On Saturday, the objective was simple: Watch a sunset on the West Coast.  We live on a small island afterall. An hour and a half to either coast…further than I would like, but manageable. We packed up and shipped out, first to Troon (which was not our kind of place) then to Girvan (which very much was).

The beauty of the sky and sea turning pink, then orange, then the dark grey blue, the shadowy Ailsa Craig in the distance, a near perfect sunset and well worth the travel. Scotland is so easy to love when its like this – all majestic and wild.  While I don’t mind the rain as much as some, there is no doubt that when the sun shines there is no place more beautiful. Sigh.

One day, late in 2012, I looked up from my computer, crawled out from a pile of yarn, put my camera down and opened my eyes. I saw a house that was messier than I have ever lived in, a husband who I hadn’t spoken more than 4 words to in weeks months and 3 little unruly children who woudn’t eat anything except pesto pasta and were exhausted, mean and bored.

Kevin and I have spent the last few weeks reeling us all back in – working hard to cook and clean and spend time as a family.  Its my main resolution this year – to spend more time with them being present, not worrying about impending deadlines or emails or swatches.

I didn’t realise what an effect our work life was having on everyone.  It was only when I would go days without picking up the camera that I knew I wasn’t in the best place (well, that and the fact that Georgia could sing all of the theme songs to all of the programmes on CBeebies), but I kept thinking I could just push through.

And so, we have spent the first few days of 2013 as we hope to continue. Together, cooking and laughing and walking and playing. Today we climbed a massive hill, led by Ellis. Tomorrow, we are sorting out the garden and storage room while the children are out – boring, but good in a new year sort of way.

Start as we mean to continue…now if only the weather could do the same.

We played at the park and watched swallows skip around the sky. I have to admit that I was jealous of their upcoming journey to warmer climates, knowing what is around the corner. 

Before this afternoon, I hadn't actually left the house since Tuesday morning. Lost in a haze of crochet and the Vampire Diaries on Netflix¹…but this evening with Kevin out "working"^2, it was my duty to collect the children.  Rather than come back to the woefully neglected house and eat sandwiches again³, we opted for the better option.  Pizza from the best place in Stirling and a play in the park. 

Italian sausage, a park full of children playing Olympics, and 3 little loves…who needs anything else⁴?

¹don't judge me. 172 rows of single crochet ribbing will drive anyone to cheezy vampire dramas.

²"working" in the Arts in Scotland throughout the month of August, actually means attending 1 of 6,000 arts events/openings/plays that are on during the Festival where drinking champagne and eating canapes is considered a requirement.

³ The other day Ellis looked at me and said, "Actually Mummy, your cooking is getting worse." The worst thing about it is…he is right.

⁴ except wine.  Which I now have. Ahhhh.