14 Comments
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Brigid's avatar

Thank you for your honesty.. You have done so much! Maybe next year you can put up shade cloth in the garden for the plants. A lot of farmers do that here in Spain. Until the trees are bigger and you can use their shade? Strange how life goes isn't it, I'm happy that your cancer was caught before it was a serious problem. Sometimes to do lists seems to never end :,( but you've made a lot of progress. Abt filming for me I don't need to see for example the whole tiling experience a before and after is good enough, I believe you when you say you did it ;) and you're not a tutorial channel. I just love to see your progress :D a garden is a lot of work including the harvest, animals are a lot of work and refurbishing a house is a lot of work and a baby, well how many big projects can a human do in general and now with a baby you'll have even less time to do all of that. May be you can make more shorter like 10min? before and after videos, or just 1 topic? To still get the YT revenue? Maybe take us shopping show the neighbouring villages? Can you buy a washer/dryer? I had a 2 in 1 it was not very expensive, saves you a trip and is cheaper than the shop. Drawers I have a kitchen with no drawers a horror, can you look on Walapop for a second hand cupboard with drawers? Or from a thrift store? I know towns with a lot of north European expats tend to have great thrift shops with nice prices. It's good to see a Harrriet in a slower pace. You were always working so hard. The floors and the pantry look great. I know little by little, every to do tasks gets done and your house will look unrecognisable in a couple of months from now. All Santi proof and all will be beautiful on the inside and the outside. You already did most of it, now it's the finishing touches which sometimes are the worst fidgety things but very worth the time and effort. I understand filming is a time consuming thing and the editing also. I personally love like improvised take me along videos. I think that's the whole point of YT. It's not a professional platform like TVshows. I love to watch creators who love what they're doing. Not the percfectionist almost burned out "we have to make a video" content which I understand, but i think it's from putting the bar too high. I loved your last video, and hope you make more progress with less filming. Before and afters, road trips, come shop with us, a day in my life, garden & animals updates, and pottery! I'd love to see that. Wish you all the best much love.

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Jen Sheridan's avatar

I think there’s something about trying for a baby that can particularly awaken this feeling in one - maybe it’s coming up against something that you can feel like you have so little control over, in a life where normally you can find a solution. We have a similarly from scratch, slightly different life to many people we know and I go in waves of similar emotions about how hard it is compared to others, but then another wave will come around to remind me that it also affords so much freedom and joy to live by our values. Hoping this is the start of an easier wave for you all.

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Donna's avatar

I LOVE your life musings. :)

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Virgil Cane's avatar

As a neurodivergent (AuDHD) person, I've learnt to kinda always expect the worst health-wise. Meaning, my body cooking up a storm with unpredictable consequences.

Many neurodivergents carry the gene combinations for autoimmune diseases. In my case, it's MCAS, and it raises the odds of pre-eclampsia, so I'll definitely be expecting a complicated pregnancy. I know someone who went through just that. Their baby was born around Santi's term and had serious permanent health outcomes, so I was so happy to see you guys made it through.

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Bev Parkes's avatar

Goodness so many challenges at so many levels but also rewards Santi of course dear wee man he is and the discovery of your genetic condition indeed a blessing to have your thyroid out and Mauros retinal detachment. What you have and are achieving on your beautiful homestead is incredible in view of these things. We love watching everything you do and achieve. Great to hear of your reframing what "needs" to be done and taking time for you Rome is a beautiful city enjoy. Look forward to seeing your ceramics Mauro. Happy gardening love your garden.We have a soggy very cold garden here in NZ at present.Are you able to give me an address by pm for a small gift. Take care

Bev & Bill

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Christine's avatar

I have already mentioned it - I admire your resilience in the face of serious difficulties. You seem to take everything in your stride, with grace, and just move on. You asked your subscribers what they would like to read in your newsletter. What makes it interesting to me is that you write precisely what you want to write, what seems important to you at that time. It's the expression of who you are, and that's what I appreciate and enjoy - a little window into your life, your experiences, your choices.

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Madeleine White's avatar

What a year you’ve had. My daughter had a similar experience - had a head scan re an ear problem and they found lesions on her brain. Turns out she has MS but hadn’t had any of the symptoms so they started to manage the MS ahead of time.

I’ve wondered why either you or Mauro always had Santi strapped to you rather than putting him down somewhere - is that simply a choice thing or is it because you needed to, related to his operations etc.?

Personally, I’m happy to see anything you put up, since your life is so different to the “norm” and always interested to see how the rest of the world live, so carry on being you, film what you want, don’t film what you don’t want, and make time for yourselves and for having fun. Saúde!

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Catherine's avatar

Hello, Harriet! I am one of those who almost never comments. How did I get here? YouTube suggested your video to me. I watched it and immediately subscribed, especially when I heard you mention that you have made the Camino. I felt it to be a rare gift to meet such an exceptionally strong, whole, true and Christian person. Since then I've watched every video and read every letter. More Tofu - yes! And also more Oona. I have a soft spot for that girl , she's so beautiful! Please tell us more about her! And cats! We see very little of cats! And Moses! Need I continue?)) I agree with the previous comment, you don't need to have a finished project for a video. We are here to be on a journey. And if you are learning to enjoy and appreciate slow pace and small things and little moments of life, well then, so are we. Take it easier. You could just take us along on a day, or two, or three in your life, you know, sun shining, rain falling, Tofu pooping, salad growing. You working on things and taking your time to finish them in some future video. No rush. Antistress yourself. We are here to meet you, not the tiles or pipes or whatever.

And one more thing. If God lets something happen in our lives, it has a purpose. It always happens because it's necessary for a reason. So may he keep you and yours. And you are very fortunate too, you don't know how! For instance, you have your husband and child, which so many people haven't. Etc. everyone has reasons to be thankful, and we should rather focus on them!

P.S. and I would absolutely love to see pottery from start to finish! From mixing to baking! In detail, with comments and tips!

Love!

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russ kennerley's avatar

hi you 3, just a thought on everything getting cooked in the garden, i realise the tunnel is out of the question, but wait.

there is the covering that you put under olive trees to catch the olives, just an idea, could that be put over the tunnel greenhouse to give more shade?, 2 layers if necessary , open up both end to try and create a wind tunnel - anyway just a thought - russ - p.s. your doing a great job !!!

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Josh Moll's avatar

I love reading your newsletter because it's so real. I'm happy to hear you're recovering so well. Happy birthday to Santi already! You know about my chronic illness and it has helped me so much to not compare myself to others! I just try to focus as much as possible on the things that give me joy. Like harvesting my first beetroot yesterday and knitting on your scarf. Much love to you three en enjoy life as much as possible!

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Jacqui's avatar

Dear Harriet and Mauro, your certainly living your lives with all it's inevitable ups and downs.

Your newsletters are always interesting to read. Yes, Tofu is so much part of your journey seeing him around (when it's not too hot) is comforting. Shall look forward to seeing Mauro's pottery around your evolving kitchen. Wishing you all good health & happiness.

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dee's avatar

You have had a crazy year! But remember, life will constantly throw challenges at you. When you overcome that one, then you get a new one. They may be small ones or gigantic ones but you'll learn something from it and move on. And that's how life goes. From the highs to the lows and everything in-between, there is always something to be thankful for. Enjoy this time in your life because someday, in the far future, you'll look back and realize what a wonderful and crazy life you've had.

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Carol Freeland's avatar

Life has its cycles, my difficult one was 7 years, getting less crummy each year. It’s just life. I live every day more fully that’s for sure! I enjoy what life you are carving out, in a different country - being kind to our planet, building community. Inspirational. We live on a boat so we can sail when we want, trying to be kind to our planet, building a caring community. Happy Birthday to you all!

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Carol McMillan's avatar

Wow can’t believe Santi is nearly one 💙 if the oven doesn’t make it in you could always make an ice cream cake 🧁…. Yes and taking time to enjoy life is so important x

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