Grateful #8 - What are you thankful for today?

This week has been really been all about love; and as a result, my grateful list is very sentimental. But isn’t it nice to have weeks like that sometimes? Where the whole world seems to be in a cocoon of care and kindness? 

(This prologue also serves as a kind of warning…)

  

This week I’m very grateful for:

Fireplaces. It’s getting really chilly here at night; so socks and flannel pyjamas to bed, lots of comfy quilts, and hearty winter warming food are a staple in our house. And this week, we added to the winter list by lighting the fire for the first time. The first night we lit it, I’d gone out for a walk with a friend - our whole street was hazy with the smoke from neighbour’s fireplaces. But it was lovely to walk into a warm room after the cold and wind of the night, to a blazing fire, the dog stretched out snoring in front of it, and a hot cup of tea. I just love my fireplace.

Dear friends. It’s been a week of new beginnings – wonderful friends of ours had their first baby, a beautiful, precious, little girl; another couple we love to distraction have just found out that they have to move away – but it’ll be a real family adventure. Kim and Mum, my dearest and most beloved friends of all, have allowed me to explore a secret dream by buying me the most wonderful gift, a tool to help see it come to fruition. Their generosity has set my feet on a new path, a brand shiny-new beginning.

This week has made me sit back and marvel at how blessed we are to have the friendships we do; we’re surrounded by the most wonderful, lovingly kind-hearted people, and we’re so fortunate to be a part of their lives – to be able to share these new beginnings with them. So, very grateful for dear friends.

Print available from Lola's Room on Etsy

Love letters. Because I’ve had such a loved-up week, I started writing little notes and leaving them around the house. Have you ever done that? It’s such a lovely thing to see the people you care about the most know that they’re much-loved and so appreciated. And it’s made me smile to think of little things that I’m so grateful for daily, right under my very own roof.

What are you grateful for this week?

Nat

Ps. Want to play too? Link your list back to the delightful Maxabella Loves, or you can leave your grateful list in the comment section below x



Dear Me...

Image found at We Heart It

If you were to write a letter to your 16 year old self, what would you say?

This was the first sentence I read in a book that caught my eye in a bookstore a little while ago.  It was a collection of letters by famous people - not to family or friends - but to themselves at the age of 16. 

I thought that it was such an interesting idea; and, after reading a bit, thought the things that they told themselves were absolutely priceless! One said not to bother with diets; another warned of the dangers of the partying lifestyle; another advised themselves not to hate the world, or parents; and yet another (famous entertainer) told their younger self to listen to their mother and keep taking piano lessons.  And it’s been something that I have thought about ever since. 

Here's what I'd say to a 16 year old me:

Dear past Kim,

Life can be really hard but it will get better.
I know you don’t have any idea what you want to do with your life but just follow the things that make you happy.
Treasure all the time you spend with your family – especially your grandmother.
You will make a friend who you can tell all your secrets to, and it will be a friendship to keep all your days.
Don’t let yourself get too busy - take the time to laugh and enjoy all those funny little moments.
Learn to live past your regrets.
Food is not your enemy – just eat all things in moderation (except dairy – dairy might be you enemy)

Your mum is making lots of sacrifices for you – remember to be thankful and not take those things for granted.
Someday soon you and your sister will be really good friends – it’s lovely.
Being a tomboy is alright, but it’s ok to pierce your ears and wear dresses too.
Suspenders will give you a wedgie – I know you think they’re cool but they’re actually uncomfortable.  Don’t go there!
And finally, you’re a good kid – don’t be so hard on yourself!

Love, future Kim

What would you say to your younger self, having the privilege of hindsight and life experience?

Kim

Wait a minute, Mr. Postman!

Vintage postcards from my own personal collection - aren't they beautiful?

I really love getting letters in the mail, but isn’t it becoming a lost art?

With email, twitter, facebook, texting, and other forms of social media leading the way, the humble letter seems to have taken a back seat in terms of the preferred way to communicate.

I think I’d like to change this; well, within the way I personally communicate with the people I love. How much nicer would it be to flick through a pile of wretched bills and piles of junk mail to find a beautiful hand written letter on delicate paper, maybe a recent photo of a beautiful day out slipped inside? Or to find an invitation to afternoon tea or dinner at a friends’ house, written into a sweet handmade note card?

I think I’ll start today.

Luckily, I’ve got plenty of beautiful Quill & Ink cards to choose from…

Nat