Currently

R E A D I N G

I had a reading break over Christmas and the New Year, for one I was so tired that I couldn’t concentrate and also Beastie was waking up so much I was having to go to bed as soon as he did so I could get a bit of sleep. He seems to have settled back down again now, and I’m back to getting some sleep {and the occasional five/six hour stretch!!} so I’ve been reading again when I go to bed for half an hour or so. I’ve just read Sali Hughes’ Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion, it’s a great beauty book that isn’t just stylised photos but full of really great hints and tips and the reminder taht beauty is fun and a treat not a chore.

I’ve just downloaded Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear shich I’m excited to delve into.

I’m in need of some books suggestions – nothing too hard going or complicated please – fiction or non! Hit me up with what you’ve been reading.

T H I N K I N G

About summer… it’s been cold and windy here and I’m longing for some sunny days. I’m itching to get out in the garden, tidy it up and plant some flowers. We haven’t made any holiday plans yet this year, but I’m really hoping to book something in soon. We went to Bluestone at the begining of last year, but gave up our summer holiday as we moved house instead {sucks having to be sensible and spend money wisely!!}. We’ll most likely stay in the UK as we don’t have passports – and six of those would cost a small fortune! I’m thinking maybe a Centre Parcs trip will be on the cards at some point, and maybe a couple of short breaks – I’d love to go to Bristol again this year too.

D O I N G

This and that and everything and nothing. Some days feel super productive, other days feel like I literally do not one single thing… I guess that is life! I’m trying to go with the flow, take each day for what it is – some days good, some less so. We’ve been changing our rhythms lately, trying out a different weekly routine to see if it is better. Instead of trying to do some ‘school’ type work every day AND fit in my work AND fit in life AND housework, we’ve been breaking it up. Mondays are usually a potter at home day. Our grocery order gets delivered, the kiddos do some reading/English type stuff, a stint of their Maths course and then we go to Rainbows in the evening {wehre I’m a leader and Baya is a rainbow}. Tuesdays we’ve been doing some art or science in the morning, then the girls play in the afternoon while Beastie naps and I work, Wednesdays are housework day and we often meet up with friends, Thursdays they do some more English/Maths and then I work in the afternoon, Fridays are either project day or a home ed group depending on the week. I of course end up slotting more work in here and there wherever I can, but so far it’s been a little less stressful and made time for more FUN.. I need reminding lots that I don’t have to do all of the things all of the time!

E A T I N G

Cake??!! I REALLY intended to start the New Year with a healthier diet… our main meals are pretty good, but snacks… not so! I’ve gotten back into meal planning which means evenings are easier and we eat pretty well, lots of warming meals like Chilli, Pasta Bakes and good ol’ Jacket Potatoes. I find when I’m tired I reach for the cake tin {or biscuit barrel} far too often. I’d like to start making a smoothie/juice for breakfast to boost my fruit and veg intake, and need to find some healthy snack alternatives. I should probably make some of these raw bites and bars that I’ve made before.

W I S H I N G

I could hold onto this season for a bit longer, while it may be hard at times, my kiddos are growing up SO fast and I’d like them to stay little for just a bit longer than they do, please and thank you!