Hello! I hope you’ve had a really lovely Easter weekend (it took me by surprise this year). Gosh, where to start… It’s been so long since I posted here. Who was it who said the best place to start is at the beginning? Ok. Well, I started writing my blog about 6 years ago to record progress in our garden and to write about the ups and downs of family life. The garden is where I find solace and joy, and I love photographing flowers; I was also a busy mum of three children when I started writing here and the garden and family life mostly filled my days.
My eldest child is now 21 and in his final year of university (a very unsatisfactory experience for him, sadly), the middle one is 19 and in his first year at university (all under strict pandemic conditions) and the youngest is now 17 and about to start applying for university! During term time, there is only one child at home – it is very quiet – and I am now also working full time in a very busy job (which I wasn’t when I started blogging). As well as having much less free time, I’ve not picked up my camera for months and I completely lost my writing mojo: no pictures and no words.
As well as the pandemic and the lockdowns (the impact of which we have all no doubt felt), I have been trying to navigate large and immensely challenging life issues – one of my beloved children struggling with ill-health and my dear mum going seriously downhill due to her long-term degenerative disease. As if all this wasn’t enough, we recently adopted a four-month-old cockapoo. What on earth were we thinking?! It’s been a distraction, that’s for sure, but I admit the extra responsibility has got close to tipping me over the edge a couple of times. She’s very sweet and loving (see photo at the end of this post) but this headstrong puppy is quite tiring.
Today is the first time for a while that I have taken a few photos with my SLR (because, hey, spring flowers!) and tentatively ventured back into WordPress land, only to find it’s all changed. Weird editing tools and stuff. Goodness knows what this will look like when I press ‘Publish’. It might be all over the shop. Anyway, I hope you have been keeping well and that you have found solace and strength where needed to keep plodding on in what has been an extremely tough year indeed. I don’t know when I will write here again but I do post more frequently on Instagram if you’d like to keep in touch there.
Wishing you all the very best for the weeks and months ahead – take good care of yourselves x
acoastalplot 
Is that a vase or two on Monday, I spotted?! Welcome back Sam, it’s good to hear from you again, and if you want any advice on how to access the Classic Editor again just ask, as between us we have sussed it out (till WP change things again!). It’s good to hear you are just about keeping your head above water, despite family illnesses and the addition of another 4 legs. Hope the job is going well for you too ps especially love that ranunculus!
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A challenging time all round – so sorry life has been so difficult but Pip sounds a welcome distraction. Beautiful photos – gorgeous colours. Here’s to some calmness, some normality X
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Sorry you have been having such a challenging time. At least there is the consolation of some lovely blooms.
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I’m sorry to hear about recent difficulties, thank you for posting and sharing. I’ve missed your posts, and hope for life to treat you well and bring you joy.
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Sorry that your mum has continued to go downhill and also that your child has been unwell. And disappointing for your eldest that uni was not a good experience. My eldest is in Year 12 now so I guess it will soon be time for him to apply – I am a bit scared/overwhelmed by the idea of organising it all, no idea where to start, but I guess it’s one step at a time. I don’t blog as much any more as I don’t ever seem to have any photos. I really should get to grips with Instagram, but again, I don’t seem to have any pictures. I think I shall start trying to take some with my phone, but I suspect the camera on it isn’t brilliant. Then may IG, we shall see. I do comment there, so it would be nice to join in. Puppies are full on, aren’t they? My youngest used to have to run upstairs and hide so that he didn’t get nipped by puppy teeth. It wasn’t exactly what he was expecting! Anyway, lovely to see a post from you. I hope you have had a good few days off. CJ xx
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Good to hear from you Sam. Your photos are always lovely and that Anemone in the middle of those red tulips is a dream. 😃 I hope life will be a bit kinder to you and your family this year. And that the puppy calms down soon too!
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How lovely to find your post Sam. I am so sorry to read that your mum is so unwell, and not getting better. I really want to give you a hug! Also sorry that one of your children is ill, such a worry. I hope your oldest has plans for after university, it sounds like he needs something to look forward to. With so much going on in your life, it is no surprise that you don’t have time to take photographs and take notes for the blog. Puppies are really just like babies, aren’t they? Before you know, Pip will be all grown up and sensible (by cockapoo standards). She’ll be such a lovely companion for you all. Lots of love, Christina x
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Glad to hear from you Sam. Time is flying with your kids growing up, but sorry to hear about the challenging and emotional stuff you are going through. Hopefully the future is brighter and smoother. All the best to you and your family.
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It’s always so good to hear from you even when you are having to navigate through such a difficult stretch. Even with all the demands you are juggling, your house looks cleaner than mine!
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It’s so nice to see a post from you. Lovely flowers by the way. Pip is just darling! Our puppy turned one last Friday and seems to be getting a little easier. At least she’s no longer chewing our furniture for the most part. Take care.
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