I am finding the Artist’s Way very helpful at the moment. I seem to be including many more pleasurable and creative moments into my day and leaving until later many more dreary chores and ‘must/should’ undertakings. And I am doing this with less and less guilt and more sense of entitlement. Which is a refreshing change.
On the weekend DH and I went to the local Wine and Truffle Company for lunch, with my parents. We had a wonderful boozy and completely overindulgent afternoon. I have decided I like truffle products. I bought a bottle of truffle oil to play with in my future cooking and DH and I think we will plant some hazelnuts and oaks and try to get some going on our own property in the next few years. That would be fun. Why not give it a go?? The truffle hunting dogs were also very adorable…
During the week my step-Aunt and her twelve year old son came to stay (school holidays) for two days and we had a lot of fun. Went for a long walk over hill and dale, arriving home as dusk turned to dark and our shoes were sodden from trekking through the long wet grass. The moon was rising, almost full, and I dusted off and resurrected the telescope so we could better contemplate the wonder of the universe. Many board games were played (I think we counted nine) and much sitting around in front of the fire with cups of tea was accomplished, with some bouncing acrobatics performed on the trampoline in between rain showers. Nephew and I cooked up a storm in the kitchen beginning with an almond and ginger cake for afternoon tea, and he learned how to make a cracking risotto with emphasis on the importance of sound in the cooking process. All the roses got pruned and we brought in a beautiful vaseful of clipped buds to enjoy. They are now in my bedroom, filling the space with their delicate perfume.
On Saturday I had the house to myself and began my latest felting project – a red silk wrap to be worn over trousers – it is up to the point where I can actually do the felting bit now. I’m very excited to be creating something for myself (the last five all went to other people).
And yet, the housework has somehow still got done: the sheets and towels from all the guests have been washed, along with general clothing; the house has been vacuumed; the wood box filled and dishes done daily; food on the table at night (today I have prepared a whole-bird comforting chicken soup, with Chinese flavours and egg noodles); the ironing is under control; filing is done and the new tax year folders organised for future paperwork management.
I spent the afternoon with a dear friend in another town (70mins drive away) yesterday while DH was giving people anaesthetics. We had a lovely time just chatting and catching up. I went with her to do some of her chores and discovered a new gourmet shop that had some hard to get spices and came home with a bagful of: rosebuds/dried pomegranate seeds/dried tamarind slices/Spanish Cocoa. All for under ten dollars. What a bargain. And then I met up with my friend in her favourite shoe shop and impulsively bought a pair of bright red leather heels for a hundred bucks. Why not?
Spicing up my wardrobe and image has been a lot of fun. I have taken on board the comments from my hairdresser of a fortnight ago. It is kind of liberating to let myself be more playful with my appearance.
The rain has eased up and now I think I might join my Wednesday afternoon walking group for a stroll in a local forest.
What a fortunate life I lead.
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