Small rituals for the moments in between.

November: Notice

A Little More Attention, A Little More Care

Sometimes we think of noticing as something we do when we're outside, watching the leaves change or admiring the first signs of a new season. But we can also turn that attention inward.

Have you noticed how your shoulders feel after a long day? Whether you've had enough water? How your hands feel when the weather turns cold? Or how often you move through the day without giving yourself a proper moment to pause?

Caring for ourselves doesn't have to mean adding another complicated routine to the calendar. Sometimes it's as simple as making a warm drink, tending to dry skin, or taking a few minutes to enjoy a story.

This week, let's notice the little things that help us feel cared for. Not because we need to do more, but because the ordinary details of our days deserve a little attention, too.

Something to Sip

Chamomile, Ginger & Honey Tea

Chamomile has a delicate, apple-like flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh ginger and a little honey. This is a simple cup to make when you want something warm and soothing on a chilly afternoon.

You'll need:

• 1 chamomile tea bag or 1 tablespoon dried food-grade chamomile flowers

• 2 thin slices fresh ginger

• 1 cup hot water

• 1 teaspoon honey, or to taste

• A small squeeze of fresh lemon (optional)

To make it:

1. Place the chamomile and ginger in a mug or small teapot.

2. Pour freshly boiled water over them.

3. Cover and steep for 5–7 minutes.

4. Strain if using loose chamomile, then stir in the honey.

5. Add a little lemon if you'd like a brighter flavor.

Take your first sip while it's still warm and notice the gentle floral aroma, the little bit of warmth from the ginger, and the sweetness of the honey.

A little noticing practice: What flavors do you usually reach for when you make a cup of tea? Do you tend toward something sweet, spicy, floral, or fruity? Sometimes our everyday preferences tell us a little about the comforts we return to.

Tea note: If you're pregnant, take medication, or have allergies to plants in the daisy family, check whether chamomile is suitable for you before drinking it regularly.

Something to Read

A Story Worth Settling Into

There's something lovely about finding a book that makes you want to linger. Maybe it's a character who feels familiar, a setting you'd love to visit, or a story that gives you a little breathing room from the demands of everyday life.

This month, I've gathered some BookFunnel recommendations for you to explore.

As you browse, notice what catches your attention. Are you drawn to a particular cover? A title that makes you curious? A description that sounds like exactly the sort of story you'd enjoy right now?

You don't have to choose the most popular book or the one everyone else is talking about. Choose the one that makes you want to turn the page.

Explore this month's BookFunnel reads:

Discover women rebuilding their lives, chasing long-buried dreams, and finding love where they least expect it in this curated collection of women's fiction and contemporary romance.

Stories of discovering where we belong

And if you find a new favorite, I'd love to hear about it!

Something to Make

Simple Shea Butter Lip Balm

Cooler weather can be hard on our lips. A little homemade balm is an easy way to keep something nourishing close at hand, whether it's in your purse, beside your favorite reading chair, or on your nightstand.

This small-batch recipe uses just three main ingredients. Shea butter gives the balm its creamy feel, beeswax helps it set, and jojoba oil adds a little glide so it isn't too stiff.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon shea butter

• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon beeswax pastilles

• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil

• 2–3 drops vitamin E oil (optional)

You'll also need:

• A small heat-safe glass measuring cup or bowl

• A saucepan for a double boiler

• A clean, completely dry lip balm tin or small container

To make it:

1. Add the shea butter, beeswax, and jojoba oil to your heat-safe container.

2. Place the container over a saucepan with a little simmering water, making sure the bottom of the container doesn't touch the water.

3. Stir gently until everything has melted.

4. Remove from the heat and let it cool for a minute or two. Stir in the vitamin E oil, if using.

5. Carefully pour into your clean, dry container.

6. Let the balm cool completely until firm before putting on the lid.

To use: Apply a small amount to your lips whenever they feel dry. The balm will soften slightly with the warmth of your finger.

A few practical notes: This is a water-free recipe, so it doesn't need a traditional water-based preservative. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, not a preservative. Keep water out of the container, use clean, dry hands, and store your balm somewhere cool and away from direct sunlight. Make a small batch and discard it if the smell, color, or texture changes. Patch-test the ingredients first if you have sensitive skin. I'd leave this one fragrance-free rather than adding essential oils, especially since it's going on your lips.

A little noticing practice: Pay attention to the texture of the balm as it melts and sets. A few simple ingredients can become something useful and comforting with just a little time and care.

Something to Remember

Pay Attention to the Way

Isaiah 30:21 (KJV)

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

There are plenty of times when we wish God would give us a detailed map of what comes next. We'd like to know which decision is right, how a difficult situation will turn out, or whether we're heading in the direction we're supposed to go.

But sometimes we are so busy looking for the big answer that we overlook the smaller ways God guides us.

A Scripture that comes to mind at just the right time. Wise counsel from someone we trust. A door that closes, an opportunity that opens, or a gentle reminder to return to what we already know is true.

Not every feeling or coincidence is a message from God, and we don't have to interpret every little thing. We can seek Him through His Word, ask for wisdom, and pay attention to the direction He gives us.

A few prompts to consider:

• Is there an area of my life where I'm wishing I had a clearer picture of what comes next?

• What truths from Scripture can help guide the decisions I'm facing?

• Have I been so focused on finding an answer that I've overlooked something I already know?

• Where might I need to slow down, seek God's wisdom, and listen before taking my next step?

• What is one small, faithful step I can take today?

You don't need to see the whole road to take the next right step. You can ask God to guide you today, and trust Him with what you cannot see yet.

Something to Carry Into the Week

This week, notice what needs a little care.

Maybe it's your skin, your home, a relationship, or a part of your heart you've been too busy to tend to. Maybe it's a decision you've been carrying around or a reminder from Scripture that you need to hear again.

You don't have to fix everything at once.

Pay attention. Ask God for wisdom. Take the next small step.

And don't forget to enjoy your tea while it's still warm.

Until next time, take good care of yourself and notice the little things.

Rose Infused Radiance: A DIY Guide to Skincare and Self-Care - Signed Copy