Category: The Ordinary
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Best of: The Virtue of Mundane Tasks
April has arrived, signaling spring along with the promise of budding trees and flowering bulbs. Normally, those of us in the northern hemisphere would feel the beginnings of hope, knowing that sooner rather than later, winter would release its hold. Yet, here we are—gripped by a global pandemic and wondering if the normal we once…
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Pre-Advent Meditation
Hello, readers, The view out my window today is this: fallen leaves cover the ground. Only a few tenacious ones remain on the branches. Gray clouds fill the sky. It is a quintessential November day. December is just a week away and with this turn of the calendar page I know what lies ahead–the three-week…
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Winter Fare: Soup for Dinner
A few weeks ago a snow storm passed through my area. Starting mid morning and ending later that evening, continuous, powdery snowflakes fell, resulting in approximately eight inches of snow. Since it was a Saturday, it was a perfect day for enjoying a fire, going for a snow walk, and planning for dinner. Thus began…
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A New Year, A New Book
It’s Monday. The start of a new week and a new year—2017. On several occasions at Always Orange, I have professed my fondness for New Year’s Resolutions. Over the years, my practices regarding this tradition have adapted to fit my season of life. These days, I am more likely to set some goals for myself…
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The Virtue of Mundane Tasks
I spent part of two days cleaning my kitchen floor last week. The linoleum flooring is ancient and hasn’t looked clean in the five years we have lived in this house. Don’t get me wrong, the floor’s been mopped before, but this time I did it the old fashioned way—on my hands and knees with…
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Would It Help?
I think there are two kinds of blog writers—those who can pump out pieces several times a week and those who post more sporadically. I certainly fall into the later category, especially as of late. On the one hand, this discourages me and causes me to question whether I should consider myself a blogger. I’m…
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October Shorts
Ever since I stumbled upon the “short” format for a blog post, I have been hooked—especially during this busy fall season when blog writing takes a back seat. So here goes. Some recommendations and a reflection. __________________________________ Earlier this month I finished Nancy Nordenson’s latest book Finding Livelihood A Progress of Work and Leisure. Nancy…
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Living in Ordinary Time
Recently, a friend forwarded to me this blog post about “ordinary time.” If you are familiar with the church calendar this phrase means something to you. If not, keep reading for a fuller explanation. This essay was a timely read for me. Like the daughter in this piece, my children and husband serve as my…
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Fall Shorts
Today marks the first day of autumn. For this season-loving girl, the promise of sweater-wearing days, orange-colored soups, baked-apple desserts, and spice-scented candles fills me with happiness. To celebrate this day, Anna and I went to Starbucks and enjoyed warm drinks in festive cups. This weekend the fall decorations will come out of the box.…
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Best of 2014: My favorite posts of the year
Technically, I should have posted this yesterday when the calendar still said 2014. But the previous year is still within the 24-hour mark so I think I am okay. Before I look ahead to the coming year, I want to take a look back at my five favorite posts of 2014. Perhaps my top…
Alicia Brummeler 