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

Small changes - big differences

Earlier this week I was to damn ill to do much of anything and the frustration was welling up in me, so I tried to calm my mind and think of the small things we can do that make a difference, here are my random thoughts...

• We can reach for a large jug of water and take note of how the clear liquid restores and revives as we take sips or even gulps
• We can stretch our limbs and feel our muscles lengthening then relaxing
• Spend 5 minutes writing to an old friend or relative, not typing, actually using our hands, weird feeling folding a note, placing it in an envelope and sealing within (ritualistic)
• Smooth the dog or cat or other animal whom you share your life with, very restful action giving love to someone who adores you no matter how grumpy you may feel
• breathe - deeply, slowly and intentionally
• Plant seeds, even with no energy I dragged myself into the garden and planted pot after pot of seeds this week
• make a cake, the action of weighing, stirring and baking chills me out
• Planning a trip - whoopy daydreaming up a plan of escape big or small, dreams are what life is made from
• Soup, chopping and stirring, heating and eating, so relaxing even when tired
• 5 minutes of clearing the decks, just the simple small stuff that grates on the nerves
• Heartfelt hugs, you can never have or give enough to those you love, life is often to swift

After all, the small stuff is what makes a big difference... to me at any rate xx

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

Living well

Everyday I live in fear of getting ill again as my immune system just doesn't work, however this weekend I let go of my fear and really indulged myself, wine lots of, chocolate, dairy and meat (small nibbles), and guess what, I am ill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So it just goes to show that there must be a direct link from diet to immunity, my mouth is full of ulcers and my knees are agony, I felt dizzy all day yesterday and my throat is swollen. So I truly have to accept that if I want a long and healthy life I need to tread carefully and live conciously in every way. So starting a fresh again and to fight this illness (Behcets) now I am back on the following: Gluten free Vegan diet, caffiene and alcohal free, plenty of sleep, fresh air and water. Continue with all my supplements - vitamin b group, echinecea, dog rose etc. Supper Menu for the week - this is very optimistic as if I get worse I will be on just water: Artichoke Rissotto Lentil Shepherds pie Polenta and roasted veg Minestrone (g,free) Veg curry and rice noodles stuffed peppers and boulangare pots Polenta pizza Also need to try and tidy the garden after the landlords chainsaw massacre, however, I am NOT going to worry about a thing this week, simply be kind to myself and go with the flow!

A wee rest

I have just not felt like blogging of late, I have felt that blogging was getting in the way of actually doing things. I was writing rather than achieving and this is not good for me. So I have had a rest from my blog and can now come back renewed and afresh. In my time away from the blog I have managed to spring clean the house, plant up roses,herbs, strawberries and veg seeds. Move the office to the cantina so I can now 'go' to work, converted what was the office to a playroom - perfect for everyone. Made apple cake, easter rabbits, easter cards and had lots of fresh air on walks with the old man (the dog not the husband). Also had my full body scan at the hospital, results are looming but I have continued to stay well on my diet of Echinacea, Dog Rose and Vitamin B supplements, which seem to be supporting my immune system well, though I am still really shattered. The children are loving the warmer days: blossomy trees, wild flowers, mud pie experiments, swinging in the trees, diggin in the dirt, wearing short sleeves, staying outside after school, harrassing kittens and days in the park. Today has been about gluing and sticking, feathers and pompoms, cakes and biscuits, chalks and puzzles, rugby practice and now a sliding sun and a warm fireside. Preserved 6 huge jars of baked artichokes from the market... very industrious. Tomorrow a day of gardening and then the man (not the dog) and I are planning a walk around Siena at dusk, as the children are off to the grandparents for the evening. For now a random selection of pics - notice TT's bed hair (saying morning to the kittens at 6am). x

organic gardening

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours at a friends house looking at her amazing garden, using all natural compost and mulch for beds. So inspiring, wire cages lined with card and filled with grass cuttings, veg waste and chippings to create rich environments for plants to grow -truly fab and almost free way of making your own compost. The veg plants were thriving and I came home with a car full of roses, iris, leeks, herbs, wild strawberries, vines and many more wonderful gifts. We have planned our next step and will build more large tubs and fill with natural waste, as it rots we top it up and plant straight into the planter in the autumn. To say it was better than Christmas would be very true and the morning was rounded off with a glass of local wine and some smoked salmon. Pure bliss. This morning off to the market in Poggibonsi with my old baby buggy to snap up some cheap veg for preserving and pasta sauces. A very good friend is going to give me the low down on the best buys and the local cheeses etc, as I haven't had the time to really get to grips with all the different types of pecorino yet - only been here 2 years, pathetic time management!!!!!

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.