Hello there, Rural Sprout readers, Ā It seems another week has come and gone, and all of us are that much closer to a new year. The business of the season is
really starting to ramp up. In fact, this morning, Iāll be finishing my coffee and gearing up to help out with the local historical railroad society Iām involved in. And then, on Tuesday, Iāll be hosting a Christmas party.Ā Ā Iām already tired, just thinking about it.Ā Ā But things will settle down again, and before you know it, Iāll be enjoying a quiet Christmas with my family. I learned some time ago that this season is only busy and
crazy if you let it be. Over the years, Iāve gotten better about carving out time and space to celebrate in my own quiet way. That involves a lot of polite āNo thank youās. Ā My home becomes a
winter respite for my family and me.Ā Ā I strive for peace, comfort, and of course, joy. I love decorating my home for Christmas and making it feel cozy and welcoming. Thereās a bit of Christmas everywhere you look. Ā I was thinking about a newsletter I wrote last year in which I talked about all the mittens I lost over the years as a child. They were all made by my two grandmothers.Ā Ā Ā Itās funny because, as an adult, Iāve had the same pair of mittens for nearly a decade.Ā Ā I made them for myself ages ago. I wanted good, tough-wearing wool. I didnāt care if it was itchy and didnāt even put much thought into the pattern. I just knew I was tired of having cold hands and wanted a pair of wool mittens that would last. So, I bought some yarn from a local farm. I even drove past the sheep it came from when I went to buy it. Ā Itās funny; I couldnāt hang on to a pair of mittens for a full winter to save my life as a child. But now, as an adult, I look at these mittens each year and think, āYou know, Iām going to knit myself a fancy new pair of Norwegian mittens.ā Or I get it into my head that Iāll make a super-warm pair of thrummed mittens. Lord knows Iāve bought enough knitting patterns for mittens over the years with fancy or charming
patterns.Ā Ā Ā Iāve even made a couple of pairs too.Ā Ā Ā But in the end, whenever I reach into Big Redās pockets, I find these mittens. Hard-wearing, they still look as good as the day I finished knitting them. Iām sure Iāll get around to making another pair for myself someday. I may even wear them. Perhaps I should cast on a pair of
socks instead.Ā Ā
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These are pretty common mistakes that can mess up the blooming cycle.
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Stop pitching all those busted terracotta pots. There are so many cool projects you can make with them.
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This might just be the cutest plant ever. And it's soft, not prickly!
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Make sure your bird feeders aren't offending your feathered friends.
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Are blue jays really bully birds, or just misunderstood?
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Now is the time to amend your soil, so it will be ready to go this spring.
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These charming trees are the perfect alternative if you don't have a lot of space.
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Did you miss a newsletter or want to go back and read a few for inspiration - Click this link. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page for daily updates.Ā Ā That's all for this week, Rural Sprout Readers.
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