Way back at the beginning of 2013 I discovered a fabulous space on the internet: Country Kids. Finding my feet as a stay at home mum in a new country; a bit lost, and at a loss as to what to do with the kids; it provided me with such inspiration.
Reading the posts each week encouraged me to get outside, whatever the weather. I haven’t looked back, joining in virtually every week since I published my very first Country Kids post about snow and scooters in March 2013.
Over the past couple of months though I’ve lost my way a little.
We haven’t been getting outside. We haven’t been having adventures. We haven’t made time.
I haven’t made the time.
But, it’s time to get back on track.
Getting outside makes us all feel better. Even on the worst days, a breath of fresh air can make all the difference.
A few months ago we visited this pond for the first time. It was a beautiful fall day, and the trees were stunning. Reds and golds edged the water.
On Boxing Day we went back, and although the colours were more muted, the calm water and bright skies resulted in the most incredible reflections.
And, it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity for reflection as we took our time circling the pond, stopping every so often to take it all in.
It was so mild! The weather with us has been downright odd this past month. An evening with friends on Christmas Eve saw me leave the house in just a cardigan and summer shoes… Thinking back to the previous Boxing Day when we took a fabulous but freezing walk a long the beach made me chuckle.
Moments like this are good for the soul.
I have missed Country Kids. And, although this year I plan to slow down the blogging, I intend to be back on a regular basis.
Very little is better than spending time together enjoying the beauty that surrounds us. And, recording moments like this are why I started writing this blog in the first place.
Sharing this post with Country Kids.
Sara – these shots are just amazing. Love, love, love. And yes the outdoors so can make us feel better. Plus agree with you heartedly about Country Kids.
Thank you so much Kriss! Country Kids really is wonderful x
Beautiful photos! Being outdoors makes us feel better too and even when you slow down with the blogging getting outdoors and posts like this will help you record the best moments. Happy new year xx
Absolutely, and that’s what I want my blog to be about. Capturing the best moments x
Oh Sara thank you so much, I feel quite emotional reading this post. I’ve loved every step of your journey and watching the seasons acorss the pond and your children growing up. Looking back at that first scooting post I can see such a change in the children, they have grown so much and you have given them such lovely adventures in those 2 years, such happy memories for you all to look back on. The lake there looks even more magical in the cold of winter than it did before, a lovely way to enjoy a little fresh air and freedom over the Christmas break. Welcome back to Country Kids and thank you for such a heart felt post.
You are very welcome Fiona, I do love Country Kids and I have missed. Not sure I’ll quite manage to get back to my weekly posting, but I will definitely be joining in again more regularly :)
As you can is good with me, in someways it is harder as they get older, are more self sufficient at entertaining themselves and want the camera around them less, this has certainly been my experience, however we we can get some or all of them out on an adventure we do all benefit despite their teen years..
What an absolutely stunning spot Sara and like you say it must have been good for the soul. Wow, 2013 eh? Time flies doesn’t it? I have been blogging a similar amount of time and it is a bit crazy, it’s gone by so fast! Xx
Time does fly! Couldn’t believe it when I checked for first CK’s post, almost three years ago, and I have linked up almost every week!
What a beautiful post and beautiful photos. It looks a stunning place to visit.
I’m in awe that you’ve joined in with Country Kids nearly every week for three years! I think I usually manage about one week in three. We’re always outside, but it’s usually doing the same regular activities, so it’s not worth blogging about all the time!
Thank you, it’s a lovely spot, glad to have discovered it. I can’t quite believe that I’ve managed almost three years, but I love that each week it’s made me get out and do something different with the kids. Great incentive! Determined to start doing it again x
I have been a bit rubbish at getting outside too. But those views certainly make it tempting. I have just changed little man’s days at pre school so that he gets to do Forest school. So if I am being rubbish he still gets to go and jump in puddles! The weather is weird here too x
I think forest school sounds like such a wonderful idea! The weather has been decidedly weird :)
I have been rubbish at getting outside lately too. I am determined to do it more this year and to join in with Country Kids more. That lake looks beautiful. We’ve had a mild winter here too.
The weather was so mild in December, it’s been a bit of a shock to the system now that it’s been a lot colder!
Beautiful photos! And I was expecting a post about snow from you ;) I guess because the past winter posts on #countrykids have been all about snow and I enjoyed looking at your photos and reading about it. No snow this year? Or is it a bit “early”? xx
No snow to speak of yet, but our first blizzard wasn’t until the end of January last year, so there’s still plenty of time!
Such beautiful photographs Sara, stunning scenery #CountryKids
Thank you Mary, it’s a lovely place x
What stunning stunning photos – it looks an incredibly peaceful, tranquil spot. And I know how easy it is for the days (weeks) to fly by and somehow never seem to leave the house except to rush from A to B, but how much better I always feel when we do get outside. #countrykids
It is a beautiful spot, definitely somewhere to enjoy a quiet moment x
CountryKids is such a wonderful linky for encouraging us to get outside with the children – I know it has certainly helped encourage me to get outdoors too and glad that it has done the same for you. The lake looks like a beautiful place for a Boxing Day walk and what lovely weather you had for it too. The photos are just stunning :-)
Country Kids completely changed my approach to spending time outside with the kids. It was a beautiful day for a walk, thank you x
It really is a beautiful place to visit and your photos reflect (ha ha) that. Glad you’re getting back outside. It is hard sometimes to get out – that’s why we’ve just been to the park quite a lot recently. It’s easy, free and always open, and isn’t far to go to it.
Thank you :) I’ve been very lazy, and I need to start getting out again, even just to the park (before the snow arrives!).
What beautiful photos, looks like a really great place to go for a fresh air and reflection. I too need to make more effort to get outdoors, especially now I’m back at work, it really does make a massive difference to everyone. #countrykids
Thank you, it is a beautiful spot. Fresh really does make all the difference x
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