Welcoming the new year

I seem to have blinked and I'm here - sailing into the new year without what seems much time to pause and draw breath. My last entry back in October saw me heading off to present my wares at the fabulous Finders Keepers market and from then on it was a constant spate of events, markets or something or other that totally preoccupied me for the rest of the year 2012.

I feel as though the year was successful and fulfilling in terms of my making and running the shop and business. I also feel as though sometimes I got so caught up being the chief cook and bottle washer of my little enterprise that I didn't get to stop and smell the roses as much as I would like or spend as much time as I wanted to with my offspring.

Kitty who turned 8 in December tells me that my shop is her favourite shop in all the world and that her goal in life is to own and run The Crafty Squirrel one day. Bless. I tell her that as soon as she is old enough to count the money she can be my Saturday morning shop girl. I know this day will come before I know it and I would love to have her as my little helper.

Milo who is now 4 starts kinder this year - which we are all very excited about. Today he and I spent time decorating a treasure box for him to take on his first day tomorrow. In lots of ways I feel as though he is still my baby - but really he is so ready for Kinder and school. Part of me wants him to stay with me as my little buddy at home and another part of me knows how much easier my working life will be when he goes to school. I suppose that is probably pretty normal.

We have had a wonderful summer break this year - a beach holiday, catching up with lots of lovely friends and family, day trips, a spot of treasure hunting here and there (of course!) and as tradition would have it - our last hurrah of the school holidays is a trip down to my in-laws organic farm in the Strzelecki Ranges in Gippsland (half an hour from Warrigal).

We usually only get down there once a year - and as with any time I spend getting back to basics, I was totally refreshed by the country air, long walks, fresh produce and beauty of my surroundings.

A great way to get back into things - remembering to breathe and taking the time to stop and appreciate the everyday.

Bring on 2013! I have lots of exciting things in the pipelines!

Clearview Farm Apple orchard and yummy vegie garden