🌻Our Little Friday Letter (Friday 1st August 2025)

A weekly catch-up from Our Little House in the Country

🌞 A Warm Welcome

Hello friends,

And just like that, here we are in August. I don’t quite know how we got here so quickly, but there’s something lovely about this in-between month — still full of summer, but with the faintest whisper of what’s next.

It’s been a quiet, homely sort of week here at Our Little House in the Country — lots of cooking, tidying, and pottering about the kitchen. Maybe you’ve felt it too — that soft pull to slow things down and settle back into simple daily rhythms. This week’s theme is all about the ritual of everyday cooking — the meals that anchor us, the recipes we return to, and the comforting familiarity of chopping, stirring, and sharing food with the people we love.

Whether you’re cooking from scratch or just rewarming something lovely, I hope you find a few moments this weekend to enjoy the little rituals that make life feel grounded.

I’m so glad to have you here for this week’s letter.

🏡 From Our Little House

This week has felt like a true summer rhythm — not jam-packed, but full in its own quiet way.

We’re up early each morning for a 7am walk, just myself and my husband. It’s become a bit of a daily ritual now — a chance to move, chat, and just breathe before the rest of the day begins. One morning we got completely drenched despite the forecast claiming otherwise, but honestly, it was still lovely. I’ve been wearing a weighted vest for these walks lately (a small but mighty challenge!), and I’m actually really enjoying the added boost.

Most days, I manage a second walk with my eldest — usually on the beach after dropping my youngest down to the yard. The sea air, the chats, the rhythm of the tide — it’s one of those pockets of peace that I’m holding onto tightly while the summer lasts.

The weather has been fairly dull and dreary, but warm, and we’ve made the most of it where we can. On Wednesday evening, I finally cleared the rain covers off the back patio, put up the parasol shelter, brought out the cushions and throws, and made sure the patio heater was ready to go. I realised I was waiting for a “perfect” summer moment that might never arrive — so we made one instead. We had dinner outside, watched The Summer I Turned Pretty (we’re hooked!), and later, some friends popped by for a glass of wine and a long overdue catch-up.

I’d had a bit of a low-energy day earlier that week — a bit of restlessness, a bit of the midsummer blues — and that evening on the patio reminded me just how fleeting this season really is. One of my kids is back to school in three weeks, the other not far behind, and so I’ve decided to fully embrace this stretch of summer while it’s here.

Last weekend was busy with horse shows, and there’s another one this Saturday (more of a practice run), but for the most part, July flew by in a blur. I suppose we’ve all quietly settled into a routine that works — and now I’m just trying to hold onto it a little longer.

✍️ On the Blog This Week

This week’s blog content has been all about slowing down in the kitchen and finding joy in the everyday. I actually shared two new slow cooker recipes — both easy, real-life meals that we regularly rely on in our house when life is busy but we still want something nourishing and home-cooked. To read the blog posts just click on the titles below.

🫕 Slow Cooker Ham Fillet
A longtime favourite in our home — especially before busy weekends or big pony shows. I pop it on in the morning and by evening, we have delicious, tender ham ready for dinner, sandwiches, and picnics. It’s one of those simple, grounding meals I return to again and again — and funnily enough, this humble recipe has brought a lot of new visitors to the blog and Instagram this week! Proof that it’s always the everyday things that resonate.

🌮 Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
This one’s become part of our Taco Tuesday rotation. I knew I had a busy day ahead, so I prepped everything early and let the slow cooker work its magic. Dinner was ready when we were — no fuss, no rush. I’ll definitely be sharing more slow cooker favourites in the coming months (especially as we head into autumn).

These recipes sit under my Home, Food & Everyday Life category — a space where I’ll be sharing recipes, home habits, and practical rhythms that support slower, more intentional living (without expecting us to live like we’re in a magazine spread).

🐴 Pony Show Day: A Day in the Life
Over in our Equestrian Life section, my PonyMad teenager shared her third post in our summer blog series — a behind-the-scenes look at her day competing at the Irish Pony Society July Show in Tattersalls. This was her first show with her new pony, and her second year competing at this particular event, so it felt quite special. She loved putting it together, and I’m so proud of how her confidence is growing — in her riding and in her writing. If you’ve got any PonyMad kids or teens, they might enjoy following along.

📆 August Free Printable
To mark the start of a new month, I’m resharing our Slow August printable. It’s a gentle calendar with one small prompt for each day — little nudges toward slowing down, being present, and bringing intention into the everyday. There’s also a bonus journaling page included if you’d like to reflect as you go.

This isn’t a challenge — just a quiet offering. A way to bring a little calm to your days.
→download the printable here

Digital flat lay of a calming August slow living printable on an iPad with stylus, beside a laptop and houseplant on a white desk, representing intentional and mindful living during summer.

Coming Up on the Blog

Here’s a little peek at what’s coming in August:

🧺 Five Things I Do Every Day to Keep the House Ticking Over
🎒 Back to School the Slow Way — gentle, neurodivergent-affirming routines
🍂 Seasonal reflections and cozy homemaking content as we drift into autumn
🐴 What’s in My Grooming Kit? — next up in the Equestrian Life series

🧺 Theme of the Week: The Ritual of Everyday Cooking

This week’s theme was a natural one — partly because I shared two new recipes on the blog, but also because home cooking plays such a central, grounding role in my everyday life.

Now, don’t get me wrong — there are definitely days when I roll my eyes and groan at the thought of making dinner. I’m not a chef, nor do I have a huge repertoire of recipes. But most evenings, I actually look forward to that little pocket of time I spend in the kitchen. It hasn’t always been this way, but over the years it’s become a rhythm I rely on — a kind of daily reset that helps me slow down after a busy day.

There’s something ritualistic about it. I light a candle or two, turn on the lamps (I’ve more in my kitchen than anywhere else in the house), pop on Drive Time on RTÉ Radio 1, and open the kitchen door to let the evening air drift in. I like to pull everything out onto the counter so I can see what I’m working with — fresh herbs, whatever’s in the fridge, the little spice drawer I recently turned into a favourite feature. Sometimes I’ll have a cup of tea, sometimes a glass of wine (especially on a Friday — it signals the start of the weekend). It’s not fancy, but it’s comforting.

The meals themselves? Very real. On Tuesdays, it’s nearly always tacos or fajitas. Fridays are for burgers, chicken goujons, and chips. Sundays — when I have the time — are for proper dinners: roast chicken or beef, or a rich casserole if it’s chilly. Other nights it’s pasta three ways because the fridge is bare — one child with plain pasta and cheese, another with tomato and basil, and me with whatever I can throw together with feta and spinach. Some nights it’s soup and toasties. Beans on toast. Something from the freezer. It’s not perfect. It’s just real.

We try to eat together when we can — at the kitchen counter or the table, sometimes out on the patio if it’s mild. Even if it’s just for ten minutes, it’s a little anchor in the day. There’s always a bit of craic, a catch-up, and then we all drift back to our own corners again.

Meal planning has been a quiet game-changer. I do one big grocery shop every Friday and plan out the dinners for the week ahead. It’s not glamorous, but it helps. Less stress, fewer runs to the shop, better control of the budget, and fewer defaults to takeaways. I even jot the meal plan on the calendar so I can glance at it without having to think. The “What’s for dinner?” question (which my family now cheekily sends via a WhatsApp group called exactly that!) doesn’t fill me with dread anymore. I’ve reframed it — from being another demand to a small, steady act of care.

That’s really what this week’s theme is about: reframing the everyday. Cooking might never be your favourite thing. But maybe — just maybe — it can become one of those ordinary rituals that gently tethers you to your day. A way to look after yourself, as well as those you love. A way to say: I’m here. And this matters.

🌸 This Week on Instagram

If you’ve been around a while, you’ll know that Instagram is where you’ll find me most days — whether it’s a reel, a photo, a quiet coffee chat in Stories, or a little update from our walks or garden.

This week was one of those unexpectedly lovely weeks over there. I’d hit a milestone last week — 7,000 followers — which was amazing. But to be honest, I suddenly found myself feeling a bit stuck. I didn’t know what to share next. The creativity just… paused. I wasn’t sure what to post, what to film, what might connect.

And then I made slow cooker ham.

Yes — a simple slow cooker ham fillet, with apples, oranges, and onions. I filmed it as a reel, thinking I’d use it to support the recipe I was sharing on the blog this week. Little did I know it would completely take off. Thousands of views, hundreds of new faces, and a lot of very enthusiastic ham lovers, apparently!

Even more surprisingly, a reel I had shared about a month ago about five reasons I walk every day also resurfaced and began gaining traction again. And just like that, I found myself passing the 8,000 follower mark. I’m still a bit gobsmacked. I was saying to the kids, it’s never been about the numbers for me — not really. But it’s heartening to know that real-life moments — like walking, or throwing a ham in the slow cooker — are resonating with so many people.

So if you’re new here, hello and welcome. And if you’ve been following along for a while — thank you. Truly. My hope for this space has always been to create a calm, grounded corner of the internet in a very fast-paced world. Somewhere real. Somewhere honest. And I’m very glad you’re here.

I have embedded the two reels below, so if you’re reading this on the blog you can view them below or if this the email version you are reading then click on the link to view if you are interested.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ciara Winters | Our Little House in the Country (@ourlittlehouseinthecountry)

🗂 From the Archives
25 Conversation Starters for Around the Dinner Table

Since this week’s theme is all about the rhythm and ritual of home cooking, I thought it was the perfect time to revisit this little post from the archives — a collection of fun, thoughtful, and sometimes downright silly conversation starters for family mealtimes.

They’re perfect for those evenings when everyone’s a little tired and quiet, or when you just want to spark a chat beyond “How was your day?” Especially lovely with teens (who may or may not be feeling chatty!).

You can dip into them at dinner, during a car ride, or even save a few for weekend meals or holidays — whenever the mood strikes.

→ Read the full list here

🌐 Things I’ve Loved from Around the Web

Every week, I like to share a few creators, writers, or lovely corners of the internet that have brought me joy, inspiration, or simply made me smile. This week’s three are all people I’ve come to know online — and while we haven’t met in person, they’ve each brought warmth, support, and creativity into my world.

🪴 Vera — @VintageHeartHome
You’ll find Vera on Instagram as Vintage Heart Home, or as “V — Seasonal Homestyling & Travel Inspiration.” Her home is just stunning — she has the most incredible eye for seasonal styling, and the way she films her space makes you want to sink into it with a hot drink and a blanket. But Vera doesn’t stop at interiors — she also shares beautiful travel and lifestyle content throughout the year, and her recent holiday videos were a total treat to watch.
More than anything, she’s fun. She’s warm. And she’s one of those genuinely supportive people who cheers others on, always quick with a kind comment or a word of encouragement. A gorgeous account to follow if you love cozy homes, beautiful aesthetics, and a good bit of personality too.
→ @VintageHeartHome on Instagram

📚 Michelle Reeves — Author, Artist, and Substack Creator
Michelle is one of those multi-talented people who somehow seems to fit five creative lives into one. She’s an author of a Minecraft-inspired kids’ book series (a big hit in our house, where Minecraft has been a constant since toddlerhood!), as well as earlier non-fiction works. I first connected with her on Instagram a few years ago, and she’s been an incredible supporter ever since.
More recently, I’ve been following her thoughtful posts on Substack, where she shares honest reflections and engaging insights, alongside her stunning watercolour paintings. She also hosts a brilliant podcast – Behind the Debut – that’s well worth a listen if you love meaningful conversation with debut authors.
→ Michelle Reeves on Instagram
→ Read her work on Substack

📰 Caitriona Redmond — @caitriona_redmond
If you’re not already following Caitriona, you’re in for an absolute treat. A writer, columnist for the Irish Examiner, and cost of living expert, Caitriona shares thoughtful, practical, and deeply grounded content — the kind of advice you’ll actually use. You’ve probably heard her on the radio too — she speaks with such clarity and insight, and always shares the links afterwards on Instagram so you can catch up.

We started blogging around the same time (me here at Our Little House in the Country, and Caitriona over at Wholesome Ireland), and I’ve followed her ever since. She’s someone I trust implicitly when it comes to real-life consumer advice — honest, informed, and no nonsense.

But beyond the practical, she also shares the most beautiful glimpses into her allotment garden — I’m forever in awe of the food she grows there, including grapes in her glasshouse, which honestly feels like magic in the Irish climate!

She’s one of those rare creators who seamlessly blends useful, timely information with real-life warmth — and I couldn’t recommend her more highly.
→ @caitriona_redmond on Instagram

✨ And You?
If you’re a blogger, writer, creator, or you know someone whose work I might love — please do reach out. I’m always looking for new content to read and share. This little space is here to uplift and highlight grounded, thoughtful voices — so if you think we’re a good match, I’d love to hear from you.

🌿 Follow Along

If you’d like to keep in touch between letters, you’ll find me most days over on Instagram — sharing gentle reminders, snippets of everyday life, and chats over coffee in Stories.

Here’s where else you can find me:

📷 Instagram
📝 Substack
📌 Pinterest
🏡 Blog

🕯 A Little Shop Update

There’s no new printable this week, but if you’re a subscriber, you’ve already got access to this month’s free Slow August calendar and journaling sheet — thank you for being here.

Behind the scenes, I’ve been slowly working away on something close to my heart: candles. Handmade, seasonal, small-batch candles. I’ve been testing the most beautiful autumn fragrances and am narrowing things down to just three or four for a limited launch. Candle making is something I’ve loved for years, and it’s been such a joy to return to it recently with fresh energy and a few new supplies. I’m really looking forward to sharing more in the coming weeks — they’ll be available right here through the shop page on the blog.

💬 Share Your Thoughts

If there’s something you’d love to see in a future newsletter, blog post, or printable, or if you just want to say hello — I’d truly love to hear from you.

You can reach me any time by:

📩 Filling out the contact form
✉️ Emailing me at ourlittlehouseinthecountry@gmail.com
💬 Sending a DM over on Instagram

Comments on the blog or Instagram are always welcome too. I read every single one.

💌 Until Next Time

Thank you for reading this week’s Little Letter from the Country. I wasn’t sure when I started whether a weekly rhythm would be too much — but it’s become something I truly look forward to. It keeps me focused, reflective, and in tune with why I write and share in the first place: to connect.

These letters have been a kind of weekly journaling practice for me — a moment to pause, look back, and gather my thoughts. Like everything else I share, they aren’t perfect. I don’t always live slowly. I’m not always calm. I’m often overwhelmed, and sometimes scattered — especially in the thick of summer, when routines go out the window. But I try. And I keep trying. And this space is my gentle reminder to myself as much as anyone else.

So, thank you for being here. For reading, for supporting, for showing up. I hope this weekend brings you exactly what you need — whether that’s rest, laughter, sunshine, a good book, or just a bit of breathing room.

Wishing all my Irish readers a lovely bank holiday weekend — and I’ll see you next week:

✍️ A new blog post on Tuesday
🐴 A new Equestrian Life post on Wednesday
💌 And another letter in your inbox next Friday

Until then, take care and chat soon,
With warmth from our little house to yours,
Ciara x

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