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December 1st Newsletter — November 30, 2025

December 1st Newsletter

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

DollCanCreate • Grannie-Core Living • Slow Wool • 100-Mile Life

Hello, dear friends — and happy December.

There is something sacred about turning the calendar to the final month of the year. The air feels softer and quieter. It is as if the world itself is settling under a quilt of frost. It whispers, “Slow down now. You’ve made it this far.”

This season, I’m choosing to start not with hustle, but with gentleness.

Not with rushing, but with roots.

Not with a to-do list, but with a warm mug between my hands.

Let’s step into December together the Grannie-Core way: slowly, creatively, and with gratitude.

🧶 This Week in the Wool Basket

Spindle spinning has become my Advent practice this year — a tiny daily rhythm that invites stillness.

I’m working with local DK wool (you know my heart!) and letting the colours of early winter guide me:

soft rose, lilac, winter sky blue, fawn, and natural white.

Current Projects:

Knitting mittens (warm hands, warm heart) Spindling a little each day — #SlowSpinAlong continues in my heart, a cozy shawl for these short December days Small handmade gifts… the quiet work of love

If you need a gentle pause today, pick up whatever is on your needles and breathe slowly.

You don’t have to finish it.

Just start.

🌾 100 Mile Life Notes

December can be overwhelming, but the 100-Mile Life keeps me grounded.

This week I’m sourcing:

Local eggs Winter vegetables from a nearby farm Dairy from 30 minutes away Fresh bread from our neighbourhood bakery

Little choices woven together make a life that feels like home.

If you’re walking this journey with me, here’s your reminder:

It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just intentional.

One local choice at a time.

☕ In the Cozy Kitchen

Winter kitchen rhythms are my favourite. This week I’m making:

A simple carrot–leek bisque A pot of cinnamon-apple oats Freshly roasted root vegetables A pan of quick-bread cinnamon buns (Grannie-Core approved)

There’s something grounding about stirring a pot while snow taps at the window.

🕯 Gentle Advent Reflection

December 1 often lands near the start of Advent. This is the season of waiting and watching. It involves breathing hope into the world again.

The question I’m sitting with today:

Where is peace trying to find me?

Not where I should feel peaceful…

but where peace is already brushing up against my day:

the quiet corner of the couch,

the soft knitting in my hands,

the laughter of family,

the steady rhythm of prayer.

Let’s carry that with us as the month unfolds.

📹 Coming up on YouTube

This week on DollCanCreate:

Vlogmas/Spindlemas Day 1 — a gentle start, spindle spinning + cozy homemaking Handmade Peace: a quiet reflection on slowing down in December A local-living kitchen video

Make sure your tea is ready — December is going to be beautifully slow.

🎄 A Simple December Invitation

Before you dive into the bustle, ask yourself:

What do I want December to feel like?

Then choose one small habit that supports that feeling.

A five-minute tidy.

A cup of tea before screens.

A few rows of knitting before bed.

A blessing whispered over your day.

Small is enough.

Small is holy.

💌 From My Heart to Yours

Thank you for being here — for reading, crafting, spinning, praying, and living gently alongside me.

May your December begin with softness,

a warm shawl around your shoulders,

and the steady reassurance that

slow living is not falling behind — it’s catching up with your soul.

With love,

Grannie Doll

DollCanCreate

Whole in Christ: Reconciling the Many Parts of Me — October 29, 2025

Whole in Christ: Reconciling the Many Parts of Me

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/2 Comments

Introduction:
We live in a world that asks us to compartmentalize. We are one person at work, another at home, and someone entirely different online. It’s easy to lose sight of who we are at the core. I am a blogger, pastor, wife, and Grannie. I’ve wrestled with the question of how to live as one whole person in Christ. This reflection is my journey toward discovering that wholeness. It’s a gentle reminder that we are not meant to divide ourselves. Every part of our lives should flow from the same sacred center.

There are days I feel pulled in many directions. I hear the preacher’s call. I feel Grannie’s tenderness and the wife’s love. I have the creator’s longing to share. Sometimes I pause and ask myself, How do these pieces fit together? How do I reconcile all that I am into one clear identity in Christ?

For years I tried to find balance — keeping ministry separate from home life, content creation apart from personal devotion. But what I’ve come to realize is that the wholeness I seek isn’t found in separating things neatly. It’s found in centering them on Christ.

The titles do not define me — blogger, pastor, wife, Grannie. The One who holds them together defines me. Christ is the center of my being, and everything else simply radiates from that holy heart. When I keep Him at the center, everything else finds its place.

When I write, I preach.
When I knit, I pray.
When I tend my home, I make space for grace.
When I love my family, I mirror the love of God.

These are not separate callings, but one life — woven together by mercy and meaning. There is no division between sacred and ordinary. God moves through every aspect, including the blog post and the sermon. God is here in the laughter at the table and even in the quiet hum of yarn between my fingers. Christ meets me there, whispering, “You are mine. You are whole.”

Now, my task is not to choose which role to play today. Instead, it is to live as one who abides in God’s presence. I let that truth shape my words, my work, and my ways.

A Prayer for Wholeness

Lord, center me in Your love.
Let the scattered pieces of who I am rest in You.
Make my life one seamless story of grace —
written in my home, my pulpit, my marriage, and my art.
Let all I am and all I do be one song —
a song that sings only of You.
Amen.

If you ever feel fragmented, or you are unsure of who you are in this season of life, remember this. Christ makes us whole. Every piece of your story has a place in His plan — even the quiet, ordinary ones.

Stay centered, stay kind, and stay close to the One who calls you whole.

With grace and yarn,
Grannie Doll aka Pastor Barb


Sweet Pepper & Brown Sugar Baked Chicken on Red Cabbage — October 27, 2025

Sweet Pepper & Brown Sugar Baked Chicken on Red Cabbage

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

A 100 Mile Life Recipe

There’s something so grounding about opening the fridge and letting what’s already there inspire supper. In a 100 Mile Life, that’s part of the joy. You create something local, simple, and deeply satisfying from what’s on hand. This week’s recipe began with a package of local chicken thighs. It also included a bright head of red cabbage. A handful of pantry staples were also used. The result? A cozy baked dish that caramelizes as it cooks, bringing together sweet, savory, and homegrown flavor in every bite.

As the weather cools, I find myself turning to the oven more often. The warmth fills the kitchen. The smell of roasted vegetables is delightful. There is a quiet comfort in knowing dinner is made with care. It’s all part of living slowly, locally, and thankfully.

🐔 Sweet Pepper & Brown Sugar Baked Chicken on Red Cabbage

Ingredients

  • 6 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ cup crushed crackers (Ritz or butter crackers work beautifully) I used saltines
  • 2 tbsp dried onion flakes
  • 1 tsp salt (local sea salt if available)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup sliced sweet peppers (mixed colours brighten the dish)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 3 cups shredded red cabbage
  • 1 tbsp oil or butter (optional, for the cabbage layer)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Make the coating: combine crushed crackers, brown sugar, dried onion, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Coat the chicken: pat the thighs dry and roll them in the dry mixture until well covered.
  4. Prepare the base: spread shredded red cabbage in a lightly oiled baking dish. Scatter sweet peppers and green onions over top.
  5. Arrange the chicken on the bed of cabbage. Sprinkle any leftover coating over everything.
  6. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the chicken is golden and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. Rest for 5 minutes before serving. The cabbage underneath will soften and caramelize, catching the drippings from the chicken for an incredible, naturally sweet flavor.

🌾 Serving Suggestions

🥣 Local Grain Pilaf

Cook local barley, wheat berries, or brown rice in broth and finish with herbs or a drizzle of local honey.

🥕 Roasted Root Medley

Dice carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Toss with oil and roast until crisp. Season with rosemary for a cozy, hearty side.

🍏 Apple Slaw

Mix grated local apples with cider vinegar, a bit of yogurt or mayo, and a pinch of salt. Bright, crunchy, and refreshing next to the roasted cabbage. (this is a new favourite of mine)

🌿 Buttered Peas or Green Beans

Add a squeeze of lemon and a crack of pepper to keep the plate lively.

🍞 Fresh Bread or Tea Biscuits

This is a perfect way to soak up the sweet and savory pan juices. It is especially delicious if baked with local flour and butter.

💭 100 Mile Life Reflection

This meal reminds me that simplicity is its own feast. When we choose ingredients grown or raised close to home, we’re feeding our bodies. We are also nourishing community, stewardship, and gratitude. A cabbage from a nearby farm, eggs or chicken from someone we know, even flour from a regional mill. Each ingredient tells a story of connection.

Cooking becomes an act of prayer, of care, of belonging.

🌱 Now it’s your turn.

What’s growing or waiting in your kitchen this week?
Try this 100 Mile Life recipe. Tag your post with #100MileLife. Share where your ingredients come from. Show how you’re living local in your own way.

Let’s keep celebrating the beauty of eating close to home, one meal at a time.

—

With gratitude and grace,
💗 Grannie Doll
Living slow, cooking local, crafting life one mile at a time.

Knitting Local, Living Local: Wool Within 100 Miles — October 25, 2025

Knitting Local, Living Local: Wool Within 100 Miles

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

*scroll down for the video

There’s something quietly revolutionary about knitting with yarn that hasn’t traveled farther than you have. So much arrives by truck, plane, or cargo ship. In contrast, the idea of local wool feels like an act of stewardship. It is grown, shorn, spun, and dyed within a hundred miles. It connects our hands to our land.

The Story Behind Local Wool

When I began exploring the 100 Mile Life, I thought mostly about food. Local apples, farm-fresh eggs, and bread from the mill down the road were on my mind. But soon, I found myself tracing another thread—wool. Where did the yarn in my basket come from? Whose sheep had offered their fleece? Was there a mill close enough to spin it into something beautiful?

The answers were closer than I imagined. A small flock of Shetlands grazing in the next township. A local mill humming beside the river. A dyer who uses plants gathered from her own garden. Each step, within that hundred-mile circle, felt like re-discovering the rhythms of home.

Spinning for Socks: From Fleece to Footwear

This season, I’ve been spinning with socks in mind—turning local fleece into sturdy, beautiful yarn that can handle daily wear. There’s a deep satisfaction in transforming raw fiber into something so practical and personal. Each draft of the spindle feels like a prayer, each twist a meditation on patience and purpose.

Sock yarn needs just the right balance of softness and strength. A little Shetland or BFL for durability, a touch of Merino or alpaca for comfort. When you’ve spun and plied the wool yourself, you know its story. You know what farm it came from and which sheep. You also understand how the fiber behaved in your hands. It gives new meaning to “putting your best foot forward.”

Knitting Socks that Stay Close to Home

Knitting socks from local wool is a small act of grace. Each stitch carries warmth from the land beneath your feet, quite literally grounding you in your community. Handspun yarn adds a touch of unpredictability. Those subtle color shifts and texture changes remind me that perfection isn’t the goal. Connection is.

There’s joy in knowing that every step I take in these socks is supported by a circle of care. The shepherd, spinner, knitter, and home soil are all woven together. It’s slow fashion at its most intimate, and every pair becomes a quiet testimony to place, patience, and provision.

Why It Matters

When we knit with local wool, we’re not just making socks or shawls—we’re investing in our neighbors. Every skein carries the story of a shepherd, a spinner, a maker who lives nearby. It reduces transport costs, supports small farms, and encourages sustainable land use.

And there’s another layer of warmth that comes from knitting local. The texture of local fleece often reflects the land itself—soft and sturdy, windswept and rooted. When I hold a skein from a nearby farm, I can almost hear the echo of the fields. I can also hear the hum of the spinning wheel.

Living the 100 Mile Way

Living local isn’t about restriction—it’s about relationship. It means knowing the hands that feed and clothe us. It means buying less, but cherishing more. It’s walking into a farm store and greeting people by name. It’s mending a sweater instead of replacing it.

This autumn, as the nights grow cooler, I’m wrapping myself in that slow, local warmth. My projects for October are built from within that 100 mile circle—simple knits with a story in every stitch.

How to Start Your Own Local Wool Journey

  1. Map your fiber circle. Search for farms, mills, and fiber festivals within 100 miles.
  2. Visit and listen. Talk to shepherds and small producers—they love sharing their process.
  3. Start small. Buy one skein from a local farm and use it in your next project.
  4. Share the story. When someone compliments your hat or shawl, tell them where it came from.

Every local project begins with one conscious choice.

Reflection & Faith

“She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.” — Proverbs 31:13

When we live and create within our local circle, we echo a sacred rhythm of gratitude and provision. The earth gives; we receive; and through our craft, we give back beauty.

Now it’s your turn:

What’s growing or grazing within your 100 mile circle? Could your next skein—or your next pair of cozy socks—come from a nearby farm or mill? I’d love to hear about your discoveries. You can share your local wool stories in the comments. Tag me with #100MileWool on Instagram.

You get purchase my new ebook here!

🪡 With gratitude and woolly warmth,
Grannie Doll 🩷
Living the 100 Mile Life, one stitch at a time.

Low-Fat Potato Leek Soup: Comfort in a Bowl — October 20, 2025

Low-Fat Potato Leek Soup: Comfort in a Bowl

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

From Grannie Doll – 100 Mile Kitchen

There’s something so deeply comforting about a bowl of homemade soup simmering on the stove. The scent of leeks softening fills the kitchen. Potatoes gently bubbling create a soothing sound. A touch of salt in the air brings me back to simpler days. Supper was warm, nourishing, and made with love.

This low-fat potato leek soup keeps all that old-fashioned coziness but lightens the load a bit. It’s smooth, creamy, and delicious — yet easy on the waistline and kind to the heart. Perfect for anyone wanting comfort food that still fits into a mindful eating plan.

As part of my 100 Mile Life, I’ve been leaning into local ingredients more than ever. Leeks from the farmers’ market combine with potatoes from a nearby farm stand. Even local milk or oat milk from our region adds to create something wholesome and rooted in place.

🌿 Why I Love This Soup

Soup season, for me, isn’t just about food — it’s about slowing down.
There’s something spiritual in stirring a pot, tasting, adjusting, and waiting. Cooking becomes a quiet rhythm of prayer. It is full of gratitude for the earth that grew the food. It includes appreciation for the hands that harvested it, and for the home that receives it.

And truly, when you can make a soup that’s rich and velvety, it feels like a small miracle. You don’t even need cream or butter.

🥣 The Recipe: Low-Fat Potato Leek Soup

Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large leeks (white and light green parts only), cleaned and sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup skim milk or unsweetened oat milk
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh chives or parsley

Directions

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté leeks and onion for 5–7 minutes, until soft.
  2. Add potatoes, bay leaf, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20–25 minutes.
  3. Remove bay leaf. Blend until smooth (immersion or blender).
  4. Stir in milk and heat gently — don’t boil. Season to taste.
  5. Garnish with herbs and enjoy warm.

💡 Add a handful of cooked cauliflower before blending for extra creaminess without fat.
🍞 Pair with a slice of homemade tea biscuit or local bread for a full 100-Mile meal.

💭 A Final Reflection

It’s easy to think of soup as “just food.” However, it’s also a form of grace. It’s a way of tending to body and soul.
Each spoonful reminds me that comfort doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the best things are local, humble, and made with heart.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear from you!
Leave a comment below or tag your post #100MileLife or #GrannieCoreKitchen so we can share our stories of slow, local, loving food together.

Until next time,
💗 Grannie Doll
Living Local. Creating with Love. Finding Grace in the Everyday.

“Reading Week Selections: A Diverse Literary Journey” — October 16, 2025

“Reading Week Selections: A Diverse Literary Journey”

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

A Pastor living the Grandma Core, 100 mile life.

It’s reading week, and I’m beginning with three very different books — each chosen with intention and heart.

Reading Week Book Selections — A Searching Heart, Our Second Birth, and Principles of Economics
My cozy reading table this week — a balance of study, reflection, and rest.

The first is The Principles of Economics: Economic Directives from a Biblical Viewpoint. It’s helping me think through budgeting and stewardship in a faith-centered way. The second is Our Christian Reflections on Death and New Life by Henri Nouwen. This book draws me deeper into spiritual reflection. It also encourages renewal. And finally, I’ve chosen A Searching Heart by Janet Oke. This novel offers the comfort of a familiar Christian voice. It also gives the simple joy of story.

In this trio, I’ve found a balance: one for the mind, one for the soul, and one for rest.
Economics, theology, and fiction — all working together to nourish different parts of my life.

Learning and Reflection

My goal this week is simple: to learn.
I’ll be reading The Principles of Economics as a Bible study. Each section includes scripture, discussion questions, and reflection prompts. I’m already imagining how this can one day form the basis of a small group study or online discussion series.

The scripture on the opening page reads, “Lay up your treasures in heaven.” That alone sets the tone. Although this book was printed back in 2013 by the Eastern Mennonite Press in Pennsylvania, truth doesn’t age. The principles of faith and finance stay as relevant today as ever.

When I finish, I plan to write a short reflection. I want to capture what I’ve learned. I will also consider how it can shape my ministry.

Theological Growth and Spiritual Nourishment

Henri Nouwen’s Reflections on Death and New Life is where I’ll spend time in theological reflection. I want to see what stands out as I walk through it. I want to understand how it speaks to change, loss, and renewal in my own life. I am also curious about its impact on my ministry.

This isn’t just academic reading. It’s a conversation between faith and life — between God’s promises and my daily realities. It’s also a prompt read as we move toward Advent, a season that holds both waiting and wonder.

Rest, Relaxation, and Renewal

And then there’s A Searching Heart — my “just for me” book.
I don’t always make time for fiction. Still, Janet Oke’s gentle storytelling reminds me to slow down. It encourages me to breathe and rest in the beauty of faith-filled simplicity. Sometimes, we read not to learn, but to be restored.

Why Ministers Need Reading Weeks

In ministry, we’re encouraged to take time each year for continuing education. We have three weeks set apart for growth, learning, and renewal. This reading week is part of that rhythm for me. It’s also a chance to plan ahead. It’s a time to think about Advent themes. It allows me to refill the spiritual well that ministry can so quickly drain.

Not every week of growth has to involve travel or coursework. Sometimes, it looks like a quiet corner and a warm mug. It also includes a stack of books that stretch your heart and mind.

I call that self-ministry. It is a week where you nourish your body and soul. Do this in ways that have been neglected in the busy seasons of service.

Closing Reflection

So, this week I’ll be learning, reflecting, and resting — all at once.
I’ll let these books speak to different parts of my life. I trust that in their pages I’ll find wisdom. I’ll also find challenge and peace.

As you step into your own rhythm this week, it is time to pick up a book. Choose one that speaks to your soul. Whether it’s something practical, something prayerful, or simply a story that brings rest — make space for learning. Allow time for reflection and renewal.

I’d love to hear what you’re reading this season.
Share your favorite faith-filled or comforting book in the comments below. Let’s inspire one another to keep growing in wisdom and grace.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
— Matthew 6:20

With a cozy mug in hand and gratitude in my heart,
— Pastor Barb aka Grannie Doll 🤍
“Creating calm, crafting faith, and cherishing the simple life.”

Harvest Apple Salad: A Simple Taste of Autumn — October 14, 2025

Harvest Apple Salad: A Simple Taste of Autumn

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

A 100 Mile Life Recipe – see below

There’s something beautiful about the way apples signal the turning of the seasons. The air turns crisp, sweaters return to the chair by the door, and the scent of cinnamon fills the kitchen. That’s when this simple Harvest Apple Salad shines — a bowl of gratitude, sweetness, and crunch.

I love recipes that remind us how enough can be found in what’s near. Local apples, a drizzle of honey, and a handful of nuts from last fall’s pantry are enough. Nothing fancy, just real food grown close to home. That’s what the 100-Mile Life is all about: savoring the beauty of what’s already around us.

This salad comes together in minutes, but somehow feels like a celebration. Each bite carries a little story. It tells of the orchard down the road. It speaks of the bees that made the honey, and the hands that harvested the grain. It’s a taste of home, of community, and of the Creator’s goodness.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” — Psalm 34:8

Take a pause, make a bowl, and enjoy a moment of stillness. Autumn is here — full of color, flavor, and the quiet promise of gratitude.

Harvest Apple Salad

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

🧺 Ingredients

  • 3 crisp local apples (Honeycrisp, MacIntosh, or Gala), diced
  • 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (toasted if you like)
  • ½ cup seedless grapes, halved (optional)
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup shredded carrots (optional for color and crunch)
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 tbsp local honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • A pinch of cinnamon and salt

How many of these ingredients are 100 Mile for you?

🥣 Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing:
    In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
  2. Assemble the salad:
    In a large bowl, combine the apples, celery, nuts, grapes, cranberries, and carrots.
  3. Mix it up:
    Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is coated.
  4. Chill and serve:
    Refrigerate for 15–30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve as a light lunch or a side with pork, chicken, or soup.

🌿 Variations

  • Add protein: Stir in diced cooked chicken for a hearty meal.
  • Make it vegan: Swap yogurt for coconut yogurt and honey for maple syrup.
  • Add greens: Serve on a bed of spinach or kale for extra freshness.

💛 Faith Reflection

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” — Psalm 34:8

A simple salad can remind us how God’s abundance shows up in small, local ways. It is the orchard down the road, the honey from a neighbor’s hive, or the walnuts gathered last fall. Each bite carries a story of care and connection.

Enjoy!

For more information on the 100 Mile Life click here:

©Created in Doll’s Kitchen

Live Thankfully, Love Locally — October 11, 2025

Live Thankfully, Love Locally

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Discover how gratitude and faith can reshape your daily choices. This Thanksgiving, learn to live thankfully and love locally — nurturing community, faith, and simplicity within your 100-mile circle.

By Grannie Doll | DollCanCreate

The air turns crisp. The scent of cinnamon drifts from the kitchen. I’m reminded that gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a way of life.
This Thanksgiving, I’m learning that to live thankfully means noticing the simple gifts around me. To love locally is to cherish the hands and hearts that make them possible.

🍎 Thankfulness in the Everyday

Gratitude doesn’t always arrive wrapped in grand moments.
The morning light on a freshly baked loaf of bread can bring gratitude. The soft hum of a spinning wheel or the laughter shared over a home-cooked meal can also evoke this feeling.
When we live thankfully, we slow down long enough to see how much we’ve already been given. The small becomes sacred.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
— Psalm 107:1

🧵 Loving Locally

Loving locally means embracing what’s near. It includes buying from the farm stand down the road. You might choose wool from a shepherd you know by name. It could also mean supporting the little shop that remembers your favorite tea.
It’s about more than economics—it’s about belonging. Every local choice becomes a prayer of connection, a way of saying, “I see you. I value you. We’re in this together.”

When we love locally, we weave ourselves into the fabric of community. We become part of God’s quiet work of restoration—one handmade loaf, one kind word, one shared harvest at a time.

🕯 A Faithful Thanksgiving

This season, let’s make gratitude our posture and generosity our practice.
Let’s cook with local ingredients and bless the farmers who grew them. Let’s give thanks for wool, for warmth, for the steady rhythm of creation that provides what we need.
Let’s live thankfully—and love locally—because both are acts of faith.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
— Colossians 3:17

🌻 A GrannieCore Reflection

To live thankfully is to dwell in grace.
To love locally is to live it out.
Together they form a rhythm—slow, simple, sacred—that brings us back home to God’s abundance.

Reflection
What’s one way you can love locally this week—through your shopping, your crafting, or your kindness?


With wool, warmth, and gratitude,
💛 Grannie Doll

The 100 Mile Life Guide: A Faith-Filled Journey Toward Simple, Local, and Grateful Living — October 9, 2025

The 100 Mile Life Guide: A Faith-Filled Journey Toward Simple, Local, and Grateful Living

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

🌾 The 100 Mile Life Guide

A Journey of Faith, Simplicity, and Local Living

💛 What if everything you needed was already within 100 miles of home?

The 100 Mile Life Guide is more than a book — it’s an invitation.
An invitation to slow down, live gratefully, and rediscover abundance right where your feet touch the ground.

This heartfelt, faith-centered guide weaves together stories, reflections, and practical steps for living close to home. It covers sourcing local food and fiber. It also includes finding Sabbath rhythms and crafting with the land. Additionally, it focuses on nurturing a gentle, grateful spirit.

🌿 Inside You’ll Find:

✨ My Why: A 100 Mile Life – The story that started it all
🏡 Heart and Home – How GrandmaCore values bring warmth and wisdom back into daily life
🧺 The 100 Mile Closet – Building a wardrobe of place and purpose
🍲 The 100 Mile Kitchen & Craft Table – Cooking, creating, and connecting with your local circle
🌤️ Rhythms of Rest – Practicing Sabbath and sacred slow living
🤝 Living Generously Within Our Circle – Giving, sharing, and trading the way our grandmothers did
🍎 Appendix of Recipes – Simple, wholesome dishes to fill your home with the scent of gratitude:
• Harvest Soup
• Hearty Breakfast Bowl
• Vegetable Bean Casserole
• Simple Country Bread
• Tea Biscuits
• Harvest Apple Crisp

🌸 Who This Book Is For:

This guide is for the homemaker, the crafter, the faithful soul seeking peace in the ordinary.
It’s for those who want to live simply. They shop locally and nurture community. They do this without losing heart in a hurried world.

If you’ve ever longed for a slower, more meaningful way to live — this book was written for you.

🙏 Why It Matters:

In a time when everything feels uncertain, life can feel distant. The 100 Mile Life reminds us that we are surrounded by God’s provision. It is in the fields, the farms, and the friendships nearby.
When we live gently within our means and miles, we find joy again in the little things. These include a home-cooked meal, a hand-knit shawl, and a shared harvest table.

🕊️ What Readers Are Saying:

“This book feels like a warm cup of tea with a wise friend.”
“Every page reminded me that living simply is living richly.”
“It helped me rediscover peace right in my own kitchen.”

🌼 Get Your Copy Today

Bring calm, faith, and connection back into your home.
The 100 Mile Life Guide will inspire you to live slower. It encourages you to live deeper. Appreciate the place you call home with gratitude.

👉 [Download the eBook Now]
Available in PDF and printable A5 format.

Thank you for your support of my work.

💛 From Grannie Doll

“Keep your kettle warm, your hands busy, and your heart steady in grace.
May your days be simple, your circle be kind, and your spirit rest in the goodness that’s all around you.”

With wool, wonder, and gratitude,
💛 Grannie Doll

Transformative Journey: Reflections on the 30-Day 100 Mile Challenge — October 4, 2025

Transformative Journey: Reflections on the 30-Day 100 Mile Challenge

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

I didn’t have a perfect plan when I began the 30-Day 100 Mile Life Challenge. I also did not spend weeks preparing. I simply felt the nudge to start. The “why” was clear. The shifting world situation contributed to this. Rising transportation costs also played a role. There was the fragility of small businesses. Additionally, my own wish to play a meaningful part in shaping a more sustainable way of living was important.

Starting With “Why”

At first, my preparation was simple—pulling out a map and drawing that 100-mile (120-kilometer) circle around my home. That radius became both a boundary and a guide. From there, I peeked into my pantry with fresh eyes: What do I really need? What do I do without? And most importantly, how can I source what I do need? How can I do this in a way that strengthens both my household and my community?

Shifts in Awareness

One of the biggest transformations has been in my awareness. I no longer glance at labels occasionally; now, it’s a daily habit. Where was this made? Who raised the animals? Does this company run ethically? Does my buy ripple out to support my local world rather than drain from it? These questions are no longer optional—they’re part of how I live.

Even my refrigerator and freezer tell a different story now. Instead of stockpiling “just in case,” I choose foods that nourish both my body and my values. Each item feels less like clutter and more like an intentional choice.

Facing the Challenges

Of course, challenges surfaced. Budget-wise, not every local product fits comfortably into a monthly plan. And then there’s the reality that bananas and oranges will never grow in Ontario soil. Still, I found that most of what I buy can be sourced close to home. And honestly? That feels like a victory.

This journey also reminded me of my grandmother’s way of life. Granny knew her household budget well. Yet, she relied on milkmen and delivery services for staples like eggs and bread. I feel like I’ve stepped back into that rhythm. Grocery deliveries and milk arrive at the door. This occurs with the modern convenience of online ordering. This allows me the gift of slowing down and checking origins carefully.

The “Grannie Core” Connection

Part of this journey has been living out what I lovingly call a Grannie core life. I create a cozy home with what I already have. This means I avoid filling my house with “new” at every turn. It means rethinking my wardrobe. I turn to thrift shops before malls. I pull out fabric for sewing projects. I resist the lure of fast fashion.

Fiber arts are another layer. I promised myself I wouldn’t buy yarn or fiber unless it was locally sourced. I stumbled once, with cotton, but the experience reminded me why I love wool and why local matters. Staying away from craft fairs has been hard. Nonetheless, it has also freed me to truly appreciate the stash I already own.

The Emotional Impact

Emotionally, the month surprised me. I expected more frustration, more longing for things I “couldn’t” have. Instead, I felt joy—especially when I discovered a local choice that fit beautifully into my challenge. More than anything, the transition felt smoother than expected. That gives me hope that this isn’t a fad, but a way of life.

What’s Next?

So, what’s next now that I’ve crossed day 31? For me, the 100 Mile Life doesn’t stop. This is more than a challenge—it’s a lifestyle I want to deepen. I’ll keep tightening my circle, keep making better choices, keep asking the hard questions.

This month has shown me that living within 100 miles isn’t about limitation. It’s about connection—to the land, to my community, to the wisdom of those who came before. And that feels like a gift worth carrying ahead.

✨ Reflection Question for You:
Have you ever tried living within a “circle of enoughness”—whether through food, clothing, or crafts? What did you learn from it?

💌 As always, thank you for sitting with me in this cozy corner of life. May you find joy in small, local things today.

From my rocking chair to your home,

Grannie Doll