Flamingos

It's snowed recently where I live, but it's not 'good snow'. It hasn't settled. Instead of the sky placing a white blanket over the world, it appears to have cut up a dirty sheet over my neighbourhood.  Even early this morning, I hardly recognised the snow for when I looked out of window, I was greeted with what looked like an immense dusting of grey on the landscape.

I generally prefer winter to the heady days of summer, but this year I've found incredibly dull, and I long for brighter days and warmer climes.  So, just to lift my spirits, I'm going out to find something flamingo pink.  Not necessarily to buy it, but to infuse my life with colour. A colour that is soft and inviting, one that doesn't shout loudly or sit quietly in a corner.  I'm looking for a colour that's assertive without being dominant, but calming without losing its charm.

February can be a difficult month. There should be more daylight than in the previous months. But light reluctantly enters our world at around 7:00am, although it still seems dark, and hurriedly exits at around 2:00 in the afternoon. It's also a month of ice, sleet, and snow, which sometimes becomes a slushy mess.  And to make is worse  Valentines is only a few days away, and the shops are chaotic with Christmas reds.  But the boldness of the Valentine season serves only to accentuate the bland days and indifferent nights of late winter. 

I recently found this beautiful picture of flamingos that I took a few years ago.  I recall the sea of coral that I witnessed when I saw these beautiful birds and the great desire I had to ensure that I captured the moment.  And I believe that I was inspired to take this picture so I cheer myself on dull February days.

TIP OF THE DAY

Take lots of pictures of everyday life during the different seasons as you'll never know when a picture will be there to cheer you up.

Happy Homemaking!

LIFE

Time Out...

You will probably have noticed that I've not posted for a few days.  It's called Life.  Last week, Life handed me a full plate of eye and head pains and demanded that I sit and devour every morsel.  By the end of the 'meal' that lasted several days, I feel 'sick', really unwell. My head is too big for body, my right eye is constantly tearing and feels as heavy as lead.  So, I'm not coping as I should.  Little else than the essentials are getting done and my best efforts to be a freelance writer and contemporary homemaker are under attack.

All of those lovely platitudes spring to mind - when life gives you lemons, made lemonade. The truth is I don't have the energy to make lemonade and there is no's sugar anywhere to be found.  So, I have decided that the best thing that I can do is to allow the illness to run its course and accept the dishes that Life hands to me.  Now, I'm not saying that I like doing this, but I believe that I need to stop fighting my instincts to 'get up and get on' and let my body heal.

Life often comes around and disrupts our daily schedules.  While we can organise, structure and plan, ensure that our diaries are updated regularly, when Life unexpectedly arrives, sometimes we have no choice but to take what's on offer. And that means a disrupted schedule, often an unkempt appearance and a home that's more about comfort than class.  

And that's alright.  That's fine, if you don't cope for a while, because you are human and you have a right to timeout while your body is healing. As a Contemporary Homemaker there will be days that you will not look or feel at your best.  You may work outside the home and have a job where sick leave, except for life-threatening ailments, is not an option.  Of you may have a part-time position and you need the money in order to 'make ends meet'.  And then there are those of us whose main base is our home.  This means that we either work from home as a contractor or we are the primary manager of the household. Whatever your circumstances, you may find it challenging to get some time for yourself to heal.  

TIP OF THE DAY

Be honest with people about how you are feeling.  Don't just sit in silence allow yourself to wither away. This doesn't mean that you have to brag about your illness, just be realistic about the limitations that you currently face.  Inform family, friends and even colleagues, especially your boss, of the challenges that you are facing, especially, if you, like me, have a long term condition.  It may be possible for your organisation to make 'reasonable adjustments' to accommodate you, but this won't happen if you simply don't take time out to let them know. And remember, illness doesn't define you, but what does ultimately change the way you respond to challenges, even if for a short time.  So be kind to yourself, take time out and ask for your help, when needed.  

Happy Homemaking!

YOU TURN MY WORLD MISTY BLUE

Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Cufflinks with Genuine Turquoise Marble

Today, is BLUE MONDAY.  Apparently, it's the day when we feel the most sad, depressed and unhappy.  It's the day believe we are 'poor' after Christmas spending, we shiver with the freezing temperatures outside and the weather has caused travel chaos in parts of the country due to ice, sleet and snow - last night been one of the coldest in the past three years.  And most of us have had a definite drop in our motivation due to the cold and continued darkness.   

Some believe that the concept of 'Blue Monday' was created by a travel company as an advertising strategy based on junk science.  The date was apparently picked by a man called Cliff Arnall after he created a scientific formula, based on the time of year, our spending habits, lack of sunlight etc.

If you're like me, the last few days have been a little overwhelming to say the least.  Although there it's been warm inside, I have felt full of the cold and flu and I have a persistent sore throat.  The sleet on my car doesn't appear to want to melt, and I drinking hot brews all day long.  

So, what can we do to make BLUE MONDAY a little less blue? What can you do apart from have an early night, sit in a warm bath or warm yourself in a blanket and watch a weepy movie?  Why not take up a hobby!  A few years ago after a bout of illness, I took up jewellery making, specialising in sterling silver and genuine gemstones.  It was fiddly and I needed bucketfuls of patience, but it also gave me a great amount of pleasure when the pieces were completed along with some much needed extra money. 

TIP OF THE DAY

Think of a hobby that you would like to take up and do some research into it. Crafting or creative activities are always very rewarding, and most can be done from the comfort of your home.  A hobby will brighten your evening and will help to make those long, dark hours more bearable.

Enjoy!

Happy Homemaking!

HEALTH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Before I start, I'm writing a disclaimer. I am not a health professional and never will be. But I do know what it is to be sick and it's so important that we try to keep ourselves healthy at this time of year. There are so many viruses around and its a common fact that eating lots of of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet will help you to steer clear of those 'nasties'. 

Now, that sounds quiet easy.  It slips off the tongue like syrup, but it can be much harder to actually do.  And for all the recipe books that promote healthy living, accompanied by glossy pictures, it's still really hard to eat fruit and vegetables when you have cakes and pies and pastries, especially with children.

One of the ways that I have found of having my 'five a day' recommended by the government, is making smoothies.  With smoothies, I can blend fruit and vegetables and consume them in their best form, raw.  You can also have a delicious, nutritious smoothie for breakfast as a replacement meal.  If you are looking for one I would try the Kenwood Smoothie Maker.  It's quite neat and compact and it's under £20.00.  I purchased this one myself, because I wasn't sure if I would like making smoothies or if I would be able to be consistent, but actually because it's so easy to  use so that I make smoothies almost everyday.

TIP OF THE DAY

Why not try this smoothie recipe that we created this morning:

Tuesday Blend

2 bananas
1 persimmon (sharon fruit)
1 large handful of prepared kale (
1 small glass of apple juice (preferably 'not from concentrate')

Method

Remove the skin from the bananas and chop into small pieces. Wash the persimmon, cut into around 10 pieces. Wash the kale and place the fruit and vegetables into the smoothie maker.  Last, add the apple juice.  

Blend together for 20 - 30 seconds in the smoothie maker.  Serve with crushed ice.

Enjoy.

Happy homemaking!

SIT BACK AND STARE OUT

I spent a wonderful week in Wales last summer.  We rented a barn with my 'sister' and her family and we had the 'best time ever'.  One of the best things about the break was the lovely church pew that sat in the slate-floor bedroom corridor. While seated you were able not only able to see the garden immediately behind the barn, but there was awesome views of the sea.  I sat on the bench for at least a few minutes everyday and watch the waves crash against the rugged coastline.  It was awesome. 

You're probably really relieved that you have a few days away from the grind of working life to spend some time relaxing.  Do something that takes your mind away from the paperwork, lesson plans, client reports, etc. 

TIP OF THE DAY

Find a special spot in your home where you can see some greenery.  Spend at least a few minutes in that space.  Alternatively, buy yourself a small plant and bring nature into your home. 

This is short today, because you need to go and relax...

Enjoy the weekend.  Happy Homemaking!

THE POWER OF THREE (3)

 

 

 

Returning to work after a break can often feel like that you are ship that is in dry dock.  The smooth or even rough waters of your time away are often preferable for the drudgery of your working life at the beginning of the New Year.  And so you get up when it's dark, and cold and miserable and you return home to the same.  There are days that you hardly see any kind of daylight because you've worked through your lunch break.  So you return home stressed, tired, and hungry wondering why work?  Your question is answered when you see the large pile of bills that the postman has very kindly delivered and you sigh, groan, but know that today's pattern will be repeated tomorrow. 

 

But work doesn't have to be drudgery. It doesn't have to dull and unexciting, but it needs to work that fulfil your ultimate purpose in life.  Oh dear!  I've probably touched a nerve and if I have let me apologise, but also allow me to see if I can help you.

 

Work dictates our life. According to Madeleine Bunting, 'For many people it's not so much the time they spend at work, as the effort required while they are there (work).  They complain of being rushed off their feet, of always having more work to do than time to do it in, and of there never being enough people to get the job done' - page 28, Willing Slaves: How the overwork culture is ruling our lives (Harper Perennial, London, 2005). And Max Lucado, New York Times Best-selling author backs that up by stating that '70 percent of us go to work without much enthusiasm or passion' - page 15, Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot (Thomas Wilson, Tennessee, 2005),

 

So, how do you manage your work life so that you gain maximum benefit without being feeling totally overwhelmed.  Simple - find out your purpose, find that 'sweet spot'.  According to Lucado, it is that work that best tells your S.T.O.R.Y.  This story is your strengths, topics that stimulate you, optimal conditions, relationships and something that gives you that yes feeling.

 

Spend a few moments this evening thinking about your S.T.O.R.Y.  Make a list of the elements of your story.

 

Strengths

 

How you get things done using your unique gifts.  The verbs you use to describe your activities reveal these strengths.

 

Topics

 

You feel completely absorbed when you get involved in this, whatever it is - be it a person, a group, a care, a concept, food, music, fabric, furniture, or anything else.  The nouns you use in your story reveal your topic.

 

Optimal conditions

 

Some people work best under pressure, some need challenges, some like structure, some like an audience.  What triggers you, gets you started, sustains your drive, defines the tasks, and provides the setting to feel highly motivated to effectively accomplish the task is part of your optimal conditions.

 

Relationships

 

What kind of role and relationship to others you seek in doing your tasks.

 

Yes

 

You achieve this joyous affirmation when you fulfil the purpose for which you were designed.  At that moment your sweet spot experience tastes ever so sweet.

(taken from the Sweet Spot Discovery Guide by People Management International, Inc and Steve Halliday)

 

TIP OF THE DAY

 

Spend some time reflecting, what job would you even if you weren't getting paid to do it?

 

Happy Homemaking!

 

 

 

 



 

THE POWER OF THREE (2)

The Wedding Cake

Imagine your world without some kind of family life.  Not a pretty thought.  Most of us understand the basics of what family life is about.  And when we talk about work/life balance, we really mean, work life versus family life.  Work shouldn't be in competition with family life. You,your family life and work should all be in balance, but sometimes that is easier said than done.

Family life is different for everyone.  If you're young and single, you still have family, but it parents and siblings.  You may have your own family, a partner or husband and children.  You may be a grandparent or on the verge of retirement, but it's likely that you have some family somewhere, even if it's a distant cousin, somewhere.  And for many of us, we have friends that are closer to us than our blood relatives and who we might even prefer over our own families, if given a choice.

The idea of the traditional family has been replaced by the notion of 'blended families' which often include step, adopted or foster children which all come with their own challenges, but are still family.

So, whether, single or attached, married, divorced, widowed, young or old, we all belong to a family and have responsibilities.  And these responsibilities can overtake your life.  Family is time-consuming, and needs to be managed accordingly. Never under-estimate the value of spending time with those close to you, it will always pay dividends.

But sometimes you could almost tear your hair out dealing with family.  Sports and music clubs, homework, hobbies are all very timely and at times costly.  I recall helping my daughter to make a cake for her RE homework depicting items from the story of Creation.  All those sugar flowers, fruit and animals along with the cake mix cost nearly £20.00.  I couldn't believe it!  And to make matters so much worse, she agreed to make another one the next day for all of her friends.  So, I had a late night making the cake, ensuring that the icing hardened with another set of very expensive decorations. Another £20.00. 

Your family may also consist of aging parents for which you have a responsibility and for who you need to make time.  This might mean numerous doctor and hospital visits and home care and residential care, if appropriate.  

If you are a  grandmother, you might need to adjust your day in order to pick up your grandchildren from school.  Whatever your circumstances, family life should be prized and valued.

Over the next few weeks we will go into greater detail of how to effectively manage family life, but for now:

TIP OF THE DAY

If you can afford it, get some hired help.  You might find that the cost of a cleaner for two hours a week, just takes that pressure off you to clean, dust and vacuum.  Or you may want to send the essential items of clothing to a reputable laundry to be ironed as it's such a time consuming activity.  Even if you can't afford it weekly, consider help once or twice a month for a few hours.  It's worth it!