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Progress and Self-Care

October 18, 2026/0 Comments/in Music, Self-care /by CXD

Hello Friends from a chilly Kansas!

What a switcheroo from last week’s warm weather. Today we are sunny and 60 outside- an amazing fall day!

Yesterday Kristin and I volunteered at a Barn Sale (a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s association). We had a lot of crafty fun creating items for the sale over the last couple of weeks, and yesterday the fun continued as we played the handpan and socialized with friends, the residents and their family members.

It’s fun to step out of the normal routine now and then, right?

Possibly due to all the extra creativity, but we had an AMAZING brainstorming session on Friday which resulted in a few brand new ideas and clarity on some projects that we are noodling on. Success all around we say!

Meanwhile, like a herd of turtles, we are both working on our current manuscripts and staying cozy.

Delaina’s poetry book series is really taking shape. We are thrilled with the directions that this book is heading in. If you are a poetry lover, or book lover, or friend or supporter and you want first dibs on publication, click HERE to get on our waitlist for this title.

Have a wonderful self-care week.

In love, light, and self-care,
Delaina and Kristin

The Possibilities With-In—Self-Care Sunday

October 11, 2026/in Self-care /by CXD

Hello Friend;

You know Kristin and I have a cup of warm tea and it is 88º degrees here in Kansas. Typical tea drinkers I guess. Nothing to see here. LOL.

A photo of two women smiling.
We both find comfort in that warm cup. And to be honest there is a lot going on in our world that has us looking for comfort especially in its simplest form.

How are you bringing comfort into your day?

Beyond tea, we have been pulling from our wells of determination as an energy source, and it’s worked. Kristin is almost ready to send the upcoming activity book The Gardener’s Getaway to the editor. It seems like she just started this book and now we could be looking at a November release date!

And I have submitted the poetry book The Wild Song We Sing to the editor for line edits. What was once an idea sparked by a single poem is about to be a full-fledged full-color poetry book. I am ecstatic!

When we follow the energetic nudges that light us up, we honor ourselves. And listening to our bodies is self-care’s golden ticket. We love ourselves enough to acknowledge our needs and follow our ambitions. No matter how big or small our actions are, we can create an environment to thrive with-in. This is true for all of us.

Think about the last time you felt the urge to follow through with something that would bring you joy. You got a little jolt of energy right? You took that spark and turned it into something meaningful for yourself.

Know the best part about our minds? By just recalling that feeling in your body right now you create the experience again. But I bet this time the emotions are even stronger.

The Gardener’s Getaway Activity book is not ready yet but if you are as excited as we are to get your hands on it click here to be notified.

In love, light, and self-care,
Delaina and Kristin

Fill Your Cup—Self-Care Sunday

October 4, 2026/in Self-care /by CXD

Hello from Kansas Friend;

Delaina here, I returned home from a road trip from Gilbert, Arizona yesterday. There is something nurturing about a road trip. Maybe it is because I have spent most of my formative years moving and road tripping but I find the experience lifts my soul. I’m sure it helps that we traveled through Colorado and Northern New Mexico, two of my favorite places. Here is a photo from Cumbres Pass.

Anyway from the Kansas plains to south/central Arizona traveling with my Mom and sister we witnessed so much beauty. The golden aspen leaves contrasting with the dark storm clouds; the saguaros poking the remnant clouds that trailed behind the hurricane’s storm were dramatic demonstrations of our gorgeous planet that inspire poetry in me.

While I was gone Kristin started sowing the seeds of a new activity book—The Gardener’s Getaway. It is going to be so much fun! I’m so excited to share it with you.

Also, Kristin was inspired to create a new Christmas book that will bring new joy to an old classic. More on this soon.

As for me I am ready to tuck back into my upcoming poetry book with new energy—The Wild Song We Sing. This chapbook sized book includes twenty-one poems, a lyric essay, my photography and a couple of surprises, all brought together in celebration of the life we share together walking each other home in this glorious life. We are so close, and I am finding it hard to be patient. But wait we must.

In love, light, and self-care,
Delaina and Kristin

This weeks newsletter was brought to you by the Cozy Winter Picture This! book.

PS: Would you rather: road trip or fly?

Sounds and Sloth-y Saturday

December 20, 2025/in Hello Caregiving, Music, Poetry /by CXD

Hiya;

It has been a busy and amazing week for us and we are feeling slothy today.

We got to play Santa at Prairie Elder Care Day Program and play the handpan at PEC East house this week. That was a lot of fun.

Delaina read a poem she wrote in memory of her brother. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/zg8zWe65W84

Create a Pan-tastic Saturday with Delaina here: https://youtu.be/NnRiHIQG0P0

We mentioned on Monday we were crossing our fingers that we could share an 8-hour sleep video with you. You must have crossed your fingers too because we were able to pull it all together in time to include the link today. https://youtu.be/nFkbxyfx4Yc

We hope you are taking time to recharge your energy levels with some self-care.

We would love to know what you are doing today? and how you are keeping it cozy?

In love, light, and cozy vibes,
Delaina and Kristin

🖨️ Printable Activities on Our Etsy Shop

One of our best sellers on Etsy is our Christmas Carol Songbook. We aren’t surprised. Music is medicine for the soul.

🎶 Delaina’s Handpan Music on YouTube

Get cozy in your own strength and create a fantastic day. To help here is Delaina’s Pan-tastic Playlist full of handpan music. Listen to it anytime you need healthy vibes to fill your body with nurturing energy. Beyond YouTube you can find Delaina’s cozy music on Insight Timer and your favorite streaming venue.

🔧 Handyman Activity Book for Aging Adults

We aren’t Norwegian but we are pretty sure solving the puzzles in our Handyman Activity Book with a loved one is hygge. You can grab your copy of The Handyman Special from our direct link or from Amazon.

✨ Poetry Books

We might be biased but surely curling up in a comfy chair with a poetry book like Paper Birds or the Anniversary edition of She Too is hygge.

🌀 Coloring Books

Get Cozy with some soul-nourishment coloring. Our Mantra Mandalas put a spin on the power of repetition to evoke the feeling of words while you color.

📚 Large Print Fictions / Upcycles

Grab some blankets, turn on the fireplace and let our large print fictions warm your heart.

Snuggie Saturday

December 13, 2025/in Hello Caregiving, Mantra Mandalas, Music, Poetry /by CXD

Ahh Saturday!

Saturday’s for us tend to be full of projects or peace. Today we are doing a little bit of both so that we bring more hygge vibes in everyday. We’ve got projects (who doesn’t right?) but we will also take time to read by the fireplace.

Delaina was hoping to announce a new sleep video today but she has run into some technical fumbles so fingers crossed that it’s lulling us to sleep by Saturday.

Kristin is having fun designing new puzzles for our next activity book. We think it will reel you in. 😉

We wish you a Snuggie Saturday full of warm drinks, laughter, and pleasant memories.

What are Saturday’s usually like for you?

Keep it Cozy

December 5, 2025/in Hello Caregiving, Music /by CXD

Hiya;
Wow what an amazing week it has been. We got to make music with our friends at PEC. Delaina edited some of her poems she wrote earlier this year. Kristin spent some time creating puzzles for our second Activity Book.

And some of you are sharing your appreciation for the music, newsletter and our upcycle on classic Christmas stories in Santa’s On Memory Lane. Thank you!

🎶 Delaina’s Handpan Music on YouTube

Get cozy in your own strength and create a Pan-tastic day with Delaina’s handpan music video. Listen to it anytime you need healthy vibes to fill your body with nurturing energy. Beyond YouTube you can find Delaina’s cozy music on Insight Timer and your favorite streaming venue.