Friday, Moving Towards A Simple Life

 

I am loving that most of my days move along smoothly and simply. I get to take walks, not only do big things to get our lives in order, but do those little things that just make life a tiny bit simpler. 

Whether it be having a ready meal to pull out of the freezer on those busier days, or forming buns to bake in the oven. Each small step or increment moves me that much closer to enjoying life even more. 

One of the ways I have made our lives a bit simpler is only going shopping every two weeks. My back might cause me angst after the shopping trip, but one day out of 14 or more is not something that I can't live with. 

Having to rest after serious cleaning is awesome. It gives me the time to enjoy my home, or the outside. And really that 15 minute rest helps me concentrate on getting little things straight in my mind. 

The weather is warming and soon we will be planting outside. I am a little sad that not as much will be planted this year, due to us going on our trip and not wanting to bother anyone to, well water the garden and flowers. I may ask Kris if he would be willing to come home on the weekend and water all for us, and I might have figured out a way to keep many things watered, but we shall see. 

Life is good, and even with costs rising, one can find joy and pleasure in a sunrise, a sunset, sunshine throughout the day, smiling at strangers, and just taking the time to be grateful.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Moving Forward

 I love those days where I can just stay home and putter. I usually end up getting a few tasks that I've often thought about doing, but just haven't worked on.

Today I went through a couple of kitchen drawers and managed to find a few more things to declutter as well as a few items from my closet and drawers. Perhaps tomorrow I will go through one of my cupboards. Probably lots more to declutter in there. We shall see. 

The more I can get done inside during rather nasty weather, the more time I can spend outside once the weather improves. There are lots of tasks that will need doing before planting, and enjoying the outdoors. There is painting to do, and lots of weeding. I do have visions of me pulling my sewing table and sewing machine out on the deck during some of our nicer weather. Is that silly of me?? Or sitting with my knitting or embroidery to enjoy the sun on my face and all the fresh air. 

A couple of days ago I took a short walk around the yard, checked on the fruit trees and bushes. All seem to have buds on them, I just need to check the kiwi and see how it is doing. 

The perennial bed needs some weeding, and I am looking forward to planting the Shasta daisies I have started and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the delphinium start to grow. I may just have to purchase some of those. Canary vines are growing like crazy with the grow lights, herbs are coming up and will need planting on as will the annual flowers. The way things are sprouting makes me smile. Such a simple joy. Simple joys are the best of all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Moving Towards Simplicity

 

Part of my movement towards simplicity is to use what I have and only replace things when absolutely necessary. 

One of the items I am replacing is many of the plastic containers I used for freezing. Lots of them were stained, getting to the point where they were extremely brittle and just getting past the best time to be using them. Now I am not getting rid of them all, I will keep those that are still in good form, but my molds will be used a great deal more and really do make storage a bit simpler. 

I will need to replace my 15 year old broom very soon as it is not doing the job it is intended for any longer. I found that out when trying to sweep up the kitty litter. I will hold off on replacing my dirty clothes basket for a bit longer, as it is still functional even though there is a large crack at the top. 

Collecting glass and plastic jars to use for storage, mainly so I can reclaim my canning jars. 

Simplicity to me also means making the most of what I have. So I am hunting down recipes to use beans, lentils, and peas. All are great sources of protein and can be used instead of meat for that purpose. I seem to have lots of beans in storage for some reason. We will never become totally vegan, but having meals that are vegetarian based will help keep our costs down and is a very simple way to do so.  

Simplicity also means knowing what is in my food, so I am cooking more from scratch, using whole ingredients. I don't think I will ever totally remove processed food from the pantry, but by making more with whole ingredients will keep our meals simple and filling. 

Repairing, making and just taking the time to slow down and breathe while doing so enables me to have prayer or meditation time. By organizing my day and routine I am finding life moving just a touch slower. That makes me wonder if getting more organized would be even better.... But would that enable me to stop and watch the birds at the feeder as I tidied the hall, or watch the children come home from school when the buses drop them off. 

Moving towards simplicity is also helping with the budget. Since I have gotten way more involved in working towards this, I am discovering that staying within or under budget is much easier. No longer worrying about keeping up with the neighbours really does simplify and save money, time and effort. 

While our life will never be completely simplified, I am enjoying the journey to where we will actually end up once done. Simplifying has also enabled us to take the trips we do (even though I, in my frugal mindset, sometimes think about replacing the money....).

Everybody have a wonderful, relaxing, and simple evening.

God bless. 

Friday Simplicity

 As I move towards a simpler life, or at least what can be achieved in this modern age for a simpler life, I can feel peace descending a bit deeper into my soul. 

By using what we have decluttering is occurring. It might be at a snails pace, but we are definitely downsizing. Today Harvey took the older tree and placed it in the back alley for anyone that wants it. We could have sold it, but there could be someone who really needs a tree that can't afford to purchase one. 

My pencil tree does not hold many decorations so those that are leftover will be used in another area to make the house look festive. We don't decorate the outside of the house so I will be looking at ways to dress up the inside for the holidays, that will really surprise Kurt and Kris when they come home. Simple does not mean bare of decor, it just means everything is loved that is used. 

We have a whole tote of lights (unless Harvey moved them outside as well) which I am thinking of hanging around the windows in the living room. I had lots of ribbon which I cut and plan on making a ribbon garland with to hang between the kitchen and the dining room. The ribbon is all cut and I will be finishing that tomorrow and hanging it up. 

Life is meant to be enjoyed and not a constant rush. We are slowly working our way towards just that. It is not meant to be spendy either, simple decor using what you have, making do, and using things differently can be a wonderful way to extend the life of what you have. 

The beginning of the the decorating other than the tree has begun.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Simply Living or Living Simply

 

The phrase that I used to title this post has been running through my mind lately. Perhaps more today than other days, but it has been lurking around for a very long time and pops out every so often to take front and center stage. 

Today it seems to want to stay and percolate around my brain and cause me to think a bit more deeply on what simple living really is and what I was living before.

According to Wiki the definition is

Simple living refers to practices that promote simplicity in one's lifestyle. Common practices of simple living include reducing the number of possessions one owns, depending less on technology and services, and spending less money.^[1][2] In addition to such external changes, simple living also reflects a person's mindset and values.^[3] 

Now I have never been one to try and keep up to others in having the best of everything, or trying to outdo my neighbours, but I do like appliances that make my life simpler and easier. I do not want to go back to cooking over a fireplace (well perhaps if the power goes out, but I do have a BBQ, and a camp stove), or beating our clothes on rocks to get them clean (thank heavens for washers and driers when the weather is bad), I also thank heavens for our medical advances and the fact that by living in our own home we can plant fruit trees, and a garden. 

My meals are far from fancy, most of my readers are probably much better cooks than I am. We prefer simple meals well spiced and flavourful. So many favourites that at times I really wonder if I will ever find time to try some new recipes (though I do get a few in every month or so).

We do and always have done what we could on our own, though with advancing age things are going to have to change in that regard. Especially home maintenance at almost 70 and 75 climbing onto the roof or trimming trees is pretty much beyond us now. Thank heavens Kurt and Kris help out whenever they can. But both have their own homes that need work as well. 

Simplicity in living fits well with being frugal and using all that is given to us. By using less and growing more we are able to prosper in ways that others might not. I know by buying what is on sale and staying away from prepackaged foods I am now saving a great deal. My friend spends on packaged foods or eating out and then wonders where all their money goes. They also need to purchase things to one up friends and family as well. 

Did I always live this way? I would like to think so, but growing up we pretty much got everything we wanted as children. When my parents were alive we were still spoiled even when first married. Harvey's parents were not so openhanded, but they did give us meat, veggies, and lots of free meals when we lived two houses down from them. I believe that for a time I was simply living to accumulate little things, not even big things that would help out much with day to day living. 

I think it took Harvey being out of work for a very long time for me to decide living simply was the way to go. I started to learn how to can, freeze and later dehydrate. We grew a small garden and produce was always used to make our meals a bit more interesting and healthy. I actually started sewing clothing again at this point, and probably saved quite a bit sewing for Kurt and Krista. I also never turned down used clothing for the children. Pennies were saved in a large container as was any other change. That was used to purchase Christmas and birthday gifts.

Now living within our means, making do, using up, recycling, and downsizing have become second nature. Taking the time to question and research purchases, planting, harvesting, basic cooking and baking, enjoying the outdoors and learning new skills like weaving (next will be trying to learn how to use the sock loom) are slowing me down and I am finally realizing what living simply means. 

I do hope this has made sense as my mind is twisting and turning trying to figure things out. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Moving To A Simpler Life

 

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.

Simple Living

 

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.

Moving To A Simpler Life

 As I work towards a more simple life, I am finding that I can enjoy things much more. I was out picking sage a bit ago and for the first time in a very long time I could actually take the time to breathe in the scent and imagine what I was going to do after dehydrating it. I know the house will be smelling just wonderfully as the sage dries. 

My steps this week were more decluttering of clothing, using up bits and bobs of yarn and making plans to use up more yarn. I measured my table and will probably make a tablecloth once I find the perfect fabric in my stash. I learned my table is a very strange size so purchasing one would just not work. 

As I sit and weave on the loom, plans for what to do with the harvest this year go through my mind, as well as the knowledge that I need to use up what is already canned and frozen before making more. I do know salsa is gone, and by the time tomatoes are ready I will need to freeze more and perhaps even make tomato sauce. 

Meals are using up bits and bobs from fridge, freezer and pantry. Of course I will eventually need to restock, but right now the only things I am purchasing are on sale, or replacements for personal care items (toothpaste, and such). 

Slowly but surely we are both figuring ways to cut down on yard work, and maintenance of the house. I am looking forward to being outside next month painting some doors and then painting the trim around those doors. 

I have also discovered that being organized and having a place for everything really does help one achieve a level of simplicity. Knowing where to find something saves time and in my case gives me a sense of joy. So many times I have put something away and forgotten where on earth I put it. This causes me to worry and wonder if I should purchase another. All I would need is another dehydrator, or Instant Pot. 

I am even looking forward to the trip to Hubby's little village he grew up in. I don't know if we will spend the entire weekend there, but I am pretty sure Hubby will be happy to see any friends that have made it back to the 100th Anniversary of the village. While I have never really felt a part of the village life I will get to visit with my sister who still lives there. I do get to go to the province and city I grew up in when we travel east for our vacation. Ontario and Toronto, here we come. This Scarborough girl is coming home for a bit.

I have decided that life can be as simple or as complicated as I make it. The complications in reaching a simpler life are just something that one needs to go through in order to get to the final outcome.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Simplifying Life

 

My quest for simplicity in life is heading more towards decluttering and using up. It is also beginning to be more of "What can I make for myself instead of purchasing." I know there is a great deal more I can do in the way of cleaning products, baking, and growing. I am not sure when or if we will be moving from here for awhile, so I think growing as much as I possibly can would get me out and enjoying my yard much more than I do now. 

Slowly but surely things are leaving the house. Of course a few things have come in but nothing that is not necessary or something we could pass on to one of our sons when the time comes. 

I have been removing clothing bit by bit from my drawers. Nothing this week as I have concentrated on using up things from my craft/sewing room. 

I have also tried to be a bit more focused on using things up in the fridge and my freezers. With the costs of items going up getting the most out of what we have is a priority. Leftovers are being made into new meals or eaten for our lunches. Nothing is going to waste if at all possible. 

Harvey has been getting ready to make one of the beer kits that Kris gave him for Christmas. He plans on doing that tomorrow. I hope he has enough caps for the process. 

There are a few house projects I would like done over the summer and I have made a list of those. Painting the inside doors, some of the trim, and some of the drawers in the kitchen need a bit of repair. 

Our deck needs some work, mostly painting and I should actually make some new cushions for the chairs (buying some for one of them would be cost prohibitive). A bench needs painting and of course there is always weeding that needs doing. 

Hmmm, that really does not sound like I am simplifying my life at all. Yet in reality, getting all those things completed will in fact do so. I will be able to enjoy the simplicity of working outside, working with what I have and enjoying life to the fullest, knowing that our sons will not have a mess to clear up. Pretty sure that would be a wonderful thing. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Friday Simplifying

 

As I begin to search ever more earnestly for simplicity, I realize how not simple life has become over the years. Aging really makes a difference in what is simple and what isn't. 

Aging adds a level that one never thinks of when younger and in much better shape. Take our home for instant. We have lots of steps. There is a step up or down to move from our hallway and the same to get into the dining room or my office area. Then there is a fairly steep staircase down to the basement where our laundry room and freezers are. To get into the house there is a four stair porch in the front and in the back there is a step down to the deck, and then three steps down to the firepit and BBQ area. At times as I struggle up and down stairs with laundry, I think how wonderful it would be to have one of those chairs that zip upstairs and downstairs. I can still get around the rest of the house, inside and outside with relative ease. 

We have a soaker tub with jets, which is lovely, don't get me wrong. Those jets sure help with sore muscles when I have done too much work inside or outside. Problem is that it is pretty darn deep, and very hard to get in and out of. One of these days I feel I may catch my foot and fall flat on my face, or perhaps be unable to get up from the tub. I do love my baths, I am not a shower person at all. I often think of one of those tubs with a door that seals, and a built in seat. 

Now for the toilet. We bought a low profile one as one of our boys was just a young one when we moved in and having a low profile toilet made sense as he could use it easier. Now, with bad knees, hips and back getting up and down from it sees me using the bathtub as a lever. Do we replace it with something taller or leave it in case the next family has youngsters?

I am beginning to think that simple living just might mean something different as one ages. One might actually need more help as one gets older and that might mean adding things to make life more manageable and enable people to stay in their homes longer. 

It also means one needs less other "stuff". Does one need 6 cookie sheets, 8 casserole dishes, or more clothing than you can wear in forever? Or how about all the nick knacks one collects over a lifetime of living?

So I will work on getting rid of those items I probably no longer need, and perhaps adding those things that I really do need to make life easier and enable us to stay in our home just a bit longer.

I also need to get out and enjoy my garden and yard a bit more. Kind of a take the time to smell the flowers and enjoy the wild life. Life is too short not to enjoy what it has to offer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Simple Living

 

As I slowly declutter my house, I often wonder why on earth I bought what I am delegating to the donation piles (or in my case bags). At the time it must have appealed to me in some manner, but no longer. Time to continue to remove those items I no longer want or use. 

The last couple of days I have been going through my jewelry. Necklaces and bracelets of the fashion type have been added to the pile. There are a few items that have a great deal of sentimental value or are gifts from Kurt and Kris over the years. Pretty sure those will not be hitting the donation bags for awhile yet.

I plan on taking another gander through my recipe books to see if there are more that can be donated. 

I have tossed a few well worn items as well. Which won't be replaced in my wardrobe for a very long time.

I put some bread on to bake in my toaster oven and sat down to do some weaving.

As I moved the shuttle back and forth lifting or dropping the the reed as necessary, I realized how peaceful and meditative the process really is. My weaving isn't crooked, as in measuring, both sides are of equal length. 

Weaving actually gives me time to think and decide on how to move forward in my quest to live a life where I have more time to do the things I really enjoy. To take the time to enjoy what I am doing and immerse myself in whatever that is.

I do know that when I think about my Mom and remember what clothing she had there were the clothes she wore to work around the house, the slightly dressier items she would change into before Dad got home from work and a few very dressy items that she would wear out or to a party in our home. Dad actually took up much more of the closet with his suits for work, dress shirts, ties, and work around the house clothes. People managed with much less and yet seemed very contented. I think my Mom would be shaking her head over what is in my closet.

Food was simple, I really can't remember having a pizza delivered or eating fast food, unless I spent some of my allowance on the way home from high school. Mom cooked every meal and there was no dishwasher in the house (other than her and sometimes myself if I did not have a sports practice). 

However, Mom always found the time to go out and plant flowers, weed those flower beds and have a pot of tea with a few cookies every day around 3pm. She also always managed to watch her favourite soap opera.... As The World Turns. Then there were the monthly meetings with her church ladies group for bible study, and the once a month meeting at the church to roll cancer dressings. 

Dad always had the time to build something, or do renovations on our home. If he ended up having to work on a Saturday, he would usually take one or two of us to the office with him. We got to play on the secretaries typewriters or sometimes visit with other office workers that were there as well. 

I really need to remember that simple living is just enjoying where you are now, and perhaps the getting rid of what is no longer necessary for that enjoyment is the beginning.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.