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~

The most wonderful time of the year ....

I really love this time of the year, decorating my home and for some years now a new tradition, making an English Christmas cake.

And of course buying a Christmas tree ....

I still remember very well that when I was a child, every Friday at school before we went home, all the kids went up the stairs. The headmaster then lit an advent candle on the chandelier high in the stairwell.

It seems that the older I become I love to revive some traditions, because this year I restored the advent ritual at home.

I found this lovely (advent)candle holder in a little shop near my hometown you can also buy at House Doctor ....

Another wonderful purchase this year is this beautiful book. I'd already seen this so many times on Pinterest and Instagram, and I'm over the moon to have a copy of my own now.
It's a naturalist's diary, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady , describing the changing seasons of the year in words and illustrations ....

Every year I try to minimise the decorations, ending in a hopeless attempt, as this is just a corner in my kitchen ....    

And again, like every year, busy making Christmas ''cards'' ....

Although red isn't really my colour, this is "a must have" in December at home ....

Meanwhile in the garden my viburnum is in full bloom, and by the looks of it, the only promise for a "white" Christmas this year ....

This time last year it was a coming and going of this one. I think by the mild weather, there's enough food in the garden. She hasn't been near the feeder and only visit my garden for a daily bath and playing hide and seek ....

But this one on the other hand can't get enough of the food in the feeder and isn't shy at all ....

As Christmas is filled with the family we've had a lovely early Christmas dinner with friends ....

After seeing this gorgeous handmade Advent lady (made by Rosie's Armoire ) on Instagram, I just couldn't resist to buy one for myself.
Not only she's so very pretty, but also reminded me I had to make haste with writing the last Christmas "cards" ....

Just like last year, we have two small Christmas trees, of which one is decorated with the old ornaments from my late mum ....

And this, slightly battered, little bird on the top looks very at home together with those on the wall ....

Not only this year has flown by but also this December, can't believe tonight it's already Christmas Eve.
About time, like every year, to share my Christmas card with you and thereby my best wishes.
This year I found the perfect model for it to display ....

Thank you so very much for joining me this past year and all your heartwarming comments.

Have a lovely Christmas Eve, a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2016!

Love Anita

~xo~

A very special Christmas greeting by a lovely messenger....

Just like every year I've been making Christmas cards to send to family and friends. Gathered with all I need around me at the dinner table the creative process usually takes off.
But this year I've never been so distracted as ever before - all by the view through my french doors into the garden.
Since a couple of weeks there's a Robin who visits my garden very frequently during the day and has never before made its appearance.

It's a lovely thing to happen after what has been quite a memorable year with a loss without a proper goodbye.
For those who follow my blog for some time now will know that I've lost my mum last May but actually lost her long before - as you can read here in a previous post ....

Because it was her Birthday recently, Christmas coming up and by some other recent events my mum was more on my mind than usual.
I think that is why I'm very sensitive to the visits of this beautiful bird and the myth that goes with it.
The story goes that when a Robin visit you often, a loved one in heaven is trying to say
"hello - I'm with you "

This is the little one ....

Not shy at all ....

Takes a bath in the pond ....

And possession of the garbage bin ....

Checking out the house facilities ....

And even doing a bit of sunbathing ....

I think after reading my post about my mum you won't be surprised why it's such a comforting thought - that little Robin that feels so very at home in my garden ....

Despite of being very fussed with making pictures (it's so very addictive) I miraculously managed to finish my cards in time so everyone luckily received theirs before Christmas.
Although I've got lovely comments on my handmade card I couldn't resist to share this cutie instead.

Wish all you lovely people a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

And let's be honest - isn't she picture-postcard ....

Have a lovely Christmas Eve! 

Anita
~xo~

A year filled with (most of all sweet) memories ....

As I write this I just finished making my Christmas cards. A relaxing pastime that can easily let your thoughts wander to the past year.

On the personal level , there were some changes and events.

Unfortunately a long friendship came to an end. Feeling sad about it but also there's the awareness that this is somehow part of life. But nevertheless something you not easily leave behind.

The lives of our sons was subject to some changes.
Our eldest son got unemployed but happily found himself a new (temporary) job. The youngest stopped (feeling very unhappy) university but eventually started (in good spirits) a new study.
And our middle son moved out .... all in all an emotional time for this mum.
Highlights were surely our family holiday to the South of France and the stay I had with my husband in West-Sussex last Spring.

But also a lot of care concerning my mother who spend a long time in hospital and now (though very fragile) fortunately a while at home.
It gives you food for thought, enjoy life and make your wishes come true.

A big wish of mine came true, because this year I started this blog. What I found scary at first gives me so much pleasure, also due to the heartwarming reactions that surprise me every time.

Considering all I look back on a good and loving year, so count my blessings.


Have this year so many shared with you I would also like to convey my best wishes to you in respect of the new year through my Christmas card this year.
This led up to ....

A large container with moss, cotton rag paper , bookbinding glue, little pearls (beads) and small bells ....

By drying the moss first, I could easily cut small wreaths ....

Then glue the wreaths on the (of the cotton paper torn to size) cards and finished with beads and the little bells ....

Thank you so much for joining me this past year and I do hope we will meet again next year.
But most of all, I want to wish you a warm and loving Christmas and a wonderful and healthy 2014!

Anita xo