This month we bring you links to a mediation on the power of a front porch, Oxford's annual Holly Jolly Holidays festivities, a convincing case for taking a silent walk, and a new dairy farm in Pontotoc County that is changing the way we drink our milk.
1. The Season's Best Porch Weather
Of all the ways to love our property, November might just be our favorite way. It's the true arrival of fall temperatures (sweater weather!), the sunsets are colorful, and the porch sitting is...perfection. We especially loved this essay on the power of a front porch: "The porch became the nerve center of daily life — a spot for chatting or napping; a backdrop for every first day of school photo; a vantage point for changing leaves, trick or treaters and an endless rotation of art in the windows of the elementary school across the street."
2. Holly Jolly Holidays
Visit Oxford's fourth annual Holly Jolly Holidays brings ice skating and holiday cheer to town beginning Nov. 18 and running through Jan. 7. The ice skating rink and other events will take place at the Old Armory Pavillon (1801 University Ave.). Expect visits from Santa Claus as well as the city's annual tree lighting on the historic Oxford Square.
3. The Beauty of Silent Walks
"No talking. No podcasts. No music. Just some time alone with your thoughts," writes Cristina Caron for the New York Times, is a revelation. "Walking in silence is an ancient tradition rooted in mindfulness, a form of meditation that helps people focus on the physical sensations, thoughts and emotions of the present moment, without any judgment," she writes. At Splinter Creek, we offer 650 acres on which to be silent, mindful, and connect with nature.
4. Southern Cultured Creamery
A new family-owned dairy farm in Pontotoc County is churning out unique cheeses and strawberry milk. Find their products locally in Chicory Market, Saint Leo, and Local Honey, and read more about their family business here.
