Merry Christmas to you 🎄
Trying to have a learner’s heart and not be too embarrassed by my mistake
Oh December.
It’s finally here and zooming by so quickly, despite taking the month slowly (we’ve been ill). We’ve managed to sprinkle a few christmas fun for the start of the Christmas season:
we visited a light show (twice! It was magic)
Watched and rewatched The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland - the bandersnatch song is so good and I can’t stop humming it
Decorated our tree with lights (a very curious toddler has me wary about ornaments this year)
Made some Christmas crafts and cookies
It’s been slow and quick but oh so wonderful. I even managed to hang a bow banner for all our Christmas cards. I know it’s bare, but imagine this walkway wrapped in bookshelves. Hopefully this time next year that project will be finished.
Today I’d like to take the time to share a special book or two, update you on Daughter Dear 2025, they’ll be Charlie news of course, and wish you a merry Christmas as this will be the last email until the new year.
But first, I ought to explain. Last week I emailed an incomplete Charlie in the Clouds Prologue — trying to play it cool and tell myself no sweat by that mistake. I had planned on only emailing you the story once the whole of the novella was complete (I’ve made it to chapter four). Optimistic me scheduled prologue, chapter one, and chapter two for early December way back at the beginning of November. I had assumed I’d be finished with the whole story by now, but boy am I going slow with this project. I had forgotten to place the prologue back into drafts before it wildly and bravely zoomed its way into your inbox. And before I could snatch it back, well, it sent.
*bites bottom lip for 30 seconds then shrugs shoulders* oh well.
I hope you enjoyed the start to Charlie in the Clouds. Chapter one will release next year - haha gosh I hope.
This Book
The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
I read this story last year with the Stars for Buttons Book Club and just love returning to it. It’s full of all the book lovers things: a good mystery, librarians, ghosts, cats, dancing mice, lovable family, and a hero to truly adore (I just want to hug him). It’s a book to crawl under a blanket and disappear for an hour or two with (or sip 10 mins at a time like me).
Also this book
Pat of Silver Bush by LM Montgomery
Another great middle grade story for your favorite preteen. One of Montgomery’s lesser known works but a delight all the same. Sweet young Pat is learning all about change in this story, and as an adult reading through her eyes, I’ve learned so much about my own relationship with change. It’s a great book for anyone really, not just your favorite preteen.
Daughter Dear in 2025
Thank you for being here with me this last year, especially the latter half. I’ve had a lot of fun chatting with you about unputdownable books, God’s presence, beauty in the smaller things, and writing projects that refuse to be ignored. I hope to continue writing these same pieces again and again.
Next year, I hope to add (rather continue the less written features) a few more pieces, too. Here’s what it’ll all look like:
At Her Desk will continue with some fun interviews
Charlie in the Clouds serial (crossing my fingers this project will be drafted and edited before the end of 2025)
Local updates (home and garden and family and writing)
Books I’ve been reading and loving (only loving) and some curated lists
The Women Who Raised Me (a collection of short stories centered around the women who each reminded me about courage)
I am ready and eager to begin these projects and share with you. I hope at least one will inspire you or fill you with a gentle joy or wrap you with warmth. Beauty is something felt, not just seen in my experience. I hope something beautiful happens here next year.
Daughter Dear will continue to be a free subscription. Though — I likely won’t be writing as often. My goal is two posts a month, maybe three. And Charlie serial will be sent out each week once it’s all finished.
And that’s a wrap
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Praying for peace in the waiting and joy in the coming. God is so good and faithful. I hope His presence is nearer to you than ever before.
All the lovely things,
JH