The first full week of January is over. We enjoyed our lazy week trip to Mexico so very much, but now that I'm home again, I feel as though I've lost that enjoyable week "between the years" where life is slow and undemanding. So I've taken this past week to not tackle anything beyond the necessary.
We went out for coffee with friends one morning, I've made pots of warming soup for these rainy days, read a few books, and slowly put away the Christmas decorations. There have been a few Christmas cookies to enjoy - chocolates, rum balls, and cookies. It's been lovely. Before leaving on our trip I put the leftovers into the freezer. I made a turkey pot pie with a puff pastry topping that went down well. Some vegetable soup.
I find almost all seasons enjoyable. January is a good month to hunker at home and address domestic issues such as cleaning out the kitchen cupboards.
Now it's time to think about the year ahead. I don't make resolutions, preferring to address issues as they arise. That said, by the end of 2026 I want to see my book published, some quilts made, and a good garden grown.
The world has always been an uncertain place, but it seems to me that these days are filled with more tension and fear. The world is at the mercy of greedy and power-hungry men who care nothing for ordinary people and are only eager to build empires and amass wealth at whatever cost. I am reminded of the words Lucy heard in C. S. Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, "Courage, dear heart," And the words to Joshua in the Bible, "Be strong and courageous." Certainly strength and courage are needed to face these days. Courage to find joy in the ordinary events of daily life. Here are three things that I rely on to bring joy in my life.
One: Looking for beauty
"There is, I have found, at least one good or lovely thing in each day. Everyone has sorrow, endures difficult times, but loveliness abides if we look for it." Glady Taber
The slant of light when the sun shines is elusive and makes me smile just to see it. My house is looking a bit bare these days as I've put away the Christmas things and haven't yet felt the urge to replace the usual accessories. As I said, it's been lazy week at home! The spareness of mantels and tables is quite restful, but I'll soon be polishing and puttering to arrange things once again.
Two: Embracing the Season
Here on our island in the Pacific Ocean winters are mild and temperatures rarely fall below freezing. I always hope for a bit of snow because I love to watch it fall and transform the world. There's been none yet, but I continue to hope. Meanwhile, in my garden the Hellebores bloom. One plant, more sheltered than the others has bloomed continuously since the beginning of December. I ventured out to see the others and found Fire and Ice buds forming in great abundance. As well, Snowdrops nod their pretty white heads here and there.
"Happy New Year to all of us, all over this turning earth. And may we make it a year of loving-kindness and gentle hearts."
Gladys Taber
I find much peace and quiet and gentleness in what you shared with us here. It is what I am searching for myself as I navigate my way through this month that feels full of distracting noise.
ReplyDeleteThere are many distractions these days. Some we need to give some attention to, and others we need to let go. Wishing you peaceful days.
DeleteYour photos are a WOW. I especially love that opener with the oranges on the blue and white plate. Brilliant. You should turn that into a note card or greeting card!And the pot pie loos to die for. I do love pot pie! I love your guidelines and plans for the coming year. We have to find the light when our world (at least mine in the US) seems so dark and grim. Courage, dear heart. Indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie. I do love pot pie, too and was so happy to make this easier version.
DeleteThe early blooming plants tht I have are just the daffodils. I really should plant some helebores and snowdrops, Then I'd really have some early blooms. Hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leslie. I wish we would get some colder weather - this is just weird. But there's still time.
DeleteThe only book I recognized on your list was the one by Anne Tyler. All of hers are very good reads.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like your philosophy! Reading is definitely something I find time for and we definitely have defined seasons here in NH - winter has a firm hold on us now. Though as the long timers recall, it's not as bitter as it once was.
I covet your blue plate. Was that a Mexico purchase?
Thanks, Marcia. I haven't read Anne Tyler yet, so it's good to have your recommendation. The blue plate is from Mexico, but from a trip a number of years ago. I always think blue and orange go well together.
DeleteHappy New Year. I wish I had a bit of your weather here and would gladly send snow your way in exchange. I am slowly getting the house put back together, too, after 'de-Christmasing'. lol. Glad you had fun in Mexico and that you can enjoy some quiet January time. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteWeather is something we don't have much control over, so we have to take what we get and make the most of it. I hope your January days are full of peace, Diana.
DeleteSo much to appreciate in your post Lorrie. From the beautiful plate with oranges, the hellebores, lots of reading ideas and the simple pleasures you remind us about. Happy sigh. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you, B. I hope the storms are abating out your way.
DeleteI'll have to try to make pot pie with a puff pastry topping next time. It looks real good. Everything seems calm and peaceful in your home in these January days.
ReplyDeleteA puff pastry topping was very easy, too. I am glad to have my home and the calm it contains.
DeleteLorie your photographs are amazing. I love the contrast of the orange and blue in your first photo. I'm a sucker for blue and white dishes anyway they're one of those things that makes my heart skip a little beat. Now when I looked at your turkey pot pie photo, I do believe my mouth started to water. I've always made mine with regular pie crust but after seeing yours I think I'm going to give puff pastry a try. Thank you for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Connie. The puff pastry option was so easy, as well as delicious. Blue and white are my go to colours for almost anything!
DeleteGreat suggestions for dealing with the news these days! I wonder how much money will finally be enough for those men!
ReplyDeleteI think they are so wrapped up in themselves that no amount will suffice.
DeleteWeather is definitely something we have no control over. The menace from the south is another. I can barely bear to watch the news these days. I have to turn off the TV and plan what I'll need to add in the garden this Spring. That's a much cheerier subject.
ReplyDeleteI love the Gladys Taber quotes. I like your pretty hellebore. So far mine have lots of leaves but I haven't seen many buds so far.
I think I'll make a pot pie with Puff pastry too. You've inspired a couple of us it seems.
The menace from the south is a good way to put it. News these days is hard. Garden planning for spring is a great way to combat the news.
DeleteHow right you are Lorry,
ReplyDeletewhat's been happening lately seems so incredibly bad, like a movie script.
It's unbelievable, money has always ruled but now I think the situation has gotten out of hand.
I hope you see one beautiful thing every day and somehow the situation changes!!
I wish you and your family a happy new year!!
Thank you Katerina. Balancing what's going on in the world with the beauty of ordinary life is so necessary these days. Happy New Year to you!
DeleteI would love the pot pie with puff pastry, but Ron and Bekah prefer biscuit topping, so that it what I usually do. It is good either way, really. Finding joy in ordinary moments is such a good practice! And, indeed, we do need courage to face the days. Just this afternoon I was listening to music in my van, including the song "There is a Hope" by the Gettys. These lyrics stood out to me and I think they are fitting for this discussion:
ReplyDeleteThrough present sufferings, futurе's fear
He whispers couragе in my ear
For I am safe in everlasting arms
And they will lead me home.
Those are wonderful lyrics, and I cling to the thought that God is near to me always.
DeleteI like the quote 'between the years'; when I was little I thought Christmas belonged to neither the year ending or the new year, but was just a pause in the middle. Your Winter sounds lovely, not too cold, and just the promise of snow, perhaps with a few flowers as well. Perfect. That is a great pile of books to read and enjoy. Going to a book club has led me to improved reading opportunities the past two years. Books are something to enjoy throughout our lives and your turkey pot pie inspires me to get some puff pastry and try that in my new oven :)
ReplyDeleteThe puff pastry topping is so easy! I keep hoping for a week or so of snow, but we will have to wait and see if it materializes.
DeleteWhat a treasure this post is! Your list of the three things to bring joy is well-thought. And your words and photos bring joy to us readers too.
ReplyDeleteYou have such lovely Hellebores blooming. We have some snow now and have had a cold period, temperatures reaching -28 C... and in the North -42 C.
I have visited blogs, also yours, so seldom recently that I didn't know about your project of writing a book. What is it about? I'm already looking forward to ordering a copy for myself. :)
I too loved the first photo. Deep blue and orange (or amber/yellow) fit so well together and create a warm Mediterranean atmosphere.
Happy 2026!
Thank you, Sara. Those are cold temperatures, indeed! My book is a memoir of the years we lived in Ecuador. There's a link to excerpts on SubStack in the right column.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for such a lovely post reminding us of the good things in life to savour in such unsettling times:)
Yes, recognizing the many good things is good for body, mind, and soul.
DeleteThank you for your calm and reflective post. I'm just coming to the end of 'Howard's End is on the Landing ' - Susan Hill is SO well-read! It's made me look at my bookshelves too.
ReplyDeletePraying for the world and the people in power is something we can all do, as well as praying for the people caught up in their cold calculating machinations.
Hill's varied reading was a challenge to me! Prayer is essential in these days.
DeleteI'm glad when you say you like January and the other months, too. 🧡
ReplyDeleteWe have a bit of snow in Helsinki, brightens everything up. ⛸⛄️
There's always much to enjoy, indoors and out.
I can't believe you have snowdrops this early in the year!
Wonderful climate you have ☘️
We do have a wonderful climate - the most moderate in Canada.
DeleteThis is a lovely post to start the new year. January is time for reflection and re-feathering the nest. I like your ‘three things.’
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. Re-feathering and reflection are good words for January.
DeleteI agree with your comment about greedy and power-hungry men, I sometimes fear for the world that my grandson is growing up in.
ReplyDeleteThe turkey pot pie looks delicious.
Hellebores are so pretty, I have two healthy looking buds on mine. It never ceases to amaze me how resilient plants are.
Happy New Year
I think about my grandchildren and the state of the world, too.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing the snowdrops popping up here. We currently have snow, though temperatures are due to rise over the next couple of days. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching the snow in the UK and Europe and wishing for just a bit of it around here. We will have to wait and see if any arrives.
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