Day: October 15, 2026

Posted in Simple Joys

The Joy of Looking Forward

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

There is something about having a special day on the calendar that makes ordinary life a little more exciting.

I love a good countdown. Give me a date to circle, something to look forward to, and a reason to say, “Just a little longer!” and I’m a happy girl. It might be a holiday, a birthday, a planned getaway, or even a quiet day at home when I can drink my tea, read a good book, and pretend my to-do list doesn’t exist for a little while.

There’s just something comforting about knowing that something good is coming.

As much as I love the big occasions, though, I’ve realized that the things I’m looking forward to aren’t always the ones that make it onto a traditional calendar. Some of the most meaningful days are the ones that might look ordinary to everyone else but mean the world to me.

And those are worth counting down to, too.

A Calendar Full of Little Joys

I have always enjoyed looking ahead to special occasions. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and all the little traditions that come with them give the year a rhythm I love.

There’s the anticipation of decorating for a new season, choosing something cozy to read, planning a favorite meal, or deciding which warm drink belongs beside me while I settle in with a book. Autumn brings its crisp air and spooky reading. Thanksgiving brings familiar foods and time to reflect on what matters. Christmas brings its own kind of magic, even when life is busy and the preparations don’t go quite as planned.

And birthdays? Well, I think there’s something lovely about having a day that gives you permission to celebrate simply because you are here.

I also look forward to the less traditional occasions: a staycation, a visit with family, a change of scenery, or a day when I can finally slow down and enjoy being home.

None of these things has to be extravagant. Sometimes the best plans are the simplest ones.

A favorite book. A mug of tea. A quiet afternoon. A date on the calendar that reminds me something good is waiting just around the corner.

Not Every Special Day Comes With a Holiday Decoration

The older I get, the more I realize that some of the most important dates on my calendar have nothing to do with holidays.

One of the things I look forward to most is the next time I get to hug my granddaughter.

There is no elaborate celebration required for that. No special menu, no decorations, no carefully planned itinerary. Just the opportunity to wrap my arms around her and enjoy the kind of moment you wish you could stretch out a little longer.

If you’re a grandparent, you probably understand. There is something about being able to love a grandchild that makes even an ordinary visit feel extraordinary. A hug can become the best part of your entire week, and suddenly the countdown to the next visit matters very much.

And now, there is another little girl to look forward to meeting.

My new granddaughter is expected to arrive on her due date, and I find myself thinking about that day with a mixture of excitement, wonder, and the realization that our family is about to grow in the sweetest way.

Of course, babies have their own schedules. They don’t consult the calendar or care one bit about our plans. She will arrive when she is ready, and until then, I get to enjoy the anticipation of knowing that another little person is on her way into our lives.

That is a pretty wonderful thing to count down to.

Sometimes the dates we anticipate most aren’t about what we will do. They’re about who we will get to love, hold, see, or celebrate.

There Are Some Days We Celebrate Differently

Not every meaningful day is filled with the kind of happiness that comes easily.

Some dates carry a mixture of love and longing. They remind us of people we miss, moments we wish we could repeat, and the empty spaces left behind when someone we love is no longer here with us.

I’ve learned that it’s possible to miss someone deeply and still find reasons to celebrate.

I think about my mom and the day she went to Heaven. I miss her, and there are moments when I wish I could call her, tell her something that happened, or hear her voice again. There is a very real ache in loving someone you can no longer hug here on earth.

But I also believe that my mom is in Heaven, completely healed and free from the worries, struggles, and pain of this life. I picture her dancing before Jesus, whole and joyful, with none of the burdens she carried here.

And you know what? I want to celebrate that.

Not because I don’t miss her. Not because losing her doesn’t hurt. But because my sadness is not the only part of this story.

My faith gives me a reason to look beyond the goodbye. I can grieve the fact that she’s no longer here with me while finding comfort in the hope that she is with the Lord, healed and at peace.

There is room for both things to be true.

So yes, I celebrate my mom being in Heaven. I celebrate her healing. I celebrate the freedom from earthly worries that I believe she now knows. And when I think of her dancing before Jesus, I can’t help but smile through the tears.

That may not be the sort of anniversary everyone thinks to put on a calendar, but it matters to me.

Some days deserve to be remembered not only for what we lost, but also for the hope we carry forward.

The Beauty of Having Something to Look Forward To

Life doesn’t always cooperate with our plans.

The workday can be long. The laundry can multiply when we’re not looking. The errands that were supposed to take twenty minutes somehow consume half the afternoon. Sometimes the weather refuses to cooperate, the house needs attention, and the book we were excited to read has been sitting on the nightstand for three weeks.

Life is life.

And while we can’t schedule every wonderful moment, I think there is something genuinely helpful about giving ourselves little things to anticipate.

A visit with family can make a busy week feel more manageable. Looking forward to a holiday can make an ordinary Tuesday feel like part of something bigger. Planning a quiet afternoon with a book and a warm drink can give us permission to protect a little time for ourselves.

Even the act of counting down can be fun.

How many days until Halloween? How long until Thanksgiving? When do I get to see my granddaughter again? How much longer until we welcome our newest little blessing?

Suddenly, the calendar becomes more than a collection of appointments and obligations. It becomes a reminder that life holds good things, too.

And sometimes, when life feels particularly heavy, that reminder is exactly what we need.

Making Ordinary Days Feel a Little More Special

Of course, I don’t want to spend so much time looking forward to the next thing that I forget to enjoy the day I’m living right now.

That is the tricky part, isn’t it?

It’s easy to think happiness is waiting somewhere in the future. I’ll relax when this project is finished. I’ll enjoy myself when the house is in order. I’ll take time to read when everything else is done.

But there will always be something else to do. There will always be another email, another chore, another little responsibility tapping me on the shoulder.

If I wait until everything is finished before I enjoy my life, I may be waiting a very long time.

So I’m trying to appreciate the days in between the special ones.

I can make a cup of tea and enjoy it while it’s still warm. I can read a few chapters without turning the experience into another item on my productivity list. I can work on a handmade project, watch the leaves change, or spend a quiet evening at home without feeling that I should be doing something more important.

I can enjoy the anticipation of Christmas while still appreciating October. I can look forward to seeing my family while being grateful for the ordinary routines that fill my days now.

And I can count down to something wonderful without treating the days before it as merely something to get through.

There is joy in the waiting, too.

Sometimes it is found in making plans. Sometimes it is found in remembering. And sometimes it is found in the simple realization that today, right here in the middle of an ordinary week, there are still things worth being thankful for.

A Little Reminder to Look Ahead With Hope

I think we all need something to look forward to.

It doesn’t have to be a vacation, a major accomplishment, or an occasion that requires buying a new outfit. It can be a birthday, a holiday, a family visit, the arrival of a new baby, or the next chance to hug someone you love.

It can also be a day that holds a different kind of meaning: a day to remember someone who has gone ahead of us, to honor a life that shaped ours, or to celebrate the hope that makes grief a little easier to carry.

Our countdowns won’t all look alike. Some will be full of laughter and excitement. Others will bring a few tears along with the smiles. Some will involve a house full of people, while others might mean nothing more than a favorite book, a quiet room, and a steaming cup of tea.

But each one gives us a reason to pause and remember that life is made up of more than the things we have to do.

There are people to love. Memories to make. Traditions to enjoy. New beginnings to welcome. And little moments of peace waiting to be noticed.

So, yes, I will keep counting down.

I’ll count down to the holidays, the birthdays, the family visits, and the day I get to hold my newest granddaughter. I’ll make room for the memories that make me smile and the faith that comforts me when I miss my mom. And I’ll keep looking for the small joys that make an ordinary day feel a little warmer.

Because sometimes, the best thing on the calendar isn’t a big event at all.

Sometimes, it’s simply a reminder that there is still something beautiful ahead.

And in the meantime, I’ll put the kettle on, find my book, and enjoy the day I’m in.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Cozy

I’m curious: What are you counting down to right now?

Is it a holiday, a birthday, a trip, a family visit, or a special moment that might not mean much to anyone else but means everything to you?

Maybe you’re waiting to welcome a new baby, looking forward to seeing someone you love, or anticipating a quiet day when you can finally slow down.

I’d love to hear about the little things that are bringing you joy and giving you something to look forward to. Share yours in the comments. Sometimes hearing what someone else is anticipating is a lovely reminder to notice the good things in our own lives, too.

Posted in Simple Joys

Creating Cozy in Midlife

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

There is something about getting older that changes the way we see home.

When we’re younger, home is often the place where life happens. It’s where we raise our children, prepare meals, manage responsibilities, and try to keep up with everything the day demands. We spend so much time making sure everything gets done that we don’t always stop to consider what we want our homes to give back to us.

For most of my life, I carried a picture in my heart of the kind of home I wanted. I imagined a classic, cozy space filled with books, warm blankets, comfortable furniture, and a fireplace that actually gets used on cold winter nights. I wanted a home where someone might be reading in a favorite chair while something delicious simmered in the kitchen.

And if I’m honest, I always dreamed of having a little land, too. Nothing extravagant. Just enough space to breathe, with trees moving in the wind, a small garden changing with the seasons, and perhaps a lake or creek nearby.

For years, I thought I was dreaming about a house.

Now I realize I was dreaming about a life that felt a little less hurried and a lot more intentional.

A Different Season of Life

When I was raising my daughters and working full time, my days were full from morning until night. There were responsibilities to manage, problems to solve, and always something else waiting to be done.

Those years were important, and I wouldn’t trade the memories they gave me. But life often felt like a series of tasks to complete before I could finally sit down and rest.

Now my daughters are grown and building lives of their own. I still work full time, and I certainly haven’t run out of responsibilities, but my perspective has changed.

I notice the quiet more. I appreciate having time to pursue the things I enjoy. I’m more aware of how quickly the years pass, and I don’t want to spend all my time waiting for life to become less busy before I start enjoying it.

That shift has influenced the way I think about home. Instead of imagining some perfect place I’ll create someday, I’m learning to make the most of the space and season I have right now.

And that begins with the little things.

Making Room for the Things I Love

My version of cozy living doesn’t require a picture-perfect house or an expensive decorating budget. In fact, I prefer a home that looks as though people actually live in it.

I love books that have been read rather than simply displayed, handmade blankets that carry the time and care I put into making them, and favorite mugs that somehow make an ordinary cup of coffee taste even better.

My sisters keep flowers outside when the seasons allow, and I enjoy the way those small touches bring color and life to our surroundings. Inside, I appreciate the handmade things that make a space feel personal.

Creating something with my hands has become one of the pleasures I value most. A blanket takes time, and that’s part of its appeal. I can work on it a little at a time, enjoying the process instead of worrying about how quickly I can finish.

I want more of that feeling in my home: less pressure to get everything done and more appreciation for what I’m doing.

The same goes for reading. I love having a comfortable place to settle in with a good book, whether I’m exploring a cozy mystery, visiting a fictional small town, or enjoying a slightly spooky story on a chilly evening.

Add a cup of coffee or tea, and I’m perfectly content.

These aren’t extravagant pleasures, but they make my home feel like a reflection of who I am. And as I’ve gotten older, that matters more to me than having a space that looks impressive to someone else.

The Comfort of Everyday Rituals

One of the best parts of creating a cozy home is discovering how much enjoyment can be found in ordinary routines.

A morning cup of coffee gives me a reason to pause before the day gets busy. An afternoon tea break can turn a few quiet minutes into something I genuinely look forward to. Opening the windows on a cool morning lets fresh air move through the house, reminding me that the seasons are changing outside.

I also love the way food becomes part of the experience. When the weather cools, I start thinking about soups, casseroles, and other comforting meals. Even familiar recipes feel a little more special when they’re enjoyed on a chilly evening.

These are the kinds of things I want to make room for: small pleasures that don’t require a special occasion.

My faith is part of this appreciation, too. I’m learning to recognize God’s goodness in ordinary moments, whether it’s time spent with family, the satisfaction of creating something by hand, or the simple comfort of sitting quietly with a book.

Psalm 23:2–3 describes the Lord leading us beside quiet waters and refreshing our souls. It’s a familiar passage, but its message feels especially meaningful when life has taught you how important rest really is.

I don’t believe a peaceful home means a life without challenges. Rather, I want my home to be a place where I can step away from the noise of the world, reconnect with what matters, and remember that I don’t have to do everything at once.

Choosing Simplicity in a Busy World

Our attention is pulled in so many directions these days. There’s always another notification, another headline, another thing to buy, or another reason to compare our lives with someone else’s.

Sometimes, I think we’ve become so accustomed to the constant noise that we’ve forgotten how enjoyable quiet can be.

I’ve reached a point where I’d rather spend an evening reading than scrolling endlessly on my phone. I’d rather work on a handmade project than feel pressured to keep up with every new trend. And I’d rather enjoy the home I have than constantly search for ways to make it look like someone else’s.

That doesn’t mean I want to give up modern conveniences or make my life unnecessarily complicated. I simply want to be more thoughtful about how I spend my time and what I allow to occupy my attention.

For me, simple living means choosing what deserves a place in my days. It means recognizing that I don’t need to fill every hour, purchase something new to improve every room, or turn every hobby into another obligation.

Sometimes, the best use of an afternoon is to make a cup of tea, settle into my favorite chair, and read a few chapters.

No productivity goals. No elaborate plans. Just time to enjoy something I love.

And I think there’s real value in learning to be comfortable with that.

Learning to Love the Home I Have

I still dream about the home I’ve imagined for years: the trees, the garden, the water nearby, and all the little details that would make it feel like my own personal retreat.

But I’ve stopped thinking of that dream as something I have to wait for before I can be happy with my life.

I can create a cozy reading corner now. I can make a favorite drink, enjoy the books on my shelves, and fill my home with things that have meaning to me. I can appreciate the handmade blankets, the familiar routines, and the people who make my life richer.

I can also accept that my home doesn’t have to be finished to be enjoyed.

Perhaps that’s one of the gifts of getting older. We begin to understand that a meaningful life isn’t built entirely around the big things we hope to achieve. It’s also shaped by the everyday experiences we choose to notice along the way.

My home holds memories of raising my daughters, the lessons I’ve learned through different seasons, and the faith that continues to guide me. It doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful.

It simply needs to be a place where I feel comfortable living the life I have today.

And if that life includes books scattered across the coffee table, a handmade blanket in progress, a warm drink beside my chair, and a slightly spooky mystery waiting for me at the end of the day, then I think I’m doing just fine.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Cozy

What makes a house feel like home to you? Has your idea of a cozy home changed as you’ve gotten older?

Maybe it’s a favorite reading chair, a well-used kitchen, a garden outside your window, or simply having the time to enjoy the things you love.

I’d love to hear what makes your home special. Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s inspire one another to find more comfort and joy in the everyday.

Photo by Juan Davila on Unsplash
Posted in Seasonal Living

I Am an Autumn

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I am an Autumn.

I was born in October, so technically, I have been an Autumn since birth. But I don’t just like fall. I absolutely thrive in it.

There is something that happens to me as the calendar turns to October. My entire personality seems to shift. I go from being a grumpy, tired, indoors-loving ogre who spends the summer with her hair thrown back into whatever is coolest, wearing sloppy shorts and a tank top, walking barefoot around the house, and drinking iced lattes, to a completely different human being.

Then comes the first hint of fall, and suddenly, my entire outlook on life changes.

The windows open. The sweaters come out. The blankets begin migrating into all my favorite corners of the house. I stop refilling the ice cube tray quite as often. Hot coffee in the morning and a soothing cup of tea in the evening suddenly sound like exactly what I need to survive another day.

And honestly? I love everything about it.

I Was Born an Autumn

I love the smell of burning wood drifting through the neighborhood when people light their first fires of the season. I love watching the world outside transform as the bright blues, whites, and pinks of summer give way to deep reds, oranges, and fiery yellows.

And those colors? Normally, they aren’t even my favorites. But when fall arrives, suddenly, those colors fill my soul with warmth and comfort.

Give me a crisp breeze, an open window, a warm blanket, a cup of coffee, and a slightly spooky book, and I am one very happy Autumn.

Maybe that’s why I feel so different when fall arrives. Summer seems to demand things from me. Go outside. Enjoy the sunshine. Be productive. Get some fresh air. Make the most of the beautiful weather.

Fall doesn’t seem to care quite as much. Fall says, “Come inside. Put on a sweater. I’ll make some soup.”

We understand each other.

There’s something comforting about a season that seems perfectly content to let me stay home, settle in, and enjoy the little things. And as the temperatures drop, that feeling begins to work its way into every corner of my life, including my home.

My Home Gets a Seasonal Makeover

My house changes with the season, too. Suddenly, I want everything to feel warm and cozy. The blankets come out. The candles get switched up. The coffee mugs somehow become more important. My favorite reading spots become sacred territory.

I start thinking about soups, casseroles, and baked things, even though I am perfectly capable of eating the exact same foods I ate in July. Apparently, a change in temperature is all it takes to convince me that I need an entirely new menu.

There is just something about fall that makes me want to slow down.

Maybe it’s the cooler temperatures. Maybe it’s the shorter days. Or maybe it’s the fact that summer has finally stopped yelling at me to go outside.

Whatever it is, I welcome it.

Fall feels like permission to stay home. It feels like permission to put on a sweater, grab a book, make something warm to drink, and settle into my favorite chair without feeling like I should be doing something else.

And maybe that’s one of the reasons I love this season so much. It makes ordinary things feel special. A mug of coffee becomes an event. A blanket becomes a necessity. Opening a window becomes one of the best parts of the day. Sitting quietly with a book suddenly feels like exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Of course, speaking of books, there’s another rather predictable change that happens when autumn arrives. My reading personality comes out to play, and she has some very specific ideas about what belongs on my nightstand.

My Fall Reading Personality Comes Out

Summer me wants sunshine, vacation vibes, and maybe a cute little romance.

Fall me?

Give me an old house. Give me a mysterious woman wandering around an abandoned property. Give me a creaky staircase, a family secret, and something that may or may not be haunting the attic.

Preferably with a cup of tea beside me.

I don’t know what happens to me when fall rolls around, but apparently, my reading preferences suddenly develop a deep appreciation for ghosts. And honestly, I’m okay with it.

My light summer and beach reads slowly give way to haunted houses, mysterious old homes, family secrets, forgotten histories, and stories with just enough creepiness to make me want to curl up under a blanket.

Nothing too terrifying, of course. I’m still trying to sleep at night.

But give me a slightly creepy house, a woman determined to uncover its secrets, and the possibility that something strange happened there fifty years ago? I’m in. Preferably before dark, although, if we’re being honest, that’s when the story gets interesting.

There is something about reading a slightly spooky book on a chilly autumn evening that makes the entire experience feel more immersive. The wind outside, the shadows in the corners, the warm drink beside me, and the blanket pulled over my legs all seem to become part of the story.

It’s one of those seasonal pleasures I look forward to every year.

And apparently, my autumn personality isn’t limited to my reading choices. It has some very strong opinions about my wardrobe, too.

Sweaters, Layers, and the Joy of Fall Fashion

I go from asking, “What is the absolute minimum amount of clothing I can wear without getting arrested for indecent exposure?” to “Look at me! I have layers!”

Sweaters. Jeans. Cozy socks. Cardigans.

I love them all.

There is something incredibly satisfying about putting on a sweater and realizing you’re actually comfortable. Even better, I can leave the house without immediately feeling like I’ve walked into a hair dryer. There is something wonderful about stepping outside on a crisp fall morning and realizing you actually need a jacket.

I will take that over sweating while standing perfectly still any day of the week.

But it’s not just the clothes. It’s everything that comes with the season. The sound of leaves crunching under my feet. The first chilly morning. The smell of coffee drifting through the house. A blanket over my legs while I read, although that’s me year-round. The early evening darkness. A warm meal simmering in the kitchen. The anticipation of Halloween. The beautiful colors everywhere I look.

And perhaps most importantly, the feeling that the world itself has slowed down just a little.

Maybe that’s really what I love most about fall. It doesn’t seem to rush me.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how much I appreciate that feeling. Life is busy enough without feeling as though every moment needs to be filled with something productive. Sometimes, I want to sit quietly, watch the leaves change, and enjoy a cup of coffee without thinking about the next thing on my to-do list.

Fall seems to remind me that those moments matter, too.

And speaking of moments, autumn has a way of bringing back memories I haven’t thought about in years.

The Little Things I Notice Now

Fall makes me nostalgic, too. Maybe that’s part of getting older. Seasons seem to carry memories with them, and autumn has always felt especially good at bringing them to the surface.

I think about my girls when they were little. Halloween costumes. School activities. Chilly mornings. Pumpkin patches. Trips to pick out Halloween candy. All those ordinary little moments that didn’t seem particularly important at the time.

Now, those ordinary moments are some of the ones I remember most.

That’s the funny thing about life. When we’re living through a moment, we don’t always know we’re creating a memory.

We think we’re just making breakfast, driving the kids to school, picking out Halloween costumes, taking pictures, and watching our children run around the house. We don’t realize we’re creating memories. We just think we’re living an ordinary day.

Then suddenly, years have passed, and those ordinary moments are the ones we would give almost anything to experience one more time.

It’s a strange thing to realize that the days we sometimes hurry through can become the memories we hold closest to our hearts.

Maybe that’s another reason I love fall so much. It reminds me that life doesn’t have to be loud to be beautiful. Sometimes, it’s a quiet morning, a warm mug, a good book, and a blanket. Sometimes, it’s opening the windows and letting cool air move through the house. Sometimes, it’s watching the trees change colors and realizing that change can actually be beautiful.

Which, considering I’m now 58, is probably a lesson I should appreciate.

Because the truth is, I’m changing, too.

Getting Older Has Its Seasons

I’m not the woman I was in my twenties or thirties. I’m not even the woman I was ten years ago.

There are things about getting older that I don’t particularly love. My body has opinions now that it didn’t used to have. My metabolism apparently retired without telling me. My energy doesn’t always cooperate with my plans.

But there are also things I genuinely appreciate about being this age.

I know myself a whole lot better than I used to. I know what I like, what I don’t like, what I’m willing to put up with, and what I absolutely am not. I know what matters to me now, and I’m finally getting better at letting the rest go.

I’m also learning that changing doesn’t mean something is wrong with me. Maybe it just means I’m not supposed to stay exactly the same forever.

And maybe fall is a good reminder of that.

The trees don’t apologize for losing their leaves. They don’t panic and say, “Oh no! I’m not green anymore!” They simply change. They let go of what they don’t need and, eventually, they begin again.

There is something comforting about that.

We spend so much of our lives trying to hold on to who we used to be. The younger version of ourselves. The version with different dreams, different responsibilities, different energy, and probably a metabolism that didn’t require a committee meeting before agreeing to burn a calorie.

But maybe we’re not supposed to stay the same.

Maybe we’re supposed to have seasons, too. Maybe some things are meant to fall away. Maybe some things are meant to make room for something new.

And maybe getting older isn’t about becoming less of who we were. Maybe it’s about becoming more comfortable with who we are now.

I don’t know. I’m still figuring that part out.

What I do know is that every year, when the temperatures drop and the leaves begin to change, something in me settles down. I breathe a little deeper. I slow down. I notice things.

I open the windows. I make coffee. I pick up a book. I pull a blanket over my legs.

And for a little while, everything feels exactly as it should.

Fall Me Has Arrived

So, yes. I am officially declaring myself an Autumn.

Not just because I was born in October. Not just because I love sweaters, hot coffee, cozy blankets, open windows, changing leaves, and slightly creepy books.

I’m an Autumn because something about this season feels like home.

It feels like a deep breath after a long, exhausting summer. It feels like permission to slow down, make myself comfortable, and appreciate the life I’m living right now. It feels like a reminder that change doesn’t have to be something we fear. Sometimes, it can be something we welcome.

Summer me can keep her iced latte and her air conditioning.

Fall me is here.

She’s wearing a sweater, carrying a hot cup of coffee, opening the windows, admiring the leaves, thinking about soup, and probably looking for her next haunted house to read about.

She’s remembering the past, appreciating the present, and learning to be a little more comfortable with the person she’s becoming.

And she is very, very happy to be here.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sometimes the best season of life is the one you’re finally ready to enjoy.