A little message from me (and perhaps something from beyond the veil)…
Today I was reminded to keep things simple: A warm cuppa, a favourite biscuit, a tiny moment of joy. Thank you for being here and for quietly supporting Beautifully-Strung. You don’t need to like or comment for your presence to be felt— I know you’re there, and I’m truly grateful.
Beautifully-Strung is about genuine connection, heartfelt communication, and making a gentle difference—bit by bit, day by day.
Have you spent time with your inner child recently?
Sometimes we feel like there’s no time to pause, let alone to connect with our inner child. But that child is still there and you’re worth those moments of joy – even if it’s just a few minutes. Give yourself permission to play, to dream, and to find joy in the smallest of moments. Let your inner child out just a little each day – rediscover the magic within….
I’ve been reflecting, and found myself drawn back to a poem written by WJ Thomson, my dad. I’d like to share it with you here.
For all the things
For all the things I haven’t done, And all the battles lost and won. For all the kindness unexpressed, And all the time that isn’t left. I cried a little.
For all the friendships lost and won, All the sadness and the fun. For all the good things of the past, And memories that for ever last. I sighed a little.
For all the cherished, precious thoughts, And all the things that can’t be bought. For all the things that means so much, The laugh, the smile, the gentle touch. I warmed a little.
For all the kindness I have known, The thoughtfulness that has been shown. For all the helping hands extended, And friendships that have never ended. I smiled a little
For all the joys I’ve still to see, And all the pleasures yet to be. For all the stories not begun, For all the songs that remain unsung, I laughed a little.
Blackthorn in bloom—standing strong and flowering early, no matter how sharp the winds.
Those pale white flowers, blooming bravely on dark, thorny branches—often before the leaves have even stirred—are one of the first signs that spring is truly waking.
In folklore, the Blackthorn was known as both guardian and guide. With its twisted limbs and fierce thorns, it was seen as a protector of boundaries—between fields, between worlds, and between the quiet of winter and the renewal of spring.
Despite its prickly nature, it has gentle gifts. The sloes it bears in autumn were once used in remedies for the throat and digestion, and its wood was carved into walking sticks for those seeking strength on uncertain paths.
This tree has long reminded us: beauty and resilience can grow even from the darkest roots.
And sometimes, the most hopeful blooms are the ones that come after the hardest season.
I’ve been gathering stories like this for a book I’m working on—slowly but joyfully—one wild plant at a time.
Have you spotted any early signs of spring where you are?
There’s a generous scattering of tiny Wood Anemones in the garden now—delicate, low to the ground, and quietly dazzling when the sun peeks through.
Known as the windflower, they’ve long been linked to fairies and old folk tales, said to carry whispers from the spirit world. Not one for remedies these days (a bit too strong-willed for that), but more than welcome just for the way they remind us to notice what’s fleeting and quietly beautiful.
They bloom when the sun shines, tuck themselves away when they’ve had enough, and seem perfectly content doing their own thing…..
You may have noticed it’s been a little quieter here on Beautifully-Strung recently. With so much disruption and negativity lately, I’ve taken a step back to reflect and reconnect with what truly matters.
Like many of us, I’ve felt the storm—both in the world around us and in the quieter spaces within. But storms pass, and after them, we find moments of clarity, stillness, and the chance to begin again.
Beautifully-Strung will always be a space for genuine, heartfelt, and grounded moments—a little corner of calm amidst the noise. A place where we celebrate meaningful connections, creativity, and the joy of sharing something beautiful.
A person who follows ancestral and season rhythms recognises that midwinter is not the time to make new resolutions. The true “new year” around the Spring Equinox, aligns with the natural cycles of renewal, growth and rebirth. The switch to the Gregorian calendar in 1582 disconnects us from the natural rhythms of life. Winter is a time of rest and reflection. Starting a new year in the midst of winter when the natural world is in a state of quiet does not align with the energetic burst of vitality that comes with spring. (Source: Alia Koger)
You are enough. It’s dark because you are holding on too tightly Gently now, gently You are enough Let yourself move through the world lightly Feel deeply, but carry it lightly Let things unfold and meet them softly You are enough
