Finding time…

Well, it is yet again the end of another week.  A week that just flew by in a whirl with work, work, and work.  Absolutely NO time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the simple things.  You know, when I get time to read some of the wonderful blogs out there, I am so very envious.  How I wish I had time to go off and see all the ‘junque’ shows, all the creativity and camaraderie that so many people have through blogging.  I wonder to myself  ‘will I still be working when I am 70 years old just trying to make ends meet?’  I like to think that I am a humble type, not really wanting material things from life, not fame or fortune, just a tiny slice of that pie.  That big, fat, juicy pie that some people get to eat everyday.  I feel like I am always stuck on the ‘soup and salad’ course and occasionally get to the entree - but never to dessert!  It’s time to put things into perspective I guess – time to choose exactly what it is I want from life, time for some reflection.  But maybe all I am really looking for is ‘time’.  If I ever get enough of it, I will try and figure out a way of bottling it, and I will adhere a beautiful hand written label that says ‘use wisely’.

So until I figure that out I will wish you all a happy and healthy week.

Until next time…

Catch Of The Day

Just a little image to show you what my husband is up to when I am at work all day.  And he didn’t even bring it home for dinner!

Looking Back

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my last post.  I really do appreciate any feedback and if I only knew how to respond – I would!  Another blogger thingy I have to learn….

I also want to add a HUGE thanks to  Gale over at http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/ for such helpful advise on blogging.  I am, for the first time, using Windows Live Writer to write this post and let me tell ya – easy – you have no idea! (unless you use it of course!)  Even though it took me a while to figure out how to actually get Writer in the first place it was well worth the time.  Some of the editing functions are fantastic – uploading images for one.  Pop on over to Gale’s blog for some really great tips.  Thank you so much Gale!!

Another very busy weekend, too much work and not enough rest.  But I did want to upload a few more pics of my trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as I am still on a bit of a high from it!  Did you know that there is a town named Intercourse?  On the other side of Intercourse is a town called Paradise and sandwiched in between the two – a town called Blue Balls!  I know, I know, I sound like a little kid still in school but I still get a laugh from it.  I’m sure it has nothing to do with what first comes to mind but you have to wonder….

Please double click on the images if you want to enlarge (the quality is so much better).

 

 

As always – hoping you have a wonderful week ahead!

Anji X x X

The Simple Life

I have got to stop popping off for the weekend - I mean it. I seem to spend so much time going on 'quick trips' and never get anything accomplished OR any work done. But, with the weather this past weekend in the mid eighties, clear blue skies and a September breeze, how could I pass up a trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania? Not the tourist kind of trip where you are obliged to take buggy rides and dress up in a bonnet but the kind where you get to drive around the farmland seeing acres and acres of corn, wheat and tobacco. Where Monday is wash day and the clothes drying on the line are fresh and crisp and sway gently in the breeze. Time has stood still in Lancaster, a better simpler time where children run around in bare feet, laughing and playing with their siblings. Where the only cars you see are from the tourists, where horse drawn carriages are the only means of transport and ~ where life is pure.









I felt so unbelievably humbled and privileged to be able to get these photos. It's very rare that the Amish allow this at all but I guess it was my lucky day and I was able to chat and laugh with this beautiful family, always being mindful not to outstay my welcome.

Onto a farm machinery auction! My poor husband drove me around for hours looking for real life events and boy did he hit the jackpot! Never did I realize that there would be so much choice! Not just farm equipment but hand cranked washing machines, buggy parts and office desks. I had a field day taking pictures there and no one minded - in fact they were trying to get in on the act!

We decided to stay over night in a charming little motel and then headed out Monday morning to see more of the breathtaking countryside. We were not disappointed - the weather was better than the day before and the cloud formations were unbelievable.








So now, of course, I want to be a photographer and travel the length and breadth of the states, snapping away at all of this beauty. Throw on my jeans and cowboy boots (I bought me some when I was in Nashville!), toss my equipment into the back of my truck (I actually own a chevy Aveo!) and take flight! I will have nothing to think about except my next destination and my long, blond hair (I have shoulder length brown hair) will flow like a river in the wind.
But for now I will just have to dream. Tomorrow I have the delight of sanding furniture all day, grocery shopping and laundry...but I always have my memories!

Wishing you a wonderful week everyone
XXXXXX ANJI XXXXXX

Inevitable

This is a piece of artwork I made last year for all the mum's whose children are going off to college. It is inevitable that our babies will grow up to be independent, young adults and leave our nests to venture out into the unknown. All we can do is make sure their journey is safe and let them know they are loved.
A little piece of my heart is still empty today but I will fill that hole with thoughts of seeing my son Josh in the fall.
Please feel free to take this image and use it any way you want. Double click to enlarge it and right click to save.
Hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful day!

Empty nest again!

I will eventually post some more pictures of my trip to Galax and Nashville but for now I wanted to add a few of my son Josh. He left for college in Vermont again today and it never ceases to amaze me how a little piece of my heart is broken every time he leaves. Each trip home seems shorter and shorter and I find myself wishing that he had chosen a school that was closer or never gone to college at all! I think that is the problem sometimes, only having one child, that it is so much more difficult to let go. But he arrived there safely tonight after his 9 hour drive and is happy to be back with his friends. I hope that this will be the best semester ever for him and I can't wait to see him again in the fall.
And to all you mum's out there who are feeling a little bit teary like me, just remember - you are not alone.

Hoping everyone has a great week ahead ~ Anji XxX

Since my last post I managed to finish the flooring in my family/work room (a labour of love I can tell ya!) and fitted in a road trip to Galax Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia, Nashville, Tennessee, Cave City, Kentucky, and lots and lots of highway in West Virginia! What a fascinating vacation it was. I wish we had had more time in each location but we were on limited time as my son, Josh, is back to school next week. We went to Galax last year on a whim and had so much fun that we made a vow to try and visit each and every year we are in the states. I never knew I was into bluegrass until I moved here 3 years ago! Coming from London, I had a staple diet of David Bowie and punk rock growing up and never for the life of me did I ever think I would be tapping my feet and doing a little jig to a fiddle and banjo! I even bought myself a pair of cowboy boots while we were there, so I could 'fit in', but I think my British accent gave me away! I felt right at home regardless - music just seems to have that effect on people. I must have taken a 1,000 photos but I will post just a few and hope you get a feel of what it was like there.

If anyone lives near Galax, and even if you don't (!) try and visit next year - it is so worth it.

And one more thing for now - am I the only one who cannot figure out this new template thingymijig? I have completely messed up my blog page, spent the best part of two hours trying to upload pictures and get them to stay where I want them. And forget about trying to add LARGE images - they won't fit on the page! If anyone can offer ANY guidance it will be very much appreciated.
Have a great weekend!