Day 1 & 2 Behind the Scenes
“When you have something to write, get on with it.”
So, that’s what I have intention of doing, just going with the flow. I’m participating in Kims & Xanthes Behind the Scenes: A creative guide to blogging your Passion on line course. With Kim & Xanthe at my side, we’re part of a group of innovative and creative souls. Inspiration flowing from all over the world. We’ve only just started, but there’s such enthusiasm and strong energy I know I’m going to enjoy this journey.
As I’ve been only blogging for a couple of years, ‘blogging’ was a means of communicating with family and friends, of showing them where I lived in Italy, sharing my new culinary cuisine and the extreme climate changes, so different of what I was used to in Australia.
Moving to another country has really ‘changed’ me, in so many ways. I have said it before and still to this day, moving to another country, with a different language, customs and politics wasn’t easy, and my true character was hard to express. I was a complete stranger, apart from looking different: strawberry blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin and freckles…I stood out. Even though you try to speak the language, your accent doesn’t leave you! I was a complete stranger to myself, however, living a fairytale. I loved living in Italy, travelling Europe and meeting wonderful friends and new family. I studied the language and worked the whole time I was over there…but the true me was hidden within another shell.
I started looking on the internet, and a few of my friends started blogging and joining in social networking at the same time. I discovered WordPress, and I’ve enjoyed learning and progressing with them. I’ve actually changed my theme a few times, and have to admit I’ve only recently looked again at updating. WordPress, do have some wonderful ‘free’ themes to work with and they have great support & forums where you can interact.
Carnevale – Venice, Italy
Blogging for me, was my escape, my ‘nest’ where I felt at home to express me. My world of colours through diverse landscapes and European cities, to the cuisine of new taste combinations. Living in Europe was lonely and often in solitude of me and my four walls, my best friend was my blog, and anyone who maybe – just ‘might’ connect to me through my blog. There were no expectations of who I was, no time locks, no rules. I was me sharing the ‘outside’ world, which was easy. I remember the first Winter snow photo’s I took, I actually went out and danced in it. The snow was magical and captured me within a silence I had never experienced before. And I so wanted to tell ‘you’ how that moment felt.
Trying new recipes and experiencing the Italian cuisine was life –changing. I bought monthly cooking magazines just to learn how to write, spell and find the ingredients in the supermarket. And to learn how to combine those aromatic flavours and perfumes of the Italian cuisine. I still subscribe to my favourite magazines even now, with continual updates of the Italian cuisine. I have many memories of sharing wonderful recipes with friends, entertaining them in my home, and I cherish these times. I smile at the image in my mind of their faces at dessert time, sharing with them a pavlova…never had they seen a pavlova, filled with custard and seasonal fruit!
However, the ‘inside’ world of behind closed doors was a totally different story not so easy to talk about, it was a wonderful adventure, inseparable from a man I loved, and a friendship I still cherish to this day, but after twelve years my heart is broken..my fairytale is over. I’m now moving on in another direction, another adventure. And blogging has got me through all the hardships, all the sadness, the loss. My best friend is still with me. And we’re growing stronger together each time I write, or capture a photo that I still want to create and style for ‘you’. Although lots of people don’t understand the ‘blogging’ thing, it’s now part of me. My friend is helping me move on…my friend is helping me build and ‘find’ me again.
My timeline, would be something like this, graduating in the ‘early’ years as a Graphic Designer, art, colour and design have always been in my life. I have another giggle how I so disliked photography, in those years. The dark room and chemicals just never felt like a good recipe to me.Oh, how times have progressed and advancing technology made everything so easier! Leaving Australia and moving to Italy was the best thing I did…I saw and experienced Europe, and there’s no denying I hope to go back – stronger! I discovered textures through Kim Klassen and developed my own ‘style’ in Food Photography. Blogging has changed my life, I have met new friends, and communicated with so many of you – and I thank you for taking the time to visit.
So to the new group members of BTS – I welcome you to my blog. And look forward to sharing with you my passions of Food and Photography.
Why not subscribe to my blog – you’ll find all the widgets on the right hand side column, click the (like) button for my Yvette’s Twistedvines on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest
See you in class.
Love & Gratitude
Yvette …x
Yvette's Twistedvines 
I love the great friend of blogging. I can relate on how you feel about writing and this great friend that is faithfully by our side. Ready to lend a faithful ear as we type, type away… I enjoy what you share. I would love to know more about the online blogging class.
All the information can be easily found on Kim Klassens blog http://www.reflectionofyou.org/royblog/ I’m not sure subscription are still open. Kims blog is very informative and a great network of people. Thanks for your comments and calling by. Have a great day! Yx
Thank you for that information. It be nice to take some classes at home. Registration closed but next month maybe better for me. Blessing, Maribel
Good luck with the class, your blog and your life.
Thanks Karen…the classes are already creating a new sense of direction, today’s post was a little ‘out there’ for me, but feeling relief after writing it…once something is written, the mind therapy works…Yx
It was a great post.
I’m totally jealous – I wish I could join your adventure with Kim and Xanthe – maybe next time…Your blog is awesome (already!)
Kim and Xanthe are inspirational women, and our journey has only just begun! Yx
Yvette, I loved reading your story…you had me at “Italy”! It’s a place I dream of traveling to one day. Your blog is lovely and I look forward to being in the BTS class with you. 🙂
Maybe we can meet up, and I can be your tour guide…now wouldn’t that be great! Talk to you in class! Yx
Sounds like fun! Looks like you’ve enjoyed many things and different places, I look forward to reading more about you and your life 🙂
Nice to hear from you Suzi, look forward to it! Yx
wow what an amazing life you are having and I so envy you, I really love hearing your story and seeing the wonderful photos on your blog
Thanks Justine, we never know what awaits us around the corner, we just need to take flight with it! I truly loved my experience of Europe. Yx
I knew you’d lived in Italy, Yvette, but I never knew so many of the circumstances. You’re a brave young woman to move so far, to a country with another language, by yourself, and without a “support team” to help. I so admire that — and I’m a little jealous, too. I wish I was aware of blogging back then. Your posts from Italy would have interested me a great deal. (Heck! They still do.)
If today’s post is any indication, the class you’re taking is very worthwhile. Continued good luck with it, Yvette.
I’m so lucky to have a support circle of friends through my blog, .a lot of people say oh! the comments don’t matter! Everyone is different and with different circumstances .there’s a sharing kind of respect when we visit each others blog. Respect of efforts, talents and achievements…that’s how I feel anyway! Yx
Your truly inspiring, dear friend…beautiful post.
Blessings,
Marianne xo
My friend, you would truly understand how ‘hard’ this post was to write for me today…a sense of relief, a new sense of freedom! Thanks for your support. Have a wonderful day! Yx
Your talent is just AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
Laurie @ Pride in Photos
Thanks Laurie, I look forward to sharing our new adventures together with BTS. Yx
So beautifully and honestly written. I admire your strength to move to a new country and embrace it and make it your own. I’ve shifted to two new countries in the last year and a half. While the journey has mostly been fun, there have been some tough times too.
Hope to read more about you and enjoy your world through your photographs
xo
Thanks geetlee, You’ve certainly been on new adventures yourself, moving is never easy, my personal stuff is still in boxes, my next adventure, finding a new ‘home’! I look forward to sharing in BTS class. Yx
Keep on being an adventurer. How awesome to have lived in Italy, I am part Italian, so food is very high on my list of “likes”.
Mmmm..mine too, often too much! I look forward to us travelling together on BTS. Yx
I love your “story” and your timeline. Very creative. And your “painted” face is also wonderful!!
Marilyn, thank you for calling by Twistedvines, nothing like being over +40 and having your face painted for the first time…all in the spirit of Carnival in Venice..a wonderful time to visit Venice! Very colourful, but always romantic! xx
Have fun enjoying this class! I loved this post a lot & can relate with it! I love your unique blog a lot & love your writing! 😉
Thanks Sophie, looking forward to the classes for the next four weeks. Lots of soul searching and learning! Yx
Love hearing about the progression of your blog! May you find many more years of happiness through it.
Yvette, what a beautiful heartfelt post! You are braver than I and I am looking forward to you sharing more of your journey with us.
Have a beautiful weekend.
🙂 Mandy xo
What a lovely blog! You have a very interesting focus and I look forward to reading more!
Wow, very nice blog. Looks like you are very good already!
I love your blog and your beautiful artistic photos, Yvette! May your blog go from strenght to strength!
What a great story and lovely writing! I am really looking forward to sharing the “Behind the Scenes” journey with you! SO inspiring! Judy Valenzuela
I am inspired by your talent and your courage to live in another country! Visiting from the Behind the Scenes classroom..