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Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
![Themes and Things](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1664374668427-H2ZXO2DWNQE6BLPZEMW3/unsplash-image-qFH7-yKoxik.jpg)
![Give me reassurance, not reality...](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/fa0f3739-26ea-46d5-a4bb-8151c613c26c/20220714_173649.jpg)
Give me reassurance, not reality...
Update on my week, including the arrival of the hardbacks for Every Star that Shines! Woot!
![Sweet Inspirational Stories to Beat the Heat](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1624980868680-T119DOYDX4S4F1JD95YN/riss-design-zp_vCcFNH3Y-unsplash+web.jpg)
Sweet Inspirational Stories to Beat the Heat
I’m loving these sweet inspirational books and shows right now…
![Knitting Book Review: Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D. Johnson](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1584662296713-1KFXT0XJOID4JTOESDXS/2017-03-24+152006+fxd+crpd+web.jpg)
Knitting Book Review: Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D. Johnson
Lovely photography and a variety of options in a clean, minimalist design as fresh as new snow.
![The Secret to Breaking Writer's Block: Do It Anyway; Also, an update.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1559860414426-TGN7KKD9A32I8DZXKZS3/41004734_m+web.jpg)
The Secret to Breaking Writer's Block: Do It Anyway; Also, an update.
Whether it’s fitness, professional, emotional, or spiritual goals—the only way to reach them is to do the work, whether you feel like it or not. The same is true for Writer’s Block. And, since it’s been a while, there are updates on multiple topics in this post.
![7 Favourite Fall Things](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1540877141940-AG3MYEIMU5MSY4X1KDXS/2018-10-16+122322+fxd.jpg)
7 Favourite Fall Things
Sweaters on Pinterest and other knitting geekery, books, writing, simple comforts, and other joys of autumn. Here’s what’s been inspiring me.
![I Saw This Going Differently in my Head](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1531722407705-SWJLXNCFF1HQ5NVGVE5C/51904057_m+web.jpg)
I Saw This Going Differently in my Head
I’ve always had a semi-structured writing style, but recently discovered that I’d been running my business like a writing pantser. (As in, “flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants.”) But times, they are a-changing. How a little “plotsing” will (hopefully) make a big difference.
![7 Moments: What's Been Keeping Me Busy](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1510454287823-MGQRSATYQCUXOZ3U0NY8/DSC_0200+fxd+16x9+web.jpg)
7 Moments: What's Been Keeping Me Busy
A photo essay of what's been filling up my blog silence.
![Drawing the Line: 5 Loving Reasons to Say “No”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1505838076244-DR60UB0RWAFTFVQTFG9H/DSC_0032+web.jpg)
Drawing the Line: 5 Loving Reasons to Say “No”
Saying "no" to trying to control things which are impossible to control anyways means saying "yes" to peace, tranquility, and more time and energy doing things I love with people I love to be with.
![7 Things: Books for Summer](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1500676566529-X3U7Z95S7EJKZW75YEGM/DSC_0059+fxd+web.jpg)
7 Things: Books for Summer
Okay, so I know that summer is already almost half over. (What? I know, right?) But there are still six more weeks for summer reading--you've got plenty of time! (Six of the seven are indie authors or were published by small presses, and several are by Canadian authors. Can you guess which ones?)
![Book Review: Eleora by Melissa Keaster](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1497589800268-BJ132QSU98RZOFXBFQVU/2017-06-13+134755+lndscp+web.jpg)
Book Review: Eleora by Melissa Keaster
In Eleora, Melissa Keaster brings to life a world as enduring as Narnia or Middle Earth and characters that will live in your heart next to Lucy Pevensie and Bilbo Baggins. It is a world where spirits walk, crime rings hold immense power, and the King, though seemingly absent, still guides the land through the magical Eleora stone--a gem of immense power.
![Book Review: Endless Change by P.D. Workman](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1495590810670-VCHOXBRQ3ZC6UK5B0CK6/DSC_0432++fxd+web.jpg)
Book Review: Endless Change by P.D. Workman
This spring, I had the opportunity to beta-read a novel for Calgary author P.D. Workman, who writes stories in the YA genre. Since she has just released it, I get to share it with you at last!
![Book Review: That Wicked Earl by Jessica L. Jackson](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1493693062606-HIZH0CEFHPKYT8N6SYY0/14193538_l+web.jpg)
Book Review: That Wicked Earl by Jessica L. Jackson
Review for great new Regency romance book "That Wicked Earl" by Jessica L. Jackson.
![Hey, there, Beautiful](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1429080210181-C4BDDFKV3KQRU69VA453/image-asset.jpeg)
Hey, there, Beautiful
We all have days when we don't feel beautiful. On those days, we need to know that we ARE precious, we ARE amazing, and we ARE loved. We are the apple of our Father's eye.
Book Review: "The Redemption" by MaryLu Tyndall
From the first pixelated page, The Redemption had me hooked. There was danger, suspense, personal growth, and yes, a little mystery.