Decorating For Christmas & The Great Canada Post Strike (Again)

      Good Morning! How is your week going so far? I am returning to work after holidays, and I am also going back to 5 days a week, so guessing it is being quite an adjustment for me, as, per usual, I am posting all these way in advance. Who knows how I will keep up with everything after this! 

Y'all know that Remembrance Day hits, and your girl is full on into Christmas mode. Which is exactly what I did this year. I am nothing if not predictable. LOL 

Now, the lovely Canada Post union decided to make questionable decisions and go on strike late November, so despite me having all my Christmas cards ready to go early, they won't be going out until January sometimes. 

Which in some ways, is alright, because it does make Christmas last longer. 

It's become a sort of tradition for me I watch the animated Grinch movie while writing cards, as it is one of my favorite movies. 

This year I decided to not buy any new Christmas cards, but use ones I already owned, and just include a little note about how someone may be receiving the same card 2 years in a row. I really want to make a push towards using up what I have, less consumerism, and just living a little more simply. It feels really good to do these sorts of little things. 

Here is our lovely, little living room space, all cozy and bright for the festive season. 

And yes, same tree theme as always. I didn't add any new ornaments to it this year, and I didn't buy any indoor decor at all. The only decor I got this year was a few new outdoor pieces, which you will see in another post! 

“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” ~Richelle E. Goodrich

I really love this soft, fleece blanket I got last year, and was so excited to pull it back out for another holiday season. I really do end up using a blanket every day and sometimes more than 1. We try to use as little heat as possible, to keep our power bill a bit lower, since the type of heaters we have in our basement suite really spike up that bill! Plus, one can always dress warmer! 

“I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.” ~Fred Rogers

“Christmas Day is in our grasp, as long as we have hands to clasp! Christmas Day will always be, just as long, as we have we! Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand!” ~Dr. Seuss

Looking forward to sharing more cozy, holiday moments with you before long! 

Studying In The Park

      Last post I shared some school updates, and this time, I wanted to take you with on one of my favorite study days. Of course, those are the days I am able to go to the gardens, and soak up nature, and hopefully a bit more information at the same time. 

Walking down towards the entrance... 

I always get distracted by sunshine filtering through fluttering leaves. 

The most stunning flowers of the day! 

"Let the sunshine of August inspire you to shine your brightest." 

It felt like I was watching the fish swim in the sun, from where it was in the sky at that time of day, and how beautifully it was reflecting off the water. And yes, once again, the fish came splashing towards me quickly! 

"Let August be a month of bold moves and fearless actions."

Such an incredibly place to sit and study. It was honestly hard to focus on my note taking since the view is so incredible! 

"There's something undeniably special about the lazy, hazy days of August." 

"In August, the world feels like it's wrapped in a golden glow of positivity and warmth." 

All the long August afternoon,

The plain was full of sun and wind and apace;

I knew of clouds far off behind the moon,

Yet never saw them rise to stay the race. ~ Helen Hunt Jackson

And with those final glimpses of nature's beautiful offerings, I will leave you here, sighing in wonder over the perfect days August brought us! 

A Quick School Update

     Hi guys! I know some of you have been curious about my school progress, and yes, I am still working away on my first diploma to become an herbalist. School will be slowed down a bit, so we can focus on other areas of our life, but I do still intend to slowly make progress! 

I love the mornings I am able to go out and do some studying in fun locations. This particular Friday, I headed to one of my favorite spots for breakfast! 

I was working on numbering and tabbing a ton of my schoolbook pages here. 

Time for a pause for brekkie. Look at that! Some of the best pancakes ever, they were proper homemade style! 

This is Saskatoon Berry topping! 

Most of my study sessions are spent at home, at my desk, or curled up in the lazy boy, to be honest. I am struggling a bit, thanks to burnout brain, but slow and steady she goes, I suppose. 

Working on creating regiments and supports for various illnesses. I always start by noting down a few herbs I would like to incorporate, then researching through my books, reading a few articles, referring to other herbalism books, until I come up with a regiment I feel confident presenting to my teacher. 

Mostly I am working on handwriting, then typing, a first draft of notes for my final. I have completed my 60ish basic exams/quizzes, so now it's just memorization and trying to figure out how to be prepared for a closed book final. I am pretty nervous, to be honest, so copying and repitition it is! 

I am trying to enjoy the process, not push myself too hard, and have confidence in my brain! I have been out of school so long, this all feels brand new to me, in every aspect!