Love’s Magical Power

Warm Friendships Diminish the Autumn Chill

Daylight is growing shorter, and temperatures are beginning to fall. Yet, the warmth of the front porch remains constant. Soon nature’s green will be replaced with a kaleidoscope of colors. Leaves will fall, and gather on the front porch steps, but for now only friends will gather here. They will enjoy a nice hot drink, a warm, comfy blanket, and a soothing melody or two. All are welcome.

Well, hello there. I have been waiting for this day all week. It’s a bit chilly, but I refuse to give up my shorts and T-shirt—or my comfortably peaceful front porch. Don’t worry…I have extra blankets this weekend. I brewed a delicious pot of hot coffee. Come on up… join me so you can spend a little time in my world.

What have you been doing this past week? I hope you made time to do something that left a smile on your face. Maybe you took time to visit an old friend. Possibly you crossed a major task off your to-do list and decided to celebrate. Perhaps you sat down and began to create something your heart has been begging you to bring to life. This week, one of my heart’s projects is on the verge of being completely real.

The Dawn of Evergreen Valley has had a home in both my mind and heart for about a year now. It all started with a failed project. I have alluded to it in a previous post. The project itself hit a dead end, but the concept held on to life. I have lived through the evolution of characters, whom I originally named The Dogs of Joy. After the wind and rain, those Dogs of Joy were a mangled mess of bleeding ink. But their spirit was strong. Their voices kept whispering, encouraging me to give them life.

With a renewed creative spirit, I began building a world. At first, it wasn’t named. Intuitively, I knew it needed to name itself. Looking back to the days when I was creating each puppy, I am amazed at the process. It was as if each dog was waiting there in my heart…whispering and waiting for me to hear. Their character traits, the breeds, their names just simply revealed themselves to me. One by one each puppy arrived—bringing a little more love into the world I was creating. Every puppy needs a loving mentor, and Bernie fills that role—and even more.

This book is Bernie’s story. It is where it all begins. To make that happen, I first had to understand the magic that is needed…something that usually only the innocent can understand. Grownups complicate so many situations. We create convoluted worlds of struggle. Children see all things as possible…maybe even as magical. Evergreen Valley holds wisdom, joy, and magic—and most importantly, love. All of this is made possible because love is its driving force. To understand the valley and the magic, one needs to know Bernie’s story.

Bernie’s story is an illustrated children’s book. The message, however, transcends all ages. There are times in life when we question our place in this world. In pretend play, children act out their future dreams. Adults think about where they have been and who they still wish to be. Both age groups continue to look toward the future. Children often look forward with excitement and wonder, while adults sometimes find themselves looking backward before they can move forward.

Adults often stop believing in the magic of a moment. Children look forward to tomorrow by making it happen today, even if it is just pretend play. It reminds me of the saying: “The past is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, and that is why we call it the present.”

The Dawn of Evergreen Valley shares wonder, hope, courage, and most importantly, love. Whether we are youngsters or seasoned adults, the message is both timeless and vital.

One act empowered by love creates a magical moment that time can never take away.

I am very close to being able to publish this book, and I will do so as my own publishing company, Evergreen Yuletide Publishing. I am pretty certain as to which company will become the printer and distributor of my book. I am working out methods for making it available in different formats. The future books will be considered part of a series and, as such, will probably carry the series title, Uncle Bernie’s Buddies: The Puppies of Evergreen Valley.

The valley has many trails—some of them leading to places unknown. I also have many stories to tell and trails to follow. My goal is to release another book by mid-spring of 2027, and hopefully a third book during late autumn of 2027. This is a goal that I will work to obtain, but I leave nothing etched in stone, as life always happens. Living in the moment is becoming a habit. Sometimes those unexpected detours bring me to a better destination. I would like to make this my yearly plan. Along with this vision, I am dreaming of a vast array of future projects.

One of those projects involves the continuing development of the website. Sometimes, it is difficult for me to know where Evergreen Valley and Evergreen Yuletide begin or end. I know that Evergreen Yuletide gave life to Evergreen Valley, but now, Evergreen Valley is breathing life into Evergreen Yuletide. It has become a symbiotic relationship. Love is the driving force for both entities. The valley is a welcoming place full of joy, love, and magic. My dream is to make my website an extension of the valley…a truly wonderful place to be. Everything is in the planning stages at the moment, but I will share more details as time passes.

👩🏻‍🎨 Studio News

Speaking of details, let me share a little bit of what went into my studio work this week. One hundred percent of my work time was invested in the book. I have done multiple test prints to analyze different aspects required by a good book.

The first test print helped me to determine the accuracy of illustration placement in reference to the story. A second printing was then done on a slightly higher-quality paper. That was to test the graphics with my printer’s best setting. The results would determine if the graphics would need to be brightened or darkened according to how they print.

Ironically, my printer decided that the vacation it had been enjoying wasn’t enjoyable. From lack of use, the cyan ink nozzle clogged. After a half dozen pages printed well, the rest of my illustrations came out warmly in the sense of mostly red and yellow hues. Oh well. On to test number three.

Not being wasteful, I chose to assemble those pages back to back and hold them in place with a little dab of glue stick. I then punched holes in the edge to accommodate a comb binding. It would now function as a real book.

Holding that homemade book in hand, I began to read it out loud. In a silent reading, my mind would just read what it already knew. Speaking each word was essential to hearing the flow of the story. It allowed me to catch a couple of typos and even a missing word. Having proofread the book in this fashion, I knew it was time to put it aside for another future reading. The only thing missing was the book cover.

My book needed a cover that would capture the epic, love-filled moment that would set the magic in motion. I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like. My heart and mind encouraged me to go for it. Little by little, the idea translated into a concept that was doable with only the tools that I have. The process has involved creating a hand-painted border, design manipulation with illustrations, hand-painting new components within the illustrations, adding text, creating a brief summary that doesn’t reveal the entire story, and more.

I wanted my book cover to be a wraparound design so that the back cover and the front cover together become one cohesive image. I learned how to set up the measurements for such a design. When I set my blank canvas to the needed size, the moment had arrived for bringing my design to life. I am grateful that it has come out very nicely.

I am hopeful by next week, when we sit on this porch together again, I will be able to share an image of the book with you. I am seeking different ways to make it available, and I look forward to being able to share it with everyone.

And speaking of everyone, our friends from the valley are getting really excited about Uncle Bernie’s story. Those lovable puppies just can’t wait to fully be a part of your world. In the meantime, one by one they will make their appearance, and in between, the valley will continue to reveal itself to you.

This week, the valley reveals something as simple as grass. Yet, the grass is like a canvas upon which puppy paw prints paint a day full of joy. I guarantee that they will leave a mark upon your heart just as they do upon the earth. Next week, you will meet another puppy, and she is a beauty to behold. Shh! 🤫 Don’t tell anyone that it’s a little girl dog next time.

Grass is also the subject of this week’s story card. We so often take it for granted, as it is seemingly always there. While some love to be mowing the lawn all summer long, others complain about the work. When it’s covered in snow, we can’t wait to see the green again. We need to be a little more like the puppies and just enjoy its presence, whether the green is showing or it is covered in snow. It is a place where we can leave a footprint.

Be sure to visit Inspiration Gallery as well. I’ve decided the gallery will now hold your completed coloring pages — whether they’re colored by you, your child, or another generation of your family. If the page comes from your Secret Garden, you’re welcome to share your finished gift here, adding your touch to the gallery’s growing collection.

📧 Stay in Touch and Claim Your Gifts

Do you have a need for a special product that you cannot find anywhere? My studio awaits your request! You can always send me an email at: paula@evergreenyuletide.com

⛲️ Newsletter and Your Garden Gifts

By signing up to receive my weekly newsletter, if you so choose, you will be given the password that opens Your Secret Garden. You can always access the garden by clicking on the golden key at the bottom of this post. Within that garden, you will find every gift that has been given since the inception of this blog. Nothing ever leaves—it is ready when you are.

Gently tapping the below images brings you to your treasure chest and magical book. The newest button takes you to Inspiration Gallery—a great place to view the work of your Creative Kindred Spirits. Don’t forget, you can always email me a photograph of something you’ve created with one of my products, or send in a colored coloring book page that was shared with you in the garden. I would love to feature it in the gallery.

🌞 Closing Reflection

It is that time again when I must say farewell. I’m grateful for the time we’ve had together, and I look forward to when we can do this again. If the forecast holds out, next weekend’s weather looks rather wet and windy. So for the first time, I might be inviting you in to come sit with me next to the cozy fireplace. We won’t even have to chop any wood. Maybe next time we’ll share some hot chocolate and smooth conversation. Until then…