All I want for Christmas

15 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by home, garden, life in garden, Holiday, home, Mindfulness, sustainable lifestyle

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Christmas, downsizing, garden, home, life, Mindfulness, simplicity

During the month of August in the USA, “Christmas” begins creeping onto retailers’ shelves…yes in August. There are even bits of Halloween and Thanksgiving decor making an appearance, yet the crushing push to consume before year’s end begins. This mentality is also visible in the waistlines of obese Americans…a loss of mindfulness and willingness to run out the clock. Loss and run are both keywords.

This observation causes me to shrink and place invisible blinders on until January… while the current state saddens me to the core. This state of loss, running, consuming, and unrest fuels the growing poverty, drug addiction, and homelessness in America. A condition that oozes across borders, as America, a once highly revered nation, settles into stagnation and violence. Where did humanity hit the rocks? Is it possible to pick up the pieces? Can hopelessness be reversed?

Last week, a neighbor commented on the price of Christmas trees, due to climate change/drought and shortage of trees. I encouraged her to follow her instincts and downsize Christmas. Her children are older, and this could be a teaching moment that could last a lifetime.

Let’s peel back the layers and reach the true meaning of this holiday.

An iron tree…everlasting, small, and holding only my favorite ornaments. I am grateful for the sweet memories each one evokes.

Every December I look to my gardens for celebration. The Buxus need their annual pruning, and give plenty of material for fresh wreaths. Below are a few photos of this year’s bounty…

Simple and elegant. I so enjoy turning French wire ribbon into lush bows.

A small ‘Provence’ lavender swag made for a friend after creating the wreath seen below. This holiday is a great time to show appreciation.

Isn’t this lovely? Fresh lavender, fragrant, and appreciated by one woman at last market. She plans to hang it in her kitchen.

Back in my kitchen, steaming hot cocoa with a pinch of cinnamon warms me after a cool morning of wreath making outdoors.

An entire head of organic cauliflower was the base for this delicious soup. Perfect and simple, the recipe may be found in my memoir.

A wee Cornish Game hen roasted beautifully with organic Brussels sprouts.

The only way I cope with this season and the state of our nation is to step away from the crowds and noise, eat simply and mindfully, and give thanks every day for small blessings.

All I really want for Christmas is an open heart, compassion for myself and others, and the ability to remain connected with the present without judgement.

May you put down your devices, take time for breath, and embrace the happy times.

Christmas…time for downsizing

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Christmas, energy conservation, Holiday, home keeping, Lifestyle, P Allen Smith, renewal, sustainable lifestyle

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Buy Fresh Buy Local, Christmas, downsizing, Garden Home Cottage, Holiday decor, holiday maddness, home, lifestyle, nature, P Allen Smith, the meaning of home

simple holiday décor on the cottage

My dear cousin inspired today’s blog. Describing how she struggled with the artificial Christmas tree assembly (sans husband), the frustration of which dead bulb affected the entire string, and how this process was no longer a joy, I wondered why bother; after all she and hubby are now empty nesters.

I relate to this tale, as last year I cut a small stray cedar at a nearby farm, hauled it home, dragged out all the accoutrements, and as I hung the decades old ornaments, realized that I no longer connected with this ritual. Three days later, I deconstructed the tree, wound all the lights into tidy bundles, bagged the ornaments that no longer held meaning, and donated the lot to the animal shelter in time for their holiday sale.

Christmas can be a time for renewal as well as a time for rebirth. Out with dated habits and in with new inspired traditions is my mantra. The suggestion to my cousin— make a list of current rituals that no longer hold meaning—the volunteering that no longer sparks passion—the chores that are dull—and make a new list—one that inspires good will and creative exploration—a direction intended to spread one’s light on the world.

Therefore this season, with fresh eyes and heart, I erected a small everlasting iron tree form in my bay window where I hung the remaining ornaments that hold meaning. Simple yet eternal—not the extravagant decorations of magazines, yet tiny snippets of my past that inspire moments of contentment.

everlasting tree with ornaments that hold meaning and a handmade felt tree skirt repurposed in the bay window

Here in the United States, I am annually horrified by the manic holiday season which is driven by the retail monster. Long before Thanksgiving, our senses are dulled by a push to spend, spend, spend. Most Americans do not have much to spend, yet are herded by traditions that perhaps are long past obsolete.

I opted out of this madness decades ago and choose instead to create a few tokens of affection and appreciation of my making. No outsourcing here.

Homemade, homegrown, home.

May your season be blessed with true meaning.

a bit of envy

10 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in garden, Lifestyle

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aging, downsizing, home ownership, responsibility

Last week I met with one of my widowed senior clients who, at the age of ninety-three, continues to live independently. As I entered the lobby of her residence, I was greeted by a congenial doorman who directed me to my client. Aided only by a rolling walker, she guided me down the halls to the elevator.

During our three hour project, I realized how simple her life has become. As we purged her filing cabinet, we discarded former home documents, auto sales receipts, maintenance documents, and other home ownership information. All this is behind her and she is free of these tribulations. Outside I noticed the beautiful gardens, full and lush and I felt a bit of envy.

Today my client merely pays rent each month for this dwelling, where all else is managed by the residence, including meals. Ongoing paper maintenance will be limited to her investments, medical statements and reams of junk mail.

Oh the simplicity!

As I gaze into my landscape while the temperature warms above comfort level, I find solace within my air conditioned walls, resigned to my responsibilities of home ownership—until I choose change.

Rising before dawn to check the gardens, I water the few plants that need nurturing, enjoy the voices of birds, and escape the inevitable heat index of the oncoming day.

Yet the visit with my mature client was a reality/mortality check. In time I must choose to nurture myself and select an easier lifestyle—where daily demands are limited to those I truly enjoy. Less responsibility appeals to me, along with the freedom to roam.

Therefore, I must ponder these matters and plot my path ahead.

Have any of my followers had a similar epiphany?

the thing about clutter

08 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by home, garden, life in clutter, home, life, sustainable lifestyle

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clutter, death of a parent, downsizing, estate

Exotic okra flower

Following my mother’s death in 1995, I had the task of sorting her estate. Mother not only left a horse, burrow, and two cats, she left behind forty years of household belongings.

Years prior to her death, I encouraged Mother to sort through the attic, basement, crawl space, closets, and garages that bulged with mementos, furniture, tools, equipment, canned food, unfinished projects, and dozens of gallons of saved water. Carefully preserved prom dresses, stuffed with tissue, hung in attic bags, perhaps awaiting the next festive occasion. I had challenges, yet learned important lessons during this process.

Clutter disguises emotions.
In Mother’s case, perhaps clinging to possessions was comforting, as she endured the Great Depression.
Clutter may offer a bulwark against the unknown future.
Clutter may veil loneliness.
However, clutter may simply be the result of a distracted life.

Queen Ann’s Lace

During the past decade, one of my missions included assisting area seniors sort through clutter in an effort to promote personal autonomy. Most clients were widowed women who made decluttering a priority. They were determined to make changes. I guided them through both easy and tough decisions. We ploughed through, sometimes for a few years, always succeeding. Often we had fun. Sadly, many of these clients moved to the next stage of life, yet family members always find me and convey sincere gratitude. The transition was made with dignity.

It takes commitment to address clutter. It is a process. Sometimes it takes an objective outsider to support difficult decisions. Yet the lessons learned from my mother’s home and gentle clients who followed, affirm the fact that clutter is just stuff and should not stand between one’s true self, family, or the hereafter.