As I move towards what I consider a simpler and more abundant life, I find myself slowing down more and taking the time to enjoy what I am doing.
While it might seem like I get a great deal completed many times, most of what I manage to get done are groups of things that can be done at the same time. Laundry for instance can be done and while things are washing I can do dishes, vacuum, dust as well as numerous other tasks. When I hang clothing out to dry, I can water a few pots after or pick some herbs or perhaps a flower or two. I might even get to sweep the decks as I come back from taking out the garbage or recycling.
The last of my tomato sauce was made yesterday, and while that simmered on the stove I chopped the rhubarb. Putting together what was needed to make a half recipe of chutney. While the jars for the chutney were sterilized, I washed out the pot and got some raspberry jam started. Of course along with the jars for the chutney were being sterilized I made sure there were enough jars for the jam.
This gave me almost the whole afternoon to do some slow stitching and a bit of decluttering. Planned menus mean that I can get things prepared in minutes and enjoy the process. Cooking for two is a bit difficult for me sometimes, so having leftovers helps with slow living as well. After all what is easier than pulling something out to reheat and just worry about sides (which for the most part are easily planned and done).
I have a bit of trouble just sitting and doing nothing so slow stitching, knitting and weaving keep my hands busy and my mind slows down to match the needle going in and out of the fabric, the knitting needles clicking, or the shuttle going through the warp after moving the reed.
Main reason for my constant need to keep my hands occupied is because I used to smoke many years ago, and I still feel the need to be working on something in order to keep the cravings at bay. I probably don't need to do so any longer as it has been many a year, but habits die hard or can be hard to change.
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
Hi Jackie, our temperatures here in Montreal were 104 Fahrenheit or 40 Celsius 3 days in a row. Thank you so much for sharing your post, you have given me just the motivation I needed to get back on track. The heat 🥵 made me so tired. God bless you and thanks again.
ReplyDeleteCooking for two can be challenging at first but our appetites aren’t what they used to be so like tonight: we’re having watermelon for dinner. We had a big lunch and we couldn’t possible eat anymore except fruit or a salad. We opted for watermelon 🍉 It’s all good.
ReplyDeleteMakes a lot of sense, about keeping your hands busy if you were a smoker years ago.
Multi tasking is something I do here as well. It’s just natural to do one task after another while I’m in the vicinity and it’s easy to get a lot done doing it that way. I get around 6,000 steps each day just taking care of things like washing dishes, making dinner, laundry, etc. and it does free up time later to do things like sewing, etc.
ReplyDeleteMy tomatoes are just beginning to turn red. Then I will be busy making tomato sauce!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful day! I quit smoking 18 years ago! Never looked back. It is TOO expensive for one.
ReplyDeleteSo many chores can be done at the same time - great use of time. Your days sound lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhen doing housework, I tend to do as you do. Using the time to complete a number of tasks while I'm waiting on something else. Though I don't do laundry here, that would be my daughter's chore. ;)
ReplyDeleteBut where I need more discipline is with my knitting and crocheting. I have a tendency to get part way through a project and oooh, another yarn or pattern flits by and I move to something else.
Keeping your hands busy is good, and what you're doing is productive too. I used to smoke but now having stopped over 40 years ago I don't even have a twinge!!
ReplyDeleteWe call leftovers 'planned overs' here. The Resident Chef pretty much always cooks with them in mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you in having to keep my hands busy - not because I was ever a smoker but because I just can't sit and do nothing. (btw - sorry I've been MIA over the past few days - finally gave up on trying to catch up with comments and will jump back in here).
I get where you're coming from with regard to keeping your hands busy, as I too am an ex-smoker and I end up snacking way too much if I don't keep busy.
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