I'm so sorry to hear about all the sickness. We've had quite a bit in our home over the last several months as well. I wish I could say I was shocked to hear about your little one getting pneumonia, but my wife is an elementary school music teacher, and our county has had dozens of pneumonia cases in young children over the last few months. Continue to rest and get better!
Hi, Katie, so glad you and yours are feeling better. I loved the article about Joni Mitchell her cats, and her fabulous bejeweled cat cane (I want a fabulous bejeweled cat cane when I get old too)
With that bejeweled cane, "I can still make the whole place shimmer!" And if I get too old to walk, I'll have a fabulous bejeweled wheelchair and a cozy blanket and a cozy cat in my lap at all times. :-D
I also should thank you for giving me a deeper appreciation for Sting's song "The Snow It Melts The Soonest." I think of you every time I hear it (and I have been and will be hearing it a lot all month long). :-D :-)
It’s such a good reminder to hear you talk about the darkness and the quiet of Advent. Living NYC Adjacent, I’ve noticed that I have to pay attention to really embrace that. I want to take your lead and lean into the stillness of the season
So many good thoughts and links, Katie! The point you make about AI eradicating quirky obituaries like Elwood Edward's is so sad and resonant. Observing Advent with its gentleness, its hymns, and comforting candlelight does feel like a way to resist this movement to a less human world. Also, I love that you call it 'Narnia light'. I always make tea and cake for my kids today on St. Nicholas Day inspired by Father Christmas bringing the Pevensies tea in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and it has become a dependable and cozy marker of the season for us.
Good ol’ Bruce! Reading this was so comforting. I feel like I live and work in The City (we joke that I’m the big city girl from the hallmark movies and my husband is the local small town boy) and I feel like advent is a very country-feeling time. This made me feel some countryside in my soul.
Thank you sweet friend! I do think there is a particular kind of *cozy* in city life too during Christmas time - the hustle and bustle, the decorated shops, the trees going up in the square. And you are a much more cheerful City Girl than the Hallmark ones usually are ;)
Thank you for this magnificent post, Katie! LOVED every bit of it, well other than having illness hit you and your family. I am late getting to these reads, so health restored, I hope! I will most definitely be bookmarking this one, as you offered so many things to read or explore and I do want to get back to them. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I'm so sorry to hear about all the sickness. We've had quite a bit in our home over the last several months as well. I wish I could say I was shocked to hear about your little one getting pneumonia, but my wife is an elementary school music teacher, and our county has had dozens of pneumonia cases in young children over the last few months. Continue to rest and get better!
Oof yes, our doctor said it's definitely going around :( Thank you for the well wishes!!
Simply yes: “Have you noticed winter light is magic light? Fairy tale light. Narnia light.”
Omg that turkey looked amazing! All the food looked amazing! I'm now wanting a turkey dinner...
Shucks thanks Christy, I was darn proud of that turkey! Thanksgiving food is so good and it's worth the hassle
Hi, Katie, so glad you and yours are feeling better. I loved the article about Joni Mitchell her cats, and her fabulous bejeweled cat cane (I want a fabulous bejeweled cat cane when I get old too)
Thanks Penelope! Wasn't that Joni article the best? I fully support a bejeweled cat cane, at any age! :)
With that bejeweled cane, "I can still make the whole place shimmer!" And if I get too old to walk, I'll have a fabulous bejeweled wheelchair and a cozy blanket and a cozy cat in my lap at all times. :-D
I also should thank you for giving me a deeper appreciation for Sting's song "The Snow It Melts The Soonest." I think of you every time I hear it (and I have been and will be hearing it a lot all month long). :-D :-)
It’s such a good reminder to hear you talk about the darkness and the quiet of Advent. Living NYC Adjacent, I’ve noticed that I have to pay attention to really embrace that. I want to take your lead and lean into the stillness of the season
Thanks Matthew! It's hard, but the dark (unavoidable in the country) does actually help quite a bit.
So many good thoughts and links, Katie! The point you make about AI eradicating quirky obituaries like Elwood Edward's is so sad and resonant. Observing Advent with its gentleness, its hymns, and comforting candlelight does feel like a way to resist this movement to a less human world. Also, I love that you call it 'Narnia light'. I always make tea and cake for my kids today on St. Nicholas Day inspired by Father Christmas bringing the Pevensies tea in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and it has become a dependable and cozy marker of the season for us.
Oh I LOVE that tradition - what an excellent idea! Happy St. Nick's! Hope you're enjoying some cozy tea and cake right now :)
Thanks so much for the mention! I’m glad you found the cycle syncing article helpful :)
Such an amazing resource, Jess. I've sent it on to many friends! Thanks for posting it!
Good ol’ Bruce! Reading this was so comforting. I feel like I live and work in The City (we joke that I’m the big city girl from the hallmark movies and my husband is the local small town boy) and I feel like advent is a very country-feeling time. This made me feel some countryside in my soul.
Thank you sweet friend! I do think there is a particular kind of *cozy* in city life too during Christmas time - the hustle and bustle, the decorated shops, the trees going up in the square. And you are a much more cheerful City Girl than the Hallmark ones usually are ;)
Thank you for this magnificent post, Katie! LOVED every bit of it, well other than having illness hit you and your family. I am late getting to these reads, so health restored, I hope! I will most definitely be bookmarking this one, as you offered so many things to read or explore and I do want to get back to them. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Many blessings and MUCH LOVE,
~Wendy💜