writing studio

Spring at My Writing Cottage

Spring at My Writing Cottage

Spring has arrived at my little sanctuary in the backyard that I call my writing cottage. Though I’m seriously giving thought to renaming it my writing and creativity cottage as I do so much more these days than just do my writing here.

Soon I’ll be playing in, and exploring the world of, art journaling. I’ve gotten most of the supplies, but have yet been able to experiment with this due to my sprained back and only being able to sit for short periods of time. But I’m looking forward to my first dive into this creative process soon!

At any rate, this is my little hub of a haven. It may sound odd, but this space of my own has been instrumental in developing a space of my own within my heart that I grow more proud of everyday. This being “middle-aged” has its perks that I’m definitely enjoying.

New this year to my landscaping along the side of my cottage in this photo, I’m going to try and grow ranunculous. It is my all time favorite, favorite, favorite (did I mention it’s my favorite?) flower! I prepped the area early this morning as it is expected to be in the upper 80s today (where did spring go?). After the bulbs soak for the day, I’ll pop them in place early evening or early tomorrow morning. I can hardly stand the anticipation to see them grow!

But this flower I think such a favorite of mine because it reminds me of the beauty of being a woman and the many layers we have. Opening layer by layer of who we are in our own due time, appreciating each layer for all it’s gifts, even when it may feel challenging, reveals the intricate and uniqueness of each of us. I also love how it appears like a spiral in ways and how important it is to continue to move inward when need be, and then back out again.

Thanks for stopping by!

XO,

Barbara

My Zen Writing Cottage. Phase Two Begins – Nine Years Later.

My Zen Writing Cottage. Phase Two Begins - Nine Years Later.

You know the saying, “Good things come to those who wait?”

It was late summer 2007 when my dear John built me my writing cottage. A place of my own, off the corner of our deck. My private sanctuary to listen to the birds, write, feel connected to the world, or just a quiet place where I can think or just be.

The world turned upside down in 2008 when the economy sunk to an all time low. We were so scared, like many, that we may lose so many of the things we worked so hard for – John’s construction business or our home, or both.

We had to make some difficult decisions regarding our retirement savings, but we couldn’t risk losing the home we had come to love so dearly- our safe haven.

This also meant any landscaping we wanted to do, plus a white picket fence I wanted around my writing cottage, had to be put on hold.

It didn’t matter. We had a roof over our heads. We learned to cut even more from our personal overhead expense and from the construction business overhead. And we knew we were so much better off than many. We had nothing to complain about. We would do what we needed to survive.

Though there was much uncertainty and at times scary, we grew by leaps and bounds. Our determination and love grew stronger. We were a team and planned to stay one, no matter what.

And today as I sit in my writing cottage, the Pandora radio station playing Tuscany instrumental music, the wind blowing a brisk breeze for May, the sun shining, and the birds a flutter outside my window, Gidget curled up on the wicker chair next to me, I give thanks for the life I have.

Just outside the long five foot windows of my writing cottage, my heart smiles as John puts skirting around the bottom of my cottage. And this week if all goes as scheduled, the landscaping with an English garden theme will begin.

The long wait, though frustrating at times, has made it all the sweeter. And oh, how I look forward to the warm days ahead to see the flowers blooming all around me as a warm breeze will soon blow through the open windows too– and I shall be sitting here in complete bliss inside this sacred space that means the world to me.

And I picture myself a bit like Tasha Tudor, who loved to walk around her flowers for a little break in her day, a corgi or two in the lead.

Tasha Tudor

I do believe I just might think I’ve died and gone to heaven!

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SNEAK PEEK: My Writing Cottage Featured in “She Sheds – A Treasure Trove of Women’s Creative Spaces”

SNEAK PEEK:  My Writing Cottage Featured in "She Sheds - A Treasure Trove of Women's Creative Spaces"
Sneak Peek of Cover with my Story Featured Inside

I’m excited to share with you the cover of the She Shed book my story and “She Shed,” a.k.a. my zen writing cottage and Joyful Paws headquarters, is featured in!

I’m still trying to work out the logistics of offering copies for sale for those interested. The publisher is out of Australia so I’m looking for a cost effective way to get copies here.

But I can hardly stand the wait to see this book which will be out May 2016.

If you think you might be interested in purchasing a signed copy of the book from me, please let me know in the comments section below.

I can’t promise yet if I can make this happen — but I am working on seeing if it can be done.  Stay tuned!

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