When we think of the holiday season, we picture twinkling lights, packed calendars, cheerful chaos, and the comforting traditions that make winter feel warm. Unfortunately, another seasonal guest tends to arrive right on schedule and it's far less welcome! FLU SEASON often peaks just as Christmas plans ramp up, quietly disrupting families, communities, and especially those who can least afford the interruption.
There's something about winter that feels like a collective sigh. The world quiets, daylight softens and fades quicker, and suddenly the pressue to be constantly doing loses it's grip. Winter isn't loud or demanding, it gently invites us inward, toward warmth, rest, and stories. For me, it has additional benefits. No snakes, no ticks, no BUGS and most of the "critters" that annoy us and cause issues all spring, summer, and fall, are also enjoying the rest and quiet, hibernating. Living in the woods is beautiful year-round, but it also comes with things that I could live without. So when the snow makes everything clean and bright, I'm not really that bothered by it. It's not like we have to drive to work! Alexa tells us every morning that our commute looks good via Hyde Lake Road!
People always talk about the magic of Christmas like it's something that sparkles in the air--something you can almost touch if you believe hard enough. The lights, the music, the snow (if you're lucky), and that warm feeling you're supposed to get when you look around and see joy everywhere. But what is Christmas magic really? If I'm being honest, I don't remember it anymore. Or maybe I've just forgotten what it feels like.
A Love Affair With The Unknown
There's something magical about the countdown to Christmas -- cozy evenings, the scent of pine and cinnamon, and the small daily joys that lead up to the big day. What better way to mark the season than with stories?
The Cozy Magic of Jólabókaflóð: Finding Comfort in Simplicity This Christmas
Lately, I've been thinking about how Christmas used to feel...slower, simpler, and less complicated. This year, with so many people facing layoffs, higher prices, and cutbacks in assistance, the season of giving looks a little different. The usual spark of the holidays is dimmed by economic uncertainty. For many families, the focus has shifted from finding the perfect gift to simply getting through the month...making sure there's enough for groceries, for gas, for keeping the lights on and heating their homes. And yet, maybe this is the Christmas that brings us back to what truly matters.
As a lonely little girl, I spent most of my days surrounded by the quiet comfort of my library and my church. I was allowed to walk up over the hill in our backyard and go to both places alone. I sang in the church choir on Sundays, and then on days they were open, I could be found tucked away in the stacks of books, surrounded by stories that took me where I wanted to go. When I wasn't reading stories, I was writing them. My best friends were my animals and the two older librarians, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Rose, who took me under their wings and taught me the ways of the library. My dad taught me about reading, and my church taught me about music and love. Through every chapter I read and every song I sang, I found pieces of who I wanted to be, even if it would take me 64 years to become her.
When we first decided to open a USED bookstore, some people didn't share our excitement. One friend, though I suppose I should say FORMER friend, told me, "You'll never make it. You can't compete with Amazon." I never said I was trying to compete with Amazon! But that's fine. Losing a friendship over a dream just showed me who was really in my corner.
When we think of the holiday season, we picture twinkling lights, packed calendars, cheerful chaos, and the comforting traditions that make winter feel warm. Unfortunately, another seasonal guest tends to arrive right on schedule and it's far less welcome! FLU SEASON often peaks just as Christmas plans ramp up, quietly disrupting families, communities, and especially those who can least afford the interruption.
There's something about winter that feels like a collective sigh. The world quiets, daylight softens and fades quicker, and suddenly the pressue to be constantly doing loses it's grip. Winter isn't loud or demanding, it gently invites us inward, toward warmth, rest, and stories. For me, it has additional benefits. No snakes, no ticks, no BUGS and most of the "critters" that annoy us and cause issues all spring, summer, and fall, are also enjoying the rest and quiet, hibernating. Living in the woods is beautiful year-round, but it also comes with things that I could live without. So when the snow makes everything clean and bright, I'm not really that bothered by it. It's not like we have to drive to work! Alexa tells us every morning that our commute looks good via Hyde Lake Road!
People always talk about the magic of Christmas like it's something that sparkles in the air--something you can almost touch if you believe hard enough. The lights, the music, the snow (if you're lucky), and that warm feeling you're supposed to get when you look around and see joy everywhere. But what is Christmas magic really? If I'm being honest, I don't remember it anymore. Or maybe I've just forgotten what it feels like.
A Love Affair With The Unknown
There's something magical about the countdown to Christmas -- cozy evenings, the scent of pine and cinnamon, and the small daily joys that lead up to the big day. What better way to mark the season than with stories?
The Cozy Magic of Jólabókaflóð: Finding Comfort in Simplicity This Christmas
Lately, I've been thinking about how Christmas used to feel...slower, simpler, and less complicated. This year, with so many people facing layoffs, higher prices, and cutbacks in assistance, the season of giving looks a little different. The usual spark of the holidays is dimmed by economic uncertainty. For many families, the focus has shifted from finding the perfect gift to simply getting through the month...making sure there's enough for groceries, for gas, for keeping the lights on and heating their homes. And yet, maybe this is the Christmas that brings us back to what truly matters.
As a lonely little girl, I spent most of my days surrounded by the quiet comfort of my library and my church. I was allowed to walk up over the hill in our backyard and go to both places alone. I sang in the church choir on Sundays, and then on days they were open, I could be found tucked away in the stacks of books, surrounded by stories that took me where I wanted to go. When I wasn't reading stories, I was writing them. My best friends were my animals and the two older librarians, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Rose, who took me under their wings and taught me the ways of the library. My dad taught me about reading, and my church taught me about music and love. Through every chapter I read and every song I sang, I found pieces of who I wanted to be, even if it would take me 64 years to become her.
When we first decided to open a USED bookstore, some people didn't share our excitement. One friend, though I suppose I should say FORMER friend, told me, "You'll never make it. You can't compete with Amazon." I never said I was trying to compete with Amazon! But that's fine. Losing a friendship over a dream just showed me who was really in my corner.
When we think of the holiday season, we picture twinkling lights, packed calendars, cheerful chaos, and the comforting traditions that make winter feel warm. Unfortunately, another seasonal guest tends to arrive right on schedule and it's far less welcome! FLU SEASON often peaks just as Christmas plans ramp up, quietly disrupting families, communities, and especially those who can least afford the interruption.
There's something about winter that feels like a collective sigh. The world quiets, daylight softens and fades quicker, and suddenly the pressue to be constantly doing loses it's grip. Winter isn't loud or demanding, it gently invites us inward, toward warmth, rest, and stories. For me, it has additional benefits. No snakes, no ticks, no BUGS and most of the "critters" that annoy us and cause issues all spring, summer, and fall, are also enjoying the rest and quiet, hibernating. Living in the woods is beautiful year-round, but it also comes with things that I could live without. So when the snow makes everything clean and bright, I'm not really that bothered by it. It's not like we have to drive to work! Alexa tells us every morning that our commute looks good via Hyde Lake Road!
People always talk about the magic of Christmas like it's something that sparkles in the air--something you can almost touch if you believe hard enough. The lights, the music, the snow (if you're lucky), and that warm feeling you're supposed to get when you look around and see joy everywhere. But what is Christmas magic really? If I'm being honest, I don't remember it anymore. Or maybe I've just forgotten what it feels like.
A Love Affair With The Unknown
There's something magical about the countdown to Christmas -- cozy evenings, the scent of pine and cinnamon, and the small daily joys that lead up to the big day. What better way to mark the season than with stories?
The Cozy Magic of Jólabókaflóð: Finding Comfort in Simplicity This Christmas
Lately, I've been thinking about how Christmas used to feel...slower, simpler, and less complicated. This year, with so many people facing layoffs, higher prices, and cutbacks in assistance, the season of giving looks a little different. The usual spark of the holidays is dimmed by economic uncertainty. For many families, the focus has shifted from finding the perfect gift to simply getting through the month...making sure there's enough for groceries, for gas, for keeping the lights on and heating their homes. And yet, maybe this is the Christmas that brings us back to what truly matters.
As a lonely little girl, I spent most of my days surrounded by the quiet comfort of my library and my church. I was allowed to walk up over the hill in our backyard and go to both places alone. I sang in the church choir on Sundays, and then on days they were open, I could be found tucked away in the stacks of books, surrounded by stories that took me where I wanted to go. When I wasn't reading stories, I was writing them. My best friends were my animals and the two older librarians, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Rose, who took me under their wings and taught me the ways of the library. My dad taught me about reading, and my church taught me about music and love. Through every chapter I read and every song I sang, I found pieces of who I wanted to be, even if it would take me 64 years to become her.
When we first decided to open a USED bookstore, some people didn't share our excitement. One friend, though I suppose I should say FORMER friend, told me, "You'll never make it. You can't compete with Amazon." I never said I was trying to compete with Amazon! But that's fine. Losing a friendship over a dream just showed me who was really in my corner.
