![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/720b681b-61e9-4f8e-9205-9cb5b5c3bd96/WDI+mermaid+reading+blog+header+2024-02-24+web.jpg)
Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
![Very Slowly, and then All At Once](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/c3aae915-9eb7-45ea-a8b4-afd3ef563718/EBTR_Every-Bell_Hook+pink+sqr+web.jpg)
Very Slowly, and then All At Once
I now have an empty nest. Plus, news about my upcoming book launch for Every Bell that Rings and how to get your hands on a review copy.
![Not Quite Empty Nesters](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/eae5f726-adf9-4222-8348-0b99f34f1fe9/processed_20230706_125039.jpg)
![Through the Fire](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1685374138759-AR2S6G654UMAJ2KX8UP0/2023-05-05+181700+fxd+web.jpg)
Through the Fire
We’re in the worst wildfire season in Alberta’s history, but there’s a lot of other life stuff happening too. Thankfully, most of it’s good.
![The Ballad of the Brown V-neck Sweater](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/86c34a8e-983c-4305-9e88-3052e9e3044c/Jude%27s+V-neck+sweater_DSC_0093+fxd+web.jpg)
The Ballad of the Brown V-neck Sweater
After three years, I have finally finished the first adult sweater design I have ever attempted. Yay!
![Narrowing My Focus](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1667312409899-XLLEG2412GNC55L9OY6O/unsplash-image-V21dkuL8dnM.jpg)
Narrowing My Focus
I’ve been busy and trying to do all the things, so it’s time to slow down again and focus on what’s next.
![Last Firsts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/2823a0db-ef5b-4561-9eba-54fa4a57a59c/20220830_073144+fxd+crpd.jpg)
Last Firsts
It’s my third-born’s last first day of school. I’m doing the mom thing and being proud and nostalgic.
![Slower](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1661793771925-R9NYV5ANTJGLNBXJD0RD/unsplash-image-3N7fqeT_ffw.jpg)
![No, I'm Not Dead](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1632507568802-L7SROJQLXC152A9ISOMM/DSC_0060+fxd+web.jpg)
No, I'm Not Dead
The Sphinx’s Heart coming November 16, new print covers for Finding Heaven now available, and an update on my crazy life for the last several months.
![I Made it Through the Fire Swamp... Okay, close.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1621289773773-ZUUX1X8K80K89AHVAGI6/2021-02-12+130030+fxd+web.jpg)
I Made it Through the Fire Swamp... Okay, close.
After many moons of silence, I recap why it’s been so quiet here for the last six months: my journey through burnout.
![A Season of Transitions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1602367717439-ALNU90VF9WTZIIXPYN8Y/DSC_0121+fxd+web.jpg)
A Season of Transitions
Between my son leaving for college, buying a new house, shifts in careers, and some difficult health-related news, it’s been a challenging few months. But I’m holding on to gratitude. Here’s what’s been going on.
![Hair, shoulder pads, and nukes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1587785681899-VNXHKZOREQQ25E73W0Y8/2020-04-12%2B18.18.24.jpg)
Hair, shoulder pads, and nukes.
Another personal update written to the company of Doctor Who. In general this new is becoming normal. Plus a strange thing to be thankful for right now.
![The Year of Playing with Words and Yarn](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1581028718875-A0QFNZKORCGH39HFPQYH/kelly-sikkema-8A7qKkvm_ew-unsplash.jpg)
The Year of Playing with Words and Yarn
This year, I'm taking my knitting business in a slightly new direction, one designed to respark my joy, to borrow an overused trending phrase. I have decided to take a year off of publishing new patterns, and have declared this my "Year of Playing With Words and Yarn." That means you’ll be hearing more about knitting. And that’s a good thing.
![Just Roll With It](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1574027156995-Y1B2NUIM48R7AHA0MIH8/IMG_20191029_142838_179.jpg)
Just Roll With It
The full story of my tour through the ditch, plus a few other quick updates on the state of things around here.
![Turning Points](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1565845398045-SH8GWEV9L8EUC058BLF3/FB_IMG_1565583129105.jpg)
Turning Points
In which I talk about When Words Collide, the hierarchy my kids used to survive the weekend (and provide therapy fodder for later), the Adventures of Hagrid and Dumbledore, and purple hair. Also, a sneak peek at what’s coming next ‘round these parts.
![Remembering How to Chillax](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1563426022702-MFABA7KI6R28DATOC8KZ/2019-07-17+191603+fxd+web.jpg)
Remembering How to Chillax
In which I discuss the family vacation, progress on The Sphinx’s Heart, and introduce our trip mascots, Hagrid and Dumbledore.