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