Cultivating a quiet, Christ-centered life not far from the deep blue sea. Sharing thoughtful essays, calming snapshots, & serendipitous resources. Happily nurturing meaningful online conversations.
I love visiting with you on your porch. It's a haven of comfort and safety to be able to gather around your table with the others, sometimes in those you too I thought it was just me moments. I agree with the others I love you and your space. You show us such grace that we can share our vulnerability with you and each other. I always have a pause and reflect take away from your messages.
Thank you so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my dear friend.
I'll be doing everything I can to keep things comfortable, safe, grace-filled, and vulnerable around here in the days ahead, Paula. Happy new year to you, friend ...
Happy New Year, Linda! I like visiting your porch, especially when you share glimpses of your spaces in and outside your home. And I think that happens just about every time I visit, keeping it real, inviting, and naturally "perfect."
I'm in total agreement with those who've already commented: I'll take more of the same, Linda! You make us feel welcome, as if it's just a few of us gathered at your blog-table, when in fact it's hundreds! You challenge us, but always include a healthy dollop of encouragement so we leave your blog feeling strengthened and capable to handle what comes our way because GOD is on our side. And we love your warmth, humility, and compassion. I'm so glad you're asking about next year--it means we'll be able to meet with you here for many weeks to come!
I'm so glad that the feeling that we're all gathered around the table is coming across, Nancy. It's always been important to me that everyone feels included, welcome, and heard. I feel the same way at your place - you always have a good conversation going on.
I enjoyed this look back at the year, and what I would like to see in the coming year is more of the same! I think you have a lovely mix of wisdom, encouragement, book recommendations and beautiful photos, and I always feel uplifted when I come to your blog. Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
Lesley, thanks for the kind words ... it's so good to see you again. Happy New Year to you, friend! I will always think of you as my distant cousin across the pond.
I love all the superlatives! And I have such a fraught relationship with statistics that I probably overcompensate by not paying enough attention to the lessons they provide…
As for what I am looking for here in 2025: Just keep being you.
I used to be obsessed about the stats way back in my early blogging days. Over time it became less important .. probably after I started praying about it all.
And thanks for the permission to simply be me. Sometimes we need to know, yet again, that's the best place to be.
interesting insights. Guess what I see here your wonderful writing and when you are most vulnerable. I feel I am being right with you when I read your posts. Thank you for writing and sharing !
Jean, yes. I'm thinking that when we feel safe, we're free to be vulnerable and real. I cherish that about blogging and am keeping my eye on making sure this continues in this wider Substack community.
It's hard to say what I would like most because I do love your posts and their variety and diversity. And I love hearing about your world and life. I love seeing and hearing about family, the things one enjoys, that sort of thing.
Well, thanks, Jeanie. I guess our best writing is simply sharing what our lives are looking like. I appreciate you weighing in. And Happy New Year to you, too!
Well, that's high praise and thank you, Andrew. They are a wonderful bunch but have trials and stuff like everyone else. And few of them are particularly fond of social media so while they might make an appearance here and there, I don't see them showing up too often.
Although there is one who does love to see herself in living color on these pages.
So wonderful to visit with you tonight, friend. I love all of your posts, and I know you really do always pay attention to the Spirit's nudges because your posts are always edifying and needful. So, I say just keep doing what you have been, and never change anything. You are such a blessing!
You're my encourager-in-chief around here, Cheryl. Thank you for always offering the gift of gracious, kind words to me ... and everyone else you come in contact with. I know God is going to continue to use you as a lovely vessel of His grace in the years ahead.
Just keep being who you are, Linda. Your reflections on life, faith, family, books, etc., as we gather on your front porch.
Thanks for the affirmation that we're heading in the right direction, Lisa. I appreciate you.
I love visiting with you on your porch. It's a haven of comfort and safety to be able to gather around your table with the others, sometimes in those you too I thought it was just me moments. I agree with the others I love you and your space. You show us such grace that we can share our vulnerability with you and each other. I always have a pause and reflect take away from your messages.
Thank you so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my dear friend.
xo
I'll be doing everything I can to keep things comfortable, safe, grace-filled, and vulnerable around here in the days ahead, Paula. Happy new year to you, friend ...
Happy New Year, Linda! I like visiting your porch, especially when you share glimpses of your spaces in and outside your home. And I think that happens just about every time I visit, keeping it real, inviting, and naturally "perfect."
I like how you put it, Lynn - 'keeping it real.' Happy new year to you, ol' friend. I'm glad you're here.
I'm in total agreement with those who've already commented: I'll take more of the same, Linda! You make us feel welcome, as if it's just a few of us gathered at your blog-table, when in fact it's hundreds! You challenge us, but always include a healthy dollop of encouragement so we leave your blog feeling strengthened and capable to handle what comes our way because GOD is on our side. And we love your warmth, humility, and compassion. I'm so glad you're asking about next year--it means we'll be able to meet with you here for many weeks to come!
I'm so glad that the feeling that we're all gathered around the table is coming across, Nancy. It's always been important to me that everyone feels included, welcome, and heard. I feel the same way at your place - you always have a good conversation going on.
https://nancyaruegg.com/
I'm grateful you're in my life, friend. You inspire my walk with the Lord. I'm grateful.
I feel the same gratitude for you, Linda!
I enjoyed this look back at the year, and what I would like to see in the coming year is more of the same! I think you have a lovely mix of wisdom, encouragement, book recommendations and beautiful photos, and I always feel uplifted when I come to your blog. Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
Lesley, thanks for the kind words ... it's so good to see you again. Happy New Year to you, friend! I will always think of you as my distant cousin across the pond.
xo
A nice look back on the year! As always, your pictures are great!
Aw, thanks, Mah. I know you're not a big fan of having my camera lens pointed in your direction.
I love all the superlatives! And I have such a fraught relationship with statistics that I probably overcompensate by not paying enough attention to the lessons they provide…
As for what I am looking for here in 2025: Just keep being you.
I used to be obsessed about the stats way back in my early blogging days. Over time it became less important .. probably after I started praying about it all.
And thanks for the permission to simply be me. Sometimes we need to know, yet again, that's the best place to be.
Your thoughtful posts always inspire me, Linda. May God give you abundant blessings in the New Year!
Happy New Year to you and Danny! Let's trust that it will be a year of good health and great joy ...
interesting insights. Guess what I see here your wonderful writing and when you are most vulnerable. I feel I am being right with you when I read your posts. Thank you for writing and sharing !
Jean, yes. I'm thinking that when we feel safe, we're free to be vulnerable and real. I cherish that about blogging and am keeping my eye on making sure this continues in this wider Substack community.
It's hard to say what I would like most because I do love your posts and their variety and diversity. And I love hearing about your world and life. I love seeing and hearing about family, the things one enjoys, that sort of thing.
Well, thanks, Jeanie. I guess our best writing is simply sharing what our lives are looking like. I appreciate you weighing in. And Happy New Year to you, too!
The question you have lately asked
is what, here, I would like to see?
Well, friend, now with this you're tasked:
more pictures of your family,
for in them I have found such charm,
and in every smiling face
appears an antidote to harm,
reflecting the Lord's love and grace.
Tell us, please, about their lives,
their travels and the books they read,
their children, friends, husbands and wives,
for each such story plants a seed
within my heart to see God's plan,
make of myself a better man.
Well, that's high praise and thank you, Andrew. They are a wonderful bunch but have trials and stuff like everyone else. And few of them are particularly fond of social media so while they might make an appearance here and there, I don't see them showing up too often.
Although there is one who does love to see herself in living color on these pages.
So wonderful to visit with you tonight, friend. I love all of your posts, and I know you really do always pay attention to the Spirit's nudges because your posts are always edifying and needful. So, I say just keep doing what you have been, and never change anything. You are such a blessing!
You're my encourager-in-chief around here, Cheryl. Thank you for always offering the gift of gracious, kind words to me ... and everyone else you come in contact with. I know God is going to continue to use you as a lovely vessel of His grace in the years ahead.
Bless you, girl.