Thursday 25 January 2018

Sweet Dreams and Fairytale Roses


Hello Friends,

It's so good to make contact again with the Blog World after my long hibernation away to heal. I was sorry to hear that so many of you have had sadness in your lives these past months. I hope that time will help heal, and that you are surrounded by loving support. 

I have spent a lot of time away from my computer, partly because I couldn't drag myself there due to PTSD, but also because I needed to do other things like inspirational reading, counseling, mindfulness, exercising and socialising. Some other things that have helped me feel better are:

1. Creating vignettes to photograph

2. Working hard in my garden

3. Getting more and regular sleep



When my inspiration to create is low, I like to 'play' with various collected treasures to create vignettes, which I then photograph from various angles. Rearranging my displays in various rooms lets me enter 'the flow', where time is meaningless, worries drop away, and I find joy in the simplicity of the present moment. 

I found this gorgeous sheet music (above) and the name 'Jessie's Dream' became a theme. In the above vignette I used some white leather baby shoes, a worn silver try and a bridal floral headpiece.

My garden of many roses is a great source of healing - it gives me physical exercise as well as great pleasure. I love picking flowers and arranging them in vases, which I then  photograph so I can take delight in looking back at the results of my work, savouring each exquisite bloom and vase. Below is 'Climbing Cinderella', one of Kordes' Fairy Tale Collection. This is my favourite rose as it is covered in roses in Spring and continues to bloom for months until almost Winter. It is about 3 metres high and vigorous. The blooms last well in vases, too.


Thanks to Dee of Dee's Funk'nJunk in Ulladulla, I found this amazing old chippy paint door to use as a photography backdrop. My kids were appalled at its state, and that I would use it as an item of home decor!


My darling Mum gave me a gorgeous miniature bush rose and it goes so well with climbing Cinderella...



The roses below are David Austin's Windermere, which again bloom from spring right through until Winter with a stunning old-world light lemony scent.


It's a pity the petals fall after one day in the vase, but they do look so beautiful...



Now for all you Creatives, the latest science on sleep shows that you are more creative if you get proper sleep. Since I've been getting 8 hours of sleep regularly now for a couple of months, I feel much better emotionally and physically, and I'm feeling more creative energy.  

The best scientific book I've read recently is Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep: the New Science of Sleep and Dreams". I stumbled upon it in a review in The Guardian just before Christmas; it was only released late in 2017. I've been convinced by his presentation of many experiments from around the world over many years, that we all need to prioritise our precious sleep better. This page from the book is a great summary - and it's all backed by scientific rigour...


I've been committing to a regular bedtime, no screen for an hour before and some exercise during the day. When the dawn light wakes me through the chinks in the curtains, I reach for my trusty eye patch, turn over and breathe slowly until I fall asleep again till about 7:00am. That last two hours gives me the dream sleep that is so important to feeling well rested. 

Sleep is a free remedy that improves so many health problems - all you have to do is try it out to see if it helps you feel better. (I'm not getting a commission here - just wanting to share a great benefit we often ignore :) 



You can purchase the book here:

Wishing you a good night's sleep and Sweet Dreams, as my Mum always says.

Love and Hugs, 

Jesse XXX



6 comments:

  1. Hi Jesse!
    Thanks most sincerely for the lovely comment you left on ~ My little old world ~, I'm sincerely honored, I truly appreciate it and here I've found such a wonderful blog, I cannot help but following you with much joy!

    Sending blessings on your weekend ahead,
    with sincere gratitude

    XOXO Daniela

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    1. Hello, I'm so glad to 'meet' you Daniela. I did enjoy browsing your blog, and I'll come back too. You must look at my museum posts - you'll enjoy the vintage clothing there.
      Hugs,
      Jesse

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  2. Your roses are lovely! I am a gardener too. Mostly herbs and flowers. I don't have much luck with roses. When my brother passed away I bought a lovely rose bush from David Austin, Lady Diana, we had a harsh winter and it died. I was so upset.
    Ilove old sheet music and have some myself, but I cannot cut them up.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Susan, I'm sorry your rosebush died. Your winters are very harsh, it's a challenge for your roses to survive. We have humidity and Black spot, the opposite problem. Our summers are hot and humid - our winters are mild. I'm sure you will keep your brother in your heart regardless of the rose's death. I too have planted trees in honour of family deaths, only to move house and later see them die. Don't be harsh on yourself. Their memory lives on regardless.

      I also find it hard to cut up the sheet music- mostly I copy and print it on my printer :)
      Loving wishes,
      Jesse XX

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  3. Oh Jesse,
    such most beautiful, and stunning roses, you have in your garden,- they are my favorite tone, of pinks, all .
    So wonderful is the one from your mother, too- and I love your darling vignette Jesse. The door is an amazing find,-
    Hugs from Dorthe, xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Dorthe. Roses are such an important part of life - we need bread and roses. Bread to sustain our bodies, roses to sustain our souls :)
      Love,
      Jesse XX

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Thank you so much for your friendly comments. It makes my day to hear from you about my artworks and topics.