Despite another allergic reaction happening on one of my arms (what in the world is happening), I spent time working on the side garden bed again this week.  The weather has just been too much of a gift not to be outside.  I also did some mowing, trimming, cleaning up along the curb, and helping Marshall with power washing.  I’m starting to enjoy keeping up with the little things that make a house look sharp, especially when the weather is nice. I’ve also been working on my usual daily to-dos…  writing, painting, and photography.  Sometimes running my own business can be stressful, and I wistfully remember the days when I showed up, did my job, went home, and collected a regular paycheck.  But then I remember that I get to earn a living writing, painting, and taking pictures, and I’m happy with my choices! So, here are my four things

It has been a quiet week, but a busy one!  We had new windows installed yesterday, and while I wasn’t the one doing the work, I lingered around to see the progress and take pictures.  I can’t wait to show you the results.  The back side of the house is looking amazing! And, thank you so much to everyone who has asked how I’m doing.  I’m doing well.  My arms are still red and splotchy in places, and a little itchy, but the allergic reaction is so much better.  I have bought gardening sleeves to wear when I’m back working in the garden, hoping to avoid whatever caused the problem in the future.  I’m also finding a new rhythm without Sebastian shadowing me all day.  Some days I’m fine, and then other days I cry when I get out a block of cheese!  I just roll with it, knowing it

I decided I would take a few days off from posting here on the blog next week to be gentle with myself.  I have some due dates for other work projects fast approaching, and I need to acknowledge that it’s okay to set a few things aside so I can get the work done while still having margin.  I knew losing Sebastian would be sad, but it’s affected me more than I anticipated.  I think a part of it is that I’ve had a lot of other small personal things pop up from strange symptoms that required a biopsy and ultrasound (everything is normal), a summer cold that had me in bed for a few days, followed by an allergic reaction from either insect bites or a toxic plant on my arms that are now infected.  It’s like the old balancing game, Block Head.  I kept stacking oddly-shaped pieces, trying

It was a slower week for me, but sometimes we need those slow weeks.  Life can be a constant flurry of work and activities.  Sometimes I enjoy those slower weeks, but this week of forced rest felt like an interruption.  My body appreciated it, though, and I’m ready to hit the projects again. My four things this week – Thatched Roofs, pondering, the beautiful idea, and little things. what I’m reading I got a new book in the mail last week – The Collected English Cottage.  It is such a sweet book with lots of great ideas to bring the feel of English cottages into your home.  It’s filled with patterns, antiques, collections, and even recipes. We just booked a thatched cottage in the Cotswolds for our visit to England this fall, and this book is whetting my appetite for the quintessential English countryside. what I’m watching I’ve been thinking