The girls loves horses and so do I

Tabby's Summer camp seems so long ago.  In June TT went to camp where she normally goes to learn vaulting on horseback.  Basically gymnastics on horses and some circus skills on the side - perfect concoction of danger and animals.  I love this place it feels me with calm, I breathe slowly when there and I adore the old horses that enjoy their retirement surrounded by laughter, love and children.  I would spend all day hanging around the horses snorting in that stable smell and laying on the ground looking at the trees.  Chiara who owns the farm has an amazing effect on me and often I leave feeling that my life is full of hope which of course it actually is.  After each camp they have a little show and I love watching the children show the skills they have learnt.  This summer was not the best for the girl as she simply wants to be with the horses and there were some girls who were 'in your face' which bothered her and annoyed me and distracted from the essence of this special little spot in in Tuscany.  BUT that's reality, different personalities bring about different reactions some good some not so good.  For me nothing with distract from the positive effect this special place has on all of us.

https://www.facebook.com/lacasella.cavalgiocare?fref=ts

The reading pile

I have been sent off to bed for the last 48 hours but cannot relax so have been wading through my reading pile. Also spending hours daydreaming about self suffiency, financial freedom, going off grid and buying some land, on a more 'now' level made plans for the veg gardens and boxes. We finalised our idea for the solar shower (garden) and hope to create this within the next week or so - pics to follow. Today I hope to: make soup and potter in the garden, taking things easy as not 100% percent. The birds are all singing their hearts out and I have thrown open all the windows to clear the air and my fuddled brain. The man is amazing, so organised, he copes so well when I am unwell and so do the children, but I feel his stress (me, money, time) and just want to be fit and strong at least most of the time to lessen his burdens. Beauty: today I see beauty and hope in the changing seasons, the warming breeze, the bread baking for my children, the sleeping kittens and the dozing dog, the cherry blossom and budding fruit trees, the new life emerging from the ground and the potential in all things around me. Here are a few of the lovely books I have been devouring whilst gazing out at the Tuscan spring:

1. Hard times in paradise - David and micki colefax
2. How can I let go - Linda Douty
3. Labyrinth - Kate Mosse
4. The Have More Plan
5. How to Feed your family - Gill Holcombe

Roots

Often wondered where our in-built personalities come from. I seem to be a real black/rainbow sheep, nothing in common with my family whatsoever. However there are ties there somewhere, bloodlines or energy lines. Watching my poorly children dozing today made me think of how their breath all came from within me, they orginated from me, it felt like a real basic and primal bondlike feeling flowed through us all curled up in front of the fire. I wonder how many other mothers are lucky enough to feel that depth of togetherness so acutely. I also came across this pic today and I look exactly like my children in everyway, and so another generation continues to live their own unique lives we may look the same but I wonder just how they will grow in time? - Also I love my Grandma's 70's hair in this pic truly fab.

HOT, HOT, HOT

Lovely day.............. Started off with nursery rhymes that Tabby doesn't know. All her knowledge has been forged since moving from UK to Italy so songs and rhymes in English are a whole new area for her. Went to the park, climbed the trees, Tabby learnt to flip over on the hanging bars - very strong and fearless. We went on the deathslide and I scraped by bum on the ground (I am sure the heat has stretched the bungee) got eaten my mosquitoes, ate sweets and told old stories.

Now inside out of the 37 degree sun, managing to fit in about 5 hours work a day despite heat and school holidays, in chunks when I can. Pictures of our crops, some local flowers and Tabby's new dress made by Mummy and Grandma.