One Sparkly Life

Hi all, It's such a great feeling to know that I have a place to to put my thoughts. Whether anyone reads them, or takes them on board, isn't really the point. It's about a safe place to download and share. The good, the bad, the exciting and the ugly. While those close to me will know that the last 12 months have been tough and the last 6 more so, others will probably not have noticed a change in the business as usual version of me.  (aside from a lack of posting anything). Up until recently, I prided myself on that. On projecting that veneer to the world that everything is ok. But honestly inside I am sad. And it made me realise that we put on this veneer, this mask as if being the real version of ourselves would not be liked and accepted. That people would shun us and think less of us for showing our really feelings and our real lives. In this day of social media and the desire to share the best bits of our lives with everyone (those we know and those we don...

Oh what fun. I had forgotten how much fun it was to flick back through my photos from the month and capture the ones that brought back great memories and points in my month. So here goes with some highlights from November. The month that saw me resign from my job and captures the first 4 weeks of unwinding and finding myself under the stress. A happy end to my final day in the office Brunch with my Mum at our favourite spot in the west   Planting some more tomatoes and basil ready for summer Relaxing in the sun in the backyard   Orange Butterfly Cupcake with Lemon Mascarpone Frosting  Rocking the early morning baseball look A feast fit for two ladies as we devour the new Gilmore Girls Revival Mini Choc Chip Cookies - Yumm I hope your November was as wonderful. Bring on December, the silly season and summer! xxx

And life throws some curveballs and interesting surprises for everyone. No apologies or excuses here, just a tumultuous time recently. Some good, some brilliant and some just down right heartbreaking. After a few false starts (mainly technological - What is going on with the Blogger App??), I felt the urge to write. Not to share anything in particular, but just a need to reacquaint myself with my inner voice and let it run free. So today is just an opening of the heart and mind. A chance to let some of those inner thoughts run free and see what comes out.  It seems that life is always throwing something else at you. Since I last stopped by to share my thoughts ( July last year  can you believe?) the following have happened: I've moved house We began a tough journey (that still isn't complete) I've loved and felt real love I've lost I resigned from my job (recently) I have seen a great friend get married in Italy I have baked (a lot) I have masted the art...

A belated post wrapping up the year that was 2014. I mentioned it a little previously that 2014 started well but July to Dec was a pretty challenging time for me and my family all round. From work pressure and family grief by the time 31 Dec rolled around I was more than happy to say goodbye. On reflection there were some happy points but the last 6 months have been one big stress. I learned a lot about myself, my colleagues, my family and my friends along the way. I learnt to listen to my inner voice and trust myself.  I also learnt that your true friends will be there for you through these times and that some people have their own agenda and will step on anyone in their way. That was a hard lesson for me to learn as I trust people and believe in their good nature all the time. I am by no means "pollyanna" about things but I do believe that people are inherently good and not evil. This last year has shown me evil side of human nature. A side of some people I never thought ...

Happy New Year! Here's hoping you all had a fabulous start to 2015 and said goodbye to last year in a way that made sense to you. Before the posts about reviewing goals and and making new ones, I thought I would squeeze in a review of what my December looked it. Or at leaf the part that ended up in photos. A snapshot of the month that that was for you. Inspiration - Blanc de Blanc - White Dinner in Paris The Xmas Tree this year Summer sunsets on the balcony Homemade Honeycomb & Chocolate IceCream The drinks table at our holiday drinks Brunch - my favourite meal of the day Xmas baking - Choc & Cranberry Panforte Nan's recipe Lemon Curd Quick & Easy Raspberry Jam The finished gingerbread people ready for Xmas Xmas hampers for 2014 Fruit Mince pies The post Xmas lunch food coma Discovering Nan's original UK recipes The last sunset of 2014 Happy New Year from the balcony. I...