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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Friday Round Up: Only the Good Stuff!

November 11, 2016 by HappyGoStuckey 4 Comments

“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.” — J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 

Just when I was losing patience with the warmth of Fall in Georgia, we crunch on leaves and acorns alike. Hallelujah, it is finally Fall! Granted, our afternoons are still a bit balmy, but that just means we can enjoy that perfect Iced Coffee a little longer, right?

There are so many things to love about Autumn, and I plan to enjoy every last one, cliche or not. (Except the PSL, I confess I am no longer a fan of sweet coffee. I know, sad. I truly love the taste of strong black coffee, even though it is pretty much the khaki pants of the coffee shop menu.)

img_0933Last month we made our third annual pilgrimage to the Blue Ridge Mountains for brisk air and heaps of fresh apples and it did not disappoint. Seventeen members of our family packed into a large cabin with creaky floors and space to rest. For three sublime days we enjoyed big breakfasts, massive cups of coffee, and apple picking in flannel shirts. Nothing brings a deep sigh like the mountains. I may however, have gone a little overboard on the pumpkins, apples, and squashes. As in, our girls don’t even ask what kind of fruit we have anymore, they know– it’s apples. Apples for weeks.

Before we jump in, thank you to all who entered the Simmering in the Kitchen Giveaway. Laura B. was the winner and has been notified. We should do that again sometime, it was fun! 

fridayroundupThis weeks’ good stuff is a hodgepodge of wonderful.

1. The writings of Christine Willard, whom I found when I heard her husband, Timothy Willard speak at Allume a couple of years ago. They both have a rare lyrical way with words which draw me in every time. These are two people who hold both the beauty and pain of life in this world with gentle, reverent hands and it springs forth with a clear picture of just how deep their art goes. Writing like that draws me deeper, to know God more fully and to know what it is He has called me to do.

2. My new favorite Instagram feed: @LifeCreative. A “faith-based community of creatives who passionately blend home, art, and family,” Life Creative is a sunny spot I currently frequent. We all need to be reminded that though mothering and creating can be a tricky juggling act, it is entirely doable. I’m certain you will find a bit of beauty there.

3. The Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach Podcast. Seriously, where has this been all my life? They are short (usually under ten minutes) segments which is a perfect jumpstart to writing time.

4. The #Shoeboxrecipienttakeover hashtag on Twitter. I simply adore the mission and ministry of Operation Christmas Child and all that they do to share love and hope through the OCC boxes each year. If you need to be reminded that these boxes are going to actual faces, check out the fun little party over on twitter featuring stories from past recipients. Also, find some fresh ideas for packing your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox here.

5. Betrayal Hurts and That’s Okay by Caitlin Lieder–  I regularly enjoy the words this dear one writes and this piece on forgiveness and betrayal is no different.

“…forgiveness doesn’t mean trust or reconciliation… it means sacrifice. When I forgive this person, I sacrifice my own desire for compensation and justification. Her sin against me has already been justified on the cross and I cannot hold it over her.”

Friends, I hope you have a refreshing weekend heavy on all that is life-giving and free of anything too soul-sucking, (ahem Facebook, I’m looking at you.)

I would love to hear what your favorite finds were this week!

Did you get your free copy of Simmer: Six Seasonal Soups & the Stories that Inspired them, yet? Get it here!

Simmering in the Kitchen: A Giveaway
Brown Sugar Lattes and Finding Home

Comments

  1. Renee says

    November 11, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Thank you, Cynthia. We have apples upon apples at our home too. Just yesterday, my pastor’s wife was telling me about this couple in our church whom she thought I’d like to meet – Timothy and Christine Willard. Thank you for sending me to their sites, along with introducing me to @lifecreative and Ann Kroeker. I enjoyed chatting with you for a bit last week. Your writing and your site serve as encouraging examples for me as I try to find my writing way ❤

    Reply
    • HappyGoStuckey says

      November 14, 2016 at 12:30 pm

      Hi Renee, It was so great to see you again last week.
      And I’m glad you said hello here because I forgot to send you that resource from Denise Hughes! http://denisejhughes.com/passport-to-prose/ This has given me several great tools.

      Oh and how neat that the Willards are in your neck of the woods. I’m sure they would love to meet you.

      Reply
  2. Ann Kroeker says

    November 11, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    I’m so happy to be included as part of the good stuff you’ve rounded up–and to know that you and I are connecting on the subject of writing! I hope your writing life flourishes, Cynthia, as you gather and encourage people in this space.

    Reply
    • HappyGoStuckey says

      November 11, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      Of course, Ann! So happy to have found your helpful words, thank you for the encouragement and for stopping by to say hello.

      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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My grandma used to make these and serve them to me on a pink plate with a small glass of sprite with ice. At 39, I now realize two things— 1. She would have adored my husband and 2. these cookies go best with coffee or tea.

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These trees in my own backyard, captured this morning, last March, and last August, will continue changing in their own rhythmic way whether I’m watching them or not. There’s a comfort in that for me today— and perhaps for you.

Whatever looks slow and unmoving, with change almost too gradual to detect— is still very much in a pattern of forward transformation.

And these quiet days in the midst of our January-ness— we can be reminded that growth never really stops, especially in the hidden places.

#wonderfortheweary #feastingandforaging #bluehousebackyard
Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kett Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kettle for more tea.

This is the first complete weekend that we’ve been home since Thanksgiving. 😳 It sounds awful, especially for this homebody, but really what it means is, we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, attended one beautiful family wedding (Hey, Shelby! 👋🏻❤️) one 90th Birthday party for our beloved Granny, and had a family trip. They were all such sparkly gifts. Ones I don’t take for granted and so very different from last year.

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The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me t The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me to tell you three V. important things. 1. After years of having one pub and no church, they are *finally* getting a church tomorrow, thanks to FB marketplace. And all the people said, “Amen & Huzzah.” 2. We’re still keeping Christmas over here — Though we’re slowly bending towards back to normal. The tree still lives and we’re celebrating the tenth day of Christmas with a fire & coziness before we pull out the pencils tomorrow. And finally, 3. Everyday Affogato. You might need this tiny pick me-up in your life. One shot of hot espresso poured over a tiny serving of vanilla ice cream. Please and Thank you.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
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Nine squares is not sufficient to reflect the ways we’ve grown and changed, but it is a glimpse of the graces of the year behind us.

Not pictured: waking up to find our children taller and suddenly at our eye level, new laugh lines on our faces, sweltering pool days, fireplace dinners, Marco Polo chats with friends, family weddings & visits, mountain air breathed, books read, new jobs begun, school days, approximately 52 pizza nights, new rhythms & schedules, house repairs, car issues, and God always before us, behind us and within us. Soli deo Gloria. #thebestisyettocome
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave t On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 🍦Four Honeymoon milkshakes from the Dreamette. We’re going out with a bang, at the spot where their Grandparents grew up eating their ice cream. It’s absolutely the GOAT.
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Happy Christmas from the Jolly Old Stuckeys! 🇬🇧🎄❤️
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