I think it happened somewhere around the time I turned 35. I had a baby, two boys aged 7 and 9, and two dogs. Life was full, yet somehow slower than ever before.

That summer I often found myself sitting on the porch, listening to Apple Music Country radio, sipping coffee and watching the baby nap in the swing. I think we only went to the beach once. Instead, we installed a greenhouse and after thinking for a decade that I would never do that, I grew my own tomatoes and cucumbers for the first time ever. It was the slowest summer of my life – and for sure the happiest.

I remember thinking how there is magic to be found in the ordinary. How tending to the garden can bring joy. How doing nothing in the eyes of others – and then again doing everything in the eyes of your children – can bring peace. How letting go of everyone else’s expectations and just doing whatever the hell makes your heart happy can, indeed, make you happy.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I read Jodi Wilson’s “Practising Simplicity” that summer. It opened my eyes and assured me I’m on the right path.

That path is simply enjoying life in all its seasons. Right now it’s chasing babies and raising dreams. Hopefully one day, when all my babies have grown, I have a garden full of weens and I can call myself a breeder of miniature smooth-haired dachshunds.

That’s where the name of this blog comes from – their tails remind me of paintbrushes. Considering I used to do calligraphy and paint flowers on handmade cards, it’s only fitting, don’t you think?

A bunch of wagging paintbrushes running around my backyard – wouldn’t that be some kind of wonderful?!