
Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.

The Gifts of a Difficult Season
Reflecting on a life-changing year for me and the gifts it’s given me to take into 2024.

Through the Fire
We’re in the worst wildfire season in Alberta’s history, but there’s a lot of other life stuff happening too. Thankfully, most of it’s good.




Ten Reasons My Life is Great Anyway
My life took an unexpected turn last week that has inserted a great deal of stress into it. This is the result of a reminder to focus on the things that are still great in my life.

God Rest Ye Merry: Our Return to Celebrating Christmas
Why we celebrated Christmas for the first time in eighteen years, and some thoughts about changing perspectives.

Finding Peace in the Pain
For many, the holidays can be a difficult time of year. I recently shared a one-minute testimony about how I’ve found peace after our family tragedy, and wanted to share it with you. I hope it blesses you.



Healing from Loss, One Bite at a Time
There is an old joke that goes, "How do you eat an elephant?"
"I don't know, how do you?"
"One bite at a time."
The not-so-hidden truth in here can be applied to so many things—projects, goals, ginormous meals. But today, I'm going to talk about how I have found this true when tackling emotional hardship.*
*No elephants were harmed in the making of this blog post.

The Healing Power of Community
Two years after losing our son, we are still completely humbled when we consider the massive wave of support we received when Munchkin died. I am convinced that the support of our community through that first difficult year had a good deal to do with the progress we made in our healing. Yes, the work of grief must be done on an individual basis. But knowing that we were never alone had a significant impact on how brave we were in approaching that work.

Book, Body, and Knitting Reset
This week, I have been resetting physically and mentally, including my current writing project. Plus, a quick knitting update.

Getting Unstuck
A day at a time, the log jam is loosening and the ideas are flowing. The sun is coming back, energy is returning, and I am pulling myself blinking from the retreat of hibernation. For my own mental and emotional health, this year needs to be less about driving myself and more about reducing commitments, taking care of myself, and finding my passion again. It needs to be about healing.

Photo Friday: Grateful for the Harvest
Some years, the garden just sucks. But this year, my flourishing herbs and giant carrots and surprise petunias all worked together to heal my hurting heart. And I am so grateful for it.