The Danger of Wishing Wells + Splendid Stuff + S.M.H. + Mess Makers’ Place + Free Download
The Weekly Sweep 85
The Danger of Wishing Wells
Life is full of seasons and wishing wells are deep. Don’t fall in.
It can be incredibly frustrating to feel stuck in your current season of life, and stuckness often leads to wishing:
I wish I had a beautifully decorated house. I wish I had a bigger van (yeah, I’ve officially reached that level of parenting). I wish I didn’t have random artwork drawn on my walls by a sticky-fingered four-year-old. I wish I could remember the last time I used the bathroom uninterrupted. I could keep going, but I think you get the idea.
So how do we keep from falling down the deep, dark well of wishing?
I wish I could say there was a magic formula, but there’s not. There are some things to keep in mind though:
It’s ok to throw a coin or two down the well. A few well-placed wishes may even become goals that you’re willing to work toward. But hanging over the side of the well, languishing away, merely waiting for your wishes to bubble to the surface will only result in you tumbling into that deep dark well.
Wishes require work. I’m convinced they call it a wishing well for a reason. Have you ever tried to draw water out of a well? It’s no simple task. If you want a wish out of that well, you will have to work to pull one out.
When you’ve chosen a wish to turn into a goal, and you’re ready to start pulling up that bucket, be mindful of your season. Drawing water from a well in winter is a much different experience than drawing water in the summer. While it’s not impossible to make your wish come true out of season, it’s worth considering if the extra effort and frustration are worth the desire to have it now. Often, patience while you wait for your season to change is the wiser course of action.
Many wishes are based solely on the particular season we’re in. For instance, I wish the backseat of my car didn’t look like a Goldfish box exploded. That wish will fade as the toddler season is replaced with the school-age season. Don’t hold onto those little wishes. Instead, replace them with a gratitude statement: I’m so thankful we have the means for snacks and a vehicle to throw them in.
“But what if I’ve already fallen down the well?” you ask. “How can I get out?”
Again, there is no magic formula, but here are some tips that may be useful:
Acknowledge that you are in a particular season and remember that seasons change regularly.
Gratitude. Every time you hear yourself wish, stop and think, “Is this a wish I’m willing to work for?” If it is, then go for it! If it’s a seasonal wish, replace it with a statement of gratitude.
Find a mentor or someone you can trust, to share your feelings with. It can be helpful to have someone who can empathize with the season you’re in, and who can also reassure you that the next season will be
worsebetter. Misery loves company, but so does joy.Keep going. Climbing out of a well takes hand-over-hand effort. Sometimes, all you can do is one hand-hold, one toe-hold at a time, and that’s ok. Just keep climbing.
As you journey through the many different seasons of your life, remember these two things:
Every season has an element of beauty, you just need to look for it.
and
Wishing wells are deep. Approach with caution.
*This post is an edited version of a post from Nov. 7, 2022
Pictures
We have had the most gorgeous Fall weather, which means the leaf displays have been breathtaking. We went on a leaf hunt, and the kids made these beautiful suncatchers from our haul (see the Mess Makers’ sections below).
It was a successful Halloween and the first one in a while where we didn’t freeze our butts off. In fact, we didn’t even need coats. I was nervous because we just went dye-free for our littlest one (the black cat below). She took it right in stride though, gathering all the candy she could, but only eating the dye-free options we brought with us. Her older siblings, who did not join us for trick-or-treating were thrilled with her haul, which made her feel extra special.
She ditched the expected “trick-or-treat” for “I’m here for candy!” That garnered lots of laughs from the givers. Thankfully, she accepted it with a bright “thank you! Happy Halloween!” I hope you and yours had a Happy Halloween, too!
What have you been up to this week?
Splendid Stuff
I’ve never been a huge fan of squash. I mean, it doesn’t sound very appetizing. “Squash.” That’s something you do to a bug.
I’ve gotten braver as I’ve gotten older, though, and I’m happy to say that I now enjoy many dishes that include squash.
However, butternut squash remained on my “never tasted before” list until this week. I was gifted a butternut squash, and it sat on my counter, staring at me, daring me to squash it, for a couple of weeks, until I finally gave in and decided to make a go of it.
I found this Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe from Cookie + Kate that has a 4.8 star rating based on 1365 reviews. I figured that statistically speaking 1365 people could not all have defunct tastebuds.
They, in fact, did not. This soup was delicious!
We enjoyed this soup with perogies, but we’re already planning to try it with grilled cheese. If you give it a try, please let me know how you enjoyed it and what you paired with it.
What are your favorite squash recipes?
S. M. H. (Splendid Mess Hangout)
Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean you need to pack away the magic. Step into the world of The Marvellers, and immerse yourself in a world of magic. (Amazon Affiliate link included)
Arcanum Training Institute is a school of magic where Marvellers from around the world come to practice their magical cultural arts. This year, the institute will welcome its first Conjuror, Ella Durand.
Being the first is not easy though, and staff and students alike mistrust Ella’s magic. When a dangerous criminal escapes it throws suspicion on Ella and the entire Conjuror community. Will she be able to clear her and her family’s name in time?
Think- Hogwarts meets New Orleans. It’s an engaging story set in an incredible world. You won’t regret the read! (The audiobook is fantastic as well!)
What books have you been enjoying lately?
The Mess Makers’ Place
Our latest craft obsession is suncatchers. We’ve been using tissue paper to create them, but then I saw the idea of using fall leaves and knew we had to try it. They turned out so pretty!
All you need is:
Something to make a frame. This could be a paper plate that you cut the middle out of, construction paper, cardstock, or scrapbook paper (which we used).
Two sheets of clear contact paper cut to whatever size needed to fit your frame
Scissors
Tape (or string) for hanging your project up in a window
Fall Leaves (If you live somewhere warm, use whatever leaves and flowers you can find.)
Instructions:
Hunt for leaves. (Make sure they’re dry.)
Cut your frame out.
Place contact paper on one side of the frame.
Stick leaves to the contact paper.
Cover the leaves with the other sheet of contact paper.
Hang in a window.
Voila! You’ve created a simple, gorgeous fall decoration.
If you want a little extra fun, read or listen to “We’re Going On A Leaf Hunt,” by Steve Metzger.
What have you been reading this week?
Updates
I am victorious!!!
It has taken a full week, but I have eradicated all the weeds from every garden bed I use. The pile of weeds is as tall as I am and at least as long as I am tall. My fingers and arms are covered in bites, which have them rather swollen and itchy (yes, I was wearing gloves). Needless to say, it was a fight, but I conquered, and I’m feeling pretty dang happy about it.
Typically, I would not do this step until spring, as many insects use the weeds and old flower stems for wintering over. However, I still have a mountain of dirt that must be moved before it snows, and the dirt couldn’t move until the weeds moved.
I have already warned my family that the dirt WILL be moved before winter, even if it means we’re wearing coats, hats, bibs, and gloves. Hopefully, this lovely 70 degree weather we’re currently enjoying will last for another week so we can get that job done without freezing.
What are you working on this week?
Free Download
This week I have a FREE coloring page for you. Around here, everywhere you turn beautiful fall mums are brightening the scene. Just click the “Download” button below to get your copy. Enjoy!
What’s your least favorite fall sight? I love all the colors of fall- the leaves, the mums, the fields. The Master Painter certainly knows His craft.
Thank you so much for sharing your time and thoughts with me. If you enjoyed this post, please hit the ❤️ button. Not only does it make my day, but it also helps other people discover The Splendid Mess.
I hope you have a splendid weekend! ~Amanda