YouTube Channel Revival and A New Direction

Hello my lovely friends,

I hope that you are all well. I am here with some very exciting news...well I'm excited about it anyway...

It seems to me that blogs are no longer read or interacted with much anymore which is kind of sad. I have always thought them a great way to connect with people around the world and because I have been blogging for around 17 years, it is not something I really want to let go of, so this little space will remain here and I will continue to write even if it is just for my own record-keeping.

But, I do miss community. When I was homeschooling my daughters I had a natural community of like-minded people. But seasons change and my daughters have finished homeschooling and are now adulting rather well. 

With the end of our homeschooling I endured the seasonal shift as I explored my "what's next", and it has been turbulent. I liken it to the seasonal storms that sweep across the Uk in autumn. I've felt tossed around like a fallen leaf as the wind tears across the landscape, leaping, swirling and jostling me along whether I want to go along or not.

But now that the storm has subsided and I can see a little more clearly, I feel I have found my bearings and can see clear skies ahead.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life

I've explored all sorts of things as I attempted to find my new purpose. Finally, I find myself settling into something that is aligned with who I am and have always been and which to a large extent is very much a continuation of the life I felt so comfortable in as I raised my children and kept my home.

I am settling into my continued role as keeper of the home, my husband's helpmeet and support as he embarks on a new business venture that seems to finally support the 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 scripture that has been my guiding scripture for so many years:

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependant on anyone".

He is opening a coffee shop, a long-held dream. I am now pursuing my own long-held dream and accepting the value I bring as a wife, mother, homemaker and support to my husband. I'm looking forward to occasionally working in the coffee shop and continuing to host and organise my annual event, the North West Winter Wool Festival, but the biggest thing is that I finally have the time and space to write.

I am working on two book ideas that I have been brooding on for many years. I am not worrying about who will publish them for I have discovered many lovely books that were in fact self-published. So I am just going to get on with the business of writing and will likely self-publish the first few books.

The Exciting News: Building a Community

And so comes the exciting bit...now that I have weathered the storm and can see the way forward, I feel that I am finally at a place where I can be a bit more present here on my blog but I feel that I am finally in a place where I can build a community on my YouTube channel. 

I am relaunching my YouTube Channel. I realised that we are all continuing to learn as we travel through life's seasons and so I have aptly named my channel "Seasons of Grace and Learning". 

I love the idea that I can record bits of my day and chat to you as if we were visiting and having a good old chinwag. I know that some of you are already subscribed so I am looking forward to seeing you there! Please do leave comments so that we can engage with each other - it will be so lovely.

I will be blogging and YouTubing about all the things I have always held so closely to my heart... seasonal and everyday living, making, homekeeping and how I weave my Christian faith into all that I do.

Of course as a 'retired homeschooling mum' and a writer, books and nature are never far from my thoughts and activities so you will have bits of that too :)

Episode 1 

After a huge amount of trial, error and frustration, I am very pleased to say that Episode 1 of Seasons of Grace and Learning is now live on my channel.

If you enjoy listening to such things while you are working on something or just in the background, please do consider listening to this episode.

It is a little rough and ready but honestly, I figured that if I don't just record and publish it would never get done. I'm hoping my skills will improve as I continue to create content on YouTube.

Until next time, wishing you all every blessing!

Early January Days

I know we are only 5 days into January but so far we have had some lovely clear, crisp days. Yesterday we took a drive through the Cheshire countryside to our very first house viewing. It was an absolutely stunning house except one of the bedrooms was more of an office-space that a bedroom. You could not have fitted much more than a single bed into it so sadly it was a no which was a real pity because apart from being just about perfect, it was the former home of the famous British writer Dick Francis! One of my favourite authors.

We have packed away all the Christmas decorations. I have enjoyed having them around this year, usually, I can't wait to get them packed away after Christmas but this year we have stuck with tradition and taken them down closer to 12th Night. I always feel that once they have been packed away I can truly look forward to and get on with the new year.

So I've been pondering on my word that will hopefully define my year..."Balance".

What actions can I take to create balance in my life on a daily, weekly, monthly basis? I think I have come up with one or two things.

First, I know that I want to do something fun at least once a month as a family such as a day trip to somewhere new or perhaps even a one-night break somewhere further away. Wales is on our doorstep and we still have not explored even though we have been here for over a year! Time to stop the procrastination.

Secondly, I want to make time to work on creative things that I used to have so much time for. My nature journal for instance. It has such therapeutic benefits. To clear your mind of all else and just immerse yourself in the art of looking, drawing and painting are so relaxing. January is a great month to be out in nature as spring bulbs begin to peek through the soil and birds are in abundance as they search for food amongst the branches of the bare boughs trees. Of course, January also brings along the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch which I always participate in. I'm going to enjoy setting aside an hour to count birds and then create my annual Big Garden Birdwatch nature journal page.

And finally, I'm going to pull out my knitting needles and some hand-dyed yarn and cast-on a pair of socks for DD1. Last night she was folding laundry and dropped a not-so-subtle hint that she was running rather low on hand-knit socks. This is an easy project that can be picked up and worked on in the evenings or as I have a moment or two. I may even take it to work so that I can get a few rows in on my lunch hour. Actually, there is an array of great coffee shops near my office where I can go to on my lunch hour so I may just do that!

My job is quite pressurised and extremely busy. It is easy to simply work through lunch or not take the full hour however, that is really not helpful to my own mental well-being or to my productivity levels! So that is one simple area that I can change.

 

On bright days I may even just take a walk by the river. I'm fortunate to work and live in one of the most beautiful cities in the UK (I may be a little biased 😊) with lots of green space and a great river and waterfront area all within walking distance of my office. I'm looking forward to summer actually where I can take my lunch to the park and watch the world go for a little while.

Being purposeful in slowing down and giving ourselves mental space goes a long way to a more balanced and peaceful outlook. Giving ourselves space to think, meditate on a scripture or just be still is something that I think we don't do enough of in our instant, busy world.

How has your first week of 2020 been? Hopefully, it has been a blessed one. I am reminded as I type those words that not everyone is having a great start to 2020. Australia is being devastated by fires right now - it's just awful, isn't it? Please do pray that they will get rain soon and that those horrendous fires are put out! 

Until next time my lovely friends...

Blessings in Christ

New Podcast & Yarns!

Hello Lovelies, we have been having the most amazing summer weather of late. Long, hot days, wild swimming, and BBQs have been filling our days over the past week. Today cooler temperatures have returned and I have to say that there is some relief in that.

I have finally managed to find some time to put together a podcast. Editing was a bit of an issue this time round as I had to edit on YouTube Editor which is limited at best. There were things I wanted to do that I couldn't but at least I managed to get in a bit of chit-chat with you 😊

I have also added some new yarns to my shop so if you are a knitter/crocheter then clip on the shop tab at the top of this page to see what I've listed.

Have a lovely Thursday everyone, see you back here very soon.

Giveaway Winner & Pottering Around the Garden

I had hoped to have another podcast up on my YouTube channel, but to be honest it's a time consuming venture and time is not something that I have an abundance of in this season of life. My time and energy is taken up with homeschooling my teens (well one now as my eldest wrote her last exam today so she's officially 'done'), caring for my family and home and taking what little moments I can for knitting, sewing etc.

 Oh - I've also started exercising regularly and am loving it! I have to tell you that I have been someone who hates, but HATES to exercise. I hate getting hot and sweaty and out of breath. I would be the one who would scoff at those who choose to run somewhere instead of just get into the car and drive lol. But I really want to loose a few kg's so I knew that at 40-something exercise would have to accompany a good diet. Anyhoo - turns out that once you get going on the exercise lark it's actually quite addictive! It feels good to feel my body get stronger and fitter AND I've lost 3kg's so far. Whoo-hoo!!

Ok - back to the podcasting thing... so I have realised that I simply cannot commit to doing a podcast every two weeks, or every X weeks even. Also, I have other things I want to talk about, which I think I mentioned in the podcast. I would love to share some thoughts on homeschooling and issues that come up with that. I would quite like to share some seasonal things, nature things, whatever-I-feel-inspired-to-share kind of things. I don't know, I haven't got it figured out just that occasionally a new video will certainly go up. It more than likely will be a much shorter production that my initial 47 minute episode :)

BUT... I do have a winner for my giveaway. I made a lovely project bag for the occasion, the colours are soft and muted, reminiscent of long hazy summer days. The DPN needle cozy that I showed you on the podcast and a little sachet of Yorkshire grown Lavender to pop into your drawers or closet are squirrelled away inside the project bag.

First I found a fab 'name picker' tool on the web, I typed in all the names of those who had joined the Under an English Sky Ravelry group.

Then I hit the 'pick a Random Name' button and....

We have a winner! It's Amy from Love Made My Home. Amy I have messaged you on Ravelry so if you leave me your address I'll get that off to you asap.

Now, will you come with me out to the garden for a little potter? ....

Last year I had to forgo my veggie garden due to our move. It felt rather strange not growing anything I have to say, but this year I was excited to establish a garden that we will hopefully benefit from later on in the year.

I have two raised bets and an apple tree. I felt that this space was not really enough for what I wanted so I have - for the first time- used A LOT of containers. they line the steps down into the garden, are decoratively arranged along the warm south facing wall on the back top patio and there are even a few pots flanking the garden shed. Here's what we can expect to harvest this year (that's if the slugs are kept under control!)

* Mangetout

* Sweet Peppers

 * Sweet Corn

* Pumpkins

* Marrows

* Tomatoes - 2 varieties

* Cucumbers

* Apples

* Gooseberries

* Potatoes - 2 varieties harvest times over 4 months

Herbs:

* Mint - for lots of summery lemonades and salads

* Sage

*Chives

In addition to what I can grow myself I fully intend to buy produce in season when it's all 'glutting' (my own word perhaps?) and do some preserving. I'm needing to make some more onion chutney and fruit jams. 

As is usually the case here in England, we seem to hang on for the longest time in spring for the garden to 'get-going'. Then all of a sudden the garden springs into life and flourishes in a week. Everything is lush and full, the hedgerows are bathed in cow parsley (Queen Anne's Lace) and wildflowers and those teeny-tiny Devonshire lanes are suddenly feeling rather closed in and smaller again. My garden is no different and is providing us with great joy as we spend lots of time outdoors enjoying warm sunny day after day.

As you can see we have our first roses of the season. I love this little bush as it's flowers are of the scented variety. There are loads of buds waiting to open so I'm looking forward to that little spectacle.

Our hedge is also heavily laden with the most beautiful white Clematis flowers at the moment that give off a lovely warm honey aroma.

There are 5 Fuchsia shrubs all doing their thing right now and will continue to do so right into the autumn. They are all large, healthy plants and again are laden with flowers. It seems to be a bumper flowering season this year (and slugs, I've had to implement the slug pellets sadly, but it was either that or have them devour all our growing food :( )

I've potted up two bright red geranium plants and they flank either side of the summer house's doors, the Iris's are in flower too adding a splash of yellow, and the hydrangeas, of which I have two substantial plants and one little one, are all developing healthy flower heads which should peak in July and flower well into the autumn.

My lavender plants that I grew from seed are doing well and have just started to flower. These are great bee attracting plants so I'm looking forward to hearing more buzzing action in my garden ;)

Finally, this grass is in 'bloom' right now. 

It really is so pretty. It's softness adds a fluidity to the garden and when you get up close the little 'flower-heads' have a delicate beauty all of their own. 

I've never been one much for grasses, but having them in my garden for the first time I am beginning to appreciate that they have their 'place' in the garden.

Well my friends, that's a wrap for today. I am off to pop supper into the crockpot and hopefully sit down for a while with a good cuppa and my new Country Living mag in the garden. Until next time...

Late Spring Developments and Podcast News

Crikey! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have been here. I'm not sure why that is, I just felt that I needed to be present in my day to day life. Does that make sense? I've been blogging for almost 10 years now so I suppose a bit of a break (unplanned) every so often is to be expected.

On the home-front we have been enjoying the most beautiful of springs. My garden just keeps on throwing up surprises and continues to be a delight to me. Now that the shrubs and trees all have their new leaves my garden feels like a tranquil oasis far from the daily grind of life. I think that's how a garden should be.

Outside my bedroom window, which is the front of the house, we have the most beautiful blossom tree. It really is so pretty, now towards late spring the blossoms petals are beginning to fall and carpet the grass and walkway's beneath. Leaves in autumn, blossom in late spring. What a lovely way to mark the seasons.

Baby birds are all about, this baby robin was being chased by a horrid Magpie the other day. I chased the cheeky bird away and the baby robin was able to collect itself for a while in the crook of the tree at the bottom of my garden.

A couple of days ago I wondered down to the summerhouse, I'm always careful to creep along the path in the hopes of catching a glimpse of our resident frogs. They are quick to swim to the bottom of the pond if they hear footsteps on the gravel. This particular morning my little frog must have been enjoying basking in the sunshine, because he did not budge when I walked his way. In fact I was able to nip back to the house and grab my camera. He sat perfectly still for his picture. Yesterday he was rescued by my daughter from the paws of death (kitty-cat paws). She found our cat battering him about while he played dead. She picked him up and as her hands neared the surface of the pond's water he sprang to life, jumping off her hand and swimming down to the bottom of the pond. He lives to see another day!

Do you know what I have been working on this week?

My first podcast! Soon you will be able to watch me waffling on about knitting and various things. I always find it quite fascinating when I get to watch a blogger that I have been following for a time on a podcast - they never sound like they do in my head - LOL. Like with Dawn from By Sun and Candlelight, she did a podcast with Jen from Wildflowers and Marbles and Misty (I think). When I read her blog she 'sounds' (in my head at least) like my sister-in-law who is Canadian. In 'real' life Dawn sounds nothing like my sister-in-law (obviously she is American not Canadian) but isn't it funny how we 'give' a voice to what we read.

So I've actually finished recording and editing. As I type the podcast is being uploaded BUT I'm not sure how the sound is going to turn out. On my computer is sounds awful but then again I have to use earphones if I am listening to a podcast on my computer because the speakers are just that bad. So I'm going to upload the podcast and see what it sounds like. If it's awful I will have to delete it and start again. 

Let me tell you - this podcasting thing takes hours! The recording part is easy, it's all the editing that is proving to be time consuming and mind boggling!

Anyhoo - I shall let you know when it is good to watch. Until then - have a wonderful day and I shall be back here as soon as the podcast is sorted.