"She always knew..."

On my mantel now...my ZoZo added the glittered letters for a little whimsical sparkle

You live like this, sheltered, in a delicate world, and you believe you are living. Then you read a book… or you take a trip… and you discover that you are not living, that you are hibernating. The symptoms of hibernating are easily detectable: first, restlessness. The second symptom (when hibernating becomes dangerous and might degenerate into death): absence of pleasure. That is all. It appears like an innocuous illness. Monotony, boredom, death. Millions live like this (or die like this) without knowing it. They work in offices. They drive a car. They picnic with their families. They raise children. And then some shock treatment takes place, a person, a book, a song, and it awakens them and saves them from death. Some never awaken. — Anaïs Nin

Hello, dear readers. Wow... I'm really not sure what one says after a three month blogging break. I think I'd like to first thank *all* of you that have left comments and sent emails concerning my prolonged absence. I've read every one of them and have been deeply touched. I have been in many ways without words...which I suppose, explains both my lack of blog entries and my lack of response to your kind notes. I hope that you have overlooked this and not mistaken it for apathy. Thank you so much for your caring concern.

I guess maybe I don't have a definitive explanation as to why I've taken such a long break other than the fact that {and maybe you are this way, too} I live by inspiration and my inspiration hasn't in the last few months led me back to blogging

I would bring back with me more of my own authentic self, honesty, personality, and interests ...

about the house. I don't know... I guess that doesn't make me a professional or serious blogger. We have been working on the house when we can and I've continued to take photos because I knew I'd be back, but I think maybe I just needed to get away from the idea that my blog should be mostly about our cottage transformation. Somewhere along the line, I had forgotten that just because I have a blog about taking a broken down little house and turning it into a cottage, it didn't mean I shouldn't be exploring my other non-related interests more fully. I realized, as Anaïs Nin said, that I had been hibernating in the dark. I needed to break away to do creative and interesting things outside the remodel - to learn how to wake up and fly the way I always knew I could...

I haven't sketched in nearly 20 years...
And I decided that when I returned, I would bring back with me more of my own authentic self, honesty, personality, and interests - things that I hope interest and inspire you as well {along with our cottage transformation progress!}. I appreciate all of you and thank you very much for being such loyal readers. It will always amaze me that you are here. I'm honored that you choose to spend a portion of your time with me...I am truly grateful and blessed.

On an even more personal note, I discovered in October that I have gluten sensitivities. This explains so much! So for the last three months I have restricted my gluten intake severely... I avoid it except for maybe once a week {because if I try a new recipe for the family, I'm gonna have to sample it!} I've also cut nearly all sugar out my diet except for a once a week treat. Both sugar and gluten are major causes of pain flair ups with those who have chronic pain issues, which in my case has been fibromyalgia for the last 13 years. I'm happy to report that since October, I've only had one or two days that I've dealt with just some mild fibro pain. Folks - this is HUGE, especially for the winter months when I'm normally in pain 75% of the time. I no longer need daily naps and I have energy like I haven't had in over a decade. I still have occasional bouts of fatigue when rain moves in, but I'm pretty much symptom free otherwise. My overall outlook has improved as well. Did you know that gluten can cause negative psychological symptoms in those that are sensitive to it? I didn't know this, but when I realized that my outlook had greatly improved after a couple of months of being off gluten, I did some research and discovered this...It has just been amazing, the changes both physically and otherwise. I've also lost 20 pounds {and feel like going to the gym and out dancing!} plus I got a haircut...


I hope all of you have a wonderful and WARM day today. Here in Tennessee we are covered with a nice blanket of snow. It's beautiful - just like you.

{I'm off to work some more on my miniature/dollhouse patisserie hardwood flooring. Getting ready to stain!}