Saturday 31 December 2011

Looking Forward and Back

Another year has spun past and tomorrow the next opens up, all clean and new. 2011 has been full of great things, a few tricksy problems yes but nothing we couldn't cope with in the end and it's when you look back you can see best what a lot of blessings you had to count isn't it.
I've enjoyed so many things this past year, many are familiar and comforting but there were some new experiences and the joy of watching our little chaps grow bigger (a lot bigger!) and their lives and what they're interested in change and shift. So I thought I might make a list, well two actually because I can't resist a list. One looking back at some of the best things of 2011 and another looking into the year ahead and to get all excited about.

2011 highlights:
Growing in the garden - I grew much more from seed this year and it added another dimension to our little plot. Even though the summer was dreary the garden seemed full to the brim of colour.
A Cornish swim - On the last day of our holiday the sun shone all day and the north coast in the first days of September was utter paradise. While the boys demolished some ice creams I pinched one of their little body boards and had the best fun for half an hour making a prat out of myself in the waves. I handed it back then and spent ages swimming up and down watching the surfers and people enjoying a perfect summer's day back on the beach. I can still feel the water and hear the gulls and my boys laughing in the surf.
Kitchen tales - from somewhere I've learnt this year just to have a bash in the kitchen and see how it turns out and not worry so much. We've had new flavours, been a bit more adventurous and now I can't imagine how I cooked before. For the first time in years I've felt happy to have friends over for something simple to eat and a chance to catch up.
Vintage shop - I never thought I'd get around to it but I did this year and Curlew Vintage has been fantastic. Thank you everyone who's bought something, I really appreciate at it and you should hear the shouts of excitement from my house when a sale comes through!
Baving - a daft Woody phrase but I have completely got into holidaying in our little van. Tootling off to pastures new and setting up on a cheery site for a bit of exploring, cosy evenings under our blankets and tea in a tin mug adventures was fantastic.
That Wedding - oh it was such a great day. The party in my sister's street was just the business. Everything they'd hoped it to be, we had such a great time. There've been street barbeques, firework parties and all sorts since and plans for the Jubilee are coming along nicely. Ace.

For 2012:
  • The Plimps - I've got no idea why this is Woody's names for the Olympic Games but we can't wait to get down the Smoke for the cycling road race. Like everyone else we got zero tickets so this is our best chance to see it up close (and our favourite sport too) but we'll be following everything from the water polo to the shot put at home too.
  • Patio Produce - we're saying goodbye to the allotment now I'll be working full time but now we know what we love to grow I've been planning how to make the best use out of the space outside the kitchen door for beans, peas, salads, soft fruits, courgettes and lots more.
  • Eggs, eggs, eggs - our girls are very at home in the garden these days and bless them they've kept laying all winter so far and don't seem to mind being out in the rain or even snow. Very tough our girls. Easter with our own eggs will be great.
  • New family - best 'til last though...saving up all my good luck for my sister and her family who'll be welcoming a new little one at the end of next month. An auntie x2 - how great is that!
Happy, happy New Year. Hope it brings lots of lovely memories for you. Xxx

27 comments:

andamento said...

Happy New Year to you too!

Proud Mum said...

Happy New Year from SC!

Miss Holly said...

Happy New year to you and your beautiful family!!! ...you are one of my very favorite sites!!!! I am always so happy to see your posts!! The very best to you from Seaview Cottage!!

bellaboo said...

Trebarwith is very special isn't it?
Happy days in 2012! :0)

Carol said...

Happy New Year, my resolutions are to work harder in the garden.
Hope 2012 brings you health, peace and happiness.
Carol xx

Rose H (UK) said...

A happy and healthy 2012 to you and your dear family Steph!

Please may I? said...

What great lists.

Wishing you a very happy 2012.

X x

driftwood said...

happy new year Steph, hope it brings you much happiness x

two bones and a bagle said...

Happy New Year to you and yours.

silverpebble said...

A happy happy New Year to you, Steph. I've so enjoyed being a regular visitor to your blog this year. The beautiful tablecloth you sent me is on my jewellery-making table year round. It's very precious indeed.

COngratulations on your lovely vintage venture.

All best wishes for the coming twelve months xxx

KC'sCourt! said...

Happy New Year
Julie xxxxxxx

Bertie Meadows said...

Happy New Year to you.

Bertie x

Kashi said...

2011 was the year I discovered blogs and I have really enjoyed following yours. Happy New Year!

Barri-Jayne said...

Happy New Year to you and your family. I've totally enjoyed reading your blog...all the Best xx

...Nina Nixon... said...

Happy New Year Steph and sending you all the warmest of wishes for 2012 from all of us over here.

Nina xxx

Country Rabbit said...

I have realised how rewarding it is to look back through my photo files of the year...makes you see the highlights, the real good bits.
Ive so enjoyed following you here steph, your journey through country life with your little ones and home making tales- Happy new year xx

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, I hope you enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos, particularly the flower ones. I don't think I've ever found an unhappy gardener. It seems to keep us grounded (no pun intended!)

Unknown said...

A new life to look forward to is always special. I have really enjoyed following your blog this year - yours is one that inspired me to blog back in January. happy New Year to you and hope all your new year wishes come true.

Emily said...

Your photos are Beautiful. I'm so glad I found your blog, as I have been thoroughly enjoying it. I especially love the candle flame photo and those aprons . . . I could walk away with one of them and not feel badly about it, well not too badly anyway. ;)

Sarah Jones said...

Your blog is always so colourful. I love the photo of your aprons hanging up. Your comments about the garden and growing edible stuff is one of my aims too. Happy new year for 2012.

Annie said...

Happy New Year! It's lovely when you can look ahead hopefully to the joys of the year to come :D

Trudy said...

Lovely to look back over a year and acknowledge your accomplishments and joys! Wishing you a fabulous 2012.

melanie said...

Such a lovely post, happy new year, I hope you have a lovely 2012 :) xxx

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Steph, happy new year to you and your lovely family! Hugs Nicolexxx

Marina said...

Hi Steph! I've been following your wonderful blog for almost a year now and always look forward to your updates! I wish you and your lovely family a very happy 2012 xx

Anonymous said...

Wishing you an even more exciting new year!