Home Again, Home Again Giggidy Gig

Well it is over a month since my last blog post - and what can I say, there is far to much to put down in words as the past few weeks have been of the very highest highs and lowest lows. We are now all a little more grounded though and I have chosen to post a little update as some very kind bloggers have been asking if I am OK. Yes I am OK, but I have been in hospital in and out for a while with more tests and it seems I have a couple of curious spots on the brain which is most likely damage caused by neuro behcets so this took some getting used to. My dd has also been in hospital with Pleurosy (excuse spelling), in between we have been to the UK to see family and camping with friends here in Italy. So really we are physically and emotionally shattered but feeling good and positive. We have lots of lovely photos to share and I will be uploading some soon. I am going to slow down on the blogging front a little as I find it distracts be from the real 'doing' so I hope to simply share the real joys, the beauty, the fun, laughter and natural flow of our little family, living in the hills of Tuscany trying hard to live gently, sutainably, abundantly and without fear or stress. Making the very most of what we have every moment of every single day. So for now here is today's good stuff: The roses in bloom, smelling of old English country gardens The bread baking, the gorgeous wafts of cooking dough (thank you dh) The glowing fire (in May!!!) drying the washing The big strong vegi plants ready to be planted in the horto My lovely true old & new friends who love me no matter what Sleeping dog and skitty kitties The clear blue skies after the heavy downpours Cracking and jolting lightening making me feel so alive The melting pot of thoughts, feelings, personalities that make up our family The gentle sun turning the cherries from green to lipstick red x

Wise women

The last few days have been filled with the words of wise women offering me guidance help and empathy. I have had a garden designer friend show me how to grow things in a better and more sustainable and cost effective way. Another friend has been showing me how to make the best use of the local seasonal produce and today we cooked artichokes to have tonight with gluten free pasta - so yummy. The weekends are often full to overflowing with sporty things for the boys and this weekend is no exception, however I will make time to potter in the garden and kitchen, a firm promise to myself. I plan to make crostata and a polenta cake for next weeks picky food and tomatoes stuffed with anchovies and mozzarella (experimental pottering). Today the man made an enormous compost bin for the horto and a wooden planting box for lettuces and salad stuff - so proud of him, from pallets to planters in one morning. Tonight though I will just chill out with my book 'Ripe for the picking' and the open fire, listen to the birds going to bed and slowly flop into the weekend.

Here and There

Busy busy weekend full of nice things.  Saturday we visited a farm saw the cows and the bull, a donkey and horses, a few calves and lots of hens etc.  We bought organic apple juice and our friends treated us to fresh mozzarella, ricotta, warm bread and salad.  The girls played in the mud and enjoyed the sunshine, smashing ice and getting dirty.  Made a Thai meal for our family valentines evening on Saturday - very lovely but too tired to enjoy the evening, think my energy levels are flagging. 

 

Sunday lovely too - the menfolk went to Rome to see the rugby England v Italy and TT, Nona and I went for a walk around a lovely old town 'Casole' then had some lunch.  We really must slow down more and relax as I noticed that all the other tables were full of families who arrived before us and were only on their first course when we were ready to go.  Normal here to have 4-5 courses, will have to build up my stamina and appetite.  TT had Salmon then risotto even she was too tired for panacotta!!!  

 

Hooray the loft is sorted - Christmas stuff is away and Easter lovelies unearthed as are ribbons and birthday wrappings.

 

More cereal bars made and banana bread cooked in the bread maker, went very dark and weird looking but am told it is delicious.   I am planning to schedule in more time for hearth and home every week now as recently all my time, energy and thoughts have been on work and money, this only means that other things get neglected , then that upsets me too!!!

 

Plans for the week:

 

• Water pots and plant more seeds for the Horto - veg plot
• Make a large pot of Tuscan bean soup
• Polenta bake and homemade baked beans
• Cherry Muffins - last of Cherries in freezer
• Soup - Carrot and Orange
• Marmalade
• An hour a day on my book
• Some inner work on all of our worries - money, stability, fear, being more supportive of each other
• Photos - print for albums
• Read, read, read - 2 books a day to the children  
• Chickens - research which ones and how
• More salads - when warm enough!