Wishing you all a fun and spooky evening of Halloween antics and trick or treat adventures! We already have bucket loads of candy and will be celebrating tonight by handing out more to the children who come and call at LC's grandma's house!

Mondays Moment of Wisdom - Pearl 56

Photo by Kristin Hohenadal

 We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. 

It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.

W. Somerset Maugham

Tomorrow my husband and I celebrate our first wedding anniversary, just the two of us in a strange and exciting new city, away from the stresses and strains our lives, it couldn't get more perfect!

A year ago so many things were very different, our life has changed in many ways since our wedding day and our relationship has endured some of its biggest challenges so far. I am very different to who I was last year, I don't think I am today the woman that my husband married and I think the same goes for him, I think he would agree with me when I say that being married has changed us both and how we live out our relationship but I'm glad it's for the better though and that 365 days later we are still in love with the two people we have become...

PS - Did you know that this week is National Infertility Awareness Week? One in 6 people suffer with infertility problems and I am one of them. Today I feel honoured have been asked to write about my experiences with infertility for my good friend and fellow blogger Gemma Guscott so do go check out my guest post over on Mission2Mum, you can raise awareness too by visiting the campaign website to find out more and using the hash-tag #NIAW on Twitter, Facebook and anywhere else you want to.

Feel Good Friday - Monthly Gratitude!

Well this month has certainly gone quick for me, how about you?

This time next week it will be November, how did that happen?! This weekend will be a busy one for us so much organising to do, packing for trips away and thinking about all the things that need to be in place over the coming week, this week has been full of some surprising ups and downs and I started to feel like the universe was against me until I discovered this post by one of my favourite blogs Gala Darling, it's all about how Mercury is now in retrograde and if you feel like life has gotten crazy for no apparent reason, its a must read!

Anyway, it's time for me to reflect back over the month and take a moment to appreciate all the good and all positives that have come about...

- People who listen, truly listen to me, who take the time to understand where I'm coming from and walk life's path along side me. I have had a few good people in my life this month to help me reflect and see that actually I'm starting to feel and do really great and that I can visualise so many good things on the horizon now.

- Beauty in nature, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so much vibrancy, LC has been potting plants for the winter with Grandma and we have some in the garden, I adore the colours of the changing leaves at this time of the year, there is even something attractive about the rain, it's still fairly warm out side and we have enjoyed some lakeside walks in our wellies and jumping about in puddles!

- The chance to explore new places, next week my husband and I are going to Edinburgh to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, neither of us have been before and are really excited to discover somewhere different, does anyone one have any recommendations or tips on places to go, things to see or where to eat?

- Even more celebrations, this month has seen more weddings for us to be a part of which has been so lovely, I was lucky enough to enjoy the most divine champagne afternoon tea with one of the brides to be in the beautiful surrounding of   Somer Lodge. There's nothing like spending time with people who you love and value and watching them start a new journey in their lives. We also have LC's Halloween party with her friends from nursery to enjoy which is serving as a belated Birthday party and as I already mentioned, our first wedding anniversary, what a month!

 What's on your gratitude list this month, what are the things that are lifting you up?

 

Mondays Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 55

“The girl in the mirror wasn't who I wanted to be and her life wasn't the one I wanted to have.” 

― Francesca Lia Block, Pink Smog

Wow! Many a time this thought has crossed my mind, is it a familiar one for you too?

My question to you today though is, what are we going to do about it?

You can spend all the time you want looking in the mirror and reflecting back those negative thoughts, wishing, dreaming and hoping for you, for your life to be different but it won't change itself...

The only thing that can truly change it all, that can make a difference, that conjour up the life you want, is that girl in the mirror, what will she do today, tomorrow, next week or next month to make it happen?

Making a change, taking those first steps are scary but when you do it anyway and push yourself forward, believe you can achieve it, dare to dream it, truly feel it and go for what you want, no judgement, no doubt just pure passion and drive, you'll look in the mirror as start to see the life you love and that girl was the genius who created it! 

So, what are you going to do to make it happen? 

Feel Good Friday - Something for the weekend!

What a great week it's been, I am feeling rather proud of myself! I set myself some important tasks to do - personal, some work stuff, housework and a few bits for my blog and I've totally nailed them! In fact I even got a bit more achieved so I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself! How did I achieve all this I hear you ask? I made a commitment, to myself and to my to do list, I picked 4 items each day, I thought about how I could schedule them in while a drank my morning coffee and then I committed to that and every time I ticked one off my list it motivated me to keep going, keep putting that hard work in, even if I didn't want to do it I visualised how I would feel at the end of the day and it worked!

I have a few more little bits I want to get done over the weekend but mostly I want to relax and enjoy it with the ones I love so I am picking only 2 items a day, making sure they are not too strenuous like, changing the beds, making my dairy and gluten free flapjack (which is becoming a favourite in this house!) mopping the kitchen floor and an Internet food shop, see easy peasy!

So here are some nice chilled out things I'm going to be getting up to for the next two days...

Working out - sounds hardcore I know but actually it really helps me to chill my thoughts and calm my brain, I have just started doing the BarMethod DVDs (we are big on ballet in our house at the moment) and I'm finding them amazing - great work out, fun to do and easy for beginners or out of shapers like me!

Eating food for my soul - As I mentioned my home-made flapjacks are a hit with the other two at home so I have been trying to make a batch weekly, I love that I know what's going in to them, no nasty ingredients or preservatives and there for I know that I'm getting some good stuff in to my family. I used pumpkin seeds in mine because it's a no fuss way of us all getting a hit of zinc (good for fertility and fighting off colds), magnesium (good for brain and heart function) and vitamin E (good for healthy skin and hair).
Here
is my recipe:

• 150g of unsalted butter - organic if possible
• 3 tbsp of Golden Syrup (its gluten free!)
• 250g of gluten free oats
• 25g Pumpkin seeds - you can add more or less depending on if you are a fan
• 30g Dark organic chocolate - I like Green and Blacks

Preheat the oven to 180C/160Cfan/ gas 4. Grease and line a shallow tin with baking parchment paper, put the butter and golden syrup into a pan and gently heat until melted. Stir in the oats and pumpkin seeds, at this point you can add a few extras if you fancy like raisins, blueberries, what ever you fancy! The pore the mixture into the tin, level and spread the mixture evenly with the back of a spoon. Bake for 25 minutes, or until just golden around the edges. Then place on to a cooling try, when your flapjack slab is cool break the chocolate in to pieces, place in a small glass dish and melt over a pan of boiling water, stirring gently. When melted drizzle over your flapjack, wait for it to harden, cut in to squares and enjoy!

Brunching - we have a great local pub that do the most amazing buffalo burgers! This weekend we are meeting some friends to try out their brunch menu, can't wait to devour some more comfort food! And if you are ever driving down the A303 in South Somerset, stop off and sample their mouth watering menu, this pub is nestle in the most breath taking location at the top of Ham Hill, stunning views!

Family movie time - Now that the weather is basically wet and cold we have been cosying up as a family and picking out some great family fun movies to watch, it's hard trying to find something that suits 3years to 36years but so far we have enjoyed Oz the Great and Powerful, Spooky Buddies (cheesy but good for Halloween fun!) and LC's all time favourite at the moment Alvin and the Chipmunks, nothing that's Oscar winning but not taking it too seriously and laughing together as a family is great for the spirit, plus I love seeing LC get really excited by a new song or dance she discovers! 

So, what are you up too this weekend? 

Do you have any recommendations for family movie time?

Maybe you are trying out a new pub/restaurant/recipe at home?

I'd love to hear from you - Happy Friday everyone! 

Monday's Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 54

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Today's moment of wisdom is going to focus on the weight we all carry around that constantly brings us down. We all have that weight hang off of us, whether it's a project that leaves us unfulfilled, a relationship that isn't giving us what we deserve, a job that leads us in the wrong direction, a commitment that's too much to handle, a feeling/emotion that's full of negativity or simply something, somewhere, in your life, that is no longer bringing you joy or happiness, it becomes the hardest load for us to carry and puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on our well being...

If you're sat here reading this and feel yourself thinking of a particular thing, you know a scenario, event or ongoing situation that pops in to your mind then this pearl of wisdom is for you and I urge you to start thinking instead of how you can put that weight down, let it go, wave it off in to the sunset. 

For some of you the thought of putting that weight down is actually scary and it may take some time to find the time, space or courage to release it but even taking the first step of just imagining how lighter your life may be will hopefully lead you to the next step of making a plan of how to go about it.

This week I have had to put down some of the weight that was burdening me, that's why there has been a little break in the blog, I've had to make an effort to finish a few started projects and deal with some uncomfortable feelings all of which were bringing me stress, sadness and anxiety. When I took the time to release the weight of these issues I found myself relaxing, visualising new opportunities and revitalising some healthy habits, feeling like my true self again.

So what's weighing heavy on your mind this week, anything bring you down? Are you having trouble letting go of that weight or have you successfully released it already? Tell me more below...

Feel Good Friday

Well dear readers, I have to admit, I have short changed you this week with content! You see one of my dearest friends is getting married tomorrow and the preparations for travel, outfits, childcare etc has sent our week in to a bit of a tail spin and I have been able to blog as much as I wanted...

Anyway, lets welcome October in regardless!

This month I am dreaming of hot chocolate, pumpkins and Halloween parties, scarf and hats, leaves on the ground, open fires and my cosy winter duvet, curling up watching my favourite TV shows and a very special trip to Edinburgh with my husband to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary!

Do you have anything special planned for October? I'd love to hear your plans or your favourite thing about Autumn!
 

Monday's Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 53

I know that I have found fulfilment. I have an object in life, a task ... a passion. - George Sand

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the future and not in a pregnancy/baby kind of way. In fact I have been focusing on me more and what I'm all about, my passions, my ideas, my goals, I have always felt like I had a story to tell or a message to bring to the world but I could never quite figure how, or what and even when...

Over the last week I've had a few light bulb moments, it's been phenomenal really because all of a sudden I can see my life, my world so much more clearly. This isn't me saying I have all the answers now, oh no, it's more like a vision of how things should be or rather what it is I can do to feel fulfilled and contented with my life.

Somethings are big, too big to talk about right now as lots of details need to be looked at and plans put in place. Others are medium sized like surrounding myself more with people who only ever lift me, I have met quite a few of them lately who get me, who understand me, who are living similar lives and inspire me to be my best. And simple things like using my diary to really organise my week and get the best out of my time, I started putting some things in to place last week and already I feel like I'm being more productive for myself but for family life too.

It's not been easy to get to this point though, we have had a summer full of decisions and tough choices to make, I have been working on my emotional intelligence and mental resilience through my fertility treatment which has had me looking at my diet too and I discovered that it really has a massive effect on my mood and skin, more than anything else. I've also been reading a lot about how others have been figuring out their best lives for themselves which has provided no end of inspiration. All this has meant though that I've also had to face up to some constructive criticism, some home truths and a few uncomfortable realities but it's these that have actually been the things that have helped it all come together. So it's not as if it all just fell in my lap one morning, I had to work hard to figure a lot of it out, it also meant me communicating and being honest with the people I love.

So here I am now, feeling like I'm at the start of a great journey knowing a lot more about what my own personal objective is, where my passion lies and what I need to be doing to get me there, not everything is obvious right now, especially the details but for first time in a long time I can really see what my purpose is not necessarily as a mother, wife or friend but as Karen and what I should be doing in this world to feel like I'm actually making a difference!

Do you know what your purpose is? How did you figure out where your passion lies? Maybe you haven't figured out all your life objectives yet? Do let me know in the comments bellow...