🍂Our Little Friday Letter (Friday, 26th September, 2025)

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

🍂 A Warm Welcome

Happy Friday, friends – and welcome back to this week’s little letter from our little house in the country.

How time is ticking on… and somehow, we are already at the final Friday of September. Isn’t that bonkers? I genuinely can’t believe how quickly the month has flown. But as always, I’m so glad you’re here, and I really appreciate you taking a few moments out of your day to have a little read through this week’s newsletter. 💛

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🏡 From Our Little House

Well, I finally succumbed to the bugs! It’s been one of those weeks where everyone in the house was gradually taken down by some kind of cold or flu — sore throats, headaches, general exhaustion — and I thought I’d dodged it. But nope, Monday morning hit me like a tonne of bricks. I got up thinking I’d power through a few hours of work, but I was absolutely floored.

So, this week has been all about slowing right down, even more than usual. Lots of rest, early nights, hot drinks, and just trying to stay cosy under a blanket on the couch. I’m still not feeling 100%, but definitely on the mend now — just very low energy and that lingering sense of bleh-ness, as I like to call it!

The silver lining is that I had a little more time to catch up on some blog admin and candle shop planning, which felt quite productive in its own gentle way. And despite the chilly mornings (we’re talking single digits overnight!), the sun has come out again and the garden is looking lovely. My husband has been getting a few pre-winter jobs done, and although I haven’t braved the garden myself just yet, I’m hopeful for a bit of a tidy-up next week.

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📚 On the Blog This Week

This week, I shared two new blog posts, both of which felt very timely and close to my heart.

🗓️ 1. October Calendar of Connection

On Tuesday, I shared a much-requested printable: our October “Calendar of Connection.” Thank you to everyone who reached out and suggested the idea — I loved putting this one together. It’s not a challenge or a checklist. Instead, it’s a list of 31 thoughtful, gentle ways to foster connection throughout the month of October — with your family, partner, friends, and yourself.

There’s no pressure to tick everything off. In fact, it’s more of a “could-do” list than a to-do list. The prompts are all simple, seasonal, and nurturing — think evening walks, hot drinks and chats, movie nights, and little rituals that bring people closer. Some people told me they’re printing it out and picking a few things to try with a friend — which I think is just gorgeous.

The printable includes both a calendar version and a simple list, so you can use it however suits you best. You can grab it on the blog here if you haven’t already.

🎨 And I have to say — I absolutely loved designing the graphics for this one. I’m a writer at heart, but I do love the creative side of making these seasonal resources. The little pumpkin illustrations are probably my favourite so far!

Click the button below to go straight to the PDF version of the calendar ⬇

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💛 2. Finding Joy and Choosing Kindness in a Harsh World

Then on Thursday, I shared a more reflective piece — one that’s been quietly simmering in my mind for a few weeks now. It’s called “Finding Joy and Choosing Kindness in a Harsh World,” and it’s about how we hold onto hope, compassion, and light when the world around us feels heavy or overwhelming.

It was partly inspired by some of the difficult things we’re all seeing in the news, and partly by an unkind message I received recently on one of my platforms. It caught me off guard — not because I’m unused to feedback, but because this space we’ve built together feels so calm and kind. The contrast really made me pause.

Instead of reacting harshly, I took a moment to respond gently, and I found myself reflecting on how important it is to protect our energy, be mindful of what we take in, and focus on adding more goodness to the world — not more noise.

This blog post is a little love letter to that idea: that small, intentional acts of kindness and joy really do matter. That it’s okay to scroll past what doesn’t serve you. That we can all be part of creating spaces that feel safe, thoughtful, and human.

You can read the full piece here, and I’ve linked to it along with the rest of this season’s posts below.

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🍁 Looking for More Autumn Inspiration?

If you’re in the mood for a bit more seasonal content, I’ve linked all of this year’s autumn blog posts in one place for you — including slow rituals, seasonal walks, gentle autumn to-do lists, cosy breakfast ideas, and more.

Click here to explore them all: Our Autumn Blog Collection

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🔜 Coming Up on the Blog

🍂 First Signs of Autumn: What I’m Noticing
A gentle reflection on the very first signs of autumn in the Irish countryside—what I’m seeing, sensing, and savouring as September slips into October.

🕯 25 Autumn & Winter Activities for a Slow Sunday
A cosy and thoughtful list of slow, seasonal ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. Think soups on the stove, candlelit journaling, and small, meaningful comforts.

🎃 Halloween Content is Coming
Next week, I’ll start sharing all my Halloween-themed posts—from Irish Halloween traditions to easy family food ideas, activity inspiration, spooky movie nights, and even books to read. I’ll start linking everything here once October begins!

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Theme of the Week

Finding Joy and Choosing Kindness in a Harsh World

This week’s reflection comes from the heart—and from a blog post I’ve just finished writing under the same name. I’ll keep it a little shorter here, but I hope it still lands gently.

The truth is, the world often feels like a difficult place. The news can be overwhelming. Even in our personal lives, we might be carrying more than others see—grief, worry, fatigue, invisible stress. And in these seasons, when the world feels hard, it’s tempting to pull back, to brace ourselves, to become cynical.

But what if we didn’t?

What if instead, we softened? What if we chose joy not in denial of the hard, but as a quiet rebellion against it? What if kindness—real, heartfelt, imperfect kindness—became our protest against the cold?

For me, this isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending things are fine when they’re not. It’s about small things. Lighting a candle at the dinner table. Sending a voice note to a friend you miss. Holding the door a second longer. Making time for the walk. Leaving the nice comment. Letting someone go ahead of you in traffic. Reaching out even when it feels a little scary. Taking care of your own heart.

Joy isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s a whisper that says: this moment matters. Kindness isn’t always big. Often, it’s a decision we make quietly, every day. Both take intention. Both take courage. But both are always worth it.

You can read the full blog post here – Finding Joy and Choosing Kindness in a Harsh World

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This Week on Instagram

Instagram has been a lovely flurry this week—thank you all so much for downloading, sharing, and commenting on the October calendar! I’ve loved seeing it pop up in stories and messages.

Here’s a peek at what else I’ve shared:

• 🍁 Behind the scenes of candle making (yes, even whispering about Christmas!).
• 🕯 More from our September prompts and evening rituals.
• 🧺 A few corners of our home dressed for autumn.
• 📸 A lovely little autumn challenge hosted by Hettie from @wildbramble.wonders.
• 💬 And lots of chats in comments and DMs—thank you for making this such a warm space.

Instagram can feel noisy at times, but this week it reminded me why I keep showing up: real people, real kindness, and the real joy of connection. You’ll find me on Instagram most days so if Instagram is your thing pop over and say hi you’ll find me @ourlittlehouseinthecountry

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What I’ve Been Loving This Week

🍂 From Around the Internet

This week, I’ve been participating in a gentle five-day autumn challenge hosted by the lovely Hettie (@wildbramble.wonders). The hashtag was #wildbrambleberryautumn, and the prompts were just gorgeous—gentle invitations to notice the season more deeply.

I’ve met such lovely people through it—artists, nature photographers, creative souls, and quiet sharers from all over the world. It reminded me how many of us are quietly trying to live more seasonally, more meaningfully, and more gently. I’ve truly enjoyed it, and I encourage you to take a peek at the hashtag—it’s a treasure trove of autumn inspiration.

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From Our Little Candle Shop

This time last week, I launched our tiny little autumn candle collection—something I’ve been dreaming of and quietly working on for months.

And I honestly thought… well, maybe a few people will buy one or two. But you blew me away.

We completely sold out of Autumn Days and Apple & Ginger Cake, and nearly cleared out the other scents too. I spent most of the weekend wrapping packages, printing labels (I design and make them all myself), packing boxes, popping out to the post office, reordering supplies, and filling my notebook with lessons and ideas for next time. It was joyful chaos.

This week, I’ve restocked and started working away on the Christmas range (and even on a signature Our Little House in the Country scent!). So thank you—truly—for every kind message, every order, every bit of support. You’ve helped me turn a quiet little dream into a real thing.

You can visit the shop here.

✨ Special Shop Update ✨
I’ve just added something a little different — a set of limited-edition Christmas candles made from my fragrance trial oils. There’s only one of each scent (once they’re gone, they’re gone!). They’re €9.50 each or you can mix & match any three for €20. A tiny, one-off festive collection to enjoy early 🎄🕯️

👉 Browse the collection here

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From the Archives

Since this week’s theme is more reflective, I’m resharing two heartfelt posts that touched many of you earlier this year:

📝 Maybe This Summer Wasn’t Meant to Be Magical
A gentle piece about pushing back on the pressure to have a ‘perfect’ summer. About doing what’s right for you and your family, not what looks good online.

📝 The Lonely Side of Personal Growth
A raw reflection on what happens when you start living more authentically—and how sometimes, people fall away. A piece I wrote during a quiet evening when the ache of that was still fresh.

If either of those posts resonates, I hope they bring comfort and solidarity.

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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 so much for reading our little Friday letter today. As always, I’m so grateful you’re here.

These letters have become a kind of ritual for me—a place to pause, reflect, and connect. Whether you read them in your inbox with a morning coffee or on the blog with a cozy blanket nearby, I hope they offer something nourishing.

Wishing you a peaceful, joyful, restful, maybe even rebellious-in-the-best-way kind of weekend. And just a note: the next time I write to you like this, it will be October. 🍁

Until then, thank you for being here. Take care,

Chat soon,
Ciara

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