Taking Root in Tuscany

So, it's been such a long time since I felt inspired to write a post, but somehow, everything seems to be falling into place and I have my homesteading and blogging head back on, and, it feels amazing.

To be fair I think one of the biggest inspirations of late has been found in absorbing info from others, learning new skills and opening my mind to new ways of doing things.  A huge thank you to The Big Family Homestead who have well and truly kicked me into touch on the homesteading front. Their educational, enjoyable and practical advice has literally changed our lives in a few short weeks. From gardening to preserving, planning and prepping through to craft and cooking, we all love their youtube channel, find it here and be inspired....

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBCi5TpnTXorbRke79UyLw

The smaller things in life really do make a difference, and after a 3 year period of working really long hours, scraping the barrel financially and supporting our boy through his overseas study, we finally feel grounded again and in some kind of  family rhythm.

Shameless puppy pics:

Puppy Monty arrived in February

Zoe has been a good Auntie - nearly all the time

I have limited myself to 6 hours paid for work a day and promised myself some dedicated time in the garden and 2 hours of writing a day. We are also sticking to our guns on family time, we have 6 weeks of school holidays and intend to enjoy time doing the simple stuff, the good stuff, the warm glow stuff.

So this is how an average (happy) day in my life pans out - if all goes well:

6am let puppy dog and old ginger out to pee
7am make dough for breadmaker bread
7.30am take a walk around the garden and veg patch
8am plan food for the day and defrost meals I made in advance
8.30 emails and office work
2.30 Late salad lunch with family
4pm writing time
6pm glass of wine or 2 and cooking
7pm water gardens and dog walk
8pm supper
9pm film or book
10.30 Bath, Bed, book

BUT..... sometimes it looks like this:

3am can't sleep worrying about work or money
5am dog barks at phantom wolf and  wakes us up
5.30 can't sleep, so get up
6am headache from no sleep
7am realize we have no milk or loo rolls
8am supermarket dash, fighting off tourists
9.30 90 minute drive to work
11am meetings with clients or suppliers, still with a headache, no time for lunch
6pm stop at supermarket again as forgot cheese or wine
7.30pm get home shattered, garden is sad and dry, so are the kids
8pm make dinner from leftovers, with a glass of wine
9pm realise I left shutters open and bedroom is a sauna
10pm collapse in heap
11pm write work notes for tomorrow
11.30 Stare at the stars and pass out

BUT, the balance is getting better, bit by bit, hour by hour, day by day.