The house has been quiet these days. But certainly not silent. There’s a hushed excitement hidden within the quiet. I’m not sure what we’re excited about or waiting for, but it’s there, present and expected and wanted.
The seasons seem to be coming and going at an even faster rate than usual. They say time flies when you’re having fun. And I am. Really am having the time of my life these days. But goodness, it feels like I just finished one of these life snapshots last week. (It was July)
I hope you enjoy this glimpse into life lately. I love looking back at these and seeing what has changed and what remains. Hope it inspires you.
Watching: the leaves roll into one giant leaf ball at the end of our alley
Playing: outside with bare toes and sweaters
Listening: to Elizabeth Mitchell count lady bugs at a lady bug picnic
Learning: the quiet isn’t as unsatisfying as I thought it would be. And learning that a good thing is a good thing - no need to change something that is working well. No matter the outside pressures.
Writing: Charlie in the Clouds chapter one and two (and I truly can’t wait to share it with you!)
Reading: Pat of Silver Bush, LM Montgomery - I hope I never tire of this author. This would be a great summer read.
Trying: out names for siblings (not pregnant but having fun thinking about it)
Eating: a digestive biscuit smeared with Nutella during our afternoon tea, while ignoring the crumbs left on the playmat
Sipping: on apple cider, of course. But I’m also enjoying Harney and Sons cherry blossom green tea given to us by our favorite newlyweds during their last trip to north Texas (enjoying the little bit of caffeine as well).
Calling: all males ‘dad dad’ to my utter embarrassment (thanks, W)
Crafting: a floral hat for my darling friend, Melissa back in Nola. Finally (finally!) getting back to embroidery. I’ve been nervous about losing needles with a certain toddler roaming around, but I’ll just be extra careful and hope he stays out of the needle jar. Famous last words and all that, I’m sure.
Loving: our Sunday morning ritual: brush teeth, share an eggy breakfast, pack snacks for the park, dance to a favorite song, and visit our local plant nursery
Loathing: my fingers are too chilled to type properly, but loathing more so that I have two nieces born this year and I’ve yet to meet them, sing to them, gobble up their cute toes, and tell them how much I love them. Wish we lived closer.
Discovering: so many great writers here on substack - this directory curated by
has introduced me to some favorites.Enjoying: late afternoon trips to the park when the wind isn’t such a fuss and the sun hits just right
(Just about) Finishing: a long few weeks of late nights early mornings for Bryan (we missed him terribly!)
Considering: a trip to snowy Colorado to visit my sister
Smelling: dirty diapers (really need to remedy this bad habit of mine - letting the trash pile up)
Starting: to accept my hair length (I chopped it off late July for practical reasons, and now finally starting to actually like it, perhaps keep it.)
Remembering: this time last year, we visited a Charlie Brown themed pumpkin patch. It was — wow! Mostly missing the friends we went with who are now engaged to be married this December. There’s something extra lovely about a December wedding, you know.
Life is changing far too quickly, and I can hardly keep up, but I’m having a lot of fun trying.
A few of my favorite things so far this month and a few I’m on the hunt for:
A want: 2025 weekly/monthly planner (I found this lavender hardcover from Paperage under $15)
A need: a better, more durable phone case. It’s the second screen fix in 6 months. Any suggestions?
To wear: some pretty socks to pair with my brown loafers
To read: recently finished Lucy Strange’s Sisters of the Lost Marsh - it’s a spooky fairytale-esque read that will be perfect for this time of year. And I need everyone to read it.
Thanks for reading this little summary/snap shot of life lately. Is there anything that has really stuck out to you this month?
I’ve begun drafting Charlie in the Clouds and plan to update you on the schedule of posts for this serialized fiction. I’m typically a slower drafter than most, so I’m thinking December/January I’ll be able to share.
I hope the windy mornings lead you to a kind start and rippled grey skies remind you that even when you’re feeling less than there’s a sun within reach just behind those clouds
All the lovely things, JH
I love these updates 🥰
Thank you for the mention! I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the fiction reads 🥰