You may have noticed on the website or perhaps Facebook or Google Maps that we are temporarily closed. I’ve been kind of quiet the past 18 months and I feel an explanation is in order. So what’s been happening? Well a lot, and not much.
My husband left at the beginning of last year. I can’t really explain why he left except that the life we had was not what he wanted. So as you can imagine 2022 was a tough year.
Without a partner in work and without a partner in life, coupled with my existing social anxiety, everything just got the better of me.
I’ve been rather lacking in motivation and energy, been incredibly sad, and at times angry. I stopped gardening and the property developed an abandoned places aesthetic - but not in a good way. I put cakes and tea parties on hold because so much energy, time, love, and thought goes into them and I just didn't have any of those things to spare. I am also a ‘heart on my sleeve’ type of person and find putting on a brave face quite difficult - tea and sympathy would have taken on a different slant that I just wasn't comfortable with!
I have been living in hope and perhaps delusion, on a rollercoaster of despair, promise, and disappointment, with fingers crossed that we will get back together. I've been pretty much floating in limbo not wanting to share anything about this for fear of making things worse or putting a jinx on it... not knowing what to post about instead... not having the enthusiasm to do anything worth posting about. I have good days and bad days with my anxiety. I miss the ‘dream’ of sharing Villa del Vento and I miss hosting my lovely guests. I worry if I stay away too long the dream will be lost and no one will want to visit the villa in the future.
But, I have spent some time in the garden recently, with some occasional help, so things are looking a bit better. Thank goodness Mum keeps all the box hedging in line and Dad has continued to work tirelessly in the vegetable garden, mowing seemingly endless lawns, and cutting firewood. Winter is nearly here so tea parties would be on a break now anyway. The garden will sleep and allow me to finish prepping it for spring. This thought gives me the energy I need to make cakes again and so I have updated the page on the website and am looking forward to welcoming customers once more. Hopefully next spring tea parties will be back too.
I am thankful for all the wonderful people who have supported my efforts in the past. It’s not been easy on a low budget, then covid, now ‘this’ but I'll keep on keeping on. Who knows what the future will hold but hopefully the Springtime will mean new beginnings.
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