Embracing change

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

I look forward to and relish all the seasons. My husband is a summer- man and spends his wintry months longing for the warmth and ease of summer days. 

While I do enjoy summer, very much, I don't feel I prefer any one season to another. Each offer their own special and unique qualities and characteristics, which I long for with anticipation every time one starts to show the signs of change. 

Here we are, already moving into March this week! This year feels a little different as we approach autumn as the summer has been so un-summery- Cyclones, storms, floods, earthquakes- its been a bizarre season and frankly quite unnerving. It has absolutely brought our environment and our impact to everyone's attention- even those who were skeptical about climate change can hardly deny what's before them and the destruction and devastation left in the wake of such sever and unprecedented weather. 

Yet still, as I sit on our covered deck with the Cicadas noisily in the background and my two cats flopped in the shade, I am excited for Autumn. I plan to have a quick cull and edit of my wardrobe today in preparation of changing over my clothing for the new season- not quite yet but I like to take stock, donate anything that didn't work for me, refresh it a little and make a note of what I may need to replace, procure, add or change- both for the current season and the one for which we are headed. 

I'm looking forward to finding the perfect sweater I've been looking for, to ordering firewood for our wood burner and open fire place, to getting my cosy scarves out and enjoying feeling chic and pulled together in my various blazers when the weather cools. 

I love the process of puling out the throw blanket's and making the home and especially the family room warm and inviting, changing the candle scents for something more seasonal and associated with the Autumn, and creating and savoring time in the kitchen with seasonal, fresh and preferably local ingredients. Pulling out the cast iron Dutch oven, autumnal stone fruits, and preparing to decorate and celebrate Easter- one of my most favorite times of the year. Even living in a topsy turvy season here at the bottom of the world where Easter is Autumn, not daffodils and bunnies and new growth, but hunkering down and stocking the pantry and layering up for my walks!

I feel like there are several garments I've barely used this summer as the weather has been so unsettled and my beach bag and swimwear isn't full of the tell tale signs of a long hot summer as it would usually be- sand filled, gritty lip balms, and the odd pretty shell collected. 

The mornings are just starting to have a gentle nip to them and a light mist is common in the valleys and dips. But the days soon warm up and its still pleasant in the evenings to keep the big doors open while I cook and we have dinner. 

So I will savor what's left of this summer, be grateful for warm walks, the smell of sunscreen, the sound of Cicadas,  hanging out my laundry, breakfast al fresco and throwing the house open each day; And I will anticipate with great contentment the coming of a new season, and the enchantment of watching the balmy days evolve into Autumns magic. 

 Mother nature

Savoring simple daily pleasures

We are on the cusp of Autumn here, and despite the horrific weather this poor land has done its best to endure over the last few weeks, days like this give hope and promise of a fresh new start, a new season, and the comfort that we get a brand new day each and every day, the seasons roll around as sure as the tides approach and recede. 

There was a pleasant distinctive nip in the air as I set out, and this photo above taken just before 8am captures the mist and the sunlight that is so unique and special to this time of year.  The odd car passed me but for the first part of my walk all i was aware of was the trickle of streams and continual run off from the storm water and heavy rains, the birds and feint roosters calling in the day.  By the time I had looped back for my return trip the heat had suddenly ramped up and the cicadas were almost deafening - reminding me summer is not over yet. 

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I don't look forward to dark mornings and shorter days but the anticipation of the changing colors, of wisps of wood smoke, of crackling fires and of bracing walks when you glow once you're back inside in the warm are all things I look forward to and enjoy. 

This week has been a jumble of emotions, and learning of the tragic passing of a young mother with a daughter the age of my youngest really brought to the fore the fragility of life, and the importance of treasuring time, moments, hugs with loved ones: Savor the everyday moments, for we are fortunate to have these to enjoy day after day, however simple- hanging fresh linen in the sun, sinking in to a bubble bath, relishing your tidied up clean kitchen after a family meal, your morning coffee, a laugh with a dear friend, a good night kiss. 

It is these moment's which make up our every days, and our lives. Be present. Don't rush them away in a plight to complete your to do list. 

Breathe deep. Enjoy. 

To be grateful for your health, a roof over your head, to have a safe place and enough income to provide for the necessities. Remembering as our income expends often so do our list of necessities. What we truly need is much less than we frequently persuade ourselves we depend on. 

Today was a truly Saturday-ish Saturday. A full, and fulfilled day. Beautiful meals prepared at home - a sumptuous yet simple dinner and a decadent breakfast outside with the birds as my background soundtrack.  Time in the garden clearing up from the storm in full summer heat,  time with my eldest daughter, a local walk observing the dramatic cloud formations, and a soak in the bath with peppermint tea and the rain pattered. Simple perfection. And a brand new day tomorrow… with, dare I say it… more sunshine forecast …

 Silver linings 

Savoring simple daily pleasures

Our poor waterlogged land is bracing itself for another almighty deluge brought by high winds in the form of Cyclone Gabrielle.  

Under more usual circumstances, a cyclone of this magnitude would be frightening enough, but on the back of the huge storm damage suffered the country is on tenterhooks. 

I was shocked and saddened to witness the aftermath of panic buying today as I popped in to my local supermarket and green grocers and butchers to buy a few items we would need regardless of weather. Shelves completely empty and great gaps where product deemed essential would have been. 

Apart from one or two items- (any bread whatsoever!) I got what we needed and nothing extra. I had just passed a very pleasant couple of hours with a dear friend for a long over due chat and catchup. We sat in a cozy window seat watching the village buzzing past and the strong pre cyclone breeze providing some welcome cool. 

But what has been especially lovely these past days is everyone's sense of concern and care for their communities. Checking in, making sure friends and neighbors are ok, offering help, lending items, giving advice and support. Its heartwarming to see, in the face of such uncertainty - people really do care. They band together to shelter, provide and care. 

While schools await further instruction as to if they will open on Monday, students are somewhat comforted by the fact they are in this together. A sense of comradeship which helps to alleviate angst and worry to an extent. 

We feel we are waiting...not quite believing it will hit as hard as predicted but being ultra cautious with provisions, plans, preventative measures any way- just in case. 

And through all this the unthinkable catastrophe in Turkey and Syria unfolds. More than many of us can comprehend. And still....hope, fellowship. A woman pulled alive after over 100 hours buried in rubble, tiny babies- alive! Fighting to stay with us. The joy and relief on the rescuers faces match by the grief and terror on those waiting to find loved ones. 

Humanity is an amazing thing. In amongst the rubble, the bombs, the floods- people care. They are GOOD. They have hope and spirit. 

It makes me involuntarily take a literal and mental deep breath. To take stock. to be so grateful for what I have. Not least a safe healthy family and a roof over our heads. 

The unctuous smooth comfort of the pillowy pizza dough I made tonight for dinner, the beautiful belated birthday flowers from a friend and the warm gentle glow from a light yoga stretch before getting ready for bed. 

As I type the wind is strengthening outside my windows and my scented candle is flickering. 

I'm going to run a bath, pop my computer and phone on to charge, and take a few moments to connect with family overseas. To tell them they are in my thoughts and I love them. 

I'm going to slip in between my fresh sheets in my safe bed and drift off with a feeling of peace and wellbeing as I listen to the storm grow. 

Tomorrow is a brand new day

 Contentment in tea

I've always enjoyed teas of many varieties. From the idea of "popping the kettle on" to "Makin' a brew" to high tea in a fine dining establishment or high end hotel. 

The anticipation of taking that moment, to choosing what tea cup or mug, a pot, a bag, loose leaf, shared or solitary.

My grandmother was a big tea lady- the whole of that side of my family are pretty significant tea drinkers actually. Served out side during warmer months- after her obligatory "forty winks" siesta or nap, always SPODE blue Italian, always loose leaf in a pot - she preferred a blend of Assam and Lapsang souchong. And unfailingly with a nibble of something deliciously simple and mostly quintessentially English. As I write I can smell the comforting dependable wafts of what my children call - Bacon Tea (Lapsang is smoked and woody and has a very distinctive and strong aroma). IN the winter time tea would be served as we sat on big plush gulumpty sofas around a roaring fire my grandfather tended to.  it drew any family who happened to be close by- cousins, Aunty, Uncle pussy cats, dogs- neighbor and villagers. All were welcome. It was just tea, with cake- Grannies chocolate sponge with her version of icing which consisted of melted chocolate poured on top of the cake and dotted with smarties. The milk was in a jug- and more often than not was cream or very nearly. The culture then wasn't to offer more than that, or to assume it may become wine or aperitifs, it was tea. Convivial and communal - and an essential part of everyday. Throughout the day. 

My grandparents mornings- for as long as i can remember - with my Grandfather making the tea as soon as he rose- in colder months re kindling the fire with bellows as the tea brewed. His was ALWAYS in an enormous oversized cup and sauce, grannies was in the more demure Spode, and always accompanied by two rich tea biscuits...and for grannie, always in bed! 

I so enjoy taking the time to make tea and savor it. It doesn't happen every day- and I'm a HUGE coffee girl. Its rare for me to take tea before the afternoon but for many years my days started with Earl Grey- no milk or sugar.  I almost always have some kind of tea in the evening - often chamomile, lavender or peppermint- never caffeinated. 

I love the ritual and occasion of choosing the serve ware- depending on mood, season, company, and the tea itself. Pairing the tea with whatever afternoon tea treat I may have planned or baked. Paris Earl Grey, Darjeeling, A flavored specialty black tea or a fruit tea. 

Tea parties when my girls were little, endless tea parties with various dolls and teddys as guests...and the cat more often than not. I remember making my Mother drink cappuccinos I'd made in the bath with the bubbles!

This week I was able to enjoy a long over due catch up on a rainy afternoon over a pot of tea with a friend here at my home, served in a proper tea pot, on a tray. Simple and elegant but just right. Today, after such an unbelievable week of wild wet weather and the carnage it left in its wake, we took the girls to an adventure park with a friend each for some thrill seeking adrenaline pumping fun- I took a moment- just one, to sit in the shade at the café with a pot of peppermint tea, savoring the moment and feeling so grateful for all of it.

I remember a holiday in Cornwall (one of several each year with my Mother) where we stopped in to visit a friend of hers I didn't know very well. We were taken on a tour of their beautiful home and shown around the garden where we were offered tea- it was a sizzling hot English summers day, but I have never felt my thirst so quenched as I did that day drinking tea in that beautiful picturesque garden. I remember vividly being astounded that a hot beverage could be so welcome while sitting in the heat of the sun. A turning point in my tea story...and a right of passage to claim to be truly English.