I’m back from my winter break and I thought I would kick things off by sharing a recap of what I did while taking time off of posting on the blog and social media as well as my observations about that time and what I gained from it.
First of all, when I planned this time off, I imagined it being sort of an extended, at-home creative retreat. It would be a time to play, create, read, study, plan, and rest. As a large part of that idea, I pictured having the house to myself for a few hours each day while the boys were at school and Jeff at work. That would be the time I would fill the house with my music and flit about working on whatever I felt led to without interruption. I would also take a few day trips to get out of the familiar and gather inspiration. Well…as you can probably guess, things don’t always go as planned. Out of three weeks, I had two days of an empty house and only one day trip. Life just happened. As it does.
So, my plans had to be tweaked and I had to take what I could between caring for a sick kid and helping with distance learning. Both were far more important than anything else I could’ve been doing, even if it wasn’t what I imagined. Despite all of that, I still enjoyed the time off. It was different, but not less than. It just nudged me into activities I could do in pockets or as I was hanging out with family. I did more knitting, reading, organizing, baking, and definitely more TV-watching. Instead of days that were structured and intentional, they were more reactionary and flexible.
I did a ton of knitting. So much so that I developed calluses on a few fingers and my forearms ached! But I learned that I really love knitting and specifically doing colorwork.
I also finished the embroidery workbook I started on before Christmas (I’ll give a full tour in another post)…
Both were great creative and productive activities I could pick up and put down easily.
I also made it my mission to perfect Bavarian pretzels. I’ll share the recipe and what I learned this week.
…and I baked an oatmeal cookie recipe from my great-grandmother Rosa’s cookbook. They were amazing and I will definitely share that recipe.
I did fit in a reasonable amount of painting. I did some master studies and painted some pictures that have been in the hopper for a while…
I even fit in a few art classes…
And time to read and study art and design books…
I also took down the Christmas tree and decorations, although I did that slowly over a couple of weeks. I didn’t feel rushed to put it all away, but it was finally time.
I took the opportunity to freshen up a few spaces that were left naked when the decorations were removed. I was hoping to do more organizing and decorating, but I usually picked knitting, reading, or painting instead.
And I did make one day trip out to Stillwater, MN. I visited the town in the fall (you can read about that HERE) and was eager to visit some of the shops again. It was 2º so it wasn’t an amazing day to walk about town, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the time away and found some great books and antique goodies.
I’ll be sharing more detail about the recipes, knitting, the paintings I did, and small projects I worked on over the next couple of weeks. I wanted to keep this to a basic “what I did over my winter break” recap.
I do want to share what I observed and learned, though. Taking three weeks off of social media and sharing online doesn’t seem like a big deal, but after doing it almost daily for over 12+ years, it was a pretty big change in my day-to-day routine. I realized that I didn’t need that long of a break from sharing online. I truly enjoy that part of my work and missed it. I still took pictures, put together blog post drafts, and thought about what I would share on social media. I saw that I wanted to do that whether I was pressing the post button or not. It’s become a part of my creative process and it’s a form of accountability as well. I know I’ll be sharing, so I want to do things worth sharing. It makes me more productive and focused and I pay attention to the world around me with more intention, seeking inspiration and mining for narratives.
What I really needed a break from was the collective noise that comes with social media. I needed a rest from seeing what everyone else is doing. That window to the world is awesome. I have found some very dear friends through this technology and am endlessly inspired and encouraged. But, it can also feel like a bombardment. It’s easy to get stuck in the mire of comparison. It’s easy to feel like you’re not enough or not doing enough because, collectively, everyone else is doing one thing or another so much better. Over the past couple of years especially, the online world has invaded most quiet moments I would usually set aside to be bored or thoughtful or to just look out a window or snuggle under some warm blankets to snooze. When there is a moment of downtime, I would pick up my phone and start scrolling and I know I’m not the only one who does that. I see it everywhere when waiting for an appointment or standing in line at a store. It was so automatic that I had to lock my social media apps to force myself to ignore them and establish new patterns.
I spent a lot less time on a screen and that felt good. I’ll be back online again today and I am looking forward to seeing what some of my friends and favorite accounts have been sharing, but I will strive to protect those quiet moments and keep them screen-free.
I’m glad I took the break, even if it wasn’t exactly as I pictured. And I’m also glad to be back…
Good to have you back!
You are amazing with the things you accomplish.
Good to see you! I thought of you often, and especially when it was announced that Fazoli’s here was closed! That was a bummer. I look forward to the posts you have planned.
Oh, fantastic! Good to have you back. IG wasn’t the same without you. Those pretzels…..can’t wait for the recipe!
Welcome back! Actually missed your posts n instagram pic. Glad to see you back.
Welcome Back! You were missed 🙂 glad you hit the re-set button, we all need to do that
Welcome back! I’m sorry sickness hit your family & you didn’t get as much alone time as you hoped. But you certainly made the best of it. I am astonished with your knitting progress! I’ve been knitting for a very long time, but never tried color work. What did you use as a reference? I learn best from another knitter, my Mom was my best teacher. I’ve tried some videos to master certain techniques, but haven’t looked to try color work.
Well I can’t wait to get those recipes always looking for good recipes. And hearing about all your other adventures
So glad you took a break! Now, we are blessed to have you back! Can’t wait for the recipes you mentioned. Blessings!
Welcome back! Breaks are necessary. The noise gets to me too and I am being more intentional with my free time. I’m creative and want something to show for my free time when the mood strikes rather than mindlessly scrolling. So I treated myself to some online classes, one of them being yours on Jeanne Oliver’s network 🙂
Glad you’re back! I love how thoughtfully worded this post is and it really resonates with me. I always enjoy seeing your creative endeavors and reading about the process.
Those mittens are gorgeous! Now where are my needles and yarn….?
I love the way you stay present in what you’re doing. I’m working on that this year. Glad you’re back. Amazed as always at your many gifts and talents and the generous way you share them with us.
I love your knitted mittens! I always have a hard time keeping the tension right when switching colors….
I’m glad you took some needed time for yourself and your family and I’m VERY glad you’re back!!
You’ve been missed! WELCOME BACK 🙂
I missed you!! You are the good piece of social media. I feel a bit of boost seeing your creativity and your heart!
So glad to have you back. Hope the whole family is well now.
What a wonderful surprise to see that you are back! Looking forward to new inspiration. The mittens are incredible.
Welcome back! So glad you took some time for yourself. Even if it was not exactly what you had planned, it sounds like it gave you a chance to recharge.
So glad you had a good break but missed you so much. Crazy how someone I have never met can become such a lovely part of my life. Thank you.
Welcome back Marian!! It’s good to have you here again! Glad to hear you enjoyed your time “away”. I look forward to the oatmeal cookie recipe from your great grandmother. The oldie goldie recipes are the best….especially sweets! I have a gingersnap cookie recipe that a friend shared with me that is from 1899 and it is the best ginger cookie by far! It always get rave reviews! Looking forward to all your new posts!!
Welcome “back”. You were missed. But I know what you mean about the “screens”… such a time waster for me. I sit down to check email and two hours later I’m still on the same chair. I’m trying to fix that!
I’ve been trying to knit! Of course your creations are spectacular! I’m just trying to make a scarf. If you knew how many times I’ve started over you would be aghast… then laugh. I find it difficult but I’m still trying. 🙂
Anyway, at least you had some down time… something we all need.
I missed you so what a surprise today to find your cheery note and those beautiful knit gloves. My other favorite blogger (possibly you knew or had heard her….Melanie Ham) died right after the first of this year so I truly missed you and your upbeat personality! Looking forward to hearing more from you!!!
Hello from Australia! Welcome back, I’m looking forward to being inspired by more of your posts. Your mittens look amazing but complicated!
I’m dying for the pretzel recipe….soon please!
Your mittens are spectacular. I’ve knitted for many years and just recently attempted Fair Isle knitting. You are a pro! I know you haven’t been knitting for very long, quite the accomplishment. Could you possibly share the names of the patterns you used?
I missed you SO much!
Glad you enjoyed your break. Hope the entire family is back to enjoying good health.
Welcome back! I’m glad that you had time off. I missed your blogs and glad to look forward to them again. I’m amazed at what you accomplished during your time off! What wonderful knitting progress and it looks beautiful.
WELCOME BACK!! You were missed. I love your knit work, those mittens!! Speaking of the noise from screens, you have A LOT more ads than you used to. It’s to the point that it’s diffcult to separate your words from the ads. Is this new?
I know of more than one blog friend who takes a break from social media for 4-6 weeks at a time. I am hearing of this more and more. Everything needs to be balanced, and we all draw those lines in different places no doubt. For all the great things about the digital/tech age, it’s able to lure us into it’s ocean of info to swim around it but holds invisible sink holes that creep up and evaporate essentials in humanity. I enjoyed your reflections about your break. It seems none of your wildly creative skills fell down any rabbit holes. LOL!!!
WOW so good to have you back really missed your posts. In fact I thought you were gone forever on your blog. I am not on Instagram, Facebook etc. You are such an inspiration to me. When I read your posts I not only get inspired but it prompts me to do more especially in my daily routine. I have been treated to the Magnolia Network and love The Lost Kitchen with Erin French I have read her cookbook and memoir which is so riveting. Maybe someday I will get to her restaurant in Maine. Keep up the great work you share with all of us !
I am in absolute love with that picture of the Cornish Wear Pitcher that you painted. So pretty. I read with interest on disconnecting. I am in IT and that is my world but I need to be more intentional and less connected at all times.
The mittens are gorgeous!!!
It turns out lots of IG Influencers took the month off and I have to say from a retired person’s pov I missed everyone! Yes, often it’s a habit to scroll endlessly but in a way they’re like friends I ended up missing. But I too filled my time with crafting, holiday parties and such.
Glad you’re back!
Missed you! You are such an inspiration!!!! After more than 20 years of excessive knitting, my hands are worn out. But colorwork was always a favorite…I cherish what I have!
Welcome back and thanks for this post; you put the idea in my head to take a week off…most excellent! Life was overwhelming and a week off has allowed me to pause.
God bless you.
Your knitting is pristine… the work of a surgeon…. gorgeous. Where do you get your energy from? Looks more like 6 months worth of work. You could sell your knitting. I would love to try to make the pretzels. Thanks for sharing.
I’m happy you are back, but glad you enjoyed a break! Those mittens! They are beautiful!
Thankful that you are back and grateful you had what sounds like special needed time with family and productive time as well. I try and guard the time I spend on IG, careful to only follow several so that I do not get caught spending too much of my time, although I just follow, not post. It’s good to be reminded to be careful with our time. It rushes by fast enough. Happy to see you again.
Bless you.
Glad you are back!
Welcome back Marian! I’ve been missing you! Very excited about all the great things we’ll be hearing about from you! xx
We all missed you but family time is precious. I keep hoping to see the four chairs and table in the basement family room finished as you showed in your overview when doing the painting. You do such great upholstery work and all of them white would be spectacular. Maybe sometime soon. Everything you do is inspiring and you are so prolific. Welcome back.
I missed your posts and am glad you are back.
Welcome back ~ You were missed but so important to take those breaks now and then and come back refreshed ~ We’re glad you’re back ~
I am happy that you had your break but glad you are back. The amount of talent that the Lord gave you is just amazing and your fans are so happy that you share it with us. Happy and healthy 2022 to you and your family.
Glad your back, but I am more glad you took a break. Time to lounge, think, or even be bored is important. I think you’ll find that if you set up some SM boundaries so you don’t find yourself scrolling on your phone, you’ll get breaks throughout the year. I don’t get on my phone at an appointment. I sit around watching people and thinking. I enjoy the break from the screens. I save time starting at 8pm to read every night. It’s an adjustment, but that balance is good for people. It’s normal to feel like you compare yourself to others and feel you are not good enough, but really, we are comparing ourselves to you and trying to decide if we measure up. I’m still trying to figure out how I will duplicate your mural on my dining room wall without the skills you have or fit in some baking. 🙂
“I know I’ll be sharing, so I want to do things worth sharing. It makes me more productive and focused and I pay attention to the world around me with more intention”……….what a lovely inspiration and intent. Thank you!
I did quite a bit of crocheting in Dec/Jan. Most of it were your snowflakes. I LOVE them! 🙂
Welome back! May I commission you to knit me a pair of mittens exactly like the blue ones? I love them!!!
Marion, I’ve been reading your blog since about 2011 when I was writing my own blog. I’ve always been amazed at your talent and creativity and wondered how you were able to provide such great quality content everyday! I was never able to do it daily and certainly not at your level though I enjoyed it immensely. I think you deserve a break more often. I appreciate your willingness to always share your ideas and to simply be YOU! It is refreshing. May God continue to bless you in all of your endeavors.
You blog is outstanding and beautiful! I love all the things you create and collect! Where did you get the brass stand that the blue and white plate is sitting on in the cover shot? When I buy stands at Michaels or Hobby Lobby they work but are not as pretty.
Those mittens! How precious. I crochet and enjoy it. My grandmother and my aunt were incredible knitters, but sadly I never learned to knit. I am definitely trying the cookies and “bretzels.” Amazing embroidery in your workbook!
Thank you so much for your review of Nature’s Palette. I bought it for my sister for Christmas and she says it is one of the best gifts anyone has ever given her. She loves nature, and is quite a dedicated amateur artist. Your review was very helpful because you shared your own opinion and take on the book, and showed enough of it to enable me to realize it fit her to a T. I hope you will continue to take care to share really good books you enjoy. It’s a different way to review books–I have grown really tired of professional reviewers because they rarely are looking for what I am interested in about a book.
Welcome back! Looking forward to your new posts of your winter break. 🙂
I’m in love with your Dahl horse mittens. I need to learn to juggle my time, so I can do all those things I love and want to learn.
Welcome “home”!
It’ clear that you were missed and I hope your family is healthy now as we edge into February. Funny to say that your post inspires me to do more.. and to do less on my devices. I have been madly unsubscribing to emails that really have no meaning for me.
Happy New Year Marian~ we are so lucky (collectively) to be the recipients of your many talents.
Stay well, Cynthia
I save your blog posts for when I have enough time to really reflect on what your saying, have time to look up your referrals, and decide what your words mean to me at my current status. Is it for my house, my thoughts, my entertainment, etc. I spent January clearing out who I followed on Instagram and deciding if my time with that account was over. It’s always nice to quiet the noise.
So thankful you’re back.