January's Letter 2025
Stockings, guest flowers, and cotton bows
Happy New Year! Thank you all for being here. For following, reading, sharing these words and images I put down on these pages every week. And for the kind words you send my way in comments and by email. I appreciate you so very much! I’m looking forward to sharing 2025 with you!
As you know, January is a month that I take away from my usual posting schedule here. A quiet month in deep winter that I cherish so much, to rest, listen, and realign. I encourage you to do something similar, even the slightest adjustment to carve out an hour or two a week, just for yourself to reset for the coming year. I’ll see you back here with February’s letter!
Xx,
Carmella
Monday - At the grey edge of morning, I look out the window and see the neighborhood flock of wild turkeys running across the pasture, single file. Running, like their tail feathers are on fire. It’s the same every morning, this frantic dash across the pasture. Always late for their turkey work.
Tuesday - Two texts from him in the early dark: “Morna ❤️” (always, every single day he’s away, there’s a Morna ❤️ when I wake). Then, this song. And I sit there with my cup of tea and cry.
Wednesday - On a whim, I decide to sew new stockings. By bedtime, seven are cut out and waiting at the sewing machine. The fabric is needled cotton batting. Why had I never noticed how soft and beautifully textured needled cotton is? It mustn’t always be hidden away between two layers of fabric, I decide.
Thursday - I gather all the natural bits I’ve saved, and, in the long light of evening, I fill the two clay pots on the front porch steps with holiday greenery. Fir, cedar, and juniper, dried chokecherry branches with the berries still hanging, a few hydrangea heads, and finally, a shock of grass (swiped from this pot). The holiday decorating is complete. (No, Maggie Mae. No, you can’t pull everything out of the pots!)
Friday - Into a small amber bottle, I decant the dark, deeply scented liquid that’s been extracting in the dark of my pantry. I screw the cap tight. On a round label, I write, Pure Vanilla Extract, then adhere it to the bottle. I tuck it into Grace’s stocking. (And how fun it is to have a girl’s stocking to fill!)
Saturday - The little house is ready. Candles flicker in the windows, gifts are wrapped and piled under the tree.* Vintage records await a spin on the record player. The larder and pantry are bursting. Upstairs, the beds are made, the lamps are lit, and there’s a wee bundle of dried roses (from this pot) on the guest bed nightstand. Let’s have Christmas.
*I went with last minute inspiration to wrap the gifts in the brown wrapping paper only, tied with simple white cotton bows, and with the recipient’s name written on the paper in white pencil. Here’s permission to do something different than what you’d planned.
Moments Lately
Reading Lately
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. As December dwindles, my mind reaches for January and its quiet ways and quiet days. For time to listen, reflect, restore, renew, realign. The best book I could possibly recommend for January is this one.
Eating Lately
The week before family comes home, I cook, bake, make ahead. Prepare now, so I can be present then. So, I’ve made pumpkin muffins, and I’ve braised a brisket all night. I’ve prepped the meat for candied pork. I’ve made lefse, and bar nuts, and I’ve dried nine apples. I’ve made a pot of chili with lots of beef, lots of onions, and lots of green chilies. And I’ve made ham and Swiss roulades.
Oh, do make Ham & Swiss Roulades!
On our ski day this week, these will be packed for lunch, along with a thermos of hot potato soup. We’ll pour the soup into tin mugs from the get-way kit, then brew fresh cups of coffee and tea before heading back to the slopes.
Favorites Lately
For lighting the dark places (where an outlet isn’t handy)
For offering a comfy seat (that can be folded and tucked away, too)
For a blissful few minutes in an inspiring woman’s life (from the creator of Rudy Jude)
For the knitting project (or market day, or library day, or…)
For the pickle lover (Incredibly good! Look for them in a local shop)
Thank you for a lovely start to 2025.
Thank you for seeing the joy and beauty in simple every day things and putting it to words that create images for the reader. You teach us all how and where to find joy, rest, love, and beauty. I also appreciate your vulnerability with the tender things of the heart and love that is shown in your relationships with your husband and kids. Many continued blessings to you and Happy New Year!