about this blog
“Joy is radically different from happiness, for it does not depend up on the ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ of our existence. It is the constant moving away from the static places of death toward the house of God, where the abundant life can be recognized and celebrated.” - Henri Nouwen
This blog is part of what it means to take the practices of joy seriously — it’s a meeting place of thoughts, recipes, ideas, and inspirations that are part of my daily story. (And yes, I stole the title from a CS Lewis book. What can I say, sometimes being an original is too hard.)
I’m a firm optimist and a dreamer, marked by the outrageous love of God and a serious fancy for strapping on an apron. Cooking, baking, and creating are where I find the well of my energy and love; it’s the language where I found my own voice. A few years back, with a bachelors’ degree in PR and several years of working in an office in my back pocket, I threw my neat plans up in the air, went to culinary school for baking, and happily upended my life into something chaotic and surprising. Now I spend my days baking and creating for an organic bread bakery on a farm and experimenting endlessly in my own kitchen. (If you’re an Instagrammer, feel free to follow me if you’d like to constantly be hungry.)
I’m an asker of questions, a crazed Anglophile, a bit of a treehugger, and mostly just a firm believer in the value and beauty of every small thing. I’m no one important and I rather hope I never will be. I just like to love people, get my hands messy, and make the world a little more beautiful in my own way.
You can also find me at:
Twitter: @carolineclunk
Instagram: carolineclunk
Facebook: Caroline Clunk
Email: caroline.clunk@gmail.com
Dear Caroline,
You sound like the perfect woman.
Let’s get married.
Deal.
I’m in.
nice blog. i think we would be friends in “real life.”
@ Sabrina:
Isn’t it funny how many blogs you find like that? I like to think of it as having friends who just don’t know we’re friends yet.
So welcome, new friend! And thanks for reading.
yes! i think i found your blog through surfing random tags…pretty ironic because i never expect to find anything good that way, but i have!
Hi Caroline,
I stumbled upon your blog accidentally while I was trying to find more links for my blog. Like the way you captured & documented your walk with the Lord. Am a novice when it comes to blogging, but hope one day, my blog will be something like yours – one where there is substance and authenticity in the writings.
God Bless & drop your comments on my blog, if you do read it
Jeffrey
@ Jeffery!
I am flattered that my blog could be a “goal” for someone! I am still a novice myself and always appreciate those who encourage me in my walk and writing.
I will make sure to stop by your blog — thank you again for dropping by mine!
Grace and peace,
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
Here’s my blog address – http://coozy77.wordpress.com/
Do drop by & give some comments. I like the way you categorised the different pages but I haven’t really figure out how to do that yet. Will try to play around with the widgets etc when I have the time.
God Bless
Jeffrey
Hi Caroline, I found your blog through Jon Acuff’s blog! I thought I would read your “I am” page and this “I will always believe what God believes about you: that you are beautifully made and recklessly loved.” is something I always strive to show others! I will definitely come back and read your blog more!
~Becky
@ Becky!
Thank you so much for reading! It’s funny how many people seem to get here via my comments on SCL. It makes the blog community feel just a little bit cozier.
Happy reading! I will make sure to check out yours as well!
Grace and peace,
Caroline
Caroline, I ran into you via the tag surfer, and have been nosing around a bit. I know that there is a great deal of you still to meet, but I must say you write beautifully! But then, how can anyone who reads good books, and pays attention, not? I esp. loved your description of a search for Narnia.
I discovered Lewis in my 20’s, and so even the child-like magic was something of a wistful, Lewis-ian longing for me. I envy those of you who got it the way he would have wanted you to. But while you echo his poetry and romance, I echo more his apologetic and reason. I don’t know if others would agree, but it seems the happier I am with a piece, the more Lewis I can detect!
Anyway, you show a great ear, and it is a delight to read your work.
Oh! and the thought behind seems as good as the presentation (always a happy surprise!)
-Blessings!
R. Eric Sawyer
@ R. Eric!
Thank you so much for your encouragement! It’s wonderful to connect with a fellow Lewis admirer. Narnia was my first exposure to truly beautiful elements of story and it has stuck with me these many years. I still get a thrill from it even now, years later. His writing continues to astonish, challenge, and encourage me.
Thank you for reading!
Dear Caroline!
I loved reading your blog and encouraged by your faith in Christ! I look forward to trying some of the posted recipes and can’t wait to read more when I am able!
Blessings, dear sister, and peace on this journey!
Jen
Hi Caroline! I love your site and I just put it on a list of recipients for The Versatile Blogger Award, http://workingonthemindbodyandspirit.wordpress.com/the-versatile-blogger-award/ Congratulations on such a great site with a positive message and energy.
~ Gina
Thank you so much, Gina! Your support and encouragement is so very much appreciated. I’ve never gotten an award before! I feel very special.