January 7, 2013

Found: Happy Things


These are some of the hardest days for me. These weeks when, although the days are supposedly getting longer, I feel like the sun is never far enough over the horizon and my bones are in a constant state of chill. 
To combat the dark I am on a constant search for pinpricks of light — a sprig of green, a sunny song, a hopeful laugh.

Here's a little roundup of some things I recently discovered.

BOOKS ~ This site — bookcrossing.com — where you can send your books out into the universe and track their journey. A version of the elementary school "Flat Stanley" project . . . . for grown-ups! (Thanks to Danni of Silo Hill Farm for telling me about the site.)

TV ~ This list of feel-good documentaries from PBS.

SOMETHING PRETTY ~ This dress from Mod Cloth. I don't wear dresses often, but this one is divine. Maybe I should plan a fancy Valentine's day dinner and get this dress for the occasion? Except, dang, one of my words for the year is "simplify." Buying a semi-pointless dress doesn't really work into that plan.

READING ~ This book. I'd never read it and decided it was high time.

ART ~ This french artist's blog and artwork. And this one too. There are so many talented people in the world, aren't there? 

MUSIC ~ This documentary on Tom Petty. (Again with the talent.)

HOOKY ~ For all the crochet-crazed out there — this free baby bootie pattern. I think I know what I'll be working on next!

And finally POETRY. This poem:



Winter-Time
Robert Louis Stevenson (from A Child’s Garden of Verses, 1885)



Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake.


Wishing you a happy week. 


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Oh - and don't forget to put your name in for a book drawing. I'll pick names on Wednesday (see previous post).



22 comments:

  1. Happy Monday Jenny; hope it's sunny in your part of Montana! Lovely finds, and yes, that dress would be perfect on you! Very Audreyesque! In order to simplify you may just have to go for a bun on Valentine's instead of the whole outfit. LOVE, love that baby bootie pattern too! Thanks for the link; I'm adding it to my list! Have a great week!

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    1. Hi Tracy! I like your bun idea. Glad you like the booties, I love finding free patterns. Stay warm.

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  2. Oh there is definitely something quite depressing about this time of the year. All the festivities are over and the weather is so bleak until Imbolc comes around.

    I love the dress. It really is gorgeous. Very chic. Those bootees are very cute.

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    1. Hey Ruby,
      Funny you should mention Imbolc - I hadn't heard of it before and just read something on it today in a Waldorf education book I have. I love the idea of celebrating the lengthening days. I'd be interested to hear about how your celebrate - if you do.

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  3. Thank you including this poem - I have re-read it several times. It is perfect for January xo

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  4. Jenny, thanks for the interesting links! ...and the poem I really enjoyed reading. Your book interests beg me to read them as do the books I am hoarding on my bookshelves. After five years of owning a new/used bookstore in NY we managed to leave most of the books in the store....but then bought a book here and one there and...oh my [but that mystery you are giving away...sooo tempting :)]
    Wishing you a Bright New Year filled with Love and Light xx from Gracie

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    1. I didn't know you owned a bookstore! I have nagging dreams of owning one of my own someday . . . If I ever get serious I'll have you give me some tips and bookish advice.

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  5. Wow you sent me on quite a journey checking out links this morning! How fun! Thanks for the shout-out! Glad you like bookcrossing. That dress is so cute...how could you NOT feel wonderful in it? The French artist...so fun! I love just about anything on PBS (okay, maybe not the kid stuff) and Independent Lens is one of my faves. I could watch documentaries all day long! Saw Tom Petty as a young(er) girl. *sigh*. Love the poem! Have you ever read "Snow-Bound" by John Greenleaf Whittier? Long...but fun! Thanks for starting my morning off with a pot-potpourri of delight-fulness.

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    1. Well, you're so welcome. I'm going now to check out "Snow-Bound."

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  6. So many good things here, Jenny. Love the Tohu-/bohu blog and that red dress is gorgeous. So pretty, and perfect for a little valentine's date. I think it's important to have a few nice things to cheer us up in this dreary month.

    Gillian x

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    1. Yes, you're probably right. A girl should have a happy red dress, shouldn't she?! Maybe I can trade it for some old ill-fitting stuff in my closet.

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  7. Karin Clark-CassensJanuary 8, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    Jenny, you would look spectacular in that dress!! I had never heard of that clothing website, some cute stuff!

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    1. That website is awesome. I love pretty much all their clothes and othe stuff - plus they have really clever names for everything.

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  8. And a happy week to you, Jenny! I actually love this time of year. Gives me plenty of time to get to things I love and to stay in, which I love to do. But I understand how you feel. Those are all fabulous things, and I hope they get you through winter! Thanks for all the links! You've got great taste, my friend!

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    1. Don't get me wrong - I do love the seasons and I wouldn't want to live somewhere that didn't have snow and cold days. I think my issue has more to do with not getting out in it as much as I should. My whole family skis but I don't really enjoy it, so I'm always in the lodge with a book (which I love). I'm thinking ice skating may be the ticket for me. :)

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  9. I love this list! I am going to look for that Tom Petty documentary. If you have Netflix streaming service, they have this awesome documentary series called "Classic Albums" where they go through the making of a definitive album by a different band for each episode. They have one for "Damn the Torpedoes" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was really good and I recommend it highly if you're a Tom Petty (and/or the Heartbreakers) fan.

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    1. That series sounds like something my husband and I could get obsessed with - I will definitely check it out. Thank you!

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  10. Oh, just left a comment and it disappeared...

    I'm finding January really tough too, so anything that will lift my spirits is always welcome. The dress is gorgeous and that French artist's blog is a lovely find. I hope it will soon brighten up a little - here as well as where you are.

    Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog, I really appreciate it and hope you'll enjoy the soup. Have a lovely evening and stay warm xo

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    1. Thanks for visiting! Glad you like the links. The soup is on my menu for dinner tomorrow.

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  11. It doesn't sound pointless to me Jenny. Perhaps a new dress to help plan for a gorgeous Valentine's dinner is just what you need...for mental health's sake. It's probably far more important than another pair of bootees!

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  12. Winter is hard for many of us living in cold climates so I think it's important that we seek our pleasures in little treats. Love the dress. It's real 'Audrey' - perfect for a party.

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Thank you for your comments. Hearing from you makes my day!