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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

What I Learned in January

January 29, 2016 by HappyGoStuckey 4 Comments

Ahh, January. You are a month of fresh starts and new planner pages. You move us from seasons of travel and busy to normal everyday rhythms. I learned a few things, tried a few things, and now.. I’m ready for what’s next. Let’s jump in, and I’d love to hear what you learned this month in the comments! 

Copy of books-3

 

1. I am a Dickens person (and not just Charles.) In January, we were given the most beautiful little gentleman of a black labrador puppy and oh my goodness. I am not sure I can resist admitting that I love his fluffy self any longer. He has gained 13 lbs. in the last month and has no idea how adorably clumsy his massive paws make him. We have certainly had our moments. Like the mornings I’ve found myself standing in the front yard, bundled up like Clark Griswold in his attic– waiting on him to.. do his thing, when I very much wanted to be inside clutching a massive cup of coffee on the couch. I’ve resisted filling my instagram feed with pup photos and some hashtag Dickens of Instagram nonsense– but believe me, I’ve come close.

2. Snow makes me feel seven again. Last Saturday we had the first snow of the year and Oh, the joy it brought to our day. The girls had been hoping for snow all week and early that morning, I heard their delighted squeals ring out when they peeped through the blinds in their room. Watching them run through the yard and catch snowflakes as they fell was the best possible winter morning. I mentioned on Instagram how close it made me feel to being seven again and experiencing my first and only childhood snow in Florida, which was basically a miracle.

3. Voxer is my jam. Voxer has brought me a special connectedness to a few friends very far away. AND, bonus. I never have to worry if I’m calling at the wrong time. I love being able to leave messages and pick up conversations where we left off. If you’re on voxer- I’d love to know!

4. Not having cable isn’t so bad! Apparently very few people in my circle of life still have regular cable and I found this out when I asked about other options on Facebook. Who knew?!  We finally cut the cord this month and it’s been ok. Having Netflix and Amazon Prime has helped ease the blow. And BONUS. We’re reading more, which is fantastic.

January lessons

BOOKS.

  • The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay is the third novel of hers I have read. I refused to finish it for weeks and would only read a chapter at a time. I loved that Lucy, the heroine in this story came with the stuff of being human. She runs from her poor choices for awhile but ultimately finds herself right back where she began but with a completely different trajectory. I loved it. I’ve raved about her writing before– but Katherine Reay is a definite favorite. Who is hopefully writing another book as we speak… and another after that, and another.
  • The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien. I know, a classic! I read this in my own 7th grade English class and I’m now reading it again with my 8th grade Literature students. I am truly discovering it again as an adult and a teacher. I love what C.S. Lewis said about

WHAT I’M INTO.

  • Kale in non-horrible tasting forms. This Tropi-Kale Smoothie from Sally’s Baking Addiction is currently our cup of tea. It is not bitter, and when we use frozen pineapple and fresh bananas it’s a inexpensive way to get greens in our kiddos and ourselves. Also on my list of non-gag-inducing kale dishes? A Kale Caesar Salad. Yum.
  • Hope*Writers. Hope*Writers is exactly what I needed at this stage in my writing journey. It is lovely blend of technical helps and care for the soul of the creative. On different days, I need different things as a writer. Sometimes I need a kick in the marketing pants. Sometimes I need a hug. Hope*Writers gives me both. Interested? Come Join us! 
Why A Few Crazy Moments Do Not Equal a Crazy Mom.
Why Remembrance Matters

Comments

  1. Mindy says

    January 29, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    I keep wondering about life without cable (well, actually satellite because cable is not available where we live…). I do have Amazon that think that would help for sure coupled with Hulu or Netflix. I also love kale in salads, veggie dishes etc. I grow it in the garden when possible but since that is not possible with our winters I just bought a large bunch last week. I signed up for the Hope Writers webinar but due to technical issues (on MY end) I missed the first session but they so wonderfully sent a link for a replay! So anxious to check it out.

    Reply
  2. April Box says

    January 30, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    Hello! I’m April, your “neighbor” link up on Emily Freeman’s recent post. Also a Hope*writer 🙂 I will definitely check out your book recommendation, ‘The Bronte Plot’. It sounds interesting! And I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read ‘The Hobbit’ and just looked at it today on my shelf to consider reading. (bought it and never read it…..yet!).
    You also do a great job with your pictures. Keep writing!

    Reply
  3. bakerlinda54 says

    February 1, 2016 at 11:18 am

    I’ve enjoyed catching up a bit with your blog this morning! Love what you learned in January, and all your posts for that matter! I do hope you get published…you truly have a gift with the way you write, and many others need an opportunity to hear from you. Still struggling with kale here…may have to try that smoothie!

    Reply
    • HappyGoStuckey says

      February 6, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      Hi, Linda! I always love to see you here! Thank you for your thoughtful encouragement~ it means so much to have you read my words and be able to keep in touch!

      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.

What cookie makes you feel eight years old again?
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The landscape outside your window TODAY can feel like it’s your landscape forever but it’s actually not.

If the view from where you stand looks rather bleak and not at all how you hoped, can I remind you to look up? 

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.

But I do love home— and am happy to spend the second half of the day right here with this book which I’m truly enjoying. 📚❤️
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
2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Mu 2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Much of which we are happily taking with us into 2022.🥂

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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2021 has been full of new things— but I’m grateful we have walked through them together and in God’s sovereign hand. 

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Happy Christmas Eve, friends— especially all you midnight merry makers! Hope you find all the stocking stuffers you hid.🙈
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Truth be told, my grandma always used the jarred mincemeat and I wasn’t a fan as a child. Only last year did Lance and my Mom collaborate in the kitchen to try out homemade mincemeat filling and let me just say, we are never quitting these! 😍

The filling we use is from @bonappetitmag and it’s really good. It’s a gorgeous blend of apples, dried fruits (cherries, apricots, sultanas, figs, currants) with apple cider, spices, and a few other things. No meat, though.

Happy Christmas from the Jolly Old Stuckeys! 🇬🇧🎄❤️
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