Goodbye 2018 ... hello 2019!

It's a cliche I know, but another year has almost flown by.

One of the privileges of having an Instagram account is that it isn't hard to look back.

This is a collage of my Best Nine of 2018 on my Instagram 

Although it's nice when so many people like your photos, 

they not always represent that precious personal memories, 

or those little moments to treasure. 

So I picked my personal favourites of each month.

January

One of my good intentions for this past year was to get more out and about and enjoying nature.

Sadly I haven't made so many walks as I intend to, but I started well in January.

  

 February

But luckily there was enough to enjoy in my garden, 

like this still life when we had a dust of Snow in February.

And of course my favourite bird.

March

In this month we had a little trip to the province Zeeland where we 

also visited the lovely town Domburg and its wonderful beach. 

April

A month of which I'd rather forget the first weeks.

Our middle son came back very ill from Guatemala which ultimately 

required hospital admission.

I took this photo when he made his first walk outdoors (feeling a bit better already) 

visiting the Cherry Blossom not far from our village.

May

The month of our annual escape to the English country, where we spent the first week

 in the beautiful Shropshire Hills

A real gem was this spot .... Lyth Hill 

The second week we celebrated (with almost all our loved ones) my
 husband's 60th Birthday in West Sussex.

It was so lovely to show them the places that feels like a second

 home to me, wonderful memories were made.

June

Was a month where ideas for the future started to take on more serious forms.

Now all our boys have flown the nest, the house feels a bit empty.

The next photo shows our annexe where we hope to receive our guests,

 somewhere in the second half of 2019  

A new business will arise next to the Webshop, our holiday let ... 'Stay at the Reed Warbler'! 

July

This year I finally got round to saw my own cutting flowers.

I felt so inspired by Emma Connolly and still picking flowers now, 

can you believe it in December!

This is one of the lovely bunches I picked at the end of July.

August

In August we went for a family holiday to the Provence and 

I had the most wonderful time with this lot.

September

Still picking flowers ....

October

And yes, these were also still from my garden, I'm planning to sow more varieties next year.

November

The month we celebrated our second anniversary of the Reed Warbler Shop 

 and so very grateful for the support for our small business.

We celebrated it with a giveaway of our best-selling brand Hogben Pottery 

December

It has been a good year and I consider myself very privileged with a lovely family
 and running a small business that I love.

This year's Christmas card was again a bit of a project,
which got a bit out of hand in terms of time 🙈

But in the end I delivered the last ones just in time at our neighbours yesterday evening
and now the only thing that's left is to share my good wishes with you ....

So from me to you ...

Wishing you sparkle,

wishing you cheer.

For a bright merry Christmas

and happy New Year!

Anita

~xo~

After a couple of very busy weekends, there was finally time for a so much needed walk. I saw on Facebook that there was a lot of new life to admire on the goat farm so the Amsterdam Forest was our destination.  

Where snowdrops lead us the way ....

Arriving at the goat farm there was a overload of cuteness ....

With Spring definitely on my mind I love to surround myself with that energetic feeling at home.

With soft toned bulbs and drinking coffee from an almost identical coloured Mug ....  

Fresh flowers ....

In a gorgeous Jug ....

And of course Muscari, not only the real ones but also with a print in a Photo Frame ....

The last few years a keep my garden "messy" for the birds and still amazed to discover new life after removing the fallen leaf ....

Just can't wait to get my seeds out of this Tin ....

 And spend more time in my little greenhouse .... 

While I was writing this post I heard on the radio - that according to this study - watching garden birds has a beneficial effect on your mental well being.
It will be no surprise that I so agree with this ....

And when I'm not watching the birds in my garden, I admire them indoors ....

Or have another coffee with them ....

With the arrival of March, the promise of Spring is just around the corner ....

Not only this gorgeous book of Edith Holden - the Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady - but all other items shown in this post you can find on the Website ....

Happy March everyone, happy (almost) Spring!

Anita

~xo~

After being stuck at home with a nasty cold (and now also a stomach bug) I'm so in the mood for Spring.

But nature isn't ready yet, although this picture sure looks like it ....

Gorgeous blue skies ....

'Jack frost' giving its best performance  ....

And even a bit of snow ....

Time to curl up with a blanket ....

Warm and cosy by the open fire ...

Bringing these into home for that ultimate Spring feeling ....

Making plans for the garden ....

And of course bulbs indoors ....

Making one or two photos for the website .... 

And in the meantime loving the view from my living room window .... 

While faffing with this gorgeous Candle Holder, a simple hyacinth and a copy from an illustration found on Pinterest I'm ready for the weekend.

Wishing you all a warm and cosy weekend too ....

Anita

~xo~

P.s. the Knitted Throw , Basket , Hogben Jug & Mug and Square Candle Holder are still available at the Webshop!