These days of grace

My favourite days of the year are these grace days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. There’s a sense of slowing down, of breathing space, of clarity.

There’s time to bake a show-stopper of a dessert for three hours or there’s fifteen minutes to rustle up something for dinner using leftovers. There’s time to watch the cricket or play it in the backyard. There’s definitely time to read a book for more than twenty minutes.

There’s time to be really present with family and friends, to ask about plans and dreams for next year, and there’s time to play with the kids and let them make a big mess because there’s time to clean it up.

I find that because my mind isn’t filled with excursion notices and basketball training and how-can-we-run-out-of-milk again, that there’s more space to plan and dream. It’s more than just relaxing – it’s reminding myself of what’s really important and how I can make space for that.

It’s so lovely to have no plans or obligations – just spontaneous bike rides with the kids, walks with our newish puppy, reading on the couch (in the middle of the day!), watching the cricket, drinking my new literary tea (thanks, KK!) and maybe trying out a recipe or two from my new cookbook.

Wishing you lots of time for your passions and dreams, and your family and friends over these grace days.

Thank you for reading my blog this year. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and that 2019 is wonderful for you! I’m taking a break from blogging for a few weeks – see you soon!

Karen x