Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
Want a Friday Night Date with a sweet new book?
One cold winter's night in 2013, I was sewing myself a summer dress (because that is completely logical, right?), and for the first time ever, I used the couture technique of setting my zipper in by hand.
And as I sat and hand-stitched my zipper, I wondered what might inspire someone to self-teach themselves to be a top-level designer.
How long would that take? And why would they do it?
Thus, the spark of an idea for The Friday Night Date Dress was born.
Moving On and Holding On
I'm terrified of the things about my lost son that I am forgetting. Every day that passes feels like it is taking me one day farther away from my boy.
Boulders and Balloons: When Sharing Isn't Caring
Being human is hard. There is so much pain involved in this thing called "life." But it is also joyful. What makes life easier is walking this road with other humans, and sharing those experiences of joy and pain with each other.
But there is a time and place for everything.
My Greatest Fears
When your worst fear comes true, there’s no such thing as “getting over it” anytime soon. You discover who you really are, and what you really believe. Written less than two weeks after losing our youngest son.
Inconveniences I Would Rather Have
On Wednesday, I found I was grieving all the things that Levi will not get to do that I wanted him to be able to do. I find that writing songs helps me deal with very stressful and emotional topics, so I wrote "Things I'll Never Do". Here is a quick scratch recording on a video for this song.
In Memory of Levi
Levi's eulogy was the most difficult thing I have ever had to write. Not because I didn't know what I wanted to say, because I did.
Sharing Levi's eulogy was the most difficult thing that Jason has ever had to do. But he did.
God gave us both the strength to share the story of this precious little man with those at his funeral yesterday. For those that were unable to attend, I am posting it here.
7 Lovely Lemon-Fresh Things
When I think "lemons", I think "summer." And summer is just around the corner, so here are seven lemon-inspired finds to brighten your Saturday.
The Baby Mandarin Jacket is Back!
I just wanted to put up a quick post to let you know that after being on sabbatical for a couple of years, the newly-revised Baby Mandarin Jacket is back in all of my stores - just in time for Baby Shower Season!
Keep the Strawberries, Kick the Cinquefoil
We all have "cinquefoil" in our lives. Sometimes it sneaks in because we just don't have the time or energy to deal with it right then. Eventually, though, we have to stop and examine the things we fill our lives with and question, "Is this still of value to me? Is this something I want to nurture right now?"
7 Bee-YOU-tiful Sweet Finds
I am starting a new Saturday Feature called "Seven Things". It is a list of 7 items based on that week's theme that I hope will inspire you.
Since it is spring, I am thinking of all things bee.
5 Simple Tips to Make Your Knitting Better
As a self-taught knitter, sometimes I have done things the hard way. Okay, a lot of times.
Thank goodness that I occasionally knit with others more experienced than I, and they have helped me along.
Here are five of the best tips I use all the time to make my knitting easier, more efficient, and more professional-looking.
What About Christian Fantasy?
I haven't read a ton of "Christian fantasy" books, but I have read some. And I always wonder afterwards if the real God of the Universe would behave as the author imagined he would. And I wonder if I really have the right while "playing God" with my own characters to cast the real God as one of them.
The High Cost of Inspiration
What makes someone inspiring? And why would I want to be that, too?