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Gratefully Grateful 12

This week my Gratefully Grateful post is all about two little people in my life who just turned 12 years old (so it’s fitting that today is also my 12th post in this series too!). My twin daughters may be heading into their difficult tween/teen years but they are still the sweetest, most caring, most generous, most enthusiastic and loving kids a mama could hope for. And surprisingly enough they still think I’m the coolest person on earth so obviously I’m pretty happy about that as well.

It seems like yesterday that we brought them home from the hospital and they were so tiny that they actually fit in my husband’s shoe. And now I look at these tall thin lanky gazelles of girls and I realise that that cliché saying about your kid’s childhood flying by turns out to be shockingly true. Where did those curly headed, chubby, chattering little cherubs go? Excuse me while I go weep into my pillow.

Over these years I’ve loved seeing my daughters grow up side by side. They have so much love and respect for one another and, most importantly, have so much fun together (the constant giggling over the years is my proof). Their mutual strengths and weaknesses compliment one another and they would stand up and protect each other to the bitter end (believe me, I’ve seen it!).

I can’t wait to see what new things and experiences are in store for my girls this year. In any case, I know it’s going to be great.

This week I’m grateful for…

…the fact my daughters still wear their mama-made birthday crowns with pride. I’ve already warned them that I will be making these for them until they have 12 year olds of their own (and that I expect to be sent a photo of them wearing them).

…my garden full of beautiful blooms and blossoms. And the fact that they make the best decorations for a two-tier chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. …long distant birthday phone calls from loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends.…the giggles. Oh the giggles! They keep this house alive and happy.

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*, *10*, *11*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Comments 23 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Gratefully Grateful 10

16 Mar

Spring has definitely sprung here in Italy. There are blooms and blossoms in every shade of just about every colour as far as the eye can see. Bright yellow forsythia bushes, magnolia trees with massive paper white blossoms, lemon yellow daffodil flowers, dusty pink cherry blossoms, fuchsia camellia bushes and soft violet crocus flowers that the cover lawns and fields of grass. It’s totally worth the itchy watery eyes and constant sneezing that started last week and will most likely continue for the next few months. Being a lover of colour makes Spring my favourite season of the year. Thank goodness for antihistamines.

This week I’m grateful for…

…these delicate pink Camellia flowers in my friend and neighbour’s yard. I look forward to seeing them every spring.

…getting to celebrate the Danish Fastelavn (Carnival) with friends. Although I don’t want to think about those poor live cats that they used to put in the barrel years ago.
…online art courses that my daughters can enjoy in between the hours and hours of homework and studying that they have to do every single day of their little lives.

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*

Tags: daily life, family, fastelavn, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography, spring flowers

Comments 19 Comments
Categories daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography, Uncategorized

Gratefully Grateful 9

9 Mar

It was another great week with sunny beautiful weather. I managed to finish up some fun sewing projects. I introduced the Days For Girls project at a local Women’s Day event and received lots of interest and support. I went fabric shopping with some of my favourite fellow sewers and ended finding some really gorgeous materials. I spent the week-end catching up with an old friend and his sweet kids (and laughing a lot). I got to eat my favourite garlicky pizza at our local pizzeria. And I actually ticked a lot of items off my to-do list. Nice.

I’m grateful for…

…sunny days in my living-room.

…my daughter’s washi art projects to be found around the house.

…the fact my kids still want me to wipe the sand off their feet after a day at the beach.

Wishing you all a great week ahead.

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, italy, photo series, photography

Comments 19 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, italia, Living in Italy, photography

Gratefully Gratefully 8

2 Mar

We’re just back from an amazing week in Morocco. We spent time hiking in the mountains, eating the most delicious Moroccan meals, visiting ancient Kasbahs, driving through the ever-changing mountainous landscapes, speaking French, building sandcastles on the beach and even surfing. It was a full week to say the least. And even arriving back in a freezing cold and rainy Italy at midnight didn’t dampen our high spirits. Many family memories were made that will last a lifetime. And obviously for that I’m extremely grateful. As you’ll see, my grateful post is pretty Morocco inspired this week.

I’m grateful for…

…Moroccan olives. I miss them already

…this neighbourhood outside of Agadir with painted trees in bright and cheerful colours and patterns.

…Mint Tea. We drank it daily and even brought home a few bundles of fresh Moroccan mint and a new teapot to make some ourselves.

I wish you all a lovely week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, morocco, photography

Comments 29 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, gratefullygrateful, photography

Gratefully Grateful 6

14 Feb

This has been a particularily strange week. Besides the schizophrenic weather (one day gloriously sunny and the next with torrential winds and rain) things have just been a little wonky this week. On Monday a little 6 year old girl at my kid’s tennis club kept asking me if I was her father’s girlfriend (and refused to believe me when I said no). On Wednesday I received an indecent proposal (and I mean INDECENT) from an 80 year old man who lives down the street from me. On Thursday I accidentally ate three lunches (oops). And today my pilates teacher played only Christmas music during the entire one hour lesson. Was there by chance a full moon the last few days?

But luckily in between all the weirdness there was lots of beauty and happiness.

This week I’m grateful for…

… this bounty of green vitamin K packed vegetables that I picked up at the market this week. Look how gorgeous that Romanesco Broccoli is!

… these colourful little scenes that I come across so many times a day. I didn’t even mind that her sneakers were on the bureau and not in the shoe rack like they were supposed to be.… the fact that my kids get to grow up having the kindest, calmest and most generous and loving father around (sorry for the sappiness but it is Valentine’s Day after all!).

Have a great week-end everyone!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful 2014, gratefully grateful. photography, italy, life in italy

Comments 25 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, grateful, gratefully grateful, gratefullygrateful, italia, Living in Italia, Living in Italy

Gratefully Grateful 5

7 Feb

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are in the world but here in Northern Italy we have had a pretty long stretch of grey and rainy days. Luckily in the middle of it all we had one glorious day of full sun and bright blue skies that helped keep everyone’s spirits (relatively) high. In all the years that we have lived here this has to be the most bizarre winter in terms of weather. We actually haven’t yet experienced any real winter temperatures or conditions this year. For me it’s absolutely fine. For my kids, not so much. They are praying every day for snow and I hope for their sake we have at least one good storm where the snow stays on the ground for more than a few hours. But despite the grey skies and rain (and a mild case of the flu) there have been lots to be happy about this week.

This week I am grateful for…

…that one glorious day of sun we had this week. Seriously, it recharged my battery and gave me some much needed energy.…our upcoming trip to Morocco and the fact I’ll be able to pick up a new pair of colourful slippers to add to our collection…a lovely walk along the lake with one of my daughters. And this very curious goose who decided to join us. Check out those gorgeous mountain views in the background!

Enjoy your week-end everyone!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*

Tags: daily life, grateful, gratefully grateful, happy, photography, positive

Comments 30 Comments
Categories daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, gratefullygrateful

Gratefully Grateful 4

31 Jan

Oh this Gratefully Grateful series is working wonders for my psyche. I spend my days really looking for things that I’m grateful for and that make me feel good and positive and all warm and fuzzy inside. I often find myself making mental notes of beautiful things that I see, kind people I spend time with, new things learned and ways that I can possibly change my life and my family’s for the better. Guys, I have become Pollyanna and I am so happy about it! Yeah, there are still those difficult and stressful moments but I let them pass quickly and get on with the good parts of my life. And I’ll be honest about the fact that I am so fortunate to have so much good in my life. I know not everyone does.

This week I am grateful for…

…the fact that my daughter has no fear of bright colours and patterns and mixing the two as she pleases. Even if she ends up looking different than anyone else around.

…our new family hobby geocaching and how it has made our week-ends so much more fun. Check out our homemade ‘calling cards’ that we leave in the caches we find (and our corny tag-line too!).…that I won a space in Xanthe Berkeley‘s online course Creating Time Capsules. I’ve been eyeing this course for ages and still can’t believe that I WON SOMETHING! Many thanks to Xanthe (who is one of my favourite photographers).

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*

I’d love to hear what you’re grateful for this week.

Enjoy your week-end!

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, kids, photography

Comments 25 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, gratefullygrateful, italia, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography

Handmade Winter

30 Jan

It’s a cold and rainy day here in Northern Italy. We had a very much anticipated snowstorm last night that had lots of local school kids crossing their fingers in their sleep for a day off school. Unfortunately the snow turned to rain and the school buses left at their usual time. There were quite a few disappointed kids heading to school this morning.

After months of mild and sunny days I have to get used to these lower temperatures and the need to wear scarves and winter coats. In general I’m not a huge fan of the cold but I do love these chilly days where I get to hole up in my house with the fireplace on and putter around keeping myself busy sewing, baking and crafting. I know the novelty will wear off pretty quickly so indulge me while I wax on about my love for these wintery days.

Today I wanted to tell you all about a great way that you can keep positive, creative, warm and busy through whatever kind of winter you’re experiencing.

A few months ago some very talented artists, designers, bloggers, mothers and overall amazing ladies put together an incredible e-book called Handmade Winter with over 50 winter-inspired crafts, activities, recipes, entertaining ideas and more. They’ve included everything from how to brew the perfect cup of tea to a maxi-skirt sewing tutorial to instructions on how to make yourself a leather and chain chevron necklace. One of my favourite things about this book is the variation it offers. There is something for everyone (husbands and kids included).

This book will help us all get through these long cold wintery months (especially thanks to the Warm Masala Chai recipe found on page 25/26!).

Handmade Winter costs $15 (US) and is easily purchased and downloaded on-line.

Tags: craft, e-book, family, Handmade winter, recipes, Sewing

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Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, gift ideas, Inspiring Souls, Recipes, Sewing

Gratefully Grateful 3

24 Jan

This week, I am grateful for…

…this little fur-face named Birdie who spends his days attacking my ponytail.… colourful little sunny spots such as this that are to be found all over my house.…yellow striped guitar cases and the little guitarist who carries it around with pride.

Have a great week-end everyone!

Gratefully Grateful week *1* , week *2*

Tags: grateful, gratefully grateful, italy, living in italy, photography

Comments 30 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, grateful, gratefully grateful, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography

PBS ‘Pen Pal’ Video

22 Jan

As some of you may know I’m a huge fan of snail-mailing and pen-pals (see some of my snail mail projects here and here). It’s something I’ve been doing since I was a little girl and something that I got my kids involved in since they could just write (those early letters are almost impossible to understand but man are they cute!). They started writing letters to their grandparents and slowly over the years started writing to some of my friend’s kids who live in other countries around the world. For our kids writing to their pen pals was also a great opportunity for them to practice writing English (my kids are schooled in Dutch and French).

Over the years I’ve loved seeing the relationships they’ve formed with their pen pals and hearing about their big plans to all meet in person one day in the future. In this technologically focused world these little things make a huge impression on our kids.

A few weeks ago Jen and Dave asked me if I would help them with the new episode of their PBS Adventures in Learning series and when I heard the topic was Pen Pals I jumped at the opportunity. It was so much fun to help make (with lots of help from my better half who has the patience to figure out how the video feature on my dslr works). Take a peek and let me know what you think!