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Friday 4 January 2019

Mid Winter, New Year...

A New Year...
2019...
Full of promise...
full of life...
full of adventure...
and making the most of simple pleasures.

Saying good bye to the year that was...
opening a new door, a new chapter...

Making the most of my candles on these dark January days...My home felt bare without the Christmas tree so I managed to buy some wonderful Dorma Foxgloves in the sales...very realistic! Almost like the real thing.
( The Amazing Winter Garland and memorial wall in the great hall, Cotehele House and gardens, National Trust)
(The River Tamar runs along from Calstock, Cornwall up towards Cotehele House and Quay)
Wonderful lino print, paper cuttings of flowers, birds and animals a memorial of those lost in the war inspired by the garland from the many flowers grown at the gardens at Cotehele.

(We had a lovely drive to Totnes a lovely old town set on a Devon hill)

I started a post and then deleted it several times...
I sat and thought deeply about the year that had just passed...In all it was a difficult one. 
But ...then I thought. I am so lucky with the life I do have. O.k it was not easy...My father's cancer has been so hard going, especially the guilt of not living closer to him. My Christmas was spent seeing my father go through injections and pain and a huge sore from a previous tumour on his back. But I did get to spend some really good quality time with him. I went to see him for the whole Christmas week. It was not all bleak and upsetting, We did laugh, We did have a Christmas together. And I got to hug him and cook for him. And make a difference to his life. We even walked to a local country hotel for posh Tea. He mainly slept that week. I sat and held his hand like he used to hold mine when I was a little girl falling a sleep.  I had quality time with him. I needed that.  I have come back to Devon with mixed emotions. Slightly numb. I missed Stevie and Sophia so much.
I took the decorations down when I got home. It was like cleansing the soul. I needed a fresh start.
So my New years day felt like that day I returned home. We have been looking after my Twin's cat, Luna.
Having a fur baby to look after has actually helped me and having that cosy lap friend to stroke has been quite comforting.  But the most comforting thing of all was looking through my files of photographs, many from my instagram account, kazzyloves. It cheered me up no end. I love the seasons. I love capturing a quick snap of a happy moment, usually out on an adventure...Photography does help me so much with my mental well being. And walking too along the coast or deep in the countryside. When I was back in my childhood home town on the East Anglian coast I realised it doesnt feel like 'home' to me like it did before I met Stevie. I've realised how much I have fallen in Love with Devon. I really Love my life here. I have Stevie to thank for that too.  Sophia has had a really positive and happy first term at Secondary School and that fills me with delight and joy for her. I hope it continues. At the moment she has a lovely group of girl friends.
She has sent in a demo vid for an audition for the role as 'Matilda' in the theatre production. 
She's growing up fast. I'm starting to get my head around this. And I am enjoying watching her turn in to a bright, talented, beautiful, loving young lady. I've been so proud of her this year.
I decided a few years back not to start a year with New years resolutions but instead to focus on those 'ordinary' happy moments and remember how lucky I am to have what I have.
Keeping a blog journal this year and keeping up with my blog postings has really helped me focus on those Simple, yet so pleasurable moments in my life.

I wish you all a Happy 2019...

I have a lot of blogs to catch up on...As always Thank you for the uplifting and kind comments they've really helped me through this year...

x    K a z z y    x



18 comments:

  1. I was very touched by your post today. You know the things that matter in life and how to value them. That is a gift, and one which you shared - thank you.

    Illness is hard for those who bear witness to it, it is humbling and difficult and sad yet there are moments when all seems to be crumbling when the light still shines through. I am glad you shared time with your father this Christmas, you will always have that and so does he. I hope the new year treats you all well.

    Best of luck for your daughter, it sounds exciting for her.
    Sara

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    1. Thankyou so much sara, such warmth and kindness in your words touched my heart...happy new year!

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  2. Such a touching post filled with warmth and love. The time spent with your father is so precious. It must have meant so much for you to be there with him.
    Sending my very best wishes to you and your family for the New Year. X

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    1. Thankyou so much jules, it was indeed precious...such warmth and kindness in your words...happy new year!

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  3. Happy New Year! I love what you share here and on Instagram- you are full of cozy sweetness! I hope this new year brings you tons of delight and absolute joy.

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    1. awww! thanks so kindly, such a lovely comment, lovely when i read that people come visit kazzyloves too on instagram. Im wishing too for a brighter new year...happy new year Autumn!

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  4. Awe sweet Kazzy, I think you are awesome. What a BEAUTIFUL post. We really are kindered spirits. You have an amazing heart, which I have seen shine through your words and pictures for all these years we have been on this blogging path together. My heart has ached when life has been hard for you and my heart has overflowed with happiness when you found the happiness you so truly deserved. Sophia has turned into a gorgeous young woman and you should be so immensely proud of your role in helping to achieve that. It’s all a reflection of you Kazzy.

    I’m so sure your dad LOVED seeing you over Christmas, and like you, I try to see the positive in every situation. It’s hard when you’re a ‘glass half empty’ kind of gal but it’s helped me enormously just to remember how wonderful simple things and pleasures are in the world.

    I wish you every wonderful blessing for 2019 Kazzy. You really are wonderful and you have a wonderful family.

    Much love and big squeezes Ness xxxxx

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    1. hellooo lovely Ms V...My long term bloggy chum!~ so happy when i see your lovely comments always filled with love thanks so much V...want to give you a big squeezzy huggies!...Your posts always fill my year with happiness, colour and beauty! Thanks V xxxxx hope your year is filled with wonderful things x

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  5. Dear KAzzie your post is full of hope and positive thinking. I bet your dad has drawn huge strength from your visit. Lovely to read about your partner and sophia, wishing you all good things for 2019, Betty x

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    1. Thank you betty x thanks kindly for the words it was such a lovely christmas and quality time with dad, although i missed sophia and stevie , happy 2019 xxxx

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  6. Hi Kazzy, I loved each and every photo you shared, but my absolute favorite is your cozy room with fireplace and the whitewashed stone wall.. you've made a very pretty nest.

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. aww thankyou teresa, lots of old stone in our old cottage. happy 2019 xx

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  7. When things go wrong it's sometimes so difficult to pick yourself up and move on. You dig so hard to find the good in something or some moment, then once you've dusted the dirt off that gem it becomes easier to find more. Thank you for this lovely post and I wish you a wonderful and blessed year as you find more gems in your life. xx Susan

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    1. Thankyou for your very sweet words Susan, you are totally right, by giving time you make more memories and i needed that with my dad, happy 2019! x

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  8. I'm glad you were able to be with your father for christmas and share some quality time together. Cotehele House looks like a great place to visit. Good luck to your daughter with the audition, I hope it works out for her.

    :)

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    1. thankyou louise, yes it really was good quality time. Cotehele house, gardens, woodlands and quay arejust so beautiful and if your park at Calstock, Cornwall like we did its and even more better walk up to the house passing through woodlands above the river and a lovely little old chapel sits at the top of the wood. happy 2019 x

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  9. I have just found your pretty blog via fox lane
    but I will definitely be back.

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  10. Your blog is sooo beautifull that I can't believe!Thank You!

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