Hello there. I hope you're well and configuring your way around coronavirus. To be honest, I think my coping mechanisms are all over the place and my ability to cope changes hourly with my moods. Today I offer you an antidote, an escape, a little peep into another life - it's not a makeover perfect project just a space, a moment in history to be shared, a time when the hum of bees and the twitter of birds were more inspiring than social media, daily government briefings and the dos and don'ts of lockdown. At times lockdown has been exhausting, overwhelming and frustrating but just occasionally don't you think you're being gifted a wonderful opportunity to take stock, be authentic, still and slow down. Isn't this the way to live? Just add in your extras (mines's a takeaway soya caramel latte).
We did a 'makeover' of our tiny garden in 2014 - see it here. It's now a much more 'lived-in' space but it's giving us so much pleasure and purpose in these turbulent times. It provides us with invaluable outside space and a chance to be still, creative, nurturing and productive.
We all need escapism right now and probably will do for the foreseeable future. Whatever it takes: quiz nights, family zooming or the voyeurism of Marianne and Connell from 'Normal People' - a BBC Three series which I'm eeking out as long as I can.
I hope you enjoy my tiny garden tour and it gives you that feeling of being somewhere else.
There's been no shortage of chocolate, sunshine and beautiful spring flowers this Easter break. Also, there's been no shortage of time since March 19th when schools in the UK closed and I've been at home apart from one day a week when I'm on duty at school to look after key workers children and vulnerable children. There has been home learning to organise plus other teaching tasks to complete but it's been a very light workload compared to my normal teaching duties. And so a chance to update my blog of which I'm still very fond of despite its hiatus.
Scrolling through photos on my phone there's so much I could write about and lots of lovely images I could share with you from the last year but that world seems like a hazy sepia dream from decades ago and not just last year. My archive of photos are an eerie reminder of why we need to stay safe and stay at home. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting those carefree days back but also realise that life will never be exactly the same again and it will take time to adjust when restrictions on lockdown begin to be lifted. Also, I hope that we learn lessons from this worldwide emergency and that in the future we don't take for granted the fragility of our health or economy. We may need to reassess our priorities in life.
I do hope you're well and are finding time to enjoy some simple pleasures in this topsy-turvy world we find ourselves in this year. Whether it's a walk around the neighbourhood, a phone call or zoom meeting with family or friends, home-cooked meals, gardening or generally enjoying a slower pace of life these all have the power to lift our spirits and ease away anxiety. The future seems even more uncertain than ever so I'll leave you with this thought.
This summer.... I'm sure we'll remember this summer for years to come. I mean, we don't often get summers like this in the UK, do we? I think it helps to have some photos as a record. I still have snow scenes on my phone from March and they're a little reality check. So how are you? Life is full on here. Both boys are back home on summer breaks, from uni and teaching in China. A full house, that's a nice feeling. Mum's been quite ill recently; she's declined since my last blog post although I've been concerned about her for the last year. Anyway, I'm adjusting to the new normal we're now facing and the difficulties of caring for a loved one with mental illness. These photos show some simple pleasures and highlights of the summer so far. I hope you like them.
Leamington Spa at the beginning of May
Fresh juicy blueberries (on a cake)
Growing seeds in our tiny garden
Tin Man - best read of the year so far - and the start of my sunflower obsession
Bearded Theory festival, so pretty at night (it was hot)
I blinked and six weeks passed. It's good to be back: to my blog, to nature and my beloved DSLR. You could miss moments like these - but with a desire to solicit snowdrops, sunshine and shuffle in my Christmas wellies, I found what I was looking for. As I walked, I felt my vitamin D levels being restored, along with some balance and plans for spring and beyond. No need for excessive scavenging: it's all simply in front of me if only I open my eyes. I hope you're well friends. There may be more posts this week as it's half-term here xo
Hello dear friends. How are you? I've missed you. Christmas can be overwhelming – I know, I say this every year (and usually just about now, twenty four hours before the big day). The cause of this overwhelming sensation is, I believe, due to the complex contrasts of Christmas: it's a time of luxury and debt; excitement and anxiety; hope and dread; love and resentment; laughter and tears; togetherness and loneliness; long working hours and precious time off. Yet, Christmas is actually quite simple. At the heart of the Christian story of peace and love lies simplicity and this can be appreciated by anyone whatever their religious beliefs or circumstances. Beyond the layers of wrapping paper, underneath the towers of high expectations and lurking at the bottom of our to-do lists is an opportunity to embrace simplicity. I love the magical moments of anticipation, the hustle and bustle of a houseful and even the camaraderie (OK stress) of long hours in the kitchen. But what I love most about Christmas are the simple things. Chirpy robins on Christmas cards, paper hats slipping down our faces over dinner and a cheeky sherry beforehand. I love the extra time that the holiday provides. I love church on Christmas Eve packed to the rafters with tots in nativity outfits. Christmas carols calm the chaos and friends and family share their laughter and remind us of our roots and strong bonds. The years bring fond memories but also new trials. We've had difficult challenges in our lives this year and I'm sure you have too. On the bright side these often bring us closer together if we're open and generous to each other. So this year, let's embrace the complexities and contrasts of Christmas. Let's share our hearts and homes and be grateful for Christmas and the gifts it brings (wanted and unwanted). Let's learn more about ourselves and remember to embrace simplicity. Even if we haven't got there yet. Once the wrapping paper is shred, the expectations have collapsed and our to-do list has expired we could just have the greatest gift of all: to be reminded of the simple riches of our lives and to take these into the new year. Simplicity calls. Enjoy your Christmas xo
I believe in happiness, especially in finding it in dark places. Sometimes happiness overflows in our lives and we're like a sponge, soaking up as much as we can and then releasing it in tiny bubbles for others to share with a kind smile, a hug, a laugh or a generous act. Other times our happiness quotient is depleted and our sponge dries up to a hard crusty shell as we neglect our well-being, shut down and make less contact with others. Happiness, the kind of happiness that money can't buy and which is borne from self-acceptance and practising gratitude never disappears completely. When life gets tough or you simply feel rubbish you need to remember that you have inner happiness and how much better life can feel if you use it. On those dark days, seek happiness in simple pleasures, in the world around you, find the positives in the situation you're in and try and make some contact with others. If you can nurture yourself, appreciate the beauty and simple pleasures of daily life and be open and welcoming to the friendship of others life begins to feel better. All it takes sometimes is a quick soak, a gentle squeeze and off you go.
Oh July, so much to celebrate, not least the, almost, unending sunshine. We could get used to this, given the chance.
Here are some happy memories from the past 4 weeks - all taken on my phone. This is my second month of creating a gratitude collage and I'm enjoying the process of wrapping up each month by reflecting on it.
Some highlights... ♥ I spent a wonderfully exciting but tiring day in London with my 15 year old son. We visited The British Museum, popped into the new Peddlars General Store and Cafe and had tea with my brother in St. Albans. ♥ So we did have some rain as I captured this rainbow on my phone. ♥ Pimm's to celebrate my dad's 78th birthday. ♥ Pavlova to celebrate my father-in-law's 70th. ♥ I bought some eighties shorts from a vintage shop to replace the denim ones I sold at last month's car boot. These are so cool and comfy. ♥ Hubs and band nailing it at our local festival Fuse. Very proud of him. ♥ Beetroot and feta salad a new recipe which I'll make over and over again, I'm sure (I left out the spring onions though). ♥ 22 hearts for our 22nd wedding anniversary. ♥ Verbena bonariensis at Baddesley Clinton, a National Trust property in Warwickshire. This is a new plant to us and is looking stunning right now in our tiny garden too. Thank you for reading, following and commenting here at Just a little less. You're very welcome xo
June may be one of our shorter months but it hasn't felt like it. It's been a glorious month weather-wise here and it has actually felt like summer. I've written less blog posts this month than ever but I feel I've lived the life I write about more than ever, too. Having a smart phone and instagramming (is that a verb) has certainly helped me capture these happy moments without it being time consuming. And not having a permanent job right now has made my summer a lot less stressy too.
Whilst I haven't updated my simple pleasures list on my sidebar recently it's something I like to reflect on from time to time. Taking photos on my phone and using Instagram is a great way to create a visual gratitude diary.
All of these photos are from my phone and hold sweet memories.
♥ Opening windows first thing. I enjoy snatching a little bit of extra time on bright mornings and find it hard to stay in bed. ♥ Lunar festival. We had a fun, chilled time. ♥ Shakespeare in the Park (the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet). We were lucky to get free tickets through our local arts organisation. A perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. ♥ British strawberries. The smell... the taste... the colour... ♥ Decluttering at a car boot sale and bagging these bargain chairs from Ikea at the same time (£5 for three). ♥ Augergine dhal, a new recipe. I've made it twice this month. ♥ Having our student son home and his rather cool vinyl collection. ♥ Nurturing white lupins in my new garden. ♥ National Trust visits. We returned to Packwood House in Warwickshire. I loved the sorbet colour of these roses. What are your current daily pleasures? I'd love to hear.
July beckons and we've got a busy month with a 70th birthday party, our local festival (with hubs and band performing after a long break), an anniversary date night, a garden to finish for my dad's birthday celebration and tomorrow I'm off for a day adventuring in London. Excited, happy and busy.
Thanks for reading, following and commenting here xo
