It's The Simple Things That Count

Materialism is an ever-constant assault on our senses. It's everywhere. All the time. Trying to convince us that happiness and contentment can be bought. 

I was scrolling through my archives and found this post that I wrote in 2015. I couldn't help but think how much pressure to 'have more to have happiness' has increased with the growth of social media and influencers since writing this post.

 

Honestly, it's exhausting to be constantly told how to 'find happiness'. Ultimately, the people who are trying to convince us of their wealth = happiness gospel are doing so because it has a direct correlation to their own bank balance!

So, I thought it may be a good time to re-publish this post as timely reminder to rebalance our thoughts and hearts on what truly matters in life.

From the Archives:

In today's post I wanted to share some lovely simple things from my week that have made me happy. It seems to have become a bit of a ponderous post for me though after our read-aloud time this morning. So instead of speaking about those lovely simple things, I will pen out my thoughts and pepper this post with pictures of them instead.

I am reading the book 'Daddy-Long-Legs' by Jean Webster to my girls during our read-aloud time. In today's reading the main character, Judy, writes to Daddy-Long-Legs of her first visit to New York. She writes,

 "I can't imagine any joy in life greater than sitting down in front of a mirror and buying any hat you choose without having first to consider the price! There's no doubt about it, Daddy; New York would rapidly undermine this fine stoical character which the John Grier Home so patiently built up."

Her very next letter sees her in a more rational frame of mind. Daddy Long-legs evidently sent her a cheque after reading her letter, but she returns the cheque with a note explaining why she cannot accept the money, she writes, 

" I am sorry that I wrote all that silly stuff about the millinery shop; it's just that I had never seen anything like it before."

I'm sure we can all find a time in our life when we felt like Judy. It is so easy to get sucked into a world of materialism. I usually try to avoid shopping malls that hold every top brand name, or those streets in London that house the same. It sucks you in and you begin to feel a little like Judy. I know what she means when she says that *New York (*fill in your own city/mall/shopping weakness here) would undermine her stoic character.

Materialism is a terribly enticing and bad master and the truth is that shopping up a storm or adding 'stuff' to your name does not make you a happier person. Unfortunately we spend our lives having advertising companies bombarding us with messages on why we will only ever be happy if we buy x-y or z.

The best way of counteracting this is to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness for what we have and appreciating the simple things in life. 

There are many, many things to be thankful for and appreciate if you just look around you. Here are some of mine this week:

* The good health of everyone in my family

* BBQ's on a warm spring evening

* Nature walks with my children

* New life springing out from all quarters every single day

* A roof over our heads and food in our tummies

* A good job to keep us in above-stated condition :)

* Being able to sit quietly and work in my nature journal

* Good friends to talk to

* Happy memories of family holidays and times together

* Living in England! I love this country and feel blessed to be here

* Seasons - I love the seasons

* Birdsong - how can you not be cheered when you stop to listen to them

* Buzzy bumble-bees and fluttery butterflies - all out in the sunshine

* Washing dancing in the wind as it dries outside on the washing line

* Freshly cut lawn

* Clouds scudding across the blue sky

* Blossoms and blooms - they are everywhere at the moment

* The feel of my fountain pen moving over paper as I write in journal entries

* Reading good books together with my children and for myself. We have many wonderful memories of books read together. I'm so grateful that I have given my children a living-books rich curriculum

* Jumping on the trampoline with my daughter and laughing until our sides hurt

* Eating ice-creams outside in the warm sunshine

* Seeing the Cowslips blooming - they are so sweet, I love them.

I could go on but I fear I might bore you LOL. But I'm sure that as you read my list you will see that none of the things I have listed as precious and thankful memories and moments have cost very much or anything at all.

In a world that seems to have gone half-crazy on materialism, I'm immensely grateful that its the simple things in life that make me most happy.

A blessed Thursday to you all...

The Seasonal Home in Early Summer

With today’s golden light and long hours, it feels safe to say—summer has well and truly arrived.

In our homeschooling days, I used to share a monthly series on seasonal themes and plans. They were simple collections of ideas, rooted in the rhythm of the year, which guided our learning and helped shape our days at home. Those posts held everything from nature study to liturgical observances—threads that wove beauty and meaning into the fabric of our family life.

Time, of course, moves on. But lately, I’ve felt the nudge to revisit that practice—this time through the lens of a homemaker.

Observing the seasons has always helped me to slow down and notice. It gently lifts my eyes from the rush of the world and turns my heart back to what matters most: faith, family, home, and the quiet beauty of the present moment. It reminds me to give thanks for what I already have, rather than dwell on what I don’t. And when we live with a heart of gratitude, peace often follows.

In a world that feels increasingly hurried—and one that seems, at times, to drift far from the Christian and traditional values I hold dear—I find great comfort in tending to what I can influence. My home. My heart. The atmosphere I cultivate each day.

So, as this new season begins, I’m turning my gaze once again to God’s goodness, and asking Him to help me keep His priorities at the centre of my days.

Biblical Encouragement for the Homemakers Heart

The past six or seven years have brought a steady stream of changes—some welcome, others challenging. It’s been a long season of transition, and I’ve often tried to navigate it all in my own strength. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that my wisdom is sorely limited! So this month, I’m intentionally laying things down at the Lord’s feet—choosing to trust Him not only with the big concerns, but also with the everyday details of life at home.

Here are a few gentle practices I’ll be focusing on this June—simple rhythms that help lift my eyes heavenward and steady my heart.

🌿 Enjoy Creation

June offers so many beautiful glimpses of God’s handiwork. I’ll be making a point to step outside, feel the sun on my skin, listen to the birdsong, and simply notice. As Psalm 19:1 reminds us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

🕊 Practice Hospitality

There is something sacred about opening our homes, even in simple ways. A pot of tea, a slice of cake, a welcoming heart. Hebrews 13:2 gently encourages us:

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

✨ Rest and Refresh

In a culture that praises busyness, making space for true rest is a spiritual act. This month, I’ll be carving out quiet moments to simply be—to rest in the presence of the One who calls me His own.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Early Summer Homnemaking Tasks

Each season offers its own rhythms in the home. Here are a few June-specific tasks I’m gently weaving into my days:

✨ Deep Clean & Declutter

• Windows: Clean inside and out to let the summer light stream in. Don’t forget window screens!

• Carpets & Rugs: Give them a good vacuum and spot-clean for freshness.

🌼 Outdoor Maintenance

• Patios & Decks: Sweep, wash, or power-wash surfaces and freshen up outdoor furniture.

• Garden & Lawn: Weed, mulch, trim, mow—and plant cheerful summer flowers or veg.

• Gutters: Clear out debris to prepare for any summer downpours.

🍓 Kitchen Refresh

• Fridge & Pantry: Wipe down shelves, check expiry dates, and make space for summer produce.

• Grill Ready: Clean and prep the barbecue for sunny days ahead.

• Freezer Meals: Start slowly stocking up with baked goods and pre-prepped meals—especially handy for busy or hot days.

Light & Lovely June Décor

Small seasonal touches can bring a sense of joy and freshness into our homes.

🌞 Light and Airy

• Colours: Swap out deeper tones for whites, soft blues, and buttery yellows.

• Fabrics: Choose breezy cottons or linens for bedding and cushions.

🌿 Nature Indoors

• Fresh Flowers: A simple vase of daisies or sunflowers can completely lift a room.

• Potted Greenery: Bring in a few leafy plants to add life and freshness.

🪟 Outdoor Living Spaces

• Cosy Corners: Add cushions, throws, and even an outdoor rug to make patios or balconies inviting.

• Lighting: Twinkling fairy lights or lanterns can create a magical atmosphere for evening relaxation.

🐚 Seasonal Accents

• Coastal Vibes: Think driftwood, shells, or a nautical print here and there.

• Wall Art: Swap in a few summer-themed pieces to reflect the season’s warmth and light.

Simple June Joys & Home Care

🍉 Summer Activities

• Host a casual picnic, an impromptu BBQ, or a relaxed garden tea with loved ones.

• Plan outdoor adventures—walks in nature, beach days, or countryside rambles.

🛠 Light Home Maintenance

• Pest Check: Keep an eye out for seasonal critters and take preventative steps.

• Smoke Alarms: A quick test gives peace of mind.

• Irrigation: Adjust sprinkler or watering routines as the weather heats up.

And Finally...

Let June be a month of gentle purpose—a time to realign with what truly matters and to invite beauty into both our hearts and our homes. May we not be overwhelmed by to-do lists, but instead see each small act of homemaking as a quiet offering—an opportunity to reflect God’s care and goodness in the daily rhythms of life.

And as always, may our homes be places of peace, our hearts tuned to grace, and our eyes lifted to the One who holds all seasons in His hands.

Finding Your Way Back Home: A Letter to the Weary Homemaker

 For the Christian woman who longs to return to a life of peace, purpose, and grace

I walked past a quilt top that I first pieced together in 2017. It still is not finished! I have started hand quilting the top but the fact that it has taken me 8 years to get to this point bothered me.

This prompted me to think about when the last time was that I created anything at all. When last did I finish a knitting project? When last did I spend some time enjoying a bit of cross-stitch or excitedly plan out a new project of some sort?

I have Pinterest boards brimming with ideas and projects that at some point inspired me, things I wanted to try my hand. I remembered back to the days when when I was most certainly an inspired homemaker.

When Home Doesn’t Feel Like Home Anymore

There comes a time in many women’s lives when the joy of homekeeping fades into the background. Perhaps you're walking through grief, burnout, motherhood’s exhausting seasons, or simply the noise of a fast-paced world. You look around your home and no longer feel inspired. The laundry piles up. The meals are rushed. The creativity you once poured into everyday life has run dry.

If that’s you, dear sister, you are not alone. 

I've been pondering this thought for the last week and awoke with a sense of clarity on Sunday morning. My decline is closley tied up with the start of my degree studies. I don't regret my studies as it was a season of accomplishing something that I did not think I was capable of. I'm glad I did it, but it came at a cost that I didn't even realise I was paying.

A Gentle Art Forgotten

I have always loved the gentle art of homemaking and there was a time when tending the home was more than chores and checklists. For me, as for many other women over the annals of time, it was a sacred rhythm—baking bread with joy, wiping counters while praying over family, folding laundry as an act of love. I remember being delighted in creating a haven: candles glowing, scripture on the wall, beauty in the small things, and I miss that.

Life has a way of crowding out the quiet.

Maybe like me, you’ve lost that rhythm. Maybe you feel you’ve failed. But friend, hear this truth: you are not too far gone to return.

The Invitation Back

God is always calling us back—not to perfection, but to peace. Not to performance, but to presence.

He gently invites us to slow down. To light a candle. To clear a corner of the house. To make a pot of tea and open our Bibles. To begin again, not in our own strength, but in His.

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

Rediscovering Peace in Small Things

You don’t have to overhaul your life. You simply have to begin again—with Him, and that is precisly what I have started doing. Here are a few small things I have started doing each day as I rediscover peace in my homemaking.

Start with One Room

Choose a space that matters to you. Clear it, tend it, pray over it. Let it become a sanctuary.

Anchor Each Day in the Word

Open your Bible before your to-do list. Let scripture be the first voice you hear in the morning.

Create a Ritual of Beauty

Light a candle as you clean. Play worship music while you cook. Make small acts of service feel sacred again.

Keep a Homemaker’s Prayer Journal

Write down your prayers for your home, your family, and your heart. Invite God into every ordinary task.

Plan to be Creative

I spent a wonderful afternoon going through my Pinterest boards and craft books. I have picked out a few creative and seasonal projects that I want to get started with right away and ordered the materials I need to do them. To foster creativity you have to be creative. Scrolling through IG my be inspiring in the moment but it is no replacement for setting aside time to work with your hands on something that brings you joy. So make sure that you plan some time out each week to spend on something you have always wanted to try or make.

The Truth About Worth and Calling

You are not just a housekeeper. You are a keeper of hearts, rhythms, refuge, and love. You are called by God to create spaces that reflect His peace and presence. Your home, however imperfect, can become a holy ground.

And even if you’ve wandered far from that calling as I feel I have, the way back is paved with grace.

“She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” – Proverbs 31:27

But she also knows when to rest in the Lord, and let Him restore what’s been lost.

A Prayer for the Woman Who Wants to Return

Lord,
I am tired, and I’ve lost my way.
Remind me that I don’t have to earn Your approval.
Teach me how to tend my home with joy again.
Restore my heart.
Renew my spirit.
Lead me gently back to Your peace.
Amen.

You Can Begin Again—Today

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to respond to the invitation: to come home. Home to the heart of God. Home to the calling He placed within you. Home to the quiet joy of caring, creating, and keeping.

Start small. Start slow. Start now.

And know this: every step you take is watched with love by the One who calls you beloved.

An Old Soul

 I am an old soul and often feel like I have been planted in the wrong time in history. I would have been happy to not have the pressures of modern technology and all that they bring.

To see mans lust for power, money and other things spewed out morning, noon, and night over the radio and television is enough to make anyone dispair. 

So I make time to escape to the lands and worlds created in the pages of books and sometimes, those lands and worlds are grasped and turned into television productions. I've recently come accross the period drama inspired by the Candleford books written by Flora Thomspson - Lark Rise to Candleford.

I am hooked. I'm tempted to binge watch it, but then it will be over all too soon. So I'll resist the urge and instead savour it slowly, escaping to a world that had it's own pressures but maintained a sense of humanity and care for the people that were neighbours. 

My daughter made herself a fantastic 2025 moodboard background for her desktop computer...

It got me to thinking that I want to do one myself. To spend a bit of time thinking about the things that are important to you and thing about how and where you want to spend your time. I think it is such a good idea to have something that inspires you, to remind yourself what it is that is important. To see the beauty in the world rather than all the wickedness that is forced upon us on the one device, that I for one, spend a lot of time on given my work. Yes, I think I will take a leaf out of my daughters book and work on that this week.

The garden continues to flourish and I'm taking joy in spending time in the garden, planting, feeling grounded in the things that remain the same and have done for thousands of years, even though the world feels like an unsafe, ever-changing, and hostile place.

I was washing the dishes in the kitchen sink this morning when I spotted this little fellow having a drink from the garden pond. I paused and watched him for a while ...

He picked at the offerings that had fallen from the feeder thanks to a resident squirrel...

I am always amazed by the life that happens in our gardens while we are busy with our daily tasks. Most of it goes unseen. But if you take the time to pause and notice...you will be rewarded with these little cameo moments of lives been lived out by the small creaturs that make your garden their home.

Yes, we live in a very busy, loud, messy world. But we can find peace in the small things every day if we just choose to notice.

Wishing you all a wonderful week.

Happy Spring :: Happy St. David's Day

Happy Meteorological Spring and happy St. David's Day! What a great start to the month. Spring is most certainly in the air and the sun is just peeking over the horizon in the mornings when my alarm clock chimes. Glorious Day!!

I have to admit to feeling really upset and angry after watching that dreadful attack on President Zelenskyy by President Trump and Vice-President Vance on Friday. It was difficult and upsetting to watch such disrespect and bully tactics being shown on an international stage. The disrespectful comment about Zelenskyy not wearing a suit was just ridiculous. It honestly made me feel sick to watch. Coupled with the news that our house sale may once again be in jeopardy, I have felt the need to focus on what is good around me, and there is a lot of good.

Life's Simple Pleasures

Right now I have washing drying OUTSIDE in the sunshine! Such a small thing but it brings such joy. Make no mistake, it is still icy outside but as long as the sun is shining I can cope with the cold.

Indoors we have done a bit of rearranging. We have swapped over the furniture in the dining room and the snug. I don't know why it has taken us 5 years to think about this but it has. I have always loved sitting in my conservatory in previous houses, quietly stitching, writing or knitting away. In this house, we put the dining table in the conservatory and the sofa in the snug next to the wood stove which made sense at the time. 

I found that overall, I really didn't spend much time in the snug as it doesn't have a huge amount of natural light. So, as we were enjoying breakfast at the table this morning and enjoying the sun streaming through the conservatory, I knew that I wanted to change things up to better utilise the space. I think DH was a bit sceptical at first but now that it is done, we both agree that we should have done it sooner.

Approaching Lent

This week we mark the start of Lent with Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) and Ash Wednesday. 

With all the upsetting things happening in the world lately, I am looking forward to closing the door on it all and refocussing my attentions on what truly matters. In readiness I have picked out a Lent Bible Study - Hosanna In The Highest, a 4 week journey to the Cross & the Risen King by Courtney Joseph Fallick.

I do enjoy her guided journal-type studies and I'm looking foward to spending this time realigning my heart and soul.

The Spring Garden

Look what I spotted this week...

I have no idea what tree this is, I suspect some sort of ornamental cherry tree but I've seen them blossoming all over town this week. Look at all those buds waiting to come out!

The Forsythia is just starting to bloom. This will be a mass of yellow over the next week or two. For me, Forsythia heralds the arrival of spring so it is always a joy to see those bright yellow blossoms.

In the woodland garden we have a wonderful show of primroses. From the house it looks like the Easter Bunny has been and left massess of brightly coloured eggs for us.

I have been finding pockets of crocus all over the garden. I planted a few patches of bulbs about three years ago and they seem to finally be multiplying and giving us more of show than they have in the past. A delight to see.

Finally, the roses are starting to put out their leaves. This rambling rose is packed with clusters of soft pink roses which slowly fade to white in early summer. It's wonderful to see the garden stirring at this time of the year. 

 Well lovelies, my oven has just signalled that supper is ready - an easy stone-baked pizza, a perfect Saturday evening no-fuss meal. Where ever you are and what ever you are doing, I hope that you are finding joy and peace in the simple things.

Slow Living - Are We In Danger Of Becoming Quite Useless and Sterile?

I am sure that I do not need to state the obvious but I'm going to say it anyway...social media and our instant access to most things is killing the joy of living.

If I just think back 10 years, I did more living than scrolling. 

Today we watch Instagram reels of an 'idyllic life' for inspiration but how much living to we do as a result? 

We watch bread being made instead of making it ourselves and savouring the smell of the yeast as the dough proves, followed by the aroma of baking bread permiating every room. 

We watch a kitchen garden coming to life and being harvested in a matter of seconds, but ours remains unchanged and unproductive. We watch someone walking barefoot through the meadows in her beautiful linen dress but we do not get out our sewing machine and we find every excuse not to spontaniously kick off our shoes and walk through the dew-covered grass.

We are a society slowly dying and loosing the essence of life as we trade it in for conveniance and more useless mass-produced things that clutter up our homes.

These are the thoughts that struck me recently as I picked up my neglected Kindle last week and suddenly missed the weight of a proper book, the feel of the paper in my fingers, the smell of a book never opened. When last did I visit my local library? I can't remember.

I used to make a trip every three weeks and leave with my arms laden with titles that looked intriguing, looking forward to spending quite times turning each page over the coming days with a cup of tea. A simple joy - willingly set aside.

3 years ago I watched the documentary The Social Dilemma - an exposé by the very people who developed all these 'social' platforms. Not one of them allowed their own children to have all these social platforms. Why? because they designed them to captivate the minds of users, to cause an addiction, to keep them coming back for more. Not only that, the algorithm feeds you more of what you like, agree with and seek, thus focusing your exposure to messages that reinforce your ideas to the exclusion of actually thinking about it.

I remember being shocked. Horrified. 

And yet we are convinced that we need it for our businesses. We need it as a source of inspiration and learning. We need it to 'connect'. We need it to make money. Yet it divides us, isolates us, destroys creativity and extinguishes the thing that makes us human.

I see all this in my own habits and in the way I live my life now compared to 10 years ago. It is frightening how quickly it consumes your hours and distracts from real living. 

So I'm making 2025 the year where I detox from attention span limiting habits and getting back to living every moment of my life. I'm baking my own bread, stocking my freezer with meals made from scratch and homemade bakes. I'm growng my own food, preserving, and making time for sewing, stitching, knitting. 

As soon as we move to our new home in the coming weeks, I will visit my local library and get a library card. Once again I will have piles of lovely books to page through on a range of topics. 

I'm going to join the WI, meet new people, establish a craft group, take long country walks, and savour the joy of each day lived in appreciation of each moment. 

Tell me, do you ever feel the same? Do you feel that we are losing the 'good old days' of common sense, long conversations shared, cooking from scratch or stocking the freezer with homemade meals for those days where time is short?

Do you miss spending quiet time with God? Unhurried time reading an actual book or sewing a dress, or growing food for your table? When last did you sit quietly listening to music or stroll around a gallery? When last did you spontaniously pack a picnic and head out in search of a riverbank to enjoy good food with others?

How about coming along with me and making 2025 the year where you take back control of your daily moments, where you take back control of your time instead of allowing the use of 'social' media to devour all your time.

My blog has always been a space where I record ordinary days. An online account of a life lived. I find it an insightful tool to look back on and I have done so oon many occassions. In keeping with documenting my days and in my quest to get into the habit of living each moment in a considered and purposful manner, I will share a few 'slow' things from my week. Perhaps you would like to share a few things that you are doing around your home. Why not start a blog and document your slow living and share your posts with me - just leave a link in the comments.

1. I'm Creating

I've taken up nature journaling again. There has been a three year gap since my last entry. Before that, my journaling time was a weekly habit; an outpouring of being in the daily habit of observing what was happening in nature around me.

Since my daughters graduated from our homeschool, my journaling has become sporadic at best. But I've decided to make time each week to sit quietly and record what I see happening in nature

It can just be something I noticed in the garden or when out walking. The idea is that by being aware and alive to your surrounds, you are taking joy in that moment.

I've managed to keep up with my journal entries this month, at least in sketch form. I'll spend a couple of hours this week painting them.

2. I'm reading - (a proper book - only real books for 2025) 

I'm reading English Pastorial An Inheritance by James Rebanks. This book was recommended by a dear friend. The author is from a farming family in the Lake District. His grandfather taught him how to farm the land the old way and he remembers the farm being a patchwork of crops and meadows, pastures filled with grazing livestock.

When he inherited the farm he says it was barely recognisable from the farm of his youth, such have been the effects of modern farming techniques on the land coupled with people moving away from the countryside as machinery took over their jobs. This book is his story on embracing the old ways and trying to restore the life that has vanished from the land.

It is beautifully written and so inspiring that I just don't want this read to end!

3. In the Kitchen 

With it just being the two of us at home now, I find that I have not baked anything in ages as it just does not get eaten. But then I remembered something my grandmother said many years ago, she said she used to bake cakes, decorate them and then freeze them. That way, she always had something in the freezer should she have visitors at short notice. 

I've taken a leaf out of her book and started baking again but freezing it in portion sizes that are suitable for two people. The cake above was cut into squares and frozen. I just take out a couple of squares every week to satisfy any sweet cravings we get. I've done the same with muffins.

Well lovelies, I hope that you are having a wonderful week. If you are finding that the world is all a bit crazy at the moment or that life is moving at a pace that is just way too quick, I would love to encourage you to stop what you are doing and choose just one 'slow living' activity to include in your week. Just a few hours of painting, reading or baking - whatever it is that brings you joy.

I shall see you back here very soon. Have a lovely week!

Musings on Building a Homespun Business

From the moment I became a mother I knew that I wanted to be at home and have some sort of creative business that I run from home. Why? because I am in my element when I enter any type of needle work store. Fabric, wool and threads make me happy. I suspect other crafters are the same hence the 'stashes' we acquire.

Years ago I had dreams of spinning my own yarn and dying it up. Except I had no idea how to spin yarn, there were no spinners nearby to take classes from and part of my ideal was that it would be my own homegrown fleeces that I would be doing this with. For the longest time that fact that I did not live on a smallholding and have my own sheep is what held up my dream of starting a homespun business. It was my excuse not to start because the ideal in my head did not match up to my suburban reality.

Then I started to think outside the box. I may not be able to live on a smallholding, raise sheep and spin my own yarn but I could source undyed yarn and dye it.

A fellow home educator had dabbled in dying yarn and she was only too happy to share who supplied her undyed yarn and where to get dyes etc. I will forever be grateful to her for her generosity in sharing that information as I really did not have a clue on where to start. 6 years later I have a little crafty business that is ready to grow.

History repeats itself... for the past year I have wanted to develop my business in two ways. First I would love to be able to design my own knitting patterns. But where to start? I feel that I'm in the same space I was 6 years ago wondering how I start a yarn dying business. 

The second bit that tugs at my heart strings is to host cozy gatherings every so often. But in my head I'm thinking...but I need the perfect setting! My home has to look just right, I want to have a little mercantile store where workshop ladies can go shopping. My dream looks so different to my reality!

Recently the light switch suddenly went on and a new realization dawned. Funny how that can just suddenly happen don't you think?

First, if I want to learn how to design knitwear than I need to invest in the tools and time to learn to do so. So I bought a book on designing knitwear and for the foreseeable future I will need to learn all I can about it and practice, practice, practice. I mean you are never going to get good at anything or grow if you don't invest the time right?

Secondly, I may not have that adorable little mercantile store attached to my home like Chris from the Cozy Club has (*sigh* I wish) but I can still begin to develop my classes and now that I have my little summer house it can be utilized as a creative studio/mercantile. 

Point is...I know that I for one can find every excuse under the sun and every reason why I shouldn't do something and then feel frustrated that I am not moving forward in my (humble) dreams. Yet I am the only one standing in the way of building the life that I want. I'm waiting for the 'perfect' this or that 'perfect' that instead of doing anything at all!

Do you find that? Is there something you are hoping and wanting to do but it feels that you are stuck in treacle and unable to move?

What steps could you take (even baby steps) to build the life you want? These are questions I am currently mulling over in my head. 

I think back to my young 20-something self with a baby on her hip and a dream in her heart and I think that I am finally brave enough to stop making excuses and actually turn that dream into a reality. My reality is starting to look like I will be able to do this. 

Last year reduced my work week to a three day week. This has been wonderful but still not enough. I plan to be home full time in the next few months - by September at the latest.

The goal? Not to make millions! But to bring in enough with my business so that I can turn my attention to it full time in the near future. 

Why? Because having worked for 3 years in a professional environment I know that it's not for me. Its time to be brave and try build the life I want. The simple life. A life where I have time to focus on my faith, on being available for my family and friends in the way I want to and doing things that I love to do. Things that bring joy to my heart.

Do you have any dreams that you are holding back on because you are waiting for things to be just perfect? Perhaps 'just good enough' is better than waiting for 'perfect'.