Currently // A Little Check In

(the morning moon and a flower found blooming in the cold)

The leaves have left their steadfast posts - summertime protocols have softened - and made their way, stumbling down in hurried fashion, to the yard floor. One by one. Three by three. Now, the trees are bare everywhere, except for the odd leaf holding onto its branch for dear life. Spruce and pine stand taller, showing off their fur coats that seem more evident now. Patches of leftover colour from graveyard gardens can be seen along the sidewalks. November has arrived. 

I've lost a little motivation the last couple of weeks. I found myself in new territory, battling many inner thoughts and worries. This has lead to great conversations, downloading of an anxiety app, and allowing myself to relax into the day and whatever it brings. To find the balance of reaching my goals, of relaxing, of working around the house, of loving on all the people, crafting, reading, getting fresh air. Hitting a low point was a definite blessing in disguise. I am not out of the woods yet, but it has opened my eyes to many things that I have allowed to drop away over the years. I am shaking loose and figuring out what exactly it is that I want out of life. The full answer is not known, but the artist, writer, and maker inside of me is getting excited by the dream-list of ideas that are being formed. :)   

Lovely quotes : 

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened up for us." - Helen Keller

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." -  J. R. R. Tolkien. 

"With freedom, flowers, books, and the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?" - Oscar Wilde

A few, little things that I've been up to : 

 
drinking // hot water and red rose tea. Multiple cups. Repeat. ;)   

watching // a lot of youtube lately. There have been a few channels that I've discovered recently that make me feel like I am on the receiving end of a huge, comforting hug. Morgan Long is a dear heart, her videos are beautiful and she talks about real life struggles and challenges, but in such positive & encouraging ways. Darling Desi is a vibrant spirit who frolics in the mountains. We have the same taste in books and her passionate nature is something that I look up to immensely. The Cottage Fairy is a peaceful soul whose slow and simple life has really inspired me lately. She makes me yearn for my childhood home, to take nature walks and rest, to draw and read, and simply be at peace.  

craving // some delicious mulled cider or apple cider - something to place in the slow cooker and just leave on the 'stay warm' setting. Dip the mug in and fill to the brim. Does anyone know of any delicious recipes? 

reading // The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, a wonderful historical fiction about the hunt of a mysterious vampire, and Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery. Anne is a reread for me, however, this time round I am listening to it. It's wonderful! Another book that I am slowly, but steadily making my way through is The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater, a collection filled with his love for winter, his favourite holiday memories, and the most delicious sounding recipes. I am hoping to physically read Skystone by Jack Whyte and listen to Anne of the Island soon. 

writing // a little bit each day. I am softly participating in NaNoWriMo this month. My goal is smaller and flexible than it has been in years past, which feels right this time around. 

playing // animal crossing and loving every minute of it. It's a wonderful way to unwind in the evenings. Plus, the game just got a new and very exciting update. 

working on // a mental health boost. It has been a very long year and a lot of things have been neglected. I kind of feel like a garden, the weeds have sprung up in many places. It would be so easy to curl up into a ball and say "wake me up when 2022 gets here," ignoring all the hard stuff, but I know that I would regret it in the long run. So I am spending these days asking myself very important questions, drinking lots of tea, and filling my days with things that make me happy. 

enjoying // our fall decorations. The girls were so eager to make the house magical and I'm really understanding the appeal. It makes such a difference to this space! All I can think about now is just how lovely and cozy our place will look once we've decorated for Christmas. 

hoping // to take a little trip to the countryside soon. My heart is yearning for quilted blankets, a yard filled with leaves, motherly conversations, and cozy corners to tuck myself into - all that can be found in my childhood home. 

crafting // with my crochet hook. I have purchased yarn for another project, but told myself that I needed to finish weaving in the ends of my youngest daughter's blanket before I could even touch it. haha. I didn't listen and ended up making a little swatch with it the other day. Oops! :) I just need to add the fringe to Monkey's blanket, then she'll have something cozy on her bed. In other crafting news, I really have been admiring cross stitch. I never finished my first project, but something about it is calling to me now. I think adding something florally to our hallway would be wonderful.  

learning // that I need to take myself more seriously than I have been, but that I also need to play more. An interesting balancing act, if you ask me. 

(Reading in a parked car, a flower frolicking in the leaves)