Slowing Down and Reflecting

Highlights and Gratitude as 2024 Comes to a Close

I’ve just wrapped up work for the year and won’t be back until January 2nd – that’s 12 glorious days to immerse myself in catching up on Substack, indulging in creative activities, and slowing down to enjoy good food, great company, and plenty of rest as I see out the year.

As I reflect on 2024, it’s all felt a bit surreal. In this post, I’d love to share some of the highlights from the year and take a moment to express my gratitude for a few wonderful Substack accounts that have made me feel so welcome in this community. It’s been such a joy to connect with others who share the same creative spirit, and I can’t wait to introduce you to them.

Let’s start with the highlights.

Seasonal Highlights of 2024

Winter of 2024 (Jan & Feb)

January 2024 arrived with a touch of magic right outside my kitchen window. Each morning, the sun rose gracefully between the bare trees, casting a golden glow that made me momentarily forget the army of molehills that had mysteriously sprung up overnight.

Rodney the Robin was in fine spirits, flitting about the garden as though he owned the place. His fiery red breast stood out against the winter branches, making him impossible to miss. He even earned a starring role in one of my Substack posts—a well-deserved bit of fame for such a charming winter companion.

At the front of the house, snowdrops carpeted the lawn in delicate clusters. Their white petals, like tiny drops of snow, sparkled in the frosty light—a gentle reminder that even in winter’s greyest days, nature offers moments of quiet beauty.

Spring of 2024 (Mar, Apr, May)

Spring arrived with a burst of life as the garden slowly blossomed into colour. It was an eventful season, with Hooty, our resident owl, making his much-anticipated appearance. Evenings were spent watching him glide silently across the garden, diligently keeping the rodent population in check—a service I’m always thankful for.

One memorable moment involved rescuing a poor bird that had flown into one of our cottage windows. That dreaded ‘clunk’ is always heart-wrenching, but with over 30 windows just on the ground floor, collisions are sadly inevitable. In spring and summer, I avoid cleaning the windows (not the worst chore to skip!) in an effort to reduce such accidents, though there’s always one determined flier. After some gentle care, the little bird regained its strength and happily disappeared into the woods. That’s another feather in my cap when it comes to caring for wildlife.

The season also brought a joyful milestone: Scruff and Gus celebrated their birthdays in true canine style! Their doggy party was a hit, with their best buddies Binky and Daisy joining the festivities. My Yorkshire Terrier Scruff turned 14 this year - a grand age for such a lovely old soul.

Summer of 2024 (Jun, Jul, Aug)

On 27th June 2024, Our Country Life Substack was born. Starting a blog had been on my mind for ages, and one morning I woke up and did it! Since then, every Sunday at 7am, I’ve shared musings about nature, wildlife, and whatever else inspires me that week. The warmth and kindness from you all has been incredible - I’ve felt part of a welcoming community from the very start. Along the way, I’ve also made some wonderful virtual friends, many of whom are exceptionally talented creators.

This summer, we also took the plunge into vegetable gardening. Our first veg bed adventure was a mix of triumphs and trials. Hungry caterpillars staged a full-scale invasion, claiming more than their fair share of our crops—a valuable lesson in nature’s unpredictable ways.

Perhaps the season’s most magical highlight was watching the swallows raise their chicks. We were lucky enough to witness two broods this year. The second clutch arrived quite late, and I worried about whether they’d be ready for their long migration. But nature proved resilient once again; they grew strong and eventually soared off into the autumn skies, bound for distant lands.

Autumn of 2024 (Sep, Oct, Nov)

What a spectacular autumn season it’s been! I’ve loved seeing how others experienced this magical time of year through stories, photos, and reflections. It felt like nature truly outdid itself.

This autumn, the woodlands around our cottage were bursting with fungi. Every week, a new variety seemed to emerge, tempting me back outside with my camera. From delicate to downright otherworldly, the fungi display was a photographer’s dream. It’s been such a joy capturing these fleeting woodland treasures.

One unforgettable highlight was witnessing the Northern Lights—from my very own garden! Seeing those shimmering colours dance across the night sky was nothing short of magical. While some (my partner included) didn’t quite grasp the excitement, for me, it was a bucket-list moment I’ll never forget.

November delivered the first snowfall of winter, transforming our garden and the surrounding woods into a picture-perfect wonderland. Thankfully, the snow didn’t linger long enough to turn into the dreaded brown slush, but its brief visit left everything sparkling and serene.

December of 2024

December has already been full of unforgettable moments. One of the highlights was walking alpacas for my mum’s birthday - a unique experience we’d all been looking forward to. My sister and I joined in, making it a family day out to remember.

I was paired with a cheeky alpaca named Santiago, who kept me on my toes with his playful antics throughout the walk. He had a mischievous sparkle in his eye that made the whole experience even more entertaining.

But the star of the day was undoubtedly my mum’s alpaca, Teddy. Midway through the walk, he decided it was the perfect time to stop...and relieve himself—right in the middle of the path! This unexpected pause brought the entire group to a standstill and left us all laughing.

It was a brilliant day filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of alpaca antics—a birthday adventure we’ll be talking about for years to come.

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CAPTIVATING READS TO EXPLORE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Festive Reading: Substack Recommendations to Enjoy!

With the festive holidays just around the corner, I’m looking forward to finally catching up on all the brilliant Substack posts I’ve been saving but haven’t had time to read. There are so many inspiring writers and creators sharing their stories, insights, and creativity on Substack.

I wanted to take a moment to recognise some of the wonderful Substack pages that I’ve really enjoyed following this year. If you’re looking for thoughtful, inspiring, or entertaining reads over the holiday season, these are well worth checking out.

Here are my recommendations.

🌿Victoria at The Autumn Chronicles

Victoria is one of the kindest, most supportive people I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with. Week after week, she takes the time to read my posts and always leaves the most thoughtful, heartfelt comments.

I also absolutely adore Victoria’s Substack, The Autumn Chronicles. Victoria beautifully captures life’s small but meaningful moments, sharing micro-moments of joy that have brought her happiness. Her Three Glimmers series is such a delight—I’ve loved following along each month and finding inspiration in the way she celebrates life’s simple, special joys.

🌿Katie at Katie Living Simply

I feel like Katie and I are kindred spirits when it comes to what we value in life. Her Substack is all about “simple, slow, cosy living in a busy and complicated world”—a sentiment that truly resonates with me.

Katie’s writing beautifully balances optimism and realism, offering thoughtful reflections on slow living that feel both comforting and inspiring. Her posts are a reminder to find joy in life’s simple pleasures.

This is one Substack I can’t wait to dive deeper into over the Christmas holidays, wrapped in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

🌿Sophie at This is Sophie Today

If you’re looking for thoughtful, soul-nourishing writing, I can’t recommend Sophie’s Substack enough. Sophie lives off-grid in New Zealand with her husband and their parrot, Croky, in a tiny house set up - a life she describes as the first time she’s truly found peace.

But her journey to this peaceful existence hasn’t been straightforward. After years of moving around and chasing the next version of herself, she’s come to a powerful realisation: peace isn’t found in a specific place - it’s found within yourself when you’re willing to do the inner work.

Through her beautifully reflective writing, Sophie shares her ongoing journey of self-development and self-care with honesty and warmth. Her stories are inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply relatable. If you’re searching for gentle guidance on finding balance and meaning in life’s complexities, her Substack is the perfect place to start.

🌿Christa at The Accidental Gardener

If you love plants, gardening adventures, and honest stories about learning as you go, this Substack is an absolute pearl. Written from a charming 1900 Victorian terrace home, it’s a heartfelt journal of Christa’s journey through the ups and downs of plant care.

With a self-proclaimed love for pretty plants and unusual greenery, Christa shares her experiences with warmth, humour, and relatability. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and comfort in knowing that even the most dedicated plant lovers are always learning. This is a delightful blog to add to your reading list!

🌿David at A Life More Creative

If you’re drawn to the idea of slow, simple, and seasonal living, Rediscover - Reconnect - Re-Emerge is a beautiful Substack worth exploring. David’s subscribers receive thoughtfully crafted emails divided into four inspiring series.

Each series gently explores ways to embrace a slower pace, find joy in the seasons, and reflect on life’s meaningful moments - all with a lovely creative touch.

🌿Aimée at Flourish and Fare

Visiting Aimée’s Substack feels like stepping into a warm, welcoming kitchen. I can almost hear the kettle bubbling away and catch the comforting scent of freshly baked cakes and biscuits wafting through the air. It’s a place where stories are shared with heart, creating that cosy, cherished feeling of home.

Aimée’s writing wraps you in a blanket of nostalgia and warmth, offering a peaceful escape filled with stories that linger long after you’ve finished reading. A true delight for anyone seeking comfort, inspiration, and a dash of everyday magic.

🌿Karen at Karen’s Adventures

If you're looking for a blog that offers a perfect blend of health, wellness, and adventure, then look no further. Karen’s Substack is the creation of an internationally recognised Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Orthomolecular Practitioner, and Integrative Mind-Body Specialist, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every post.

Each post is flavoured with a sprinkle of humour and the occasional "Karen moment" for that extra dash of authenticity. Karen’s blog is a delightful mix of practical advice, personal experiences, and the occasional tasty morsel of travel inspiration. If you're on a journey towards self-improvement, mind-body balance, or simply seeking inspiration, this Substack is the perfect place to nourish your soul.

This isn’t even half of the Substacks I wanted to share, but apparently, there’s an alert flashing at the top of my post saying it’s getting too long! I’ve got a whole bunch of other brilliant accounts that are a definite ‘must-read’, and you can find them all on my recommendations list on my home page.

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I hope you find these recommendations as delightful as I have.

Merry Christmas!

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Thank you so much for reading! Your support and interest truly mean the world to me. If you enjoyed this glimpse into Our Country Life, consider subscribing for a Sunday morning dose of living closer to nature, through words and pictures.

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Hey, I’d love to stay connected with you! If you enjoy what I share here, you’ll find even more everyday moments, creative snapshots, and heartfelt musings over on my Instagram.

It’s where I share little bits of life, inspiration, and things that make me smile — and I’d love for you to be part of it.

📲 Come say hi at Our_Country_Life_Photography
💛 Feel free to leave a comment or send a message; I always love hearing from you.
📸 If you share something inspired by my content, be sure to tag me — I’d love to see it!

Looking forward to connecting with you there! Take care and see you soon! 🫶✨