By the water

In the spirit of a little less staring at the computer screen, a little more staring at the water, we headed to the beach this past week.    

Not once, but four times. It was as though the water was calling us to return.

And I had forgotten just how much I adore the beach in winter.

When all sounds bar the roaring of the waves are forgotten.

The mesmerising colours of the sky and water, different each day.

The rhythm of the water, inviting me to witness the seasonal rhythms around me, and transform my internal rhythms of the day too.

The clarity that comes from a change of scene.

And that alive feeling that comes from running through the wind on the sand on a sun-shining blue-sky winter day with your two little people laughing and running beside you.

xx

{Photo taken into the sun while we ran on the windiest sunny day at our closest beach. It was magic. When I arrived home I heard the weather warning that winds of 100kph were hitting coastal areas. Timing is funny like that. Because had I known earlier, we most definitely would not have gone. Elisa x}

~ Gratitude that we are blessed with the beach close by and for spontaneous and intentionally created heart moments that that are filled with a sense of magic and leave you feeling oh-so-alive. Joining the 52 weeks of grateful here ♡

What are you most grateful for today?

Winter sunshine + {ten things}

 

I've given myself a ten things gratitude challenge a few times now. For different reasons. Each time it's been an opportunity to reflect, and tune in with my heart. In the beginning though, it was inspired by an article I read about what we focus on we create more of. That I believe. 

But each time I sit down to do this challenge a part of me wonders if I can actually find ten things I am grateful for right now in this moment. Always I do. And often I surprise myself with my grateful list. And most often it's the simple everyday things that I find myself pausing to give thanks for. The little moments that make my heart sing...
 

Winter sunshine - The days have been chilly, the air icy and the sky the brightest of blues almost every day this week. The sun always shining. We've been basking in its warmth, and I know I'll be a little lost when winter's rain and stormy days are finally here.

Lemons - It's a running joke in our family about how many lemons I go through - at the very least one a day in my tea (lemon and hot water). And finally our three-year-old lemon tree has given us an abundance of lemons. I'm as excited as I am grateful. 

With my princess - We've been having some one-on-one time when the littlest miss sleeps. Painting finger nails, doing puzzles, drawing, gardening, counting clouds.... I'm trying so much to take my big girl in just as she is now, but each day she seems to have grown up a little more, always changing, always learning something new. 

Body messages - I've had a few subtle messages from my body these past weeks. A sore throat, tiredness, tightness here and there. I've tuned into these signs, given thanks for their warnings and reflected on their meanings and the changes they have called me to make. I'll be forever amazed by the growth and healing our bodies are capable of.

Listening - I had to remind myself to step back, stop and to listen with my ears and heart to an independent little miss three before I speak this week. And she's listened just as beautifully back. 

Rhythm - While the weeks are filling quickly it feels like we've hit a nice rhythm here - a perfect mix of fast and slow, quiet and loud. With large doses of time filled with family, fun and laughter. 

Family - A day at the market with my sister, a family dinner this weekend, winter walks with my girls and a cooking masterclass with my mother in law. So grateful to have family close by.

Sleep - I've had more sleep hours in a row these past three months then I managed in the 18 months prior. Extremely grateful my baby girl is now sleeping through. 

Thanks - I've received the most beautiful thank yous after sending out my prints this month and all I can think and feel is I am just as thankful for the support.

Books - I have so many books on my reading list right now yet feel drawn to read the same ones again and again. The same words read yet felt, learnt and interpreted differently each time. I love that.

xx 

{Want to be challenged? Thinking about giving the ten things gratitude list a go?  Leave a comment below, or record your list for yourself at home. If you do blog a gratitude x 10 list, love you to leave a link in the comments. Elisa xx}

{More ten things gratitude posts here and here} 

~ Linking with the gratitude community here. I'm always inspired by the grateful posts shared xx

Inward

I thought it was just me that was turning inward lately. But after chatting online with my friend Julie, I'm thinking there may be more to it. An energy shift of late...  perhaps the change of season to winter here.

It's calling me to pull back, retreat, reconnect, ground. To go slowly. To settle right where I am. And to enjoy where I'm at. To not move forward. To stay still for a while. And a while longer.

Whatever it is, I'm going with it. Writing for myself. Reconnecting with the printed word. Getting out of bed slowly, and going to bed earlier. Meditating whenever my girls allow. Taking notice of all the good around me, and then giving thanks for it out loud.

xx


{Grateful for slow days, winter walks with my girls, yesterday's laughter and the weekend to come filled with family. Elisa xx}

{Also I'm excited and grateful to mail out the first of my prints in the last couple weeks! So excited to think of them inspiring others and in people's homes. Oh, and this month the code inspire20 will take 20 per cent off all my prints here too xx} 

~ Linking with the gratitude community at 52 Weeks of Grateful x

Have you been turning inward of late? And what are you most grateful for right now? x

Waiting for brighter days

Winter is normally my favourite season {going slow, early nights, scarves and the ocean}. But this week all I can think of is brighter days {and sunshine too}.

Little miss two isn't well and for days it's been little-sleep nights {peppered with anxiety as I hold her close and listen to her strained breathing and sleeping tears}.

I've been looking into her big eyes and watching closely as sleep arrives {sending her body love to help it as it heals}.

But mostly I keep telling her that she's getting better {little by little each day}. And especially when she tells me it hurts.

I'm exhausted {and trying my best to keep cranky and tears at bay} and I'm giving thanks for health {and reminding myself to do so every day}.

Today we looked at the winter sky {mostly white and grey} and watched as rain filtered through.

In the early afternoon we spotted a patch of blue {and I wished for summer}. But little miss two just stared at that light blue {the dark clouds and the rain} and asked where her rainbow was.

I told her the sky was missing a rainbow today. She said we can wait.

And that's what today has felt like, strained and dark lit up by patches of smiles and a giggle too. Resting {and healing} and waiting for brighter days and that wonder-light feeling of health {and rainbows too}.

Elisa xx


Do you have a favourite season?