST OF LIGHT (RETURN OF THE LIGHT) OR THE FEAST OF CANDLES<br /></span>Though candles didn't originally play much of a factor in the observance, some time in the 11th century the day came to be commemorated as "The Feast of Light" based upon the prophecy of Holy Simeon -- the "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who was inspired by the Holy Ghost to know that he would live to see the "consolation of Jerusalem" -- and the encounter with the aged widow, Anna the Prophetess, who lived in the Temple and confessed Christ upon meeting Him. In Luke 2:32 Simeon referred to Jesus as "<i>the light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of the people of Israel." </i>Since ancient times the Church has given special meaning to the candles used in Candlemas as a symbol of the Incarnate Christ: the beeswax is a symbol of His pure body, the wick His soul, and the flame His divinity.<br />
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In keeping with the reference to "the light", the tradition of blessing the annual supply of the Church's candles was established. Beeswax candles were blessed by being sprinkled with water and having incense swung around them, and were then distributed among the members. Today, parishioners bring their own beeswax candles to be blessed. In some churches, the blessing is then followed by a procession in which people carry lighted candles while the choir sings, <i>The Canticle of Simeon</i>. The procession represents the entry of Jesus as light of the world into the temple. Afterwards, church members take their candles home and place them in their windows as a symbol of light during the darkest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. <div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Oswald;">THE CANTICLE OF SIMEON</span></div><div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>In peace, according to Thy word: </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>For mine own eyes hath seen Thy salvation, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Which Thou hast prepared in the sight of all the peoples, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>A light to reveal Thee to the nations </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>And the glory of Thy people Israel.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Oswald;">Latin Version</span><i><span style="font-family: Oswald;">:</span> </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Nunc Dimittis</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Secundum verbum tuum in pace: </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum: </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Lumen ad revelationem gentium, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Et gloriam plebis tuae Israel</i>.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div>You can listen to it, <a href="https://youtu.be/GrDTzQtfvwk">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many families set aside their blessed candles for use on the family alter and for various feast days, as well as during storms and power outages. From the Pieta prayer book comes this prayer to pray while burning a blessed candle during a storm.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace.+ God became man, + and the Word was made flesh.+ Christ was born of a Virgin.+ Christ suffered.+ Christ was crucified.+ Christ died.+ Christ rose from the dead.+ Christ ascended into Heaven.+ Christ conquers.+ Christ reigns.+ Christ commands.+ </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #274e13;">May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning. + Christ went through their midst in Peace, + and the Word was made Flesh.+ Christ is with us with Mary.+ Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Juda, the Root David, has won.+ Holy God! + Holy Powerful God! + Holy Immortal God! + Have mercy on us. Amen.</span></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihOQGcZvJT1jWpNWOEPN3-DJqgm5MGMw05TWmv2TzlgUE1I0TA9Gnc8wSdg9VJqr6by2avYH6vzCHsR4qv_BUG1eGNlTWPTuo-b5RnVXrR9v05nqPSac4wA5yZd6lScu9FLym09YCv5AefmOw8-Zll4g1t_kK77o0IeOS7ZLP0PWmbpGOoLSELlYaE=s550" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="550" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihOQGcZvJT1jWpNWOEPN3-DJqgm5MGMw05TWmv2TzlgUE1I0TA9Gnc8wSdg9VJqr6by2avYH6vzCHsR4qv_BUG1eGNlTWPTuo-b5RnVXrR9v05nqPSac4wA5yZd6lScu9FLym09YCv5AefmOw8-Zll4g1t_kK77o0IeOS7ZLP0PWmbpGOoLSELlYaE=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div></i>Here are a few of the symbols and traditions associated with Candlemas, as well;</div><div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">DOVES</span><br />
Doves are a symbol of Candlemas, as they were offered by Joseph and Mary as a sacrifice at the presentation. Their symbolism is significant, as they were poor and unable to afford a lamb for sacrifice. Traditionally, those who were unable to do so were allowed to offer a pair of doves instead.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">ST. BRIGID</span></div><div><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">In Celtic and Christian tradition, February 1 is recognized as St. Brigid's Day, who among other titles, is the patron saint of Midwifery. There is a legend (though no biblically supported), that she served as a mid-wife to Mary, and that later when Herod was searching for Jesus, she distracted him so that the Holy Family could escape. In Celtic tradition, Brigid rules fire and water, and at Candlemas we see how the cold is slowly giving way to the warmth. Snowdrops, mentioned next, are also associated with St. Brigid as many believe that they appear wherever St. Bridgid's feet have trod.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">SNOWDROPS</span><br />
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are also known as "Candlemas Bells" because, being the earliest to bloom in the depths of winter, and often shortly before Candlemas, though some varieties bloom all winter long in some places. Legend says that they sprang up by the hand of an angel, who then pointed them out as a sign of hope to Eve, who was weeping in repentance and in despair over the cold and death that entered into the world after she and her husband sinned. Because our Hope is Christ, the Light as referred to by Simeon ,it is providential that the snowdrop should bloom so close to this feast day. If possible, gather some Candlemas Bells to bring inside. Legend tells that bringing them indoors before this date is bad luck, and bringing them indoors on this day "purifies" one's house. These flowers, along with carnations, are also the "birth flower" for those born in January.
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<br />
And while most of us have taken all of our Christmas decorations down by now, some people do hold on to them until February. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">TAKING DOWN THE FINAL REMNANTS OF CHRISTMASTIDE</span><br />
The eve of this Feast is the absolutely the last (and best) day for taking down the Christmas tree, putting away the creche, etc. In some Latin countries, the creche isn't just put away, but is replaced with a figure of the Child Jesus sitting on a chair, acting as a sign that it is time for the devotion to the Divine Childhood to give way to a focus on the grown-up Savior and the public ministry, forty days of fasting, and Passion to come.<br />
<br />
In any case, when Candlemas is finished, all feelings of Christmas give way to the penitential feelings of Septuagesima and then Lent. The English poet, Robert Herrick (A.D. 1591-1674), sums it up in his poem "Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve" -- and reveals a folktale in the process:
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Oswald;">CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE</span><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Down with the rosemary, and so</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Down with the bays and misletoe;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Down with the holly, ivy, all,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>That so the superstitious find</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>No one least branch there left behind:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>For look, how many leaves there be</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Neglected, there (maids, trust to me)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>So many goblins you shall see.</i></span><br />
<br />
The very ancient carol, below, also speaks of the departure of Christmas on this day. It is called "I Am Christmas," and was written by James Ryman, a Franciscan Friar, ca. 1492. The reference to Hallowtide (the days of the dead centering around All Saints Day) here refers to the fact that it was during Hallowtide that monarchs used to announce where they would be spending Christmas.<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Oswald;">I AM CHRISTMAS</span><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Here have I dwelled with more or lass</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>From Hallowtide till Candelmas,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>And now must I from you hense pass;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now have good day.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>I take my leave of king and knight,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>And erl, baron, and lady bright;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>To wilderness I must me dight;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now have good day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>And at the good lord of this hall</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>I take my leave, and of guests all;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Me think I here Lent doth call;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now have good day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>And at every worthy officere,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Marshall, panter, and butlere</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>I take my leave as for this yere;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now have good day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Another yere I trust I shall</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Make merry in this hall,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>If rest and peace in England fall;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now have good day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>But oftentimes I have heard say</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>That he is loth to part away</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>That often biddeth 'Have good day!";</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now have good day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now fare ye well, all in fere,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now fare ye well for all this yere;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Yet for my sake make ye good chere;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Now have good day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><br /></i></span>
Some likewise view this day as the first official day to symbolize the return of spring, but because our biggest snowfalls in my neck of the woods are often in March and even as late as April, mentally, I'm just not there yet. However, I do keep a phenology wheel and because of that, I am very aware of how the days are lengthening and the light truly is returning.<br />
<br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">GROUNDHOG'S DAY</span></span><br />
As I mentioned earlier, Candlemas Day is also known as "Groundhog's Day" in America, the day when, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there'll be 6 more weeks of winter. There is a similar belief in Europe about how Candlemas weather foretells the length of winter. The English have a saying, "If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." The Germans also have a few sayings about how the weather at Candlemas bodes ill or well for the nearness of Spring: <br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">When the bear sees</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">his shadow at Candlemas,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">he will crawl back into his</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">hole for another six weeks</span></i>.<br />
<br />
or this one;<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">If Candlemas is mild and pure,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">Winter will be long for sure.</span></i><br />
<br />
And finally;<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>If it storms and snows on Candlemas day</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Spring will not be far away.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>If Candlemas is bright and clear,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>Spring is not yet near.</i></span><br />
<br />
In our home we've used a variation on these poems;<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">If Candlemas Day be fair and bright</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">Winter will have another fight.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">Winter is gone and will not come again.</span></i><br />
<br />
But I also came across this lovely little poem just this week, which is so much like the poems we've traditionally used during Advent that I wish I'd found it when the girls were young. At any rate, if you followed along with my Advent plans last year, perhaps you'll enjoy it.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;">Candle, candle burning bright,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">Winter's halfway done tonight.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">With a glowing, we are knowing,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">Spring will come again!</span></i><br />
<br />
While Punxsutawny Phil is fun, personally I much prefer the loveliness of Candlemas.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">IDEAS FOR OBSERVING CANDLEMAS</span><br />
If you want to conduct an actual Candlemas Ceremony, you'll find an <a href="https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=527">outline here</a>.<br />
<br />
- Let children roll and make their own beeswax candles, or if you want to get really adventurous, perhaps make some by dipping them a few days ahead. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q0NRTQ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kimlott-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B004Q0NRTQ&linkId=7a29d0898fe4cbf77761d43031cc9788">Here's a kit</a> for making your own rolled candles, or you and also purchase them <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CMNZ6HB/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kimlott-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07CMNZ6HB&linkId=f11166608790ebe9efad21363aa59b3b">ready made</a>. I also love these <a href="https://www.sunhatsandwellieboots.com/2016/02/celebrating-candlemas-with-homemade.html">orange peel candles</a>, so beautiful how so many of the same elements are used in decorations from Advent through to the days before Lent. If you do make your own candles, here's another lovely poem to share with the littles in your life.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;">“A candle’s but a simple thing, it starts with just a bit of string. But dipped and dipped with patient hand, it gathers wax upon the strand. Until complete and snowy white, it gives at last a lovely light. Life seems so like that bit of string, each deed we do a simple thing. Yet day by day on life’s strand, we work with patient heart and hand. It gathers joy, makes dark days bright and gives at last a lovely light.”
</span></i><br />
<br />
- Light candles and set them in the windows. You can use the electric or battery operated ones that are popular at Christmas for safety.<br />
<br />
- Go on a nature walk and try to locate some snowdrops. If possible, bring a few in and put them in a vase.<br />
<br />
- This <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/waldorfmama/2813304930">candle ring</a> is particularly pretty, especially with the sun in the middle symbolizing the return of the light and lengthening days. You could easily make one out of bread dough, even just a small one using birthday candles. There are twelve candles around the outer ring, one of each month in the year and then the sun candle in the middle. If you want to make it a little bigger, you could use emergency candles which I usually purchase from the dollar store. It might make a pretty centerpiece for your table to share a special meal.</div><div><br /></div><div>In honor of St. Brigid (whose feast day is actually February 1), many people make a <a href="https://scoil-bhride.com/how-to-make-a-st-brigids-cross/">St. Brigid's Cross</a>, but there are other traditions associated with this day, which you will find <a href="https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/st-brigids-day-traditions">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">TRADITIONAL FOOD</span><br />Food is always a great way to celebrate feast day because we always have to eat. Crepes are by far the most traditional food for Candlemas, and are very popular for celebrating in Europe, especially France. Both crepes and pancakes are fitting because of their round and golden texture, symbolic of the sun (light). Whatever you serve, you’ll want to put some candles on the table to celebrate this awesome day. Here are some recipes you might like to try<div><br /></div><div>If you think you can’t make crepes at home yourself, you’re wrong! It’s really every bit as easy as making pancakes. Check out <a href="https://thestayathomechef.com/crepe-recipe/">this recipe</a> for the best easy homemade crepes, but if you still find it too intimidating, I've made these <a href="https://sugarspunrun.com/buttermilk-pancakes/">buttermilk pancakes</a> a few times, and they are so good.But this year, I've actually got my eye on these <a href="https://www.recipegirl.com/bacon-and-corn-griddle-cakes/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheRecipeGirl+(The+Recipe+Girl)">Bacon and Corn Griddle Cakes</a>.</div><div>
<br />
But if breakfast food isn't what you're looking for, in Mexico, tamales are the candlemas tradition! But then again, tamales can be a LOT of work, so instead, you could try out one of these.<br />
<br />
My personal favorite, <a href="https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-tamale-casserole">Chicken Tamale Casserole</a>, a dish I've made MANY times! So easy, and so good! But if you'd prefer beef, this recipe looks good, too, <a href="https://houseofyumm.com/tamale-pie/">Tamale Pie</a>.<br />
<br />
You could make these <a href="https://amandascookin.com/mexican-cookie-rings/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_smartloop&utm_content=smartloop&utm_term=42610702">Mexican Cookie Rings</a> with the littles in your life and let them decorate them with bright, festive sprinkles and serve them with <a href="https://thecouponproject.com/mexican-hot-chocolate-recipe/">Mexican Hot Chocolate</a>. You could also make simple cut out sugar cookies in the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N2TCQKS/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kimlott-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00N2TCQKS&linkId=f1a4a6bb3b8987830aeef266fda8038d">shape of a dove</a>, perhaps sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.<br />
<br />
I also love the idea of this<a href="https://www.bakesandblunders.com/scandinavian-baking-cardamom-coffee-braid/"> Cardamom Coffee Bread Wreath</a>, it would be lovely topped with some small candles and perfectly fitting!<br />
<br />
Well, I hope by now I've given you enough history and plenty of ideas for celebrating! Candlemas is such a lovely celebration, and as with so many other aspects of The Year of the Lord, filled with deep meaning and symbolism. I hope you will try out a few of these ideas and savor in the beauty of this lovely day with your family.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #274e13;">"A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." - Luke 2:32</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">★</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-26540666807007058382024-01-15T11:57:00.005-05:002024-01-15T12:06:40.286-05:00As We Embark On Our Read Along - Some Betsy Tacy Resources<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHr_uVkzULEd54VDihNZHD8H5g_PitVdvymaQVp2pAE006rQFadn_xifQMA3gBTE_XSOHy3Oix9sZJhNfcCTtJhkBWjja7M5pQQ4Fw4J3BB8og2Sl8WxZSzPJucTM0zC3aNezzW55X_sEkD8at0SH-DUvKsKWHlCe_lGDfeFLfyteRIOoq-wL8dySqik/s646/Betsy%20Tacy%20Image%201:15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="645" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHr_uVkzULEd54VDihNZHD8H5g_PitVdvymaQVp2pAE006rQFadn_xifQMA3gBTE_XSOHy3Oix9sZJhNfcCTtJhkBWjja7M5pQQ4Fw4J3BB8og2Sl8WxZSzPJucTM0zC3aNezzW55X_sEkD8at0SH-DUvKsKWHlCe_lGDfeFLfyteRIOoq-wL8dySqik/w640-h640/Betsy%20Tacy%20Image%201:15.png" width="640" /></a></div>Good morning, friends! I hope your week is off to a good start! We got a light dusting of snow here this morning with a bit more expected this afternoon. Nothing of any significance, but I do love snow and winter so I'm happy with just about anything this time of year that makes it feel more in season.<p></p><p>As we are embarking on a read-along this year of the complete Betsy Tacy series, I thought it might be fun to provide you with some resources I've come across over the years related to the books. I read these with my youngest daughter when we were homeschooling, and I often looked for such things to enhance the experience. With that, I thought perhaps you might enjoy some of them as well.</p><p>Several of these resources I found at <a href="https://www.betsy-tacysociety.org">The Betsy Tacy Society</a> Website, and they also have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BetsyTacySociety/videos">You Tube Channel</a> with some lovely videos you might find interesting. They have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/betsytacy/">Facebook</a> page, as well.</p><p><a href="https://www.betsy-tacysociety.org/maud-hart-lovelace">Maud Hart Lovelace</a> - A bit about the author of this series.</p><p>Something fun I found at their website are guides to Deep Valley, whether you are staying for a day, a weekend or a week (a dream of mine!). I thought it might be fun just to look up the sites listed online and go on kind of a virtual visit. Maybe during our reading I'll type up a different post and follow the links to all the places and we'll go on a virtual visit together. But, if you don't want to wait for me, by all means look the places up for yourself and get a feel for the setting of the Betsy Tacy books.</p><div style="text-align: left;">- <a href="https://www.betsy-tacysociety.org/a-day-in-deep-valley">A Day in Deep Valley</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">- <a href="https://www.betsy-tacysociety.org/a-weekend-in-deep-valley">A Weekend in Deep Valley</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">- <a href="https://www.betsy-tacysociety.org/a-week-in-deep-valley">A Week in Deep Valley</a></div><p><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/606daa6929104e3bf1eeba15/t/655a74223a72a15e2da0fd3f/1700426794196/A+Betsy-Tib+Tour+of+Milwaukee.pdf">A Betsy Tib Tour of Milwaukee</a> - this is a tour by one of the members of the Betsy Tacy Society that you might enjoy.</p><p><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/606daa6929104e3bf1eeba15/t/63a9e4be02583e3a39095409/1672078527032/BTS+bookmarks.pdf">Make Your Own Betsy Tacy Bookmarks</a> - just something fun!</p><p><a href="https://betsytacysdeepvalley.wordpress.com/">Betsy Tacy's Deep Valley</a> - this is an entire blog with ten years worth of posts dedicated to all things Betsy Tacy. I plan to reference it often as we read the series, but it is definitely worth perusing for yourself!</p><p><a href="http://betsy-tacy.blogspot.com">The Betsy Tacy Encyclopedia</a> - Another blog dedicated to Betsy Tacy. Though there doesn't seem to be as much here, you might find something of interest.</p><p>A <a href="https://www.literaryladiesguide.com/literary-musings/the-betsy-tacy-books-by-maud-hart-lovelace-an-appreciation/">review of the series</a> from The Literary Ladies Guide.</p><p><a href="https://savingplaces.org/stories/this-pair-of-historic-homes-was-the-birthplace-for-the-betsy-tacy-books">Article</a> about the real homes featured in the books from The National Trust for Historic Preservation.</p><p>That is all that I have for now, though I do hope to re-visit a few of these sites as we read through the series and point out interesting facts and tidbits to enhance our reading. Hopefully you found something here to spark your interest! </p><p>Before I close I did want to let you know that I made a link to <a href="https://www.kimberlylottman.com/search/label/-%20Betsy%20Tacy%20Read%20Along">all posts related to our read-along</a> that you can find in my right side bar. Just look directly under the graphic/link for the originial post about how to join the read-along and you'll see it! That way it keeps everthing nice and neat in one place and hopefully easy to navigate!</p><p>Have a wondeful day, my friends! I plan to sit back and enjoy the snow and the chili for tonight's dinner is already made! :)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); color: #274e13; font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14px;">❊</span></p>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-2570186355972639212024-01-10T13:46:00.002-05:002024-01-10T13:49:39.848-05:00Of Cranberries, Books And The Packing Away of Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JG96gPHmWqynqhu-8rhaxSV4zD9l_aNZb28DqmMMixL7hTJkpJGJiyiZy0H7-B0Iq_QT1uVnuMATYkyinMHjjtMc5TIs8jxbp2lR_r-4BrfkKpEccWUlGlDIe87DXjENfPZNuaZxaQQEDkyD1_vTZfeY63EMFB20i3rFxojFO4Gms4QtR9yFIQwG8WM/s646/Cranberry%20Juice.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="645" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JG96gPHmWqynqhu-8rhaxSV4zD9l_aNZb28DqmMMixL7hTJkpJGJiyiZy0H7-B0Iq_QT1uVnuMATYkyinMHjjtMc5TIs8jxbp2lR_r-4BrfkKpEccWUlGlDIe87DXjENfPZNuaZxaQQEDkyD1_vTZfeY63EMFB20i3rFxojFO4Gms4QtR9yFIQwG8WM/w640-h640/Cranberry%20Juice.png" width="640" /></a></div>One of my goals for the year is to expand my homesteading skill set, and today I checked off the first thing on my list, home canned cranberry juice. I am making small batches, 4 pints of regular and 2 pints of cran-grape (my favorite!). I decided on pints, which may not seem like much, but when I tell you that we typically pour out at least half of a bottle or more of the store bought stuff, I am not exagerrating! It's not that we don't like it, I think it has more to do with the events taking place in life when we do drink it, virus, uti, etc. It would seem that once the symptoms subside what is left goes to waste. With that, I'm thinking maybe a pint is just about right? I followed the instructions found <a href="https://www.therusticelk.com/cranberry-juice-for-canning/">here</a>, and as soon as the jars finish completely cooling I'll put them in the pantry to steep for a couple of weeks and then I'll test out a jar. Fingers crossed! If it turns out good I may make this part of my Christmas gift giving this year.<p></p><p>Other than that, I did a couple of loads of laundry and managed to get my snowmen packed. I had planned on bringing all the totes down and doing some much needed purging and organization of our Christmas decorations, but with my back still iffy, I've decided to just pack it away and then come some warm Spring day I'll have Bill bring them all down to the porch and I'll sort through them then. Just getting it taken down and put away is a s-l-o-w moving process right now, so I decided now was not the time for such a project.</p><p>I've really been enoying the books I'm currently reading, and the need to take it a little easier has allowed for more time for that. Right now I'm reading;</p><p><i>In Search of Guidance</i>: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard which I just discovered was re-released under a different title <i>Hearing God. </i>My original plan was to read <i>The Spirit of the Disciplines</i>, until I happened across an article that suggested reading the books in sequential order, and <i>Hearing God</i> is considered to be the first in that order. I am taking my time with these, because I find almost everything Dallas wrote so philosophical and contemplative that I don't want to skim over and miss anything. Thankfully I've been able to locate most of these on Internet Archives and Hoopla, because they prices they are asking for some of these is outlandish! However much I love anything by Dallas Willard, he is out of my budget.</p><p>Another book I like equally as well but am finding a little easier to read is <a href="https://amzn.to/3RWs5Iu"><i>Beholding</i>: Deeping Our Experience in God</a> by Strahan Coleman (AFFILIATE LINK). Do you see a theme here?</p><p>I started out the year reading <a href="https://amzn.to/3S9a6zT"><i>Placemaker: </i>Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty and Peace</a> by Christie Purifoy (AFFILIATE LINK), but I've put it down for now, not because I wasn't enjoying it, it just feels like the time isn't right. I'm thinking maybe early spring?</p><p>In its place I've decided to re-read an old favorite, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/4aSY19c">The Cloister Walk</a></i> by Kathleen Norris (AFFILIATE LINK). I've been blessed with the opportunity to spend the weekend in a monestary coming up at the end of the month, a dream I've held ever since I read this book the first time, so now seems like a good time to revisit it.</p><p>And then of course, I have plans to re-read the entire <i><a href="https://www.kimberlylottman.com/2024/01/announcing-betsy-tacy-book-club-2024.html">Betsy Tacy</a></i> series this year, so I'm going to sit down with the first book in that series this coming weekend.</p><p>And with that, I think I'll try to take in a chapter or two before dinner duties beckon! What are you reading, friends? Drop a few titles in the comments. :)</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); font-family: "Zapf Dingbats";"><span style="color: #274e13;">❊</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, </i></span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">and this post contains affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase </i><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">we receive a small commission from Amazon. </i></div><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We appreciate your support!</i></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-44411660823809980872024-01-08T05:00:00.001-05:002024-01-09T16:25:24.324-05:00My Favorite Songs: What A Wonderful World<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YY5PvKzV_9qScFUOCP7j4l1rk-sB8zG47RAzg-64kniMR9puvxWfBXxQHASOlfMH9W_oJBpHWfAxBPWXh5jwZ1yL-3olVkXqLxL60KLQ4Lbn4ioRK5yURBTE6JsS-jU0QfuF4Wqjm6H1L3r-wAsPKRWD3Kbo9c8inMXvweSNjkTjeUGa9epXQ9Bj/s903/Favoirite%20Song%20What%20A%20Wonderful%20World.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="903" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YY5PvKzV_9qScFUOCP7j4l1rk-sB8zG47RAzg-64kniMR9puvxWfBXxQHASOlfMH9W_oJBpHWfAxBPWXh5jwZ1yL-3olVkXqLxL60KLQ4Lbn4ioRK5yURBTE6JsS-jU0QfuF4Wqjm6H1L3r-wAsPKRWD3Kbo9c8inMXvweSNjkTjeUGa9epXQ9Bj/w640-h172/Favoirite%20Song%20What%20A%20Wonderful%20World.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />If you've followed me here in the past, one of the things you probably know about me is that I love music, particularly oldies! It is rare that you would find me listening to anything that is popular today, unless it's a song my daughter introduced me to, or occassionally a newer country song. I do love me some Tim McGraw! But 99.9% of the time if I am listening to music it's oldies from the 40's - 70's, the only exception being anything from the disco era or The Beach Boys, #notafan.<p></p><div>I love sharing my love of oldies music with my readers and introducing them to the sentimental songs of days gone by. I even have a playlist of my favorites in my side bar, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3cswA6JaZ6vaflC5QXKWGK?si=c294e640ecd7479a">The Ordinary Days of Small Things Favorite's Playlist</a>, which you can click on any time you want to peruse a few of my favorites!</div><div><br /></div><div>But I thought it might be fun to pick a few songs here and there and share a little about their history and why they are my favorites, and I'll begin with my absolute favorite song of all time, <i>What A Wonderful World</i>, sung by Louis Armstrong.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT-Tb5kmg2gasHxHL4X0QG1aR2VTWu4HHkmRYdBnq9LPhBMP8NPYnmwwDL4POavnP0uqBsoB_xIevZQfLXrQcl9dby64Ri1YQrvQFs_sTGCYu5NbBZNvpADeoe-R7Cl36zV0CWSBHsRJmBk53XfXT_09Qlr4nBaew7JsM84aaHCGMxgGSOUcc1hLH/s313/Louis%20Armstrong.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="313" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT-Tb5kmg2gasHxHL4X0QG1aR2VTWu4HHkmRYdBnq9LPhBMP8NPYnmwwDL4POavnP0uqBsoB_xIevZQfLXrQcl9dby64Ri1YQrvQFs_sTGCYu5NbBZNvpADeoe-R7Cl36zV0CWSBHsRJmBk53XfXT_09Qlr4nBaew7JsM84aaHCGMxgGSOUcc1hLH/s1600/Louis%20Armstrong.png" width="313" /></a></div>Written by George Thiele, writing under the psyeudonym "George Douglas" and George David Weiss, <i>What A Wonderful World</i> was first recorded in 1967 and released as a single in 1968 by Louis Armstrong, topping the charts in the UK but originally performing poorly in the US. George Weiss stated that he wrote the song specifically for Armstrong, who inspired him by his ability to bring people of all races together. Armstrong had recently signed with ABC Records, and president Larry Newton was hoping for a hit like <i>Hello Dolly</i> which Armstrong recorded with Kapp records a few years earlier. So when he heard the slower pace of <i>A Wonderful World</i>, he tried to stop the recording session and was thrown out of the building. They finished the session that night, and the song was released, but because Newton refused to promote it, it intially sold fewer than 1,000 copies in the US, but was a major success in the United Kingdom, reaching number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. </div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>The song gradually became something of a standard and reached a new level of popularity. An episode of <i>The Muppet Show </i>produced in 1977 and broadcast early in 1978 featured <i>Rowlf the Dog</i> singing the song to a puppy. In 1978, it was featured in the closing scenes of BBC radio's <i>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i>, and was repeated for BBC's 1981 TV adaptation of the series. In 1988, Armstrong's recording was used in the film <i>Good Morning, Vietnam, </i>and was re-released as a single, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1988. It is also the closing song for the 1995 movie <i>12 Monkeys</i> and the 1998 film adaptation of <i>Madeline</i>. Armstrongs recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>After it was released digitally, Armstrong's 1967 recording had sold over 2,173,000 downloads in the United States as of April, 2004. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 2021, it was ranked at No. 171 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time"</div></div><div><br /></div><div>For me personally, I love this song for its emphasis on the simple ordinary things that make up an extraordinary life. I believe that when we take the time to notice the abundance which is ours every-single-day, we don't focus as much on what we feel is lacking. I don't ever want to take the beauty of life for granted! Taking the time to notice these simple every day graces, forces us to slow down, to simplify our expectations, and to be content, and those are all good things! I love this song so much, in fact, that I have it set as my ringer on my cell phone and every time I hear those first few notes, I smile!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've never listened to it, just click play below! To be honest, a lot of people are not Louis Armstrong fans, and in today's world he probably would not have made it far. But even his style speaks to a simplicity of life that is becoming harder to capture in this day and time. It's one of the reasons I think I am drawn to songs like these. In the midst of all the hurt and hate that exists in the world, music takes me back. I can't control what is happening in the world, but I do have some say about the atmosphere that exists within my house, and music often sets the stage.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nGKqH26xlg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>Lyrics:</div><div>I see trees of green</div><div>Red roses too</div><div>I see them bloom </div><div>For me and you</div><div>And I think to myself </div><div>What a wonderful world</div><div><br /></div><div>I see skies of blue </div><div>And clouds of white</div><div>The bright blessed day</div><div>The dark sacred night</div><div>And I think to myself </div><div>What a wonderful world</div><div><br /></div><div>The colors of the rainbow </div><div>So pretty in the sky</div><div>Are also on the faces </div><div>Of people going by</div><div>I see friends shaking hands</div><div>Saying how do you do</div><div>They're really saying</div><div>I love you</div><div><br /></div><div>I hear babies cry</div><div>I watch them grow</div><div>They'll learn much more </div><div>Than I'll ever know</div><div>And I think to myself </div><div>What a wonderful world</div><div>Yes, I think to myself </div><div>What a wonderful world</div><div>Ooh, yes</div><div><br /></div><div>If you enjoyed this post, and if you like oldies music, I'll be writing about more of my favorite songs in upcoming posts, and sharing other playlists with you as I develop them! I love movies and sit-coms from the same era, and I'll be sharing about them as well! I hope you'll join me!</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(39, 78, 19); color: #274e13; font-family: Arimo; font-size: medium;">❈</span></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-62401843238787294152024-01-06T05:00:00.002-05:002024-01-06T09:14:47.660-05:00Small Things - First Saturday of The New Year<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYYY5Bf8zgn_E9cZPS7JSzUzN5N6MFYxE19LZ9iwgZ_YkG-VsoG9rgovyZ2WrzFTBWA9QLDTqAfXWOvmvVsHJcbeVw5lNqfk2-nrtkTAVHFiMlyt3KCYM5bCXqF0aDibtrFc9BWloBGjCVpvjSnwrGWTYr5SEynX8AfQYXj9lxdUZfk40cC5lODcfMwY/s512/Small%20Things%20Post%201:7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYYY5Bf8zgn_E9cZPS7JSzUzN5N6MFYxE19LZ9iwgZ_YkG-VsoG9rgovyZ2WrzFTBWA9QLDTqAfXWOvmvVsHJcbeVw5lNqfk2-nrtkTAVHFiMlyt3KCYM5bCXqF0aDibtrFc9BWloBGjCVpvjSnwrGWTYr5SEynX8AfQYXj9lxdUZfk40cC5lODcfMwY/w640-h640/Small%20Things%20Post%201:7.png" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14px;">"</span><i style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14px;">Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."</i></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); clear: both; color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: start;"></p><p style="text-align: start;"></p><div><p style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>- </b></span>GLADYS TABER</span></p></div></div><p>In no particular order, here are six small things that inpspired me this week;</p><p>1. <a href="https://thesmallestlight.co.uk/4-ways-to-support-winter-wellness/">Tending The Embers: Four Ways To Support Winter Wellness</a></p><p>2. <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ginger-cinnamon-nutmeg-winter-spices">How Ginger, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Became Winter Spices</a></p><p>3.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1jQbFgKe2i/"> No Spend Activities in January</a> - I love these ideas!</p><p>4. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1kVL2XPPsM/?img_index=2">The Self Care Year</a></p><p>5. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E9QaqEeN-4">A Festive Winter Walk with Hideaway Cottage</a></p><p>6. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gdrn0pZFa0">The First Snow of Winter</a> - a lovely film to watch with the littles in your life.</p><p>Have a lovely weekend, friends!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">❊</span></span></p>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-80683329173074841092024-01-05T05:00:00.003-05:002024-01-05T08:00:06.297-05:00Announcing The Betsy Tacy Book Club: 2024 Series Read Along<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Iq2ClwD66xxHzXMrZVP2IzFjHhSq1itx2WQxi3_YNZeoRooZMaBXC9Zpo7cozVy0SZUfbPL8y4Mpknr3gAAJ26mKQ90UHIRPJ8xFfjY8KNMqnxM8bFs8hsi7kGDKlxiHOP5AF2g2c9VOYmnrje57UICmXtrwDFYOaTAKxPnV0SRO_CssfD-AzpgkKw/s597/The%20Betsy%20Tacy%20Book%20Club.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="597" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Iq2ClwD66xxHzXMrZVP2IzFjHhSq1itx2WQxi3_YNZeoRooZMaBXC9Zpo7cozVy0SZUfbPL8y4Mpknr3gAAJ26mKQ90UHIRPJ8xFfjY8KNMqnxM8bFs8hsi7kGDKlxiHOP5AF2g2c9VOYmnrje57UICmXtrwDFYOaTAKxPnV0SRO_CssfD-AzpgkKw/w640-h430/The%20Betsy%20Tacy%20Book%20Club.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />This year one of my goals is to make more time to read. I've felt in recent years that I am far too often distracted by social media, and it was detracting from the time that I would prefer to be reading. I currently have two books I started just this week, but something I have been contemplating is re-reading <i>The Betsy Tacy</i> series of books by Maud Hart Lovelace.<p></p><p>I discovered this series as an adult when I began homeschooling my children, and the first time I read it I think I might have read the entire series within just a few weeks. It may possibly be my favorite children's series of all time!</p><p>I mentioned in my previous post that I was considering hosting a read-along, and as I have committed myself to reading them again, I've decided to do just that. The more the merrier, yes?</p><p>With that, I've come up with a schedule which you'll see below and participation is really very simple. We'll read one book in the series each month and on the first Monday of the following month, I'll share my thoughts about each book in a post, and if you are reading along with me, you can share yours in the comments. Here's how it will work</p><div style="text-align: left;"><br />January - <i>Betsy Tacy</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, February 5</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">February - <i>Betsy Tacy and Tib</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, March 4</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqkFBH6JSxEKKYaTWBrXr_MD5jlNCBbcgNjJD_E7yKV0STMSzX2D5b_ypPDq1LssKBqWXKug4JfPDy2-AHwfepWGXAGME4n3AJJsADYmCComiNYt5d8G1dRK0CGhpaa2suqBcOTJstVhyphenhyphenHHBCk_jGjmNS9siU8oTISCIf04x8gxYd5riaDRzOn9becGo/s350/Betsy%20Tacy%20Book%202.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqkFBH6JSxEKKYaTWBrXr_MD5jlNCBbcgNjJD_E7yKV0STMSzX2D5b_ypPDq1LssKBqWXKug4JfPDy2-AHwfepWGXAGME4n3AJJsADYmCComiNYt5d8G1dRK0CGhpaa2suqBcOTJstVhyphenhyphenHHBCk_jGjmNS9siU8oTISCIf04x8gxYd5riaDRzOn9becGo/s320/Betsy%20Tacy%20Book%202.png" width="213" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">March - <i>Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, April 1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">April - <i>Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, May 6</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">May - <i>Heaven to Betsy</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, June 3</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">June - <i>Betsy In Spite of Herself</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, July 1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">July - <i>Betsy Was A Junior</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, August 5</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">August - <i>Betsy and Joe</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, September 2</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">September - <i>Betsy and the Great World</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, October 7</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">October - <i>Betsy's Wedding</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Discussion - Monday, November 4</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We'll finish up our discussion in early November, and then towards the end of November, I'll have a fun Advent Calendar reading for us to enjoy with select passages from each of the books. I discovered this year and almost posted it then, but now I'm glad I waited so we can make it a part of our year-long readings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you already own the series, that's wonderful! And if not, check with your local library or you can order the from Amazon (these are the books I have!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3S5TZmJ"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3S5TZmJ"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSGZu6FFrn-0DWaRK0g11m32U1mu1J9xoIhRITbJyavck7x1yheRLFD3ayPT0dZJgkErIZ5IED68u1JFKgQsy4cwi-JZvzHToRiOgdCyRmHglkJe08269ZvQXgLVWFYLPztmSxFbLa-5hupn8FnDh13Lha7ukGDxZYTJdfDGApTip96aHFgZBwsW0GmY/s350/Betsy%20Book%202.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSGZu6FFrn-0DWaRK0g11m32U1mu1J9xoIhRITbJyavck7x1yheRLFD3ayPT0dZJgkErIZ5IED68u1JFKgQsy4cwi-JZvzHToRiOgdCyRmHglkJe08269ZvQXgLVWFYLPztmSxFbLa-5hupn8FnDh13Lha7ukGDxZYTJdfDGApTip96aHFgZBwsW0GmY/s320/Betsy%20Book%202.png" width="213" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3NSdsVD">The Betsy Tacy Treasury</a> (The First Four Books in the Series) (AFFILIATE LINK)'</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/47uaKMF">Heaven to Betsy / Betsy In Spite of Herself</a> (AFFILIATE LINK)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3NTeQXP">Betsy Was a Junior / Betsy and Joe</a> (AFFILIATE LINK)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3NRSLZX">Betsy and Great World / Betsy's Wedding</a> (AFFILIATE LINK)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I looked for them on the Internet Archives, but so much there has changed in recent months, and many books are no longer available to borrow. I did see that there is also a Kindle edition of the titles listed above, if you'd prefer to go that route.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm looking forward to spending a year in Deep Valley with Betsy, Tacy and Tib, and you as well! If you want to join me, please leave a comment on this post to let me know. And, as always, don't let the year long commitment scare you. This is all very simple and easy, just read when and if you can, and if you forget and don't visit the post each month to join in the discussion, that's ok, too. There are no rules here, other than to be kind, friendly and courteous to all! If you ever forget what book we are on or when our next discussion will be, *I'll create a link back to this post in the side bar over the next few days, so you can always just click on it and find your way back here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*UPDATE - You'll find the link to this post in the right side bar!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Until then, my friends . . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXu_KEYZplUX_dIqmlRhrAcoRgnkfUrkXsnmYRvOLWrwF8IcKhDVhNRry0CCH_G2upcVxfC_IdQ9RfvcBUDiSkTe1ENIEYVl2eFnDRkyInVgd1pMi2EZUaerNUCZh3u2wS8s8PU4zCZaprcYjG_OR6YyHeZ9av1bg7UTshSabsapLTogo_QxWPgbUeHA/s263/Betsy%20Tacy%20Book%20Club%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXu_KEYZplUX_dIqmlRhrAcoRgnkfUrkXsnmYRvOLWrwF8IcKhDVhNRry0CCH_G2upcVxfC_IdQ9RfvcBUDiSkTe1ENIEYVl2eFnDRkyInVgd1pMi2EZUaerNUCZh3u2wS8s8PU4zCZaprcYjG_OR6YyHeZ9av1bg7UTshSabsapLTogo_QxWPgbUeHA/s1600/Betsy%20Tacy%20Book%20Club%202.png" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll meet you at the top of the hill!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3975339061697226585" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; text-align: start; width: 670px;"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); font-family: "Zapf Dingbats";"><span style="color: #274e13;">❊</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, </i></span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">and this post contains affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase </i><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">we receive a small commission from Amazon. </i><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We appreciate your support!</i></div></div></div></div></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-39753390616972265852024-01-03T08:00:00.041-05:002024-01-03T14:53:03.711-05:00Those First Few Notes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug0hkgCMJ3QakOY8RuPyOz5-uCHUddhIIC-Eddi8T6Bc2z1VH0UH4iHVWncOYLX9mwB8xaPU3p-ZJEXoXYDzFMjONaRBgZsX9LUIghBSz4JzI7K8fdUqQIFn4XRwE0HtG_-Xqtua14RZZnUHGqPSUlXZi9rwSDLcmib9hH8-_dMRfzvEA6JSPjOqibmM/s515/Blog%20Post%201:3:24%20-%20A.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug0hkgCMJ3QakOY8RuPyOz5-uCHUddhIIC-Eddi8T6Bc2z1VH0UH4iHVWncOYLX9mwB8xaPU3p-ZJEXoXYDzFMjONaRBgZsX9LUIghBSz4JzI7K8fdUqQIFn4XRwE0HtG_-Xqtua14RZZnUHGqPSUlXZi9rwSDLcmib9hH8-_dMRfzvEA6JSPjOqibmM/w630-h640/Blog%20Post%201:3:24%20-%20A.png" width="630" /></a></div><div><i style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">"And what does January hold? Clean account books, bare diaries. Three hundred and sixty five new days neatly parcled into weeks, months, seasons. A chunk of time, of life. . . those first few notes like an orchestra tuning up before the play begins."</i></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">
<br />
~ Phyllis Nicholson, <i>Country Bouquet</i></span><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Happy New Year, my friends! I pray that these first few days have been blessed and bright!</div><div><br /></div><div>My end of the year, new year is not starting out exactly as I had planned. You may recall that back in April and May of last year I pinched my sciactic nerve and it laid me out for about six weeks, three of those on the couch unable to do much of anything. It had taken months of physical therapy and a few visits to the chiropractor to get me to a better place and it had only been in recent weeks that I was able to get around without pain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps because of that I was overly confident, but honestly, all I did was bend down to get a load of laundry out of the dryer when I felt that familiar pull and immediately and hobbled straight to the couch. Of course this was on Friday, the last day before the holiday weekend! But thankfully I was able to get a call into my primary care doctor who sent in a prescription for pain meds to get me through the weekend. With those and my husband generously giving up his recliner as it is the only place I can sit comfortably, I made it through. Yesterday I actually got to see the doctor, who gave me a steroid shot and a refill on the pain meds. I can already feel some improvement, but likely will be continue to take it easy for the rest of the week.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierTAQV3jgV_XAQoCZxUXQms8HvSHxKmHHfIWaLEzJq2ixmpmlttWmiFRV8D23ImcSet2u2u1inZbqcAXMA5iJEECREC49gHVj_jEtQEA2oB8jUDWvc-cHYNyJlNEbsWNUHrSCUMXSRK2CbS2FGL8mWUkO5-ye9KOKunkr9A7EprPkHXFFTPe6urTyi0E/s440/Blog%20Post%20Picture%201:3:24%20-%20B.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierTAQV3jgV_XAQoCZxUXQms8HvSHxKmHHfIWaLEzJq2ixmpmlttWmiFRV8D23ImcSet2u2u1inZbqcAXMA5iJEECREC49gHVj_jEtQEA2oB8jUDWvc-cHYNyJlNEbsWNUHrSCUMXSRK2CbS2FGL8mWUkO5-ye9KOKunkr9A7EprPkHXFFTPe6urTyi0E/s320/Blog%20Post%20Picture%201:3:24%20-%20B.png" width="221" /></a></div>My word for the year is <span style="color: #cc0000;">T R U S T</span> (if you see that familiar blanket in the background of my pictures in the near future, you'll know I haven't left my reclining post.)<div><br /></div><div>I prayed about my word back in October, and after coming across several verses that spoke of the wonder of God and seeing that same word in a few other random places, I felt certain that wonder was my word and I was excited for it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then my daughter sent me a link to Dayspring, where through answering a series of questions they generate a word of the year for you. So just for giggles I decided to play along and the word I received was <span style="color: #cc0000;">T R U S T</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as I read it I knew immediately that my greater need for 2024 was trust, and if I'm being honest, I wasn't all that happy about it. <span style="color: #cc0000;">T R U S T</span> was my word once before, back in 2016, and boy was that a year I had to learn to trust. But apprently there is a deeper work the Lord wants to do and my spirit resonantes with this, even though my flesh is still mourning that year of wonder I was so looking forward to!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uw_c7A65G8WIoxgTNQeDvICS6tXcdc5CroOGk8nBwkA_R6d7PXNE65gZMoWoAMwx4pQ_Kgs6DJSY0QyPkAjSrVRF_w2nYeh9cEaIvtlgj37Sk9wX53DP3Vqyncjo3ZDC7b89m7CRnJUF0ByXTRumT1MahtIzoN8Gs6fDcTsN8zqoKs7aoN66btfubWE/s440/Blog%20Post%20Picture%201:3:24%20-%20C.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uw_c7A65G8WIoxgTNQeDvICS6tXcdc5CroOGk8nBwkA_R6d7PXNE65gZMoWoAMwx4pQ_Kgs6DJSY0QyPkAjSrVRF_w2nYeh9cEaIvtlgj37Sk9wX53DP3Vqyncjo3ZDC7b89m7CRnJUF0ByXTRumT1MahtIzoN8Gs6fDcTsN8zqoKs7aoN66btfubWE/s320/Blog%20Post%20Picture%201:3:24%20-%20C.png" width="221" /></a></div>I had so many plans for celebrating the New Year and for this week, but I'm learning to be content with the process. I bought these cute little head bands at Hobby Lobby right before Christmas and had hoped to take a cute family picture in front of the tree on New Years Eve. I had white balloons I had planned to fill with red, green and silver confetti and red and green streamers tied to the ends. I did manage to feel well enough to sport the green head band and my daughter chose the silver. We wore them New Year's Eve, had some chips and dip (a far cry from the menu I had planned) and watched the ball drop. My daughter blessed us on New Year's Day by making black eyed peas from scratch. She used my recipe, and they turned out so good! So thankfully we got a serving of good luck for the New Year, but the pork roast and cabbage are still waiting. In all of this, I am <span style="color: #cc0000;">T R U S T</span> I N G that things will improve, and on the bright side, as far as the head bands, balloons, and confetti, lets just say I'm way ahead of the game and already set for New Year's Eve 2025! <div><br /></div><div>As I've had a lot of time on my hands I've been doing a lot of reading. My first two books for 2024 are <a href="https://amzn.to/41LY8iW"><i>Placemaker</i></a> by Christie Purifoy (AFFILIATE LINK), which I am enjoying so much! And I'm also reading <i>In Search fo Guidance</i> by Dallas Willard, but thankfully I was able to find it on the Interner Archives, because the prices they are asking are outrageous! I think I'll start keeping an eye out at the thrift stores!</div><div><br /></div><div>So that's the update on my life! How about you? Is your new year off to a good start, are you reading or have you read any good books lately? I've got a longing to read the complete <i>Betsy Tacy</i> series again this year. Have you ever read them, and if you haven't (or even if you have), would you be interested in a read along here at the blog? Leave a comment and let me know!</div><div><br /></div><div>And now I'm, well not off, just on the next thing I am able to do from the comfort of this chair!</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a blessed day, my friends!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Kim</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #999999; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); font-family: "Zapf Dingbats";"><span style="color: #274e13;">❊</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #990000; font-family: arimo; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, </i></span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">and this post contains affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase </i><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">we receive a small commission from Amazon. </i><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We appreciate your support!</i></div></div></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-22692875495812376712024-01-01T09:55:00.005-05:002024-01-03T08:38:32.265-05:00Happy New Year!<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxYAfvQUbaFFO6k-AGzsYFiZ9qD-xSA6BLmdZN0BP5nsFh8xTq7wX3a6xIb4T9JWk-NJvXDb0p6k3sLW0sfof9oLAUWb5lyGFlMh8YGryevDRpu4xSK53HS5nE5Jm9GdTWAAwnB_mDm8/s750/Happy+New+Year.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="750" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxYAfvQUbaFFO6k-AGzsYFiZ9qD-xSA6BLmdZN0BP5nsFh8xTq7wX3a6xIb4T9JWk-NJvXDb0p6k3sLW0sfof9oLAUWb5lyGFlMh8YGryevDRpu4xSK53HS5nE5Jm9GdTWAAwnB_mDm8/w640-h418/Happy+New+Year.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">Wishing you and yours a blessed and happy New Year!</span></i></p>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-29438596055378292402023-11-04T05:00:00.007-04:002023-11-04T11:06:55.640-04:00Small Things - The Gratitude Edition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie9AZDg8p44QFFsxuderEvUiaRGGQnKQiKVKt-nm4tUnEGouOG0d4dNk6xLlm-AYqSQZr4VR0Efqo2b4QnQsPxhWz-i54rpjXP8y1NFiyaAxXOA6mAPP3tG2hVUx7oYZ0DPEYN4ft-R2qp9aQK8Fxl5DnwlbjQ3Z8LpUJP23hyRDOhtkdj1zc4KQqF=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie9AZDg8p44QFFsxuderEvUiaRGGQnKQiKVKt-nm4tUnEGouOG0d4dNk6xLlm-AYqSQZr4VR0Efqo2b4QnQsPxhWz-i54rpjXP8y1NFiyaAxXOA6mAPP3tG2hVUx7oYZ0DPEYN4ft-R2qp9aQK8Fxl5DnwlbjQ3Z8LpUJP23hyRDOhtkdj1zc4KQqF=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82);">"</span><i style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82);">Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."</i></span><p></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); clear: both; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: start;"></p><p style="text-align: start;"></p><div><p style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>- </b></span>GLADYS TABER</span></p></div></div><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); font-family: Arimo;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #666666;">With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought it might be good to focus on gratitude and thankfulness in preparation for this lovely idea. Here are some ideas to cultivate a spirit of gratitude</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); font-family: Arimo;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #666666;">In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired me this week;</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82);"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arimo;">1. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://gratefulness.org/light-a-candle/">Light A Candle</a></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #666666; font-family: Arimo;">, </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #444444; font-family: Arimo;">from gratefulness.org, is a beautiful online activity that encourages thoughtfulness and thankfulness. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82);"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arimo;">2. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://viewsfromastepstool.com/gratitude-dice-for-families/">Printable Thankful Dice</a></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arimo;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #444444; font-family: Arimo;">- roll the dice and share what you're thankful for!</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82);"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arimo;">3. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/406168460128490142/">Gratitude Stones</a></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arimo;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #444444; font-family: Arimo;">- I love this idea! You could set them out in a pretty basket along with a few chalk pens and allow people to reflect and add to the basket of gratefulness throughout the day!</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82);"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arimo;">4. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://thekeeledeal.com/gratitude-abcs-free-printable/">Gratitude ABC's Printable</a></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arimo;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #444444; font-family: Arimo;">- This would be great for the littles in your life, and for the not so littles, too!</span></p><p>5. <a href="https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/gratitude-scavenger-hunt/" style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82);">Gratitude Scavenger Hunt</a><span style="color: #444444;"> - This would be a fun family activity after everyone has enjoyed the big meal.</span></p><p>6. <span style="color: #444444;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Free printable <a href="https://www.gatheringbeauty.com/blog/daily-gratitude-journal-free-printable">Gratitude Journal</a>!</span></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(96, 82, 82); font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: #990000;">❈</span></p>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-54276012926411865362023-11-03T07:50:00.005-04:002023-11-03T08:01:32.123-04:00Fading Light
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87UcqnrPvl7FTPrdnSLCVSrWhVKtXaYz5L5V2MoyQtz-IIYRQI0tvuklll4Y_1JL_b25Yh6x_hUnAG7j4dgGGqLW6xq_wF-nNCWRGk6vzQDKYWq0F9anDzpiFzQkbp3XmJCcZJLVmuxuqi-FLW-tL0qFeVKDJfMpDxbCvZNZYoG0KaA2KUNBTb6dpNeo/s2048/76693274_707519696392637_753890335247040512_o.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87UcqnrPvl7FTPrdnSLCVSrWhVKtXaYz5L5V2MoyQtz-IIYRQI0tvuklll4Y_1JL_b25Yh6x_hUnAG7j4dgGGqLW6xq_wF-nNCWRGk6vzQDKYWq0F9anDzpiFzQkbp3XmJCcZJLVmuxuqi-FLW-tL0qFeVKDJfMpDxbCvZNZYoG0KaA2KUNBTb6dpNeo/w640-h427/76693274_707519696392637_753890335247040512_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;">"Gray November is the most beautiful of seasons"</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The light is changing. I've noticed it for a few weeks now. The sun sets earlier and rises later. But every morning, and again in the afternoon, there is a certain slant of light that glimmers all through the house, casting its magic upon everything it touches. Simple beauty at no cost.</div><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpyoZtTbvFPsaOjEQ436XDY8Q0E0Ar1hG_gDhFMlPLggHGbwViJQowqsd5s3DMYA6rOpYLKD3gGnxOGfLgxVpjfLVNImM6BN44LLlUKVLYOKzpGpi7lqa8Mo1b5Tl4crm44rAOhtiOAVYp9YMQPDzIL8giuud79krvGxsoxZpShvKph_noIIgrlWP9Ow/s563/Fading%20Light%20Post%20Picture.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpyoZtTbvFPsaOjEQ436XDY8Q0E0Ar1hG_gDhFMlPLggHGbwViJQowqsd5s3DMYA6rOpYLKD3gGnxOGfLgxVpjfLVNImM6BN44LLlUKVLYOKzpGpi7lqa8Mo1b5Tl4crm44rAOhtiOAVYp9YMQPDzIL8giuud79krvGxsoxZpShvKph_noIIgrlWP9Ow/s320/Fading%20Light%20Post%20Picture.png" width="238" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;">We turn the clocks back this weekend, and darkness will come even earlier. There are some who do not care for daylight savings time. They draw up petitions and rally for support to appeal to the government to end it. I guess in some way I understand, and I'm certain that I could easily live without it. But personally, I rather prefer the curtain of darkness that is drawn earlier in the evening come mid-Autumn, just as winter takes its first strong grip. I'm tempted to slow down, gain a few pounds and hibernate, but inevitably, life calls us to rise and keep going, and we must find a way to trudge through the darkness and make our own light!</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Norwegians know how to brighten the darkening season, with a whimsical concept known as koselig, which is best described in images: curling up under a wool blanket in front of a fire, drinking wine by candlelight with friends, sharing a home cooked meal with family, enjoying a good book with a mug of steaming hot chocolate, and sweaters, LOTS of sweaters! It's basically "chestnuts roasting on an open fire", all season long.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You can always make it a point to rise early to catch the sun on a brisk walk before the busyness of the day begins, or perhaps during your lunch break. But inevitably the night comes and the cold descends. The change of light in this season is here to stay, so we might as well make the most of it. And with some help of the cozy little concept of koselig, there are a few ways you can do just that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWQv5NyCVELprMB2cVeprd7z52rBp0AWNdTToDhKEeZUQR36aMf7i65cP26pHcdHGs-hjDqc2WGxD7KtFtx59dvLog-ShbCupKAkXP_QGckgVAuFAPRP5BFN2S3etUgovZVEB3-xX8sA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-11-05+at+13.01.28.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="1146" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWQv5NyCVELprMB2cVeprd7z52rBp0AWNdTToDhKEeZUQR36aMf7i65cP26pHcdHGs-hjDqc2WGxD7KtFtx59dvLog-ShbCupKAkXP_QGckgVAuFAPRP5BFN2S3etUgovZVEB3-xX8sA/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-11-05+at+13.01.28.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8FLGmGkA-dpWsFqbUDg_38oP6GjoW5fLTmYkYWkC6xLe3ivMZVf6h-QvxBHv6WYvVefBzk_VaU50B4WlgSLmU8G4M8MoTf7_b5w0la4dlX0Tq7mtgHHddRjR5jlp8CXRBT667vdSeehUIhSoJEnHQkXR5e8u3B52KjG_cIFToiNlc7VMoCNIxEBvQgE/s960/46003598_10217849381329656_6353600946957713408_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8FLGmGkA-dpWsFqbUDg_38oP6GjoW5fLTmYkYWkC6xLe3ivMZVf6h-QvxBHv6WYvVefBzk_VaU50B4WlgSLmU8G4M8MoTf7_b5w0la4dlX0Tq7mtgHHddRjR5jlp8CXRBT667vdSeehUIhSoJEnHQkXR5e8u3B52KjG_cIFToiNlc7VMoCNIxEBvQgE/s320/46003598_10217849381329656_6353600946957713408_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>🍂<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">STAY SOCIAL</span><div><div style="text-align: justify;">This season sets the stage for the slow enjoyment of food and friends. In Norway friends and family gather in each other's homes during this time of year, enjoying simple, homemade dinners in the comfort and intimacy of a private, small space. Lights are low and candles are lit, as loved ones enjoy one another's company while wine bottles are passed and a wholesome meal is consumed. Perhaps you could borrow from this idea and organize a weekly dinner night, rotating between the homes of two or three friends, or open up your home once a week and invite friends and family to join you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">🍂 <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">CREATE AMBIANCE</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With temperatures dropping, once you are home for the evening, you most likely don't want to get out again. So here's a bit of inspiration to kindle some warmth and light into your evening. Heat up some water for a cup of tea, put on your warmest sweater, light a few candles and turn up some relaxing music. Then wrap your legs in a warm wool blanket and read a few chapters from a favorite book. It doesn't take much to create this cozy scene for yourself, and makes for a truly lovely evening at home.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">🍂<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Oswald;">TAKE UP A NEW HOBBY</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's easy to find plenty to do in the warmer months, when the outdoors beckon. But the darker, colder days of autumn and early winter is the perfect time for hobbies you can enjoy in the warmth and comfort of home. Why not learn to knit or crochet? Or perhaps you'd like to try out a few new recipes, or learn to bake bread from scratch? Puzzles are another fun activity to enjoy this time of year, a hobby I personally love. My husband even built me a puzzle tray so that I could keep the puzzle out as I am working on it without taking up table space. The tray can easily be moved from room to room, and shared together!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stay warm, friends! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: #990000; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;">❈</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-32218095629749871722023-11-02T08:00:00.002-04:002023-11-02T11:12:37.860-04:00The Present Moment Is Eternity: The Liturgical Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHo5hzr5WssA1IpN5XTU0o-NUZryZE0RhoVb8FVPK2m35e4w8IhWbYbfsOcn9ed-bJD9WG0e3AV_50TiJoY6TH2QWmdJlu1G2BaQ6nrn3xJG_XY64wedZZT3EugBrshDry2AZI1zqiEk/s700/Screen+Shot+2021-02-26+at+7.30.23+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHo5hzr5WssA1IpN5XTU0o-NUZryZE0RhoVb8FVPK2m35e4w8IhWbYbfsOcn9ed-bJD9WG0e3AV_50TiJoY6TH2QWmdJlu1G2BaQ6nrn3xJG_XY64wedZZT3EugBrshDry2AZI1zqiEk/s16000/Screen+Shot+2021-02-26+at+7.30.23+PM.png" /></a></div><div>Beginning November 6 and on each subsequent Monday in November, I will be posting a weekly series of on Advent, which begins on Sunday, December 3. </div><div><br /></div><div>Following is a post I have shared several times before, but for those who are not familiar with Advent which is the first day of the Liturgical Year, or as I refer to it, the Year of the Lord, I find it helpful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many years ago I stumbled upon a book in the public library, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Holidays-Holy-Nights-Celebrating-Festivals/dp/0835608107/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Holidays+and+Holy+Days+by+Christopher+Hill&qid=1614385892&sr=8-2">Holidays and Holy Nights</a></i> by Christopher Hill, who first introduced me, a wholly Protestant girl, to The Liturgical Year, or as I prefer to call it, The Year of the Lord. Though I was not raised Catholic, in reading this book I found a beauty and rhythm in The Liturgical Year that was appealing, even comforting. Recently, as I’ve begun working my way through the spiritual practices, I was reminded again of this lovely book and the in particular, the following passage. In my efforts to slow the pace of life, these words are a balm for my hurried soul, and what started me on my journey to a slower, sacred, and more meaningful way of living. </div><div><br /><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">"The whole point of the Year of the Lord is that there is more than one way to experience time. The understanding of time that most people live with is only one way to experience it. We could call it the worldly or profane understanding of time. It is an image of time as a straight horizontal line with a middle point, where we stand, called The Present. This line is always moving past us like a conveyor belt. On the left is the Past, where present moments constantly flow and immediately cease to exist. On the right is The Future, which is always moving toward the Present, but never actually arrives. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br />
This model is almost completely abstract. In other words, we never actually experience any of it. The present is gone before we are aware of it, and the past and future lie outside our grasp.
Anxiety is built into it. Each human possesses only a limited quantity of this kind of time, and it is constantly passing us by, never to return. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br />
This view of time is not necessarily bad. It can be a useful tool. All human progress, in some sense, depends on it. But its not the whole or most important part of the picture. It is not the way we experience time in the deepest parts of ourselves, on the level of our hearts, and it is not the way God experiences time. Above and below this abstract, one-dimensional timeline, is well, reality. This is the world we actually experience, in which we “live and move and have our being”, as Paul said. The word “I Am” as God introduced himself to Moses. The present moment is eternity. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br />For most of human history, people experienced time very different. The pattern was not a line, but a circle or cycle. The cycles of sun, moon and stars; of the seasons of the life, death and birth of plants, animals and human beings. Everything went away, but then in some way everything always came back. We can be sure that people living with this image of time still got anxious about things, but anxiety wasn’t built into the system itself. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br />
The image of the cycle contains a lot of truth. It expands the one-dimensional timeline into a two-dimensional circle and so takes in a lot more of reality. it is less abstract than the line, truer to experience and incorporates the fundamental patterns of creation. Years, seasons, months, weeks, days and hours all come from this model of time. Birth, life, death and rebirth are all in it. What it doesn’t include is the possibility for growth. In this cycle, the more things change, the more they stay the same. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br />
The Year of the Lord, the Christian understanding of time, is a variation on the cycle. The timeline, as we’ve said, is a one-dimensional model. The circle is two dimensional. The Year of the Lord is three-dimensional. It is modeled on the spiral, a circle that grows outward and upward. It grows in a vertical direction as well as horizontally, combining the straight line of the past, present and future with the height and depth of eternity. Like a spiraling tornado, it sucks one-dimensional time up into three dimensional reality. It uses time to break us out of time. It hallows and sacralizes time and transforms it into eternity. Year, season month, week, day and hour all concentric circles that lead deeper and deeper into the center; the present moment, where we live in the presence of God. The present is the Presence. And the present time ripples outward again, connecting us with all time and all the cosmos."</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: #990000; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;">❈</span></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-79975074117578067972023-11-01T05:00:00.001-04:002023-11-01T06:05:54.697-04:00This Is November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT-jepscFuIlQxdUj4cOsXhNXsvdRfaqtFyUTxGWoXazCWwnTBNhZsrw3rMx4rWhb4ljLaJXuThSERFz9No0dcfdG_C80kKIjLEER5LUl8uUn39I00xOURVjxeCWEVXgd22hyQxRVTEJ8Vfx7WaEBsxT5hOm05G0MFlT1FYkzpijyeL_mlyE5iE_oOgA/s636/November%201%20Blog%20Post%20Picture.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="636" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT-jepscFuIlQxdUj4cOsXhNXsvdRfaqtFyUTxGWoXazCWwnTBNhZsrw3rMx4rWhb4ljLaJXuThSERFz9No0dcfdG_C80kKIjLEER5LUl8uUn39I00xOURVjxeCWEVXgd22hyQxRVTEJ8Vfx7WaEBsxT5hOm05G0MFlT1FYkzpijyeL_mlyE5iE_oOgA/w640-h636/November%201%20Blog%20Post%20Picture.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Frost on the rooftops,</span></i></div><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Dew on the grass,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Leaves drifting down,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Wherever we pass;</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Wet, windy weather,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Skies often gray,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Leaves piling up</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Though raked every day.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Ice on the puddles,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Trees almost bare;</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Mornings are chilly,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Breath on the air.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Squirrels are still busy,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Where nuts can be found,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Hiding their treasures</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
In hollows around.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Darkness comes early,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
It's cozy indoors</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
With apples and popcorn,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
And books to explore.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
The harvest is in</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
And all stored away:</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
Watch for the snowflakes</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">
To come any day.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: x-small;">
- HARRIET C. WHIPPLE</span></span><br />Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-91058044830649469612023-10-21T07:17:00.006-04:002023-10-21T07:18:43.256-04:00Small Things - The Cozy October Edition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AlurbDJqdRycUbB7lnr9KFrLeV20KcchR3AyhxtYQzdgevq6VacPAj1wLkmPFgXTTRBYnYAa14DbvZ65ZFVPvnkrav21XNdzxwMxv-lHESrQhHL8t42JBtJLdOKSVDAoPK2W3CIr-XJkwQzUbVjr_aS53j2YJaRYow2uZOGWRJBHXI7uXTge_RJm70k/s658/Apples.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AlurbDJqdRycUbB7lnr9KFrLeV20KcchR3AyhxtYQzdgevq6VacPAj1wLkmPFgXTTRBYnYAa14DbvZ65ZFVPvnkrav21XNdzxwMxv-lHESrQhHL8t42JBtJLdOKSVDAoPK2W3CIr-XJkwQzUbVjr_aS53j2YJaRYow2uZOGWRJBHXI7uXTge_RJm70k/w618-h640/Apples.png" width="618" /></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old-fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good sup</i>per." </span><div><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Avenir; font-size: x-small;">- GLADYS TABER</span> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired me this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>1.<a href="https://oneessentialcommunity.com/homemade-warm-vanilla-room-spray/"><b> Homemade Vanilla Room Spray</b></a></div><div>I've been making my own room sprays for about a year now, and I love them! Just yesterday I walked through the house after I'd finished cleaning it and spritzed every room with the delightful scent of Snickerdoodle Cookies! One thing I would let you know is that the scent doesn't last very long, but probably not a lot less time than commercially purchased air fresheners and without the harmful added chemicals! I like that it's clean and that there are so many variations of scents I can try by adding different essential oils.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. <a href="https://briowater.com/blogs/blog/water-for-wellness-fall-tea-recipes"><b>Fall Tea Recipes</b></a></div><div>Now that the temps are dropping into the 40's and they are calling for our first frost this week, I've been making myself a warm cup of tea most afternoons. In the past I've kept a number of store bought brands on hand in this season, and right now I have a box of <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Yogi-Tea-Pumpkin-Spice-Caffeine-Free-Holiday-Tea-Bags-16-Count/143153878?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1350&adid=22222222277143153878_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-1651068664786:pla-306310554666&wl5=9008926&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=143153878&wl13=1350&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222237143153878_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-1651068664786:pla-306310554666&wl5=9008926&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=143153878&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjw7c2pBhAZEiwA88pOF8fue_WfA71SkXOottYiExOVgkLUUVQj0THUj66OZUDMkmFjHtrJmxoCepYQAvD_BwE">Yogi Pumpkin Spice Tea</a>. But recently I've noticed that several of my favorite influencers across social media, mix up their own blends and I've been considering trying out a few recipes myself. Wouldn't it be nice, rather than having a dozen bags of the same flavor, to have a nice selection of herbs and loose leaf teas to mix up a number of different flavors? I'm excited to see how it turns out!</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyp29KcKB0l/?img_index=1"><b>The Seasonal Table</b></a></div><div>The Seasonal Table is a lovely account that I follow on Instagram. I always enjoy their posts, but one of the things I like most are their season supplements. They are offered for free if you provide them with your email, and the autumn edition is due to arrive tomorrow! Hop on over and sign up to get a copy!</div><div><br /></div><div>4.<span style="color: #990000;"> <span><b>Cozy Autumn Illustrations</b></span></span></div><div>Another thing I love about Instagram are all the cozy autumn scenes that begin to pop up in my feed from the various illustrators I follow. One of my favorites is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/robinelisedraws/?e=0047693e-18ae-41c6-98c4-65ea3c98103a&g=5">@robinelisedraws</a>. If you like cozy seasonal depictions, be sure to check out here works.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Dedication To A Fire Place</b></span></div><div>Ahh, a fire place! It's something I've longed for since childhood but so far have only had in one house I've lived in. Our current house had one when we moved in, but it wasn't a true fire place. I detest fake logs and push button flames! So we took it out. We do have a chimney, though, so maybe someday I'll get the wood stove I've always dreamed of to warm us. But regardless of the type of fireplace you may have in your home, I came across this cute little poem and added it to Autumn/Winter commplace book.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>This hearth was built for thy delight, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>For thee the logs were sawn, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>For thee the largest chair, at night, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>Is to the chimney drawn. </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>For thee, dear lass, the match was lit </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>To yield the ruddy blaze- </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>May Jack Frost give us joy of it </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>For many, many days.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Avenir; font-size: x-small;">- CHRISTOPHER MORLEY</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>6. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Vintage You Tube Autumn Playlists</b></span></div><div>And finally, my husband and I purchased an old antique radio last weekend. It doesn't work, but it's a lovely piece, and we loved it from the first moment we laid eyes on it! We both enjoy listening to oldies music from the 1940's - 60's and we decided that since it didn't work, we would simply place our blue tooth speaker inside the cabinet and stream music from our phone. We've sat and enjoyed it several times already this week, including some old radio shows we found, as well! Here are a few of our favorites.</div><div><br /></div><div>- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCOkfMFVmtw">Vintage Autumn Music Playlist</a></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbtadZZl3GU&pp=ygUUVmludGFnZSBBdXR1bW4gTXVzaWM%3D">- Vintage Autumn Playlist - Volume II</a></div><div>- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08N0P9DX2iY&pp=ygUUVmludGFnZSBBdXR1bW4gTXVzaWM%3D">Vintage Autumn in the Rain Playlist</a></div><div>- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZWoG6F9sVo&pp=ygUaT2xkIFRJbWUgY29tZWR5UmFkaW8gU2hvd3M%3D">Old Time Radio Shows - The Comedy Collection</a></div><div><br /></div><div>And there you have it friends, I hope you've enjoyed this edition of Small Things! I'll visit with you here again soon!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #990000;">❈</span></span></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-21839321954443518702023-10-16T16:10:00.000-04:002023-10-16T16:10:04.221-04:00Autumn Rituals<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmbZMGvkbOfSmrAMyGfy2Rhp4UiZrCXAjm_dkIQZ6E1dH-JfraUNSod-U1ISXNebaYsIGQAfyzltWLLGnXq4JvzPWO863nseRm5QhotYjL0ViUa8eZNg1ycrhhP-5FfZi5QQX5FXB5vFnuPvjbCvHCjbcN31Qfsog9MR0CjGMfViporELqF07BK0jIvE/s538/Autumn%20Rituals.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmbZMGvkbOfSmrAMyGfy2Rhp4UiZrCXAjm_dkIQZ6E1dH-JfraUNSod-U1ISXNebaYsIGQAfyzltWLLGnXq4JvzPWO863nseRm5QhotYjL0ViUa8eZNg1ycrhhP-5FfZi5QQX5FXB5vFnuPvjbCvHCjbcN31Qfsog9MR0CjGMfViporELqF07BK0jIvE/w638-h640/Autumn%20Rituals.png" width="638" /></a></div>Elizabeth wrote <a href="http://ponderingsfromtheinglenook.blogspot.com/2023/10/beloved-autumnal-rituals.html">a post</a> over at her blog a few days ago, in which she listed some of her Autumn rituals. I enjoyed reading it so much that I thought I might share some of mine, as well.<p></p><p>Like Elizabeth, I am a decidedly seasonal soul, and of those autumn and winter are my favorites, hands down! They are simply the coziest, and while I strive to give our home a cozy feel all year round, there is just nothing like decorating for autumn and Christmas to warm things up.</p><p>Being a seasonal soul, there are a number of rituals and traditions that I keep, and that I look forward to all year long! Here are some of my favorites.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Oswald;">SEASONAL COOKING AND BAKING</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I enjoy cooking and baking year round, but there is nothing like an overcast, balmy autumn sky with grey pillowy clouds that sets my heart to make up something warm to eat! Our family simply loves chili, and just last week I made up a pot using a recipe I'd never tried before, <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/crockpot-turkey-white-bean-pumpkin/">Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili</a>, and it was delicious! Definitely one that I will make again before the end of the season, and even into winter. I've never made anything but desserts with pumpkin, and I wasn't entirely convinced that you wouldn't be able to taste it, but if I hadn't made it myself I would have never known that pumpkin was one of the ingredients. It's a keeper!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Almost every year I make my pumpkin dip that I serve with store bought snickerdoodles. I made up a bowl of it over the weekend and I'm still munching it. I halved the recipe, but it still made quite a bit and since I'm about the only one who eats it, I think next time I might need to make even less. I'll share the recipe here soon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not only do I love all the wonderful autumn meals and desserts that we enjoy this time of year, I also love the way they make the kitchen smell! There is nothing better than a warm kitchen on a cool day and the smell of baked goods in the oven, or the sound of a pot of soup slowly simmering away on the stove! In my opinion, there are few better ways to spend a day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Oswald;">SEASONAL WARDROBE</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I get so excited ever year when the calendar turns to September and I know it won't be long before it's time to bring out all my favorite clothes! I've managed to curate a wardrobe I like year round, but my absolute favorite pieces are the clothes I wear in autumn and winter. I adore flannel shirts, layered with t-shirts and a soft pair of jeans. Leggings are always nice to wear this time of year, as well, and with a cute sweatshirt and a scarf you can put together some really cute outfits! And my boots! I have a pair of Sperry boots that I got for Christmas a few years ago. I think this is my fifth season wearing them, and they are still in excellent condition. I also have a pair of black ankle boots that I like to dress things up a bit. I really want to add a pair of Blundstones, and I've been setting aside a little money here and there to be able to buy a pair. I probably won't purchase them until after the first of the year, a belated Christmas gift to myself, perhaps?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Oswald;">SEASONAL PASTIMES</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although I cross-stitch and crochet year round, I really begin to feel the urge to create this time of year! Over the past few years that has been primarily because we decided to make most of our gifts by hand. I really enjoy deciding on what to make and lovingly crafting gifts for my family. For me, it's just so much more meaningful! I also enjoy make seasonal decorations for our home, and there are so many to consider and choose from in this season! I find most of my ideas and inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram. I've saved and bookmarked literally hundreds of them, so many that I'll never be able to do them all. But as odd as it sounds, collecting ideas is almost as fun as making them, at least it is for me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Oswald;">SEASONAL OUTINGS</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are so blessed to live close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, about a 10 minute drive from our front door, and in this season we visit it often. The colors in the mountains this time of year are simply breathtaking, and I'm sure I'll be sharing some pictures here very soon. We will most likely be taking a drive up to the mountains one day this week. We are probably less than a week from peak, and I don't want to miss it. Everywhere you drive around here this time of year is simply beaufiul. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another place we like to go in this season is the local apple orchard to pick apples, although to be honest, I usually just purchase them already picked. We went this past weekend to a festival they were hosting, but the rain kept most of the vendors away and the conditions were not favorable for a hay ride, maybe next year will be better. But we did pick up some cider, and I think later on tonight I might heat up a cup and enjoy it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And with that, I think I think I'll wrapt this post up. You can begin to feel the sun setting much earlier in the day now, which I love, signaling that it's almost time to transition over to the evening. We're having chicken and rice casserole with a side of green beans for dinner. My husband is watching football tonight. not my favorite thing, so I'll busy myself working on Christmas gifts. It will be here before we know it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">❈</span></span></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-27123905347979061792023-10-14T07:54:00.004-04:002023-10-14T07:54:33.302-04:00October Days<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-n0elNA8laRctnvVg_9qLuDW8D3o-x7urmcL4r-3Eg1ojVNd1B-Q_xfhJGd9kseQ3iLEgxe5QfMCZg_DyFdNH9sclsOCCSYbYJVK13FEysSHYXr6ezU_AcCrbpSD2Ej5yFJZDxqey31agdPlGivnQ9xSnwlqdWiebkguOWA_3U093TPWxnWoXYHCWSw/s538/Autumn%20Leaves.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="538" height="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-n0elNA8laRctnvVg_9qLuDW8D3o-x7urmcL4r-3Eg1ojVNd1B-Q_xfhJGd9kseQ3iLEgxe5QfMCZg_DyFdNH9sclsOCCSYbYJVK13FEysSHYXr6ezU_AcCrbpSD2Ej5yFJZDxqey31agdPlGivnQ9xSnwlqdWiebkguOWA_3U093TPWxnWoXYHCWSw/w640-h639/Autumn%20Leaves.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHADjiymSP14ksWraCP4KXMR1WHD4CIuBtGN1vMRzNdtfwL5y91OmHULVyUAlOtCybuNvFPYfp5UDglxsF1gM9v-_SkgDRN1ZoSKuU72AMzF0J3he9iKZlHNDQYX2GVW6AzH5IxGBv4NSyRMzcfsFAR35Ms_DzOZPaFEFLx4Pw15TtCIsVoRByNUefC-o/s95/Lil%20Punkin.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="94" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHADjiymSP14ksWraCP4KXMR1WHD4CIuBtGN1vMRzNdtfwL5y91OmHULVyUAlOtCybuNvFPYfp5UDglxsF1gM9v-_SkgDRN1ZoSKuU72AMzF0J3he9iKZlHNDQYX2GVW6AzH5IxGBv4NSyRMzcfsFAR35Ms_DzOZPaFEFLx4Pw15TtCIsVoRByNUefC-o/s1600/Lil%20Punkin.png" width="94" /></a></div>One of the things I love best about autumn are the crunching leaves underfoot. A lot of the leaves in our front yard have already fallen this year, I suspect because of all the rain we got over the summer. That usually makes for less color in the fall. The leaves turn brown and fall to the ground. But autumn in Virginia, even in a less colorful year, still rivals anything I ever knew growing up in Texas.</div><p></p><p>Because of this, we took a drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway to a higher elevation this week to make sure we hadn't missed peak! We watch the graphs and predictions for our area every year, and while they are usually right, every now and then it sneaks up on you. Oddly enough, the higher we got in elevation the less color there seemed to be. There is color, but we are probably still a good 7-10 days from peak foilage. We determined it must be the type of trees we have in our yard. We do have a number of dogwoods and they always seem to change early. At any rater, I'm glad we didn't miss it and we plan to go back soon for the show! It is dazzingly!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdlcaSH6M0BEu9I_Nfk8grkHDERPaYfzycSR3WpCvQmw2KdNw8ZWj2x0EQX_RjeluMTO55apYBBfvX4oxIXEAWzJ7Q42ftALjH0_lYADBuVinUe2PPRWE15ZbuQigIqidBzfQqHQrY2pZP849zSDZCgNeA4u9fMDMzBZ84D1haZl1cL8D6zi3EDMO03M/s4032/IMG_6388.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdlcaSH6M0BEu9I_Nfk8grkHDERPaYfzycSR3WpCvQmw2KdNw8ZWj2x0EQX_RjeluMTO55apYBBfvX4oxIXEAWzJ7Q42ftALjH0_lYADBuVinUe2PPRWE15ZbuQigIqidBzfQqHQrY2pZP849zSDZCgNeA4u9fMDMzBZ84D1haZl1cL8D6zi3EDMO03M/s320/IMG_6388.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We've been working on a number of projects around the house this week. We picked up a free chicken coop a month or so ago and it is so cute! We're going to use it as a little gardening shed, and this week my husband built a new base for it as some of the original boards were rotting, and we got it set in place. I'll take some pictures soon to share with you. I spent most of my time placing all the cute pieces that we picked up last weekend at the 100 mile yard sale, my favorite being this little antique chalkboard. I got several of the old books, the little stacking boxes and the white speckled pots and pans shown in the picture at the sale, as well. My plan for the pots is to plant some houseplants in them, but for now I just sat the little pumpkin atop it! The little black stool is a recent yard sale find, as well. Since this is the first thing you see when you walk in our front door, I wanted it to be warm and welcoming and I think I achieved that!<p></p><div>I've decided on my hand-made gifts for Christmas for our family this year, and I'm going to be getting started on making those this week. I'm so excited about it and I hope they turn out as lovely as I envision them in my mind!</div><div><br /></div><div>Other than that, we enjoyed some favorite seasonal movies this week, <i>Practical Magic</i> and <i>Arsenic and Old Lace</i>! I just LOVE those Brewster Sisters! Aside from the poisoning and the bodies in the cellar, I would love to befriend two little ladies just like them! If you've never watched <i>Arsenic and Old Lace</i>, it's an oldie, from 1944, I HIGHLY recommend it! </div><div><br /></div><div>There are several festivals in the area today, so my husband and I are planning on checking out a few of them. They are calling for scattered showers, but I don't think that will deter us much. There is something about a rainy autumn day, just before the weather turns too cold. With the gray skies overhead and the golden carpet beneath your feet. It is simply delicious!</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you have a lovely autumn day today, and I'll be back here to visit with you again soon!</div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-70708635747821906022023-10-05T05:00:00.002-04:002023-10-05T05:00:00.209-04:00Favorite Poems - Poems of Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRmx79zB9gDpjATIOUYHvQmZ5yRXwsL7fjSMYpN-Gl90xxB2uJ48gj9kGAHAQXT4Vae8nml0L5450AKLvWIKJDkkCmc8WG3qeQmomH-apZON9kXPzOaiWalMFJ5RSqGfiKjpx5HNhhQ/s1600/41435220_10217325603995550_4190622147875438592_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRmx79zB9gDpjATIOUYHvQmZ5yRXwsL7fjSMYpN-Gl90xxB2uJ48gj9kGAHAQXT4Vae8nml0L5450AKLvWIKJDkkCmc8WG3qeQmomH-apZON9kXPzOaiWalMFJ5RSqGfiKjpx5HNhhQ/s1600/41435220_10217325603995550_4190622147875438592_n.jpg" /></a>
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<i><span style="color: #999999; font-size: xx-small;">Pumpkin patch in Delaware, Autumn 2018</span></i><br />
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I have loved poetry most of my life, and with each changing season there have been poems and poets that have resonated with me for various reasons. But poems of hearth and home are the ones I love best, and the poem I am sharing below is one of my favorites. </div>
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I first came across it some years back in a little book I picked up at a used book store, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><a href="https://archive.org/details/poemsthattouchhe00alex">Poems That Touch The Heart</a></i>.</span> (It's available to borrow from Internet Archives, just click the link.). She also has a collection of poems she wrote herself,<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <i><a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-HC-Book-w-Jacket-The-First-to-Kneel-Catherine-Parmeneter-Newell-1944-/273749602523">The First To Kneel</a></i>,</span> though I haven't been able to find it online. But this little poem so beautifully captures my own thoughts of home, and I wanted to share it here with you today. I hope you will enjoy it.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let there be within these phantom walls</span></i></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Beauty where the hearth fire's shadow falls . . .</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Quiet pictures, books, and welcoming chairs . . .</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Music that the very silence shares. . .</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kitchen windows curtained blue and white . . .</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shelves and cupboards built for my delight . . .</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Little things that lure and beckon me</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With their tranquil joy, and let there be</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lilt of laughter-swift forgotten tears</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Woven through the fabric of the years. . .</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Strength to guard me, eyes to answer mine</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mutely clear. And though without may shine</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stars of dawn or sunset's wistful glow,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All of life and love my house shall show.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span><i><span><br /></span></i>
</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span>~ Catherine Parmenter Newel</span><span>l
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</div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-27056775247056298912023-10-04T15:29:00.004-04:002023-10-04T15:43:05.558-04:00Savoring The Lovely Days of October<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiLxCZbsfBu-yBHWEdcQdaBfozSeYceBhPQJ8O1aQ4N4pNgFugWbjF-EAO-UVSfM-fXJZNSWQsYusJ6webRN0SYQauATKZA4GvzyGPir9doQKD9HzJQKRM_7HSxAXmAYRrPKieQ0XaDo2-N3me_AfD7Nuvu0Wc8bZGo65z5rh-LObQfxOO34JYhI3Ai0/s639/Mums.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiLxCZbsfBu-yBHWEdcQdaBfozSeYceBhPQJ8O1aQ4N4pNgFugWbjF-EAO-UVSfM-fXJZNSWQsYusJ6webRN0SYQauATKZA4GvzyGPir9doQKD9HzJQKRM_7HSxAXmAYRrPKieQ0XaDo2-N3me_AfD7Nuvu0Wc8bZGo65z5rh-LObQfxOO34JYhI3Ai0/w636-h640/Mums.png" width="636" /></a></div>Elizabeth over at <a href="http://ponderingsfromtheinglenook.blogspot.com">Ponderings From the Inglenook</a> is hosting an October blog series, <a href="http://ponderingsfromtheinglenook.blogspot.com/2023/10/cozy-reveries-my-2023-october-series.html">Cozy Reveries</a>! It began on October 1, and even though I'm a few days late, I've decided to join in the fun. I'm not sure if I will post every day in October, but I am going to try to post as much as I can.<p></p><p>Autumn and winter are by far my favorite seasons of the year, and of those October is my favorite month! There is just something about the mix of the warm but still cooler days that gradually fade to into the dark, colder days that I find so enchanting! Living in within the boundaries lines of George Washington National Forest, and less than ten minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway makes this time of year even more spectacular! We are literally surrounded by beauty, especially in Autumn!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfStSuQG_F4MU1rnGBVSU8yPEqk-dNfr2kZawZdH2j4GzAHrnhLI4p2VJ94UaML5d0MiTkW2-vl7UkVC3z5mmQ31LrmanUnHx_Kkll5ujxltbPJRvY3nvdfiDo8QdeZXBd3tuAhdJ3Weo2NjwFke_JesDI-jVfnymVG2eD-BaHOarbHRSCYS5W1r5tU-4/s183/Autumn%202.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="176" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfStSuQG_F4MU1rnGBVSU8yPEqk-dNfr2kZawZdH2j4GzAHrnhLI4p2VJ94UaML5d0MiTkW2-vl7UkVC3z5mmQ31LrmanUnHx_Kkll5ujxltbPJRvY3nvdfiDo8QdeZXBd3tuAhdJ3Weo2NjwFke_JesDI-jVfnymVG2eD-BaHOarbHRSCYS5W1r5tU-4/s1600/Autumn%202.png" width="176" /></a></div>Our porch is decorated with mums (my favorite color in the picture above) and pumpkins, and just this week we had our first chili, <a href="https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a28914527/frito-pie-recipe/">Frito Pie</a> to be exact, which is a traditional dinner choice every year when we watch <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/"><i>October Sky</i></a>. <i>October Sky</i> is hands down my absolute favorite movie of all time! It is so inspiring, and definitely one that I believe everyone should watch! The movie is based on the book <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiQpP-6_NyBAxWhjIkEHdbKAFAQFnoECDoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhomerhickam.com%2Fproject%2Frocket-boys%2F&usg=AOvVaw16HCsVOQ8r5sbVpAF1Y26G&opi=89978449">Rocket Boys</a></i> by Homer Hickam. I learned recently that they are actually considering a second installment, <a href="https://www.bdtonline.com/news/rocket-boys-taking-flight-again-with-new-december-sky-movie/article_5321af8a-f02b-11ed-a93c-37bc642a4efa.html" style="font-style: italic;">December Sky</a>, and I am so excited! Our family actually traveled to Coalwood, West Virginia and attended a Rocket Boys festival there one year. There isn't much left of the town, but we got to see the house where Homer grew up, and the remains of the high school he attended. It was a memorable trip!<p></p><p>As for Frito Pie, for Halloween each year I have a favorite chili recipe that I make from scratch (I'll share the recipe soon, because it is SOOOO good!), but on a whim and to save some time I picked up a package of <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Williams-Original-Chili-Seasoning-1-oz-Packet/10320485?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1335&adid=2222222227710320485_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-1651068663986:pla-306310554666&wl5=9008926&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=10320485&wl13=1335&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=2222222223710320485_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-1651068663986:pla-306310554666&wl5=9008926&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=10320485&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmvSoBhDOARIsAK6aV7jikPHGzLW6uTitLtJUHNql2-1nhNb8v6oMe1c_W4iofNk7jVYfS7AaAgZsEALw_wcB">William's Original Chili Mix</a>, and rather than using stew meat (which my recipe calls for), I just browned up some ground chuck, and my was it good! I love my recipe, but it takes a lot more time to get the stew meat nice and tender, but is so worth it! But for occassions when I'm short on time, I am going to start keeping several packages of William's on hand. We eat a LOT of chili this time of year!</p><p>I made an apple crisp for dessert, which I had been intending to make all of September, but it simply flew by and before I knew it October had arrived! I typically try to make several yummy desserts using apples in September and save all things pumpkin for October, but it looks like this year I'll be combining them, which is fine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCLk9lp_PXId4fNdiPseiGNjbM89C3L4_EBPAjXZ95w5VWlKMbM2GDlFRMiG7sqe4-LWi12RAlyJjSKsvxKFvmL_2GACLcZuvETcHPP93z_oBw3vYzSjKDr5Kx1yJSWpq7c3-XngtpeAmPfxiSknoyvdlcOPT6y2zDELSo_bEFizpDFD76VvkyKslV5s/s753/IMG_6266.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCLk9lp_PXId4fNdiPseiGNjbM89C3L4_EBPAjXZ95w5VWlKMbM2GDlFRMiG7sqe4-LWi12RAlyJjSKsvxKFvmL_2GACLcZuvETcHPP93z_oBw3vYzSjKDr5Kx1yJSWpq7c3-XngtpeAmPfxiSknoyvdlcOPT6y2zDELSo_bEFizpDFD76VvkyKslV5s/w621-h640/IMG_6266.jpg" width="621" /></a></div>I've really been enjoying perusing Instragram recently, probably too much, if I'm honest! I get so lost in all the lovely images and recipes, and the talented women of several of the accounts I follow have become sweet friends!<div><br /></div><div>I follow several illustrators and absolutely LOVE some of their recent offerings! The one above is from @chimneysmokeart and I loved it so much I made it my wallpaper on my phone! It just makes me so happy! There are a lot of stone walls that trail across the landscape of Virginia. I would love to have one on our property, but coming up with that many stones in this day and age would be rather expensive. Sometimes you see people post things like, "Free fence, just come and dig it up!" (which we've done). So if anyone ever offers the chance to dismantle a stone wall, I'm on it!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfCPKMX564rlomh95kXClj0JFQNkFwzH8dRMLXB0KulVD8aVyspwv02TGVcoWLGkCiylEK1UxeUQXC_QLtn6WhDXr1HGQ0PWfS4sdtKpWH5yjWPnYAdQVj5iw4uu2z2GLzqlZ_52B3BMWyDctnjWUPg1sVN5HPwI36rO0d1APGUZw-v3u5LyZT461AkA/s722/Autumn%20Dishes.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="537" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfCPKMX564rlomh95kXClj0JFQNkFwzH8dRMLXB0KulVD8aVyspwv02TGVcoWLGkCiylEK1UxeUQXC_QLtn6WhDXr1HGQ0PWfS4sdtKpWH5yjWPnYAdQVj5iw4uu2z2GLzqlZ_52B3BMWyDctnjWUPg1sVN5HPwI36rO0d1APGUZw-v3u5LyZT461AkA/w238-h320/Autumn%20Dishes.png" width="238" /></a></div>There is a 100 Mile Yardsale happening this weekend, and it begins about fiftteen minutes from our front door! We have acquired so many wonderful pieces for our homestead from yard sales and through Facebook Marketplace, although Marketplace can often be frustrating. So we plan to go tomorrow, which is opening day, and we may go again on Friday. Our daughter wants to go on Saturday and try to pick up some things she needs for setting up household, so we'll be going then, as well, in case anything she finds would require our trailer to haul it home. We don't have anything specific in mind, and we look for deals which may be in shorter supply at an event of this magnitude, but you never know. It's our first time attending so we don't really know what to expect. We even considered setting up shop with some of our own junk somewhere along the route, but since we've never been, we decided to check it out first and then we may well do it again in May. They do it twice a year, so if we think it lives up to the hype, maybe we will? I kind of hate the thought of sitting on all that stuff until May, but since our location isn't prime for a yard sale here at the house, I may have to. I am on the lookout for some pretty plates for the season. I came across this picture in a magazine recently and I just love this pattern! I have it saved to my phone for reference in case I come across them or something similar.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the coming days I'll share some more lovely images, and hopefully some lovely finds I come across over the weekend, as well as some of my favorite seasonal dishes, including my chili recipe which we'll be having for our All Hallows Eve celebration! Until then I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes for the season;</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!”</i></span> </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Avenir; font-size: x-small;">- HUMBERT WOLFE</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope your October is off to a lovely start, feel free to share some of your favorite things about this season in the comments!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">❈</span></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-38123894294499021552023-10-04T06:00:00.005-04:002023-10-04T13:21:53.487-04:00Twelve Things In Tribute To My Grandmother On Her Birthday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhccB1G8YBbb8rLAUhOBNYcefZNUZvAjtDGReVPFV-ViUVzJ_PqS8XU8_jZN60H7QxAU0HJmvC8q58_L0mLVr0-P4xQuGjI5ug7muP47daKlbbionBhv0brTdaVbIgDJuJk0ksXx8R-adjaYB3LTCh8fXpp8yOCbHuhek_fQYEcFlqGKwcApdI1cbvp=s473" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="473" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhccB1G8YBbb8rLAUhOBNYcefZNUZvAjtDGReVPFV-ViUVzJ_PqS8XU8_jZN60H7QxAU0HJmvC8q58_L0mLVr0-P4xQuGjI5ug7muP47daKlbbionBhv0brTdaVbIgDJuJk0ksXx8R-adjaYB3LTCh8fXpp8yOCbHuhek_fQYEcFlqGKwcApdI1cbvp=w640-h608" width="640" /></a></div>My paternal grandmother, Irene Hooper Hutsell, was born on this day in 1902, and to honor her I thought I would share twelve things about her.<br /><br /><div>1. Her family once owned a significant amount of land in Keller, Texas and what is now South Lake. But when her father died when she was eight years old, her mother sold most of it to support herself and her three children. <div><br /></div><div>2. She did not have a middle name. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. She grayed very early in life (attributed to scarlet fever) and always seemed old to me. By the time I was born she had a full head of silvery white hair. She was 59 the year I was born, an age I have now surpassed, yet I don't feel as old as she seemed to me as a child.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. She could grow anything, and had beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. A trait that sadly, did not pass on to me </div><div><br /></div><div>5. She lived her entire life in Keller, Texas. The house she lived in throughout my lifetime is now the parking lot of a Baptist Church. But at the back of the property where the house used to stand, is a patch of grass that was never disturbed, and every time I visit Texas I make that trip, take off my shoes and bury my toes deep into that soil. </div><div><br /></div><div>6. She had false teeth that never fit right and were prone to slipping out of her mouth. Because of that, she would grit her teeth in public when she spoke, giving her a stern demeanor. But the minute she got home, she would take them out and her entire composure changed. She had a soft, wrinkly smile and wild hair. That’s the way I prefer to remember her.</div><div><br /></div>7. She never learned to drive.<div><br /><div>8. She was an excellent cook and I have several of her recipes. I will never be as good as her, but that’s a trait that did pass on to me. </div><div><br /></div><div>9. She never had much and her house was very old, but I learned how to make any home inviting by her example. Her home was always cozy, and warm. </div><div><br /></div><div>10. I was born on my grandparent's 39th wedding anniversary, November 11, 1961.</div><div><br /></div><div>11. She LOVED magazines and always had several on the coffee table that she was perusing. She cut out the <a href="http://www.thebleudoor.com/betsymccallhome.htm">Betsy McCall</a> paper doll from McCall's magazine every month and would have it waiting for me to play with when we came to visit!</div><div><br /></div><div>12. She was a devout member of the Church of Christ and “disowned” me in 1982 when I married a Baptist. She didn’t have anything, so she basically never spoke to me again. I’m a lot like her in many ways, and just as stubborn, so I told myself I didn’t care and went on with my life. When she died I found out that she kept a picture of me in my wedding dress beside her bed. I also learned a few years ago that her grandfather was a Baptist preacher and her own mother (his daughter), was raised a Baptist. I often wonder how her grandfather felt about his daughter leaving the Baptist church, maybe he disowned her, too? At any rate, if I allowed myself to linger long in regret, not mending that relationship would be one. She’s one of the first people I hope to see again in heaven. We have a lot of time to make up for! </div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Heavenly Birthday, Grandma!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(39, 78, 19); font-family: Arimo; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">★</span></span></div></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079686736353189680.post-61539657416626361422023-09-21T23:00:00.002-04:002023-09-21T23:01:03.871-04:00In These Last Lingering Days of Summer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFztFHA7tuKD5wvwt_Lue7V02Lw6e13gBlRjY_jmMWjQYVVQXDuWU6CtHNI2fRfnawX9c3kTKJVMclqyEYdEJad_yjveMr1-CuS9Dmw3YzTPRB-2xgBZx3a7HFmWeyeJu3of7pyto7TqeVF-DoS-Eh1tJUXg33gGZjep_NASNBTTdtQ_57oTpz9rV4tk/s538/Autumn%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFztFHA7tuKD5wvwt_Lue7V02Lw6e13gBlRjY_jmMWjQYVVQXDuWU6CtHNI2fRfnawX9c3kTKJVMclqyEYdEJad_yjveMr1-CuS9Dmw3YzTPRB-2xgBZx3a7HFmWeyeJu3of7pyto7TqeVF-DoS-Eh1tJUXg33gGZjep_NASNBTTdtQ_57oTpz9rV4tk/w638-h640/Autumn%201.png" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Autumn Equinox is this Saturday, but it will probably still be another three weeks before things look like this. However with the temperatures changing and the days growing shorter it is perfectly clear Autumn is on the brink!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our summer garden is harvested and we've planted a little broccoli, cauliflower and green lettuce to finish out the year. This first season was definitely a learning curve, and I'm already looking forward to next year and expanding our crops. We are currently battling a swarm of yellow jackets that have taken up residence in one of our raised beds.They apparently die out over winter and leave the rising queens behind, so if anything we'll have to dig out that bed and try to transfer as much of the soil as we can to another and locate and kill the queens before they start a new hive next spring. We're trying to avoid using chemicals that would be harmful to the soil, so hopefully we can resolve this problem organically and quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A fox got into our duck pen and killed two of them. I feel bad because it was a make shift pen to begin with, and not well secured. We were going to build them something more substantial over the next few weeks, but after the attack we rehomed the remaining two and we've decided that ducks are not something we want on our homestead. They are terribly cute, and in some ways I even preferred them to the chickens, with their cute little quacks and waddles. But they got into everything. They were constantly on the porch and eating every plant in sight. When they started munching on my mums I decided I'd had enough and that was when we built the temporary pen. They were only in it for a few days when they were attacked, which was odd because they had been free ranging all summer and sleeping under our van and nothing ever bothered them. Based on the tracks and the kill, we suspected it was a fox, and then our daughter spotted one by our neighbors house on her way to work this morning. We set a trap today so we'll see if we have any success. Our chicken coop is pretty secure from predators, but we don't want to take any chances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6JZKqBfwEOzvrRp4iudacH2JsXhW6jedSopQsIfO7Z8czk8Q3WNwYOEaUTErVnxrzymOQ7KF-LAjc8hcfkPrPAv-kQxgzKXGEuXSVvFX9fNDrTa2V6ndrsIUVGamJCeD8okl4-E0zRR21xkZXwlj9VyW8FWXA1K5rnJB1yQpHHwnn8uAcyr8J9KoAYs/s722/September%20Reading.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6JZKqBfwEOzvrRp4iudacH2JsXhW6jedSopQsIfO7Z8czk8Q3WNwYOEaUTErVnxrzymOQ7KF-LAjc8hcfkPrPAv-kQxgzKXGEuXSVvFX9fNDrTa2V6ndrsIUVGamJCeD8okl4-E0zRR21xkZXwlj9VyW8FWXA1K5rnJB1yQpHHwnn8uAcyr8J9KoAYs/s320/September%20Reading.png" width="240" /></a></div>All this insect and animal drama has been rather stressful, and I've been looking for some additional tools to quite my spirits and calm my nerves. With that in mind, I've added a few books to my morning routine. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Literacy-Reading-Sacred-Everyday/dp/0684835347/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19B6HCLHK8A85&keywords=Spiritual+Literacy&qid=1695347921&sprefix=spiritual+liter%2Caps%2C807&sr=8-1">Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred In Everyday Life</a></i> by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat is one I picked up at the thrift store last week. I'm reading it cautiously. The authors claim to be christians and speak openly about God, though they do sometimes refer to Him as "Spirit", which was a bit of a red flag for me. So far I haven't found anything overly alarming or that I haven't been able to discern for myself. Probably not one I would recommend for a young christian, but I'm comfortable with drawing inspiration from it and leaving the rest.<div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3RxdLI2">Every Season Sacred: Reflections Prayers and Invitations To Nourish Your Soul and Nuture Your Family Throughout The Year</a></i> by Kayla Craig is one I've had pre-ordered for awhile now and I was so excited to receive it in the mail this week. I didn't realize when I ordered it that it was written primarily as a guide for parents to grow spiritually alongside their children. But after perusing the contents, I definitely feel that it is still something that I can use personally and share with my family.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book is broken up by seasons each containing thirteen chapters. In each chapter there is a reflection, prompts and a prayer. Some of the themes included in the autumn chapters are Peace, Listening, Belonging, Strivings Cease, and there are chapters devoted to Advent in December, and Lent in the spring. I'm really looking forward to making this a part of my time of silence and solitude and reading through the seasons and chapters.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkWStIJZUPSqW363H2I1tAydg9n7cim7ax__5YdcHTdcRn7E-To6OS_TCBBQclpfRz0efUHvup6IUu-OdqHNF6LCtUAYNXsFcqlNpLOe3Qm7g4IDmse7ONE7Ya6-xqHswAvyK1vXzpMpKJiNckR9yqwY_JEUPcgoH8jIQm_OCA1bI74QAM3NTx8G1cEo/s391/Autumn%202.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkWStIJZUPSqW363H2I1tAydg9n7cim7ax__5YdcHTdcRn7E-To6OS_TCBBQclpfRz0efUHvup6IUu-OdqHNF6LCtUAYNXsFcqlNpLOe3Qm7g4IDmse7ONE7Ya6-xqHswAvyK1vXzpMpKJiNckR9yqwY_JEUPcgoH8jIQm_OCA1bI74QAM3NTx8G1cEo/s320/Autumn%202.png" width="240" /></a></div>The opening season of the book is autumn, and there is a poem at the beginning, <i>A Prayer for Fall.</i> I especially loved this line and wanted to share it with you.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><i>"O God of harvest moons</i></div><div><i>and campfire tales,</i></div><div><i>O God of leafpiles for jumping</i></div><div><i>and apple cider for sipping,</i></div><div><i>O God of pumpkin pies</i></div><div><i>with dollops of cream </i></div><div><i>And the swirl of steam</i></div><div><i>that rises from a cup of</i></div><div><i>hot coffee in the cool morning,</i></div><div><i>Be near."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Such a lovely little book. I'm sure I'll be sharing more of it with you in the coming weeks and months.</div><div><br /></div><div>I sat down this week and wrote out some goals for the coming season and I'll be sharing those with you as well. We'll be celebrating the Autumn Equinox tomorrow night (Friday) even though the 23rd is the official day, Friday just works better for our family. Pretty low key overall. I'm making my mom's Santa Fe Chicken Tortilla Soup and an Apple Crisp for dessert. We'll probably play a game afterwards or maybe watch a movie. Nothing fancy, but still want to acknowledge the changing of the season, especially since it's my favorite! </div><div><br /></div><div>How about you? Do you have any plans for celebrating the season? What are some of your favorite ways to spend the glorious days of autumn? I'd love to hear!</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: Arimo; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">❈</span></span></div><br /></div>Kimberly Lottmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345429705342384519noreply@blogger.com0