Small Things - Last Saturday In July 2025

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."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired me this week.

1. Cottagecore Coloring Book For Women

I've loved coloring since my childhood, and even now I often find it to be a relaxing pastime. So when I came across this beauty, I was immediatel intrigued! There are a couple of examples on some of the pictures in another image, and they just look lovely.

I've had a few others on my wish list for awhile now;

- Brambley Hedge Nature Coloring Book

- Restful Retreats: A Beatrix Potter Inspired Coloring Book

Of Cozy Animal Naps

There are so many varieties of coloring books for adults, I was actually a little surprised! A quick search in Google or on Amazon will provide you with a plethora of choices.

2. Vanilla Bean Pear Butter

I have been making a lovely Vanilla Pear Jam for a couple of years now and absolutely love it! But this recipe caught my eye this week, and I think I might give it a try.  I'm looking forward to the outdoor tasks that summer inevitably brings to wind down, and to spending more time indoors and in the kitchen. 

3. Ideas For Christmas Crafting

Is it too early to begin thinking about Christmas gifts and crafting? My eyes were feasting on a number of images on Pinterest this week. There's just no other time of year like it!

4. Our Little House In The Country

Clara's site is new to me, and I've really enjoyed perusing her offerings. In particular, Slowing Down In August, can you believe it will be upon us by the end of this coming week? I also liked the sound of Our Little Friday Letter, which is a weekly offering, much like Small Things, I suppose?

5. I Miss My Library

I don't recall exactly what put me on to this site, and to be honest, I'm not even sure it's something I would utilize. But the objective is to provide the user with a virtual space designed to evoke the feeling of a library, and also provides a customizable to-do list to enhance productivity and focus. And if libraries aren't your thing, try I Miss My Cafe.

6. 30 Best End Of Summer Quotes

Though technically summer is still with us until near the end of September, in our home it ends on August 31. That means there are roughly five weeks of summer tasks to complete, and while there will still be outdoor/garden tasks through September, that is when I begin to pull back a bit and begin focusing more on our home and beginning early prepartions for the upcoming holiday season. I was particularly moved by this quote.

"Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well."

- GEORGE R. R. MARTIN

I read an article recently that said we get only 18 summers with our children, and expressing the importance of cherishing those days. I don't know about how many summers we get, not only with our children, but with our parents, our spouse? I think the important thing is to do our best to cherish every moment of life, because things can and often do change so quickly.

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Small Things - Third Saturday in July 2025

"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."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired me this week.

1. Seven Old Fashioned Summer Activities

My parent's had a croquet set when I was little, what a fun game! Also, check out their publication Parcel & Post Summer Edition. Available for purchse or free to members on the app.

2. The Lost Art of Inviting People Over

Stress free tips to make people feel welcome. I really enjoyed this articles, it reminded me that it really is so simple, all you need is a plate, a cup, a napkin, a snack a flower, and of course, a friend.

3.The Dandelion Vase

The perfect baby shower gift for new moms! I see these little vases at thrift shops all the time and pass them over, but I absolutely love this idea! I would make the card a little prettier, but what a perfectly sweet idea!

4. Gladys Taber - July

Passages from the writings of Gladys Taber on July.

5. Coke Bottle Flower Vases

I came across this image on Pinterest this week and found it so cute and practical! Coke bottles, flowers, and flags make a cute patriotic decoration. I have a small collection of vintage coke botttles that I think I'd like even better! 

6. Signs You Are A Homebody

- Love when plans get canceled.

- Weekend - blanket + no plans.

- Favorite mug you use daily.

- "Going out" = a trip to the mailbox

- Same shows on repeat.

- Rainy days feels magical.

- Fresh sheets are the best feeling!

I am definitely a homebody, how about you?

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Small Things - Second Saturday of July 2025

"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."

- GLADYS TABER

1. Sit Spot - A Sacred Place To Observe The Rhythms Of Nature

I remember sit spots from my years as a Camp Fire Girl. Maybe I'll give it a try!

2. Potting Sheds

, and especially this one (pictured). I just love the

framed ads! 

3. 4 Habits That Kept Homes Peaceful For Centuries

I love this post from @themillionairehomemaker

". . . our grandmothers knew something we’ve forgotten: Peaceful, productive homes weren’t built on hustle.They were built on rhythm, on routine, on reverence for the little things."

4. The Spiritual Habits

From Reclaim Today. This autumn I'm going to do a year long series of posts of my spiritual journey and Rule of Life. If that's something that interests you, I hope you'll join me!

5. No Churn Chili Chocolate Ice Cream

Chili and Chocolate are two of my all time favorite combinations, and this no church recipe, sounds like a winner!

6. Cottagecore Brunch Recipes

I love these sweet images which are all over social media right now. I couldn't trace where this on orginated, but I ideas for brunch! I've been craving cottage cheese lately, and yet for some reason I still manage to forget to pick up a carton when I'm at the store! I love the idea of eating it with fruit and drizzled with honey! Sounds like a simple, delicious meal for summer! You can find the recipes in The Cottagecore Cookbook, available from Amazon (Affiliate Link), or

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means waste of time. 

- JOHN LUBBOCK

Recreation: The Use of Life, 1894

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Small Things - First Saturday In July 2025

"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."

- GLADYS TABER

1. A Slow Summer In Real Life - Creating Realistic Summer Rhythms That Actually Work

This summer we've been working feverishly transforming our backyard into a beautiful garden of primarily native flowers and extending our vegetable garden (which consists of only tomatoes and peppers this year due to getting a very late start), into an area which will be used more for container gardening. With the longer days, I find myself wanting to push myself past the point when my body is already signaling, it's time to quit, and as this article states, I "want to do everything".

I particularly loved her idea of building "touchpoints of calm and consistency" into our days, and beginning our mornings with "one calm moment".  I used her Gentle Summer Rhythm Planner this week to remind myself to take one a picture of a moment every morning, before the busyness begins, and to remind myself to take a mid-day pause to hydrate and refresh before wrapping up our outdoor tasks. It's been so helpful! I'm looking forward to reading more of her offerings.

2. Cultivating Oaks - Cultivating Summer: Merriment

Cultivating Oaks press just released their summer edition and the theme is "Merriment", which I just love!

3. Slow Living July To-Do List

There are so many lists/articles like this out there that at times even they begin to feel like one more thing to do, but I do like it when I begin to see similarities and recurring themes as I come across them. Kind of like a little reminder, oh yeah . . . I wanted to do ____________ this summer. :)

4. Country Living UK - July Edition

I've been slowly reading through the July edition of this lovely publication! If you haven't discovered it yet, the UK edition is soooooo much better! It's included with my Kindle Unlimited subscription, so I read the digital edition every month. Not the same as print, but I typically peruse that whilst on a jaunt to Barnes & Noble, and it saves storage space at home. They also have a website with a number of lovely articles as well.

5. Movie Night!

I've saved so many suggestions for movies I haven't seen, well, most of them anyway. on my Movie Night board.  I've decided that in August I'm going to try to watch at least two or three of them. I'd love for you to take a look through them and see if there are any that you've seen and would recommend!

6. A Prayer For The Month of July

@faithfilledparenthood posts these monthly, and I just love them! @smallestlight also posts these monthly defintions of the months, of sorts. I look foreward to both of these posts every month.

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Sunday Kind of Love

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE BACKROADS OF VIRGINIA, ON A SUNDAY DRIVE

"All in all, it was a never to be forgotten summer, one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of memories in their going, one of those summers which, which in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends, and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world."

- L. M. MONTGOMERY

Anne's House of Dreams

Fun Fourth of July Playlists for Your Celebrations

I just love perusing You Tube for fun seasonal playlists, and I found a few this week I wanted to share! I like having these playing in the background throughout the day as we're busy with preparations for our celebration, or visiting with friends! Maybe you'll find one to enjoy!

- Vintage Fourth of July Playlist

- Essential American Songs - A Fourth of July Playlist

- 4th of July Party Music Playlist

- Relaxing 4th of July Ambiance

- 50 Patriotic Songs - Music For The Fourth of July

I hope you all have safe and enjoyable day celebrating our great country! I'll see you again soon!

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Welcome, July!

 "July, with its days of blue skies and time that seemingly stands still, 

holds a special place in my heart." 

- DAISAKU IKEDA