Good morning, dear folks. It is so good to be back after a truly restorative break.

It has been a wonderful two weeks off the grid with gorgeous Autumn weather that is delicious for afternoon naps, long cuppas in the morning, and cozy evenings of popcorn and good movies.

pink seed pods on wood

I’ve been embracing my creative soul this holiday, indulging in painting, cooking, planting, preserving, designing, photography, sewing, and wood-burning.

It has been sheer bliss to lose myself in creating beautiful and delicious things for no other reason than they make me happy or enhance our life on the farm in some way.

pink seed pods on water

I never cease to be amazed at how working with my hands allows my mind to wander freely, sorting things out at its leisure, working through all the kinks until the anxiety, fear, stress, and other negative feelings melt away. I love that.

Somehow with the urgency of work deadlines and health issues I’d let the priority of creative pursuit dwindle into near nothingness. I never want to do that again.

fallen seed pods

I’ve taken good, hard looks into my heart and schedule and goals and dreams and made changes that are already reaping benefits.

They’re not huge changes, just little investments in my own well-being that spill over into making me a better partner, friend, and co-worker.

Things like:

Exercising in some way each day: walks, hauling wood, sanding furniture, chasing animals, something that gets my heart rate up and breathing deeper and muscles working.

Drinking healing things: green tea with lemon and honey, coffee with cardamom, water with mint and lemon balm, fresh squeezed juices, and delectable things like coconut milk blended with fresh pineapple and pears. Bliss.

Resting: a ten minute nap in bed, laying in the hammock for 30 minutes, meditating quietly in the sunshine with eyes closed.

I love how these little things practiced over time make such a huge difference in the clarity of my thinking, the peacefulness of my heart, and the energy of my ol’ bones.

berries on old wood

This morning we had breakfast on the back veranda as the sunshine filtered through the clouds and made everything soft and glowy. It was a bit chilly, but a pashmina wrapped around my shoulders made all the difference as we visited, sipped creamy cardamom coffee, and tucked into steaming bowls of cinnamon-spiced oatmeal with black currants, walnuts, honey, and milk. So nourishing and comforting.

spiced oatmeal with currants

What creative pursuits bring you the most happiness?