15 October 2014

Positivity










If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

This year, I'm going to make a concerted effort to approach winter with positivity.  It's true, I'm not its biggest fan but, to be honest, there's nothing I can do to change the fact that the days are getting shorter, the weather colder and the landscape more stark.

It strikes me that this is the perfect time of year to set a few personal challenges and tackle some projects.  I've just started to go swimming twice a week.  I'm desperate to sort out my thousands of photographs.  I'd really like to improve my knitting.  I've resolved to set aside an entire day every couple of weeks to cook meals for the freezer.  And so it continues; like a sort of autumn/winter bucket list I suppose.

In the meantime, I'm focussing on the good things the season has to offer ...

1. Being Outside.  D and I went for an early morning walk with Bertie on Sunday.  It was mellow and misty.  Quite beautiful.  I had taken my camera with me which always makes me look around with a keener eye.

2.  Handmade Woollies.  Goodness it was chilly though.  I had rather cleverly grabbed my Miss Piggy Ponchette to wrap around my neck but, not so cleverly, forgotten to take anything for my hands.  (There's an irony there - I probably own more wrist warmers more than anybody!)  I thoroughly enjoyed that walk.

3.  Being Inside.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting back home too.  Being enveloped in its colourful and cosy warmth, kicking my boots off and switching the kettle on.

4.  Cooking.  The rest of the day unwound quite gently.  D made a Chocolate Guinness Cake and I roasted some golden beetroot to go with a herby pesto pasta.  I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of kale in my vegetable box.  I just love the stuff.

5.  Cosy Time.  There's far less of a desire or obligation to get out and about in the autumn and winter.  I spent the afternoon pottering and crocheting.  A relaxing bath and clean pyjamas at 4pm in the summer?  Never.  In the autumn?  Don't mind if I do.  So I did.

To be continued ..//

xxx

25 comments:

  1. Wholeheartedly agree, winter sucks but jammies on at 4pm is a definite bonus :)
    Your photos are really lovely, so much gorgeous colour :)
    I followed the link to your Miss Piggy Ponchette - it is fab :) Ponchette, what a great word :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Jill. Isn't it just? I'd seen the term 'ponchette' somewhere on the web some time ago and subconsciously collected it for future use, I love it! x

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  2. Couldn't agree more!! Beautifully written post! I too am not a fan of the colder weather and always feel guilty for not making the most of it. This post have given me inspiration for my next blog post! Thank you! X

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  3. That's the spirit !!
    Just by changing my "mindset", I turned from an autumn-and-winter-hater into a big fan of shorter & colder days... Like you say, you cannot change the weather, but you can change the way you think about it ! And it's a lot easier accepting & making the best of it, rather than lamenting all the time...

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    1. You're a wise woman Ingrid! I have to say, this positive thinking does seem to be working so far, I'm feeling quite optimistic! x

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  4. By a coincidence I was saying to my D that I need to get myself organised and cosy up the house. I've dug out the extra quilt, we have one of those that you fasten together to get the full winter warmth. I have also managed to find a more autumnal oil for my burners, it doesn't seem right to have fresh cotton or green tea on these dark-never quite light days. We were also looking at door-curtains online last night as we have doors that look nice but that have a big gap on the ones that go into an even more drafty room-tonight I'm going to set up some sort of Heath Robinson contraption to hang in front of the gap I think!
    Enjoy the new season and be well x

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  5. Ooh just spotted something, is that rainbow chard? How do you cook it-I've grown some-nowhere near as magnificent as that but I don't even know what it tastes like...

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, it's swiss chard (may well be known as rainbow chard, I'm not sure). It's lovely - sort of like a milder and more sturdy spinach. Doesn't taste quite as earthy. I chopped it and sautéed it in extra virgin olive oil with garlic, a little chilli, cherry tomatoes and almonds and stirred through pasta. It was really yummy. The only improvement I could make, I decided, was adding a little diced bacon (sorry if you're a veggie!). Basically, treat it like spinach - it wilts quite quickly after a quick shallow fry. I have actually made a pesto from it before too. x

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  6. Your photos are lovely! And you are so right, as well. There are a lot of nice things in autumn, definitely but I DO prefer warm weather, breezy dresses and flip-flops, as well. But as I have to accept autumn and winter I just like hot tea, an open fire and some nice crochet work. Have a cosy evening, Viola

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  7. Oh my, just loving your Autumnal images. I like that quote too. I'm mega frustrated at the moment. I'm having to cram a weeks worth of my own family stuff into just one day, and spend the rest of the week doing stuff for others. As a result I'm seriously behind with everything and have NO time for anything creative. I realise that I have to change the way I'm viewing things, otherwise I'll go crazy. Whilst I am not liking grey and rain, I'm loving the autumnal misty mornings.....They. Are. Perfect.

    I'm taking inspiration from your positivity xxxxxxxxxx

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    1. I so know the feeling V and do sympathise. Sometimes 'stuff' bulldozes its way into our lives and we have no choice but to abandon our normal routine. I hope it passes soon, in a good way, and you get your balance back. Don't neglect yourself though, love. xxx

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  8. Glass half full, never half empty ! I can feel those positive vibes radiating all the way down to Wiltshire.
    Big positive hugs,
    Kate xx

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  9. I'm not a fan of winter either but like you this year in May (I'm in Australia) I made a decision to make the best of winter in what ever way I could and you know what, winter was o.k. It was still cold, dark and rainy but it was made better by making plans, having goals and starting projects. I hope you continue to enjoy what the seasons have to offer you, your photos are gorgeous.
    Anne xx

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  10. I think this is a great attitude. I can usually find something to love about every season, even the ones I don't love uniformly.

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  11. Hi Heather, I love all your photographs especially the chocolate Guinness cake (oh yum) and the chucky egg looked very appertising too. PJ's by 4 definitely..... it's just a bit of a bugger when one of your neighbours decides to knock on the door.

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  12. Good plan! Especially in this country, Autumn and Winter loving is a real plus. I'm really coming round to Autumn these days, winter is harder work though! ;)

    S x

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  13. I like all the five things you wrote about in the positivities of the season - but I have to say my favourite is number 5 - there's nothing better in my opinion than a lovely bath and clean PJ's and in these seasons there's no guilt!! J9 x

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  14. Heather, you really can take a very good photograph! take care, Sam xxx

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  15. Gorgeous post lovely Heather. There are lots of things I love about the change of seasons but I especially love getting into my pj's early in the day! I cook meals for the freezer once every few weeks too and it helps me out no end in the long run!
    Marianne x

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  16. beautiful photos... and I abolutely adore your blog!!

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  17. Wonderful positive things and a great way to try and approach life and changing times! I try and look for little scraps of silver linings in all sorts of things, and although it isn't always possible, there is often something that you can take away as a good thing so I try and think of those bits if I can. You are right about the bath and PJ's, what a lovely idea!! xx

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  18. Oh I love inside cosy time and pyjamas too, wonderful. And I desperately need to get a grip of all my photos as well. The bigger the job becomes, the more I put it off.

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  19. Sounds like you have firmly placed your flip flops to the back of the wardrobe Heather, and are ready to snuggle up in Pjs with your crochet hook! Once we're well into Autumn I too am ready to be positive about it, and there is so much to enjoy this time of year. Good food for one! You had me drooling at the cake!
    Autumn to me is being to snuggle on the sofa early in the evening with a cosy blanket, the dog on my lap, a good book, crochet or a good film. And a slice of your hubbys cake would be good!
    Gill xx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Anyone ever told you that you're a peach? xx

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