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.

Here again, finally

So, my last post was rather over enthusiastic.  I didn't start blogging again, I even stopped reading blogs and boy how I have missed this journalling of our life in the woods in Tuscany.  So whilst I find my rhythm again and reacquaint myself with the technical side of things I'll simply post a few pictures that capture times here and there.  As I really don't think its possible to fill all the gaps of our ups and downs during 2015 I think I'll simply upload images that conjure up some magical memories.  I'll also note a few of the most important or emotive events that have popped up lately.

This moment.....

The boy is watching Rugby on the TV, he is big now, 15, hairy, deep voiced, taller than I and still the most kind, warm hearted male on the planet. Shy, humble, strong and funny.

The girl is sitting at the kitchen table, she is humming a song she is learning on the piano, blond pony tail nodding as she works, tongue poking out the side of her month marking her concentration. 

The man is showering, cleaning up after a day about the house and garden, chopping wood, gathering kindling, packing away Christmas things, cleaning up after me, as ever.  He is the reason I can be me, he is the quiet, solid, brave, ever supporting force in my life, making me feel OK, safe, happy, loved.

Some memories from 2015.....

Into a rythm

Well it is ages since I last updated this blog, so much work and so little time.  My whole summer has been overshadowed by huge projects and very little energy.  My day usually consists of dragging myself to the shed where muy computor lives around 8am (when its still cool) then emerging to make lunch, spending the afternoon lolling with the kids whilst doing odds and sods of work, listening to them bickering and trying to stay calm and mellow, then I squeeze in a little more work before giving in around 6pm when the garden is dying for water and everyone else is overheated and a little stroppy.

However, things are definately improving.  Both children have found new interests this summer, AA with his Rugby blog and TT is loving reading and writing in English which is a relief as she was struggling as Italian is her 1st language when it comes to books.

Life has found its own rythm and we are getting small things done that have been bothering me for ages.  Last night we played scrabble and snakes and ladders sitting on the cool tiled floor.  Today I took the boy to buy his school things as he starts middle school (Media) in September and it was a lovely morning with coffee and panino for him, a walk in the old town of Colle Val Delsa and home for lunch.  We are now at 40 Degrees and it is too hot to be energetic but we are squeezing in trips to the local pool a couple of times a week which is so lovely, the kids watch the high divers and mess around whilst I dip in and out of the pool and in and out of my book.

This week is all work, work work (writing and garden design) but have promised myself next week is Mummy week where I will indulge the kids, take in a few museums, icecreams and enjoy some lazy homey days.

Last week we went to Monte Amiata whilst the boy was at the beach with friends and stopped at Sant Antimo on the way home, it was beautiful, breathtaking.  Gary put up with my fascination for Abbeys and Cathedrals and sat in the sun whilst TT and I explored inside, lit candles and enjoyed the Music and insense.

This week our rather dried out garden has given us tomatos, Chicory, Lettuce and a few lovely herbs.  Water is running so low and everywhere is suffering, I hope we have rain soon, nothing for nearly a month and the tank is nearly empty.. fingers crossed.

Fear and turkey bones

I have been battling the big fear over work projects lately. Over the spring some things went butter side down on the floor work wise and I took a big knock to the confidence. I now have some potential larger writing projects coming my way and I am scared as there is a clash of personalities but we need the money. Basically we need another vehicle and if I land another magazine (editorial work) we can get the car, however, all I really want to do is make bread and write my book..agghhh. All suggestions welcome!

(picture: a wispy sky today in Bella Vista)

I have been reading 'Living Magically' by Gill Edwards and am sure I have missed loads of signs about which route to take over the years and am trying to trust my intuition more but it is hard to find middle ground between instinct and real life. This week has been really weird lots of irritations which I am sure are pointing to something in particular: I lost £5 in town, I have had a horrible attack of shingles and can't eat or sleep well, the camera is playing up, then last night Tabby choked on a bone, very scary and big but she coughed it out, thank god. What can all these things mean? Maybe the emphasis should be on health and healthy finances at the moment. I am relishing the last few days with the children before school starts again on Monday I have loved the 3 long summer months of no school and am sad at the idea of losing the chatter and banter to the classroom again. It might help me concentrate on prioritising my work though. I hear tantrums in the garden now from the youngest daredevil so need to check the score..... lastly, Discovered my moon sign today 'Scorpio' thanks to the very inspiring http://holisticmum.blogspot.com/ thank you.