I felt that January should be a month that was eased into. Slowly and surely. The days have mainly be cold, wet and very grey. We have been given the brief gift of a day of sunshine and mildness.....like today, and I have been making the most of those.....OH YES I HAVE. The sun and the moon. Two of the most beautiful constants of any day. It has been the month of the start of some upheaval. A new kitchen is being planned. I've made do with a kitchen that was inherited when we moved in. It was in decent enough condition, so it just got a revamp. But over the last couple of years it has really started to show its age, and repairs became unrepairable. As much as it has been exciting thinking that I will soon have drawers that open properly and cupboards that shut properly, I have not been looking forward to the chaos that will come with it. Funds do not allow someone to just come in, wave their magic wand and me not worry about all the nitty gritty stuff. And oh how the nitty gritty is time consuming. But I always enjoy making something come together on a modest budget. I like the challenge. So, January so far has seen me pulling out appliances to check walls. Nothing is ever straight forward is it? Cupboards are being sorted and I am trying REALLY hard to get rid of useless stuff. It's difficult, I am a hoarder and I am drawn to kitchen stuff like a big old magnet. I absolutely LOATHE wasting food, and was happily surprised there were only a few cans lurking that were past their sell by dates! phew! Sorting out the kitchen disrupts all the other rooms too as it all spills out. It's hard already to make my word of 2014 stand out! SIMPLE is not a word I would use at the moment! However, I knew the chaos of stuff everywhere would leave my brain sore. So it was a month of soothing music. Music is massively important to me. I love to walk on my own, just so I can have my headphones plugged in and drift off into my own little world. I love being the only one home during the day so I can listen to what I want without distraction. I love being in the car by myself so I can listen to what I want without distraction. Different genres play to either create my mood, or reflect my mood. This month, soothing to calm me down in chaos. I'm a big fan of film scores. I don't think they ever get the credit that they truly deserve. Hans Zimmer is one really cool dude in my opinion and definitely on my list for fantasy dinner party invites! Yeah I know, I'm a bit sad! iTunes Playlist for January 1. Shepherd Moons - Enya 2. Now We Are Free - Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard (The Gladiator) 3. Chevaliers De Sangreal - Hans Zimmer (The Davinci Code) 4. Big My Secret - Michael Nyman (The Piano) 5. Gumption - Hans Zimmer (The Holiday) 6. A Wild and Distant Shore - Michael Nyman (The Piano) 7. Maestro - Hans Zimmer (The Holiday) 8. Gortoz a Ran - Hans Zimmer/Denez Prigent (Black Hawk Down) 9. Flow Like Water - James Newton Howard (The Last Airbender) 10. None Of Them Are You - Thomas Newman (The Adjustment Bureau) (I know it's of no real interest to any of you reading this, but it's just for my records really. To remind myself what it was that was part of me at a certain time in my life) Ahhhhhhh these were just the best to soothe me, yet uplift me. Nothing beats the treat of a lonesome coffee shop visit where I can sip a latte, read a little, listen to Gumption and Maestro and completely forget about the mess at home. I loved the film (I'm a soppy chick flick watcher) and these two pieces always lift my spirits and make me feel incredibly happy and sunshiny. A Wild and Distant Shore, well got to be listened to on a wet and windy grey day walk. Chevaliers De Sangreal, Now We Are Free and Flow Like Water are ones to stop where you are, close your eyes and just enjoy. Actually i'm listening to 'Flow Like Water' as I type and it's just taking my breath away and sending shivers down my spine. I have such a weakness for violin and cello. The sun is streaming in through my windows and I keep just closing my eyes and facing towards it........smiling softly. Oh Sun, sweet Sun, keep shining for thee. Your warmth on my face is greatly appreciated...... I have felt relaxed, soothed, and happy.....despite chaos. I have taken delight in little pleasures such as new hyacinths to replaces my christmas flowered ones. My geraniums are doing okay in the house...oh how I love geraniums. My yarn stash is looking delicious to me at the moment, and it's a REAL struggle not to start something new and get my wip's out of the way first. It's all about the pastels to help soothe my wired brain. It will be nice to get back into the crafty swing as that has sort of dropped to the wayside. So I guess, although 'Simple' has seemed a little buried this month so far, I have tried, and succeeded to make it as nice as it possibly could be! I'm ready for what the rest of January holds and looking forward into February too. I want to see those lovely little daffodil bulbs poke their mighty heads through the cold ground........ and maybe, just maybe, there may be some finished projects may be in sight...... Until then....... xxx