Acts of Kindness

This morning, before I left the house, I received 2 beautiful and completely unexpected gifts.  The first one arrived at my door whilst I was still in bed at around 6.45am.  I heard a 'ooh hoo, hello Anna' and I quickly sprung out of my bed.  Looking completely dishevelled I opened the front door.  It was the lady across the road bringing me a big bowl of her home-grown figs which she had just picked from the tree in her back yard.  Despite being a bit surprised by her early arrival I was so excited to receive such a generous and thoughtful gift.

The second gift appeared on the bench in our kitchen at around 7.30am just after I had finished getting dressed.  It was a beautiful vase of pale pink spray roses.  Caroline, who helps me with a few things at home, picked them out of her garden early this morning for me. 

I can't begin to tell you how special these little acts of kindness made me feel today.  They also reminded me that I need to do things like this more.  I need to share the happiness my garden gives me just like these 2 very special ladies did today.

I took the pretty pink spray roses into Black & Spiro and placed them on a coffee table in the shop as they won't last very long.  I didn't want to leave them in our empty house all day with nobody around to enjoy them.  I wanted everyone who visited the shop today to see them and enjoy their divine scent.  You can see them too in the picture above which I posted on Instagram earlier today.

The figs I am going to deliver to my mother tomorrow so that she can make a tart with them.  Small kind gestures really do bring big happy smiles!!

Back Into The Swing

How does one get back into the swing of things after a couple of weeks spent at the beach lazing around like a lizard in the sun? The ease of Island time is replaced with peak hour traffic and let's be honest, it's like a big slap in the face with the opening of the inbox!!

For me it is all about sssslllloooowwlly easing back into it.  However, it makes it even harder when you know that most people are still away enjoying themselves. 

 

One of the lovliest things the summer holiday has given me is a fresh, clear mind.  I feel motivated and excited.  Thank goodness!!

 

And in the spirit of my new-found inspiration I have been playing around in the shop this week with a few fresh table vignettes incorporating some flowers and foliage from home.  That's what I call slowly easing my way back into it in a lovely creative way.  Next week will be a different story, I am sure!