Slow and Steady

 

As this year draws to a close (after all there are only just a tad over three months left), my journey towards a simpler life is steadily becoming more attainable. 

I have been decluttering and have reached 290 items out of the house.

Moved toward more big batch cooking every second month or so which enables me to have the time, especially when things seem to pile up, to put a great and filling meal on the table.

Monthly menu planning is becoming much easier, though I need to make sure to add more meatless or vegetarian options. Meat is becoming very expensive and will need to be stretched even more. 

Fuel here is now $1.90 a liter (so about $7.60 a United States gallon, or $9.50 and Imperial gallon which is what we use here in Canada, follows our British traditions) this means that keeping errands and shopping to a minimum really helps with the simplicity of day to day living. 

I am finding it much easier to find something in my closet or cupboards when the urge to go and spend money occurs. I don't want to go shopping just to fill time, shopping is something that is necessary, but not necessary for fun. Fun is realizing that you have just what you need already.

This past month I have also learned that you can do something over the course of a few days. This is what I am doing with the cleaning of the fridge, and the organizing of the sewing/craft room. In the organizing sessions I have found lots of projects I set aside to do "later" and now is the time to get those completed or at least get a few of them done and either in use or framed and on the wall. 

I have been enjoying the "me" time I have gotten this month. Most of that is working on projects, walking, or reading. Things that got set aside in my rush to complete daily tasks. Now I carry things over from day to day.

Simplicity does not mean forgetting about preparing, instead to me it means being prepared at all times for all things. This is probably why I decided to make sewing kits and first aid kits as part of Kurt's and Kris's gift baskets for Christmas. I also need to update ours as well. My fall while on our trip definitely pointed that out to me. 

Slow and steady, I will finally reach what I consider a simple and frugal lifestyle.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

The Journey Continues

 As the title says, my journey towards a simpler life continues. This year because we are going to be away during the probably hottest temperatures of the Canadian prairies (August can be unbearably warm) I cut back on my pots and boxes. It about killed me to do so, but by simplifying what I have on my deck, there seems to be so much more room to enjoy what we have. There is just a few things planted near the firepit, and next year I hope to have some plants around there to add some depth and colour to the area.

I did plant lots of perennials, but I am pretty sure my small delphinium starts have died off, which means I will need to find a place to purchase those next year. I also think that next year I will mix in a few annuals to give some colour throughout the season.

Simplifying my planting meant my back was not a constant ache this season, and I have learned to pace myself a bit better. 

I have also decided to perhaps not worry so much about making things like bread, buns, crackers, pie crust from scratch over the summer. It really is too warm to have the oven on for extended periods of time. That is not to say I won't make bread or buns, just that I will pick rainy, cooler days to do so. I don't need to do everything from scratch, rather I will be picking and choosing. Of course almost all the meals I make will be from scratch, using things I already have available. I will of course go back to making more from scratch come the cooler weather. 

Learning how to relax more and while I need to keep my hands busy (quit smoking about 2 years ago and still need to occupy my fingers or I will be tempted), slow stitching, weaving and knitting are occupations that allow me to slow down and enjoy everything that life is giving us as a gift in our senior years. Having the time to do some traveling, and visiting is wonderful. Washing a few dishes by hand (wooden things, good knives, and my good pots) watching the clouds go by is soothing for my soul.

I have also learned something else this past while. Even during the rush of working, or raising the boys (they would be slightly embarrassed that I called them that), I was trying to simplify my life. Driving to hockey games and enjoying one on one time was wonderful. Though living at the hockey rink during the winter was a bit of a chore. Baking treats for the lunch boxes, watching the Christmas Concerts, driving to swimming lessons all prepared me to enjoy time spent with family and time to realize that being at home was something to be treasured, not looked down on. 

Life is meant to be lived and lived well. If that means slowing down and enjoying life at a slower pace, I fully recommend that.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.