just a fun little questionnaire...

Hello, and happy weekend, dear friends! 

I was recently going through some very old blog posts from my archives that I posted on my old blog. This fun little questionnaire came up in those archives and I thought it would be fun to repost the questions, but with my current answers. There isn't much to this post, but I thought this would just be fun and enjoyable...for me to answer and for you to get to know the girl behind this blog a bit more. 

So grab a cup of something delicious and find a comfy spot to settle in for a bit...

And if you want to share your answers to any of the questions, I'd love to hear them.

Let's get started!

Do you like to read an entire series at once or spread out the books over time?
I never ever read a series of books in one go. I always, always spread them out. Sometimes, over many years. I don't like to live in one type of book or story, genre or style for more than one or two books at a time. I love pottering about different type of stories, settings, characters, etc. when I read.

Would you rather be stuck in the past or the future?
This is a rather difficult question. Honestly, I am quite okay with being in the present. However, in an ideal world, I think I would combine bits of the past with moving towards the future. There are a lot of things in the past, even just in my lifetime so far, that I really miss and seriously do think would add so much to life these days. I can tell you that I have absolutely no interest in going back to anything pre-1980s. I think it would be fun to visit for a day a few different time periods before then, but I do not wish at all to live in any time before then. I am quite content to be living in the time I am.

Have you ever had dream re-runs? (In other words, the same dream twice.)
A few times, I've dreamt an exact dream more than once. I've also experienced that with nightmares, which I tend to have more often. But my dreams often include bits and pieces from previous dreams. 

What is your favorite vacation you've ever taken?
This is a two-fold question for me. Firstly, in the States, I love three places best: Chicago, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Those are my favorite places. As far as specific trip, I would say Chicago on Valentine's Day 2016 in the snow, the Irish Music Festival in Ohio in the late summer of 2019, seeing the coast and small towns of New Jersey for the first time in the very early spring of 2016, our girl's road trip through New Jersey and Pennsylvania in May of 2019. Those are my standout trips and ones that I literally think about so often because they are filled with such happy memories. I love the small towns in PA and NJ and even though I'm not really a city girl, Chicago has my heart. I find it incredibly fun and beautiful!

And secondly, I've only been on two trips outside the States, so far. And that place is Ireland. If you have been reading my blog for any number of years, you know that Ireland is the place of my heart and I love it so dearly. I feel so alive when we're driving the ribbon roads and hearing the crashing waves of the Atlantic and rambling through abbeys and fields and being so close to sheep and cows that we could have touched them if we wanted to. I've never been somewhere so magical and beautiful and wonder-full. Our first trip there in the summer of 2016 was something dreams are made of. Our second trip was a little less dreamy, mostly because we were sick half of our time there after catching a nasty, horrid cold on the flight over and we also ended up staying in a holiday house that was something of a nightmare. But I so love the gorgeous green land and just how beautifully it speaks to my deepest depths of my soul. 

If you found the entrance to Narnia, would you tell anybody? Who would you take with you if you did?
Yes, but only a very select few kindred spirits.    

Waffles, pancakes, or neither?
I love them equally. Sometimes, I'm in the mood for pancakes, and other times, I crave waffles. Homemade ones are the best. And I love them with maple syrup, lots of butter, and fresh fruit on the side. I often associate pancakes and waffles with rainy or snowy days, and in my opinion, they are one of the ultimate cozy comforting foods to both eat and make.

What is one smell that never fails to make you happy?
The scents of autumn in nature and in the home, Christmas scents- baking, pine, candles, etc., Thanksgiving dinner, stovetop potpourri simmering away. Basically, all the cozy smells really make me giddy!

Do you enjoy musicals? If so, what are your favorites?

I haven't seen many musicals, but the ones I have seen, I really love. Most musicals today, I feel, are filled with too much propaganda and hidden messages that I don't appreciate. But I love Newsies and The Sound of Music, both of which I have seen in person at our local theatre. They were such fun experiences!

What are your favorite meals to enjoy?

I love cozy meals the best. Chicken pot pie, soups or stews or chili of almost any kind, roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy and veggies, homemade pizza, stir-fry over rice, anything cozy and comforting. Also, I do really love lots of Asian and Mexican meals and a few Italian ones, too. These are all also my most favorite meals to cook.

Have you ever been roller-skating?
When I was a little girl, I loved roller-skating. During the summers of my childhood, we would go most Tuesdays to the skating rink and spend the afternoon and it was the best. 

Do you have any family heirlooms?
Yes, quite a few actually. My bedroom furniture is over 80 years old and passed down from my Grandmother to my mom to me. We have my grandparents' old Grandfather clock, lots of kitchen gadgets, home decorations and knick-knacks, recipes, and photos, too. They're all cherished and we use many of them regularly.

Opinion on letter writing?
I love letter writing. I wish I did more of it, but that's something I'll have to work on. It's so nice in a day and age where everything is automated, electronic, and technology-based to get something that someone has taken the time to write by hand. I think it's so much more personal and often more love and care goes into the details of a letter. There's just something about getting something in the mail, too! It truly is an art and a beauty.

Do you prefer tea, coffee, or cocoa?
I rarely ever drink coffee. I do occasionally have an iced coffee that I make at home. But it must always be decaf; caffeine and I do not get along. I drink hot tea more in the colder weather, but I drink iced tea all year long. It's probably my favorite. Simple herbal iced tea with nothing added to it in a large mason jar with ice is where it's at. And I do treat myself to hot chocolate every so often in the autumn and winter. I'm currently looking for a healthy hot chocolate recipe to enjoy this coming autumn and winter. And any hot drink must be enjoyed from a pretty mug, in my opinion.

What's your favorite children's story?
When I was really little I loved Winnie the Pooh, Little Bear, Franklin, The Seven Silly Eaters (a real favorite!) and many of the old classics that we have and then as I got older I loved Junie B. Jones, Amelia Bedelia, the Boxcar Children, and Cam Jansen books. In middle school, books truly were my best friend and I survived sixth grade by reading A Series of Unfortunate Events. 

What movie or period drama ending really frustrated you? And how would you change it?
I can't think of a specific movie or show ending. I will say, though, that I would NOT have killed off Sybil in Downton Abbey. She was my most favorite character and I would have loved to see her and Tom raise up their little girl in their differing worlds colliding together. I wonder what Tom's relationship with the Crawleys would have been like had Sybil still been alive. That still really gets me...she was such a lovely, caring, genuine character. I honestly don't like too many period dramas, but Downton Abbey was one that I loved watching. I should really rewatch it again.

If we were talking about shows and movies in general, as opposed to strictly just period dramas, then I could have a whole other conversation about that. {{winks}}

Where do you see yourself in ten years? 
While I have dreams tucked down deep in my heart and soul, overall, I just want to be happy and healthy and living a peace-filled life. I want to live in a beautiful place that makes me feel alive and inspired and surrounded by magic and wonder and beauty. I want to be confident and comfortable being myself and trusting my intuition and following my heart every single day. I want to be pursuing the things that make my heart sing and my soul happy. My dream life isn't what everyone dreams of or what is appealing to most, but to me, it is everything. And I want to cultivate and create a life that allows me to feel nurtured, loved, safe, authentic to myself, comfortable, free, blissfully happy, and that makes the little girl inside me smile and dance with delight. That's something I'm learning is so important the older I get...to nurture the little girl still inside me and to be reminded that her dreams are still valid and valuable and more than likely, still my dreams today. And of course, I dream that the dreams I hold dearly in my heart come true in magical and wonderful ways.

What makes you nostalgic?
Goodness me, lots of things. Anything with a memory attached to it. So many things make me nostalgic. But then again, I'm an incredibly sentimental person, so it doesn't surprise me one bit that I'm that way.

If you had to describe yourself as an animal, what would it be?
An owl, for more reasons than one. Including the fact that I am seriously a night person. The night is the time when I feel most inspired and peaceful. I also love the fact that owls are thought of as "wise", as that is something I aspire to be, too.

If a loved one was to serenade you, what song would you most like them to sing?
In terms of romantic songs, I do love quite a few. Some of my most beloved favorites include: And I Love You So, Steal Away, and Feels Like Home. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, as I have so many others that I love equally.

If you could change your name to anything what would your new name be?
I've always loved my name, Elizabeth. But if I had to change it, I've always loved Annie. 

What's your favorite biscuit to dunk?
I don't really dunk biscuits in my tea...I don't like the crumbs floating around. However, I do love homemade chocolate chip cookies alongside a tall glass really cold milk. It's the most perfect combination ever. You can't convince me otherwise. Ha!

What is your favorite Disney movie?

I'm not a huge Disney movie watcher and pretty much stick with my favorites: Cinderella and Snow White. But those two, I really love. I have several movies I want to see, but I think that Cinderella and Snow White will always be my favorites. {{smiles}}

What is your favorite clothing?

For spring, I love flowy dresses or capris and cute tops. For summer, I love denim or cotton shorts with a comfy and super soft T-shirt or spaghetti strap tanks. I absolutely detest dresses in the hot weather. For autumn, I love leggings or jeans with a cute top and cardigan. And for winter, I love leggings and jeans with sweaters or sweatshirts or cute tops with cardigans. Also, for the autumn and winter months, I do love wearing knee-length (or just above) dresses with cardies over them. I do not dress according to any specific style or aesthetic or with the trends, I simply wear what I like and what I feel comfortable in and what makes me feel like myself.

dear diary ♥ bits and pieces from deep summer

noticing nature

We are most definitely in the deepest part of the summer and everything is lush and dark, deep, richly green. The crepe myrtles and hydrangeas are in full bloom all over town and it is exceptionally gorgeous. Seeing the lush green landscape scattered with full blooms of hydrangeas and the colorful confetti flowers of crepe myrtles is literally one of my favorite things about summer. Along with the music of summer nights. I love the sounds of summertime and the flicker of lightning bugs in the garden just adds to the magical ambience. With all that said, I am aching for autumn to arrive. {{smiles}} Until then, I am delighting in these earthy pleasures of summertime.

And a little funny thing that happened this week...on Thursday morning, my mom and sister woke up to find 17 turkeys in our front and side garden. I was in the shower, so I didn't see them in person, but my sister took pictures, and it was the most bizarre thing. Some were tiny babies, and some were bigger. And they just rambled around our grass and then made their way down the street in a line. What makes this crazy is that we live in a residential area neighborhood. We do have quite a bit of nature around, but still, we've never seen turkeys like that before. It certainly made us laugh!

musical treasures

I have had the grandest time using Spotify over the last few months. I totally forgot it even existed and remembered that I had an account earlier this year. And I've thoroughly enjoyed creating a playlist of songs that I love...some I've even remembered from my girlhood days, which brings me extra bits of happy. I love Celtic music, Irish pub tunes, soundtracks from my favorite movies, instrumental pieces, pop/classical crossover artists, and other feel-good music. I can't tell you just how much joy this has brought me. ♥

bookish ramblings

I recently finished Susan Branch's Martha's Vineyard, Isle of Dreams. And I do plan on sharing a post just for this book at some point. In the meantime, I will simply share the review that I left on my GoodReads account...

Magical. Hopeful. Beautiful. Inspiring. Encouraging. Uplifting. Lifegiving. Enchanting. Relatable. Funny. (Literally laugh out loud funny.) Real. Full of splendour. Just one of the absolute best books I've read. Ever. If there was an option to give it 10 stars, I would. Absolutely nothing about this book did I not love. Thank you, Susan Branch, for writing such a gem. It is so dear and spoke to my heart in such profound ways. 

 After finishing this wonderful memoir/diary, I picked up a novel that had been on shelf for a couple years. But after getting just over halfway through, I decided to shelve it for now. It was moving a bit too slow for my mood at the time. And the story was quite different from what I expected. Now, I've picked up a cozy, lighthearted summertime romance set in the English countryside along the seaside. For my birthday a couple weeks ago, I received quite a number of books all with that lighthearted, cozy vibe, which I'm loving (and needing and appreciating) these days.  So far, it's good. Let's hope it continues.

what I'm watching

I finished watching the entire series of Rizzoli and Isle a few weeks ago. At the exact same time as I finished Susan Branch's book. Because I loved both the series I was watching and the book I was reading so much, it kind of left me with a low mood, down-ish feeling. A sort of "depression" that only comes from enjoying the absolute heck out of something and then it being over. Kind of like coming home from an awesome holiday and it being over yet you being filled with such happy memories and good times and utter joy in your heart. It's like that. At least for me.

So I've begun rewatching Blue Bloods again...which I love dearly. Along with rewatching the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series and movies from Hallmark. And I'm very sporadically and randomly rewatching the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. I really enjoy all of these, so it's all good.

gratitude journal

I'm grateful for another birthday and turning 29. For eating lunch in the park whilst watching people kayak and paddleboard and walk around the lake. For cloudy summer days and steady rain in the night. For nights spent crafting and painting and journaling. For soft t-shirts and comfy jean shorts and worn-in sandals. For fresh flowers in old family vases. For flowers drying for me to put in pretty vases to enjoy forever. For cooking dinner with my mom and sister. For lightning bugs and the musical encore of nature on summer nights and how they remind me that life is just so magical. For the reminders to be kind, gentle, and gracious to myself. For things that make me laugh so hard, the tears flow. For the anticipation of autumn. And for homemade pecan apple butter cooking in our kitchen.

from my kitchen

As I just mentioned, I made homemade pecan apple butter a few days ago. We had some apples that weren't the most delicious for just plain eating, so I decided to save them from the trash and make some apple butter. Just a teeny taste of autumn coming...and it is so delicious! For my birthday, my sister made me a scrumptious strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting and slivered almonds sprinkled on top. Then, she and my mom made me one of my favorite meals for dinner.

what I'm wearing

Black denim shorts, a deep blue floral top that ties at the waist, and my old but oh-so-comfy black sandals. And I recently had my mom cut my hair and give it some layers at the bottom. I'm really loving the change and it's also cooler for the summertime.

in my mug

A few nights ago, I had the most delicious tea I've had in a long time. It was Tazo's Wild Sweet Orange, and I am now obsessed. Other than that, I'm mostly enjoying jars of iced water and iced raspberry leaf tea. They're basically my summertime staples.

a few of my favorite things

 ♥ getting a new mug with yellow daisies on the outside, forest green on the handle and mustard yellow on the inside. It just says "deep summer" to me. And it reminds me of Lorelai Gilmore and her "thousand yellow daisies".

♥ listening to old One Direction songs.  It's a total vibe that I really can't put into words.

 ♥ Susan Branch's Distilled Genius, a collection of quotes book. It is like dream commonplace book.

♥ I don't watch many different YouTubers. I have a small handful of channels that I love though, and I've been enjoying watching some of my old favorites from them. 

wordy goodness

There is power in whimsy. Whimsy is enthusiasm that refuses to defend itself with practicality. It is finding meaning in pure enjoyment. It is the practice of honoring delight for delight's sake. When being awake feels gray and stale, try adding more whimsy to your life.

(Seen on Pinterest)

This quote really spoke to me. Incredibly, deeply, profoundly spoke to me. It's something I've been feeling quite strongly about for awhile now and am becoming more and more passionate about. And it's something I've been purposefully incorporating more and more into my life. I just thought these words were so beautiful.

creative joys

 I've been painting quite a lot lately. I honestly have no idea what I'm doing and just do it totally for fun and relaxation. Sometimes I have an idea in my head, sometimes I am inspired by something I see, and other times I like to look up simple designs online and go from there. You may have seen a few of my paintings in my vlog a few weeks ago. I've also been working on my crafty journal a lot. I received a good collection of stickers for my birthday to use in my journal, so I'm looking forward to using them very soon. I don't like having any expectations or pressure when I craft. I am very conscious of not putting any pressure of perfection on myself, because it honestly takes away any positive benefit for me. I love just doing whatever my mood guides me to do. And it's the best. I don't know if you'd be interested in seeing some of my journal pages...I've thought of doing a vlog showing them. Let me know.

Do let me know what's been going on in your corner of the world, dear reader friends!

cozy homely homes series ♥ the gilmore house

Good morning, reader friends! 

How delighted I am to have you for a visit this beautiful summery Sunday! I invite you to make yourself extra cozy and perhaps get a cup of something delicious, maybe a cookie or two, and curl up in your most comfortable corner, and join me for a bit of something fun...

A while back I saw a fellow home-loving woman on Instagram share a collection of all her favorite cozy homely homes from TV shows and movies that she loved. I thought it was a grand idea and I so enjoyed looking through her collections. Many of the homes she shared, I loved too, and others I wasn't as familiar with, I immediately saw what she liked about them so much in each and every photograph she shared. So I am borrowing her idea and have decided to create an ongoing series of what I am calling Cozy Homely Homes.

 

In each entry in this series, I want to share with you a home that I love, whether it be from a favorite TV show or movie. There are several homes that I've seen across the internet that I find incredibly cozy and wonderful, but I really do not like the show or movie they appear on. So they will not be included; after all, this is also a sort of recommendation for the show or movie they come from, too. 

So, if you love homes and admiring them when you watch TV, and even find yourself gathering ideas and inspiration from these homes, then this series is for you...

I really hope you enjoy perusing these posts as much as I enjoy putting them together. I must tell you, it's great fun searching for pictures to share of my most favorite cozy homely homes from my most favorite shows and movies...

Let's begin, shall we?

Okay. So it was a total no-brainer as to where I should begin. If you know me, you will very well know that Gilmore Girls is one of "my shows". I love it so much, and one of the things I love best about the show is the Gilmore house. I mean, just look at it. It's glorious, isn't it? 

I love porches. Big, wide ones, especially. And if they have wicker furniture and a swing...I'm there. And the Gilmore house has it all! Just looking at the exterior, it makes you want to know what the inside looks like. 

So, let's go inside, shall we?

(Before we begin, let me quickly say that in season five, Lorelai and Luke do a major renovation of the house. It's a sort of "glow up", if you want to call it that. I am not a fan of the changes made, so all of the photographs that I am sharing here today are from before the renovation.)

The kitchen. Even though the Gilmores rarely, if ever, do much cooking in here...except for opening frozen pizzas and taquitos and popping them in the oven or warming up a Poptart for breakfast...it is an incredibly cozy and warm kitchen. I love that the kitchen table is in the middle of the room, and that there is a window over the sink.

The Gilmore living room just exudes coziness. My favorite things are the worn-in, squishy sofa and the wingback chair, all the lamps and how the room is always lit with such warm, soft lighting. I love how it looks comfortable and lived in and totally without any pretension. It's the kind of room where you can take your shoes off and put your feet on the coffee table and just settle in.

A little admiration for the beautiful fireplace...I love how this was before TVs were hung over the fireplace. (I really HATE that!) 

A look at the couch. I'm a fan of comfy, squishy couches that you sink into, and couches that allow you to tuck your feet up under you as you curl up under a blanket. This is that kind of couch. And the desk in the left corner is gorgeous, too.

Rory's bedroom...lots of bookshelves, and again, soft, warm lighting. I love her bed as well...the old-fashioned style suits my fancy just right.

Lorelai's bedroom...I do so love an iron bedframe, her lamps, quilts, and just the overall comfortable-ness of her style. If you've seen the show, you know her room is always a bit disheveled and such, and while that's not really my style (I like things a bit more orderly), I much prefer that to all the minimalistic styles that are the norm in most current shows and movies.  

Now, for a quick look at Sookie's house. Sookie, Lorelai's best friend and business partner, lives in a gorgeous home more in the middle of town with her farmer husband, Jackson and their children. I always love Sookie's style and all the COLOR in her home. I love her floral chair and pinstripe sofa and all the little details. Also, her big windows, letting the natural light in. Yes, please.

Seriously, if I could combine bits of Lorelai's home and pieces Sookie's home, I would have the most beautiful, perfect home.

While Sookie's kitchen is a bit small, I love her windows and shelves and all these little vases on display.

 

Another peek of Sookie's kitchen and the dining area...

Now, for the Dragonfly Inn, where Lorelai and Sookie work. Big porch, window boxes, lots of flowers, yellow exterior. Oh, my heart.

The kitchen at the inn. Isn't it gorgeous? Love those shelves above the door for all of Sookie's cookbooks.

For the most part, I absolutely love the style of the Inn's interior. I love the mix and match of colors, patterns, textures, and styles. It just oozes coziness.

 That fireplace. And the curtains. And the lights above the mantle. And the floral wingback chairs.

Another angle. Another peek at beauty.

A look at one of the rooms at the Inn. I sure wouldn't mind staying in a room that looked like this, especially if it was in Stars Hollow.

 

And, to end this collection of Gilmore Girls goodness, I had to include a photo of the Gilmore house at Christmastime. How magical does it look?!?! This house is one of my dream fictional houses, most definitely. There's just so much to love.

And while I'm at it, if you want a show that exudes coziness in abundance, then Gilmore Girls is the one to watch. Stars Hollow is the most charming town and everything about the show is fun, quirky, and yes, cozy.

There you have it, friends. A little peek at the first of many cozy homely homes.

I do hope you enjoyed this post...do let me know your favorite fictional cozy homely homes. Who knows, we may share some favorites and you may recognize some in the upcoming entries in this series. I can't wait to share more with you!

Until next week, may your day be lovely and filled with delights and your nights be restful and filled with peace.

*All photos from Gilmore Girls are taken from Google.*

the art of making a home {a vlog}

Homemaking surely is the most important work, as C.S. Lewis said. It is the anchor, the root, and also the branches...the thing that keeps everything else, both steadied at home as well as out into the world. Far from a burden, it is endlessly beautiful. In homemaking, you lose yourself to the creativity, imagination, and delight. But, you also find yourself, too. In the beauty, the importance, the value, the meaning. In the heart of making a home.

 Dear reader friends, I have put together a little video sharing just a teeny bit from my heart on something I love so dearly and believe in so deeply...homemaking. The art of making a home. I would be honored if you would take just a few minutes of your time, sit back somewhere comfortable and enjoy this little vlog. In it, I take you on a wee tour around my room, as I have loved making it a space that is cozy, comfortable, reflective of me and all that I love, and beauty. And I share a few thoughts from my heart to yours...

You can watch the video by clicking here.

Until next week, my dear readers...

May your day be filled with lovely moments, and may your heart be reminded of the beauty and value in the art of making a home.

♥

the joys of a quiet life

What sweet delight a quiet life affords.

·William Drummond·

The above words came to me in a beautiful blog post from a favorite writer of mine several years ago. Immediately upon reading them, I realized that they said outwardly what I think, know and believe inwardly. It was a lovely moment....sometimes others say what's in your heart better than you ever could. And upon discovering words like that, you are blessed indeed.

I am thankful to have grown up before the whole technology age consumed every person's every thought. My childhood consisted of pretending, imagining, and playing make-believe. My sister and I would spend every afternoon playing outside with our friends until the sun set, dinner was ready, and homework had to be done. Despite the fact that I spent seven hours at school each and every day, I would come home only to go into my room and play school for hours on end teaching imaginary students, though if I was lucky I could sometimes get my sister or a friend to play along. 

My mom didn't force my sister and me to grow up too fast. She didn't rush our childhood but rather allowed us to be children. I played house and with dolls until I was almost twelve years old. We had an old laundry hamper that held bits of this and pieces of that, random things from around the house that gave us (and our friends) many, many hours of crafting and creating. We made things out of toilet paper rolls, pipe cleaners, old plastic juice cans, and all kinds of weird things that sparked imagination within each of us. 

I just so happened to be in first grade in the year 2000, the new millennium. At that time, our elementary school didn't have many computers; most classrooms just had one in total. However, because technology was beginning to really evolve, one classroom per grade was given a computer for each student. (The other classes used the computer lab that was available for the entire school.) My first-grade classroom was the chosen one because my teacher had a great deal of knowledge in that area. I learned so much about computers that year, and as I got older and progressed into each grade year after year, my familiarity with the internet and getting accustomed to using it grew immensely.

Families were beginning to add computers (the big boxy ones) to their homes. We got an old model from my dad's work for free and it was set up in our house. However, it had no internet. We simply used it for playing games on CD that we got from Santa at Christmas. Once my sister and I were older, I was around nine years old, every so often, my mom would take us after school to use the internet at the library. There, we would play games through Disney Channel. I vividly remember painting Lizzie McGuire's nails and picking out her clothes on a couple of the games. As I moved into the fifth and sixth grade, we would also use the library's computer so I could do research for school papers and projects. That is if I couldn't find my information in an encyclopedia first.

Our family didn't get internet installed into our home until I was twelve years old. The year was 2007.

I share that little backstory simply to say that we have always lived a quieter life than most folks we know. We were the last to get the internet in our family. My sister and I were the last children in our extended families to have had a true childhood, one that is not sped up or pushed along. We have toddlers in our family who watch shows that are meant for teenagers and they know all about the woes of dating and mature topics at the age of three. Their parents say that they outgrew their baby dolls and Lego's as soon as they hit age two. These children receive iPads for Christmas at the age of four. Little girls are mistaken as thirteen-year-olds when they are but five years old. (I'm not making that up, either!) 

Our life was quiet and simple. 

I rarely go a week without hearing, either online or in person, how someone wishes their life were simpler. They wonder when life got so chaotic, noisy and complicated. They are dumbfounded by these things, and because of the life my family and I have chosen to live, it is crystal clear to me. 

People admit to being addicted to their phones. There isn't anything that's not done on a screen...communicating, reading, ordering groceries, you name it. I honestly cannot relate or even begin to understand people who deal with these thoughts and troubles. 

Today I would like to share some simple ideas as to how to live a quiet life. My belief is that just because everyone is doing things the techy, modern way, doesn't mean that it's good, healthy, or adding to their life. In fact, I would say that most of this way of living in such a techy, modern way is the opposite of those things listed in the prior sentence. The ideas listed are things that my family actually does, and I believe that these choices have benefitted us more than we even know. However, these are simply the ideas of my family and if you do something differently, that's perfectly fine too. I do encourage you to ponder these ideas and perhaps even adopt a variation of one or more of them for yourself. Some of these ideas are small and super simple, yet others take more diligence and discipline to actually live out.

We do have smartphones. However, they do not run our lives.

We were late in the game getting smartphones. It wasn't until 2019 that we added them to our lives. Up until that point, we used pay-as-you-go phones, and at that time, we still had a home phone and answering machine. Yes, it was old school, but it was marvelous!

In 2019, for various reasons, it made sense for us to get smartphones. However, in the past four years that we've had them, I can say that they do not run our lives. People are so used to their phones being an extension of their hand. They are almost permanently connected to their body. And they are nothing short of obsessed with them.

Certain conscious choices we made make it so that we can have smartphones without them running our lives...or, shall I say, ruining our lives. It's not about hard-fast rules or anything like that. Really, it's living as though our phones are still a landline home phone and not having them attached to our fingertips at all times. I do not carry my phone everywhere I go. It does not live in my back pocket. If I'm out, it's with me. If I'm at home, it's on the table in our living room. I do not want my phone running my life. There is a ton more I could say about this, as I have many strong opinions on this topic. But that is truly a topic all it's own. 

But the main point I want to make is that just because you have a smartphone, and just because everyone seems to use them in one way...in a way that is incredibly unhealthy, obsessive, and addictive...that does NOT mean you have to. And the fact that in this day and age certain things are normal astounds me. Children using smartphones and knowing how? Kids way too young owning their own smartphones and smart devices? People upgrading their phones every single time a new version comes out? Not being able to go in a restaurant or cafe or coffee shop and nearly everyone being on their devices, even when sitting at a table with others? People keeping their whole lives on their phones and other devices? People taking into their watches? Folks talking to a device and calling her by name and asking her the weather forecast or some other question? Homes being wired with all kinds of devices? The fact that saying "no" to these things is weird and ridiculed and mocked? Yeah, that's absurd!

For more on this topic, please head over and read my post on living a private life. Because the joys of a quiet life are also the joys of a private life. And a private, quiet life is a peaceful life.

We do not own any tablets or devices along those lines.

I have a laptop computer that I use for entertainment as well as my blogging. But, other than that, I do not have any internet devices. My phone obviously has access to the internet, but I try to use it sparingly. When we go grocery shopping, eat at a restaurant or anything along those lines, we are the rare sight of people actually connecting with one another. I find it so sad to see families and couples and groups of friends sitting at a table to share a meal with all their heads down looking at some sort of device. You can't even go into a waiting room at the doctor's office and see one person reading a book or magazine anymore. I consider it a blessing to be at a restaurant with my family and actually talk with them. Though I must say it can feel quite weird being the odd one out with a real book in hand while in a waiting room or anywhere for that matter. (I was delighted to see a fellow physical-book-reader at the car care center while we were waiting for our oil to be changed a few weeks ago. I do not remember the last time I saw a fellow physical-book-reader!)

Because we do not have 24/7 access to the world-wide-web in our back pocket, we do not have trouble with being on the Internet all the time. I am very serious and conscious and opinionated about this. I go on the internet for a few minutes before I get dressed for the day. I check the news, weather, emails, etc. Then I spent a bit of time online before bed, watching my shows, blogging, catching up on a couple YouTube channels I subscribe to. I also check the news again, weather, emails, etc. Other than that, I may go online for a few minutes here or there during the day, usually for a specific purpose, (I'm confident that scrolling for the sake of scrolling is anything but healthy and good) but I do not want to be consumed by the online world. I learned a couple years ago that I do not need to check the news more than twice a day, anything else causes severe anxiety for me. And I can honestly say that on days when I am on the internet more than others, my anxiety goes up through the roof. And often, I take longer breaks from the online world, not going online at all for sometimes a week at a time. (Except for checking emails, daily weather forecasts and the news.)

 I personally believing in having as few electronic devices as possible. We use nothing "smart" (other than our phones and TVs with streaming services) or any AI in our home. Our phones are minimal. We have TVs and laptops and that's literally it. I refuse to let my life be dictated by a device or some voice coming from a watch or speaker, and I refuse to speak to a robotic AI voice when I could simply look up the answer to my question myself. I refuse to have my life be run by dings and chimes and buzzes. I do not believe that just because I'm living in the 21st century and everyone is doing something, I have to as well. I can think for myself, thankyouverymuch.

We read real books. 

I am really adamant about reading real books only. To think of all the bookstores closing and our world turning into a download-only place makes me so sad and heartbroken. There isn't a grand reason as to why we choose real books over Nooks or Kindles, but one reason is that I don't like the idea of staring at a screen for every single thing I do. I find that completely absurd and ridiculous. Besides that, have you ever taken a good sniff of a book....especially old ones. Oh, my, do they smell delightful! And to feel the pages between your fingers and to fold down the corner of the page when you're done with that chapter....there's nothing like it.

I still buy CDs.

Music is one of my great loves. But I don't do the whole iTunes, downloading thing. I love having a real, physical CD that I can stick into the car player and hit "play". Just another thing to add to living a quiet life.

I use a real camera when taking pictures.

I'm the girl at the concert or standing beneath a waterfall or crouching low in the flowers taking pictures with a real camera. I have been the only one at a concert not using my phone to capture the moments unfolding before my eyes. Though, I do feel more comfortable using my phone in some settings, it's not the norm for me. That can be very uncomfortable at times, especially for an introverted person such as myself. There's something great and beautiful about the art of photography that is completely gone when using a phone as opposed to an actual camera. Up until just two years ago, I had a simple point-and-shoot pink digital camera. I used that thing all the time and still have it in my bag, but nowadays my DSLR camera goes practically everywhere with me. In fact, when buying a new purse, I purposely make sure it is large enough to carry my camera. Capturing beauty requires slowing down, pausing, observing, admiring, and soaking in and savoring the moment. In my opinion, a real camera is the only tool that encourages those things.

The outdoors is our sanctuary. 

It is such a rare occurrence to see folks outside just "shooting the breeze" as my Grandpa would say. For us, however, it is an odd day when we haven't gone outside to walk around the yard, sit under the tree, and just chat about life and everything under the sun. Again, real talking, face to face. It's a good thing. I firmly believe that time in nature is a must for healthy living....I'm pretty sure studies have proven that.

Sometimes we go on afternoon drives through the country.

Or head downtown to see the river. In fact, this happens quite regularly around here. We will all gather in the car, pack some drinks or snacks (sometimes we'll get a treat out), and head out for an afternoon adventure. My Grandpa was known for his love of rides. He loved "to take a cruise" as he would put it. My mom says that she grew up in the backseat of her family car, going for rides each weekend all around New Jersey. This is one of the simplest, yet most impactful, family activities you can do. And you never outgrow it, either! In fact the older you get, the more you appreciate it.

Home-cooked meals are the norm.

Sitting around the table, enjoying a meal, and lingering there long after the last dish has been cleared and put in the dishwasher, just laughing and talking is something that really needs to be revived in America. I don't know about other countries, but here in the States, family dinners which were once the norm are now on the "going extinct" list. And the consequences are sad and damaging, to say the least. I am of the very firm belief (I'm incredibly stubborn about this!) that home-cooking, gathering around the table, conversing and sharing is of utmost importance. Sometimes eating dinner on the couch while watching a movie is fun, too, though eating in front of the TV should be the exception, not the rule.

Home is where our hearts are.

Growing up, my sister and I did not have after-school activities. We weren't involved in sports, not because our parents didn't allow it, but rather because we had zero interest in them. (I am quite possibly the least athletic person you will ever meet.) My mom really instilled in us a love for home and family and we continue to live that out, the three of us, daily. Most of our days are spent at home doing home things. They are ordinary days, but sweet ones. We do get out regularly, doing things we enjoy and getting errands accomplished, but you can't have a heart for the home if you're never there. (I'm writing a full post on this topic soon.) We aren't constantly going here and there, and our lives are not busy. The world may glorify the busy way of living, but there aren't many, if any, benefits of that sort of living.


William Drummond was right, indeed, when he said that a quiet life is full of such sweet delight. These are just a few of the ways that my family and I have chosen to go against the norm of fast-paced, noisy, complex living, and embrace a lifestyle of slow living that is simple, meaningful, and close-knit to our family and others, nature and all that is good and beautiful.

Again, I did not write this post to dish out a serving of guilt upon you, but rather to encourage and inspire you that it is possible to live a slow, simple and meaningful life in a world that promotes and glorifies living a chaotic, complex and noisy one.

I would love to hear some of the ways that you live a quiet and simple life. Do share below...let's inspire on another!

simple tomato mushroom pasta

Simple Tomato Mushroom Pasta

2 Tbsp. olive oil

3/4 pound spaghetti, cooked according to package directions

2 lbs. fresh mushrooms (We love portobello mushrooms.)

2 tsp. minced garlic (or 2 cloves, minced)

3 medium tomatoes, diced into small bite-sized pieces

1 can black olives, drained and sliced

 4 Tbsp. fresh basil

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. dried rosemary

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

Parmesan cheese, for topping

In a skillet, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat. Once warmed up, add the mushrooms and garlic. Cook until the mushrooms are softened and the garlic is fragrant. Add the tomatoes, olives, herbs and seasonings. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. Once the veggies are cooked and all the flavors have come together, add the cooked pasta. Toss to combine. 

Serve and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.

*If using vegan parmesan cheese, you can use homemade or storebought. We love the Follow Your Heart brand when we buy it, but we also always have homemade on hand.*

 To make homemade vegan Parmesan cheese, simply add the following to a food processor.

1 cup raw cashews

1/3 cup nutritional yeast

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

Pulse until powdery. Store in the fridge up to 2 weeks. You can also keep extra in the freezer (up to 3 months) to pull out when you want.

Enjoy!

a sunday collection

The things that make me different are the things that make ME.

~ A.A. Milne ~

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A few of my recent favorites...

♥ Rizzoli and Isles ♥

If you know me, you know that Blue Bloods is one of my top 3 favorite shows. I've watched every episode at least a handful of times each and I just love it to pieces. My dad watched this show from it's beginning and recommended it to me. Now, whenever I watch it, I remember him.  

 

Even though I love rewatching the old episodes and such, I was looking for a show with similar vibes and couldn't find anything that got my attention. But a friend of ours with similar tastes in shows recommended Rizzoli and Isles to me and now I am quite literally obsessed. My favorite thing about the show is the strong family element. The Rizzoli family is a close-knit clan and I love watching their stories unfold. That's also one of my favorite things about Blue Bloods...and even though it still holds the #1 spot in my heart, I'm loving having something new to watch that is fun and enjoyable.

♥ Moonlight in Vermont ♥

Just a sweet Hallmark movie set in gorgeous Vermont. Hallmark movies are always hit or miss for me, but my sister recommended this one after she watched it and enjoyed it. It was charming and sweet and I really liked it.

♥ Vanilla comoro tea with sweet creme oatmilk creamer ♥

Simply the best...I do believe I am addicted.

♥ JJ Heller's I Dream of You album series ♥

JJ Heller became a favorite of mine several years ago when I discovered her "I Dream of You" album series. Since then, she has added several more to her collection and I have been enjoying listening to them recently. My favorite collections are: Joy; Sleep; Love; Calm (Instrumental); and Calm. They are fun and relaxing and nostalgic and calming and magical beyond words. The songs along with her beautiful voice combine to create a truly storybook feel, an experience that takes you back to your childhood and allows you to relive the magic of your young years. Alongside that youthful feel, there is also a nostalgia and a nod to simpler days with lots of old songs that transport you back in time. These are seriously some of my favorites, and definitely part of the soundtrack of my days.

Oh, and she's coming out with a new one later this year!

♥ The Old Woman Who Named Things ♥

An absolutely charming picture book by a favorite author of mine, Cynthia Rylant. She wrote the little series I shared about a couple weeks ago. And this storybook is just as whimsical and lovely and sweet.

♥ Miss Maple's Seeds ♥

This picture book jumped out at me at our library's used bookshop. I'm so glad I picked it up! The illustrations are colorful and cheery and the story is magical and beautiful. Another new-to-me author that I'm going to add to my "must collect all her books" list.

♥ Mary Oliver's poetry ♥

I have loved Mary Oliver's poetry for years now. Hers is just the style of poetry that I like. And for literally seven years or so, I have been on the search for her books at the used bookshops we frequent. And I could never find one. I could, of course, have bought a new copy online, but I don't hardly ever buy new books. Then a couple weeks ago, whilst at our library bookshop, my sister found a copy of her book, Devotions, for me. It was only $2, so I of course picked it up. I've been thoroughly enjoying flipping through here and there reading random poems on whichever page I open to. It's seriously the most delightful thing. I hope to share some favorites with you over time, too! 

♥ Simple Tomato Mushroom Pasta ♥

~ recipe coming in next Sunday's post ~

What have been some of your favorites recently?