How To Make Autumn Soup

 
 
Back in early autumn, we went camping in the mountains. Each night the fog rolled in, and I had a good time taking photos in the morning before the skies cleared. I also went down the creek and found a series of waterfalls, a mossy tree, and a wallaby who didn’t know what to make of me.
Now, autumn is over. The weather is feeling like winter too; I’ve put extra blankets on my bed, and dragged out some oversized wool jumpers. And, it’s caught me by surprise again. Weren’t we just in summer?!
 
I like to do monthly challenges, because I think a month is a good length of time to push one’s self and make changes, yet the end is still in sight, so it doesn’t get discouraging. For March, a friend and I did a photo challenge together, where we took a photo each day. In April, I practiced every single day, tried to send/text/email something encouraging to a friend each day, and also did a #growingtolive challenge for a week. And May: I didn’t have any challenges to do every day, but I did achieve some goals I set, such as make a garment, begin a blog ‘series’, and send some articles (hopefully) for publishing.
 
I’m trying to actively push my comfort zone, or at least, sometimes I try. Other days I’d rather stay holed up and not see anyone. Anyway, this autumn I busked by myself for the first time. It was in my local town too, which made it extra-scary because people I knew saw and heard me. (Does anyone else get more nervous performing for people you know than strangers?) Other than that, I had two articles published in the Grass Roots magazine, and 40cms cut off my hair to donate to the AAAF (don’t worry, I still have some left). I haven’t had my hair this short since I was about seven, and I’m still wondering who I am.
 
A few exciting things happened in the world of blogging this autumn. Janie wrote a wonderful guest post here on Apples of Gold, and I guest posted and shared an interview on her blog too. I found a few new sites to add to my reading list, like Scattered Journal Pages – I like Amanda’s spiritual insights, and thought provoking posts; Storyshucker – his stories had me laughing; and Humans of South Auckland – a website sharing inspirational stories of everyday people. And this post offered another aspect on beingprolife which I really appreciated.
 
I’ve been slow at reading this year, but May was a good month – I read nine books. My favourites would be The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Little Red Writing Book, but Out of the Black Shadows, Horse Sense for People and Love in the Driest Season were good too.
 
I’ve also been reading through the New Testament, and found some incredible promises: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58) We can be steadfast and unmoveable, because we know our labour is not, and will not be, in vain. Isn’t that encouraging?! I also like 1 Corinthians 14:10, which says, There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. In other words, chin up chickadee – your voice, your words, thoughts and ideas matter. They’re significant.
 
So that’s my basic recipe for autumn soup – a little bit of whatever’s happening, a few challenges and stretches, some excitement; some relaxing ‘home time’, and a dose of reading, blog perusing, and claiming God’s promises.
 
 
Now, don’t leave without telling me how your autumn (or spring) was! What have you been reading? Have you ever thought of donating your hair, or gone busking, or done monthly challenges? What’s been your latest discovery in the blog world, or your latest favourite promise? What are you looking forward to about winter (or summer)?
 
P.s If you’re wondering where the name autumn soup came from: I tried skeletonizing leaves once - I collected a handful of different leaves, and boiled them in water and bi carb soda. They had a strong smell, and the siblings decided I was making autumn soup. I thought it was a good name for the conglomeration of activities my autumn consisted of, and decided to use it. :)