latest on the blog
To my friends in California, my heart is breaking for you and I am so sorry that you are going through what you are. You are in mine (and so many others) prayers during this unimaginable time.
Happy Friday friends and Happy New Year!! I hope that you have had a lovely and wonderful first few days of this 2025 year! As we approach this second weekend of the 2025 year, I hope that your weekend is full of relaxation and restoration!
I am grateful for this sweet space to spend time with you each day! January in this space is always precious as it will be TWELVE years ago on January 23rd that Caravan Sonnet! I already have tears at so much that has happened, the blessings of this space, and ALL of you over these almost twelve years! I can't wait to celebrate with y'all and look forward to sharing more in the weeks to come!
But for today- here are some of my favorite things from this past week! First of all....
%20(1).jpg "Doing Something New Everyday in 2025")
(1) Doing Something New Everyday of 2025
WOW. WOW. Just WOW. I am honestly speechless y'all.
Friends, when I posted this last week (read HERE) I was hopeful it would encourage someone but the messages and email response has been overwhelming to hear so many of your stories, your heart on this new year, and your inspiring stories of bravery and courage to be showing up in the midst of some very hard things. Thank you for trusting me with your story and I hope that (as I said in the post) that this inspires you in small and big ways to try a first throughout the year.
You can read my vulnerable and honest thoughts about how this came to be HERE!
You can also find more information under the "Lchaim" Tab at the top right of the website and find the entire list of things I am blogging about HERE!
Thank you so much for ALL of your encouragement and if you have any ideas of "firsts" I should add to my list PLEASE leave some thoughts in the comment section or email me!
.jpg "friday favorites // january 10th")
I truly hope that this is a beautiful year for you. If you haven't read the post yet click HERE!
One of the things that I wanted to do this year was change my time with the Lord a bit. With my current schedule it was not working as well for me to do an extended time with the Lord in the morning as it used to. I have been burdened this year to spend even more time in prayer and so I wanted to do a small devotional in the morning and then I have been spending increasing amounts of time in prayer in the morning before my day truly starts and on my morning walks. As the day goes on I have put into place some purposeful time to also be doing a different book of the Bible throughout different months this year. I will share more in the coming months, but I started this before the new year started and this has been a HUGE blessing to me.
I am sharing that because I find that a lot of times there is a huge push to have a BIG time with the Lord at one specific or continuous time and in the morning. At different seasons of life that has worked really well for me. If it is working well for you, that is awesome. But if it doesn't work well for you I would encourage you to find a short and encouraging devotional (like the one above) to start your day and then examine your schedule for time throughout or later in the day.
You can find it on Amazon HERE.
.jpg "caravan sonnet rebecca vandemark")
(4) Christmas Break Adventures
It was the sweetest Christmas. A lot of plans changed due to a variety of circumstances, but it was a beautiful time with my mom and I treasured every single moment.
On Monday I shared all about our Winter/Snow Junk Journal Collection that is now live! This collection is inspired by cozy winter days and we are so excited for it!
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Here are just a couple of pictures of this adorable collection!
.jpeg "snow and winter junk journal collection")
.jpeg "snow and winter junk journal collection")
You can click HERE to go directly to the shop!
Recently this book (2nd edition was released in 2017) has been selling so quickly and I have been so humbled at the sweet response and love that I have received from it. The most popular comment I receive is "I didn't know you wrote other books than Lyme Disease/Chronic Illness Books" ... and yes I do! *smiles*
December Caravan was written from my heart many years ago and is a collection of personal short stories, encouragement, and inspiration on finding hope in the ordinary moments of life. Here is a snippet from the back cover:
Beginning when her world crumbled after her ex-fiance walked out of their relationship to being diagnosed with several serious health issues, Rebecca shares openly and vulnerably from her heart and life. Covering heartbreak, loss, joy, and hope, December Caravan shares short stories to encourage the weary heart. No matter your circumstance, December Caravan will encourage you to find hope in the tender mercy of grace.
.jpg "Viking Cruise - Caravan Sonnet")
With Caravan Sonnet turning twelve years old this month I thought it would be fun on Fridays to share some older posts from the blog! One of the things that Caravan Sonnet developed into was a a resource for those looking into cruising around the World.
I shared right before Christmas that I am so excited to announce a beautiful blog collaboration with Viking Cruises again! You can read more HERE!
This was one of my favorite cruises I ever took that cruise was SO special y'all... it was absolutely amazing. We still talk about this trip and all of the precious memories that we made. You can read all about the cruise HERE and mom and I are so excited to go back!
I hope that you have a wonderful Friday and weekend friends! Thank you for making this such an incredible space to come to and connect with every single day. I am so blessed!!
Happy Thursday friends! I hope that your January has been off to a wonderful start! With the weather in so many areas turning bitterly cold and the winter months settling in, I wanted to share with y'all 17 food that will help boost your immune system! (Concerned about colds and the flu? Check out a post that I wrote back in 2017 entitled, 21 tips to prevent colds and the flu!)
Today's list contains foods that go beyond the typical orange juice and chicken noodle soup ideas! These foods will help you boost your immune system all year long! So in no particular order here are the 17 foods to boost your immune system:
1. Fish
Fish are loaded with Omega-3's which are excellent for your immune system.
2. Red Bell Pepper.
Y'all, I was SHOCKED to learn that red bell peppers have almost THREE times the amount of Vitamin C than an orange! Move on over orange juice and hello yummy red bell peppers!
3. Oysters
Oysters are filled with yummy zinc that is helpful for fighting off infections. Allergic to shellfish? Try Pumpkin Seeds which are also packed with zinc! Curious about the benefits of pumpkin/pumpkin seeds? Check out this post (click HERE) on the 9 Benefits of Pumpkins!
4. Hello Tea, Goodbye Coffee
Harvard University did a study that showed that tea drinkers immune cells are FIVE times stronger than those that drink coffee only. So either add tea (green, black, or white to be specific) to your diet or say goodbye to the coffee.
5. Yogurt
Probiotics have been linked to a strong immune system and helpful for the gut so start taking them regularly or start eating some yogurt!
6. Garlic
It has been known to kill bacteria in the body!
7. Broccoli
Some studies have shown that this helps regulate your immune cells.
8. Goat cheese
Goat Cheese contains copper, which helps keep your immune system working.
9. Blueberries
All berries are good for you, but blueberries have the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants of all commonly consumed fruit, according to research from the USDA Agriculture Research Service in Little Rock, Arkansas. But if you don't like blueberries, and are looking for other berry benefits check out the following posts:
10. Mushrooms
Research suggests that mushrooms may have antiviral and antibacterial properties. While there are tons of different kinds "button mushrooms" are known to have the most Vitamin D.
11.Anise seeds
These seeds are known to have antibacterial properties and also have been known to help with the upper respiratory tract.
12. Fennel
Fennel is known to help clear chest congestion and sooth a cough. While it can be eaten raw, some studies have shown that drinking it as a tea helps the most!
13. Basil
13. Basil
There are so many amazing benefits to adding basil to your diet! You can read my blog post on all of the amazing benefits of basil by clicking HERE!
14. Leafy Greens
These are loaded with so many health benefits. Remember the post that I did on the benefits of eating Kale? These leafy greens are PACKED with lots of nutrients!
15. Dark Chocolate
Pure cocoa contains more of the disease-fighting antioxidants known as polyphenols than most berries and it's loaded with zinc, also! Check out more benefits of Dark Chocolate HERE!
16. Brazil Nuts
These nuts are filled with protein and selenium that helps maintain a healthy immune system.
17. Apples
17. Apples
Y'all there are so many amazing health benefits to apples! You can read my blog post on the amazing benefits of apples by clicking HERE!
Isn't it amazing how much food can help boost your immune system? What is your favorite food to help you stay healthy?
Isn't it amazing how much food can help boost your immune system? What is your favorite food to help you stay healthy?
If you are just starting to read these posts and are wondering why I am doing something as a "first" for each day of the year, you can read more of the story and background HERE.
Day Two// Read a Local Newspaper in its Entirety
Cost: Free
One of the things that I wanted to do this year was to read the local newspaper in its entirety. Y'all, I don't know about you but for me I couldn't remember the last time that I had read the local newspaper all the way through let alone if I truly took time to read it at all.
As I sat in the morning sipping my tea and reading through the local articles I was struck by a couple of things. First, I found it fascinating the different things that were going on in my area that I had no idea about. This really opened my eyes to the fact that a lot of times when I am looking for things to do I will ask friends, see events posted on social media that are happening, or (and this is the most common) often choose recurring items that I am most familiar with. By reading through the entire local newspaper I found out about several local events I would never have known about, some interesting items going on at a local political level, and read about some fascinating people in our area that are working to make our world a better place.
Second, as a lover of history I discovered a hidden gem that I had never known about nor (as I have talked about this) did most people in our area know about. It turns out that starting in 1890 and lasting until right after World War II there was a Catholic Summer School of America that was located here which was a summer camp for adults. It became so prestigious that at times there could be more than 5,000 people who attended and many writers, governors and even a couple of presidents attended. Eventually finances due to the Great Depression and the War closed the camp and all that remains now is a small historical plaque, but it was a fascinating read of an article and it has inspired a couple of other firsts for the year which I will share more about throughout this year!
When I was creating a list of all of the firsts for the year, I had planned to do this first sometime throughout the year. Y'all, I am so glad that a winter snowstorm delayed my other first plan and that I did this at the beginning of the year.
Embarrassingly, I have often been one to say things like, "I was that we lived in a bit of a bigger city where there were more options of things to do" or "There is always the same events happening around here" or "I wish we had this or that..."... and the list goes on. Now I am honestly embarrassed to even write that here, because as I do, I clearly see that it is me that was stuck in thinking these things as I looked for events outside our area.
I obviously love traveling and am looking forward to some amazing experiences this year that I can't wait to share with y'all...but I am also humbly thrilled to have learned an important lesson at the beginning of this year. Instead of complaining or grumbling or wishing something was different about where I live... I need to fully put time into actually looking around and exploring the area through different avenues then what I have been used to doing in the past. When I lived in a larger city (like when I lived in Washington DC) the ideas were constantly being discussed of so many different things that were happening, but in a smaller area just because I had to put a little more effort in... didn't mean that there wasn't new items to be discovered. An important lesson for life. *smiles*
And this could apply to so many different areas of life. What I learned from this seemingly small choice of a first was once again there is so much of this beautiful world to be explored and learn about... even in my own backyard.
Tips for Creating Your Own First Related to This:
*Read a local newspaper in its entirety
*Ask someone you don't know for ideas and suggestions for things to do in your area (or even ask what they are up to for the weekend). After I read this local newspaper I started talking about the Summer Camp I mentioned to everyone I came in contact with and while so many people had never heard of this, I was given so many different first ideas because a lot of people started saying things like, "Did you know that there was also "this or that" here in this area?" It was truly eye-opening!
Image Pexels CC0 License
Seeing our parents age and gradually become unable to carry out all the tasks that they used to complete independently can be a difficult experience. As an adult, seeing the relationship with parents change from being the person who was cared for to being the one doing the caring can be a challenging transition to make. For many people, the time comes when their parents are ready to move out of their home and enjoy the benefits of living in a senior living community. The big question is, how do you choose the best senior living facility for your elderly parent? Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision when choosing:
Don’t Make the Decision Alone
Deciding to move your parent into a senior living facility can be an agonizing choice for some people. However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a choice you must always make on your own. If your parent has the capacity, it’s essential that they have a say in where they will be living and that their needs and opinions inform the final decision on where they live wherever practical.
If you have siblings or other close family members, you may also wish to discuss the decision with them to help you make a more informed choice and to make you feel under less pressure.
Consider Specialist Needs Your Loved One May Have
Choosing a senior living facility that is able to offer the right level of care and support for your loved one’s needs is absolutely essential. Ultimately, living in an environment that is tailored to meet their individual needs will help them to feel much happier and more settled in the living facility. Importantly, choosing a senior living facility that offers the right level of support for your loved one will also help to keep them much safer and provide you with the peace of mind that they are being well looked after.
Some senior living facilities are able to offer communities that are dedicated to providing high standards of care for seniors with specific conditions. For example, senior living communities that provide specialist memory care for adults with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
Keeping the above points in mind will help you to choose a senior living facility that is the best fit for your loved one and any specialist needs they may have.
Carry Out Research
Carrying out careful research is an absolute must when you’re trying to choose the best senior living facility for your parent. The more research you carry out, the simpler it will be to make an informed decision and select the living facility that will offer the most suitable accommodation with the correct level of support for your loved one.
When carrying out your research, it is helpful to assess factors such as:
- Amenities available to residents - are there recreational facilities and outside areas for residents to enjoy?
- Accommodation - what standard and sizes of accommodation are available? Are pets allowed to live with residents? Are housekeeping services offered?
- Reviews and testimonials - what do other residents and their families think of the accommodation and care provided?
- Activities and enrichment - are there opportunities for residents to get involved in activities, such as sports, and hobby clubs, book groups, etc? Are trips and activities organized to enrich the daily life of residents
Assess the Practicalities
Carrying out plenty of research on the different senior living communities available is an excellent basis for making an informed decision. However, it is also vital that you look deeper into the practicalities of the decisions you make to ensure that you are really making the right choice.
There are many practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a senior living facility. One of the most important practical considerations is assessing the location of facility and how far away it is. Choosing a senior living facility that is reasonably close to your home is helpful if you plan to visit regularly and spend time with your parent whenever possible.
Cost is another key practical consideration to keep in mind. Figuring out how much can practically be spent on your loved one’s care and assessing the fees for each senior living facility is important to avoid committing to spending more than you can afford.
Choosing the best senior living facility for your loved one can be challenging. However, considering your loved one’s specialist needs and assessing your options carefully will make it much simpler to make the best choice.
*contributed post*
Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share with y'all more about the winter and snow junk journal collection that is available in the shop! You can go directly to this section of listings HERE!
These journals and junk journals are the perfect way to keep track and treasure the magic ordinary of each day!
This collection is perfect for those looking for a unique and legacy type gift for yourself or for someone you love of precious cozy winter memories!
No matter which journal you select you can easily add in pictures and quick notes so that you can remember these special cozy winter days forever.
Above are just a few pictures from the MANY winter precious journals that are available, and I hope y'all love it! You can find this entire collection of junk journals HERE and so many others in the shop HERE!
PS- Stay tuned for the Valentine's Day Collection that is releasing in the next few days! Happy Monday friends!
A roof is more than a structure, it's an identity statement, protector and, to be honest, a hero of any building. However, finding the right roof for your structure may not be straightforward. Different types of roofs cater to different climates, architectural styles, budgets and personal preferences. Everything from energy efficiency to aesthetic appeal are options available to choose from.
The Classic Gable Roof
One of the most recognizable roof styles, gable roofs are easily recognized for their distinctive V shape with two sloping sides meeting at its top ridge. Their affordability and practicality makes them excellent for drainage and attic space. Gables thrive in cold and rainy climates, however, in areas prone to high winds or hurricanes their triangular design can catch gusts like sails. Perfect for families looking for timeless aesthetics combined with practicality. Just make sure that reinforcements are put in place before the storms arrive.
Chic and Sloped: The Hip Roof
A hip roof offers unparalleled stability with slopes on all four sides meeting at its central ridge for superior wind resistance and aesthetic. Perfect for areas that experience unpredictable weather conditions, its sloped design also creates windbreaks along its edges to protect it from rainstorms. Plus, its elegant lines can create an exquisite aesthetic, making it the ideal solution for homeowners prioritizing the “pretty” element. However, hip roofs may cost more than their counterparts due to their complex design requiring additional materials. But for those willing to invest in durability and style it's well worth their investment. Bonus points if you pair it with dormer windows for extra charm.
Flat Roofs Aren't Just for Offices
Don't let their name mislead you, flat roofs aren't completely flat. Rather, they feature slight slopes to ensure water drainage while remaining more minimalistic than their gabled or hipped cousins. Flat roofs are commonly seen in modern and industrial designs and make an excellent space-saving feature in urban environments where space is at a premium. Their accessible surface allows rooftop gardens, solar panels, or even cozy lounge spaces. Unfortunately, flat roofs require regular maintenance, otherwise poor drainage may pool water on top and cause leakage issues. But if you are drawn to its sleek contemporary aesthetic, flat roofs could become an eye-catching feature of any building project.
Shed Roofs for Minimalistic Appeal
Sleek, chic and undeniably modern, shed roofs (essentially single sloping plane) have quickly become one of the signature elements of contemporary architecture. Boasting clean lines that exude minimalist appeal, shed roofs add distinctive and stylish edges to homes while being budget-friendly in wet climates thanks to their slope which naturally aids water evacuation. They make great extensions, tiny homes or any home that loves modern minimalism. However their sharp angle may limit ceiling height on one side. But still, their bold, uncluttered aesthetic still scores major style points.
Gambrel Roofs for Rustic Charm
When visiting a barn (or, for that matter, any classic country home) you are sure to notice its charming gambrel roof. Made up of two slopes on either side and an upper portion with shallower pitch than below, its rustic appeal is unmistakable. Offering significant space for an attic or storage, its historic charm makes this style appealing when building country homes or colonial-style structures alike. But those in snowier regions should use caution as it does not hold up well under heavy weather stress as other types. While milder climates will experience its charm and functionality for years.
Green Roofs for the Eco-Conscious
Green roofs are more than merely decorative roofs, they are an intentional eco-friendly design choice that serves to reduce energy costs. Covered in vegetation and soil, green roofs function as insulation layers and promote biodiversity, making them particularly suitable in urban settings where green spaces may be limited. Green roofs do require initial investment as well as maintenance expenses to keep plants alive. But if saving the planet (and cutting energy bills) is your goal then this type of roof makes a huge statement (literally).
Metal Roofs for Durability
Metal roofs have made a stylish comeback over recent years. Once limited to industrial structures, modern metal roofs now adorn homes with sleek finishes and impressive durability. Their reflective properties reflect sunlight efficiently to reduce cooling costs in hot climates while their longevity can last decades with minimal maintenance requirements. Though louder when rain falls upon them initially and more costly initially than their counterparts initially, their longevity and energy efficiency more than offset this initial upfront investment cost. Whether opting for steel, aluminum, or copper metal roofing will add contemporary design features while remaining resilient over time.
Photo by chris robert on Unsplash
Conclusion
A roof that complements your home's style, adapts to climate conditions, and meets functional needs is more than merely shelter, it becomes part of its character. While it may be tempting to simply choose the first appealing design you see, taking time to evaluate factors like durability, cost, and aesthetics will ensure your roof becomes the centerpiece of your home. From sleek lines of a shed roof or timeless charm of a gable, there's surely one out there waiting just right for you.
*contributed post*
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