My Summers in Bulgaria

Lielle was asked at school to make a short presentation in English about herself.  She chose to write about the summers she spends in Bulgaria.  This 6-minute video gives a feel for the simple fun that we enjoy there each year. 

Getting Set for the Summer - Invitation to Share

As anyone reading this blog can see, I haven't been very good at keeping it updated. But that doesn't mean the project is dead - far from it! In less than a month from now we shall be back out in Bulgaria and have plenty to look forward to:

* Hosting a couple of Couchsurfing families
* Hosting a 4-generation meet up of close family members
* Continuing our weekly arts and crafts sessions for local children from Osikovo
* Setting up another weekly arts and crafts session in Voditsa
* Getting dirty in the garden: harvesting, preserving, cooking and eating great food
* Continuing mud-plastering the dining room
* Revamping the outdoor summer kitchen/eating area
* And more, lots lots more....

On our wish list this summer are:

* Teaching Lielle to swim
* Learn to play the ukulele
* Finding a donkey (preferably with little cart) to hire over the summer
* And more, lots lots more...

In March I made a short trip to the village, and although it was a little early for proper gardening, took a chance and sprinkled seeds all over the place.  Since then the weather has been a fertile mix of warmth and rain and I can't wait to see what has sprouted up.

Lielle is looking forward to being reunited with Buster, Dyado (Grandpa) Peter's little dog, who he lets her take care of each time we are there. Dani too is looking forward to getting himself into the various renovation projects, and generally having some time to chill after working the long work-hours he is used to during the rest of the year.

INVITATION: 

To all of our friends who have shared this project with us in the past - we invite you again! To those of you who keep threatening to visit - do it!  To those of you who have never given it a thought - think now! If you have an appreciation of the simple things in life and find joy in sharing your skills and creativity maybe spend some time with us this summer?

We'd love to hear from you - lielle8@yahoo.co.uk


 

Voluntary Simplicity

It's now been 4 months since returning from our sabbatical in Bulgaria. This has been a period of readjustment and reevaluation of our lives. On the face of it we have slipped back into many of our old routines: work, school, etc., but scratch a little under that surface impression and there is clear evidence of a whole mindset change. Trying to define this change has been a bit elusive, but I recently stumbled across a book, and then an amazing website about 'Voluntary Simplicity' and they have helped me sum up where I think we're at right now.

Voluntary simplicity is all about simplifying your lifestyle (though there are probably as many different versions of it as there are people). On the face of it it's all about living your life with less - which can make it sound like deprivation - but it's not. It's more about defining and then balancing your 'needs' against your 'wants'. Getting rid of the clutter in our lives is much more than just material things too - it encompasses other spheres such as emotional clutter.

Anyhow, others have already put this much more eloquently than I have. I definitely recommend checking out this voluntary simplicity website and this inspiring suggestion for a new year's resolution.