News, Norfolk and Links

Hello. Ready for a catch-up? August and September have passed by with their late summer splendour and I find myself in early (no double figures yet) October ready for an amalgamation of blog posts. Think Minimalist Monday, Friday Links and holiday highlights - all on a Friday night. Not very minimalist, I agree, but I feel I need to dip my toes back into the water before my fragile blogging skills surreptitiously sink. This year has taken an unexpected turn as I've somehow taken on more work. Since working almost full-time since January on a temporary basis I've been working full-time as a permanent class teacher since September. It's been five years since I was last in this position and so it's taken a while to adjust to the pace and demands involved. I'm quickly adjusting and enjoying my new job. Luckily, I have lots of support and love at home to see me through. Working full-time is a choice and therefore I feel quite free.

Did you have a good summer? I do hope so, and for anyone in the Southern Hemisphere I hope you're enjoying early spring. Holiday photos have an almost mythical quality don't you think? These shots were taken in North Norfolk where I spent a few days with my mum at Brancaster Staithes. It was such an unspoilt and beautiful spot. Running along the back of our hotel along the marshland coastline was magical and exciting and I would love to return to this area again.Think colourful beach huts, seal watching and sea lavender. Pretty mesmerising. 

So, minimalism and working full-time? I think it can work. I really do, Yes, I have less time but my free time is more precious and therefore carefully planned or wisely used. There's still time for simple pleasures: early morning radio, reading, weekend walks, cafe dates, and seeing friends. Sometimes life gets frantic but then it always did. My minimalist wardrobe, mindfulness and gratitude techniques are powerful tools that I didn't possess five years ago. I find myself drawn to minimalist and simple living blogs more than ever. However, I refuse to be a pawn in the simple living industry and read selectively. 

And so onto a few links which I have found useful, inspiring and entertaining. Please pop in and say hello and let me know your current simple pleasure, news or views. I've missed you and Just a little less. It's four years old now and here to stay. 

• 5 Tips for the Ultimate Body Confidence via Sweaty Betty
• You Might As Well Dance via Lost in a Spotless Mind
• The Invisible Fence via Tynan. 
• Philoxenia by Turvey Abbey
• The End of Lunch is Nigh via Treehugger
• Lifestyle for One by Exile Lifestyle
• Dee Williams Downsizes from Tiny to Tinier via Tiny House Blog

Hello July

Woo hoo summer has arrived so here are some photos of recent summer fun.

• A day spent on our friends' barge two weekends ago. This was my one and only shot before my camera battery died.
• Courgette salad - low GI and a perfect way to use one of Aldi's super 6 this week. Yay to super frugal healthy food. 
• Pots in bloom outside our front door.
• FUSE festival from last weekend. My camera stayed in the car whilst I had fun. 
• The first fuchsia in our pallet planter. 
• Blue skies.
• Strawberry cake. Almost too pretty to eat. Yay to post gym treats.
• Waiting for the first sunflowers to open.
• Strawberry picking. Worth it for the smell alone.

Sending you brief words but lots of love. Have a great week xo

Hello June

Hello June and hello dear readers. I've had a reconciliation with my camera which means I can share with you a few moments of June so far. We've had three relaxing nights away in Llandudno, North Wales, a return visit to Lunar Festival in Warwickshire (our third visit) and we've been snatching moments in the garden. I've finished two books both of which I'd highly recommend. Our tiny garden is looking lush this year and we're busy growing more veg and flowers than ever. This year we're leaving the fence and deck to age and putting all our energy into the planting. The pallet planter has been prepared and should be vertical in a few weeks. I can't wait for the sweet peas to climb their teepee and the verbena to flower. There are newly planted pots at the front of the house and strawberries emerging. Have a wonderful week xo

All in Good Time

Well, here I am post half-marathon. I didn't break any records in the race but getting back to this level of fitness is a great achievement for me. Now a shorter run like a 5K is a pleasure rather than a chore. Although a rather enthusiastic run on Saturday has left me with a torn calf muscle and an enforced rest. 

Just to let you know all is well here even though I have taken an unplanned blogging break, as you may have noticed. Work has been all-consuming, but in a good way, as I'm enjoying covering a class due to a colleague's sickness. This is likely to continue until the end of this academic year but I don't mind as I'm enjoying the role of class teacher again. I'm teaching the best class I've ever taught, so I feel blessed.

Many things have had to fall by the wayside - such as reading, blogging, photography, decluttering and compiling my Friday links. I have been focusing on staying well though and my running has certainly helped with this. I gave up alcohol for April and this also gave me lots more energy and zest for life. May is all about moderation. We've been cutting down on sugar and carbohydrate too as Tim was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in February but has now got his blood glucose levels down to normal with a very careful diet and increased exercise. Michael Mosley's blood sugar diet book was instrumental in this - thank you to my friend who recommended it.

While I've been very disciplined with my work and health I have relaxed on my spending and have made a few clothing purchases. My love of clothes has not waned but my spending habits are much more considered than they once were. My year of less spending has fizzled out too but a new change is that I'm no longer managing the food planning on my own and our spending is more consistent. 

Since January I've been in the process of resetting many areas of my life. Finding a new balance between work and relaxation, minimalism and materialism and contentment and drive. I have found new focus but some areas are still a muddle. 

So, here's an unexpected blog post. Probably not the one you expected to read or I expected to write. 

A new balance is emerging and hopefully some new blog posts will too. All in good time.

Be happy xo

44. Happy Friday Links

Every week I like to share wonderful reads and resources to inspire simplicity, mindfulness and living well on less.

• 12 Ways To Stay Motivated To Keep Fit by Susannah Taylor via Get The Gloss
• Happy Valley: female solidarity is stronger than male exploitation by Elizabeth Day via The Pool.
• 7 Simple Spring Cleaning Secrets: Are You Ready To Clear The Clutter? by Dan Erikson at Hipp Diggs.
• 10 Ways Minimalism Saved My Life by Erin at A Welder's Life
• The 9 Secrets Of Tidy Families from Fat Mum Slim 
• spring!! beautiful images from Artemis at Junkaholique
• Pope Francis on Instagram

Wishing you peace this Easter. 

Claire xo

43. Happy Friday Links

Every week (ahem, or fortnight) I like to share wonderful reads and resources to inspire simplicity, mindfulness and living well on less.

• 5 Simple (But Powerful) Tools For Fighting Stress by Chris Kesser. I think number 3 is a useful tool. I don't know where I found this site but I'm glad I did. I like Chris' holistic approach to health. 
• From Country Living, How to take your porridge recipe to the next level. I'm getting through a lot of cinnamon this week, it's so warming on cold mornings.I don't know about savoury porridge though...
• Small changes for our young people, What if Schools Taught Kindness? via Greater Good.
• This blog because I couldn't choose one sassy post over another. 
• The self-help books that aren't just for January by Kat Brown via The Pool.
• Dear Younger Self, by Miss Minimalist.
• The Small Flat that's Big on Romance via Homify.
• Pretty pics of The Book Barge but you'll have to buy this month's Country Living. Yes, I indulged. 
• Why Legumes are the New Meat via Khoollect. Healthy. Tick. Budget friendly. Tick.

I think I've ticked enough boxes. Happy Friday! 
Claire xo

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42. Happy Friday Links

Every week I like to share wonderful reads and resources to inspire simplicity, mindfulness and living well on less.

• On getting intentional with Instagram by Fran at The Simplicity Journey. Yes, Instagram niggles me, as I'm not sure I want to share my daily life, and Instagram does require fairly frequent posting which is not always easy when you're working.
• Oh the joys of Dickensian on the BBC. Bless Inspector Bucket! Here's something to dream of, Win a complete set of Charles Dickens published by Vintage Classics. I've entered this competition by Foyles (twice).
• Do you power nap? How to get a good night's sleep by Tamsin Kelly via Prima.
• The beauty of Barbie diversified, Barbie launches three new body types, by Victoria Kingdon via Harper's Bazaar. 
• 'Minds change' says Matt Haig, author of Reasons to Stay Alive and this article in The Guardian, As therapy shows, words can be medicine. Read Matt's book if you haven't yet done so. It'll change your mind and help you change others' too. 
• Have we fallen out of love with jeans? By Chemmie Squier at The Debrief.
• Fairy lights and flowers: Susannah & Tod's Renovated Portland Flower Cart via Apartment Therapy. Pretty perfect. 

It's been a while, I know, so thank you for still reading here. I'm hoping to post these links every Friday or at least once a fortnight. I shall be working (almost) full-time until the end of May so I'm being very mindful to not overdo things in other areas of my life. Reading (see the sidebar list), cooking, exercise and just being are taking priority over blogging at the moment. I hope you understand and thank you for your kind wishes. Having said that, I might pop up with an occasional catch-up post, so please don't strike me off your reading list just yet! 

Happy weekending! Claire xo

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41. Happy Friday Links

Every week I like to share wonderful reads and resources to inspire simplicity, mindfulness and living well on less

• I dropped a size on the anti-ageing diet, via The Telegraph, sounds like a sensible way to shed a few excess pounds (scroll down to the bottom of the article for the check list).
• This book looks interesting. I think it could bring a lot of pleasure year after year. A buy to last book, I guess.
• Lonely? 5 habits to Consider to Combat Loneliness. Good advice for anyone, from Gretchen Rubin.
• I love this film and Alan Rickman will be missed: Alan Rickman plays the cello in Truly, Madly, Deeply via The Strad.
• I've made notes on this one, 12 Things Confident Women Do, from Well Made Lives (not gender specific advice, in my opinion).
• I love Wildacre blog and the hellebores in this post. Snowdrops and hellebores brighten January, which has to be the longest month.
• Less is more and small is beautiful I still believe. This home, via My Scandinavian Home, oozes charm and calm.

I hope you enjoy this week's compilation. I'm juggling blogging with teaching almost full time at the moment and the planning and marking are winning - just so you know where I am if I miss a post. Have a lovely weekend, friends xo

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