Thursday, November 21, 2013

grow







We were sitting outside enjoying our lunch; Bagel with feta, spinach, beetroot, olives and pickles.

We were looking around at the garden and all the work we'd put in that morning.

He was feeling pleased. He told me so.

I was feeling overwhelmed. We had done so much but there was still so much to do. I told him so.

He told me to try to re frame it in a positive way. He borrowed that off me as it's something I often say to the girls when they whinge.

So I stopped looking at the weeds, the too long grass, the empty beds that needed filling, the winter veg that still needed preserving, the transplanting, the watering and the cabbage moths.

And instead I noticed the surprise sunshine that hadn't been forecast, the beds we had freshly forked and composted, how lucky I was to be working alongside my farmer boy, the almost ready broad beans and the spring veg finally showing signs of growth.

And I felt better.

And after we shoveled two more loads of compost into garden beds I sat down and painted a mural. I hadn't planned to paint anything but as soon as I dipped the paintbrush in the paint and held it to the wood, I knew what it would be.

Grow.

Our garden, our lives, our inspiration, our plans, our love, our passions, our dreams.

xx

29 comments:

  1. Your garden looks amazing to me…and that little bit of sunshine makes the garden glow!!

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  2. Oh yes!
    It looks amazing! You're creating such a beautiful garden there!

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  3. We love a bit of reframing of thoughts, that's what I feel like my work is. Helping people get a more balanced view of their world. Your painting is great!

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  4. I love it. Simple and gorgeous. And that last image with the amazing cubby house makes me think of a story book xo

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  5. I need to re-frame my thoughts Kate. I'm completely overwhelmed with life right now. I'm beyond tired because the baby doesn't sleep & I'm pregnant again. I feel like all I do lately is list the things that need doing/attention. I need to see the things I am achieving, however tiny or mundane they are. Thanks for reminding me of this xx
    P.S I love your painting!

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  6. I just love this post today, I think it is a lesson I needed to hear, re-frame my thoughts, Love your painitng, Grow can mean so many things for so many people.
    hugs,
    Meredith

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  7. Your garden looks just beautiful! How great is this combination between warm and rainy for our plants!!

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  8. It's beautiful Kate, and a beautiful part of the day captured with that sudden unexpected sunshine..often that alone helps to put things into a more positive light x

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  9. So beautiful, amazing what a different outlook can do!

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  10. So inspiring! I have to remember to "re frame it in a positive way " Thank you.x

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  11. Look at the pretty light and goodness in your photos Kate. I think I need to remember to re frame things in a positive way too. We can become so quick to add up all the overwhelming stuff cant we? I think (generally, of course) that men are better at breaking things down and keeping things in perspective! Have a lovely weekend x

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  12. Your garden looks so lush and welcoming. It has been an inspiration to me though as I live in Brisbane our seasons tend to run a little differently to yours. We have terrible trouble with the possums eating many of our herbs, lettuces and flowers. We have resorted to caging the pots! Is that what your screened hutch is for? I have been following your posts for some time now and love what you and your family are achieving.

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  13. Love your growings..p.s loved your radio with Raf..How nice is he..

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  14. LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! As newly land owners embarking on our journey to grow veg, and look after a few cows and keep long grass at bay, i can relate to totally feeling overwhelmed with jobs jobs jobs. Your delightful farmer boy is right, lets frame what we have done in a positive way and celebrate that! The mural is beautiful. might have to paint my own apple boxes now. xx

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  15. Simple, sweet, and to the point. And that is an interesting bagel combination! I am more of a sweet breakfast bagel girl, while my husband goes for the savory combos.

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  16. Oh, that's how I feel. Can someone help me reframe the walls that need to be washed down, the weeds in the lawn, the trees that need to be clipped and the mulching that needs to be done... GAH! Your work is looking great though. I'd be pretty chuffed

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  17. How very inspiring- and a beautiful garden too. Love it :)

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  18. I just love that beautiful planter with 'grow' so perfectly painted. It's a beautiful, productive space. x

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  19. Sometimes just re-framing something can make the world of difference can't it? I'm doing my very best to do that at the moment in all aspects of my life too. Stop looking so far ahead at all the things I could be doing and just be in the moment and enjoy it for what it is which is exactly the place where I want to be and am happy and content. Beautiful 'grow' by the way. A bit of unexpected creativity is always good for the soul.

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  20. A lovely post and a lovely mural.

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  21. What a wonderful garden and a fantastic attitude. Well done on taking a different perspective.

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  22. Reframing creates palatability in situations that otherwise can be discouraging-as you saw and felt and enacted first hand. Your mural emits positivity and hope for so much, possibility for so much more. You're in Paradise and somehow being able to remember that makes life even better. Thank you for this timely reminder to look for the growth in my own life and be grateful and passionate for it.

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  23. Well done you Kate! So GROWn up! ;) Something I find so hard to do.....re-frame it all. ♥

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  24. big smile here with this post dear Kate. xxx

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  25. I love it! Makes me want to do it to my own veg crate! x

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  26. Yes, if we appreciate what we have, what we have done, the good bits, they can only but grow. Something I keep telling myself, because all too often my focus goes to the other side! Loved this post Kate. x

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  27. Your garden in is inspirational as well as productive and beautiful. May your plans continue to grow....

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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