Winding down to year end

I find that the winter solstice is the day when I start to really think about one year ending  and another one on the horizon. Christmas is nearly upon us but I've already taken stock and looked back on 2014 whilst planning ahead for 2015.
This is just a round up of some of the things that have meant something to us this year; visits to the beach for walking and beachcombing; the end of the beekeeping when my husband became allergic to the very thing he loved;  lots of rooting around in churchyards and exploring them; the making of many books and then teaching them in workshops;  birds, birds and more birds in our garden and further afield; enjoying our garden and encouraging wildlife into it; design and printing in all its forms.... the list goes on.
A major part of the year was spent working on the project at the local museum, researching the men who volunteered for the Great War. I found some wonderful stories but I never shared them here as I felt they were not mine to share. I became fond of men I could never know or have known and shed many tears when I found photographs to support my research. It has been an emotional year commemorating the start of the war but I think it has been fitting.
I have a plan for 2015 that might have also been an intention for 2014 too but this time I feel very positive about it. I intend to spend more time simply drawing. I want to sharpen my skills. I know I can draw already but I want to do it better and more spontaneously. I have an idea in mind and have set up another blog to go with it. If I get it off the ground I will let you know!


I hope everyone else has had a good year and wish you all a great Christmas and an exciting 2015.