I am determined to keep these Friday posts a source of joy and respite, no matter what’s going on in the world around us. I keep reminding myself that it’s okay to look for joy even with all of the pain in the world.
This week we took my Scrappy Crossroads quilt out of the chest and spread it under the maple tree for lounging, resting, and reading. The weather has been beautiful and perfect for long stretches of time outside after we finish our schoolwork and wait for Colton to get home. The sunshine has made a big difference in my week.
I have a friend who is in France right now. I’ve written her itinerary in my planner and have been following along vicariously. Today she is sailing to tour Monet’s Garden. I think I’m going to flip through my copy of Essential Monet and sigh deeply. On Wednesday I took a virtual tour of Versailles. I’ve had a lovely vacation without leaving home!
A few things I’m excited about right now:
- The first half of the new season of Stranger Things premiers on Netflix TODAY. You guys. I love this show! I’m putting aside all reading and prioritizing THIS in the evenings. Maybe I’ll knit and drink tea. Or maybe I’ll pour some scotch and sodas and pop some popcorn. Who knows?
- Claire Fuller just announced a new novel to be published in Spring 2023.
- I bought the foundation of next year’s homeschool plans yesterday – the third year of Torchlight. We’ve followed the Torchlight curriculum since we started our homeschooling journey and I love this program. It is intense and deep and allows for plenty of customization. I get so excited while planning a school year – the possibilities are endless.
- I’m also nearly finished planning our summer learning. It’s going to be a fun one! (I hope)
- I have a new YouTube obsession: Honeyjubu. She lives in Seoul and I am here for her aesthetic. This is what I want my house to look like and, well… I’ll just keep dreaming. 😉 And I’m amazed by how much cooking she does everyday. I’d be proud if I prepared a quarter of the food she does.
Okay, friends. Please share your own moments of joy in the comments – we could all use a little uplifting! I hope to be back on Monday with an update on my One Little Word for the year… wish me luck with that one! May we all have exactly the weekend we need, full of rest and respite. Take good care.
The Cozy Burrow 
Love the image of the scrappy quilt under the maple, and you all waiting for Colton in the sunshine. May your weekend be filled with joys, small and large!
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Thanks, Jordy. It was a surprisingly good weekend 😉 Here’s to Monday!
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happy sigh … the images of y’all outside on that beautiful quilt enjoying the sunshine and all that fresh GREEN … and then inside with a new season of beloved TV (I know nothing about Stranger Things but we are excited for Somebody Feed Phil and Hacks S 2), knitting, and popcorn – thank you for sharing some much-needed joy!
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And I’m unfamiliar with those two shows! Stranger Things is so much fun – complete 80s nostalgia and the quirkiest characters. I highly recommend it to EVERYONE. I hope you managed a quiet weekend, Mary!
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Sweet post filled with all different joys! Wishing you and your family a lovely, long holiday weekend – enjoy!!
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I love seeing your garden, Katie! My wonder for the week was my poppy plant… every year I have had a max of maybe 7 blooms. This year… there are over 40 buds and yesterday a baker’s dozen were open and just glorious!
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Wow — I love poppies and have NONE in my garden. Maybe next year? Enjoy all of your blooms – what a gift right now!
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It is hard to be sad when you are able to be outside surrounded by flowers and everything green! Our rose bushes have exploded in pink in the last week, and the Russian sage has gone from tiny buds on the branches to a dense cluster of leaves. I think nature is an excellent reminder that even in the darkest of time, life goes on.
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Yes to Stranger Things! I am really looking forward to a picnic in the yard – one of these days.
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I hope you get your picnic soon. I didn’t know that you were a Stranger Things fan. I haven’t gotten to watch any of it yet… have you?
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Dear Kate and all as-yet-unmet friends! Where has HONEYJUBU been all my life??? I am TRANSFIXED by her. This post, especially as it included her, really lifted my spirits in these dark days. Cannot thank you enough!
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I’m so glad you are enjoying Honeyjubu!! I hesitated to include her videos in this post, but they are bringing me so much joy that I couldn’t leave it out. “Transfixed” is the perfect description!
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Hurray for Stranger Things! I love that show too. Great post Katie 😊
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Thanks, Tina! I’m so excited to see all of the Stranger Things fan around here 🙂
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Oh my goodness, I watched about 3 minutes of a Honeyjubu video and I instantly started to calm down! Thank you for sharing that with us. I now have something fun to watch to unwind.
I have never watched Stranger Things! I know, hard to believe. I really would like to try it, but my TV time is limited as of this stage in my life.
As for what is bringing me joy, I just read a fun romance novel called Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake, about a young single mom who goes on a GBBO-like show… it was really fun and just what I needed to read this week to escape.
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I’m so glad you’re enjoying Honeyjubu – I love her! I understand having limited time for television right now, but if you ever get the chance to sit down and watch something for yourself…. I think you will LOVE Stranger Things. Total 80s nostalgia, lovable quirky characters, and a really creepy vibe. So much fun!
Thank you for the book rec! The new season of GBBO should be premiering soon, right?? This book sounds like a lovely way to fill that gap in my life.
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I always think of Mary Oliver’s poem about joy, but I also read something this week in Cleo Wade’s Heart Talk about feeling joy even when the world is mourning. It resonated deeply.
I have had a lot of joy this week – my older son graduated high school! It was wonderful. Less significant but very joyful, I saw Top Gun Maverick and IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!
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Thank you for mentioned Heart Talk – it looks incredible. Congratulations to you and your son!! And I’m happy to hear you loved the new Top Gun so much – I’m looking forward to watching it. I hope you have a great week!
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Joy and Beauty. Be Still My Soul are my words as I read your post today and all the comments. I checked out the YouTubes of HoneyJubu. Thanks! I reread Mary Oliver’s poem and bought the audible book of Cleo Wade’s Heart Talk. This year I have planted more flowers than I ever have and part of that is I am now retired and have the time. However, your posts have encouraged me. Blessings to you my friend and fellow readers! Have a good weekend.
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I hope you love Honeyjubu – I’ve really enjoyed her videos over the last week or so. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve been planting so many flowers – what a joy!! Thank you. And I hope you have a great start to your week!
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