Weird Confessions of

A News Junkie

Nov 24, 2025

Hello Friends!

Thanks for taking a moment to open this week’s news. With it being a holiday week, I am sure your time is extra short. There are specials and sales on our e-commerce site and a yarn drop about to happen, so I wanted to make sure this hit your email boxes first thing this morning. But first, my random and sometimes strange thoughts on life’s things.

Confessions of a News Junkie

This might be a weird confession about me. And quite probably, news junkie is a bit of an exaggeration. I like having the news programs running in the background of my life is closer to the truth.

I attempt to listen and take it in with a discerning mind, recalling teachings, readings, and of course my faith as I reach conclusions.

In the last several years I’ve noticed an overall layer of chaos that permeates news reports on every network. In a rush to be the news breaker, reporters rush to tell stories that have not been completed. Networks are polarized and the main story isn’t what’s happening. Instead, the news networks seem to be attacking each other.

While mulling this over year after year and watching it devolve into middle school level sniping at each other, I’ve been spending more time reading books. I can’t wait for all the chores to be done so I can dive back into my current read.

One book has become even more important to me in recent years and I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear which one it is. The Bible. This is where I find a good solid start to my day and a gentle rest before sleep. I’m giving it five stars. Highly recommend.

I was introduced to this book as a child, rejected it as a rebellious teen, ignored it as a young working woman, and turned to it as a young mom. I joined Bible studies that drew me closer to the word, and looked for pastors who preached from the Bible as we raised our family. As a “senior” citizen, I am grateful for the time I can spend in the Word.

While the news brings us story after story of chaos and turmoil, the word of God gives us assurance that we do not need to dwell there. I can be informed, aware but not obsessed.

While the news and social media darken our days with chaos, God is on His throne. God is organized. He is not a god of chaos and confusion. We can skip to the end, or hover on the good parts. But the fact is, God already wrote the ending. It’s full of love, forgiveness, caring, shepherding, teaching, redirecting, and fullness. That, my dear friends, is a story with a great ending.

My Gratitude List for Thanksgiving week

Family. 13 of us will gather around our table, and I’m grateful for each one! We will miss the ones who are at other tables, but that is how it works out.
Farm raised food and hand made food. Everyone is contributing part of the feast.
Good health.

These might sound like a routine list but take away just one of these and the others can crumble.

I’m grateful for my faith that gives me a solid ground to stand on in times of chaos.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends. I hope your gratitude list is long and full of love

In His Grace,

Janet

Keep reading for the sales, new products, and when the naturally dyed yarn drop is happening.

On the Bookshelf!

We have books that make great gifts! We have gift sets that teach skills. We have new t-shirts, and A WEEKEND OF SALES!

Hold on to this graphic so you know which code to use, Friday through Monday. Each day has it’s own sale code to give you a generous percentage off your cart total!

Thanks for reading Janet’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

The authors of Soaping Clean, and us, have put together a combo gift set for holiday giving. The set includes one copy of Soaping Clean with Dairy and Fats from the Homestead, one set of soapmaking tools, including a soap cutter, and a silicon lined wooden mold, and more. In addition Wendy and Karlyn Hartman are adding a bar of their holiday soap. Give the gift of skills this Christmas. Complete product photo will be on the website on Tuesday.

Read Pasture Bedtime T-shirts

This signature logo t-shirt was designed just for us by the folks at Dirt and Devotion and Well Worn Clothing Company. Limited amounts in each size but we can reorder.

Order Here

Codes for the Sale!

Friday November 28 - friday2025 for 25% off your entire cart!

Saturday November 29 - smallbizsat2025 for 20% off your entire cart!

Sunday, November 30 - sundayfun2025 for 15% off your entire cart!

Monday December 1 -cyberbooks20 for 20% off your entire cart!

Happy Shopping! Sawdustpublishing.com

NEW Yarn Drop!

I have been working on a small batch of Cheviot yarn from my friend’s flock. It is squishy goodness and I can’t wait to offer it to you. Look for the yarn to be ready for photos, selling and shipping right after the holiday weekend

Sneak peek?