I’m hoping everyone enjoyed their summer and was able to spend it with friends, family, or even alone if your situation called for it. I was able to enjoy all 3 aspects during the summer.
We did/are still enjoying our bountiful harvest from our garden. We have so much that we are sharing with friends, family, clients, and some senior centres. My husband is building a covered pergola out back where we can sit and relax in the mornings and evenings. We are considering for him to do some meditation classes out there as well for the fall, still working on details for that.
So yes, lots of canning to do. We have done pickles beets, tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce so far with far more to come. I am trying to collect the tomatoes before they get too ripe because sometimes you get bottom rot, so I’d rather let them ripen on a window sill. At the peak, I have tomatoes in our kitchen window, bedroom window, living room and the bay window on the west side of the house. The freezer will be jammed with choppped white turnip and rutabaga for stews and soups, and a friend will trade our potatoes for some leeks she grew. So far we dug up 2 wheelbarrows full of red potatoes (haven’t even gotten to the russets yet, yikes!). Hubby has made 2 huge shepherds pies so far. So much more to do!
Easing Back
As I get older I find I want things simplified. My home, my clothes, my health routine, even social media (don’t even get me started on the passwords, verification codes, I’m Not a Robot, and Click on images with Bicycles!, Subscribe Here if You Want To Edit Anything, Baaah! – who is with me on this?).
So first, get rid of clutter. I desperately need to get rid of some childhood things (because my mom kept it, so did I), okay, easier said than done. I read somewhere that instead of keeping all the toys, select say 3 special ones and donate(if in good shape) or sell the others. Perhaps the toys could be incorporated into something useful (top of a walking stick, glued onto a frame of a family photo, glued onto a rock to use as a doorstop) This is a great idea for anyone who keeps their kids projects/papers, etc., you don’t need every drawing Sally made through public school, select one or 2 and frame it to add to your study, put that 1st clay piece ever made on a bookshelf, get rid of the rest. The less ‘stuff’ you have the less stressed you become. Isn’t that a quote from someone?
Clothing is another one. Things that don’t fit anymore, hmm, ain’t gettin’ back into that anytime soon, tossed…finally…took awhile, but I did it. Clothes never worn, gone. Sometimes it’s really difficult, because you spent money on it, hard earned money.
I finally learned over the years that it’s a bit of a chore to decide what to wear, this doesn’t go with that, or doesn’t look right with such and such. My personal solution was to buy ‘pretty little dresses’. I definitely don’t like frilly, but I do enjoy ‘flowy’. They are now my go to. A little harder in winter, but for fall I am looking for heavier fabrics, or even things I can layer. Shoes are a different challenge. Simple sandals or a closed toe flat (don’t forget some arch support for the win).
Health and beauty are the same deal. So much makeup when I was younger (I just loved all the pretty colours!). Now it’s just a bit of coconut or castor oil on my lashes, a bit of natural organic eyeliner and a pinch of my cheeks for colour. I don’t bother with lipstick as I don’t have a lovely full pouty mouth like some ladies do, so a handmade all natural lip balm – sometimes tinted will do me just fine. There is nothing worse than dry lips (cue the water intake here for hydration as well).
Toothpaste is a no go for me. I have resorted to an all natural remedy and have not had a cavity in 3 years (touch wood). Flossing is imperative as well. I am not so much into trying to style my hair, especially in the summer when it’s humid, frizzy galore, it’s either cut short or put up in a ponytail or clip. Right now I have it cut in long lengths and wear it up in a clip as the texture has changed a bit. So for now it works for me. Easy peasy.
I find I have to go with the flow more now than stress about things. It’s just easier. But make no mistake, I am not a pushover. I can and will adapt where and when it is called for, but I weigh out what is worth stressing over and what is not. Definitely an ongoing project and one I do on a daily basis.
My next project is my basement, which a friend named Fraggle Rock. It’s not that bad…is it? There is a lot of ‘stuff’. I’ll keep you posted.
If you have any natural remedies that you enjoy using, please send them along, so I can pass onto others.
Until next time! Sandra
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my summer promo! You might even get some extra yummies from the garden to take home. Kidding…not kidding.
Sandra A. Murphy Reflexology 