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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

What I’ve Learned & Loved Lately (Fall Edition.)

December 1, 2016 by HappyGoStuckey 8 Comments

I’ve always enjoyed linking up with Emily Freeman for What We Learned. This is our first quarterly recap rather than monthly.

So let’s jump right in shall we? These range from the sentimental to the serious with a little silly mixed in there as well. (I’d love for you to stick around and tell me what you have recently learned in the comments!)

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I have discovered that it is my goal for everyone to be completely cozy– forever and ever, amen. I see this when I shop for gifts. I always choose chunky cable-knit blankets and soft wooly socks and great big mugs to fill with something hot to drink. Cozy is my love language and I want that for everyone else as well. I think I have the need to nurture.

Fall is my heart’s most favorite season. I truly love Thanksgiving and all the cozy (see above) that comes as part of the lovely, weather-changing, territory. Autumn is always a mix of being content right where I am and a tad of past-homesickness.

I know that making a home, building it from the inside out, is a gentle process and not one that can be rushed. I also know it doesn’t come easily for all of us. I wrote more about that here: Brown Sugar Lattes & Finding Home.

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Audible is a life-saver. At the beginning of the summer, I began re-reading through the Harry Potter series, one right after the other. I soon realized how many pages (3,407 to be exact,) that was, so I signed up for the free audible trial. Well, I finished the series in a few months but I cannot seem to release my audio book membership. Audible allows me to ‘read’ while I clean, exercise, drive, cook or whatever– and I’m zooming through great books which is nice.

When I’m not in a podcast mood, being told a great story by a captivating narrator is just my cup of tea. I’m not certain we ever outgrow the need to be read to. (P.S. Jim Dale is the most excellent narrator of the Harry Potter series. Trust me.) Audible has a current offer where you get TWO free audio books instead of one.

Sometimes silence truly is golden; other times we need only listen a bit louder. I am a slow processor. Sloths at the DMV in Zootopia- slow. There have been many moments in the last three months that I have found myself with very few helpful words about the world around me. At times I fought back the urge to say something just to avoid being silent. It is noble to be able to offer words that heal, but it is not less than to simply be a good listener. We could all do with a bit more full-faced listening, I believe. Good listening leads to better understanding.

I finished my first E-book and I didn’t die. Simmer: Six Seasonal Soups & the Stories that Inspired them is one of my favorite parts of this Fall. It is the happy result of many a roux in the sweltering Georgia summer, but I’m jazzed to be able to give it to you.

My lessons learned range from the technical to the downright heart-wrenching. But may I just share one with you? If you’re holding onto something, consider opening your hands– offer it up freely.

If you’ve always had the deep desire to do that thing, whatever it is— to go on that mission trip, start that creative business, adopt that baby whose face you’ve never seen but you see clearly in your heart– whatever it is. Don’t wait to be asked by anyone but God. Start taking steps to give it away, that part of yourself that keeps popping up. Because that thing? It was carved on your soul for a reason. Don’t wait too long, dear friend.

I’d love to tell you more and gift you with a copy here.

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What I’m Watching: 

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, because of course. I still have the final season/ episode to go and I’m dragging it out. I have thoughts, but I’m keeping them to my little self for now.

Poldark. Have you watched this on PBS? If so, we need to chat. Right now it’s causing me all kinds of emotional trauma.

What I’m Reading: 

A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay (perhaps my favorite Reay book yet.)

The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson (The Wingfeather Saga)

Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

She Reads Truth Advent 2016: Christ was Born for This– (You may subscribe online and have the daily devotions sent to your email.)

Just Finished:

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling (We also need to discuss this one. Big time.) As well as books 1-7, WHEW!

A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens

What I’m Cooking in the Blue House Kitchen: 

This Green Salad with Apples and Cider Vinaigrette. Add grilled chicken or leftover Thanksgiving turkey and boom! It’s been my new favorite lunch.

This simple, Paleo Chicken Salad. Quick to throw together with a Rotisserie Chicken and a cup of salad greens.

 

I’d love to hear what you are loving & learning lately. Or, head on over to Emily’s place and see what others have learned.

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Brown Sugar Lattes and Finding Home
Friday Round Up (only the good stuff!)

Comments

  1. Erika Patterson says

    December 1, 2016 at 11:43 am

    I was also inspired by Emily and posted this in our Momma’s Facebook group today:
    5 Things I’ve learned this Fall:

    1. Peppermint mocha soothes my soul and fuels my heart. Also fudge. And chocolate covered Oreos. Pumpkin spice was a bit disappointing this year.

    2. Love and truth are so much better together. Love without truth is barely love at all, and truth without love is harsh. Love and truth together are a beautiful balance and no matter what I say or do, I want to make sure that love and truth are the stand-out features!

    3. I can no longer function in 100+ degree weather. I feel like a whole new person now that the temps are dropping! Bring on the cooler weather!

    4. “Beware the pretty words” – over and over God has flashed these words across my mind and heart like a theater marquee. There are a lot of bloggers, speakers and authors out there putting out a lot of opinions that sound great on the surface – but underneath that glossy exterior, those words are harmful lies. Love and truth. Truth and love. Don’t be deceived by opinions dressed up with catchy slogans, pastel flowers and a large fan-base.

    5. I like running. And I missed running – a lot. Feels good to be getting back in it, even if it’s hard and slow and frustrating at first. Running is “my thing” and I just felt incomplete when I had to give it up for a while. And no – I’m not some superstar track athlete – I just enjoy a nice, slow jog. smile emoticon

    What I’m watching: When Calls the Heart. And yes, I’m making my husband watch it. He doesn’t hate it as much as he pretends to hate it.

    What I’m reading: Lady Moon by Rachel Starr Thomson.
    Anxiously awaiting the releases of The Returning by Rachelle Dekker and Love Unending by Becky Thompson.

    What I’m cooking: Hot chocolate truffles and chocolate covered Oreos.

    Reply
    • HappyGoStuckey says

      December 2, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      This is so great, Erika!!
      Thank you for sharing all your thoughts. Yes to the Love + Truth. Also, I whole-heartedly agree with the cooler temperatures. It makes all the difference!
      And I seriously need to know what magical goodness is a hot chocolate truffle?

      Reply
  2. Faith Raider says

    December 1, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    I love that you included what you are cooking in your roundup!! And I LOVE your end of the month/end of the season round-ups. I feel like we are kindred spirits out here on the big wide world of the internet and I always love to hear what you have been up to.
    I finally did one of these posts too and my “what I watched” section was embarrassingly long!
    My “what i learned” big lesson was this: you can’t choose what season you’re in. I had hoped that this month would be more productive (we need to chat about your ebook!! I need advice about how to release mine.) but it wasn’t. I had wanted this to be a harvesting season but I’m still sowing, still tending to the roots of things, still waiting on the timing to be right I guess… still waiting on God.

    Reply
    • HappyGoStuckey says

      December 2, 2016 at 3:44 pm

      Ooh, I can’t wait to hop over and read your post as well, Faith.
      I would love to chat about ebook things and just things in general.

      And friend, know that when you keep sowing for longer than you expected, good things are growing down there. I just love your heart and hope to see you soon!

      Reply
  3. Megan says

    December 1, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    I live in Florida. I have never seen what I call a “real fall”. Since florida doesn’t have changing colors. I am glad you get to enjoy it.

    Reply
    • HappyGoStuckey says

      December 2, 2016 at 3:32 pm

      Hey Megan! I completely understand. I grew up in Florida and have only experienced a true Fall for the last few years.

      Reply
  4. Susan Arico says

    December 6, 2016 at 5:47 am

    Enjoyed this! So thought I’d leave a quick note to say I like what you do here and how you do it. Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
    • HappyGoStuckey says

      December 6, 2016 at 8:52 pm

      Hey Susan! Glad to see you my fellow HopeWriter. Thank you for your kind words– I’m so thankful for our little group full of inspiration and encouragement!
      Love,
      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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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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Whatever looks slow and unmoving, with change almost too gradual to detect— is still very much in a pattern of forward transformation.

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