Keep Calm & Cultivate Gentleness and Simplicity

When strangeness overtakes the world, it's only natural for stress and anxiety to mount. It's nothing to be ashamed of and those feelings are not something to hide or cover-up. It's not wrong or sinful to feel those ways. It's simply a natural human response, and we don't need to feel guilty or add extra pressure to ourselves when we feel stressed out, overwhelmed or anxious. I've dealt with those feelings all my life, though since becoming an adult, they've gotten stronger and more prominent. That's probably because I  knew better how to decipher them and understand what it was that I was feeling.

 What do we do when those feelings begin to overtake us? 

We keep calm and cultivate gentleness and simplicity. 

Now I know very well that is easier said than done. Believe me, I get that. But I also know the peacefulness that can meet you when you do invite gentleness and simplicity into your life and daily rhythms. 

Cultivating gentleness with yourself means that you are easy with yourself. You lower your standards and release yourself from all the rules and guidelines and restrictions you or others have set on you. It means letting go of being hyper-paranoid about every little thing under the sun. Somedays, it may be better for you if you just sit on the couch and binge-watch your favorite show on Netflix. Other days it may be better if you get outside and plant some flowers or go for a walk. Sometimes it means not obsessing over how long you were on your phone or what you ate...or how much. Some days it may mean you get a whole lot done, crossing thing after thing off your to-do list. It may mean you try a new project or enjoy one of those hobbies you love so much. 

Gentleness with yourself means you allow yourself to acknowledge the feelings you have, and not see them as a bad thing. The truth is, this small thing alone, gives you so much freedom. Just simply saying to yourself, "I'm feeling stressed right now." That can remove a heavy burden right then and there, and from that point, you go on to how you respond to those feelings. Gentleness with yourself during these strange days is of utmost importance because when we are gentle with ourselves, we are more gentle towards others. And we could all use more gentleness shown to us.

Embracing simplicity during these strange days is one of the ways to not go completely crazy. This can be implemented in a myriad of ways, depending on your own life, family and home. But a few examples include...

Creating simpler meals. We should all be staying at home during this time, as much as possible, and avoiding unnecessary trips to the grocery store and such. This is the perfect opportunity to make simple meals for your family. Look in your pantry and see what's already there. Check the fridge and see what needs to be used up. What about the cupboards and freezer? There are plenty of yummy, nourishing, beautiful meals to make that are also simple. 

Simplicity also needs to be brought into our routines and rhythms. This could go back to practicing gentleness. While stress is high in the world, now is not the time to be obsessed with keeping a strict and rigid routine. I'll be honest and say that I didn't grow up in a strict household, in any sense of the word, and I believe this was a gift. Especially now that I'm older and can look back, I see only positive things that came from this. If you sleep a bit later and stay up past your bedtime, it's okay. If you watch a bit more TV or don't clean as often or as thorough, it's okay. It's better to live and enjoy and be lighthearted about things than it is to be so rigid and strict that you can't even enjoy the little moments of your day. I'm not saying you should let everything go out the window and every rhythm or routine be thrown through the roof, but embracing a gentler, simpler, more lighthearted approach to our days, and living in general, is healthier than keeping a strict house and rigid rules and routines.

It's also time to embrace simpler activities. There are so many things that can occupy our days and nights while we are mostly at home. For some of us, this is nothing new; our day-to-day hasn't changed all that much. And yet, we still feel the stress of the world. Simpler activities honestly bring a calmness to your life, too. Finding happiness and pleasure and delight in the simplicity of domesticity is a blessing during these days. Baking bread or muffins, cooking a meal completely from scratch, reading a book, crafting and knitting or crocheting, simple cleaning and tidying up, sitting out under the sun and breathing in the fresh, spring air. These things, and so many others, are wonderful ways to experience simplicity.

And yet, there are many times, when it's simply better for our minds and bodies to relax and enjoy a movie or a mini-marathon of a favorite show...and that's perfectly okay. You don't need to feel like you have to accomplish something great every single day of this world-wide quarantine, and for that matter, this way of thinking and living can and should continue on even after everything is normal again.

Note: Just make sure that what you're allowing into your mind is pleasant. Here is a huge list of my and my family's favorite TV shows, movies and books. Do check it out!

Keep calm and cultivate gentleness and simplicity.

These are incredibly strange days that we find ourselves living in, and honestly, who knows when the world will completely be back to normal. That doesn't mean that we can't be living abundantly even now. It just means that we have to be more purposeful and creative with certain things. Even for those of use who seek to live this way anyway, there are still differences that we feel right now. Stress and tension and anxiety are high right now, and I believe the answer is super plain:

Cultivate gentleness towards yourself and others, and embrace simplicity in your life and ordinary days.

It's not rocket science, but it is totally worth it.

What are some of the ways you are cultivating gentleness and simplicity these days? Do share below!

"Spring" by Hopkins & Blooming Dogwoods

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring –         

   When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;         

   Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush         

Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring  

The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;

   The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush         

   The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush         

With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.   

What is all this juice and all this joy?         

   A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning

In Eden garden. – Have, get, before it cloy,         

   Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning, 

Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy, 

Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.  

A Dozen Small But Sure Happinesses ♥ My List

Happiness is not only the most amazing and dazzling things that happen in life, 

but also the smallest and subtle joys that have been quietly connecting your life, 

like threading glass pearls on a necklace.

~Anne of Green Gables~

As the above quote says, happiness isn't always grand and doesn't always mean something life-changing is taking place. Certainly, there are those moments in life, but more often than not, happiness is right under our nose. But how often do we not even realize it, or worse, how often do we ignore it? I believe that one secret to rich, abundant living is noticing. And being happy often means that we need to notice what's right in front of us.

Every now and then, over the last while, I've seen people making lists like this. They are a way of reminding ourselves of the little things in life that make us happy. These lists are as unique as the people who write and share them. Each person will obviously have different things that bring them sure happiness, but I think that on every single list, one thing is common and that is...NOTICING.

 When I set out to make my list, I chose not to dwell on it too long. Instead, I wanted it to be as organic and natural as possible. I simply say down at my computer and typed out the list as it is written here. One thing that I realized as I read my completed list is that it was so "me". The same should be true of anyone who compiles their own list. I think that's what makes these so fun to read!

I encourage you to notice more, and perhaps even make your own list of a dozen small but sure happinesses...if you do, please share them below in the comments. I would love to read yours! ♥

So...without further ado...here are my dozen small but sure happinesses...

♥ the feeling I get listening to a favorite song ♥

♥ being immersed in the middle of a really awesome book ♥

♥ adding teacups to my growing collection ♥

♥ taking photographs of nature's changing seasons and glorious beauty ♥

♥ drives in the countryside on sunny afternoons ♥

♥ the sound of rain pitter-pattering against my window, thunder in the background ♥

♥ hot tea when it's cold outside, iced tea when it's hot ♥

♥ cooking or baking without following a recipe ♥ 

♥ cozy clothes...especially leggings and sweatshirts ♥

♥ finding quotes or passages from books or poems that speak to me ♥

♥ visiting bookshops...new and used ♥

♥ tea parties...planning, preparing, and enjoying...all of it ♥

What about you...what are your dozen small but sure happinesses? Do share below!

May you NOTICE the bits of happiness right in front of you...

and may you see beauty everywhere you go!

Blessings on your week, dear friends!

 ♥

Banana Spice Crumble Muffins ♥ A Cozy Kitchen

Morning greetings, lovely readers!

I don't know about you, but time spent in the kitchen is one of the best ways for me to relieve any stress or anxiety I may have. I love getting in there and turning some music on (a bit loud!) and mixing a variety of ingredients together to create something yummy and delicious. It's also fun when my mom, sister and I do these things together, which is, more times than not, the norm.

Seeing as how we are grocery shopping less frequently at the moment, and we aren't wanting anything to go to waste, it's been fun getting to exercise our creative muscles a bit more. We had a small bunch of bananas that were a bit too ripe to be eaten by themselves, and whilst we usually freeze them for smoothies, I decided I wanted to do something different this time. My mom often makes banana nut bread with overripe bananas. This time, however, I wanted to do something new and different and surprise my family with a recipe that I was literally coming up with as I was going along. (Those kinds of baking sessions are my favorites!)

I thought of what I like best in muffins. And to me the perfect muffin has lots of spice and nuts and a crumbly topping. Heavenly bliss! That's exactly what I created with this recipe...there is the perfect amount of spice and the nuts add a nice crunch and the crumbly topping...well, you can't go wrong with any sort of brown sugar and nutty mixture, can you? 

Here's what I came up with...I am including several substitutions so you can use whatever you have in your pantry.

Banana Spice Crumble Muffins

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 1/2 tsp. apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon)

5 mashed bananas (or however many you have...as close to five as possible)

12 Tbsp. melted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar)

2 eggs

2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk (any kind...dairy or dairy-free)

1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. flour

2 Tbsp. melted butter

1/2 tsp. apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon)

1/3 cup chopped nuts (your choice)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, baking soda and powder, salt and spices together. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, melted butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla and milk. Combine thoroughly.

Gently stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture, making sure to get all the ingredients thoroughly combined. Be careful to scrape the bottom of the bowl for any spare flour. Finally, fold in the chopped nuts.

Scoop the muffin batter out evenly into greased muffin tins. Prepare the topping by using a fork to combine the ingredients. Sprinkle about 1 tsp. over each muffin.

Bake in a 350*F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Cool completely and enjoy!

Bon appétit, friends!

What yummy things have you been baking up lately? Do share below!

May your day be a beauty! ♥

From My Inglenook ♥ April Musings

for the beauty of the earth

Before our state went into "lockdown", my mom, sister and I spent a sunny Saturday afternoon going on a wee nature drive. We simply drove to a couple nearby parks and the town center just up the road to admire the flowers blooming and just to soak up the sun and breathe in some good fresh air. The tulips were in full bloom and quite cheerfully dancing in the gentle breeze. Azaleas were boasting bright colors, even though it seemed a bit early in the season. The daffodils were quietly swaying in tune with the wind and we even saw our own "white way of delight" with a gorgeous row of Bradford Pear trees in full bloom. And of course, I can't forget the redbud tree and all its glorious blossoms right outside my bedroom window...such a lovely thing to look out at. When we sit outside these days (instead of going out and about), the scent of freshly cut grass and the sweet song of birds chirping fills the air and I am filled with little reminders of hope and the goodness that is still alive in the world.  Springtime offers so many promises and I think that now, more than ever, we all need to be reminded of those promises...and how amazing that a flower blooming or a tree covered in big, bright, green leaves or a bird singing it's sweet song can offer that to us. What a grace!

musical treasures

Instrumental music soundtracks have been my go-to here lately. Particularly the music from the 1994 version of Little Women as well as Pride and Prejudice. I find the gentle, soft melodies calming to my spirit and easy for my mind to listen to at this time. They've accompanied me as I've cooked and baked and done a bit of crafting and writing in the evenings.

bookish ramblings

As I mentioned in my post on Saturday, I just finished Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh and yesterday morning, I began a cozy tea shop mystery book. I've only just started it, but so far, it looks like something that I'm going to really enjoy!

in the world of TV and movies

I've been thoroughly enjoying a sweet K-drama these last few weeks and am right in the middle of the series at the moment. We've also enjoyed watching The Middle again; it's one of our very favorites and such a nice escape these days. It's hilarious and light and I just love it!

a grateful heart

Warmer weather, sunny days and blue skies, homecooked dinners and freshly-baked muffins, music and books and poems, time with my family, our home sweet home, our sweet fur babies.

from my kitchen

The kitchen is a place for me to escape for a while...it has it's advantages, you know! We get to enjoy some really tasty things as a result, so I don't think any of us are complaining. On Friday night I made a favorite chicken herb pasta dish for dinner...delish! We also had some bananas that were a bit ripe and needing to be used up, so I came up with a banana spice muffin recipe (with a crumble topping!!) which I will be sharing later this week. Trust me when I say they were awesome! {{smiles}}

fashionable fun

Spring days mean old jeans rolled up to capris and a three-quartered length striped shirt and the most comfortable sandals on the planet. 

((recipe coming later this week!))

home and hearth

Right now, I am especially thankful for a cozy home. These last weeks have impressed the importance of home on me even stronger than they already were. We were homebodies already, but because of the current situation, we've spent even more time here and we have all said multiple times just how much we love our home and having our lives here. We cook and bake and listen to music and watch funny videos and old favorite show and movies. We sit in our yard and chat and laugh together. We seek new and fun ways to make it extra cozy and homey and comforting. We watch our furries play and chase each other and do all their funny things. We play games and act like total weirdos and just have fun. Home is truly a gift and I'm thankful that I've always known that, but I'm even more thankful for it now.

my cup overflows

Before I came upstairs this evening, I made myself a French vanilla iced coffee, but right now I've got a mason jar full of water. That's my go-to drink and I rarely drink anything else. And in all honesty, it's my favorite.

these are a few of my favorite things

I'm loving my Hope's Table cookbook still...my mom is too! She has stolen borrowed it and made dinner out it several times last week. FYI: It's still in her book stack. {{winks}} Also, these sandals here...they're the ones I mentioned above and I don't know how I ever lived without them! Hee!

for the love of words

In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.
-Dave Hollis

I think that quote is profoundly wise and worth pondering for longer than a hot minute. Even though the world is a eager to get things back to normal (I'm right there with you), I think we would all do well to really pause and think about how we wish to live in the future. What really matters and returning to that which is truly important. Perhaps going back to a simpler, slower, gentler way of life. More in harmony with the earth and kinder to the planet as well. Seeking to be good stewards of Mother Earth. Just a thought.

((now that I'm looking at this picture, I realize that I need to add another birdie at the far right end and adjust the spacing...so ignore the bad spacing.)

crafting and creating

I saw a lovely little paper bunting on Instagram a couple weeks ago and it reminded me of one that I have hanging in my room. I made it probably five years ago and it has a butterfly and flower design. I decided, after being inspired by that IG post, to make a new one with a bird and leaf design...which is what the one that inspired me looked like. I have it hanging on my window and I absolutely love how it looks! The only thing I think I want to change at some point (when the craft shops open again) is to cut the shapes out onto pretty floral scrapbook paper. I think it would stand out a bit better than the white, but for now, I just used what I had and am quite content with the result. Paper buntings are one of my favorite things, so you never know...I may just make another one for somewhere else!

I'd love to hear some of what's been happening in your corner of the world, dear friends? So, please do share below...and let's chat! 

♥

Grace and peace be with you this week!

Recently...Just Some Bits & Bobs

 

Happy weekend, friends! 

Life has been filled with many little gifts along the way recently, and I thought I would share just a few of them with some simple pictures from my phone. Despite the world being turned upside down and things feeling "off" even though our day-to-day hasn't changed that much, I am purposing to delight in the things that bring me happiness and peace. With our state being in lockdown mode, it's officially time to stay in and find joy within our homes. (Even though we've been in for about four weeks now.) And finding joy in my home and the activities I can do there is exactly what I've been seeking to do...

One of these gifts is the above book. I recently finished my first novel by Courtney Walsh, but it most definitely will not be my last. It was a wonderfully delightful book...a contemporary romance with a beautiful message of letting go of the things that are holding you back and embracing the beautiful blessings right in front of you as well as sometimes taking that step forward into a possibly magical adventure that could change your life forever and bring you the gift of love. This story of Quinn, a small town florist, and Grady, a hopeful-Olympian skier, took place in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, which was, by far, the most charming fictional town I've read about thus far...and I so wish I could live there! {{smiles}}

Our baby, Orla, loves to sit on our laps at night and this is how I often attempt to do a bit of blogging. 

Warmer days are coming more and more and I couldn't be happier! Now, if we only had a bit more sunshine instead of so much rain and clouds...{{winks}} With the spring weather, I am gladly wearing one of my favorite t-shirts. Hello, introvert here! ((Eww, people!))  

Late nights reading and doing a spot of crafting here and there (I'll share more about my simple project soon!) and listening to instrumental music have brought such peace and calm to my nights...when my anxiety seems to get worse. I'm hoping to begin a new book this weekend...fingers crossed I can find one that really sucks me into the story.

Last Friday I declared it the perfect excuse for a pizza night...and oh my! It was so wonderful scrumptious! I used the crust recipe from Hope's Table, which I shared about recently here on my blog. Our toppings were simple, just pepperoni and black olives. I find the rhythm of breadmaking and home baking bring peace any time, but especially now, with all the news and headlines and upside-downness of everything. Plus, we are getting to enjoy some tasty things as a result! (I'll be sharing my recipe for banana spice muffins next week, which are heavenly...if I may say so myself!)

Warmer weather also means...ICED COFFEE! And that is a reason to celebrate! I shared our recipe for the absolute best iced coffee last summer, so you can check it out if you'd like. (CLICK HERE for recipe.) My favorite is French vanilla, but we also make a caramel kind, too. 

One of my current projects is to finally dive into something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've delved into vlogs in the past here and there, but now I know more what I want to create and such, so I've finally gotten started. This is the view from my cozy corner in my room where I'm currently sitting writing this post. More on this coming soonish...

And finally, I enjoyed reading Andrew Peterson's book "Adorning the Dark" a couple months ago. It was by far one of the best books I've ever read and spoke to me so many times...I felt it was a gift to read it and I'm so thankful for the words he shares within its pages. If you are looking for an awesome non-fiction book, this is one I *highly* recommend. I don't think you'll be sorry!

What have you been enjoying recently? Do share below! I'd love to hear what's been happening in your corner of the world.

May your weekend be delightful and filled with lots of homey goodness!

♥