November just might be my favorite month (if one can have a “favorite month”).

It’s always been a time of celebrations… birthdays and big meals before the Holiday Crunch and New Year Goals set in with all their fervor.

But as I’ve gotten older and my life has shifted considerably, November has begun to signal a time for pulling in.

The leaves are falling (or have already fallen), there are fires in the stove to warm our bones, and we might just see our first, magical snow of the season.

It’s a time to breathe into myself after a busy and (often) brutal growing season on the farm.

A time for quiet introspection.

A time for reading and crochet, reflection and copious amounts of hot tea (on repeat).

I sometimes play with the idea of shutting down all online communications, burrowing into myself and my cozy home, and waiting until Spring to re-emerge anew…

But it’s also (surprisingly) become a time of calm inspiration…

Like all the creativity that was seeded during the busy months on the farm is finally ready to sprout now that my days flow differently and there’s not soil under under my nails 24/7 (no matter how much I scrub).

And so, as I contemplate all.the.things, this space is (obviously) on that list.

I’m floating some new ideas about how I’d like to share my genealogy journey through storytelling, photographs, and journaling as an expression of the research and documentation I’m working through in order to leave things in better order for those who’ve yet to come…

At least in a little better order than my (very well intentioned) Grandma Eve left for me knowing full well that the task will never be deemed “complete”.

: : : sigh : : :

And so, alongside my general posts, recently launched Heritage Journal, and semi-regular Tea Time shares, I’m molding some newly born series inspirations that I hope will inspire you, too.

In the meantime, I hope November is a wonderful month for you, no matter where you are or what you’re up to. I’d love to hear all about it if you’d like to share <3

Onward,

Melis