by Krista | Mar 29, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
I am tired. That cozy, happy, worked-my-tail-off, kind of tired that makes you smile as you sink deep into a comfy chair, snuggle up under a blanket and eat popcorn. And sip port. And watch movies until you can’t stay awake one second longer.
I’ve been working so hard this week, trying to get all my important work done so I could have a break, a real break, over the Easter holidays. And I did it!!! All my articles are written and submitted, all the photo shoots done and edited, and I even got a head start on the mountain of fruit and veg I picked up at the market this week.
Today as I wrote feverishly to meet all my deadlines, I sipped sparkling mineral water mixed with homemade concord grape juice I bottled yesterday. It tastes more like an elixir than simple juice, so thick and rich and fragrant you’d swear it was boozy. Mmm.
We won’t be going anywhere for the holidays because we have all sorts of plans for fixing up the farm and making an office space for me (insert squeals of excitement here!!!) and gardening and a new paddock for the goats and all those sorts of fun work things.
But it will be a wonderful break nonetheless, a break from writing and editing and computerish stuff, from deadlines and assignments and the juggling of many responsibilities.
For the next two weeks I’m just going to be Krista, or “Poppit” as I’m known over here. I’m going to work on my own small piece of the world, organizing and cleaning and sorting and nesting my little heart out.
I’ve been pouring over pictures of places I have visited and loved, trying to see if I can incorporate their warmth and welcoming natures into this dear place of ours.
Like this farmhouse outside Alba, Italy. I love the rambling vines and the overgrown terrace that is such a lovely spot for sunset-watching with a glass of wine, or an alfresco dinner party with dear friends.
This Italian farmhouse kitchen. How I love it. The rich, vivid paint colors, the old bricks, wood timbers, soft light. Wonderful. I’d like to do an outdoor version of this some day with a tiled floor and appliances hidden behind old wooden doors.
And this enchanting reading corner in a beautiful old Italian library. (You can see more of my photos of this exquisite hunting lodge here.)
It is one of the most endearing spaces I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been collecting bits and pieces to create my own version here on the farm.
I’m so glad that we get to dream, to linger over beautiful images that capture the things we crave: companionship, health, peace. It is good.
What do some of your dreams look like?
Wishing you a very happy Easter and spring holiday. I will see you again mid-April!
xo
by Krista | Mar 28, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It’s not often that I thank Bear profusely for being late (particularly since it’s usually ME who’s tardy!), but yesterday morning I couldn’t help myself.
We were heading to town for a fancy-shmancy breakfast date at McDonald’s when he remembered something back at the house. He parked in the driveway and hoofed it back to do his errand and I climbed out of the car to stretch my legs.
Then stopped.
And stared.
At this.
As far as I could see, fields were turned into dancing waves of gold by the rising sun.
I felt like I’d been transported from our simple little farm to a fairyland where the meadows were made of spun glass in burnished copper, bronze, and gold.
I was speechless and could only laugh and sigh in utter delight as the sun rose higher and the grasses grew brighter, seeming to glow from within.
I spotted a tiny, fluffy dandelion hidden down in the darkness where the sun couldn’t penetrate, and had to bring him up into the light where he could sparkle and glimmer too.
I’ve carried the brilliance of those moments with me ever since, returning to these images over and over again, reveling in the delicious sense of well-being and warmth they impart.
What images or words do you keep returning to this week? I’d love to hear about them. 🙂
by Krista | Mar 26, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It’s a quiet evening at home, a lovely, cozy one with bowls of homemade soup, nips of dark chocolate, and a smidgen of homemade sour plum vodka.
It’s amazing how precious peaceful moments are after turmoil, isn’t it?
It’s been a rough few weeks as I officially entered the “angry phase” of healing from PTSD. I’m told this is an essential and normal part of healing, but I’m not enjoying it one bit. It’s been so unsettling and scary for me. I spent my whole life suppressing all forms of anger, even healthy anger in response to abuse and bullying and neglect. Now I’m having to learn how to let myself feel anger but not be controlled by it.
Not easy, I tell ya. I feel like I’m in constant battle mode, working through these waves of anger, yet trying not to let them overflow and touch the people close to me. It doesn’t always work, and I have felt anything but loveable (more along the lines of utterly dreadful!), wanting instead to hide myself away until this phase is done and dusted. Have you ever felt that way?
Sometimes, when we go through times like this, our negative aspects tend to loom far larger than our good ones, making us feel like the very worst version of ourselves. When we feel unlovable, it is so much harder to love others, to be creative, to build goodness into our lives.
Here are a few things that are helping me work through this:
- Be an observer of my feelings, not a judge. I’m learning that my feelings are not me, they’re just something I’m feeling. And they will pass. They always pass. Once the emotional intensity of the feeling is gone, it’s so much easier to deal with the issues precipitating it.
- Find healthy ways to express negative emotions. For me, it’s writing, writing, writing. When I give the anger (or fear or insecurity) a voice, it takes the emotional power away. It also helps to talk it through with trusted people.
- Invest in myself. I’m learning that while there are some things I can’t control, I do whatever it takes to look after my well-being. That ranges from relaxation exercises, meditation, and sunshine to outdoor walks, healthy eating, and reading things that assure, comfort, and strengthen.
- Love the people in my life. Send an email, write a text, make a phone call, give a big squeezy hug, and let them know how much they mean to me.
- Make time for creativity. When I’m feeling wretched inside, it does me so much good to cook, draw, paint, sew, garden, and take pictures.
Today I read some inspiring words, went for a long sunny walk with the goats, and made quince liqueur. It was my first time using quinces and I was delighted by the delicious scent and how sunny and bright they look in the clear glass jar. With sweet fruits you don’t need too add much sugar, but with quinces, it is essential. I can’t wait to taste it in two months time.
How do you help yourself get through difficult phases of your life?
Quince Liqueur Recipe
Ingredients:
2-3 ripe quinces
1/2 cup simple syrup (1/2 cup white or raw sugar, 1/2 cup water, heated until sugar is dissolved)
1/4 tsp vanilla or almond or cinnamon extract
1-1.5 cups vodka
Directions:
- Scrub quince free of dust and fuzz. Halve, core, and cut into slices.
- Fill sterilized jar with quince slices.
- Pour over simple syrup, extra, and top off with vodka.
- Seal jar and let liqueur steep in a cool, dark place for two months.
- When ready, strain and serve chilled.
by Krista | Mar 20, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It’s a quiet night at home, a night for glowing candles, cream tea, and remembering good things that have brought me joy this week.
Such as hiking through lush green fields in my favorite wellies.
Discovering strange and gorgeous things in the bush like this fallen log.
Having a picnic all by myself today: glorious sunshine, good book to read, a bowl of Greek salad with massive chunks of Feta, and a dark chocolate Kit Kat bar just for me.
These adorable faces watching me work in the yard.
A bowl of popcorn made on the stove-top, hot, buttery, salty and wonderful.
What good things are making you smile this week?
by Krista | Mar 18, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
Good morning, luvs! It’s been a tad quiet around here lately thanks to yours truly catching a rare virus that is only supposed to affect animals. Lovely. 🙂 So I’m battling fevers and nausea and shakes and whatnot, but getting a bit better each day. Never a dull moment around here!
In happier news – IT’S AUTUMN!!! My very favorite time of year in Queensland, Australia. Everything is lush and green, mornings and evenings are cool enough to require hot cuppas and warm flannels, and the sunshine is absolutely heavenly. I’m loving every second of it.
This weekend I got to relive my childhood a bit when Bear and I went to pick up a load of hay for our goats. Turns out our friend Jim was way out in the boonies cutting hay, so we went off-roading through the fields to find him.
It was so fun to drive along creeks, bouncing around hills and past grazing cows who could hardly be bothered to spare us a glance.
At last we found Jim motoring through the fields in his big red tractor.
After a chat, I clambered in the back, giving my seat to Jim. Although he gallantly offered to take my place, I cheerily sent him back to the air-conditioned comfort up front. There was no way I was giving up a chance to ride in the back of the ute like I used to ride in the back of my Grandpa’s station wagon as a kid on the Alberta prairies.
It was just as bumpy, dusty, and hot as I remembered, but I was happy as can be while clinging to the tailgate and trying not to flop about too much as we jounced over hillocks and rocks.
We bumped past scenes straight out of Ireland with great lichen-covered boulders jutting out of emerald green hills.
We jostled through flower-filled hay fields and lurched back up into the paddocks.
By the time the ride was over I was hot and sweaty with grit in my teeth and a fine coating of dust and hay over my entire person, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
I eased my stiff self out of the back and emerged into a meadow full of flowers. All I needed was an ice cream cone to make my trip down memory lane complete.
What’s your favorite memory from your weekend?
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