Lemonee, Lemonah

Today I have been reflecting on what a year it has been.

I have said goodbye to my beautiful girls and still have moments where my heart catches in my throat when I remember something they did, or if I think they have entered the room (maybe they have - I hope that they do).

My emotional health became very unwell due to my job. I lost my inner joy and peace. I forgot who I was.

A change was necessary.

So I pulled up my big-girl trousers and took myself into a company to apply for a position. 

Things must have gone well because I have now been working there for three weeks!

I am a totally different person to the one I was 2 months ago.

I am painting again, noticing the stars, enjoying the clouds, baking, reading, and SMILING!!!

I was actually startled during my first day at the new job because I laughed... it had been so long!!

*happy, content sigh*

Before I began my new chapter, Boof and I took a trip to the river. The picture above was the sunrise I got up to watch. Kookaburras were cackling right outside our window.

I stopped in at my faaaavourite Cafe.

Everything on the menu is vegan, and while I am a pescatarian that simply prefers the taste of soy milk to cows, I love love love the options here! 

And the decor is relaxed retro/vintage/boho. 

It is such a comfortable place to tuck up on the couch and enjoy a soy chai latte and a jackfruit Reuben!

Boofs mum and dad have a beautiful garden and let me take home a huuuuge box of lemons! The same day we got home I busied myself making oodles of lemon cordial.

Thin slices, dehydrated in the oven to add to a cup of black tea.

Or a jug of iced tea.

Of course there was lemon pie...

And gooey lemon bars!

Now i am a bit lemon'd out so have spent the last 2 weekends making mulberry jam from our tree. No pics though, I forgot. Today I picked 2.5kgs of fruit!

Last year the fruit was very small and dry. This year with a bit of love they are enormous, super juice and lovely sweet.

The flowers have been  going bananas! I have been picking roses to bring inside (a dream I've held tight for years!). The foxgloves and hollyhocks are booming!

I spotted Mr Moth while exploring the depths of my bit of nature.

When all the chores are done -or even if they aren't and I just ignore them - I pick up the Dahlia blanket again. This one will only be a throw so not too big. Ooh those colours!

Springtime is finally arriving and we have had some beautiful days, though my shoulders feel a bit sunburnt.. must've been while I was picking mulberries. 

Til next time...

🤍🤍🤍

Kitty-Puss, My Heart

My beautiful, sweet Scribble has made her journey to the clouds.

The awful c word has spread to her lungs and progressed faster than expected.

The regular coughing fits became harder for her to recover from and to save her from suffering, we had to make the gut-wrenching decision.

Our Vet is an amazing, compassionate person and let us take Scribble home for one last night together.

On Wednesday morning I sat on the couch crocheting a cardigan, Scribble curled on my lap and we watched one of my favourite movies together (Twister).

We were so alike, Scribble and I, both quite easily scared. We sat patiently waiting for the TV to load Netflix, and when the intro sound thumped out we both got a fright and jumped.

When spent the whole morning cuddled together until she began to cough severely and I knew I couldn't let her struggle to breathe anymore.

Her journey to the clouds was so, so peaceful.

For that I am grateful.

No more suffering, my beautiful pussy-cat. 

It rips my heart anew when I expect to see her somewhere and then realise she isn't, and won't ever be again.

She loved soaking up the afternoon sun from our bedroom window sill.

And her favourite place to sleep during the day is right up in my banana shaped pillows.

Her favourite blanket was the teal throw I made with super-quick yarn so I bought another ball to make her a piece of the blanket to take with her.

On our last afternoon we caught the last of the afternoon sunrays together.

I buried her near the new clothesline I built a couple of weeks ago, and made a garden bed on top of her resting place. In the garden I have planted dahlias, snapdragons and a beautiful orange climbing rose.

Scribbles garden.

I cant decide how I feel.

I am definitely heart broken but I think I am angry.

So angry.

These sweet little creatures love us and it's our duty to provide them the best life they could dream for, but in the end, we can't put off the inevitable.

Scribble I am so sorry. You truly were the perfect companion and I hope you liked your life with me.

🤍🤍🤍