Sunday Letter friends~
Holy-moly! Welcoming February feels like a major accomplishment, like we scaled the highest, most difficult month of the year, which was icy and treacherous at times and definitely teeth-chattering cold, and now we can almost see clear through to spring. Oh, I’m sure winter will have plenty more to say about the matter, but a few days of false spring has me pretending the season is behind us.
Yes, I’m fickle when it comes to winter. The first beautiful snowfall is thrilling to me. The second one too. But after a string of cold, gray days, I have to dig a little deeper to appreciate the beauty. It’s the blue sky I crave most.
Seems to me the Christmas season should extend through January 31, and February 1 should mark the beginning of the new year. Mid-January is when we need tinsel and twinkle lights the most.
Using What We Have
As revealed in my January Sunday Letter, I chose Simplify as my Word of the Year for 2024. I’m not sure how much simplifying I’ve accomplished so far, but I have managed to declutter several drawers and closets. Having less clutter feels like a simplified world to me.
Here’s an example of a small January success: We’ve collected lots cloth napkins through the years. Stored away, we used them rarely. I emptied a kitchen drawer, that served no real purpose other than collecting phone chargers and whatnots, and filled it with our cloth napkins. Now, we use them every day.
This tiny shift in our household routine has provided a bright spot during mealtimes. And, as a bonus, our paper towel consumption has reduced significantly!
Valentine for the Birds
This is the time of year I like to re-share my Valentine bird feeder recipe. The birds need extra energy throughout the winter, and I like to believe they appreciate the love that goes into making a handmade feeder.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups birdseed
- 1 tablespoon bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- Twine and Cotton (untreated)
Note: Cotton makes a great material for nesting. The twine is used to hang the feeder and provide extra support. For step-by-step details on how to make these adorable feeders, click HERE.
Teaser Alert: My Next Book
A few days ago I finished the rough draft of my fourth book. Finishing a rough draft is one of many early steps in the process of writing a book. It’s a huge one, but still, I have lots more work ahead.
I don’t yet have a publication date, and I’m not ready to announce the book name; my relationship with this story is too new to say. After only one year together, I’m still learning what makes my protagonist tick. I’m flirting with ideas and trying to tease words into sentences. Some days, I wonder if anyone will see the future I imagine for this new relationship. I sure hope so, because already I’m heavily invested.
This is the time of editing, which is fun and frustrating. Later, my professional editor will get ahold of it, and things will move faster.
Just for fun, I created a vision board, symbolic of the story. Of course, between now and book publication, much can change. But for now, take a gander at my next book…
What do you think?
Things Momma Says
So far this year, I’ve had bad luck with my scales.
***
Last week I attended a discussion between two creatives, and the idea of planting seeds was discussed. As a gardener and a writer, this really resonated with me.
Planting a few seeds everyday is an essential step in reaching any goal. As a writer, I work on the same paragraph for hours. I apply to a fellowship I have little chance of receiving. Inquiries are made, posts are sent into the world, classes are taken, ideas are explored—every day a tiny creative seed is planted. Many will never sprout, but a few will. And eventually, a flower will bloom. Maybe an entire garden will grow. But, nothing will happen without scattering a few seeds each day.
I remind myself to plant a seed even on those days when inspiration is lacking.
Thanks for reading today’s Sunday Letter. Be kind and optimistic, friends!
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Fabulous letter! I want to remember this! 1st time reading your letter! Planting seeds even when uninspired and simplify!!! Love!
Thank you, Lynn! And welcome to Grace Grits and Gardening.
I always look forward to your Sunday Letter. I recognized Tate’s little army men, but have no clue with the rest of that picture. I love your colorful napkin drawer. Do I have any cloth napkins anywhere? ❤️ (Looking forward to THE BOOK)
Guess I need to reveal the name soon:)
Enjoyed your letter today as always. It’s a soggy day in Northeast Arkansas.
Soggy here in Fayetteville, too.
I love how you live so deliberately! After 30 years of teaching and strict schedules, I can’t do anything but drift through each day. You get so much more done. I also always love your music choices.
Thank you so much! I don’t always feel so productive:)
Thanks so much for the bird feeder recipe. I look forward to sharing it with the little feathered friends…hmmmmm, wondering if my feisty squirrels will devour it first…hope not.
They might! Oh well, I am happy to feed the masses:))
So far I’m in the same predicament as Barbara with my scales.
I really don’t think scales ever work in January…
Love your Sunday letter today. Thanks!
Thanks, Carol!
Your momma is laugh out loud funny this month. And like you, I can do serious purging, but my cloth napkin basket and its contents are here to stay!
Yay for cloth napkins!
Hey, Young Lady, so good to see you still active with the writing. I wanted to touch base with you to see if you’d be interested in my new book I wrote with a great friend of mine. Below is the link just in case you would like to check it out.
I am so happy to see you still writing and enjoying life, even if you still live in the wintry wonderland of Arkansas. I went back a few years ago to receive a wonderful surprise from ASU when they inducted me into the Arkansas State ROTC “Hall of Heroes.” I was totally humbled by the honor. It made me happy to be an ASU graduate.
Sounds like you and your family are all doing well despite the long month of January. We had some of the residual effects down here in Florida–It got down to nearly forty one night. Best of everything to you and yours.
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unusual-Relationship-Baptist-Minister/dp/B0CLQBF1G3
Hi Herb! Congrats on the well-deserved Hall of Heroes honor. And congrats on your book! Thanks for the link. Keep writing!
Talya, I would have so enjoyed growing up around your mother!
oh, we are still growing up, aren’t we?
Love this! Great inspiration on this rainy day.
Thanks, Jan!
Love the concept of planting seeds every day! Have a great February!
You too, Laura!!
Big fan! Can’t wait for your next book!
Thank you so much!
All great minds…I have gathered a large number of hankies over the years, beginning with my grandmother and the nickel she wrapped in it for Sunday School. I bought them from Japan, Italy, France, California. An older lady noticed one day I always had a handkerchief and left me her collection when she died. Love you for reminding me of so many things that mean a lot!
What a great collection to have, Beverly!
A new book! Now we will be waiting patiently (or not)! I saw the pie in the vision board, remembering your judging in the Pie Festival so wondering if that works its way in somehow;). During the gloom here in N Central AR we were gifted with hundreds of ducks on our lake, geese and 10-12 Trumpeter Swans. They perhaps were enhanced by the fog and gloom.
I love when the ducks and geese fly over our house. I bet the trumpeter swans are gorgeous! Haha – that pie judging experience was something else. So.Much.Pie!