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My sister wrote me the other day that she was struggling with these shorter days, so like a good big sister I sent her some advice: “Make sure you are getting outside everyday and try to plan some cozy projects for after dark. Focus on cozy rather than dark. Light candles.” I would add to that: play music you love. For me, right now I am rotating through Mozart piano sonatas and Vivaldi cello concertos. I’ve also played Vivaldi’s “Winter” so many times that Seth has started complaining.
But still,that first week after we set the clocks back was hard for me too. I just felt weird and low in general. Shorter days are hard! Of course that was the week our kitchen plumbing went downhill and we felt downhearted about that situation. (Plumber finally came on Monday, and we received the news that our problem is not a clog, but a broken pipe under the foundation of our house. We’ll just not even talk about that… just know that I was brave and didn’t cry.) At any rate, I started thinking about my own advice, and how I want to live that too, minus the candles. (Too many little pyromaniacs living in this house. Advent candles are a big enough challenge.)
I’m really trying to get outside everyday, but it’s hard because all of a sudden it’s 5 o’clock and it’s dark! I was in the habit of evening walks, and will need to find a break in my mornings or afternoons instead. I’m doing better on the cozy projects front. More hours inside has been translating to more crafting time. I’ve been waking early every day and spending a few minutes working on last year’s winter cross-stitch kit from Alicia Paulson. She recently released her newest winter pattern for pre-order, so in order to justify buying it, I ought to finish the one I started last December. I’m getting closer, and it really is cozy to sit next to my big windows with a fire going and stitch away while the house is still quiet. Then at the end of the day, I knit.
I’ve been sewing too, though that isn’t my favorite activity. It does make me feel good to complete a sewing project, especially one that has been requested by one of my children. Beatrix will have a birthday dress this year! All that’s left is to sew on buttons. Another request made by girls last week was to make lip balm. We followed this recipe and then decorated our tubes with my wildflower stickers. It was easy and fun, and I suspect we’ll be making more.
I’m starting to make our Advent plans. That is certainly something cozy and wonderful to look forward to. Motivated by Sue’s Advent runner, I ordered a candle ring and new Advent candles. We’ll add some fresh greenery when the time comes. Ann’s new book, The Wonder of the Greatest Gift: An Interactive Family Celebration of Advent, arrived last week, and I know my children are going to love that new tradition. But maybe the most important thing for me this season is my plan to work through the latest scripture journal from Take up and Read, called Rooted in Hope. In addition to scripture study and devotions there are planner pages that make this an incredible tool for Advent. There is a free children’s guide as well, and I plan to print that and have it bound for Larkspur.
Rather than feeling sad about the shorter days, I’m getting pretty excited for this new season! It’s going to be good, busted pipes and all.
p.s. Right now, I’m aiming to update my shop with lots of gorgeous naturally dyed yarn on Friday at 11 a.m. EST.
Laura says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one finishing up that cross stitch from last December and having eyes on the new one ? Beautiful dress and lovely post as always! I missed Consider the Lilies, but loved Stories of Grace, so I was happy to get Rooted in Hope as well!
Mrs.T says
Just found you via Arlene at Nanaland. I am so enjoying what I’m reading and have just signed up to receive your emails. I really enjoyed this post about how to survive the short days. I’m a grandmother, but there is still always much to learn about life. Thank you for sharing yours.
Ang Specht says
I, too, dislike the shorter days and lack of sunshine. It’s always cold and the snowy weather hurts my body. Like you, I have many projects on hand from November through April. Currently I’m knitting a hat, after having finished some gloves and a washcloth; I’m working on a quilt for my oldest, a doll for my youngest, some bean bags, and other things. I also love my journaling Bible…it’s helpful in the dreary days.
Lip balm is also one of my favorite things to make. I just sold out of my peppermint lip balm on Etsy, and sadly, probably won’t make anymore until the new year, for lack of time. My favorite so far has been dandelion lip balm. I can’t wait for spring and dandelions again! ha!
Elizabeth says
Oh sorry to hear about the pipe! I love this dark time of year, but I do get outside every day. It makes the evening hygge all the more delightful!
Ashley says
Love the post your kids are growing so much! My kids are trying to adjust with me they for sure love more craft time how is homeschooling going for you all this year we’ve had to change up lessons a few times but its been going pretty good hope you all are doing well!
karen says
I am a cross stitch wannabe. I used to do it when I was younger but my self imposed knitting deadlines are looming over me and I know now is not the time to start something new. But it is tempting 🙂 I am rare in that I love the dark days and feel fantastic and happy. I really hate summer.
Ana says
Hi Ginny,
Thank you for your wonderful posts! Your blog to me is like a meditation. I turn to it whenever I think I fail as a parent. I see your strength and it makes me stronger too. You have eight children, I’ve got only two. But two feel like too much for me, I struggle. When they were born I promised to be the best mother to them. I had love, patience and compassion as my guiding stars. However this resulted in highly selfish, spoiled and disrespectful children (6 and 3.5 y.o.). The lack of respect to parents and other adults is that what brings me down most of the time. I was wondering how do/did you teach your children respect. I know we all have our battles, I just believe you are the best person to point me to the right direction. Thank you so much in advance! Ana
Richard (in Charlotte, NC) says
Busted pipe and no clog huh? Guess the saying “you can’t have your cake (house) and eat it too” rings true doesn’t it? So sorry to hear of this. Hang in there. The Lord doth give and take. The green knitting project looks wonderful so far. Enjoy your short days and nights by the fire.
Lana says
I read a lovey book by a home school mom years ago and she talked about how she ordered their day. One thing I really remember was that they put on a pot of soup to simmer for lunch and then all went out to walk on the short days. She said it was the high point of their day. They all got out in the sunshine and cold and came home to a hot pot of soup and homemade bread. It just sounded like a wonderful way to get outside.
All last year on the short days we had a World Market flameless candle set to come on a 5:30 and off at 9:30 on our coffee table. It made it so cozy and inviting in our living room every evening. We love to listen to swing music in the evenings. We just ask Alexa.
Marion says
Sorry about your pipe problem. I feel the same way you do about the clock going back when the clock gets pushed ahead in the Spring. It doesn’t seem right for it to bright at 9 o’clock. The medical field claim it is not healthy to lose an hour . More heart attacks and health problems occur when the clock is pushed ahead.
Larkspur is such a beautiful young lady.
Marion
Maria says
Ugh, sorry about the pipe problem, wouldn’t have blamed you at all if you had cried! The time change never used to bother me, but this year I keep waking up at 4 AM thinking it’s 5 AM and time to do chores… One of my dogs and all of my goats are also convinced that I should get up at 4….
Ines Anchondo says
What are you using instead of the embroidery hoop? is that an embroidery frame?
Thank you,
Lisa G. says
Is that a sontag Larkspur is wearing? Did you make it? She looks so mature in that photo, suddenly!
I love the cold, dark and coziness of this month, knowing that the holidays lie ahead. But I don’t have children – maybe that’s a factor. 🙂 I don’t know how much I’d like it if there were no celebrations and joy to look forward to.
Ariana W says
Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who felt weird. It was such an unsettling feeling for me all last week. But what I find interesting is that I was doing just fine, naturally adjusting to the shorter days, when daylight savings time happened. After it happened I felt weird and unsettled. I think God created out bodies to handle the change of seasons quite nicely…daylight savings time forces us to adjust to more quickly than is natural. Hmmm, isn’t there a state that doesn’t change its clocks twice a year? I wonder if folks there have a hard time each fall like we do! Love the links, will have to check things out…
Hannah says
Oh I wish I could move to that State! I SO wholeheartedly agree with you: I was adjusting just fine too, until the powers that be pushed a sudden hour shift on me, and then everything went all over the place. How are we supposed to work in harmony with the seasons when artificial changes that we neither asked for nor need nor want are forced on us? I still have yet to hear one good reason for doing this every year. And yet still we have too. Do you sense that it makes me a bit cross?!
Jen says
Just saying “thanks” for your journal posts… I just read some of the news and was pretty bummed about things, then checked my email and read this post of yours- thank you so much for doing this, it really made me feel better.
Elizabeth says
oh man, so sorry about the busted pipe, how disheartening! Great ideas about dealing with short days and winter! I Hope your advent is a blessed time and a time that gives peace in strong doses! God bless you!!!!
Wendy says
The dark, shorter days have hit me with a swift and sudden fury this year. Thank you so much for the lovely ideas and inspiration!
Nina says
They are very overpriced, but I highly recommened Pottery Barn Premium Flicker candles. They have a “flame” that flickers like a real candle. Seriously, you can’t tell the difference unless you are up close. They can be set to come on with a timer (included in the candle) at the same time every day. So at 5pm when it’s really dark, I have flickering candles that light themselves every evening and last for 5 hours….whether I am home or not…so no worry about fires, or kids who like to play with wax. There are less expensive versions, but they don’t have the same flame. I try to buy a couple every year and have a small collection now.
Laurel says
Lovely post. Just started following you and I’m so happy I did. All of this just settles so well with my soul. Thank-you.
Emily DeArdo says
I love knitting by the fire in the evenings. That’s my consolation for when the evenings get cold and dark. Knitting and reading by the fire are true pleasures.
Tonya says
I’m working on the same cross stitch project, for the same reason! Do you have any tips for being able to see the tiny threads, or am I just getting too old for these little sewing projects?!
Eileen says
Morning Ginny, during these shorter days I could read a post from your blog daily. Sorry to hear about the pipe under the house, what a problem. We had pipe problems last summer and had to re-pipe our entire house, what an ordeal.
Bea’s dress is beautiful! She will enjoy many days playing in such a fun dress made by her Mama.
Thank you for writing this blog, I find calmness and joy reading about you and your family.
Ann Voskamp says
Exquisite.
And so you.
Goodness, I miss you.
Lighting the candles with you.
Ann Voskamp says
This.
All of this — is so beautiful. So you. Goodness, I miss you.
Lighting all the candles with you….
Ann