'tis a gift to be simple

That is a song I often sing throughout the day.  It is also the title of the first book I ever ordered online. 

I have been 'writing' this post in my head for quite some time now and I'm not sure where to begin.  Things never really turn out the way they go in my mind so I'm just going to write this one as it comes to me and hope for some coherency here. 

I am in a place.  A place of imbalance.  In my real life I have been struggling to find simplicity.  It is not a recent struggle for me.  Years ago, I considered becoming Amish (yes, really).  Then I discovered that I would not be able to own a printed piece of fabric and therefore would have to live a floral free life (at least in the house).  Needless to say, that notion was promptly thrown out the window.  But...I do admire the simplicity in their lives. 

I have been through two estates sales in all of my thirty some years of life.  I helped to clean out the homes of two of my relatives.  I will not go into details.  Think Hoarders, only with antiques, not trash.  It was about enough for me.  It was overwhelming.  I live in one of the homes I helped to clean.  As I walk through the rooms, I can vividly remember how they used to be.  The images are seared into my brain.  I refuse to let this house look anything like its previous life.  Lately, there have been piles of stuff in my house and I don't like it one bit.  We have hauled bags of unwanted, outgrown things to charity and it feels good to get rid of it, but I am tired of lugging stuff around.  I have wasted so much of my life just moving stuff around.  Not even my stuff mostly. 

What I am trying to say is that I have to simplify my life.  All aspects of my life.  I have been absent on and off here because I have been contemplating.  Should I continue to write this blog?  Should I give it up?  What's best for me in my simplifying process?  To be honest, I have waffled back and forth. 

I have deleted my Facebook and Pinterest accounts and it FELT SO GOOD.   Like a weight lifted from my shoulders.  I never 'got' Facebook. Why do people write on their wall that they are ironing or something.  I don't care what you are doing, just go do it, by the time you have it written on your wall you could have had it done.  I found a picture of mine on Pinterest and I couldn't find the link back to me (as in giving me credit for the picture I took).  That's just wrong.  I don't want to be any part of it. 

In the end, I have decided to keep going here, but in a different forum so to speak.  There will be changes.  I need white space in my life, here on the blog included.  To start, (most) of the sidebar links will be removed.  I do not want to offend anyone by removing a link that I have created to them, but I am in a place and for me to find peace, this place too must be cleared out.  Also, I am going to go with a more visual journal type of system.  Pictures, few words(if any).  I enjoy taking pictures of things I find beautiful and posting them here hoping that you too, will enjoy this space. 

I think that these changes overall will make me happier to continue on this blog.  Here's to the rest of a hopefully simple weekend!

in my house

The flowers are popping all over the place in my garden and with all that floral goodness means that I get to have sweetly scented rooms all over my house!   There is a small window of time that I can go out and cut roses, iris, peonies, and even some straggler lilacs.  Bliss.  The daisies have taken over the 'north forty', Emma squeals with delight when she sees an entire field of daisies just for her to pick.  Oh, the simple joys of childhood. 

What are you cutting from your garden right now?

a spring evening project

It appears as though I've taken a bit of an unintended blog break.  The end of these busy days here on the farm have found me sitting in my mama chair listening to the sounds of a spring night through the open window and doing a spot of crochet.  It's just another granny blanket, made out of scraps.  Someday it will be my spring evening blanket and maybe, just maybe it will find its way out on the porch snuggling my family as we listen to the nocturnal country noises. 

I will be away from this space for prolly a week or so.  Just so you know....

Until next time friends, take care.

these days

:: I am laughing at how my work basket takes on new acquisitions when I'm not looking.

::  I admire my girl's jewelry collection and wishing that I had her style.

:: We are slipping into our favorite summer supper routine-enjoying the evening sun with a berry smoothie in hand.

:: I am making new potholders from this pattern.   My old potholders were getting thread bare.  I think my fingers will thank me.

::  I am washing up some new to me linens from various recent antiquing trips.

:: We are watching our garden grow.  What miracles those little seeds are!

What are you doing these days?

::sewn::for mama

 I am in desperate need of some spring/summer clothes.  My old gray long sleeve tees just aren't cutting it anymore.  I need color and pattern and more color and pattern in my life. 

 This is the first thing I've sewn for myself in years I believe, or let's just say that I can't remember the last time I made myself anything out of fabric.  I chose the schoolhouse tunic pattern from Sew Liberated.   It's made out of some batik from the local fabric store, but I have been eyeing this fabric for making more.  Because yes, there will be future tunics. 

 The fit is great, the sewing is simple (I like that) and it's a tunic that doesn't make me look preggers(which is always a bonus).

Now, I just need to sneak in some time to make more! 

simple sunday

As if I need another project!

 

Simple Sunday. A way to enjoy everyday, ordinary, simple beauty.

I'd love for you to join me. If you are so inclined, leave a comment with a link to your Simple Sunday for everyone to enjoy.

mud season

 My favorite season is here, but that's what I say when every season rolls around.  Happy to be in the moment is more like it I suppose.  The farmyard is awash in lavender, blue, and white lilacs.  And the scent...heavenly!  Everytime I step outside I am treated an unbelievable aroma. 

 Here is my mud season.  It is April after all, the month of mud.  Well, usually the month of mud, but everything weather related around here hasn't been usual lately, starting with our ultra mild winter.

 The yarn I used is Quince and Co. (again), this time in cypress.  A beautiful green I may add. I love most greens though, it is my favorite, so it is no surprise that I love this color. 

This truly is a very special sweater.  Would you like to know why?  Because I followed the pattern line by line, no modifications, no improvisations, no flying by the seat of my pants.  There's a first time for everything.  Although, I doubt I'll make a habit of following directions, it's just not what I do or can do is more like it.  I do wish I would have made it a little longer!

Alrightly then, until next time, enjoy spring my friends! Go cut yourself some lilacs even if you have to (cough) borrow some (cough) from an alley somewhere. (That's what I used to do in college-true confession.)