I shall open with the last verse of a hymn
All in the April evening,
April airs were abroad;
I saw the sheep with their lambs,
And thought on the Lamb of God.
I didn’t actually think of this hymn when I was looking out over the fields that surround the garden, my mother in law drew my attention to it when I showed her the pictures I had taken. But I liked it. It was an April evening and there were sheep, so symbolic at the best of times, on all four sides of the house. It seemed apt and gave me a profound sense of comfort. Something I never got from hymns when forced to sing them as a youngster.
On Saturday evening Robert and I sat down and watched a film. We managed to stay awake through the whole thing which was a minor miracle. About half way through watching it Robert pointed out the sunset we were having. I couldn’t see it from where I was sitting so I jumped up to take a look and within a moment I was outside, in the dead quiet, camera in hand snapping away in that lovely light that you get when dusk is falling. A photographers dream.
Robert stayed put in his chair, calm and smiling but tired, as I jumped up and went outside. I forget that he is still in remission and having to take a great many pills each and every day. He just sort of soldiers on, we refer to that type of person as a good egg. I married a good egg, a very good egg.
There are a million and one paint shades called Apple Blossom White but I’m not sure anybody has ever managed to capture it properly. Perhaps one day but for now I’ll make do with the fleeting colour the trees provide. It’s very calming, to be outside in the evening, completely alone. My mum tells me that she would watch me dancing around the garden when I was small at this time of day. All alone enjoying the air, the calm, the light and the end of the day. The garden still draws me outside at this time.
It nourishes my soul at a difficult time in my life. It doesn’t cost anything but gives me so much. It allows me to be still.
I’d recommend it to anyone, at anytime, for any reason.
Tell me what you do when you feel an intense desire to be still? Do you run a bath, cook, knit, crochet, meditate, pray, garden, clean, run, walk the dog? Perhaps your answers will enable someone else to find the time and space they need.
I love you, so very much, thank you for reading and responding today.
Robert took a hammer to the kitchen. I’ll show you the results tomorrow.
It’s started.
Cherry x
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I sit behind my computer and read blogs
and potter around a bit. Preferably when my love is at work and I am on my own! Then I can recharge.
Your photo’s are beautiful!
Congratulations on your new home. Such beautiful pictures, Cherry. I’m making the last pic my wallpaper on my iphone. I just adore your blog with all it’s emotional rawness and beauty combined together. Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. You are an inspiration.
Oh, I knew the sunsets would be wonderful. And, I can’t wait for pics of the kidlets when they see baby lambs in the fields. They’ll be big smiles then, I’m sure.
Quiet time for me – I make sure everything is turned off, including lamps. I’ll just light a candle or two and I usually pick up a devotion book, but not to read, to just hold. I guess I’m more in a meditating state, but as a rule, don’t really think of anything, but try to cleanse my head of everything for a few minutes. Very relaxing.
In all honesty Cherry I read your atricle. it is a definate stopping moment. even better when accompanied by a cup of tea.x
Lovely Cherry….It’s amazing, I can feel the calmness, peace and solitude just by looking at the pictures. You captured it so well.
Much love and can’t wait to see everything in person.
Give the children and the egg a hug from me.
(I can’t believe you referred to your lovely husband as an “egg”! LOL )
Bon Bon
Lovely atmospheric photos. My clear my head and find some peace time is definately being out the garden pottering. I have found it so hard lately with the persistent rain, so on Saturday, boots on, kagool on, off I went to work in the garden. I got some stuff in and generally pottered. Yes I got wet, but the satisfaction of finally doing something out there was wonderful.
Here’s to some drier, brighter weather.
x
Lovely…simply lovely. Being outside in the morning calms my soul.♥♫
The internet is a wonderful thing. Here I am in South Carolina, U.S.A. reading about your life in England and looking at your beautiful photos. I’m keeping up with your move and am anxious to see what you will do with your new home. I was laughing at your blog about “moving house” and how no matter where you live or who you are, moving day is a pain. Looked like you had lots of help…it’s wonderful when family and friends pitch in. I always look forward to your posts to see what’s happening next. You’re a girl on the move! I guess you could say you’re England’s answer to The Pioneer Woman!
Lovely photos, you caught that light beautifully. When I want to be still I go into the kitchen, turn on radio 4 and start baking. Or I make a cup of tea and do some sewing, my favourite and most relaxing type of crafty activity. Of course, all of this depends on whether or not a two year old and five year old allow me this moment of peace!
The views from your Forever Home are quite simply breath-taking
I’m so happy that you and your family will be able to wake up to that each and everyday from now on, you all deserve it so much after the last year.
And of course…. I CANNOT wait to see all the projects as you stamp your own style on the house!!
Love as always
Gillian
Oh how I love the wonderful countryside.
My ‘still time’ is snuggled up on the sofa with any one of my children or hubby, just watching anything that interests me. It is a rare moment that only happens once or twice a week but that means I enjoy it even more.
Can’t wait to see how you settle in over the coming months Cherry xxxx
Speaking for alot of people were glad your back on a regular basis !!!!!
Beautiful written and photos..Your new garden looks lovely and with the bonus of the beautiful sheep..my quiet time takes out to my patio and to sit there listening to the birds sing back and forth and watch the little grey squirels play along the top of the fence..hope you and your family have a very blessed week,,,
huggs
Cherry, you won’t believe this, but I was thinking of that hymn today while I was hanging out my washing! I can’t remember why it came into my mind, I havn’t thought of it for a long time. I used to sing it when I was in a choir many years ago. I’ve been thinking about you all and thought how symbolic it was that you planted a tree which will start it’s life in your garden as you start your new life in this new home.
Love, and hugs from Betty. (in Melbourne)
My little bit of calm is walking along the cliff top paths or on the beach in Jersey (cold and blustery days are best) and only happens a couple of times a year when I visit.
Alternatively sitting at home in silence with a good book.
Cherry I am over the moon that you have moved into your forever home. The wee glimpses show something very special and you will make it amazing and full of love the two of you and your bubbas, Jo xx
My moment of calm is spent in the garden with a cup of coffee. I dont have a huge garden but it is walled on three sides and I have a seat where no one can see you and it feels like you are all alone in the world.
I do wish that we could transport our lovely home so that it was surrounded by fields like yours. Dont suppose you have a spare bedroom do you???
So glad you are back – having been missing your regular posts.
Wonderful colours – certainly the best thing about this time of year is the beautiful blossoms.
SO excited ‘it’s started’ and we get to come along for the ride! Woohoo!
Dear Cherry, i have followed your journey over the last few years and enjoyed your posts so much, our lives have followed a fairly similar pattern, even down to me moving a month ago to a house that will take all my time and imagination over the next few years. This post struck a chord with me because of your beautiful photos of the sheep. I love sheep, my favourite animal. Their ability to just “be”. The fact that sometimes they don’t have the energy to stand on all four feet to eat and drop to their knees but still carry on chewing. Most of all i love the lambs, and moved to a house to be near the lambs when my maternal yearnings were at their worst but my body just wasnt cooperating. They comforted me. Now i have my own lamb, so precious and growing up fast but i still stop and enjoy sheep when i see them. Enjoy your new home and the peace it brings you.xx
When my children were still home, I’d find stillness in the kitchen as I was in the midst of cooking something wonderful, in the middle of a great book, or when I’d go for a long walk while listening to great music on my iPod.
Now that it is just my husband and I, the house it much quieter but these are still the ways I find such moments.
Although like a previous comment… Victoria and a cup of good tea helps, too.
When I have time on my hands I come to this site for sweet inspiration. As a 23 year old who wants very little other than to manage to leave the parents house (one day!) and move to the country and spend my days making and baking, I find that I feel very comfortable when I have a poke around your lovely ideas and stories. I have tried other blogs but never found any as easy and comforting as yours, I feel like what I see is exactly what it looks like inside my head.
I remember once reading in your blog “some things you have to just wait for”, I keep that thought for every time I see a beautiful home I cant afford and think “one day, one day”!!
OR…. If anyone knows the lottery numbers I would be a most greatful recipient indeed, ta!
All the best for the new home Cherry and for the book, which I am ever so slightly giddy about xx
Lovely photos Cherry, I love the blossoms that are out everywhere at this time of year. When I want to be still, I love nothing more than just going out to the garden, with my dog, and have been that way since I was a child xx
~ Love the pictures, I love quiet times outdoors, early morning is gorgeous, just me and my tea and the quiet ~
I will usually walk the dogs, or even better take them down the beach. My life would not be the same without them and when I need a break from my teenage step daughter and fiance they are a perfect excuse! x
my moments for self are a cup of tea, and a copy of Victoria magazine. It’s my little bit of bliss.
Love the photos. best thing about this time of year is the blossom, especially when it starts to fall like confetti. In infants school I was always getting told off for chucking about the fallen blossom petals.
x
For me, bring still is my favourite combination of walking my lovely chocolate lab Holly on the beach which is about 5 mins away from where we live. Making the moment more perfect is to do this at either dawn or dusk. Bliss x