First off let me wish all my American readers a Happy 4th of July. I hope you got to spend time with family and friends, or if you chose, to spend the time enjoying various entertainments in your city/town/village.
The last few days have been very warm and so unless I managed to get out into the garden early in the morning things were left for another day. This means weeding took about 3 early mornings, and watering two. Still by spreading things out a bit I got to really see what was growing in the garden and my pots. I will need to cut down some dead things tomorrow (the dead hydrangea limbs for one and the finished tulips). I may also give the columbines a bit of a haircut as well.
Hopefully I can wander through the herbs and pick more for dehydrating or some mint to make jelly at the end of the week.
I have sat at my loom and contemplated the way life has changed over the last 6 months. I have slowly pared back on what is in my home, and will keep doing so as the year progresses.
I think about how cooking from scratch is actually simpler than purchasing something ready made. Not that I won't do exactly that when things are rushed, but knowing what is in my food and what I serve to others makes me feel like I am contributing to our overall health and the health of the earth.
Some items that I do on a day to day basis takes a bit more time at first but time management is also a part of living simply, or at least trying to live a slower, simpler life.
Living a frugal, thrifty life encompasses all that one needs to live a simpler life.
This year I think I am enjoying the passage of seasons much more than other years. Watching sunrises and sunsets, sitting on the deck knitting or embroidery in hand, running my hand through herbs and flowers, walking to see what I might be able to forage, and just staying still to think. All these things are making my life much more enjoyable. I now understand the phrase "Take time to smell the roses."
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
A lovely post Jackie - I especially enjoyed your last paragraph - sounds perfect to me. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Happy 4th of July wishes, Jackie. I’m not sure if you read over at The Legacy of Home blog spot (https://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/2015/07/to-earn-and-not-to-spend.html), but she writes a lot about enjoying our homes and living simply. You might enjoy reading over there too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you are enjoying your simple life. I definitely should make the effort to sit in the garden more and enjoy everything around me. I tend to hibernate in the house in the summer when it's hot, as the house is usually quite cool.
ReplyDeleteSo happy that your life is enjoyable and simplifying is working a GOOD time for you.
ReplyDeleteAgree with others - such a lovely post. One of my absolute favorite thing to do is sit by our pool & watch the birds. Sometimes I read, but watching the birds makes me really happy. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have much of your life in order. I think that is key to being content.
ReplyDeleteI was out weeding this morning by 7:30. There is so much to be done, as it doesn't appear my daughter did any while I was in the city for much of June, and there was definitely none done while we were away in Nova Scotia. I've filled two large bags and am working on a third extra large bag. That's just from the areas where we have rocks, and a small part of the peony bed!
We're getting a few days of cooler weather before the heat returns. I've been watering from the rain barrels, but if the high temperatures don't bring storms, that water won't last very long.
Enjoy your weekend!
Cooking from scratch is what we older people do and know all about. Now that my Robin has passed away, I still cook the same quantities, but have the extra meals packed up in the freezer, ready to heat and eat.
ReplyDeleteWhile not as frugal as you are, we do enjoy a simple life enjoying simple things. In fact at times I think we’re rather boring. Oh well, who cares, right? We’re comfortable and content and I’m always striving to keep things simple.
ReplyDeleteGood post Jackie. Gets me all stirred up! ❤️