“In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions which a moment can reverse” T.S. Elliot – The Wasteland
This week’s image has three hidden hearts. Can you find them?
🌞 Greetings
Hello friends! I can’t believe another week has slipped away. Yet, I am grateful for another Sunday when we can sit and chat together. This is one more weekend that doing a little more front porch sitting is possible. It may be a little cloudy, and there might be a shower or two, but for now we’ll enjoy the warmth of this fall day. We can always move inside should the breeze begin blowing the rain too close to us.
Reflecting on this past week, I realize there is much for which I am grateful. Riding life’s roller coaster is a natural part of daily living. Long, slow climbs and quick, sudden drops sometimes leave us feeling unbalanced. Adjusting to that rhythm is a valuable skill… a skill that I called upon this week.
🕵️♀️ Uncovering Mistakes
For months, anytime available beyond caregiving has involved Evergreen Valley. For 28 weeks, I’ve been bringing this world to you one puzzle piece at a time. Mostly, it has been a joyful experience, but being in charge of everything that needs to be accomplished can obscure the vision and lead to unintentional mistakes. That was this week’s discovery, and sometimes, those discoveries require tough decisions.
After months of defining the story behind Evergreen Valley, it was thrilling to have overcome many obstacles and finally hold the printed book in my hands. After proofreading it several times, doubts arose. Questions such as, is the story clear enough, will people have a good understanding of the valley’s magic, and most importantly, is it written as a child’s story, surfaced and caused great doubt.
In spite of these questions, the desire to share the story prevailed. I listed the book and made the necessary social media announcements–an action that I regretted just a few days later. Hindsight makes clear to me that I broke one of my essential rules. When nagging questions keep gnawing at me, I usually stop, listen, analyze, reflect, and then make a grounded decision. I ignored my instincts. So, if any of you saw the book listed on the website, or in a media post, only to see it disappear a couple of days later, you are not hallucinating. The Dawn of Evergreen Valley is no longer ready.
🧭 New Horizons
This realization is not an ending. It is a new beginning. The story is back on the table. I know that the rewrite is not only necessary, but it will also produce a much stronger story. If anything, having written the first story, I created a foundation from which I can work. It is starting over, but I am not at ground zero.
The real turning point is the decision to bring myself back to the vision that began to unfold about a year and a half ago. My biggest problem is meeting the challenge of doing everything for everyone. I know that I cannot do it all, at least not at the same time. I want Evergreen Yuletide and Evergreen Valley to be a place for everyone. That goal is not bad. It just isn’t feasible for a one person studio to meet everyone at exactly the same time.
Choosing one age group over another isn’t easy, but it is necessary. For now, the story of Evergreen Valley will be written for children. Adults will become involved through their children, and if all goes well, there will be time later to incorporate adult activities alongside the children’s stories and adventures. Discovering that I need to narrow my focus is essential to the further development of Evergreen Valley. Reaching out to everyone at the same time just isn’t possible right now.
✨ The Journey Begins Anew
Looking at the glass as half full rather than half empty, I am excited to write this story with a child-centered focus. I had become accustomed to utilizing the hours during which my father was sleeping to dictate the story into my tablet’s document app. This time, I am going back to the time-tested method of pen and paper.
When I dictate the story, it is natural for me to write the way I speak. I am my own audience, and so the story was written unknowingly at that level. With this shift in perspective, I believe that there will no longer be a need to explain the magic, but instead will allow the magic to be found…something that children are quite skilled in doing. With a little luck, that magic will rub off on me as well. I have so many stories that I want to share, and I will do so one well-planned step at a time.
One of those projects, I believe, can be developed alongside Bernie’s story. It is a simpler format that would introduce the twelve puppies and the four adults that are presently inhabiting Evergreen Valley. Much of the information needed to complete this project was written months ago. It will utilize previously created character sketches for each dog. I look forward to sharing the development of this project with you in the coming weeks. The dream is alive and well. The puppies will continue to love their way into your hearts.
🧩 Puzzle Piece & Story Card
Speaking of the puppies of Evergreen Valley, Charlie, the King Charles Cavalier spaniel, is finally here to say hello. He truly is a lovable little guy and desires to share his love with his canine family and you. It is no coincidence that he is sitting by the campfire, that place that reflects both warmth and love. He is the final piece of the puzzle. I hope you enjoyed building Evergreen Valley piece by piece. Please don’t forget to also click on your final story card.
It has been a pleasure to share this puzzle piece journey with you. All of the pieces remain available and the puzzle piece grid will remain in your secret garden. If you know someone whose children might enjoy becoming a part of this world, please share this project with them. Time shared makes for pleasant memories.
🌿 Invitation to the Valley
I hope that you have been inspired to build the Evergreen Valley puzzle week by week. It is now complete. The pieces and story cards will remain available, so if you know others who might enjoy becoming a part of the Evergreen Valley family, show them the way to Evergreen Yuletide.
After opening your treasure chest for the new puzzle piece, turn the next page in your magical book so you can download your newest story card. The last puppy, for now, is here to share his love. Won’t you share your love with him and all of his canine family?
⬅️ Tap here to open your treasure chest.
⬅️ Tap here to view your magical book.
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
I do love sharing this time with you, but once again it is time to say goodbye. May the week before you be bright with sunshine, even when it rains. Until next time…
Thank you for joining me today.
PS – Don’t forget to look for the hidden hearts in this week’s blog illustration. This is our new tradition!
There is so much more waiting for you.
As a gentle reminder, subscribers have their own secret garden where, occasionally, gifts appear. A golden key opens the gate, and subscribers receive the monthly password in their welcome newsletter.
The golden key can be seen below. Tap it to step inside the garden.
I hope to see you again next week—
Same day, Sunday.
Same Adventure.
Another piece of the story waiting to be revealed.
With an open heart and a quiet corner saved just for you,
Paula
You are also invited to click the subscribe button at the end of this post. You will be transported to the home page, and at the bottom of that page is the subscribe form.
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