October 06, 2015

Listening to the Stillness


The house is quiet this morning. It's just me for the first time in a week. A four day weekend spent with the one who loves me best. Chilly weather, the first fire, lunch on Main Street, letter writing, book shopping, a birthday dinner for Maddie's guy, breakfast at Cracker Barrel, sitting on the porch, naps, football, knitting, reading. All things that make my heart sing.


And now the quiet. I need the quiet. A primal need. The foggy morning. The soft autumn light making the house feel even cozier than normal.


I come home from making the school run and throw the ball for the dog. I think the view from our backyard has never been prettier than at this very moment.


I come inside and mean to make my breakfast. A cup of chai will be just the thing. I get distracted straightening up the house, making tidy all the corners that get messy during the weekend. I know it is Tuesday but it feels like Monday. I'm practicing mindfulness as I go along, something I've really started to incorporate into my life. I especially like to start my week off with a little reminder to be present as much as possible. Mindful Mondays. A way to remember to find the joy and to fill myself with gratitude. I am thankful for this day.


I pick up the camera because it helps me memorize a moment. For as long as I can remember, I've been taking mental snapshots of perfect moments in my life that I just knew I always wanted to remember. My first boat ride as a little girl- the way the boat's motor made the frothy water look like a fountain soda, the smell of the air whipping my hair around my head. My grandmother pressing my grandfather's shirts- the smell of the spray starch and the way she would hang them from the top of the door frame as she finished each one. But now I have my camera and my words and no longer have to rely solely on my senses to do the work.


There is nothing like a morning. All the possibilities of the day ahead of you. I have a mountain of ironing that needs to be done, an upstairs that needs to be cleaned. I don't know how much of that I will do today. I did too much yesterday and I feel inclined to use that as an excuse to spend my time more creatively. But then I chide myself for feeling like I need to justify my choice. I'm sure this day would be better spent in the studio than marking chores off my to do list. Maybe today's to do list should read: make something, read something, listen to some beautiful music, feed your soul.


29 comments:

  1. Your home looks so peaceful this morning. And your day sounds so inviting. I find that I often feel the same tension between work that needs to be done and creative work that I need. So I try to balance the two…laundry done? Some time spent creatively afterwards.

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  2. Also? Caleb is sitting in my lap and as he saw the fire in your first picture, he held his hands toward it and said in his two year old voice "hot". :)

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  3. Do you know Jen, I'm trying to think of the exact words of how I feel after I have read a post of yours........but it is more about feelings. I always leave your little blogging space feeling such a huge amount of love and warmth. I love how you view the world, I love how you write and convey how you feel about those most precious to you, and how your home is the heart of it all. It's really beautiful. I just wanted to say, that it's just so lovely to read a post, that both inspires and fills you with such warmth. So thank you. It's a real gift you have. xxxxx

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  4. You've already participated in my happy morning with your thoughtful words And photos! ๐Ÿ’Ÿ๐Ÿ’Ÿ๐Ÿ’Ÿ

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  5. Lol...those questions were hearts on my tablet!☺

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  6. Beautiful photos! I can almost feel the peacefulness. :)

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  7. Beautiful post. I love the phrase practicing mindfulness. I need to do that! Have a wonderful week Jen.

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  8. Such a sweet and thoughtful post. I've been thinking about you and hoping/praying you are feeling well and recuperating. Sounds so cozy there -- think a nap would be next on my list! :)

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  9. so lovely and such peace, i just love it, the photos and how you wrote your thoughts down

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  10. Such a lovely post. I need to be more mindful of each moment instead of rushing from one task to another. Thanks for the reminder.

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  11. I need a day like this. I am taking a little trip with my mom but maybe when I get back. Did you start Anne of Green Gables? I just got it from the library and hope to read it while I'm away. Enjoy my friend and don't over do!

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  12. sigh...

    hi, my friend. loved taking time to read your post in a mindful way. think i'm going to tidy-up and grab my camera, too.

    sending hugs and scones

    xo
    elyse

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  13. Sounds like an amazing morning and you are very blessed. Thank you for the reminder to be mindful of the little moments.

    Enjoy your peace.

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  14. It sounds like a perfect day, Jen. I love the way you have with words. You paint beautiful pictures with them and I can see just what you see through your words. Hope you have an amazing week full of wonder and special little blessings. xo Diana

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  15. Beautiful post. I actually have a necklace (and I've worn it both yesterday and today) that's a silver pendant engraved with a little fork and knife and it says, "Feed Your Soul". It was from Lisa Leonard (if you're familiar with her and her jewelry). Hope you are feeling better physically, too!

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  16. I have to honestly say that your post gave me a sense of calmness that I don't often feel, Jen! And your pictures as well. It's so hard to live in the moment---to be mindful when we are so used to hitting the ground running. I touched on that in my last post.

    I recently found your blog and am having a great time going back to read previous posts. You are a wonderful writer who really has a good grasp on expressing thoughts and emotion. So glad to have found you.

    Jane x

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  17. I love this blog--- thank you for writing.

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  18. So wonderful! I have a request...when you feel up to it, could you do another blog post (full of pictures, of course) of a day out in your lovely village enjoying the fall? Pretty please?!

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    1. Bethany, I will absolutely do that blog post. Exploring the Village during autumn is one of the greatest joys of my life!

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  19. I can't even imagine.. i haven't had quite in five years.. I haven't been alone for more than an hour or so in forever.. yes, the possibilities are endless.

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  20. Such pretty photos and I so enjoyed reading this post! I really try to be mindful also...and you are right, the camera is a perfect way to capture a moment, a visual and remind us at a later date everything we have to be thankful for.
    I agree with Bethany, would love to see autumn photos of your village...it always sounds so magical the way you describe it!
    Have a wonderful Sunday!
    Kimberley

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  21. Lovely bliss. I miss my quiet morning, yours took me back and made me say Aaahhhhhh......... Love,Lori

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  22. I agree with the other comments above: reading your blog evokes such wonderful feelings and memories. I'm ready for autumn, but here in California it's still in the 90s. A few more weeks and then I'll be where you are - fire in the fireplace, coziness all around.

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  23. Our new home has a fireplace. It will be the first home we've owned with one. I am so looking forward to spending lots of time in front of it. A perfect spot for creating!! I hope you have a beautiful week!! xo

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  24. I wanted to thank you for your sweet comment but I can't find an email address!!!

    Yes, I knew the Mac wasn't supposed to get viruses but something in my head said that somehow in getting a new laptop, word was out to mess me up!!

    My last laptop was a Dell and before that a HP. I got about 3 years out of each. I never realized how slow they had gotten until I finally upgraded to this. I have two people who are in need of computers and they will be so happy to get my old one---now that's a great incentive for you! :)

    Jane x

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