Monday, January 06, 2025

Slow and Calm

 


Happy New Year! I can still say it on this Epiphany, this 6th day of January. Slow and calm describes the past days here, days filled with reading, gentle housekeeping, walks between the daily rainfalls, and visits with friends and family. A lovely week. 

The book stack above is of my new books, some gifts, some purchased by me. I've finished We Three Queens, and am dipping into A Garden A Day every few days or so. There's another stack of library books I returned today and hope to update my reading list on the sidebar soon. 



"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, 
for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: 
it is the time for home."
Edith Sitwell


Our winter has been unseasonably warm thus far. I had a pot of paperwhites on the porch, but they were slow to open, so I brought them inside. Their fragrance isn't as strong as I remember, but still sweet, giving a hint of spring. 


Isn't that a lovely fox? I received a spiral bound notebook for Christmas with the cover drawn by 5-year-old Iris. The drawing was guided orally by the teacher, but the work is Iris' own. Notebooks and other items with the drawings (by each of the children) are fundraisers for the school. I find it so charming, but have not yet decided what to write in the notebook. 

It's taken me all day to write this post between various tasks, and as evening draws in, it will also be slow and calm. I wish the same for you.

14 comments:

  1. Love the fox that Iris drew for the cover of this book. We have had slow and calm days here. It was a really slow going time we had in putting Christmas decor away this year taking the time to weed through things we aren't really enjoying anymore. Enjoy your slow and calm days.

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  2. Iris's fox is charming. Such a nice idea for a gift. Slow and calm is perfect for this time of year.

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  3. Thank you for that gentle start to the day. I have some hyacinths with very little smell. Once they would have perfumed the house. I love paperwhite daffodils. B x

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  4. Oh how lovely is Iris's fox, and what a great teacher to guide their art in this way. You will treasure this book. I was curious about Three Queens and did a quick search. It looks interesting.. Enjoy your reading and quiet days.

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  5. What a lovely notebook, very cheerful.

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  6. The fox notebook is super cute. I aim for slow and calm in every moment possible. Looks like an interesting stack of books. I'm currently reading Secondhand by Adam Minter.

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  7. Happy New Year, Lorrie. Your first week of January sounds like a very nice way to start the year. A Garden A Day caught my interest in your book stack. I am going to keep my eye out for that one. Your blue and white tea cups are so pretty.
    Iris did such a nice job with her fox. What a lovely gift and one that is sure to make you smile every time you see it.

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  8. What a dear gift that little fox notebook is! I love "slow and calm." After the joyful exuberance of the holidays, it is just what I need. Happy New Year!

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  9. Your new books look very interesting, especially A Garden a Day. The notebook adorned with the fox that Iris drew is super cute.

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  10. Today I took a lovely walk in the forest in the sunshine. And I baked pistachio biscuits and made almond macaroons with the egg whites. Now the tins are full again. Maybe tomorrow I'll make an Engardine nut cake, which keeps very well... I'll have a full house at the weekend. It's always good to be prepared.
    This little fox is beautiful, you will guard it like a treasure, because that's what it is.
    We are still in Christmas and New Year mode - relaxed and happy... may it continue.
    Best wishes from Viola

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  11. Oh Lorrie, that tea set is lovely! And those books all look good. I see many cozy times in your future! Meanwhile, my favorite is Iris' fox -- she's very good and it is just delightful!

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  12. The Fox is really very nicely drawn. I feel about the same here, slow down and relax after three intense week!

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  13. I love the fox notebook. What a cute idea for schools to make some money. We're having a lot of colder weather here in Georgia. Seems colder than usual to me, I love it. That's a lot of books to read! Find a cozy corner and huddle up with your reading choice!

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  14. Beautiful photos, as always. That is a great fund-raising idea for a school. The fox is a great job by Iris.

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Slow and Calm

  Happy New Year! I can still say it on this Epiphany, this 6th day of January. Slow and calm describes the past days here, days filled with...