September 16, 2014

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September 16, 2014

Winters' Day In

Sit down and have a cuppa...

Writer. Knitting pattern designer. Foodie. Tea addict. Book geek. Mom of boys. Aspiring mermaid. My Secret Wish: Be your most fabulous you.

Get more encouraging and knitterly posts by following me on Instagram @TalenaWinters.

I just finished up my writing assignments for the upcoming issue of Move Up, and holy smokes, I'm blown away by all the amazing women I got to talk to. This job couldn't have been a more perfect fit for me—listening to people's stories, what they've gone through to get to where they are, and getting to share that with the world. I am so completely #grateful. . Speaking of gratitude, I also posted my new #inspiration newsletter yesterday, exploring the idea of Gratitude vs. "Guiltitude"--that feeling that we have no right to talk about our own needs because someone else always has it worse. But is "sucking it up" the same as being grateful? If this is you, take a gander. (Link shortened to: https://bit.ly/2NzCZ3z or find it through my website link in the bio--Contact page, and "Previous Campaigns" under the newsletter signup.) . Lastly, thank you for making me a part of YOUR life. I appreciate that you continue to hang out with me, because that means I must be offering you something of value. That means the world to me. Hugs, friend! And happy Wednesday! . #motivation #seekbeauty #spreadsunshine #womanwarrior #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #amwriting #madeofstories #gratitude #flowers #gerbera @moveupmag #newsletter

I read this before I watched the movie, back when the movie came out. I'm so glad I did. What an amazing book. I liked the movie, but I wouldn't have understood half of the things in it without having read this first. . This book was the first instance I read of where a parent sold their daughter into slavery because they couldn't afford to feed them. I was shocked. Since then, I have read of many similar, true accounts, and it still breaks my heart every time—which is one of the reasons I wrote Finding Heaven, to help raise awareness of the issue. It still happens around the globe. . As far as "Memoirs of a Geisha," definitely a book I want to re-read at some point. . Can you think of a fiction book that opened your eyes to a real-world problem you became passionate about addressing? . #memoirsofageisha #arthurgolden #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #findingheavennovel #fictionbooks #womensfiction #inspirational #survivor #abuseawareness #domesticviolence #sextrafficking #childtrafficking #childhoodsexualabuse #healingispossible #metoo

Like so many Thanksgiving weekend before this, snow is falling outside my window, making me thankful that, this year, unlike so many Thanksgivings before this, I do not have a garden to harvest. (These carrots were harvested last year. About a quarter of the carrots I planted remained frozen into the solid ground.) I'm also thankful for my warm house, my family around me, and having enough. . Happy Thanksgiving, friend. May your day be blessed. . #thankful #thanksgiving #grateful #gratitude #gardening #carrots #inspiration #motivation #seekbeauty #spreadsunshine #seizetheday #liveinthemoment #itsthelittlethings

Whoot! Netflix just announced that it is developing the entire Chronicles of Narnia series of books into an original Netflix series! . The first three Narnia books were the first chapter books I ever owned. They were birthday gifts from my dad when I turned 9. They were also the books that confirmed me as a fantasy lover. One of my most popular knitwear designs is named after Lucy Pevensie, and I have designs in the works inspired by some of the other characters. (Time to get serious about those.) . I loved the Disney movies, but was disappointed at the parts of the stories that were missed. (The prequel, The Magician's Nephew, is actually one of my favourite books of them all.) I can't wait to see what Netflix does with the show. . What about you? Are you a Narnia lover? . #narnia #netflixseries #cslewis #ilovefantasy #fantasyauthor #lucypevensietam #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #lionwitchandthewardrobe

I'm working on finishing some patterns that have been on my "to do" list for a while. The "Lady Guinevere Socks" have been in development for six years. Yes, it's time. I had to develop my pattern-writing skills, as well as learn a few new techniques, before I could fully implement my vision. Now, I'm knitting samples and putting on the finishing touches and will hopefully release it later this year. . The "Just Plain Gloves" pattern (gloves in all sizes in three weights of yarn) only needs samples and photographs. The "War Bride Beret" (pictured on the left) needs some photo retakes and to be written up. (Math. Blerg. My least-favourite part of the process.) Besides this, I have a few other designs cooking, and a renewed interest in knitting. (I've already knit more this past month than I think I did all last winter.) . So, knitteristas, keep an eye out for some fun and easy patterns coming your way! . #justplaingloves #ladyguineveresocks #warbrideberet #inspiredbystories #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

I'm not sure if I should say this is the end of an era or just a turning. We can put our egg cartons away--as of yesterday, we are without a laying flock for the first time since moving to the country nine years ago. We are all little relieved, and I think that was the biggest clue that it was time to turn the page. I find that my energy is still more limited than I want it to be and my priorities are moving away from spending so much time and effort growing food and more of it growing my family, career, and remembering to rest. That last one is still the hardest for me until my body forces me to stop, just stop. Which it does. Frequently. Don't know why, but September has been a tough month in a few ways. I'm thankful for the ways that God has given me advance grace when I didn't even know I would need it. . Anyway, hello, friend. I just wanted to let you know I'm still here, still looking for silver linings, and still writing. I hope you have a lovely week. ❤️ . #hobbyfarm #writerslife #amwriting #eggfarmer #griefrecovery #childloss #everythingchanges #healingispossible

I've spent most of this week questioning why I ever thought I could write fiction. #writerproblems . On the other hand, my upcoming Just Plain Gloves design is coming along nicely. That's because writer's block is good for knitting time. Lol. The knitting has helped me destress and allowed some ideas to flow, too. Plus reminded me that I do know a thing or two and all is not lost. . And isn't this green so pretty? . #justplaingloves #knitpicks #wooloftheandesbulky #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #amwriting

In keeping with the trend of books I've read because I saw the musical, this is another I really enjoyed. Also, the play is one of my all-time favourites. . Any other musical theatre nerds out there? Which books have you read because you saw the play first? . #victorhugo #lesmiserables #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading

Snow came early, then went away, but it also inspired my to dip into the eggnog tea a little early, too. What also came, not early, but right on time, was back-to-school colds. I'm hoping that we've managed to get past that phase (now that everyone in the house has had it) and I can go back to enjoying my tea lattes in peace while I write (and knit). . Also, I'm glad my family is healthy and that we truly are getting to enjoy some lovely fall days here and there. . Happy Tuesday, friend! What's keeping you warm and busy today? . #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #almondmilktealatte #tea #eggnogtea

At different points of my life, different stories have grabbed hold of me and not let go, right from Hop on Pop at age 4, to The Little Mermaid at age 12, to Beauty and the Beast at age 14, to Phantom of the Opera at age 16. I loved the musical, which I saw twice, and both of these versions of the story (though I confess to loving the rewrite, "Phantom" by Susan Kay, more, because instead of portraying the Phantom as a monster from others' point of view, it shows you his life from his eyes and what brought him there. You can probably tell based on the condition of the book.) . What are some stories that grabbed hold of you? . #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #phantomoftheopera #gastonleroux #susankay

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