A sense of calm - at last

Its been too long since I last put my thoughts down in writing.  Someone once told me that difficult, immense, stressful, life changing things only happen to those people that can handle them – is this true?  If so, I must have a hidden strength I was unaware of.

So, at last I am through the dark days the heavy shadows that fell over me for a while and am well and truly out the other side of the tunnel beautifully blinded by the light of wondrous possibilities.  To explain a little where I’m coming from, this summer included:

• Moving House (whilst the man and kids were overseas)
• Changing Career (whilst maintaining the old one)
• Having a painful operation (left unable to drive for 4 weeks)
• Training our unruly adopted dogs (dealing with unhappy new neighbours)
• Changing our son’s school (coping with the emotional turmoil it created)
• A crashed car (no injuries except to the wallet thankfully)
• Losing a few work projects (due to all the above combined)
• Boy with Bronchitis
• Girl with arm in plaster
• An overwhelming sense of tiredness and lack of control

But, stop, as all the above have passed.  We have moved on and in my mind I am in a much more secure and comfortable place, feeling more settled, positive, hopeful and above all loved and happy.

I just want to share some of the magical things that make this life here in Tuscany bringing up two amazing individuals with my oh so patient man so special:

• Open fires slowly burning olive wood off-cuts
• Perfectly chilled Prosecco
• Cheese and Honey
• My boxer dog’s so soft cheeks
• The girl’s special tree, climbed and much loved
• The sunset above the ancient Tuscan roof tiles
• The view to the medieval church from our window
• Late flowering roses
• The scent of wild curry plants
• The boy’s dedication to his passion (Rugby)
• Music, old and new, classic and contemporary
• An oversized snoozing puppy
• The return of the long lost cat (after 5 months)
• Time together watching old films
• Special friends, time together and apart
• The dog whisperer who saved my sanity
• Slowly marinated beef daube
• This year’s new Olive Oil
• Tiramisu (pick me up) made by the darling daughter
• Fresh baked bread thanks to the Boy
• Rosehips, Sloes and Dandelion Leaves
• Wild mushrooms, Porcini and Truffles
• Drifting wood smoke
• Plans for Christmas
• Tips of snow covered mountains in the distance
• Horses, Donkeys, Goats and Ponies (we live next to a stable)
• One trusty old camera
• Outdoor sofas
• Cappuccinos and Macchiatos
• Brandy drenched Christmas cake (resting on the bookshelves)
• Piles of books in bedroom, in the bathroom and in the car (and handbag if I’m honest)
• The total faith that tomorrow will bring more adventures
• The freedom to be kind to myself
• Letting myself off the hook occasionally 

I would love to share all the above with you, so why not induge yourself a little this autumn, I fully recommend it. x

Times of change and healing

Well, I am loving this season, summer is here in Tuscany.  Roses in full bloom, Acacia blossoms just fading, cherries on the edge of redness, long wild poppies and orchids in the hedgerows.  Natural splashes of colour to lift the spirits in times of much change.

My children lost their Grandad a couple of weeks ago after a long, long time of  suffering and pain.  It feels odd to think he won't come here again, drink brandy in the garden and enjoy the soothing winds from accross the valley.  Now is the time to focus on the living, the lives we have now and for loving those around us and far away.  Strangley, some people think the children wouldn't feel strongly about their loss as he was their stepdad, but to us he was the grandad Mike, someone that played with them, cooked lovely meals for them and formed part of their childhood, maybe only occasionally but those times were good, worthwhile and special.

Now we are looking forward to summer, sun, swimming, gardening, cooking, the veg patch, cycling, seeing friends and family, scary birthdays and creating more special memories to store in our hearts.  I feel that I am growing up a little, getting less stressed, focusing on the things that matter, not the stuff that used to bother me (dust, smelly trainers, dog fur, lost car keys etc).  Now I can't see the dust as I am to lost looking into the sunset, I can't smell the trainers for the scent of the roses and the dog fur on the kitchen floor is a sign that our old hound is still here, for which I am so, so grateful. x