02 September 2009

Back to basics



Most likely this post has something to do with the fact that the boys are back to school today. It also must have something to do with the coming of Autumn. It could be the crisp, sunny days and the making of my first "cold weather" dinner last night - minestrone with sausage. Oh, how I love cold weather cooking! All of those stews, and soups, and slow cooking.





It could also have something to do with the walk I just took around the property, chickens running here and there enjoying their freedom in the sunshine. I walked down to the gardens, seeing what is ready to harvest, and pondering what I want to plant for my autumn crops.





I have also been decompressing from our fabulous summer holidays - considering what went well and what we could have done better. Thinking about how busy I often was, how I felt a bit "over-booked", as if I didn't have enough time to get it all done, and how there was so little time to relax, to sit on the hammock and read, to nap on the wonderful vintage bed under the pergola.





Simplify has been my motto for some time now, and let me tell you, I have been in paring down mode for a while. I have given endless bags to our local charity and gotten rid of so many things that we really didn't need. I find that there seems to be much less clutter around the house, which I love. I think I have been nesting since #4 was born, and he is 3 years old!


I think, however, that it is time to shift my frame of mind when it comes to running our home. While I will continue to simplify whenever possible, I also want to go back to the beginning. I want to remove things on our calendar that we really don't need to do. I want to slow down (insert slightly hysterical laugh here...) and really enjoy the moments - the journey. I want to enjoy what we have, and finish the many things that I have started and not finished. I want to switch up my priorities. Thus, my new motto is...







BACK TO BASICS




I am looking forward to really focusing on refocusing. I think that this autumn has so much potential to be our best one yet! I am looking forward to focusing on my linen flowers and being creative with them. I hope to plant some autumn crops, and today, I might even consider making peach jam. Back to basics - I can't wait to see where it takes us~

xx


44 comments:

Lola said...

"Back to basics" is a great philosophy to embrace the new season & all its wonderful opportunities!

Am also so looking forward to all those yummy winter stews & soups!

Hope you're having a great week!

xxLola:)

Mumzie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mumzie said...

I absolutely love this post! I'm looking forward to Autumn and the best part is a new little grandchild in October. Mimi, thanks for message...I'm going to try to do the same starting with downsizing everything I've been nesting for years. Also, that is a gorgeous pumpkin you've grown! Your pickles are pretty darn good too. Thanks, Mumzie

Jackie said...

Love your new philosophy! Fall is a great time for new ways of thinking and new beginnings - that's how I always think of it. Those pickles look awfully good!

Queen B. said...

oooooooo my gosh, I'M IN THE SAME BACK TO BASICS MOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

I'm right there with ya on the simplifying! Things have gotten way to hectic lately. I adore that necklace :)

T

Annie said...

Isn't homekeeping lovely?...or at least you make it seem so. Thanks for the lovely post.

Robin Johnson said...

I enjoy your posts so much and I think your new motto is a lovely one. I myself have felt the need to simplfy things around my home and have found it a welcomed experience.

Anonymous said...

I love this post! You and I are completely on the same page as far as back to basics. I'm having a 6 yr old birthday party tomorrow and its pretty basic. While I really appreciate moms that pull out all the stops to throw an amazing shin dig. I know that the kids just want to play and leave with a goodie bag. So I'm letting myself off the hook and keeping it simple! I love decluttering and am really being careful about future purchases!

LOVE the pumpkin photo! Is it staged or did everything just grow that beautifully together?

Philigry said...

amen to that! I love it.
P.s. we ost five chickens last week to a fox. I am still recovering. i love the picture of yours in the sunshine.

Drawn to The Sea said...

I hope you enjoy many autumn days, reading in the hammock or napping in the outdoor bed, Mimi. Getting a home back to basics helps get a soul back to basics too :-)

Pleasant daydreams,
~Julia

Laurie said...

Sounds like a great plan! The peach jam would be a fabulous start! I'm looking forward to fall too...

Lori said...

I love back to basics and simplify ~ it really isn't that hard when you try. The pickles look wonderful and if you did make that peach jam ~ I will take a bottle! I hope you will be able to slow down a bit and enjoy the ride. I think we are all going fast forward so often, when we do have some "extra" time we are still rushing. I have to sit back and breath deep to get myself into a better place. Happy week-end my friend and congrats on being included with BH!

MODERN Prairie Girl said...

GREAT thoughts in this beginning of another school year. I have been thinking so many of these things (minus the chickens gently clucking in the background :) ) and I'm not there yet. Wanting that down-time badly is enough for me right now to just ponder how we will get there. For now, I will enjoy watching your journey via blog-land.

Enjoy every minute, you lovely, lovely blogosphere friend :)
L

beachvintage.com said...

Yes, I am wanting more basics in my life, bit by bit i am getting there. It's just "knowing" what the basics you need are and then acting.

debra@dustjacket said...

Feet back on the ground honey!

Hey I just love those chickens, I think they're cute :)

Lovely post,
xoxo

M said...

what a great motto - and I am sure you will do it in the most positive way possible :-) Have a great weekend :-)

Kasey said...

yes...back to basics...
that means....pumpkin latte's and new boots.
xo

Kalee said...

Charming post, I love it!

paige said...

bravo!!
so well said.
i feel really caught up and tangled up in all the business that's going on in our home....all of it necessary this week, but it still wears me out.
i get so nourished by simplifying my schedule too
blessings to you
xo

Dumbwit Tellher said...

I admire & commend you for your stand on "back to basics". I am on the same bandwagon, that less is more. I want a simpler life; less frantic, less focus on material items. I want the rest of my life to have time to enjoy my family & travel so when I sit in my rocking chair, I have fond memories and not thoughts of what I should of done. Happy relaxing weekend to you! ~ Deb

Brandie said...

Oh, that sounds so good! I am definitely in need of taking some things in my life "back to basics". I launched my business this year, add in my 3 kids and all of their activites and I am left at the end of this summer feeling overwhelmed. I look forward to taking a little time this fall to simplify (well, as much as possible with soccer, dance and Taekwon-do to taxi the kids to) and slow down.

Thanks for this timely post:)

Maison Douce said...

I love that, Kim, that has been my goal for a while, too, but I can't seem to quite get there... Fall is my absolute favorite season and I am starting to feel that way too!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!
Isabel

Farmgirl Paints said...

Love the chicken picture. Cool weather makes me want to cook more too. I love making chili and cornbread. That's a great comfort meal:) Have a great long weekend.

Unknown said...

You articulated well what I think so many of us are feeling. Thank you.

xo, Jill

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

I'm all for back to basics....The basics are what make life tick along.
I also love your chickens...they are so chubby. I bet yoy have the best eggs,,,,happy basic weekend. XXXX

Sharon Huffman said...

What a peaceful blog to read tonight and a joy to have discovered so many others who want to simplify our lives! You've given me inspiration and hope for new beginnings as I also continue in my quest for a life of pared down reality. Your pictures make me wish I'd photographed all that canning I just finished... maybe will do that soon! Thank you for sharing your life.

Blessings to you and your family!

@--->------- Sharon

Duchess of Tea said...

Darling have yourself a fabulous weekend!!

Love & Hugs
Duchess ♥♥♥

Clarity said...

Does back to basics mean no more tour busses?.

I adore that you can actually have the time to make peach jam and slowcook meals. I only do that when lots of people are coming and I need hours to move furniture, etc.

I adore your blog and please tell me what autumn crops one can plant out now? I need something to make up for my tomatoes noshow.

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Sounds just wonderful, your "back to basics" philosophy, and the peach jam :) I'm trying not to think about autumn yet, as our winter is SO long, I want to prolong at least some summery thoughts for now (some may say I'm in denial).

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Sounds just wonderful, your "back to basics" philosophy, and the peach jam :) I'm trying not to think about autumn yet, as our winter is SO long, I want to prolong at least some summery thoughts for now (some may say I'm in denial).

FrenchGardenHouse said...

The perfect post. I couldn't agree more with you, it is a blessing to de-clutter our lives, and spend more time enjoying simple things, and each other. Fall is the perfect time for that, isn't it?
xo Lidy

Anonymous said...

Yes, sometimes it is good to get back to the basic things...
I am so looking forward to Fall and the beautiful scenery that it brings.

If you get a chance, stop by my Blog for a visit and say hi! I just put up a new post...
Have a great weekend,
Aimee

Cathie said...

gorgeous pics! we are into spring at the moment and everything looks so beautiful. hope you have a great september ♥

Kath said...

I am going so far back to basics I can't believe it. We have decided to sell our home and move into furnished rental housing for the winter. My decluttering and divesting myself of "things" has officially begun. We will put all of our furniture into storage and just stop for a while and breathe and decide what is next, or more excitingly, perhaps let what is next simply come to us. This was a beautiful post, thank you for sharing.

Artsy Fartsy Junkin Finds said...

Beautiful picks, they have made me yearn for fall, I love making homemade Minestrone as well, Yummy, have a great weekend, !! Janna

Janean said...

I'm so with you on paring down to the essentials. Autumn is a great time.

shabbyscraps said...

words I already try to live by too! It's always refreshing to pare down and simplfy!
xoxo, Tiffany

Brenda Pruitt said...

I'm with ya on this one! I'm such a homebody I rarely schedule much. I do Meals On Wheels once a month. Do weekly grocery shopping. For me, my daughters are grown and so there's no running kids around. I like the simple life! Sitting here and reading blogs and working in the garden.
Brenda

Phivos Nicolaides said...

This is a wonderful blog!

robin laws said...

you say that in such an inspiring way..so simple, so obvious..slightly hysterical laugh here too :) this idea has been on my mind for months, maybe even the past 2 years. I am not sure if i am closer to my goal of simplifying my life or not... not knowing the answer to that probably indicates 'a no' answer. i will see you at the BH on saturday and how exciting you will have your very own spot! maybe we can look at calendars for october and figure a day to get in our cars and meet up for photos... :)

Kristin Wohlust said...

To take a walk through a garden to see what to harvest just sounds lovely for some reason to my soul. Love that no matter your busy life you still have this sense of calm and stillness about you as if you are walking peace.

Anne Marie said...

Hi there....it's so nice to meet a fellow farm gal! with style!!

super nice to come over here - I've been here, but a long time ago (no excuses)

talk soon, and have a great day!

Dallas Shaw said...

loving the mason jars

dallas
http://dillydallas.blogspot.com