As I watch my new garden flourish in this weird Melbourne Summer (rain and winter temps one day, hot summer day the next... and then more rain...), I feel my mind, body and spirit hedging closer to feeling ok.
I'm reminded of the regrowth that follows a bushfire.
A front garden full of heritage roses makes me stop, inhale heady perfume and wonder at the gobsmacking beauty that can exist in a single moment and all that nature provides.
There has been work of various kinds, book edits, teaching, dramas on both large and miniscule scales. There has been no design-mojo and no inclination to unpack any more boxes or think about the myriad to-do lists I could be looking at....
In between tasks, I stop. Breathe. Swim. Sleep. I have made time for making bread (we haven't bought a loaf since we moved in a month ago).
There has been time made for mothering. And picnic dinners on balmy evenings, by the local lake....
...and sometimes in the back yard.
There is even a tentative return of the long-lost cooking-mojo.
I'm slowly clawing back that 'life' part of the life/work balance. It appears to have been lost over the last two years and it's like I'm learning to walk again. Breathe again.
It hasn't all been about stopping, 'though.... I just couldn't stop crocheting that Summer Lace Tank Top. It's now my Summer Lace Dress.
Oh... keep an eye on that old couch in the background up there... I have big plans (and a big roll of fabric) for that one. (I also had optimistic plans to use that blue yoga mat a bit more frequently... but that hasn't really happened. It just looks like it's kept handy enough to be rolled out each day.)
I popped in to see old friends and met some wonderful new people, too. And once again, spending time with other people in the biz, who just 'get it', there was much laughter, a few tears and a sense of being a part of a community.
In other very exciting work-related news, the new book - due for release in May 2014 - is already available for pre-orders online.
Yikes. It's real!
It's nice to be back in this space. I have a feeling you'll be seeing more of me here, again.
Great to see you & your mojo back. May you inspire me!! :D
ReplyDeleteWell done - such a creative and talented person - yes you inspire many - go for it and keep looking after yourself too
ReplyDeleteVery pleased to see you back. And would like to see you more in real life too soon other than waving across the school yard! Yell out once you are more settled.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
ReplyDeleteNice to see your balancing act is on track :0) xx
Lovely to see you here again. I've missed you.
ReplyDeletethat's some great looking beetroot you've got growing. and is that a Blue Moon rose? we have those!
ReplyDeleteYou look good and I'm so glad to hear you are looking after yourself better.
Yay, so excited to see your book ready for preorder! That crochet dress is amazing!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. It's nice to see you, and it's exciting to see the book available for order on all those websites.
ReplyDeleteOh hello you! What a lovely post. So nice to hear that you are stopping to smell the roses. Love your lace dress! So excited for your book! Congratulations! Much love xo
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ReplyDeleteHey, welcome back! Glad you're getting that life thing worked out on the work/life balance scale. I've totally lost my sew-jo in the last few weeks, so I'm currently embracing making fudge, chocolates, bars and more, which means my freezer is stuffed lol
ReplyDeleteI just got your last book the other day, but it's waiting for down time over the Christmas holidays
Hi, glad to hear that you have had a chance to relax, kick-back and enjoy life again. So often we get caught up with work/life/superwoman stuff that we forget how to be ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI ordered your book from Amazon and will try and forget so that when it arrives it is a huge surprise!
Enjoy your break and your beautiful daughter.
Heather
Hi Nikki,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you settled in your new home!! Don't be hard on yourself, it's OK to have a slow down time. I haven't much sewing mojo at the moment, but I'm sure it will come back in the New Year. Love your vegies and roses, isn't beautiful just to walk out and look at the garden and feel yourself relaxing. Will order your new book in the new year, looks fab!! Merry Christmas and a Wonderful 2014.
Luv Kathy B XX
Things look so wonderful Nikki and I hope you are settling in well. Congratulations on the new book getting closer. The cover design looks fantastic too
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you back, you have been missed! Your roses look so beautiful, and I can't wait to read your new book! xxo
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ReplyDeleteWelcome back Nic, we have missed you. Kerry
ReplyDeleteHi Nikki, it is so great to see you back online. I mostly lurk on your blog and have really missed reading your updates. That vege patch looks fantastic, and how lucky you are to have a picnic spot by the lake close by. Can't wait to get your new book. That work/life balance is a hard thing to manage but a talented gal like you can do it. I predict that you will have a great 2014, Cheers, Ros from Canberra.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing the difference a 'proper' house with a lovely garden can make. I'm so glad you're starting to find yourself again!
ReplyDeleteWell done Nikki. The garden looks gorgeous, so productive, the bread looks divine also. Taking the time to pause and breathe and relax is so important, it's good to see you reaping the benefits :-)
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