Tuesday, July 1st, 2008...8:33 pm
The End
About one year ago, Kelli explained to me what she had in mind for Seasonal Delights. It would be a newsletter of projects and recipes, a collection of old-fashioned activities for girls to share with their mothers. She had been planning it for a while, and the idea had already evolved from a regular get-together with some ladies from church into a newsletter. Combined with my own background in publishing and our combined tendency toward over-achievement, the idea grew still further, and in September 2007, we published the first quarterly issue of Seasonal Delights.
The concept changed still further between that issue and the next, even doubling in size, but we have now delivered a full year of seasonal projects and recipes, and it is time to end.
Putting out a magazine of this quality is hard work, and I have a full-time job (two, actually) already. Kelli is an already-busy homeschool mother, and we are raising three children who are still quite young, all of whom now dread the time we spend each week preparing the weekly bonus materials, and loathe the time we spend each quarter assembling the magazine.
If we were somehow able to do just this and nothing else, we would continue, but to keep producing the magazine in addition to everything else is just too much, and our children are suffering the consequences. As much as we have enjoyed this, it has recently become clear to us that we cannot continue.
We’re still not sure exactly what we’re going to do with this site, with the forum, or with the magazine issues and bonus materials already produced. We’ll be trying to figure that out in the days to come, and we will let you know here.
Thank you, all of you, for your wonderful comments and emails. This has been a very hard decision to make, and I hope that all of you will join us at Kelli’s blog, which will continue.
- Phillip
P.S. I’m not sure how to handle the finances of this. Although everybody who has subscribed has received access to four issues of Seasonal Delights, we have not continued to produce the magazine as we originally planned. I completely understand anybody who wants their money back. Please send me an email at phillip-winn@sdquarterly.com and I will ensure that you are completely satisfied.
20 Comments
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20 Comments
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 am
Thanks so much for sharing your experiment with us. I have really enjoyed the magazine and the forums. I totally understand the reason for your decision.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:18 am
It has been truly wonderful. The magazine is both beautiful and helpful, and you have done a wonderful job on it and the forums. Maybe someday you can try again with the magazine, but I do completely understand. Your family is your first, God-given responsibility and you must do what’s best for them. Thank you so much for all that you have done and how you have blessed the lives of others.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I have enjoyed the magazine very much.
I’m sure everyone would have been interested in “subscribing” if the economy was better. With the price of basics going up, there is little extra money available.
I heard just this morning that about 40% of ministries that are on TV and radio are now seriously behind in their payments because people have stopped giving.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Dear Kelli and Phillip,
I completely understand — Your family comes first. The magazine has been a wonderful thing and a positive influence in my life. In a day where young women are not always what we would want them to be, and certain standards are not always in evidence, Seasonal Delights has been a testimony to the value of true homemaking and family-oriented living.
I am sure you will find that this experience will have prepared you, in ways you didn’t even realize, for other things God has for you in the future. I’ve certainly found that to be true in my life.
Kelli, your sweet spirit has permeated every page - and Phillip, your humor and technical ability have been just what was needed to complete the package.
If the forum is closed, I will have the pleasure of having made some wonderful friends there, with whom I can still communicate and share. But I’ll miss the daily chatter and knowing everyone is doing ok each morning.
I have Valerie from the homeschool site to thank for having shared about the magazine and the free subscription, many months ago, and I got in just on the end of that. It has been a huge blessing to me and the other women and girls in my family.
I wish you much success in all you do and will be in touch.
Thank you and God bless you and your family.
Love,
Nancy
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:16 am
I’m glad that I got the chance to be in on this, it was a beautiful magazine and I really enjoyed it and looked forward to the next issue coming out. I am sad to see it ending but, totally understand, family is definitely more important.
Thank you!
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 am
I feel as though one of the most special parts of my internet experience is now gone. Seasonal Delights has been a bright spot for me and I will miss it enormously.
I have cooked and baked all of the recipes and made many of the crafts shown here, as well as reading and rereading the magazine over and over again.
I would love to own all four paper copies if I could afford them….and I would keep them as a permanent part of my homekeeping library.
Please let us know if this site will close down, as I have bookmarked all of the recipes and crafts, and would like the chance to run out to buy an extra ink cartridge (or two!) to print out every single one of the beautiful, beautiful photographs that are such a lovely part of the Seasonal Deligh experience.
Many thanks for all the you have done. You are wonderful.
Pattie
July 4th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Phillip & Kelli,
I love each of the four issues that I’ve received and I know I’ll continue to go to them again and again for ideas to do with my children–and just to enjoy! I wholeheartedly support your decision to do what’s best for your family. I’ve recently made a similar decision for my family. I love Kelli’s blog and look forward to all of the great stuff she always shares there.
Blessings,
Lora
July 4th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments above. You must do what is best for your family and obey God’s leading. I am a homeschool mom of 7 and know how difficult it is to balance those many demands on your time.
That said, I want to thank you for bringing true beauty into my home through your magazine. Every photo, recipe and project communicated the love and beauty of home. I appreciate the ideas and recipes that I used with my own little women, creating memories and sharing joy together. Motherhood and homemaking are noble, honorable professions; thank you for encouraging us.
Coram deo,
Sandy
July 6th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Dear Kelli and Phillip,
I am sorry to see this end but I totally understand. I enjoyed every issue that you put out. Though I didn’t homeschool my children raising 11 of them took up all my time. So I wasn’t able to do the fun things like sewing and crafts until they were mostly all grown. Enjoy your family while they are still young.
I will still continue to visit your blog as I so enjoy it.
Blessings to you both,
Judy
July 6th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
You both did a superb job on the magazine, but I love that you are putting your family first!
God will bless you for that!
Enjoy those little ones…while they are still little! The time will fly by, and they will soon tower over you!
(Ask me how I know!) LOL
Blessings,
Sharri
July 9th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
As much as I LOVE the magazine, I know that our families are our first ministry. Thank you for all your hard work on this year of Seasonal Delights. I have been blessed by them.
Hugs and Blessings,
Theresa
July 12th, 2008 at 12:22 am
I only recently subscribed a month or two ago and have enjoyed the magazines. I am glad though that you are following your heart and that your family is your priority.
Wishing you much happiness,
Tracy
July 12th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be continuing with seasonal delights but I do understand. Family has to come first and there are only so many hours in a day!
My daughter and I have enjoyed every issue. I don’t know how you managed to fill them with so many beautiful ideas.
I’ll continue to treasure my downloads and use the crafts and projects in them.
All the best to you. Bx
July 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
After enjoying SD for the last year online, I received my print copies in the mail the other day. I will cherish them. So sorry to hear that it won’t continue, but I certainly understand these decisions when family must take priority. Perhaps in the future you can attempt this venture again.
Thank you for 4 beautiful issues.
Patti, near Gettysburg, Pa
July 16th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I am grateful and appreciative of all the hard work, innovation, creativity, and generosity you’ve put into this wonderful adventure.
Thank you so very much!
July 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I’m so sad, but also very privileged to have had access to one year of wonderful projects, recipes and a good start in the creativity department. Thanks so much for all your effort and generosity.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
Your magazine has been a wonderful ministry. Many years from now, girls will be raised with the benefit of treasured issues of the magazine. Best wishes
Anthea
July 31st, 2008 at 6:46 am
Thankyou Kelli and Phillip for putting all your heart into the making of a wonderful magazine. But there’s a “Season” for everything, and I understand when family calls, some things have to come to an end. I have enjoyed it, and will continue to use my copies of the magazine as inspiration for celebration throughout the years.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Dear Kelli and Phillip, I am sorry life has been so crazy, that I did not get over here sooner. It is very much, hard word and time to create a magazine like you have. From the first issue you could see the time, the detail, your heart in each page. I am just so proud of you. God has plans. This is not the end. Just keep on doing what is in your heart and a door will open at the right time. Love Clarice
August 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
For some reason I am just now hearing this and while I am saddened I understand. I will treasure the four magazines and may have them printed out and spiral bound for reference for years to come, if that is okay? Will the blog and forums stay up? Thank you for doing at least these four issues I have enjoyed them.
God bless,
Sarah
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