Moving onwards

So, here we are, the boys watching the Rugby (husband, son, boy-dog), the girls (daughter and girl-dog) curled up in the cosy armchairs by the woodburner in the kitchen.  Fresh pasta on the stove and a home filled with happiness, laughter and light.  Many changes have happened over the last year, may of them wonderful, some stressful and a few tricky and difficult.  All in all we are in a good place with so much potential at our feet.  Land to clear, gardens to plant and house to decorate and a future to enjoy.

For now a week off work will unfold and include lots of cooking, clearing, reading, relaxing, dog-walking, wood collecting and films by the fire.

Settling

So we are settling, resting, restoring and nesting.  A new home, a new start, a new adventure.
Still in Tuscany, but in the wilds where I truly longed to be all along.  No more shouty neighbours, grottty landlords downstairs and so much more freedom.  To add to this we have 3 acres of land to get under control, a falling down farmhouse to maintain and our chance to be much more self sufficient.  2km of the road overlooking the mountains and surrounded by forest this is one of those once in a lifetime chances to immerse yourself in a project that needs total commitment and bags of energy.

So watch this space x

Comfort and Joy

So, Christmas flew by in a flurry of activity, friends, food and happiness.  2013 seems a distant memory, the year was one filled with hopes and disappointments, from which I have learned great things.  I have realised life is not all or nothing, decisions are not black and white, my personality is not one thing or another, life is not simple or hard.  Mostly our existence is a whole combination of good and bad, happy and sad, promise and loss. So I am trying to master the art of acceptance and settling for 'enough' and when we do achieve great things it is all the more joyful.

Contentment can be found in the simplest things, today I am ill, I didn't sleep and felt really sick throughout the day, but, even in this state of yuckyness I have found the 'good stuff'.  Resigned to my bed I have thrown the windows open to let in the fresh February air, I have been soaking up the sounds of the countryside, the wind from the northern mountains rustling through the pine trees.  The sound of the horses in the nearby stables, the relentlessly cheerful cockerel chiming through the minutes. Also, the scents of our home, the woodsmoke from a neighbors chimney, the damp mud recovering from the recent floods, the simmering garlic from a Tuscan kitchen somewhere in the hamlet, each of these make me feel safe, at home.  So, today I will recover, sleep some, read some.  My wonderful man has offered to make a pumpkin risotto for the girl, whilst the big-boy spends more time at Abetone skiing with his classmates, lucky chap.  The rest of the month will be a fluctuation of  work, travel, writing, home-making, nurturing, nourishing, plan-making, gardening, decorating, cooking, eating and just 'being' here in our small rustic home in Tuscany, and for that I am so grateful. Here are some winter pics from the last few weeks and months xxx

naughty LB in the Captains chair

chilling by the fire

winter wandering

the Boy and I

olive washing ready for salting with orange peel

two scruffs

horse neighbors

birthday girl and LB

bbq in january

the girl loves to read in bed

my new horse

my man loves winter bbq's

The bpy enjoys a dodgy English Brekky at the airport

A very Kilby Christmas

Zoe loves sunshine

Boys and Girls

Fresh olive oil for friends

Light

There is light at the end of the tunnel.  I will blog again, I will share the happiness and laughter of our lives again soon.  There is so much to tell, how things have changed, the axis shifted in strange and unexpected ways.  All is steadying now, life is realigning and we are able to breathe deeply, walk tall and with eyes wide open.  The sunrises fill me with hope and happiness and I am overwhelmed with how beautiful the winter sun can be after the dark days of a rain filled November.  For now a small entry of how I feel better now, able to purposely keep moving on through this life of mine.  The last year has been stressful, long and hard, wearying and arduous, but it is drawing to a tidy and overdue closure, I am so at ease with starting a new chapter, champing at the bit for new experiences, positive changes and inspiring new journeys.

The sleeping children have given in to seasonal fevers, coughs and colds, shivers and chills so we have all withdrawn to layers of duvets, open fires and hot tea. This week will be all about 'restoring' ourselves and our hopes and dreams x

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

adrift

A strange week, 21st August, harvest time.  I feel lost, adrift, unable to stay on a certain path, trying to make plans for work, home, last minute trips is impossible things just have to stay on hold.  We have had some cooler days which have been so welcome, so refreshing but so clearly signs of Autumn ahead.  So we are taking baby steps to plan for winter, the guys have been chopping and stacking wood, I have made 10 x litre bottles of homegrown tomato passata, the man has built our first raised bed in our side garden and the vegetable patch is looking tired.

I am planning autumn crafts and nice homely things mostly with Christmas in mind, I have sorted cupboards and have labelled boxes which are full of cards, ribbons and fabrics etc so I have no excuses for not getting on with things.

But still I am lost, my aunt died at the weekend she was young really 65 but had been slowly killing herself for several years, she was found dead alone most likely drunk.  We are waiting for the coroners report but I have to fly back to the UK to help my Grandma and Uncle (who are both disabled) organise the funeral etc.  So I can't seem to get on with things as I don't know when to fly back, or for how long and I have to fit in work commitments and the last precious weeks of the school holidays so all in all I feel heavy hearted and saddened for what lies ahead in the next few weeks and a life lost.

But, life here in our little spot in Tuscany is still beautiful and we are so lucky.  Today I will work for a few hours then bake and make soup as this will help restore my soul.  The girl is at her Grandparents which is truly wonderful as this is a rare treat for her and the boy is here finishing summer homework, the house is quiet and still which is lovely but very strange.  So now I will leave this page and take small steps into the rest of my day.

We will soon have a teenager in the house and it shows...

Summer Dreaming

After a very long break from this blog about our slightly crazy family life I feel ready to slowly and calmly post some snapshots of where we have been, what has been happening and how life is treating us here in our little home in Tuscany.  Life is good, tough and full, busy and stressful but above all good.  When I list the things that need attention, need work, need money I remain focused on what we already have, what has been achieved, the progress we have all made on many levels, this seems to help keep the stress levels under control.

We have grown and harvested a whopping selection of veg in our jungle like patch
We have been to England and enjoyed time with friends and family
Our dogs have calmed down finally
We have spent days at the pool cooling off
We have enjoyed time with Grandma
We have Cycled to Monteriggioni for picnics
We have eaten outside for lots of the summer
We are all healthy and happy in equal measures
We have great friends in all corners of the world
The blackberries, Sloes, Figs are all ripe
Our damaged Peach tree did still bear fruit
We still have water! Miracle in Tuscany
We will go to the beach soon
We have read, played games, watched films, baked cakes and just enjoyed each other's company
The views are free
Homemade pizza always a winner

Memories of Blighty.... I trip to London, Somerset and Devon with the kids and friends, including Waffles, English Breakfasts, London Eye, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Trains, Planes, Buses, Beaches, Devon, Somerset, Chocolate Cake, Horses, Dogs, BBQs, Picnics, Builders Tea,  Family and Friends