my quiet life at home . . . the comforts of wintering

a celebration of all the comforts of wintering 

before springtime begins . . .

{{ dark chocolate chip scones }}

All i really want this winter is to be a hobbit. 

I want to stay home, eat lots of comfort food, 

and read lots of books in my cozy library.

~ Unknown ~

{{ Valentine's Day chicken pot pie }}

In winter, I often spend all day in the kitchen, it is in winter that I love it best, and it is then that I most enjoy my own particular sort of cooking best, too, for one of the richest pleasures of domestic life is and has always been, filling the house with the smells of food, or baking bread and cakes, bubbling casseroles and simmering soups, of vegetables fresh from the garden and quickly steamed, of the roasting of meat, of new-ground coffee and pounded spices and chopped herbs, or hot marmalade and jam and jelly.

~ Susan Hill ~

{{ Valentine's Day chocolate strawberry cheesecake with dark chocolate covered strawberries }}

All the kitchens along Brambly edge were warm and busy. Hot soups, punches and puddings bubbled and in the ovens pies browned and sizzled. Clover and Catkin helped Mrs. Apple string crabapples to roast over the fire. 

~ Jill Barklem ~

{{ a cheesecake close-up ~ a little plus is that each of the desserts I shared here today are sweetened with either coconut sugar or maple syrup }}

It's winter. Slow down and embrace the quiet. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket.

Enjoy a cup of chai as the snow falls. Light a candle and let warmth fill the room.

~ The Motherhouse ~

{{ a chocolate fudge caramel cake to celebrate a snow day...because, why not?!?! }}

{{ poetry that just gets me }}

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What home comforts are you savouring these last weeks of winter?

a rooted life ♥ heart & soul things

A very cheery morning to you on this wintry, last day of February Friday, my dear readers. I sincerely hope you all are doing well. It's so hard to believe that spring will be here in just a few short weeks...are you excited for the start of springtime, or are you wanting to hold on to winter? I must admit, that as much as I love wintertime...and I do adore it dearly, I am quite excited to welcome spring this year. I'm ready to see green grass and little buds on the branches of trees and bushes. I can't wait for all the colorful flowers to bloom and to see butterflies and birds flying around. And I am also very much looking forward to wearing sundresses and sandals. As much as I love autumn and winter, I do love spring quite dearly, too...and I'm thankful for the different seasons and the beauty they each bring. It's like opening a gift each day as a new season begins, as there is always something new to notice and delight in.

As I shared in a previous post, as a new year begins, I find myself pondering what sorts of things I wish and hope to share in this space over the coming year(s). I am always listening to the guidance of my heart on the matter of this blog, and I feel as though I am always inching my way closer and closer to what it is meant to be...what my soul desires it to be. I am thankful for that still, small, quiet whisper in my heart that gently guides me along the way to finding my place in this space. And this year, a few things were very clear about this space and what I wish and hope to share here. I hope you'll allow me to share a bit of what's been on my heart, as well as share some "heart and soul things" that will be the rooted foundation of this space.

To take a lesson from Maria in The Sound of Music, let's start at the very beginning; it's a very good place to start. And the beginning is simply to share a "vision of values" that this blog is centered around:

Nurturing a rooted life of gentleness & simplicity, cozy domesticity & home comforts, following nature's rhythms, being steeped in story & immersed in beauty, & preserving old-fashioned values.

Now, if you've been around here for any length of time, you will well know that I am a word person and that nothing is without some deeper meaning. So, if you'll come along with me for a bit, I'd like to take you on a bit of a word journey and share the heart behind each of these components of this vision of values and heart and soul.

♥ nurturing 

To nurture is to "help and encourage the growth of; to cherish; to feed; to nourish, cultivate, tend, strengthen, encourage further". Nurture is one of my most favorite words. It feels like a gentle, kind, loving, soft word that holds great meaning and weight to it. I believe to nurture something is to cultivate it in a gentle, kind, soft way. I also believe that if you are taking the time to nurture something, then it must mean a great deal to you. After all, nurturing takes time, attention, energy, heart, mindfulness, and your soul has to be in it. Nurturing is not something I believe to be done lackadaisically or half-heartedly or lazily or nonchalantly.

♥ a rooted life

While lifestyles of hustle and bustle and go, go, go are all the rage right now, I'm of the very firm belief that we are meant to be way more rooted than most folks are. I believe that we are literally meant to live our lives centered around our home and not use the home as simply a place to sleep at night and perhaps make a few pitstops along the way throughout the day. I believe home to be the anchor and foundation of our lives, the place in which all other aspects of our lives are firmly planted with deep roots, and that a rooted life is the best life...a life full of meaning, richness, depth, and endless value.

♥ gentleness

Gentleness is an incredibly important thing, both in practicing gentleness towards others, as well as being gentle with ourselves. I believe that the world would genuinely change for good if more folks embraced a gentler approach towards others and themselves and cultivated that gentle heart that all people are born with, as part of our inherent goodness.

♥ simplicity

Simplicity. In absolutely no way am I suggesting that we go back to the Little House days. What I do believe in, again, is a rooted life centered at home with family as the primary circle of influence. I believe in homecooked meals and preparing food with love and care. I believe in saying "no" to the ways of the culture and society that "everyone else are following" because we know there is a better way. I believe in living life in a way that allows you to actually live and breathe and notice and savour. I believe in cherishing life's simple pleasures.

♥ cozy domesticity

As part of a rooted life, one makes a house a home. And if your heart is rooted where it should be, you see this as a tremendous blessing and gift and honor. I believe in celebrating the domestic arts, and arts they are. For I also believe that the homemaker is a domestic artist. Creating the world of home is one of the most creative, imaginative, wonderous, magical things a person can do. Making a haven for those you love most is something that should be seen as a high calling and a magnificent opportunity to pour your heart into something truly meaningful.

♥ home comforts

Good food, a warm hearth, and all the comforts of home. Ah, yes. That's exactly what a home should be. And here, we celebrate, cherish, and value all things pertaining to home.

♥ following nature's rhythms

Nature is our wisest, gentlest teacher. And I believe that when we pay attention to the rhythms of nature, we can apply so much of what we learn to our lives and days and personal rhythms, and that's when we truly live in peace. Winter means hibernation and rest and slowing down, while summer is more a time of going and doing and getting things done. This is true in nature, but it is also true for us. When we follow nature's rhythms, we will feel at peace with ourselves because we, too, are living in tune with our truest rhythms. 

♥ being steeped in story

I believe in story. The stories written on the pages of books, the stories portrayed on a screen, the stories woven into the lyrics of a song, and the stories shared around the kitchen table or in front of the hearth. Stories matter. And stories form and shape and mold us. They teach us and they inspire us. They are our kindred spirits and companions along life's journey. And I believe in story. To me, being steeped in story is to be alive to the beauty of the world. It is to believe in something magical and wonderful and inspiring. It to be shaped by words and illustrations and melodies. It is to be formed and shaped by imagination and beauty. It is to plant a garden in your mind and fill it with beautiful, lifegiving flowers and trees and all sorts of growing things that bring beauty into your life. It is a conscious act of kindling wonder and imagination back into your life, seeing as how the years can wear it down the older you get. As fellow book girl, Sarah Clarkson says, "To be a book girl is to be formed by a bone-deep knowledge that goodness lies at the heart of existence." And that, my reader friends, is what I believe it means to be steeped in story.

♥ being immersed in beauty

Beauty is all around us, and yet we live as though it doesn't matter. I believe in being consciously aware of the beauty that surrounds us, and to reawaken our senses to notice such beauty. This is something as simple as considering and realizing the sacredness in everyday life, small moments, and the hidden places and corners of life. And it also means literally, physically bringing beauty into your life. Being aware of the music and entertainment you allow to speak into your life, as well as the stories that influence and inspire you. Filling your home with beauty in how your decorate, in the way you go about your homemaking, and in how you see the world. Beauty is no small thing, and it is of utmost importance.

♥ preserving old-fashioned values

I believe in morals. I believe in decency. I believe in character. I believe in virtue. I believe in deeply rooted values. And I use the term "old-fashioned" because though many consider that an insult, I consider it a beautiful description of the things I hold dear. In a world where morals and decency, virtue and character, and any sort of upright values are mocked, scorned, ridiculed, and condemned, I believe, most firmly and strongly, in preserving, protecting, and cherishing those things. Morals are not dead. Decency isn't irrelevant. Character isn't meaningless. Virtue isn't outdated. Values aren't of yester-year. Let us not forget these things.

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These heart and soul things really matter to me and are of great importance and value. I hope they are and will be reflected and shared here. As always, thank you so much for vising my little cozy cottage here. I hope you'll come back again real soon!

May your day be blessed and beautiful!

♥

F E B R U A R Y ♥ book club chat & M A R C H ♥ book choice

Hello, reader friends!

As it is nearing the end of February, today is the day we gather together for our monthly book club chat. Before we begin, I wanted to say that if you are interested in receiving a bit of snail mail from me, please read the following:

1. You MUST have read February's book choice.

2. You MUST answer the three following questions by sending me a message using the forms on the sidebar.

3.  And in that message, along with your answers, you MUST send me your name and full mailing address. You have until March 5 to do so.

If all THREE of those things are done, then I will happily send a bit of snail mail your way.

QUESTIONS:

1. What do Betsy and Tacy call the house down the road where they "go calling" one afternoon?

2. When they do "go calling", what do they leave behind at the house?

3. What exciting thing comes from them leaving that thing behind?

 

To start off quite simply, I adored this book!

 While I was familiar with this series growing up, I think I picked up a book or two here and there and just poked around in them a bit. But I never actually read one until now. And I just enjoyed it so much.

Obviously, this story was written for very young readers. This series was written in a way that the writing style and stories grow up and mature with the reader. Personally, I think that's such a fun and clever way to write a series for young readers.

What I loved most about this story was the sweet friendship between Betsy and Tacy, the way family was portrayed so beautifully, and all the many adventures the girls got up to. It was a true celebration, in my opinion, of the way childhood is supposed to be. Lots of imagination and pretending, lots of playing outside and creating worlds of your own, and none of the growing-up-too-fast stuff that is too common today. It reminded me so very much of my own childhood. Even though I obviously was of a different generation than Betsy and Tacy, so much of them reminded me of my sister and our friends and me and all the things we got up to.

Whilst I read this story, I did a bit of research on the author. Too many times, sadly, when I look up an author who has passed on and left classic stories behind, I come to find that their lives were quite messed up and lots of negative, often disturbing, things to read about them come up. I was glad to see this wasn't the case for Maud Hart Lovelace. She sounds like a rather lovely woman who lived quite a normal, meaningful life. She was married and had one daughter, and it was through telling her daughter stories of her growing up years that she came to write the Betsy-Tacy series. The stories, characters, and even the homes in the books are greatly inspired by her own girlhood years. And I was even more pleased to find out that should one ever find themselves in Mankato, MN, you can actually go and visit the homes of Maud and her friend, which are, of course, Betsy and Tacy's homes. Mankato was the inspiration for her town of Deep Valley. All of these little details just made the story that much more enjoyable and sweeter to me...I love when authors write stories that are inspired by their personal lives...and they aren't depressing or recalling some tragic event that they experienced.

There wasn't anything I didn't love about this book. Oh, and I must mention the illustrations...they can really make or break a story for me. When I read, I am imagining and playing out everything as I read it. Illustrations make this come to life even more, and sometimes, the illustrations aren't quite how I think a story should be pictured. But these, they were absolutely delightful. I imagine they would really capture a little girl's attention, too.

I am very much looking forward to continuing on with this series. And I would love to hear what you enjoyed about this story!

And now for March's book choice announcement . . .

For March, The Steeped in Story Book Club pick is . . .

The Last Bookshop in London

by Madeline Martin

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A quick blurb about the book from GoodReads:

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature.

August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she’d wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.

Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.

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This is a book that I am very excited to share with you all. I've been a lover of all things around the time of World War II for the last decade or so. My Grandpa was in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and I grew up hearing lots of stories about his experience during that time. Of course, as a young child, I didn't really have too much of an interest in it to fully get immersed in all the historical memories and such, but now that I'm an adult, I wish I could hear more and learn more and know more about his stories from that time. Thankfully, I do remember a lot that he shared, but I've felt drawn to that time period for awhile now.

 I've got a growing collection of stories and books that take place before, during and right after WWII, and this is one of them. I want to say that this book does have cozy elements, but it is a book written about a real time in history, during a World War, so there are elements that are a bit heavier. I am super sensitive and cautious about these kinds of things in books, and nothing in this story bothered me. But I don't want anyone going into this book expecting all sunshine and rainbows, because it does deal with wartime situations and events. 

You can perhaps find this book at your local libraries, but as always, if you want a copy for your own personal collection, AbeBooks is my personal go-to. You can check out their selection here. And there's always Amazon as well.

We will be gathering for a discussion of The Last Bookshop in London on Thursday, March 27th. I will be announcing April's book choice on that day, too.

Please let me know if you have any questions. And do let me know if you will be joining in for this month's book club.

One thing I want to share before I wrap this post up is that I have made the decision (after a few little bumps in the road of my book club last year) to make the monthly book club choices for a book that I personally read the previous month. So while the book club will be reading a book one month and we'll be discussing it that same month, I have already read that book the month prior. This allows me to vet any book I am considering and also makes it possible for me to be able to answer any questions you may have about the contents, etc. about that specific book. I hope that makes sense and that you understand. I just found this to be incredibly necessary after a couple of books last summer weren't quite what I thought they would be, and had I known what I found out, I most certainly would not have chosen them for my book club. As always, if you have any questions, please send a message or leave a comment.

Happy reading, fellow book lovers!

what started my lore

I saw this tag thing going around on Instagram this week and it looked so fun. The whole point is to simply share the movies and shows that formed or shaped you in some way growing up. Every single one of these movies and shows were part of my growing up years from the time I was a toddler through my elementary school-aged years. They stayed with me through my teenage years and now, well into my adulthood, they are still engraved on my heart. And many of them, I still love...the others I am waiting with hope to one day share with my own children. The only exception to this is Anne of Green Gables, as I didn't discover this movie series (or the books) until a few months after I turned twenty. I include it, though, because it was very impactful on me through my twenties...and had I known about it as a young girl, I just know it would have been a favorite of mine.

Being born in the mid-90s and a child of the late 90s-2000s, I think that shows in my list here. I've always leaned towards movies and shows with a heavy emphasis on wonder, imagination, and creativity as well a deep-rootedness in home and family, legacy and story and tradition. I lean towards things that promote "old-fashioned" morals and family values as well as show the impact such a seemingly simple life has. Along with that, I love things that touch the heart in some way and share meaningful messages even through a fun storyline and characters.

It would be so fun if you shared your list with me in a comment. And brownie points to anyone who can name as many of these as you can in a comment...and no cheating! Don't go searching Google for the answers. {{winks}}

finding "me" in the bookish world

As I’ve read nearly all fiction books these last few years, which has been immensely healthier for my mind, it has taken some time to truly find what sorts of stories and books I enjoy. After lots of trying this and trying that, it has only been in the last couple of years that I have found “me” in the bookish world. And here’s what I’ve learned…

Being a hobbit at heart, I love cozy and comforting stories best of all. I am particularly fond of wholesome, lifegiving stories of family and home, domesticity, village or small-town life, and slice-of-life vignettes. I also enjoy historical fiction stories taking place during and after WW2. Magical realism, middle-grade, women’s fiction, clean romance, cozy mysteries, and specific classics are also among my favorite genres. Finally, I find immense delight in soaking up inspiration and wisdom from memoirs and diaries written by folks who I feel add beauty and wonder to my world. When I read a book, I ultimately want to be reminded of the goodness in the world and of being alive to the beauty of the world. When I find stories like that, I am as happy as can be.

I believe in reading in alignment with my morals and values, which, yes, can make it harder to find good books, especially when everything and everyone can seem to have taken a sharp left. But for the authors who have written and continue to write wholesome books with morals and decency and those upright, “old-fashioned” values, and for the stories that have found their way into my life, I am thankful.

Along with finding "my books" in the grand world of books that suit me, I have learned that characters and setting and writing style are three *hugely* important aspects of books for me. If a book is lacking in any one of these categories, more than likely, I'm not going to enjoy it. While not every single book I read hits it out of the park on these aspects, I know that a book must have at least some sort of emphasis on these things for me to love it. Many readers are drawn heavily to the plot, and for me, that is definitely secondary to the characters, setting, and overall writing style. I'd love to hear what you are drawn to in stories. {{smiles}}

I have shared many of these sorts of books here over the last few years. You can always find my thoughts and ramblings on them in the cottage library. And, of course, I will continue to share my favorites as they make their way to me...as well as sharing ones that I've loved for some time, too. So, yes. Lots of bookish posts coming your way to look forward to. {{smiles}}

What are your favorite books that would fit into what I’ve just described? I’d love to know which stories have made their way into your heart forever.

announcing the steeped in story book club ♥ a book club update + february's book choice

Good morning, readers!

Today is an exciting sort of day...and that's because I get to share about a little change I made to my book club. As you may have noticed, I gave my blog a little refresh for the new year, including a bit of a slightly new look and a fresh vision for what I hope, desire, and aim to share here this year. At the beginning of each new year, I like to ponder my vision for this blog and see what my heart and soul tells me. But I'll be sharing more on that in another post.

Today, it's all about my book club.

Last summer I began a monthly book club here on my blog. In this book club, I share a book choice for each month and then at the end of the month, I share a discussion post and anyone who read the book along with me is invited and encouraged to share their thoughts, too. I really enjoyed beginning a book club and learning this and that about doing such a thing. 

And as a new year begins, I felt a nudge in my heart and soul to give it a new name...so, I am ever so delighted to share that the book club is now called...

The Steeped in Story Book Club.

Everything else about this book club remains the same. I will be sharing the monthly book choice at the end of each month, with plenty of time to anyone who wishes to read along to get a copy of the book. Then we'll read the book during that specific month and gather to share our thoughts on it at the end of the month. There really isn't anything too fancy or complicated about it.

The books that I hope for us to read together will be clean (see note below), lifegiving and wholesome, cozy and comforting, and light rather than heavy stories. Some will be seasonal, other will be whatever pops off my shelf that month. I hope to possibly share some books that maybe aren't on your radar so that you may find some new favorites. But we'll also visit stories that perhaps are already beloved favorites that you will enjoy returning to. Either way, my ultimate goal is to simply remember and rekindle the wonder, beauty, and gift of being steeped in story. And my belief in being steeped in story is to be reminded of the goodness of the world and of being alive to the beauty of the world. Those are the kinds of stories I wish and hope to share in this book club.

Note regarding "clean" reads: My personal definition of a "clean" book is one that does not have open door s*x scenes or overly graphic descriptions of intimate moments. It isn't what one would call spicy or steamy, and most definitely, not what would be labeled "smut". The best way I can explain my standards is to use the show Gilmore Girls as a guide. For me to read a book, it can't contain anymore content than an episode of Gilmore Girls would. If I wouldn't watch it on a show or in a movie, I don't want to read it in a book. Hopefully, this helps explain my standards in choosing books for this book club. As always, though, if you have any questions about a specific book I chose (or have mentioned in a post), you are always welcome to send me a message through the form on the sidebar.

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And so now, for February's book choice...oh, I am absolutely beside myself with excitement about this one...drumroll, please...

Betsy-Tacy

by Maud Hart Lovelace

This is the first in a series of books written by Maud Hart Lovelace. It is a series that has been compared to the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery...another Maud. These books are written in a way that is meant to grow along with the readers, in that the books and writing style gets more advanced as they go on in the series. This was done with the hope that readers might grow up along with the characters as they read the stories. But, of course, adults love these stories, too. And it is my hope that whether this is your first introduction to the world of Deep Valley and Betsy, Tacy, and all their adventures, or if you've long been a kindred spirit to these girls and their stories, you will join me for this beautifully sweet story.

I'm sure this book is quite easy to find at your local libraries, but if you'd like to add a copy to your own personal collection, Abe Books has some great deals, as always. It's my go-to for used book shopping online! You can find their selection here.

We will be gathering to share our thoughts on this story on Sunday, February 23rd. I will also be announcing the book choice for March that day, too.

As always, if you have any questions, please leave a comment or send me a message using the form on the sidebar. Do let me know if you'll be joining in! I will be sending a little bookish note via snail mail to those participating (by reading the book and sharing their thoughts in the discussion post) who wish to send me their address, simply as a thank you for joining me and reading along.

Thank you for being here today...

I hope you'll be joining me in Deep Valley with Betsy and Tacy next month!

my most favorite stories of 2024 ♥

Happy New Year!

It's been a minute since I last posted, and I had fully intended on sharing more Christmas themed posts in December. And I know fully well that I did not post the book club gathering for December as well. Please forgive me. We had some personal things going on that needed our full attention which were quite stressful. I was barely hanging on by a thread for most of that time and just didn't have the capacity to write or share posts. Sometimes life happens and needs tending to, and that's why I've been away for a while.

But I am back today with a short and sweet post sharing my top five favorite stories from last year. These are books that I am literally still thinking about often even though I read them in the first seven months of 2024. They are the books that captured my heart. {{smiles}} 

And I do intend on starting my book club back up again in February. More on that in a few days.

So, pour a cup of something warm and soothing, curl up under a soft blanket, and enjoy this little bookish recap of 2024...

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My 2024 Favorite Stories:

Ivy Lane was such a feel-good, hopeful, comforting read. I absolutely loved the characters and their little found family. This was a book that filled my soul to overflowing and just made me smile, and is what I would definitely call a "healing book". This was my very first book by Cathy Bramley, but it spurred me on to order a pile of her backlist because I just loved this one so much.

 The Telephone Box Library was a book that I couldn't put down. It had all the elements I love: quirky characters, a gorgeous English village setting, cozy vibes, multi-generational friendship, a bit of history and mystery, and a sweet and gentle romance. This book was totally different than I was expecting, yet everything I wanted and needed at the time; I was so sad when it ended. It was my perfect cup of tea in book form!

 A Place to Hang the Moon was recommended to me by my sister. She kept after me about this book and how much she just knew I would love it. And she was right! This is by far, hands down, one of the sweetest stories I've ever read. It's one of those books that makes you believe in the goodness of the world and that it still exists, and I love (and need!) those types of stories. I wish there were a hundred more books like this one because I'd have to read them all.

 Love and Other Great Expectations was quite the exception to my reading because I hardly ever read YA books. Aside from the stunningly gorgeous settings around the UK and the fun scavenger hunt aspect to the story, the thing that stands out the most to me is the main male character, Luke. He was such a breath of fresh air for a male character, and I really, really think more authors need to write more male characters like him. Just sayin'.

 Lost Lake is by a favorite author of mine. I'm working my way through her books and only have two left...and this one was such a enthralling, engaging, enchanting story. Sarah Addison Allen writes in a way that feels magical. Her storytelling skills are so amazing, and how she invites you into the story through her descriptions of the setting and such, you feel like you are actually there. This book was just a pure delight to read.

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What were your top five favorite reads from 2024? I'd love to hear what you loved about these stories that captured your heart!