new

painting by Stanley Bielen

The house smells of woodsmoke and there are the last few needles of fir tree on the floor around the stove. We have packed away the decorations and swept up the mess. Christmas was spent entirely and completely with people we love and we are so glad for that. And now a new month, a new year and hopefully spring is not too far away.

new beginnings

image via pinterest

A new month and a new year. Outside a new moon shimmers in a starry sky and the fox barks somewhere in the wood. Inside we are warm and sleepy, the end of the day and the return to school and work takes its toll. The new year brings the excitement of the unknown - all those months to fill up doing and living and being. I am looking forward to 2015. I think possibly because the last two years were rubbish. But this one feels different, even though it's only a few days old. This one has the scent and purity of fresh paperwhites barely unfurled but still beautiful. This one will be a good one.

hello 2014

...and goodbye 2013...it was a mixed year for us, but undoubtedly a financially tough one. We've had lots of late night chats and some sleepless nights and we're hoping that 2014 will be kinder. But, above all we know we are so lucky - we have our children, our families, our home, our friends and to be honest I try not to worry what is in the future and so long as I have these people on my walk through life I know I will be just fine.

I hope that your journey into the New Year is full of blessings and that if you do meet tough times, you have your loved ones to lean on.