Autumn 2025 Calendars and Phenology Wheels - FREE Download!

September is here, my friends, which in our house is the official start of Autumn! My husband and I sat down yesterday and planned out an upcoming vacation to Texas, as well as some other fun outings for for the season! He asked if I could print out some blank calendars, and since I've had these made up and saved in my files for years, it was an easy ask. I've shared these here with you in the past, so I figured while I was at it, I'd do so again!  You'll find the link below.

I've also decided to **TRY** to begin keeping a monthly phenology wheel again, so I updated them, as well.

If you aren't familiar with keeping a phenology wheel, a quick google search should provide with all the information you need, including a few other free printables with a slightly different format.  If I'm successful in actually remembering to keep up with it this time around, I'll write up a post  and explain how I use it!

Here are the links to the calendars and the wheels. 

~ Enjoy!

Autumn 2025 Calendars

Autumn 2025 Phenology Wheels

Small Things - Last Saturday of August 2025The days are getting shorter!

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 things that inspired me this week.

1. Discipling the Home

I just discovered Kate's lovely Instagram account this week. Such a soothing place to stop and reflect.

2. 7 Simple and Natural Ways To Make Your Home Cozy for Fall

I'm always inspired by Katie at Heart's Content Farmhouse, and since I've been decorating for autumn this week (sounds so much prettier than fall!), I enjoyed this post.

3. Vanilla Hot Cocoa Mix

I don't usually sip hot cocoa until it gets colder, not sure why, it's just always been more of a December, winter beverage for me. But when I came across this recipe for vanilla hot cocoa this week, I was intrigued. I've got the ingredients on my grocery list. I'll let you know what I think when I make it!

4. Fire Roasted Chocolate Chipotle Chili

Thinking of adding this to my autumn menu.  Cincinnati chili has chocolate in it and I love it!

5. September Garden Tasks

 I love these monthly garden tasks I found on Pinterest. I saved all twelve months to my Garden board.

6. 19 Autumn Carols to Keep You Cozy This Season

What a lovely post, and an even lovelier site! Going to spend more time here in the very near future!

❊

Small Things Second Saturday of August 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. Forever Young: A Memoir by Hayley Mills

Not sure how I managed to miss this one, it was published in 2021. I discovered this week as I was blog hopping, and immediately checked to see if it was available on Hoopla. Sadly, it isn't, but our library system does have a physical copy, so I placed it on hold.  Can't wait to dive in! I love a good memoir, and I love Hayley Mills!

2. Easy Black Bean Soup

The 'ber months are quickly approaching, and with that changes to my menu.  I'm actually working on a seasonal meal rotation plan that I hope to finalize this coming week. I'll be sharing it here, so if you like that sort of thing be sure to watch for it. I thought I had all the soups / stews I want to try, and then this one came across my screen. But honestly, once the temps drop, can you really have too much soup?

3. 15 "Feel Better" Home Remedies

With the arrival of the 'ber months,  my seasonal allergies typically follow, which often leads to other illnesses. I do take allergy medicine this time of year, but I've leaned toward more holistic methods for awhile now. I'd love to find a combination of things that would help me elimintae the OTC solution altogether. I briefly skimmed some of her suggestions and plan to research them more. 

4. Give Me A Cozy Sunday Diffuser Blend

I love everything about this, the scents, and especially the name!

- 3 drops cinnamon

- 2 drops clove

- 2 drops vanilla 

5. The Charm of Home

I bookmarked Sherry's blog at some point, and came across it again this week as I was filtering through the endless links I have saved! I'm trying to get better at not only bookmarking things, but putting the information to use or organizing it into a more manageable system (whatever that is!). Anyhoo, I definitely got a little side-tracked when I clicked on the link to take me to her blog and spent a good amount of time there. The pictures of her garden are just lovely and are inspiring me to add some new plants to the landscape next Spring!

6. 70 Movies Based On True Stories

Just as I love a good memoir, some of my favorite movies are based on true stories. In fact my hands-down, all-time-favorite movie is October Sky, if you've never seen it, you need to! So when I found this list I was instantly intrigued, and discovered some I've never seen and added them to the list, including, 

One Life, The Keeper and The Highway Men.

❊

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Small Things First Saturday of August 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. Our Kin Home

This week I discovered Mary's lovely home on the web. Such a sight for the eyes! So often when I happen across these lovely sites I get the itch to revamp my own, but . . . . I'm cheap, and so long as Blogger remains free, I'm happy with what I've created here. I'm getting off track here, but if you have the time you really should visit Mary! I was especially intrigued by some of her recipes, in particular her Orange Cardamom Latte, and Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup. I've been menu planning and preparing for Autumn this week, thus the reason for my absence here, and these both sound delicious!

2. 15 Cozy Life Tips That Will Make You Feel Like A Cute Character

I just like the sound of this one when it came across my feed. I'm all about living a cozy life, and that cute character bit, I'd be ok with being known as a "cute character". :)

3. Tiny Happy Things

This cute little diddy caught my eye on Pinterest this week, "that first sip of coffee", "new pens", "starting a book and realizing you love it". Yes to all of these!  

4. The Word "Diddy"

I used the word diddy and then wondered 1.) if it really was a word, and 2.) If I was using it correctly, and this is what I discoverd when I looked it up.

d i d d y - as a small thing

In a less formal context, "little diddy" can be used to describe something small and inconsequential, sometimes with a touch of affection or humor.

So me!

5. The Trolley Car Family

I've set a rather ambitious goal to read a vintage children's book once a week in August. I LOVE to read, but sadly find hat so often other things take precidence over it.  Things will be gearing up quickly come September, so August is the perfect month to try to get a few in, and I'm beginning with The Trolley Car Family. Care to join me? It's available at the archives!

6. Sunflower blooms,

thunderstorms roll in, 

lazy afternoons on repeat, 

what day is it again?

air conditioned naps, 

crips, cool bed linens,

homemade ice cream,

berries galore,

a hint of fading sunlight,

summer, please don't end!

@unhurriedfarmhouse

Autumn is my favorite season, but I have to say, other than the extreme heat we've been experiencing lately, since we moved to Virginia 25 years ago, I've learned to love summer, especially the endless sunlit days! 

Photo Credit: Joy Solomon

Joy and her husband Manny are missionaries with the Every Heart Movement. They've been married a little over a year, and are traveling the globe spreading the good news of Jesus Christ! If you're looking for a ministry to support, please consider helping to fund them as they continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

❊

 

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?

❊

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.

❊

The ODST Summer Bingo or Tic Tac Toe Challenge

You might recall that last year I created a Summer Bingo Challenge to aide me in being intentional with how I spent my days. In each square I listed an activity that I wanted to be intentional about doing over the summer season, with the goal being to at least score a couple of bingos. I wasn't very good about updating my achievements, and to be honest, I'm not even sure I scored a bingo, but I will say that having it there on the refrigerator did help me to be more successful with intentionally savoring the days of this beautiful season.

This year as I was contemplating repeating the idea, it occurred to me that it might be fun to create a Summer Tic Tac Toe, a similar concept, completing three activities that make tic-tac-toe and having some fun in the process. If bingo is too intimidating, tic-tac-toe might be a little more doable.

I'm sharing both of them here with you today! You can find the links for each one below. If you find that some of the activities that I've included add too much going and doing to your already busy schedule, you can choose others that you can do at home. In the end the goal isn't even about getting a bingo or tic-tac-toe, but about being intentional with how we spend our time in this season, and I know for me, having it written down where I can see it is half the plan to getting there!

I hope you have a wonderful week, my friends!

SUMMER TIC-TAC-TOE

SUMMER BINGO

❊

Small Things - Third Saturday In June 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. Bella Grace A Romanticized Life

I received my copy of this beautiful magazine this week! Bella Grace never fails, it is absolutely the most beautiful publication.  Here's a snippet from the website, describing this new annual publication.

"A Romanticized Life will guide you though romanticizing all areas of your life, sharing tangible ways to infuse magic into even the most mundane tasks."

Do you read Bella Grace? If not, I highly recommend it!

2. How To Propogate Orange Mint

Mint is one of my favorite things to grow in the garden, and so easy. Chocolate mint and orange mint are my favorites, but I have a harder time getting my orange mint to last more than one season. Last year I had spearment, buttermint, chocolate mint and orange mint, and all of them came back strong except the orange. It can be a little hard to find, but I did finally find a few little pots at my favorite nursery this week. My plan is to divide one of them up and try to start several new plants from it. If you're local and in the LYH area, be sure to visit Hucklberry Knob Nursery.

3. The Faded Page

Through a vintage children's book group I belong to on FB, I've recently been introduced to The Faded Page. Much like the Internet Archives (though on a smaller scale), The Faded Page provides access to hundred of oop books. I was delighted to find many of Enid Blyton's works available there.

4. Little Life - June

I love these little art journaling prompts that Rae post's each month.  Though I haven't participated, I do love to sketch and I just happen to know right were my sketchbook and pencils are, so maybe soon.

5. The Self-Care Year

I find these monthly focus topics to guide you in the natural flow of the seasons so helpful! The focus on "self" and phrases like "self-care" have flourished over the past several years, and taken some hard criticism, as well. While I am not an advocate of focusing on "self" above all, I do find that Jesus himself left us examples of taking time to be alone and care for himself. It's all about balance, and I find that simple rituals, like a focus topic for the month, encourages me to be intentional about caring for my mind and body. There's an old saying that holds a lot of truth, "You can't draw water from a dry well." There's nothing wrong with filling yourself up!

6. Creeping Jenny

And finally, this little plant that was part of a variety pack we picked up recently at a local nursery. This pot sits in the center of our outdoor table, and it just brings me such joy! I identified it yesterday and discovered it is called Creeping Jenny lysimachia nummularia and is part of the primrose family. Apparently it propagates easily, but can also be highly invasive, so we'll probably limit it to pots here and there. Last year we struggled to keep our plants alive, but this year (so far), they all seem to be flourishing.

❊

Small Things - First Saturday of June 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. Rocky Hedge Farm

I've been following Sarah's blog for a number of years, but more recently I keep up with her mostly on Instagram. What initially drew me in was following her renovation of their home, but what has kept me coming back are her delicious recipes. I came across a few this week that I've added to my rotation over the next few weeks, such as Pan Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders, Easy Homemade Caesar Salad with Caesar Dressing, But the one that really caught my eye and that I can't wait to try is the Blackened Chicken. I can just imagine it sliced up on a toasted bun with some sweet corn on the cob and maybe even a small Caesar Salad. If you don't know Sarah, I encourage you to spend some time perusing her blog or her Instagram account. Her recipe index alone with have you planning out your menus months in advance! 

2. Cultivating Oaks Press

While summer unofficially spans from Memorial Day through Labor Day in our house, in reality, its arrival is later this month, Friday, June 20 at 10:41 p.m., to be precise.  That means that in spite of what the rising humidity has dictated the past few days, we're lingering in the final days of spring.  Cultivating Oaks Press has been producing seasonal e-zines (I suppose you'd call them) for seven years now and I've never missed one.  Their 35th issue for Spring 2025 is still up and the theme is generosity. I love to take a morning here and there throughout the season and select a few articles to read over a cup of tea, and I think you might enjoy it too. And if you want more after reading the current issue, there are sevn years of archives to choose from.

3. Pioneer Woman's Sun Tea

Tis the season for sweet tea! While I enjoy hot tea year round, there is just something about summer that has me craving after a tall, cold glass of sweet tea. Drinking it always reminds me of my daddy, who loved it over just about every other beverage. Recently I recalled my mom often making sun tea, and realized I hadn't made it in years, so long in fact, I wasn't even sure I remembered exactly how it was done. But as with anything these days, a quick search on Google provided the answer, and since you can rarely go wrong with The Pioneer Woman, I'm going to try her method.

4. Summer Sabbatical and The Sabbath Way

I mentioned on my Instagram account that I am on Summer Sabbatical. I kind of unexpectedly took one for the first time last year, intending for it to last a weekend that spanned into six weeks, and yet I came out of the time so changed that I decided then and there to make it a part of my annual rhythm. And while this year it looks a little different as our weeks are dotted with doctor's appointments and physical therapy, the rest I'm seeking is more internal than external, learning to find peace as Jesus did during the storm. That's why I was so excited when I came across this book, The Sabbath Way (Affliate Link), by Travis West, which guides the reader in discovering that radical rest is more than a weekly practice of taking a day off―it’s also a posture, a way of living every day, and since learning to live  "at rest" has been something I've been seeking for a while now, it sounded like the perfect fit. I've only read the introduction and I'm already intrigued. I'll share more about it in the coming weeks.

5. Wonderled Life

One of my favorite accounts on Instagram is Wonderled Life. Johanna's offerings invite me into the rest I am seeking, with her sweet images lifted from the pages of children's literature combined with the sweetest sentiments, and I especially loved this one that she shared earlier this week, because who doesn't love Brambly Hedge and plans for a picnic this summer? If you are on Instragram, be sure to follow her! 

6. The Daily Office (or the Canonical Hours)

Praying at appointed times throughout the day has long been a practice of many followers of the way for centuries. I first discovered it over a decade ago and decided to make it a part of my daily rhythm. While I've failed miserably at times, and even now have fallen out of habit, I recently discovered Northhumbria Community, who provide links to daily prayers.

While I don't pray seven times a day as is common for some, I do try to make it a point to pause at least three times a day, Morning, Noon and Evening (quiet alarms on your phone help immensely!), all of which are provided at this site. I particularly loved the prayer for this morning;

One thing I have asked of the Lord,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life;

to behold the beauty of the Lord

and to seek Him in His temple.

Call: Who is it that you seek?

Response: We seek the Lord our God.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your soul?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your mind?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your strength?

Response: Amen. Christ, have mercy.

❊

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The Cherry Blossoms Are In Bloom

This morning we left early and made a quick trip downtown to see the cherry blossoms. We have been to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D. C. a few times now, but it's just so busy. And while our small town can't compete, in many ways I think I much prefer this setting, smaller, quieter, these are things I am seeking more and more in my life these days.

Spring is in the air, and after a legendary winter, at least in my lifetime, I am ready. I worked outdoors for awhile for the first time this season, clearing the patio of all the leaves that have piled up. Over the winter my husband and I decided that we built our raised beds on the wrong side of the yard and with the location of our water sources, it would make more since if they were on the opposite side. The materials we used are also not holding up that well, but thankfully can all be repurposed. So we've decided to downsize our gardening goals this year, anything we grow will be mostly in pots, maybe a few small beds if we're able to manage it, but we are going to use a different design. The space where we feel the garden needs to be is currently where we have our fire pit, but thankfully that's portable and easy to move. Anyway, it's all going to be a rather huge project and most likely will take at least two seasons to see it through. I do like the idea of a smaller garden this season, and growing things in pots will help to determine if there are enough hours of sun in the area where we want to move it for it to be successful.

Spring cleaning is next week. I had planned to begin this week but a few appointments came up, and I prefer, when possible, to undertake such things when I have a string of uninterrupted days, and as of today next week is wide open. So today I'm looking over my lists and finalizing my plans and come Monday morning I'll set to the task. There are a few jobs that will most likely bleed over into the following week, and that's fine. I'm not holding myself to any time frame here, other than I do hope to get the bulk of it done in a weeks time. 

Another type of cleaning on my agenda is digital downsizing. I simply have too much saved in far too many places and it's overwhelming. There are so many good ideas out there, and it's so easy to bookmark, pin or like things. But the truth is there is no way one person could accomplish it all, and honestly, who would want to? With that, I'm going to try to be more mindful of the things I pin/bookmark going forward, and only save things that I honestly think I might want to try. But first, I need to weed through and delete a lot of content I have already saved, as well as find a way to mainstream it all so that it's in one place. I'm not sure what that might look like just yet, but between Pinterest, Instragram, Facebook and my web browser, well, let's just say I've got my work cut out for me.

And speaking of pins, I came across this lovely thought on one my boards today and wanted to share.

"Experience one beautiful thing a day. However small. However trivial. Read a poem. Play a favorite song. Laugh with a friend. Gaze at the sky just before the sun's final tumble toward night. Watch a classic movie. Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever. Just give yourself one simple reminder that the world is full of wonders. It always helps to remember that there are things in this world to enjoy."

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Here are some beautiful things I experienced this week;

- To my delight, I discovered little buds on both of my lilac plants that we planted in autumn. I was worried, with winter being so cold this year, that they might not make it, but they both appear to be fine.

- While helping my husband haul off some limbs to the outer skirts of our property, I came upon a natural path leading into a field. The field belongs to the county, but unless they are working on the electrical lines they are never there. It is surrounded on each side by tall, majestic pine trees, and the entire setting reminded me somewhat of a cathedral, and thus it is now named. We hope at some point to clear out more underbrush and add some decorative elements, perhaps, to add to the loveliness, but it is beautiful even now, just as it is. I plan to visit it frequently.

What about you? What are some beautiful things you've experienced lately? I'd love to hear.

Until then . . .

❊

 

Small Things - Last Saturday of February 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

It's hard for me to believe that we are in the final week of February, and that next Wednesday we enter into the holy and somber season of Lent. And while the calendar says it is true, my mind begs to differ. In some ways it feels like we have been on an extended Christmas holiday and that Winter will last forever. We had another round of snow this week with everyone home together again for several days, which I love, but I have to say, it does make for keeping up with routines and rhythms a bit challenging. If there is such a thing as too many pajama days, I think I may be reaching it. With that, I'm **hoping** that with Lent, spring cleaning and de-cluttering, I can regain whatever sense of order and control I naively believe I have, but then again, it's early March, we're still not out of the winter woods in this area for probably six weeks yet. With that, my inspiration this week deeply reflects where my heart is these day, our home. 

Here, in particular order, are six small things that inspired me this week.

1. This Mama's Faith

I first came across Tabitha's Instragram account, which led me to her website, and finally to her You Tube channel, which is probably my favorite of the three! I especially enjoyed Keeper At Home: A Practical Guide to Christian Homemaking as well as Homemaking Is A High Calling. She also has a Proverbs 31 Studay that I'm excited to dive into, probably after Lent.

2. The Legacy of Home

I came across this blog as I was going through some of my bookmarks I have saved on my computer this week. I had saved a post from many years ago (almost 13 years ago, in fact), and was happy to see that in that time Mrs. White has continued to update her blog with more posts! I spent quite a bit of time there one snowy afternoon this week, and enjoyed my time there. I found her most recent post, Lessons on Thrift, inspiring.

3. Joyfully Domestic

Another lovely blog. I particularly enjoyed her Liturgical Living archives.

4. Inspired You: Letting God Breathe New Life Into Your Heart and Home

by Marian Parsons

Free to borrow from the archives. Might try to work this one in prior to beginning my Lenten reading.

5. The Seasonal Reset

I've long been inspired by This Pilgrim Life, and this post in particular is a good one to revisit.

6. Cooking With Karli

One of my favorite places to meet a friend for lunch is a little sandwich shop in our area, Blue Ridge Bagels. My favorite sandwich is The Bully, but they make a pretty good chicken salad, as well. But the thing I probably like best is taking home a bag of my favorite bagels to enjoy another day, my absolute favorites being Asiago Cheese and Jalapeno. I've thought often of trying my hand at making them myself, but as with so many other things in life, just never got around to it. However . . .

This week a recipe for an Asiago Cheese bagel just happened to pop up in my Pinterest feed which swept me away to the world of Cooking With Karli and OH MY! Not only is there a recipe for an asiago cheese bagel, but just about every bagel you could hope for! I even found a recipe for a jalapeno bagel! Not only that, but this Crumbl Sugar Cookie copycat recipe looks divine, and since my daughter LOVES Crumbl, I might have to give this one a try! 

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Small Things - Third Saturday in February 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. The Best Reason to Read Aloud Together

There's always been something about the idea of life in the 30's and 40's and the family gathered together around the radio and listening to their favorite shows that appeals to me. And while modern technology makes that possible even today, if you wish, I also love the idea of reading alound together, especially if you have young children. But even as we grow older, the simple idea of sharing a book together in the evening is one that I find very appealing, especially listening to an audio book!

2. N. T. Wright Online

My husband recently introduced me to N. T. Wright, and I've listened to quite a few of his teachings and really enjoyed them.  I'm planning on listening to more through the Lenten season.

3. 24/7 Prayer

Prayer has become a huge focus of my spiritual journey this year, and I've really enjoyed this You Tube channel as I grow in this area of my life.

4. Middle Grade March Reading Challenge

Came across this reading challenge on Instagram this week, and while I have far too many other reading goals during March, this does sound like fun, and thought it was worth passing along!

5. Steeple Chasing: Around Britain By Church (affiliate link)

Great Britain and church buildings, two of my favorite things in one book! I bought the Kindle edition, and plan to look up each of the churches listed online as I read through it.

6. House Cleaning Prayer: A Guide To Blessing Every Room In Your House

I mentioned in my post yesterday , that as I am decluttering, I also plan to do my spring cleaning during the Lenten season. Another idea I have is to do a Home Blessing at the beginning of Holy Week or right before it. A Home Blessing is something I've intended to do ever since we moved into this house, and I've decided it's time to stop just thinking about it but actually do it. Thankfully you can find a lot of ideas and resources on the subject, but typical of me, I want to make it my own. I'll be sharing more about this in the coming weeks, so be sure to stop by again soon!

Until then . . .

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