🌻 Our Little Friday Letter (Friday, 22nd August, 2025)

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

🌿 A Warm Welcome

Hello friends, and happy Friday. I hope you’ve had a lovely week wherever you are and however these last few August days have looked for you.

I’m so glad to be back here with you this morning. Sitting down to write this little letter has become such a grounding part of my week — almost like a journaling ritual. It gives me the chance to pause, to look back, and to gently make sense of the little moments that made up the past few days. I always find that when I take the time to write to you, I notice things I might otherwise miss — the rhythms of our home, small joys in the everyday, the subtle shifts as one season prepares to hand over to the next.

This space has become a quiet way for me to reflect and to share — a peek into life at Our Little House in the Country, along with some snippets from the blog, Instagram, and of course, the real heart of it all: home. So pop the kettle on and settle in — I’m so glad you’re here.

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🏡 From Our Little House

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind here as we’ve eased (or let’s be honest, tumbled!) into full back-to-school mode. There were uniforms to sort, supplies to buy, and timetables to print — and although both of my teens are now covered under the free book scheme (such a brilliant initiative), there were still the usual bits and bobs to pick up. One wears a uniform, one doesn’t, so it was a mix of shirts and tights for one and fresh jeans and t-shirts for the other. All in all, a smooth enough transition — though it did involve a fair bit of running around!

The big first day of school was today, and that meant an early start and all hands on deck. I thought I might feel the stress this week, but truthfully, that feeling came and went last week — this week has flowed much more gently. I can feel my body and brain adjusting, though. There’s a restlessness in me… that quiet nudge telling me I need some time to myself, to get re-centred and back into a rhythm. And I know many of you might be feeling the same.

We also had a gorgeous few days away last weekend — a little trip to the west coast of Ireland, to Mulranny in County Mayo where my parents have a holiday home. The weather was nothing short of miraculous: bright blue skies, warm sunshine, and sea air that cleared the cobwebs beautifully. We celebrated both of my parents’ birthdays while we were there and did lots of walking — 15 to 16km most days, which may explain why I’m still a little tired this week!

Of course, we returned to find that our cheeky cat had wandered off again (his usual trick if we’re away for more than two or three nights). Thankfully, he always turns up in the same place — between two kind neighbours about a kilometre and a half away — and they’re good enough to take him in, let us know he’s safe, and hand him back over when we’re home. He’s back now, purring away as if nothing ever happened.

I also treated myself to a few bits for the bedroom — some fresh bed linen and a new duvet in warm, autumnal tones: rust, olive green, soft pink. It’s amazing how a few small changes can breathe life into a space. Our room is still a bit of a mish-mash, the last untouched room from our renovation a few years ago, but this tiny refresh has made it feel just a little more welcoming and cosy.

And last but not least, I’ve been continuing my “training” for mucking out the pony stables — because as of next week, I’ll be taking over the weekday morning shifts now that school’s back. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s excellent exercise (and a surprisingly grounding way to start the day). My daughter’s been patiently supervising, of course — and I’ve almost reached her gold standard!

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📌 On the Blog This Week

This week on the blog:

• Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne
  A hearty, easy, budget-friendly dish for busy weeknights. Full of flavour and very little effort required!
  ➤ Read the recipe here
• Five Intentions I’m Carrying into Autumn
  A gently reflective piece on how I’m preparing for the new season with more mindful choices for body, mind, and soul.
  ➤ Read the post here

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🍂 Coming Up on the Blog

Next week marks the beginning of “Slow September,” and I’ll be sharing:

• The full 30 Gentle Prompts for Mind, Body, Soul & Connection (with a free printable calendar)
• My Go-To Weeknight Dinners (perfect for easing into routine)
• And soon after that, we’ll be getting into cosy autumn rhythms—seasonal walks, rituals, journaling prompts, and slow home inspiration.

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🌿 Theme of the Week: Tending to Self: Resetting for a Healthier Autumn

There’s something about this time of year — just as the last golden weeks of August roll in and the first hints of a new season start to emerge — that makes me crave a bit of a reset.

Not a dramatic overhaul. Not the kind of Pinterest-perfect “new routine” that collapses under its own weight by week two. But a gentle shift. A quiet recommitment to the simple things that help me feel more like myself.

Summer, with its loosened rhythms and longer days, has its own beauty — and I’ve loved it. But if I’m honest, there’s also a tiredness I carry into the last weeks of August. A sense of too many late nights, too much scrolling, too many skipped steps in my usual self-care, and the kind of soft chaos that comes when structure disappears for a while. And now, I feel that tug to return to something a little steadier.

That’s where the idea of tending to self comes in.

This season offers a sweet spot — a brief window where the days are still long enough to give us light and energy, but the air is starting to soften, hinting at slower rhythms to come. September feels like a second new year to me. Perhaps it’s all those years I spent teaching, but this month has always marked a turning point — a moment to pause, realign, and intentionally shape the months ahead.

For me, it’s about taking small, sustainable steps that will support me — body, mind, and soul — as we begin to move into the darker half of the year. It’s about remembering that the habits I tend to now will become my anchors in November and January, when the rain lashes sideways and motivation feels low.

So this week I’ve been asking myself a few gentle questions:

• What helps me feel well in my body?
• What rhythms support my mental health?
• How do I want my days to feel as the light fades?

Sometimes, the answers are simple: a daily walk, less time on my phone, better sleep, more nourishing food. Other times, it’s about carving out space to just be — to read, to knit, to light a candle and slow down in the evenings.

That’s why I created Tuesday’s blog post — Five Intentions I’m Carrying into Autumn — not as a to-do list, but as a touchstone. These aren’t rigid goals, but invitations. And over the next week or so, I’ll be continuing this idea with my Slow September Calendar, which you’ll find here in next week’s newsletter. It’s designed to gently support your body, mind, soul, and sense of connection — with prompts that feel doable and rooted in everyday life.

Because ultimately, tending to ourselves isn’t a luxury. It’s how we build steadiness in an unpredictable world. It’s how we nurture our energy and resilience — not just for ourselves, but for those around us too.

And maybe, just maybe, by starting small and staying kind to ourselves, we can move through the months ahead with a little more calm, clarity, and care.

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🗃 From the Archives

“Back to Basics: 12 Simple Practices to Recentre Your Days”
Originally written in early spring, this post offers a beautiful reset for when life feels off balance. If this is the week you’re feeling the tug toward calm structure and grounding rhythms again, this one might speak to you. I revisit these same gentle habits myself—especially as the busy school days begin again. They’re all practical, comforting, and doable—perfect for easing into a new season.

Read the full post here →

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🌸 This Week on Instagram

It’s been a gentle, quiet kind of week over on Instagram — the final days of summer always seem to bring that softer pace. I’ve been sharing little glimpses from our weekend in Mayo, including beach walks along the Wild Atlantic Way and a dreamy reel reminding us all to “listen to your own tide, not the world’s.” You’ll find it nestled among the Slow August highlights if you missed it.

Back at home, I took you on a little wander around the garden to pick the first of our big green cooking apples — and ended up baking a rustic traybake apple crumble (recipe included in the post if you fancy giving it a try!). I also shared the slow cooker chilli con carne reel from the blog, with the recipe in the caption for those of you who prefer a visual.

It’s been lovely to connect with so many of you in the comments and DMs this week. If you’re not already following along, I’d love to welcome you there — I share cosy, seasonal snippets most days and always love having a chat in the comments or stories.

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🌐 Things I’ve Loved From Around the Web This Week

OtherwiseKate.com – “Can’t Not Won’t: Pathological Demand Avoidance and the Challenge of School Attendance”
Now that we’re in full back-to-school mode, I wanted to take a moment to share a blog post from my lovely blogging pal Kate, over at OtherwiseKate.com. We’ve followed each other for a long time and often find ourselves writing about similar things — parenting, neurodiversity, and creating a more compassionate world.

This week, Kate wrote a deeply insightful and informative post about back to school season and how, for some families, it can be far more complex than new uniforms and fresh stationery. Her post explores Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and what’s often misunderstood as “school refusal” — highlighting the reality that some children simply can’t attend school, no matter how much they may want to.

As many of you know, my eldest is autistic, and we’ve had our own challenging journey with school attendance — especially when it came to the transition to secondary school. That first year was truly harrowing, and while things are better now (we’ve since moved to a more supportive school), it’s still a source of anxiety for us all. In fact, I had intended to write a post about this myself, but I found it too triggering and emotionally heavy.

Kate’s post put into words so much of what I’ve felt but couldn’t quite articulate. She explains the “can’t not won’t” idea beautifully — a concept I’ve repeated to so many educators and support staff over the years. I’m really glad this article exists, and I’m sharing it here because I know it will help others feel seen, understood, and perhaps a little more supported.

You can read the post here: Can’t Not Won’t: PDA and the Challenge of School Attendance
📚✨ Highly recommend giving it a read — whether this is your lived experience or something new to you.

@wildbramble.wonders – Hettie’s Slow, Seasonal Life in Northern Ireland
Another creator I’ve been quietly enjoying lately is Hettie from @wildbramble.wonders over on Instagram. Hettie shares the most beautiful glimpses into her slow, seasonal life in Northern Ireland — full of stitching, foraging, vintage treasures, mindful moments, and wild bramble walks that mark the turning of the seasons. Her nature-based creativity spills into everything she does, from soft, quiet activities and prep sessions to what I believe are gentle, in-person classes grounded in nature.

She recently shared a gorgeous late summer slow living checklist, and it’s just the kind of content that gently invites you to notice more, do less, and root yourself in the season. Her feed is a breath of fresh air — creative, thoughtful, and truly grounded. One to follow if you’re looking to add more seasonal rhythm and mindful beauty to your days.

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🌿 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

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💬 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.

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💌 Until Next Time

Thank you, as always, for being here. Whether you’ve been part of this little community for a long time or only recently found your way to our little house in the country, I’m so grateful for your company.

These Friday letters are one of my favourite parts of the week — a little ritual that helps me pause, reflect, and connect. I hope they feel like a quiet catch-up with a friend, a little moment of calm in your inbox.

I’ll be back next Friday with more stories, reflections, and seasonal inspiration. But in the meantime, you’ll find me over on Instagram, chatting in the comments and sharing snippets of daily life as we gently ease our way into early autumn.

Wishing you a peaceful, cosy weekend ahead —
Ciara x

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