Where’s your place, in your place? You know, the place in your home you find when you need a break, or peace, the place that encourages calm, quiet, introspection, or focus? For me, it’s my balcony. (I say in your home, because ideally, the woods take the number one spot, but reasonably, I can’t just walk off to the woods when I need a few moments!) Doesn’t matter the weather, my balcony is a haven, my respite. (Unless my kids are outside being kids, then it’s a noise fest, but that’s joyful noise and I’m grateful to have it) With spring in full swing, and summer approaching, I’ve returned my plants to their rightful place on my outdoor baker’s rack, and they help complete the peaceful vibe I’m after. This year, I’ve totally indulged in store bought blooms, too, along with planting my own, so now I can enjoy beauty, while also enjoying the wait for my seeds to sow.

Feet up, a book, perfect sunshine and sunflowers

We live in a townhouse, tucked into a sweet cul-de-sac, and it suits my little family perfectly. There’s a front porch on the bottom where I’ll plant cosmos, zinnias and a few others, yet to be determined, in big honking pots (I might do lavender this year, should I go for it?). It’s a small covered porch without any frills, but walking out to blooms is always a treat. Then there’s the humble, uncovered back porch, most definitely b.o.r.i.n.g, but it’s nice in the summer to be in the shade, watching the bunnies, squirrels and birds, and enjoying the lush green foliage. BUT, the balcony, well, that’s the piece de resistance. There’s abundant sunshine, you can see the neighbors come and go, but also hide in the hammock or tucked back in the corner for those anonymous feeling moments. Are you feeling how much I love my space?!

In the evenings, I enjoy the soft glow from my hanging lights, reminding me that even when it’s dark, it’s not, there’s always light to be found. Wee early mornings, when I can’t sleep, I step out and listen to the 3 am forever and always singing Mockingbird. In the plain old early mornings, when I wake before the house to have quiet time to myself, I enjoy a cup of tea while watching the sky lighten, and listen to all of the birds saying good morning, and happy new day. When the tv is too loud, and I can’t control the volume, yep you guessed it, I slip out to my favorite place; if it’s exceptionally loud, I’ll even carry my noise cancelling headphones. Kids fighting over who gets what in the chest or who kills the iron golem in Minecraft, and yeah I’m peacing out to the balcony. All seasons, except for summer, will find me catching sunbeams when I can, and honestly, the only vibe I’m chasing lately is LIGHT.

I could share 100 of these sunsets, and still want to share, each one is absolutely unique, just like everything else in creation

I’ve created a space that calms and settles, helps me think when I need inspiration (we have spectacular views of the sunset, and y’all know how I feel about sunsets). I think we ALL deserve a space, a fantastic outdoor space, that calls at just the right time. I hope you have the same, no really, I hope SO MUCH that you have a haven of your own. If you don’t, I hope you find, create, revamp, whatever it takes to E N J O Y a slice of nature, when you need it most!

With Sunbeams and Love,

Racheal Xx