A Collection: January Books and Cozy Winter Decor

Closing out this first month of the year with a few book recommendations! The winter months are the perfect time to curl up with a book, especially during the evening hours. My dear husband loves to read, as well, and we both even prefer a good book over watching tv. 

I had the joy of reading three books this month ... one nonfiction book, and two fiction books. And I loved them all! A nonfiction for learning and growing, and fiction books to relax with in the evenings. I also have just started reading my second nonfiction book for this year: Holy Hygge, and am loving it, as well. I recommend each of these books.

My three books completed in January:

The Story Keeper - by Lisa Wingate

One of my favorite authors for fiction, I like how Lisa Wingate draws us into the hearts and lives of the main characters. This book (a birthday gift from a daughter - thanks, Sara!), is set in the Appalachians, and is the second book in her "Carolina Chronicles" series. 

Heaven Rules - by Nancy DeMoss Wilgemuth

My husband read this first, and highly recommended that I read it, as well. It is such a timely read, especially in the confusion and heartache of the times we live in. The author uses Daniel as a backdrop as well as multiple personal stories, to remind us that we know Who is ultimately in charge, and Who we need to keep our hearts and trust focused on.

A Heart Adrift - by Laura Frantz

I love to have a historical fiction book to pick up and read, and Laura Frantz never disappoints. My favorites need to be accurate to history so I can learn, and also carry a redemptive quality. This book definitely meets those qualities, and is set in 1775 as the threat of war with France loomed large over colonial Virginia. 

I'm also going through A Lovely Life season by season, and finished the "Winter" section during January. Melissa Michaels gives such good insight and ideas for "Home-Making", and "Soul-Tending" each season of the year. This beautiful coffee table style book, a gift from my dear hubby, is a delight and inspiration. 

Finishing up this post by sharing a few photos of some of my winter decor around our home. I've been trying to focus more on the beauty of the season itself, and then will add extra decor for the various winter holidays, as well. 

A little silver tray with a touch of beauty on our kitchen counter, and with some wise encouragement as we start out our days.

The centerpiece on our dining room table was perfect for Christmas, and also for these next two winter months. I just changed it out a bit by adding the gray and white "table throw" that I purchased this month. Adding another layer adds a depth of warmth and cozyness, which I love these winter months.

The display above, on our dining room buffet, had a few other items on it during the Christmas season, which I changed out with a touch of green and spring to come. Small little touches that bring a sense of peace and beauty for each changing season.

And finally, a few quotes I love from the Winter section of A Lovely Life.

"Some of us stumble into our dream homes by creating something beautiful and attainable with what we have right in front of us."

"Short winter days might be exactly the gift we need. With less daylight for the hustle and bustle of activity, we can savor the downtime of longer winter evenings, of quiet activity and reflection."

The Start of a New Year - Journals and Planners

 

Can you believe we are already in the second half of January? It has been a full first half of the month. And I do love this time of year ... a pause after the holidays, a time to catch our breath, to look back and look ahead. A time to savor memories, and a hopeful, prayerful time looking ahead to the new year.

These two weeks have also been a time to re-organize, and to set up planners, journals, and care for various home-keeping things as we step into a new year. Most of my set-up for this new year is in place. And I am thankful. And I am also very aware that, even with all the ideas, all the setting-up and organizing, that the most important, most integral and essential part of a New Year, is Immanuel: God with Us. His Love, His Promises, and His Presence ... each day, each and every moment. 

Much of my writing here on my blog first begins in my journal (as was true with this post), pictured in the first photo. This is where I connect deeply, through written words - writing out His Words, listening to His heart, and responding from my own heart. And then, the other two notebooks (pictured above) are helpful to me in the actual living out of my weeks, days, and moments.

This is the second year in a row now that I have used this notebook (pictured above), for my main yearly planner. I found this on Amazon (click here), and I really do love it. (I notice it is currently not available - hoping it comes back in stock!). I use the six sections for some of my main focuses each year, breaking them down month-by-month. Categories for keeping up with our big family, various aspects of home-keeping, and also the many projects I have in this season of life. The beautiful calendar pages in the first section of this notebook are printed out come from this online source.

These two photos show the notebook where I break down my main focuses into weekly, and then daily pages. I go through one of these notebooks each three-month season. This is where my main focuses (from my main yearly planner) flesh out into the weekly, and the daily. 

Planners are helpful for living out each year, each month, and each day. For keeping the main things in the forefront, and also for keeping on track with all the small, but necessary things of life. Of course, using these various notebooks would all seem quite tedious to those who don't love planners, but for me, this is a joy. It is very helpful to me to put things down on paper, rather than carrying ideas and plans around in my mind. And, also, I love all the pretty notebooks! 

But as important as planners are to me, most important is living each day connected deeply with the One who loves us more than any other. Who knows us more completely than we even know ourselves. Who created us to uniquely reflect His Love to those around us. 

Thanks for reading my first post of 2023! Sharing about my planners at the start of this year because it gives me joy ... and also with the hopes that in some way my words can be an encouragement to you. Maybe even in some simple, small way.                              Wishing you a Happy New Year!