On the Journey

All the back to the first Snail Mail published on the blog. It was meant to be a temporary diversion from the (short) lockdown that was taking place; Snail Mail is still going strong today.Read this issue and print it out from the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/09/15/september-snail-mail/Thanks for stopping by today, friend. I hope you'll subscribe and become part of the worldwide community.

My second knitted gnome this year and the 2024 Mystery KAL: Gnana! Visit the blog to see a photo of adorable Gnana (and click the LIKE button over there to let me know you stopped by to see her): https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/03/03/meet-gnana/If you haven't subscribed to the podcast (or the blog) please take a moment to do so. And invite a friend to join us On the Journey.

This episode goes back in time to September 10, 2020. Seasons in transition, autumn and spring, are wonderful times to assess what is working and what needs to change. Though many have fallen off the wagon of New Year's Resolutions, this month is a great time to choose one thing that you can do to improve your health, or your life. Start with one thing.You may find this episode on the blog at: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/09/10/eat-up/Thank you for spending this time with me. If you are encouraged, inspired, or learning something new here, please subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app, and invite a friend to join you On the Journey.

Do you know the impact that a hand-written note sent via the postal service (with a real stamp!) has on an individual? It is enormous . In this episode I encourage every listener to send a note (maybe even one with a physical copy of Snail Mail) to a friend, even if you think they don't need the encouragement.Read and print a copy of Snail Mail here: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/february-snail-mail-5/It would mean a lot to me if you subscribed to the podcast (and the blog) and if you invited a friend to join you On the Journey.

Meet my first gnome of a Year of Gnomes 2025 (host by Sarah Schira of Imagined Landscapes). I used leftover yarns in a February color theme.See Gnoodles and vote in a poll on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/meet-gnoodles/Visit Sarah Schira: https://www.imaginedlandscapes.comYou are invited to be part of our global community and invite a friend to join us On the Journey.

Going back in time to 26 August 2020 to take a stroll through the garden. Won't you join me in wonder and delight?See the photos here: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/08/26/garden-life/Subscribe to the channel (or the blog) and join me On the Journey of living life. You can share a comment here or on the blog because I'd love to connect with you.

My reflection on a lesson about forgiveness from a passage of Scripture that doesn't even mention forgiveness. I love it when the dots connect. What does oxen and a yoke have to do about finding rest, finding peace? Join me for a look into a lesson from Jesus.You can read the blog post: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/the-invitation-and-the-yoke/Thank you for being with us On the Journey today. You are invited to Subscribe to the channel and invite a friend to join us, too.

Look at things in a new way. It broadens the view and gives simple joys in everyday items.View on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/08/20/a-chair-is-for/Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode. Invite a friend or two to join us On the Journey.

The Charlotte Mason educational philosophy is fairly prevalent, and often diluted. I was attracted to this philosophy from the beginning, but it seemed to good to be true, so I didn't. Now in my last season of home educating, I decided that I had nothing to lose; I didn't want to have any regrets when I finished. This year is our first year of implementing the full feast. Read about it on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/30/reflections-on-our-first-term-of-charlotte-mason/You are invited to subscribe to the channel and share the journey with many lovely people around the world.

In my effort to get out of my comfort zone and create beautiful spaces around me, I purchased an original painting by Atlanta artist Richard T. Railey. See the painting here on my blog here: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/28/a-new-painting/Visit Richard's shop here: https://www.richardtomasimaging.com/shopUntil next time, God bless.

What we pass on most is our attitude and outlook. Here is an encouragement to pass on our best asset: our smile.Read the post here:https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/08/13/it-starts-with-me/Visit Lady Lydia here:https://homeliving.blogspot.comPass this one to a friend or Invite them to join us On the Journey. Click that Like button if this brought a smile to your face.

In a world that seeks to classify people by millions of different metrics, there are really only two kinds of people, and we get to choose which kind we are.Find the written post here:https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/27/two-kinds-of-people/Help build our community by Subscribing to the channel. Like this episode and Share it with others so we can make a difference together.

Every day can seem ordinary. And every ordinary days holds the seeds of the extraordinary in it. When we are open to receiving the gift that God persists in giving us, we can experience more of the extraordinary.Read the episode here:https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/26/the-woman-at-the-well/Click the Like button if you were encouraged today. Subscribe to the channel to join me On the Journey. And invite a friend to join us here.

How to find a space of peace so that you might practice rest is so vital, regardless of what is going on in the world, and critical to our health and well-being.Read this episode:https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/08/07/finding-rest/If this was helpful to you, click the Like button. Join On the Journey by Subscribing. Share with a friend or two.

Everyday is made up of small moments. Little things that brighten our day or touch our heart. They make the more difficult times easier to bear. Unfortunately, we often don't even pay the little things much notice. Until. Read this and see photos over on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/26/the-little-things/

The best, most effective form of charity is passed from one individual to another. Governments are never effective, nor compassionate sources of charity. Davy Crockett was smartly reminded of this by a constituent. We would do well to learn this early American wisdom. Read at the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/24/its-not-yours-to-give/

Screens and devices are changing the landscape and development of children and their brains. Handicrafts can help build the skills, strength, and neuro-connections they need. Read this on the blog: Handicrafts with Children https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/23/handicrafts-with-children/

Gnomes are so fun. They are also so fun to knit. I've got my first item finished in the Mystery Gnome knit-along. You can see photo and get links on the blog: Gnana's Visit Part 1 https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/22/gnanas-visit-part-1/ Click the Like button if you like gnomes. Subscribe to the podcast if you like knitting gnomes. Share with a friend who needs more gnomish things in their life.

Do you enjoy fermented foods? Do you make your own? It wasn't has hard as I thought it would be. My family loves kimchi and here's a bird's eye view of my process. See photos over here: A Little Kimchi Goes A Long Way https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/21/a-little-kimchi-goes-a-long-way/ I refer to this link as well: http://October%20Reading%20Books%20https://amybain.wordpress.com/2023/10/29/october-reading-books/ Don't forget to click the Like button. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Share with a friend or two.

Do you have a favorite cookbook? One that you keep handy for all occasion ? I share about a few of mine in this episode. You can see titles and authors over on my blog: The Cookbooks on My Counter https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/20/the-cookbooks-on-my-counter/

No matter where you live in the world, we need to pray for those who occupy seats of governance and authority. Join me in this episode for thoughts about prayer for government officials. You can find this written on the blog: Pray for Our Nation https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/19/pray-for-our-nation/

Gardening can be as varied as your circumstances are. The most important part of learning to grow food that. you can eat is the freedom it gives you. Read this on the blog: Food Freedom https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/food-freedom/ Shout out this week to listeners in Slovakia, Ecuador, Ireland, Vietnam, and South Korea.

Every Christmas we gift our family with a new game to play together in the year ahead. This year's game got mixed reviews from players. See it on the blog here: Our Newest Game https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/our-newest-game/ Shout out this week to listeners in Dominican Republic, Pakistan, Switzerland, Sweden, Philippines, and Indonesia!

When I first heard of the Word of the Year, I felt so much pressure to find just the "right" word. Then I decided I didn't need to have just one word, or any word. I realized instead that it is the words I think or say that affect my year. Read the blog here: Word of the Year? https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/16/word-of-the-year/

Sourdough is trending right now. Are you familiar with long-fermented sourdough bread? I learned this process from my daughter whose first job was in a niche bakery that made gut-friendly sourdough. Take a peek at my process. You can read about it and see photos on the blog: Bread Making https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/15/bread-making/

I've started knitting my second mystery knit-along gnome. Her name is Gnana. Do you love gnomes or knitting? They go together so well. See photos over on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/14/to-gnome-or-not-gnome/ Also mentioned: https://www.imaginedlandscapes.com/ https://www.leadingmenfiberarts.com/

I learned that today was dedicated to taking a break and reading some lines of poetry. I hope you did. I am sharing a couple of poems we read today in our poetry lesson. Read them over on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/13/world-poetry-break-day/ If you were encouraged today, please click the Like button. Subscribe to the podcast and be part of our community. Invite your fun friends to join us On the Journey.

We need more than margin in our lives and schedules, we actually need some blank pages. We need more time to be, and actually live in the minutes that make up our days. You can print and read Snail Mail over on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/?p=5623 Here's the link to the story of Snail Mail: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2021/04/27/april-snail-mail/ Click the Like button if you are from Canada, Sri Lanka, Taiwan or Brazil! Invite a friend to join us On the Journey.

Last year I decided to knit through the book Curls and use up my yarn stash in the process. Here is the result. You will find photos over on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/11/knitting-hugs/ Shout out to my listener in Japan! Thanks for joining me On the Journey.

This is my third year of assigning myself monthly books to read. Some are re-reads, some are required reading, and some are books that have haunted my shelves for more than a year (lots more). It has been a great way to read the books I have so I can decide whether they stay or move on. You can see the book stacks on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/10/reading-in-january/ I also mention these: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fastened-like-nails/id1266943113?i=1000589911430 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-charlotte-mason-homeschooling/id1072212202 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-delectable-education-charlotte-mason-podcast/id1043994904

Making moving a habit is the first step to having success. This year I am taking action and creating habits for the areas I want to grow in. Don't let those New Year's goals or intentions fall by the wayside, turn them into habits first. Read the blog post: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/my-walking-goal/ Shout out to my Aussie listeners! Click the Like button. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode during #Bloganuary. Invite a fun friend to join us On the Journey.

Wrapping up 2024 with warm wishes and a cozy cup of tea with this issue of Snail Mail. God bless your 2025 with much joy, laughter, and love. You can download a copy of Snail Mail at the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2024/12/28/december-snail-mail-4/ Welcome to all my listeners from the UK! Click the Like button if you are listening from the UK.

So often a part of a hymn, or verse of Scripture, will pop into my head while I'm doing something random. It always seems to fit the moment. Recently this hymn, and the then the next, popped into my mind. I thought I'd share them with you. You can see the videos over on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/08/a-hymn-or-two-of-our-sojourn/ I also want to thank my German friends for listening. Wilkomen!

Having more fun in my life this year is one of my top desires. Fun is actually great for our overall health. One way my family likes to have fun is to play board or card games. This one game is our very favorite. You can follow me here and over on my blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/07/family-fun-games/ Click the Like button if you enjoyed it and invite a friend to join us On the Journey.

November, to me, signals the time of coziness and slowing down. It is such a wonderful time to be outside, before the biting cold of winter settles in for the duration. Be sure to go to the blog to read this issue of Snail Mail; print and color a copy for yourself and a friend.

The inspiring poem by Josiah Gilbert Holland we discovered during our last term of school. Read it for yourselves at the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/06/a-poem-for-a-time-such-as-this/ Shout out to all my listeners in the U.S.A. Across 32 states (and around the world) we are On the Journey together.

Some people love a culinary adventure. I'm far more tame in that area, but I did try something very unusual once. You can read the written post here: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/05/food-adventure/

A glimpse of my second trip to South Korea. Short, but sweetly enjoyed. Read it over on the blog, with a few photographs: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/04/there-back/ You can see my first trip beginning with this blog post: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2023/03/26/adventures-begin/

I was a school-junkie. Four colleges. Three states. Six years. Two degrees. Now I learn to improve my life, my family, and serve the world around me. Interest leads now. Read and comment on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/alma-mater-doesnt-matter/ Click the Like button. Subscribe to stay connected. Invite a friend to join us here.

October is the fullness of autumn. All the things I love best about the season are found in October. Visit the blog to download a copy of this month's Snail Mail newsletter: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2024/12/07/october-snail-mail-5/ Thank you for joining me On the Journey

Play often falls by the wayside as we become adults. But this year I'm making a decision to have more fun. What about you? Leave a comment on my blog (and see the cat not having fun): https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/02/the-need-for-play/ Click that Like button if you like fun. Subscribe if you want to share the fun. Share with a friend who needs more fun!

What I read over the summer and into the autumn season. I'd love to know what you have been reading. The written post can be found at the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2024/11/01/september-snail-mail-5/ Ready for a new list of books in 2025? That post is coming soon. Thank you for joining me On the Journey in the New Year!

Happiest and blessed New Year everyone! My new year began with a five mile walk in the snowfall. Read and leave comments on the blog post: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2025/01/01/welcome-2025/ Click the Like button if you enjoyed today's episode. Subscribe to grow and encourage our On the Jouney community. Invite your really amazing friends to listen and be part of community.

Autumn is my favorite season. It prepares me for the rest I need to take during the winter months. You can find a copy of September Snail Mail on the blog. Download it. Print it. Color it. Send it in a letter to a friend. Thank you for joining me On the Journey!

The core of our health is the health of our gut, particularly our microbiome. If you want to take. your health to the next level, regardless of where you are starting right now, then join me for the 30 Day Raw Reset in January. Email me at livedistilled (at) gmail (dot) com for more information. The written post can be viewed on the blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/at-the-core/ Subscribe to stay connected.

We are going back in time to At the Core, first published on 4 August 2020 on On the Journey. Visit the blog post to view the video mentioned in this episode. https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/at-the-core/ Until next time!

Peach season is almost over (When this was originally posted on the blog) and school prep is underway. Snail Mail is ready for you to sit a bit and refresh yourself. Read Snail Mail on the blog. Print and share a copy with a friend. https://amybain.wordpress.com/2024/10/02/august-snail-mail-4/ Invite a friend to join us here On the Journey.

View, read and download this issue of Snail Mail on my blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2024/08/12/july-snail-mail-3/ I am absolutely positive you have a friend or an acquaintance that needs a kind word, something beautiful to look at, and a friend to reach out and check on them. Please send them a copy of Snail Mail today. On the Journey, Amy

My summer reads were fewer this year, but I can recommend most of them as worthy reads. Let me know where you are listening from and what you read this summer. You can find the written version of this podcast on my blog: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2024/08/05/a-few-books/ Do me a favor and like this episode. Subscribe to the podcast (and the blog). Invite a friend to join us here On the Journey.

Going back in time to July 20, 2020. It was a time our endurance was tested. We live and learn and grow by those trials that come our way. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2020/07/20/the-practice-of-enduring/ I hope you'll click the Like button, Subscribe, and Invite a friend to join us here. You are truly amazing!

Do life with the people who love beauty, spread joy and have a hopeful, positive mindset. It rubs off on you. You can find the May Snail Mail issue here: https://amybain.wordpress.com/2024/05/30/may-snail-mail-4/