The kookaburras are hollering loudly this morning, letting me know that the sun will be rising soon. A quick glance out the kitchen window reveals tree branches etched against a brightening sky. The kookaburras were right. They always are.

It’s been a week of building good things, inching closer to my goal of a business that supports us well and brings me joy.

A couple of months ago, my friend Lizzie asked me what it is that I love doing. It took me a while to figure it out because I’m interested in, well, pretty much everything, so to narrow it down to what makes me light up took some time. But at last I did, and as soon as I spoke the words my whole body said, YES!

I love sharing stories and art with the world. Both my own and those of my clients. That makes my heart swell in excitement, sets my eyes all sparkly and my face all glowy, perks me right up and floods my imagination with ideas and plans.

So that’s what I’m building. A safe, jolly, and love-filled place where stories are told, art is made, and both are shared with the world through gorgeous books, beautiful Etsy shops, and personalized social media that is easy to manage and fun to do.

I love it so much.

There’s something about bringing someone’s dream to fruition that fills my heart with excitement. To see someone realize that their handmade jewelry, paintings, or knitting are valued and worth sharing, makes me rather teary. To watch someone discover that others need and want to hear their stories, brings the best possible lump to my throat. Because these things confirm what we all hope but sometimes doubt:

We matter.

Our stories are worth telling.

Our creative work is meaningful. 

I love my clients so much. Hilarious and talented women who think it perfectly sensible to have our business meetings with iced tea in a garden, cuppas over Skype, or a picnic in the park. I love watching them grow from “what’s Instagram?” to having their own Etsy shop and blog, managing Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest with ease, and, most of all, seeing their faces light up with confidence and joy knowing that not only is their dream a reality, but they have the tools and skills to keep it thriving.

This week I’ve also been building for me.

I met up with a wonderful woman who helps run a market in Toowoomba. She’s definitely a kindred spirit, and I love the supportive, community mindset of the market. Soon I’ll be giving demonstrations there on how to make herbal remedies, cheese-making, and other fun things. I’ll also be opening my own market stall where I’ll get to share my tea, art, and books with the community.

I continue to build my tea shoppe, growing, harvesting, drying, and storing tray after tray of elderflower, borage, spearmint, lemon balm, pineapple sage, and other beautiful herbs that nourish and support good health. The borage is making me especially happy this week, for those bright blue starry flowers are so gorgeous. And it always makes me smile to know that borage was used in medieval times to give strength and courage. A cup of courage tea.

I’ve also started writing a new book, the first in a series, and I’m having so much fun as I choose the recipes, pictures, and stories that will fill its pages. I’ll tell you all about that soon.

The sun is up now, and so is Bear. It’s time for cuppas and breakfast and chats about our day. I’m off to visit my dear friend Bernie to work on the wonderful book she’s writing, and Bear is building new bee frames for our hives. It’s going to be a good day.

What work is bringing you joy this week? xo