Essential Oils on a Budget // The Shocking Discovery

One of the biggest barriers I hear to people starting out on oils is the cost. I get it. I was just the same. As a one income family, I loved the idea of essential oils as part of our everyday life (mainly for health support), but the price point just seemed out of our reach... these tiny little bottles just seemed so much more expensive than their synthetic counterparts.

The thing was, the more research I did, the more convinced I became that I wanted the synthetic stuff out of my home. There are a lot of toxic products that my kids come into contact with every day that I have no control over. But I could influence what I exposed them to at home. A quick google into the ingredients of my shampoo, my cleaning spray, my make-up and just about every other product I was using showed I was daily dealing my family a toxic diet of endocrine disruptors, potential carcinogens, allergens and developmental toxins. It was a shocking discovery. I had always assumed that if these things were being sold, they must be safe. But the truth is that there is still much research to be done, companies can hide their ingredients inside the word "fragrance" or "perfumes", and though individual products may only harbour a small amount of these ingredients, combined together, we are throwing chemicals, perservatives and pesticides across our bodies with reckless abandon every day.


I thought at first it was the pessimistic few with just another conspiracy theory, but it soon became evident that there was no-one arguing the other way. These ingredients are recognised dangers (BPA, parabens, heavy metals, formaldehyde, Triclosan, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Suplhate) and are scattered across our cleaning and beauty products. Grab a product within reach and take a look!

And so the search for natural, safe alternatives became more important, and I began to seek a way to make it affordable for us. 

So I thought I'd share my findings here... mainly because I want everyone to know that there are other options available, that we don't need to feel forced to buy the cheap stuff and wonder what its doing to our families. So over the next few Wednesdays, I'm going to be sharing a little bit of my journey, and a few top tips for how to make it do-able!

If you'd like to find out more about Essential Oils, click here and have a read!

Some brands that I use with safe products...
- Young Living (I don't buy my essential oils from anyone else! There are DIY options that make oils cheaper than buying ready made products below)
- Faith in Nature (bath and body products)
- Neals Yard Remedies (deodorant)
- Tropic Skins Care (make up and sun cream)
- Child's Farm (Children's bath and body)
- Dr Bronner's Castille Soap (cleaning products, DIY hand soaps - its a huge bottle!)

Re-aligning // Spring Cleaning and Little Lies

There's something about this time of year that makes me want to shake all the cobwebs out - both literally and metaphorically. There's a reason its called "spring cleaning"... the desire during this season to sort everything out, clear everything out, make space and de-clutter isn't purely felt in the home sense, but in the personal sense too. De-cluttering life.



It's like January resolutions again, only somehow I always have more oomph.

I feel easily overwhelmed by stuff. It's an issue I'm increasingly discovering about myself. Busyness doesn't overwhelm me for the most part... I thrive on activity and I revel in pockets of stillness.

But "stuff" bothers me. Stuff is the clutter of life. Whether it be the piles mounting at the bottom of my staircase, or the thoughts that clutter up my mind. Things I haven't done, have done, should have done. Disorganisation stresses me. And of late I've felt disorganised.

I power through because I have to... as a mother of four young children, I can't afford to allow the clutter to pull me down, but sometimes I just want to chuck everything... clear it all. Start fresh without all the STUFF we own.

Clear the diary. Have the space and the time to sort my life out once and for all.

In my heart of hearts I think that if the clutter was gone... both the literal, and the metaphorical, my life would be sorted.

And that's when the penny drops. The little lie that has weaved its way into my thinking. That somehow a minimalist lifestyle will be the answer to all my problems. That somehow a clutter free home would make me happy. That somehow a clear mind would make life worth living.

And yet experience, and time has taught me that I am never satisfied. That the achievement of my goal will only dangle another before me, just out of reach. Always striving for that sense of achievement and satisfaction and never quite getting there.

That is - until I stop striving, stop reaching... and rest.

Rest in the one who says "It is finished! It is done! Don't seek your satisfaction in the things of this world... lift up your eyes!"

Somehow, when my gaze lifts from all the "stuff" to the giver of life, my perspective re-aligns, my frantic mind feels free, and somehow my mind clears and I can think.

Gone is the pressure to be all that I want to be. Gone is the pressure to have the perfect home. Gone is the pressure to feel in control.

And without that pressure, suddenly there is freedom... to strive and reach without feeling the weight of failure.

Oh how glad I am to have Jesus!

Homemade Linen Spray // Creating a Toxin Free Space

It was probably two years ago that I started label reading. Once you start, there's no going back. An article in the telegraph last week stated that "Our homes are reservoirs of a toxic 'chemical soup' that can cause asthma, eczema, allergies and other autoimmune disorders" - from our cleaning products, to our quick dry paint, we are filling our homes with chemicals that with new insulation advances, are now not being aired properly... its a well stated fact that inside our homes is up to 50% more toxic than the outside air. Its a chilling statistic.

Natural Support for Seasonal Sniffles // Getting our Bodies Ready forAutumn

It's the same old story every year. We return to school, to routines and structures, to early starts and rushes out the door, to earlier nights and cooler weather and without fail, within a week, we'll be battling some attack on our immune system. Whether it be a sick bug, a cold or a sore throat, the changing seasons seem to invite those viruses and infections as part and parcel of the Autumn.

And September was no different.

Making the Switch // My Skin Story and Biomed Review

Many of my regular readers will know we've been making a switch in our family over the past eighteen months or so... moving away from synthetic, chemical products and towards a more organic and natural lifestyle. It was a few small decisions at first, but the more I've researched, the more I've been convicted that a lot of the lifestyle decisions we had been making were not good for our environment, and certainly not good for us. It's a topic I'm increasingly passionate about, and a journey I'm planning on sharing a little bit more of over the coming year. It's impacted our food choices, approach to health and wellness, domestic life and even our clothes purchases.

But really it all began with my skin.

Five Favourite Small Businesses // Beautiful Baby Buys...

Over the years we have received some truly beautiful gifts of the handmade variety when we've welcomed a new baby into the world... cardigans and blankets, nappy bags and quilts, soft toys and decorations. Precious gifts that we have kept and cherished. But there's another category of special gift that seems to be emerging in this social media world, and that is the world of online small businesses...

So I thought I'd share a few of our favourites!

Welcoming July + a Homemade Lemonade Recipe

July is sunshine and blue skies, adventures and exploration, early risers and long light evenings.

It is the smell of BBQs and freshly cut grass.

It is the sound of children's laughter and birdsong.

It is the taste of freshly picked strawberries and homemade lemonade.

A Little Oily Love / Farewell Verruca!

It all began back in November when, after her swimming lesson one week, Ava came to me complaining of a sore foot. We looked at the sole of her foot... And there it was - the little white circular culprit.

A verruca.

A Wise and Brave Soul // Thoughts for a Monday morning

       

   

"Now I know that the best thing I can offer to this world is not my force or energy, but a well-tended spirit, a wise and brave soul (...) Simple, connected to God and his people, uncomplicated by lots of stuff"

Spring in the Home // Simple Springtime Touches...

Whenever the season changes I always have this internal argument with myself. You see, at the season's change, regardless of which season is coming round, it always seems to be my "favourite"... when summer's blues skies turn to crisp autumn afternoons, Autumn is my favourite... When crisp autumn afternoons turn into cosy winter nights snuggled up under a blanket with a movie and a hot chocolate, winter is my favourite.

But spring? There is something super special about spring, don't you think? A new awakening... that scent of buds breaking through, new life, doors swung open, hope, sunshine, joy...

Sheer bliss.

As I sit here, hyacinths bloom on the table in front of me, their scent cheering my spirit... the patio doors behind me are open, welcoming in the sight of blue skies and the sound of birdsong. Nature celebrates the springtime, and I think we can't help but join in the song...

But it is spring, and that means that each day there is beautiful sunshine and each day the hum of the lawnmower rings, is more than likely to be followed by a day of those spring rains, and the return of that chill in the air which sends us reeling backwards.

And on those days? That's when I'm grateful to have a little bit of spring in my home...

Bringing a little piece of springtime into the home can be so simple... and yet so many of the glossy magazines recommend paint work, and expensive furniture changes. Bringing spring home can cost you next to nothing... so I thought I'd share a few things we do around our home to brighten up the day when those spring showers hit... And to do it on a budget! Prettiness doesn't have to cost!

Blooms everywhere...

Flowers can be a cheap and cheerful way to brighten up your home instantly. This simple bunch of daffodils cost me £1 and adds an instant pop of colour to the room. The local florist have so many lovely options, some of which will be out of price range, but I'm always amazed by how many simple, beautiful little bunches can be bought for £2-3. As soon as I get home, I grab every glass bottle and jam jar I have, and spread that one bunch throughout the house. It took me years to realise I didn't need to use up all my flowers in one big bunch on the dining table... lots of cute little bunches, or even single flowers, were much more appealing!

Springtime scents...

Whether scented candles or essential oils are your thing, there are loads of lovely springtime scents, even if you aren't so into the floral thing. I love spending a morning perusing our local garden centres selections and pick up a few tea lights on offer, or a couple of votives. You don't have to buy a £20 Yankee Candle to fill your home with a beautiful scent...

Some of my favourites...

Price's Open Window Candle

This is my FAVE spring candle... its really low profile, not at all flowery or floral, but totally fresh and clean and spring like! I love it, and it comes in a really cute little pot/cup thing!

Essential Oil blends for your diffuser...
Fresh and Clean
- 2 drops lavender
- 2 drops lemon
- 2 drops rosemary
Season Changer
- 2 drops lavender
- 2 drops lemon
- 2 drops peppermint
And I haven't tried this one, but it sounds amazing...
Sunny Day
- 2 drops bergamot
- 4 drops orange
- 2 drops ylang ylang

Oils may seem expensive, but one little bottle will honestly last you years!

A Spot of Spring Cleaning...



There is something about the spring that actually puts me in the mood for cleaning... I made the switch earlier this year to natural products, and I've never looked back. Water and a few drops of lemon oil, with a bit of white vinegar thrown in and the house will be glistening, smell amazing AND non-toxic. Somehow having a good deep clean makes my home feel ready for a fresh start too... And isn't that what Spring is all about?!

Open those windows...

It sounds simple, and it really is! Let the fresh air in! Swing wide those patio doors! There is this incredible scent in the air at springtime, that just rejuvenates the soul!

A Little Seasonal Decor...

Decorating to the season has become part and parcel of our home life. I think it was my years in Austria that did it... Celebrating each season, not just Christmas, with decorations that highlight the joys of each new time of year. I've gathered bits and bobs over the years, scoured charity shops, and picked up bargains along the way. I have a box for each season and use the same stuff every year, just rearranged in different ways... And my mantel is always at the heart of that decoration. Having a seasonal hub, somewhere central in the home, makes for a seasonal centrepiece, and I love the fact that there's a constant change of feel in our family space as a result. I've always purposefully gone for neutral walls so that I have the freedom to chop and change the details as my heart so desires. The kids are always so excited when we get to whip a new box out and pack the old stuff away, and they love finding their own treasures in nature to add to our display!

I recently picked up these bathe copies of the Observer Books from our local antique shop... They are getting daily use and we're learning lots about our local birds and wildflowers!

And yes, I know that's an 'autumnal' scented candle... But it's my fave! And it pretty much gets a look in all year round!

Springtime Tablescape...

And of course, on special occasions, it's always fun to go to town on your table settings. A pack of sprung napkins, your best crockery and a bunch of seasonal flowers and voila! A feast is served!

So here's my question! What do you do to bring the season into your homes? Do you have any little traditions? Do you feel the need to spend a fortune? Or is decorating to the season something you've never even considered before?? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

The Art of Calm // Thoughts for a Monday Morning

     

"To have moments of calm - creative or restful - is a form of deep sustenance for human beings of all ages. Relationships are often built in these pauses, in the incidental moments, when nothing much is going on"

- Kim John Payne -

Something Old // A Little Antique Haul...

I don't know what it is about old stuff, but there is something in me that just finds it innately more fascinating and beautiful. For me, stepping into an antique shop is like stepping into a treasure trove. Every single item has a history - a story to tell... and unearthing those stories, treasuring those stories and making your own story part of their story is, quite simply, magnificent.

Time // Thoughts for a Monday Morning

What our children need, more than ever, is time.

The Simple Kitchen // Pitta Pizzas

I am forever on the hunt for simple, healthy recipes that the children can get involved with. Cooking with little ones is risky business... it has the potential for disaster, stress and a lot of mess. But if the right recipes can be found, it can be a really unifying, fun, learning experience for everyone involved.

Note... ALWAYS get children to wash hands first... that way, when you are culling and editing your photos later and spot your one-year-old sneaking a handful of cheese from your artsy recipe flatlay, you know it really doesn't matter...

Learning our ABCs // Quiet preschool afternoons...

The daily grind of school runs when you have one in full-time education and one in preschool is particularly brutal - the morning run, the midday pick-up and the afternoon pick-up makes for a trying year. And the prospect of repeating that twice more over the next four years leaves me exhausted at the thought of it. But when I catch myself wanting to complain or feel overwhelmed at this busy season of life, I remind myself to step back and remember what a blessing this year is. The preschool year is so precious... short days, home for lunch, quiet afternoons. It's how I wish all school was (but that's another post!!)

Our children are used to quiet times in the afternoon... its something we established early doors, and something I'm sure that, in time, will evolve and change. But for now, preschool pick-up is followed by a simple lunch and then off to bedrooms for naps and quiet times. Jonas will nap right up to Ava's pick up, whereas Heidi's rest time only lasts an hour, which usually leaves me an hour or so after that every day of one-on-one time with my littlest lady.

How precious that time is...

On Natural Living // Everyday Essential Oils

When I first stumbled onto essential oils about a year ago, I knew I was onto something. Natural, organic, invigorating, remedial... they ticked all the boxes. But experience has taught me, that you should only recommend something once you've had experience, so I held myself back and refused to write this blog post until I was sure I could genuinely endorse with a genuine voice.

So here I am.

On Cluttered Lives and Seeking Simplicity...

Life feels a little cluttered right now... my diary is constantly full, our home feels overwhelmed with stuff, my brain feels likes it constantly chasing after something I've forgotten. Sometimes I feel a little bit like I'm swimming some underwater race and get the odd chance to grab a quick breath of fresh, sweet air before ducking back under the waves again to power on. Anyone ever get that feeling?!

Don't get me wrong... I'm happy. I'm not feeling down about it, or feeling particularly weighed under. I just feel busy... and life feels a little relentless at the moment.

Clutter.

That's all.

There has always been a little piece of me that has ached for simplicity... perhaps thats why, as a child, I soaked myself in the imaginative world of Laura Ingalls Wilder and as a teen, while travelling around Amish Pennsylvania, commented to my Mum that I could move there at once.

Living off the earth, finding delight in the sweet simplicity of life without the daily treadmill of places I need to be and things I need to do... there's a huge bit inside me that longs for that.

Simplicity in my walk with the Lord. Making time daily to meditate on his word... commune with Him. Pray. Not just for stuff. Pray for his vision for the world. To be able to not be distracted by the clutter of life...

Simplicity in my family. Space for real conversation with my husband... to while away the hours solving the worlds problems... simplicity with my children; boundaries and the energy and consistency to follow through... simplicity in their education; soaking up good literature, delighting in their hunger for the world... simplicity in our meals; baking together, cooking together, picking from our own garden.

Simplicity in my friendships. Deep and meaningfuls... the capacity to really be there for my friends in the way I long to be... to seek their good and their joy above my own. To laugh together often till our sides hurt. To be real, and honest, and open and not judge each other. To pray together and be sisters to each other...

Simplicity in my home. To get rid of all the things we don't need... for home to be a haven of rest... a clutter free space to breathe. That everything would have its place... that the wonderful scent of homebaked goods would pervade... that every item in our home would have a purpose or a story... that people would walk in and feel home.

Simplicity in my work. Satisfaction and contentment without the need for approval and success. That I would do my work for an audience of one... always seeking to be honest and reliable and hardworking and gracious and loving, but not finding my identity in my success or failure...

Finding joy and delight in the relationships and gifts and responsibilities that God has given me...

And then, all of a sudden, I remember I'm the wrong side of heaven.

Because all the things above are how life should be... don't we all know that deep down? Know that? And long for that? And fail at it every single day.

Because life is cluttered. And always will be.

No matter how many times I seek to clear the diary, make space for friends, be present with my children, take delight in the little things... something will always get in the way - an illness, an emergency, an overload of washing, a sleepless night, discovery of another pile of junk that needs to be sorted through, or more often than not some sinful failure on my own part. Life is cyclical... we will never reach the end point... I will never be who I long to be, because I am incapable of making myself un-broken.

And so, in that moment of realisation, my heart begins to sink.

And then I look up.

I look up and remember that this dissatisfaction with this life is meant to make me long for another. One where there is no crying, or mourning, or pain. One where true satisfaction and contentment is not just achievable, but is the daily experience. One where my work will not be toil, but soul-delighting joy, one where I will be a real friend to those around me, one where I will not be distracted by the clutter and unnecessary stuff filling my home. One where my daily walk with the Lord will be sweet, and real, and tangible and soul-satisfying... and where my satisfaction and joy in him will lead to fulfilment in all aspects of my new, made perfect, redeemed life.

I cannot wait for the sweet simplicity, and unbelievably complex beauty, of heaven.

Thank you Jesus for preparing me a place...

On Living In A Whirlwind...

Oh my... what a month so far... I feel like we've been swept along in a whirlwind that just hasn't really stopped! Life has been insanely busy... all lovely, lovely things, but crazy nonetheless! This past week I was out at events and meetings every evening... and on two of those evenings I was meant to be in two places at once!

Oh help!

Life on the homefront with the children hasn't been much quieter. I feel like we're all still adapting to the school routine. It seems we are always on the move, often hurrying along somewhere, and I miss the long, quiet days before school kicked in. Even on the afternoons where we don't have swimming lessons or church group, the time is so short. By the time we're home, de-coated, snacked up and homeworked out, there's only half an hour or so before I have to start with the dinner preparations.

Time is so very precious.

I'm cautious of the whirlwind. It sucks the air out of my lungs and pushes us along life at break-neck speed. I want to enjoy these days with my children. I want to live simply. Live purposefully. Have time to soak and savour, to have deep-and-meaningfuls over hot-chocolate with marshallows, to listen to "Pippi Longstocking" on CD, paintbrushes in hand, to read book after book after book without clock-watching, to give my children space to be and play imaginatively while I potter round getting bits of housework done. I want to have time to soak in Scripture with them, to pray meaningfully for and with them, to give my brain space to ponder where the children are at and how to help them to grow... to spend time with my husband, chatting about life, having a laugh... not dashing past each other in the evening.

The whirlwind pulls you away from all of that.

I'm not very good at saying no... I never have been... but more and more I'm realising that I need to recognise my capacity, and remember the reason I pulled out of work in the first place. Sometimes you get so caught up in all the action, that its only when you pause for a split second you realise you've got too many plates spinning at once, and if you don't act quickly, there's going to be some almighty crash.

The problem is, sometimes it feels overwhelming... where do you begin to say no? Where do you put the boundaries? How do you tread the line between over-committing, and not committing enough?

How do you make sure you make time to "Be still and know" God in the hectic craziness of life?
How do you find balance between family time and social time?
How do you "do" motherhood, without constantly feeling that you're doing something wrong?

There are so many voices in my life right now - with conflicting messages. I need some space to strip them all back and listen to the one voice that counts.

Jesus'.

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-13

Some New Years Resolutions...

I'm a little late on the resolution front... I do realise that... but somehow this happens every year. The chaotic run-up to Christmas, the busyness of the week between Christmas and New Year, and suddenly you realise you've done three weeks on auto-pilot and haven't paused for a single second.

And then its January.

A new year.

A fresh start.

And you feel like you could rustle up the usual resolutions, but your heart wouldn't really be in it, because you haven't thought about it... haven't taken the time to think, really think about what you'd love to do this year.

So that's why this post is a little late... eleven days late to be precise.

But eleven days to stew, and mull, to reflect and look forward, to pray and to question my own heart.

And here's where I'm at...

I'll just say at the outset, I know I will fail in every one of these areas this year. I don't mean that in a defeatist, pessimistic kind of way, but because I know I don't really have the strength to do any of them on my on. Certainly not for a whole year.

And so I'm seeking to start the year praying for strength to achieve these aspirations, grace for when I fail them, and a good dose of teachability and humility to boot. Nothing like some New Years Resolutions to keep you humble (or the failing them at least!)

* B E   T H A N K F U L *
We've got some big stuff happening this year... wonderful stuff, but big stuff (and before the rumour mill starts, I'm not pregnant again!) and when its all over, it will be amazing. I know it will. But the journey to get there is likely to be pretty fraught with frustration, emotions running high and a fair bit of change as well... so one of my hopes this year is to stay thankful... however complicated things may get... to keep perspective that sometimes good things are worth the challenge it takes to get there. And ultimately that none of it matters in the grand scheme of things. That without any exciting "project" (more will be revealed later in time) I have SO many reasons to be thankful... an incredible Saviour, a great husband, and a beautiful family... what more could a girl need?

* L O O K   U P ,   N O T   I N *
I've been really challenged recently, that quite often I'm pretty inward looking. I can be pretty selfish with my time, and its easy to idolise this little thing we have going on at home. Our little family unit. It's much easier to create this idyllic little family when you shut the rest of the world out... Focus on my marriage, focus on my children, seek to create this idyllic childhood for them that is picture perfect. But God's really been pointing this out to me, and showing me that actually he doesn't want me to create the "perfect family experience", but instead to be a family together on a mission. An inward looking family is only going to explode under the expectation and pressure eventually (four year olds are perfectly happy to live in a little family bubble, fourteen year olds perhaps not so much...!) but actually, if we really want our family to be tight-knit, then maybe we need to stop looking in and start looking up. All of us. Together. Because actually if our home life is all about Jesus then there's a shift in focus. A sense that we're all in it together, striving for the same purpose... and as the children see Dave and I working together, seeking to bring glory to God in all we do, say, think... thinking together about how we spend our time and energy, then the kids are going to want in on the action...

I feel like my thoughts aren't quite clear on this yet... that I still have some learning to do here (and thats probably evident in the splurge above! Ha!) but I sense a shift in perspective is necessary here. A Christ-centred family, not a family-centred-family...

Does that make any sense?!

* G E T   O U T *
I am such a home girl... I would happily potter around the house all day if I could... but recently I've been feeling a little more need to get out. Perhaps its eight years of marriage to a Scandinavian who loves nothing better than being out in the great outdoors, but I am needing to breath deep in the fresh, crisp air this winter. Being outdoors creates space. To think. To breath. To pray. To be. Even if its just a walk around the block... a trip to the shops... the school run... an evening stroll... A moment of silence in the garden. Just to be out of the four walls, to savour creation, to gaze on that big old stretch of sky and feel how small I am. I'm kind of craving that this year.

Just a little space.

* B E   P R E S E N T *
To be in the moments that I might miss if my head is tucked into an iPad, or my finger is scrolling down my mobile. I have a love-hate relationship with technology... sometimes I want to pack it all in and get back to basics, and yet I love sharing our little world, I love the friendships I have made through social media, I love the inspiration I find from other bloggers, and Mamas, and creatives, and Jesus-followers. You all inspire me so much... and I don't want to lose that. But this year, I'm going to work hard to make sure that when the children are around, my phone is tucked away. A quick photo may be taken, but I'll save the blurb and write it when they're having their down time, or when I have a free moment. I want to choose them over my mobile phone, so that when they're hanging on my sleeve trying to show me their thirty-fifth drawing of a princess, they don't feel they're fighting my phone for my attention. Because when I'm torn, I get crabby and more likely I'll snap at them than at the cyberworld.

I felt really convicted about being present this Christmas... the weekend before Christmas, all the children at church went up on the stage to sing... Ava walked up in her angel outfit looking gorgeous. I had written the song, so was directing from the front... making sure they were smiling, and singing, and knew the words.

It was only when I lay in bed that night I realised I had missed it. Not once did I look at my own little girl during that performance. Singing her heart out, no doubt. But I was so busy concentrating on the "job" that I missed a moment I'll never get back. I still well up thinking about it... I don't intend to let that happen again. I want to be present.

* B E   G R O W I N G *
Oh my! This is such a huge one... there are so many areas of my life that have so much room for growth... I want to grow spiritually; get to know Jesus better, read the Bible, memorise some verses, pray, pray, pray... I want to grow relationally; invest in my marriage, pour into my children, get to know my neighbours better, build friendships with other Mums at school... I want to grow creatively; try out some new skills, seek to make our home a refuge from the storm of life - for my own little family and for others... And I know growth is often painful, and difficult, but necessary... and so very, very worth it...

If you've made it to the end of this post... well done! I reckon you need an award! It's one of those I've written for my own sake primarily... so I have a point I can look back to at the end of the year... see how its gone, see where to go next. It's exciting at the beginning of a new year... I'm so conscious that while these are the areas I'd like to work on in my own life, God may well have very different plans for me!

I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Welcome New Year...

January: Rain pummels the patio doors, wind whistles past the windows and I sit with cosy toes in our warm little house. There is something so satisfying about being warm, dry and cosy when a storm is brewing outside... This kind of weather makes me feel reflective and thankful to God for all we have.

2015 was a good year.

I have taken a little blogging break this Christmas, and its been good for me. I've missed it, and have had a hundred and one ideas, but my camera is broken and to be honest, I've felt a little bit lost without it. I realised so much of my writing inspiration comes from an image... does anyone else find that? I've realised how much this little photography hobby that began when Dave bought me my first camera for Christmas four years ago has become a bit of a passion for me. With every photo I take, I feel like I'm learning something, and improving, and having plenty of learning space still to grow!

I've had lots of opportunity just to be, enjoy the moment, and not feel the need to reach across for a camera... its been frustrating in some ways, but its also been good just to take a step back and actually watch things unfolding in front of my eyes without a lens stuck between them. A little opportunity to practice simplicity and just be present.

Very, very, very good for me!

But now, with the new year, and having had a little break (this always happens when I take a break from the blog for a week or two) I'm feeling all inspired and brimming with ideas and just don't have enough time to get them all down! I'm thinking through my resolutions for this coming year... There are so many... Far too many, and I know I need to take some time to prioritise and be realistic about what is actually possible... So I'm going to keep thinking on that one and it'll be a blog post of its own.

For now, we will begin to store away the Christmas decorations, pack up the festive CDs and start to gear ourselves up for a new school term.

Before I know it, 2016 will be well underway!

So here's wishing you and yours all the very best for 2016!

Claire