WELCOME to our monthly collection, an online equivalent of the commonplace book. Here is where we offer links and ideas for you to explore, and things we might want to revisit or remember. Brew yourself a cup of tea and savor a quiet moment while you read. Be inspired to live with equal parts industry and creativity.

Freedom from Want was painted by Norman Rockwell in 1943, inspired by President Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address. It was first published in the Saturday Evening Post in March of 1943 and is part of a series of four paintings called The Four Freedoms. It is also called The Thanksgiving Picture or I’ll be Home for Chirstmas.

This picture became an iconic representation of the holidays for Americans, but it was met with resentment in Europe where people were enduring severe wartime hardship. They saw it as extravagance, not freedom from want.

All the people in the picture are friends and family of the artist. The abundance and unity and welcoming atmosphere helped to make it popular. Artistically, is is a master example of white-on-white painting.

“I paint life as I would like it to be.” –Norman Rockwell

*from this wikepedia article. I found the whole article interesting, with different people weighing in on what made it great or not.

The chief idea of my life… is the idea of taking things with gratitude and not taking things for granted.

G. K. Chesterton

Harvest Chili Here’s an unusual chili recipe that I served to our family lately. If I made it again, I would add beans. Nobody noticed there were no tomatoes in it.

Thanksgiving Poems

27 Thanksgiving Facts to Impress Your Friends and Family. It was first called Black Friday to discourage shoppers; not a good day to go shopping!

November 11 we enjoyed a lovely display of northern lights. To see some pictures of it, check out this post written by my friend: Tuesday Treat.

I love to hear owls in the fall. I saw one the other day in a tree just down the road, then that night I woke at an early hour and heard two of them hooting back and forth. 🦉🥰

Winterlight: n. dusk or dawn in winter, harsh conditions that create something beautiful, bittersweet, to look up for meaning instead of looking around at temporal things. The winterlight before the snowstorm made her turn on all the lights and heap more wood on the fire.

Ways to Practice Contentment, a So She Reads article from the past.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! -Liz

P.S. Share your trivia in the comments, please!