Updated with new books on November 1, 2023! 🎉 Affiliate links are used in this post. “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” – How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss Ahh, Christmas books. Their words have shaped our families, our culture, and our hearts over many generations. Old and new, great holiday books have a way of illuminating the…
I heard the bells on Christmas DayTheir old, familiar carols play,And wild and sweetThe words repeatOf peace on earth, goodwill to men!– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Friends, it’s a bittersweet month. I knew it would be. I miss dad of course – he loved Christmas. He loved Handel’s “Messiah.” He loved just being together. December also holds treasured experiences I’ve known for over a quarter of my life with Cultivate. I miss the rhythms I’ve known for 10+ years: helping you…
Grief is hard, friends! (I know, not your typical way to start a Gift Guide!) Well, it is. I don’t have lovely words to share about it, just what’s true: grief is hard and it hits me out of nowhere when I think I feel perfectly fine. But, as the song say, I get by with a little help from my friends. 🙂 Many friends have sent meaningful gifts in this season, a few of which I shared in my…
Our twilight month November is,The evening of the year.The brilliant summer noontide leftA pallor soft and clear.Dame Winter brings with quiet graceHer curtains all of snow,And pins them deftly into placeWith boughs of mistletoe.– Ruby Archer Hello, November. Hello, brilliant leaves. Hello, change. Hello, healing. October was good for the soul: we finished our fall garden planting, took a trip to the state fair (the agriculture and livestock are our favorite parts!), watched the leaves turn, and had our first-ever…
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables The turning of each month gives us the chance to reflect and be renewed for what’s here and ahead. Last month was … I’m not sure I have the words. We buried my dad last month and I miss his positive spirit every day. There are many moments I have the instinct to call him, and then I remember. I look back…