Friends | A Zestful Quest

I’ve promised to post but I’ve been so busy lately that there are a few drafts still waiting to be published, this is one of them… I have been awarded twice by Monica in the meantime so I had to slightly adjust this post *hehe*. I feel flattered that I’ve received these awards: Monica keeps inspiring me with her zest for life and her different perspective on things. She left an impression on me when we first met, she made me feel extremely welcome to visit her blog.

Something most bloggers don’t and I have to admit I used to be like that too because I had no idea about blog etiquette. I started this blog for me so I wasn’t expecting any readers at all, let alone commenters. These days if someone refuses to respond after my third visit then I can’t be bothered and won’t visit anymore. It’s about interaction, it works two ways. So Monica being the generous Monica got me hooked and I’ve been reading her blog ever since.

Thank you Monica for the awards! I want to be honest with you because that’s what I’m like: I’ve given it some thought and I won’t pass them on to anyone in particular. Not because I don’t want to but because it could create expectations and/or obligations, two words that I’m trying to avoid in life. So I’ll compromise and pass it on to anyone who reads this blog and feels that he/she deserves it, that way I won’t cause a stir in blogosphere etiquette…

Another blog friend: Ismoyo has opened her online shop where she sells her crafted cute goodies. I ran into Ismoyo’s blog while searching for a specific illustration; the first thing that caught my eye besides her gorgeous illustrations, was her collection[s] of 70’s design. I was amazed to see familiar [mostly Dutch] things from the past: packaging, toys, magazines etc. and had instant flashbacks. As with most creative people, Ismoyo is multi-talented as well and proof can be found on her blog and her online shop. Go check it out!

OH, I almost forgot again, I met up with Stuart two weeks ago another blog friend, while he and his girlfriend were here for a short break. It was great to see you again Stu and to meet S.!!! I had a wonderful time and will email soon!

Two cool awards

It’s been so warm for at least a week now. I haven’t slept very well because of this heat and certain behaviour of nice ground-floor neighbours *sarcastic*. So whenever I can, I open all the windows hoping there might be a bit of a cool breeze out there peeping in. The temperature in my office studio has been between 28° – 36° and makes it hard to concentrate on projects that need to be done. I’m often distracted and end up doing other things like getting rid of clutter, reorganising and throwing out stuff. I did this all morning while I should’ve been working on a website but at least the room is all neat again and I’ve thrown out lots of crap.

I’m heading for Scotland Friday morning to visit my best friend IvS [she’s Dutch] and enjoy a party they’ll be throwing for 120 guests in the evening in their barn. Saturday evening I’ll finally see the military tattoo at Edinburgh Castle and a huge fireworks display right after. IvS offered to go there when I visited her in Pitcairngreen, seven years ago but I think I had a bit of a cultural overdose back then since she already paid for a three days tour around parts of Scotland to see some castles, churches, the smallest distillery, the Wallace monument [summit of Abbey Craig] some wonderful [golf]sites and towns near the coast and a lot more.

I’m so looking forward to staying with her, they invited me so many times and I don’t understand why I didn’t go sooner. Last year after the break-up they wanted me to stay there for a while but I had too much on my mind back then to be able to relax. They moved from their cute cottage in 2002 to a wonderful huge old farmhouse, where they keep chicken, sheep, three dogs, a few hens and their neighbour’s cows on their land to mow the grass. So I’m off soon to relax and enjoy nature, a wee dram, long walks with the dogs, jokes about anything expat related and my friends’ company in general.

Bliss… One day I will move here and keep some goats, I’m such a dreamer but I know this one will be real… Below is where I’ll be staying [I’m showing you while walking around the house *hehe*]: