a new beginning…..

Hello there, lovely readers!

I seem to have lost my way to this space in the last few months. There hasn't been any one reason really, but rather an accumulation of little things that all together make a whole - maybe I should say a hole, or absence! I've given this some thought in recent weeks, more so since a few family and friends have politely enquired as to where I have been. 

What do I say? Until recently, its been wintery and cold here and I'm never at my best in winter…..my body is not a cold climate creature and I find it difficult to venture far from the wood stove in search of adventure, inspiration and photos. Having said that, winter was reasonably late in showing up, moderately beautiful in its own way and lasted a month less than usual……and let me hasten to add, I'm not complaining much. Despite all that, King Winter and I are not great companions and its always a pleasure to see the tail end of him!

Then theres the photos. One of the reasons I started this blog was as a creative outlet for both far away family and friends and because I was enjoying reading other lovely blogs and wanted to do that too! At the time I desperately needed some way to nurture myself with creative pastimes and due to the lack of space for other handcrafts that I'd done in the past, I turned to blogging. I needed a place to write, decorate, share pretty pics and chat to other folk and yes, I found all that and more in this space. 

I like taking photos, nice photos, but there are a couple of challenges to that - I've never taken a photo course and still don't know how to use my camera correctly. And I don't have enough beautiful spots in my house to take the lovely homey shots I'd like to take. Our home is tiny, dark and full with the stuff of six people; its just not photogenic at all which is why I tend to take outdoor photos - and in winter theres not a lot of beautiful outdoor scenes to capture…even if I wanted to brave the sleet, wind and rain! 

Am I whining? Yes, it does appear that way although really I'd like to think I'm just emptying my head and sorting through the thoughts. And I've been giving all this a lot of thought. 

How much do I like blogging? A lot actually.

How much time do I want to spend writing posts? 

How much time do I have available? 

Questions that frolic around and get answered differently each day.

In the last few months I could have posted quite a bit - after all when you've spent two years sorting everything you do into blog worthy or not blog worthy, its a habit thats hard to break! The only thing is, a lot of the topics would have been to do with art and art journaling, accompanied by too-dark photos of my journal pages and rambles on the merits of one paint over another! Is anyone interested? I don't know and really its not relevant to how much I like to blog anyway. I do know though, that my thoughts and desires have changed and rather than looking close around me, I"m looking within as well as far out and into the future. I'm not so focused on crafting, cooking and keeping house but have been finding, feeding and furthering the latent Wild Woman inside!! 

So, where to from here? Well, for now I will add in those arty pics that I've laboured over in my attic studio along with my thoughts and processes;  I will post some adventures in retrospect, just because I like to have a record of outings and special occasions; there will still be a recipe now and then, some repurposing, recycling and re-using; pics of the not so little any more granddaughter; and lots of other day to day stuff. 

I also want to speak a bit more on life matters. Often what gets put on here is just the 'good' stuff, the bits that I think others would benefit from and the bits that make me look as if I have it all together and never struggle, which of course is just not true. I've not lied but sometimes omitting the bits that are  slightly shitty, makes my life look like a fairy tale……and we all know that life's not like that! Sometimes I want to have a bit of a rant and while I wouldn't go so far as to do that to you, dear reader, I would like to at least mention that I am struggling and how I"m dealing with my inner turmoil. 

I have wondered if I should start another blog and retire this one - one that gives voice to my new directions, thoughts and interests - but hey, this is my life. All the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, garden work, creativity, changes and stagnation, children, chores and tears are all a part of me and after all this is my blog, which I am happy to share with you in all my imperfection. 

If you are still reading after this very long monologue, thank you. I hope to continue sharing lots of bright and uplifting happenings from my outer world as well some personal insights and mystic thoughts from my deeper, inner world.  

Until next time……Namaste.