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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

What I Learned & Loved this Summer

August 14, 2016 by HappyGoStuckey 10 Comments

what i learned this summer

What I Learned:

This summer, in the midst of the long pool days and the front porch nights, I read ALOT. As in, more books than I usually read in 6 months.  I’ve consumed a mostly-fiction diet these last few months and mainly stuck with good, solid stories I knew wouldn’t let me down– and through them all I have learned a glaring truth.

Good literature is substantial and never in a hurry. Good stories are luxurious. 

Not one time all summer did I wish the author would hurry through her words. I enjoyed the long road of story-telling and story-receiving we were on together.

I think that in the very best books, there is an ever-present sense of the author’s love for the characters and excitement for us as we discover them. Truly, as you read the best stories you find that the author has taken their time and not just in the merciless editing process; but also in the loving discovery of who the characters are. What they want to tell us through their story. In this world of quick online publishing, immediate gratification, and sudden approval or disapproval– I LOVE that someone has written this “for me” over many months and years, in solitude.

And it teaches me things about my own writing.
It truly makes me wonder why we must always make things for immediate sharing, publishing, and production.
I think we need to screw up in solitude a whole lot more.
I think we need to write more that no one ever sees so that what we do offer the world, is our very best.
Not for them– but for us and for the One who made us, Who created us to create.

Anyway. I’m okay with not having all the answers. But I’m thinking about it. And listening. And reading whatever is good, and becoming comfortable with myself when I decide to put down a book I’m not loving.

What I’m Loving Lately:

  1. These square prints from Parabo Press. I love being pleasantly surprised when I try a new company, and my recent interaction with Parabo Press was a delight. I had a coupon to try a set of 25 square prints for free, and I ordered a bunch of pictures from our past Disney trips. I’m planning to make a banner out of them to hang in the girls’ room. The paper is lush and thick and the packaging was so fun. If you would like a set for yourself, use this referral coupon: CBZJJD and you will pay only shipping on a set of 25 4inch prints! (Note: I upgraded to the 5 inch prints and paid a few dollars, but the 4 inch prints are free.) 
  2. This sautéed corn recipe which I shared on Instagram last week. The basil is coming in like gangbusters around our little Blue House garden!
  3. No longer being in my first year of homeschooling or my first year of teaching literature. It feels good to have struggled with all the new for an entire year and to have come away learning a few things. For most of last year, I struggled with one or more portions of our new normal. This year, it feels broken in like that sweatshirt from college. I like broken in. On to different challenges and to making new mistakes. (but maybe not as many?)

 

Your turn! What did you learn & love this summer?

Want to see what others learned this summer? I’m linking up with Emily Freeman to share what we learned— Would love to have you there!

On Stepping Back & Letting Go
Mid-Week Round Up (only the good stuff!)

Comments

  1. 1

    Linda Stoll says

    August 15, 2016 at 9:52 am

    Hey Neighbor … yep, good stories are luxurious. For sure.

    I just haven’t found the right one for this summer. Still looking …

    ;-}

    Reply
    • 2

      HappyGoStuckey says

      August 15, 2016 at 10:33 am

      Hey Linda! Thank you for stopping by! I actually just tried to comment on your own post, but it keeps eating my comment. 🙁 So I shall leave it here if thats ok with you! Hopefully it doesn’t pop up several times!

      “Hi Linda! In all honesty, I identify with your journey here! I’ve been on a fitness/ wellness path for more than two years and the results have been slooooow and at times, barely leaning towards improvement. It can be frustrating but any movement in the right direction is to be celebrated. Thanks for sharing your heart transparently here. –Cynthia”

      Reply
  2. 3

    Bethann says

    August 15, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    Hi Cynthia!

    Yes…love how you put it…screw up in solitude! It’s not a product but a process!!

    Reply
    • 4

      HappyGoStuckey says

      August 15, 2016 at 1:46 pm

      Hey Bethann! Love that, process over product. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  3. 5

    melissa says

    August 15, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    I would love to hear what your favorite books were from this summer! Enjoyed your blog today, and that corn looks so delicious.

    Also, lovely photos!

    Reply
    • 6

      HappyGoStuckey says

      August 18, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Thank you Melissa!
      Ok, so… I started the summer with What Alice Forgot, because after I read “Where’d You Go Bernadette” someone recommended Alice. I enjoyed it, perhaps more than Bernadette. But the end of Alice had me on pins and needles so then I picked up an old favorite– the Harry Potter series. Because when all else fails, I know those books will be happy and substantial. 🙂 So I read books 1-4.

      I also dabbled a little with Anne of Avonlea but then decided to start over with Anne of Green Gables first because it’s been a long time.
      And The Lake House– have you heard of that one? I actually haven’t finished it yet but I’m completely hooked.
      I have “All the Light We Cannot See” on my stack but haven’t gotten to it yet.
      Thank you for asking! <3

      Reply
  4. 7

    Lauren says

    August 16, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    That corn looks so good! I’ve read some good novels lately too, just not as many as you. I usually fall asleep five pages in, but I kind of like the slow pace as it has allowed me to really soak up the author’s work. And, yes, more writing in solitude. I’ve been forced to do this over the past few months with young ones at home all day, and it’s been GOOD. Thanks for sharing your lessons!

    Reply
    • 8

      HappyGoStuckey says

      August 18, 2016 at 11:27 am

      Haha! Oh yes. I’m a habitual one page before I fall asleep girl.
      Last year, we transitioned to both kiddos in preschool/ half day K5 to homeschooling– so I get the having littles at home thing. It’s a constant search for stolen moments to write, but I never regret when I do. What have you read lately? I love to hear new recommendations!
      Thanks for stopping by, Lauren!
      –Cynthia

      Reply
  5. 9

    Aimee Kollmansberger says

    August 17, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Found your blog through Emily’s link-up and can’t wait to peek around more! Love your insights on writing slow.

    Reply
    • 10

      HappyGoStuckey says

      August 18, 2016 at 11:13 am

      Hi Aimee! Glad to meet you. I peeked at your site too, and can I just say– we must be soul sisters, because our fern studded porches are very much the same! And I really like the name, Middle Mercies– lovely.
      Happy to find you and thanks for saying hello! –Cynthia

      Reply

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Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

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happygostuckey

Instagram post 2191701631330368631_396980240 This year, the 🍋lemon tree🌿 gave fewer lemons than normal. I asked my Dad and he confirmed, just a slow year.

So we picked (still armfuls,) and I’ll love every one.
If you read #feastingandforaging (have I mentioned I wrote a book? Gosh, that is never not awkward.😅) If you read it, then you know how special this tree is to me.

Again this year, I’m reminded all over again that our sweetest gifts are sometimes cloaked in harder things. Often our ‘unexpected ugh’ makes way for what we truly need.

And I just want you to know that if this December is already more than you wanted or less than you hoped, if you’re sitting at the end of a very long year— take courage.
Take peace.
Take hope and as you pass around the gift of the Advent to those beside you, don’t forget to also take some for yourself.

Don’t forget to remember that the Hope of this season (and every other,) cannot be squelched by sickness, pain, or the general ugh of life in a broken world.

We have this Hope and it is one that won’t be diminished by anything that could land in our laps today.
#prepareHimroom
Instagram post 2191016735687527448_396980240 Sometimes I think I could live in New York but I’m low-key afraid I might eat bagels every day. 🥯🍎☕️ (TB to October when @friar_stuck and I took our Pio Bagels to @devocionusa and pretended we were regulars.) ✨What city would you love to live in if it didn’t mean leaving where you are?✨
Instagram post 2189510127085979732_396980240 Home sweet merry little home.🎄This December will be busier than most for our family, so I’m treasuring every single slow moment we are gifted. Starting today with homemade lattes and little white lights.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
Instagram post 2187513959237917323_396980240 We can all agree the point of the charcuterie platter is to get as many family members into one room at once, right? The cheese is just a bonus. {yes, second charcuterie pic this week. Because holidays. And family. And the sweet full feeling that comes not from eating too much pie, but seeing almost all of your entire family in one day.} ❤️🦃 Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. 
#feastingandforaging #charcuterieboard #f52byyou #allthecheese #gratefulforhome #savourtheseasonalshift #simplethingsmadebeautiful #merrymerrystuckeys #almondavenuecrew
Instagram post 2185903851697559572_396980240 🍁Maybe she’s born with it.
Maybe it’s Maple Leaves.🍁 I know that when the clock strikes midnight on Thursday, everyone switches to Christmas— but I’m probably going to be here with leaf spam for just a bit longer... 😏
Instagram post 2183058239117455684_396980240 ✨In a world where you can be anything, be the one who volunteers to bring charcuterie. ✨
🧀🥖🍇🌿
Bonus points if your flannel shirt- wearing husband can hold said charcuterie while you take a million photos of cheese in the golden hour.

#feastingandforaging #charcuterieboard #thanksgivingdinner #onthetable #f52byyou #foodie #savourtheseasonalshift #simplethingsmadebeautiful #chasethelight #bluehousekitchen #merrymerrystuckeys #gratefuldays #cheeseboard #gratefulforhome #iwentlookingforbeauty #ofsimplethings
Instagram post 2181659993774021605_396980240 You’re Kale-ing me, smalls.

Listen. Kale is that self-righteous leafy green that everyone feels like they should eat, meanwhile many of us are secretly not enjoying it and I just need to say— yes, but... have you massaged your kale?

No, don’t go. I promise this is not a joke. Kale is packed with vitamins, but it’s kind of bitter and grass-clipping-like. However. 3-5 minutes of prep work and it’s downright tasty. Here’s my three step process—

Remove the stems and rip your kale in large bite sized pieces.
Add it to a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. 
Massage it. Really. With your hands. For 3-4 minutes. The kale will darken in color and will release that bitter smell.

And... you’re done. Now build your kale salad with the total certainty that you won’t get tired of chewing before the end of your meal. 
Pictured: Kale Caesar Salad with Ten Minute Croutons from #feastingandforaging 🥖🌿
Instagram post 2179451951070532163_396980240 Another fall.
Here in this city we love.
Here in this BlueHouse where we’ve learned to mark our days in falling leaves & saturday morning pancakes.

I’m not sure where you are and how you feel about tomorrow, or next month even. But before the weekend wears the clothes of Monday preparation, here is your friendly reminder—

Even if the future is obscured by foggy uncertainty, the present can still be shimmering with lovely. 
#feastingandforaging #hopewriters #hopelenses #simplethingsmadebeautiful #savourtheseasonalshift #daysofsmallthings #ofsimplethings #beallthere #weareplacemakers 
#nothingisordinary #lifegivinghome #learntolovewhatmustbedone #chasinglight #everydayfaithfulness #gratefulforhome
Instagram post 2175841201919747949_396980240 There is nothing like a blustery, drizzly day to remind you of all the reasons why November is lovely in all its getting-dark-early glory. ✨
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