A New Year and a New Start

A Happy New Year, and a big thank you to all you lovely fellow bloggers/blog-readers for your kind thoughts and good wishes! I know I already said it in my last post, but this as this is my first one of 2016 I thought I'd say it again, especially as the weather is so very gloomy and wet outside and I've been taking down the decorations today. That always makes me feel a bit downcast as I miss all the sparkle and twinkliness. However, I am very lucky in having a dry, safe home which is free from flooding, so I do count my blessings.

To get the year off to a good start I have made up my usual calendar from last year's blog photos online and it will be delivered soon (I'll show you it when it arrives), and I have bought a couple of diaries for the coming year. One is for carrying in my bag and contains all my appointments etc. I know I'm a bit old-fashioned in not using my phone for this, but I do like to keep all my addresses and useful details in one place, and I like diaries as objects in their own right.
The other diary is my mindfulness diary for the coming year. I plan to write down something that I've enjoyed during each day, a kind of positive moments diary. I did this a few years ago and I find that it helps me to be 'in the moment' as well as looking for the good bits in each day. Being mindful is a way of embracing and enjoying what's going on in the present moment instead of thinking about the past or the future, and focusing instead on the things I can do and enjoy right now.

I'm not a great one for New Year's Resolutions and don't usually make any as I often find that mine are vague and unrealistic. However I have made three for this year. I plan to: 

1) Have my own craft stall. In the past I've held one at summer fairs etc, and love deciding how my stall will look and presenting it in my own style, as well as meeting people and having them think my creations are worth buying (hopefully).

2) Find more time during term-time in which to blog as I so enjoy sharing things and finding out what you've all been doing and creating. Blogging is such a happy and friendly thing, and I miss it very much when I'm away from it.

3) Keep looking after myself. I've already started this one, and by this I mean I'll continue with eating healthily and going to the gym. I bought some new clothes in the sales this week and was thrilled to discover that after 12 gym visits (3 a week) clothes are already fitting me better and I have lost a good few inches from places I'd hoped to lose them from. I was delighted as I thought it would take a long time to see any real difference and it's the perfect incentive to not give myself a choice over whether I go or not. It certainly gets those endorphins going too. 

I have received some thoughtful Christmas presents from my family this year. P gave me a pretty silver button necklace and a fresh and floral Julie Dodsworth bag. I recently discovered her designs when we were on holiday in Yorkshire in the autumn. Do you know, I still haven't shown you that post yet? I'll do that this month.

I was also lucky enough to receive Simon Armitage's latest book 'Walking Away', which I've been looking forward to since I read 'Walking Home', and this DVD (yes, I confess I am a Poldark fan).



 There's something of a Cornish theme going on here, I notice, and it's continued in B's present to me - these gorgeous Cornish oyster shell candles.

J gave me a very pretty hot drink holder which I can use when I'm out in my shed, and D gave me a sweet-smelling clementine and honey candle, also destined for the shed. My family do know me well.

I've also picked up the scarf I was knitting again, and will have it finished soon. I so love its chalky blue colour and softness, and can't wait to wear it. Once January arrives, more neutral colours at the cooler end of the spectrum appeal to me: whites, pale blues, greys and soft browns.



Perhaps I'm needing a break from all the bright colours and dazzle of Christmas. I wouldn't mind a bit of sunshine, though, instead of all this rain! Right, I'm off to finish putting away the decorations and enjoy our last day before school/work begins again tomorrow. I shall leave you with a mosaic of some of my favourite bits of 2015.

See you soon x

Pottering

Pottering ... I do like that word. The dictionary defines it as 'to move about without hurrying, and in a relaxed and pleasant way'. Doesn't that sound appealing? I've been making an effort to spend at least 5 minutes a day pottering around, and noticing what I do in a mindful way. Doing things like this:

Making myself a cup of tea to take into the garden for a few minutes. Here are my favourite mugs on the kitchen shelves. I've already admitted to having a thing for candles, lanterns and baskets - I think mugs could be added to that list. Which one today?

Remembering to look up. A couple of nights ago, I saw that the setting sun had illuminated the contrails across the sky, making a large 'X'. Looking at the sky is something I like to do, and I always make time to notice at least once in the day what it's doing.

Having British-grown seasonal flowers around the house. I love all flowers, but like it best when they are in season, and reflect what is growing in people's gardens at this time of year. These Sweet Williams were from the supermarket - just £1 a bunch!

As well as redcurrants, picking raspberries, blackcurrants and tiny wild strawberries from our garden, and freezing them. Once I've got enough, I plan to make some jam or jelly. Picking them is a task that cannot be rushed, but it's very calming after a day at work. Looking for the bright berries amongst the green foliage is like looking for treasure and is very engrossing.

Going for a short walk along the local cycle-path which has been built along the old railway line. On a summer's evening the setting sun lights up the leaves, making the vegetation look verdant and lush.

Smelling the flowers. In this post I mentioned that my parents had recently given us a William Shakespeare rose. It's blooming at last, and it's gorgeous. It's a deep crimson colour, cup-shaped, with a lovely rich scent. I've noticed in recent years how much rose perfumes differ between varieties.

And finally, Clover lying on the rug in a patch of warm sun. Her fur is incredibly warm and soft as she dozes. She really knows how to relax!

Walt Whitman stated that we can find “Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.” I think that's what being mindful is all about, and when I can manage it life is the richer for it.