About Aritha

Hi, I’m Aritha — and I’m happy you’re here.
A few years ago, this blog started as a place to share English versions of my Dutch blog Kostbaar (Precious). In the beginning, both blogs were nearly the same.

But over time, they slowly grew apart. Here, I now sometimes follow writing challenges, or share personal stories like my One Word for the year. It’s a space that feels more free and flexible — I write here when something fits better in English, or when I just feel like it.

I still post on Kostbaar too, but I no longer try to keep both blogs identical. That has actually brought me more peace and joy in writing. 

Who I Am (In a Nutshell)

Married for 34 years, mama, cheerful diamond painter, proud grower of sunflowers, wintertime scarf knitter, and author of “about ten books (who’s counting?)” — but blogging? That’s my happy place. 

I love having and writing for different blogs — it gives the writer in me room to breathe, and lets my creativity find its own way. My husband says I shouldn't try to squeeze it all into one blog. "This is who you are," he tells me. "Let it be messy. Let it be you."