Summer is here with all the joy that heat and sun can bring. It also brings higher energy costs due to air conditioning. However I am trying to combat that by having lights off during the day, using appliances to cook our meals (or the stove top which does not heat up the house), and Harvey helps by planting a vegetable garden.
Rising prices mean living a simple life is probably the best way to handle that. I am finding that spending time doing the things that I love, looking for sales (even if that means a bit longer shopping) and kind of reverse planning most of the months menus make life a great deal easier on this old body.
I enjoy the process of mending, and making do. Substituting is becoming second nature and taking advantage of cooler, rainy weather or the early morning to bake definitely makes life easier, even if doing so was not on the to do list for that day.
Eating later in the day would be my preference, but Harvey seems to like the 6 pm dinner (or supper) time, though he does not mind a slightly later meal (like by 15 minutes or so).
Slowing down and enjoying each task, making cleaners or foraging for salve contents is awesome. Cool enough tomorrow will see a rhubarb cake and rhubarb muffins made for the freezer. Using what is available is not only frugal and thrifty, but leads one down the path to simplicity. After all what could be simpler than eating and using what you have grown yourself.
There has also been a decision by me that I will enjoy the body that I am in. No more worrying about losing weight, as I manage to get out and walk more, or work in the garden things will even out. And if it doesn't, well my boys and friends love me exactly like I am.
Life is so much better without excess pressures from outside, and while I do know the world is not in the best of places right now, I can only control what I can control. That means my own small world and when possible the greater world around me by doing small and significant changes to my life.
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
Yes, we should be changing and evaluating every day about what we will do. We take so much on from the outside world, we sometimes forget ourselves. To many distractions.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, dear Jackie, very well said!
ReplyDeleteLove your post. Only control what you can control and don't worry about the rest. Good way of living.
ReplyDeleteReally liked your post,Jackie! - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteHome should always be our sanctuary. A place to just shut out the noise of negatively and only letting in that which is beneficial to our soul.
ReplyDeleteYour second and last paragraphs say it all. Simplifying life is just calmer - and no stress or worries is perfection in my book.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to control only what you can control is a wise thought.
ReplyDeleteWe always try to eat at 5 and then it means a nice long evening which we both appreciate.
I remember when I turned 50, I told myself that I loved who I was, rolls and all. It still sneaks in that I 'wish I could lose a big' but I'm working on it. I have a certain spot I like to be in but if I can't be that, this is who I am. Like you, I'm loved as me, regardless. A nice post.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are living a lovely peaceful life and exercising gratitude every day. The perfect way to live. Simplicity is so satisfying.
ReplyDeleteDoes your light company or electric company have times when it costs less money to do the wash and run things? I know some areas have off times when it costs less to run the washer and dryer. Not sure if you have that so I'm tossing it out there.
ReplyDelete