Sea, Loss and Change.

Blissful sunshine is burning through my studio roof as I type. It calls for images of the sea (yes, just for a change), especially as the season for dog walking on most of the Cornish beaches is now at an end. I have no real problem with this as there are so very many other beautiful spots to walk and I quite like the marking of the seasons in this way. I also have no desire to have myself or my children scattered in sand by an over-excited dog when we are there for the day!  I do however quite like the idea of a 9 - 6pm ban which would give the best of all worlds, but this is not something that happens here. Ah well...

It feels so good to be spending longer outside, the clocks changing allowing for trips down to the beach with the children after school and time spent pootling in the garden until it becomes a bit too chilly. I am excited by the challenge of our garden this year as dogs, hens and errant ducks have turned what was once beautiful into something of a bombsite. I see opportunity all over and am torn between wanting to be out there and needing to be in here working. Work has to win of course but it's a hard won battle.

I do intend to document some of the changes of our garden on here but for now it is mostly the need for the sea that dominates today's post. The first post in a very long time actually, but I am missing blogging and hope to keep it going for as long as possible before the next lull hits!

In other news I have begun to dabble again with painting though have only achieved one so far! I have never used acrylics before and really enjoyed the dabbling. The result (unfinished I may add) is this rather Poldark-ish painting of an engine house though unfortunately minus the gorgeous Ross & the equally lovely Demelza. The colours are a little brighter than the scanned version shows. The trouble is that having left it for a while I am a bit nervous about carrying on and am tempted to start another instead!

I am drawn to some of the photos I have taken of the sea and may have a try at a seascape which is another challenge I have not attempted before.

A new design for mini bunting has kept me busy in the studio and has been pleasingly popular. I really enjoy making these little flags up and they can be personalised to suit.

Of course, while I ma busy in the studio others think they can do as they please.  I popped out to make a cuppa to find this bunch wandering around the kitchen. Five ducks and one hen rummaging around led by the ever-naughty Sunshine... that's the one looking directly at the camera.

Yes, this one!

Isabella and Dave watched Paddington the movie and followed it up with a marmalade making session. You can just see Paddington watching over them on the dresser in the background. Lovely to have a jug of coffee in bed and freshly made marmalade on toast which is pretty much what we did throughout the Easter holidays.

My lovely girlie doing a touch of sewing in my studio. Hmm, who does she take after I wonder?

I am so glad to see the back of winter. It was a hard one with two very loved people passing away leaving me feeling so lost and struggling to find my bearings again. It is still so hard but the sun does help. Tears are important too and many a walk with precious Pepper has seen me viewing the sea through blurred eyes, tissue to hand and a sopping wet dog to cuddle up with after her salty swim. I miss my Mum, I miss our Uncle and I thank the heavens for the special times spent with both. 

All this has led me to feel a need for change of some sort though I have no idea what form it should take. I need something to focus on as I come to terms with the profound sense of loss I am left with so am milling and musing, hoping something comes into my head that feels right. Perhaps it will just be as simple as altering the garden - I did take down a 20ft holly tree from the front hedge with nothing more than a fine edged saw the other day all on my own, as is my wont - or maybe it's the business that needs to alter. Maybe I need to develop it in a different way. I just don't know but I know something will guide me eventually.

In the meantime I will work on one of my other challenges which is to teach myself to do the splits. 

This is something I have never been able to do and thought that now I'm 51 (dear god, how did that happen!) it would be a good time to do it. I am almost there so on with the stretching!

I do like a challenge!

Let me know in the comments if you have planned any challenges for yourself won't you and I'll reply.

Bye for now x