We’ve officially survived the first half of Winter! Twice a year, I like to make a list of the things that are bringing me joy, or in the words of Barbara Brown Taylor, “what’s saving my life.” Today, I’m linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy and pairing up with my friend Kim to take a look at the places in our lives that are lifting us up in the midst of what could be a very dark and dismal time of year. Although Kim lives in Missouri and I live in Massachusetts, it’s fun to see the similarities that arise, even in the midst of our different lives.
Soup
Today may be the official midpoint of Winter, but this weekend is going to bring the coldest temps in Boston since 2016 (our very first winter in New England!) Last week I made a list of more than thirty different soup recipes, most of which I can make with stuff I already have in my house. Soup is the easiest, cheapest, and quickest way to throw together a bunch of stuff and call it gourmet. In the last week, we’ve had Taco Soup, Minestrone Soup, Corn & Potato Chowder, White Bean, Rice, & Turmeric Soup, and a Lentil Sausage Stew that was practically gone in minutes. I used to hate soup, but I guess you could say I’m a soup convert.
Audiobooks
For the last two weeks, I’ve been outsourcing all of my homeschool reading to Audible and it is literally saving me right now. My kids and I passed around this weird cold at the beginning of January where everyone mostly lost their voice for a few days. My kids took it as a sign to just be quiet and rest, but being the Mom, I had a harder time doing that. After 8 days of having a weak voice, I self-diagnosed it as laryngitis and attempted to go on total vocal rest. Do you know how hard it is to run a house and not say a thing? It’s impossible, I tell you. Especially when a large part of your everyday tasks include reading out loud to your children. Seriously, thank God for Audible. Here we are, on February 2, and my voice is still not all the way back to normal. Yesterday, my youngest told me I should go to the mountains for a few days and do nothing but write so my voice can heal. I think she’s on to something.
Hot Tea
Hot tea is another thing I have grown to love since moving to New England. My mom got me a subscription for Plum Deluxe Tea Club for my birthday, and receiving my little packet in the mail every month is so much fun. I love tea so much more than coffee these days because no tea tastes exactly the same. While coffee has different nuances, the main flavor of coffee is … well … coffee. But teas can take so many other different forms. And if you don’t want caffeine, you aren’t limited to decaffeinated black tea. The herbal choices are endless. There’s just so much to love about tea.
A trip to NYC
Last week, we took our second trip to New York City and it did not disappoint. One of the beauties about homeschool is the ability to do school anywhere, and there’s no shortage of learning opportunities in NYC. We spent an entire morning at the NY Public Library looking at an exhibit filled with historical and literary treasures. I called it History and Literature Field Trip day. The next day we went to The Strand and went the wrong way on the Subway, so we had to use a map (and our common sense) to get back where we needed to be. I called it Life Lessons Day. The third day we went to the Museum of Natural History and learned all about whales, sharks, Serengeti, rocks, minerals, and so much more. I called it Science Day. The final day we explored Grand Central Terminal, had a glorious breakfast, and read books on the train ride home. I called it Transit and Manners Day. Getting out of our ordinary routine was exactly what we needed to help shake things up a bit.
Scrivener
I started a thirty day trial of Scrivener and after a long day of working hard at it, I have a new outline for my book. I was struggling to organize all of my documents in Google in a way that made sense, and wasn’t just one large document where I had to scroll endlessly. Scrivener allows me to drag and drop things into a different order, and forces me to organize things in a visual way. I haven’t had a chance to open it up and dig in again—luckily the thirty day trial is thirty days of use, not thirty calendar days—but I’m looking forward to getting back at it on my two Saturday write days this month.
Co-Writing Time
I started these Co-Writing Sessions last month and they have made a huge impact on how I feel about my writing life. Setting aside the time to write is a big deal in and of itself, but the ritual of setting an intention, focusing on it for a chunk of time, and doing it alongside other writers is a beautiful thing.
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction is something I’ve been wanting to make a part of my life for a very long time, but it felt like too much work to find a Spiritual Director with the right fit. I didn’t even know where to start. So when I met Charlotte and learned that she did Spiritual Direction specifically for writers, I thought maybe God had just plopped it right into my lap. I had my first session with her last month, and it was the most beautiful time of sharing what was on my heart, and listening for God’s presence in the midst of that. I walked away with stronger confidence in knowing that I am walking the right path, that my writing projects matter—to me and to the world—and an appreciation of the way God is very active in all of it right now.
Our Dog Sitter
We adopted the puppy almost exactly a year ago, and my life has been chaotic ever since. Last summer, we found the most perfect dog sitter who will take our little Leo into her home for overnight care whenever we need her to. As gymnastics meet and dance competition season comes into full swing, she is saving my sanity (and the dog’s) at least twice a month. I seriously could not do life without her.
Public Libraries
There’s something magical about being surrounded by rooms full of books. Several times a week I end up away from home for hours while my kids are in activities. Public libraries have become my favorite place to wait out the time. Many times I write, but they also offer a great place to sit and read a book. Study rooms offer a decent place to connect with people over Zoom (as long as you reserve them first.) I can practically tell you about any library on the North Shore — who has the best hours, who has the best study rooms, who has the best relaxing chairs, and who has the best wifi hotspot to take with you on vacation.
My Book Club
The Woebegone Literary Society is the very best thing to happen in my life when it comes to female friendships. We read the most varied book selections. Last month we read Romeo & Juliet. This month we’re reading For the Love of the Bard. In a few months, we’re reading a graphic novel (but we don’t know which one yet — have a recommendation?) We’ve read Young Adult Fantasy, Contemporary Literature, Nonfiction, Poetry, a classic or two, and I’m sure I’m leaving something out. I am so stinkin’ grateful for a group of women who love books as much as I do and are willing to read out of their comfort zone. We get a little smarter, a little more empathetic, and a little more well read with every month that passes. Not to mention our friendships continue to grow over conversation about books, raising tweens, relationships, and everything else under the sun.
Do you have a list of what’s saving your life right now? If so, I’d love for you to share it in the comments below! Happy midpoint of Winter, friends. I’m off to read a book and drink a cup of hot tea!