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.

Smiling Sunflowers

Birthday pics of San Galgano - such a lovely day x

San Galgano Abbey

Church roof

Birthday girl

TT in angel light from church window

fresco

happy sunflower

sloes ready for gin

hide and seek

cheeky chap

Always smiling

Abbey window

Peace and Tranquillity

The Waiting Man

Wide View (my bum)

Chiesa on hill

The waiting staff at my meal

Birthday Joy

Enjoying a small rest on my birthday (40).  The man is cooking supper and the kids are out in the garden playing with friends.  Spent today out rambling around an ancient monestry, had a picnic lunch, then icecream and prosecco in a lovely old town near here.  Off for a walk soon then my birthday feast!!! Have had amazing goodies.  Homemade cards and posters drawn by the boy, organic smellies for the house, a super sturdy food processor with a dough hook - cool, winning lottery tickets (i hope) and lots of love, hugs, sunshine and chilling down time - perfect day for me.  Also spoilt myself with lots of books and films from amazon in English as my Italian is so rubbish.  Wishing I could see some people who are far away in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and of course Blighty!!! x

Slowing down a little

Right now I feel very tired, I have big bags under my eyes and my limbs feel like lead.  However, with two children on holiday a business to run and an out of control garden to tend I am forever on the go.  I must not complain as the good totally outweighs the bad, but sometimes I need to listen to my body a little and right now it is telling me to rest!!!  This is so hard with a racing mind and worries about many things but this weekend I will try and nourish my soul and be a little self indulgent.  I hope to: finish my sewing pile, start drawing and painting again, plant some late summer veggies, make a lovely gluten free pudding, read and watch some classic old films.  But today I must catch up on writing (work) projects and maybe take the children for a walk or cycle.

Here are some pictures of a recent visit to Florence:

Princess and the Pea

I am slowly, in fact dreadfully slowly trying to get the house more organised as I can never find anything and I get upset and frsutrated.  I started with the girl's room and I made up her bed with fresh linen, sorted her books and clothes tidied her toys and the room smelt of lavendar oil.  The cosiness was so beautiful - guess where she slept?  Yep in our room on a spare mattress - typical.

Museums & Leonardo Da Vinci

We took a trip last week to Florence on the train, I was pretty excited about visiting the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum.  Let's just say my excitement was somewhat larger than the museum.  We did have fun though, it was very hot (40 degrees) and we just about made it through the day, we spent an hour in a lovely kids centre where they hold art and craft workshops - no workshop whilst we were there but the kids chilled out and actually played together which is a rarity.  I am trying to focus on the good things, the lovely shiny happy moments as there are many troubling things happening in our lives at the moment with very poorly relatives & friends and heavy work comittments.  Also I am so tired and feeling fat!  However, here are some reminders of our lovely day in Florence x

Medieval Festival Monteriggioni

Last weekend we enjoyed a trip to Monteriggioni where they had a Medieval Festival, it was such a lovely evening, kids a tad grumpy as overly hot but we had a great night x