Friday 18 October 2019

Catching Up

Catching up ... like these two kookaburras meeting atop my back garden fence... there's a lot I could natter on about, a fair bit I could tell you with the tilt of my head and a hearty chortle at how life twists and turns out sometimes. Of course, as there is with kookaburras, there would be also that quiet lull of shared silence for things of more thought.


Kookaburras are regular visitors to our garden.

Life changed at the beginning of this year, as I returned to part-time work, then changed again when I left that role mid-year. It was both an easy and a difficult decision; for me a bit like jumping without a proverbial parachute. I felt this leap inevitable not long after I began working within a huge system again but certain things happened, including the ill health of a dearly loved one, that saw me taking that step earlier than I anticipated. I remain very grateful that I had a choice. While my time at home will again not be forever, I am going to relish it for however long it lasts. As Ghandi once wisely said,  "There is more to life than increasing its speed." 


 Mulberries ripening on our little tree. 

 An impossible pie made with spring onion, silverbeet and parsley from our garden.

 Homemade jam drops cooling in the kitchen.

The first tiny yellow tomatoes from our garden.

Here, behind our blue gates, life has slowed down again. While I am currently doing the odd relief teaching day, at a little school I love, I am enjoying the freedom that more time at home brings. My simple days are filled with much loving, parenting, housework, home cooking, gardening, reading and chatting with friends and neighbours and, of course, the highly anticipated daily walks with our elderly Sir Steve dog. I have taken to calling these strolls around our neighbourhood his la passeggiata for their leisurely pace and all the familiar folk we 'bump' into and chat to along the way. It's amazing how many free pats this wonderful Labrador elicits from everyone!


 My new top made from gifted & gorgeous fabric.

What I found disappeared completely when I returned to work, besides writing here that is,  was crafting. I managed to knit half a washcloth in half a year! While I am now almost finished that washcloth, I have recently and happily sewn a lovely top with a gorgeous fabric that was gifted to me by a fellow sewer and new friend. It's been a joy to make things again.  I missed it very much. 

What would you miss the most if it disappeared from your simple life?

Meg














34 comments:

  1. It's nice to see you back posting Meg. That impossible pie looks nice... any chance of a recipe?

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    1. Hi, Cherie. I made this pie regularly while we had an abundance of silverbeet growing in the garden over Winter. It's perfect for lunch or dinner. The recipe comes from Fiona over at her blog, Stay Home Instead. Here is the link: https://stayhomeinstead.blogspot.com/2017/06/silverbeet-impossible-pie.html

      Meg:)

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  2. That's an excellent question. I think it would be the time spent in nature. I have been sitting on the porch, admiring the flowers, herbs, birds, roses, and trees. It is so calming to rock back and forth on my patio chair and appreciate the fruits of my labor. The vibration of the fruit trees and plants really fulfills me. Loved this post, by the way. Your blouse is really pretty.

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    1. Nature is clearly central in your life, Stephenie, and your new cabin will afford you even more opportunities to be immersed in it and to reap the benefits that closeness brings to your soul. I love the photos of it that you've been posting!

      I am blessed to live in an area where we are surrounded by trees and I believe that has so many benefits for our health and well being.
      Meg Xx

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  3. It's lovely to see you back Meg. The thing I would miss the most is spending time in my garden. Whether it's tending to my flowers or my vegetables, it's such a big part of my life and brings me a sense of peace.

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    1. Thanks, Jan. Lovely to see you back posting too! I know exactly what you mean about missing a garden. I missed being able to do as much as I normally would in mine but was also surprised at how much the garden also took care of itself. The parsley self-seeded everywhere and now we are picking it by the handful! Meg:)

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  4. Great to hear how you have been going....the top looks great too. There is nothing worse than being in a work environment that is difficult. Glad you are able to get back to your simple living ways spending time at home.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. I am really happy with how the top turned out, Kathy. It's a pattern I am familiar with and have made a few times before but I love it and knew the fabric would work well. I have already worn it several times.
      Meg:)

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  5. It’s so nice to see you back, Meg.
    I think the main thing I’d miss would be reading. I must read for pleasure at least 10 minutes every day, otherwise I don’t feel right. 😊

    Impossible pie is something I’ve seen a lot on the homemakers forum and blogs, but I’ve never made it. I must try one of these days.
    I love your top. Very pretty colors.

    Again, welcome back! xx

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    1. Thanks for such kind words, Nil. I love visiting your blog too and seeing what you are up to, half a world away, in your house by the lake.

      I also love reading and always have a pile of books on my bedside table because I always read before I go to sleep at night. I find it so relaxing!

      The fabric of my top was a gift from a lovely new friend. It's the prettiest fabric and so light and floaty. All the flowers remind me of a garden but there are birds on the fabric too and I just adore birds. I felt very blessed to receive such a gift. I have a small amount of this fabric left and want to make something else with it.

      Meg Xx



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  6. Happy to see you in my bloglist today! Boy, do I know just what you mean. I just interviewed for a full-time position yesterday, and know it will cut into my creative time if I'm offered the job. There are reasons to be happy either way it turns out.

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    1. Hi, Kathy! Thanks for popping in and visiting me today. I wish you much luck with the position you interviewed for. It sounds like you can see the positives in whichever way it turns out.
      Meg:)

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  7. Aboriginal stories tell the cackling of two kookaburras, signifies the importance of communication between loved ones. It's meant to prompt people to mend rifts, etc. So, a pretty fortuitous image after a long break away. :)

    It was great to catch up with your garden, kitchen and crafts again. I missed your posts, but completely understood you had priorities to take care of, at the time. :)

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    1. Thanks, Chris. Those kookaburras were having a really good chinwag. Obviously, it had been a while since they'd caught up with one another so definitely the right photo for this post;)
      Meg Xx

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  8. Meg, it is good to see you back. Enjoy your time at home while you can. I worked part time at my children's school for over 20 years. It wasn't a stressful job and fitted in with the children. Your cooking is making me hungry.

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    1. Thanks, Nanna Chel. I am not sure what 2020 will bring work wise but I am very happy relief teaching, at the little school I love, which is enough for now. Meg:)

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  9. +Hey Meg, lovely to see you back with this sweet, chatty post. You're obviously back in your element being a homemaker, with your delicious looking cooking, sewing and gardening. I think like others I'd miss my garden and being able to enjoy being outdoors, to get out every day for a leisurely stroll with Mirrhi, for those free pats and catch ups with neighbours, definitely I'd miss reading, sewing and crafting.....actually I think I'd just miss my gentle paced life, where I get to choose which of my favourite activities I indulge in as the day unfolds.

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    1. Hello, Nanette! Like you, I love the gentler pace of life at home. I often pause and think how quiet things are during the day here, just birdsong and a snoring Labrador;) There is a lot of freedom when your time belongs just to oneself and I think there is a great deal of peace in that. MegXx

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  10. Hi Meg,
    In all our craziness I saw you blog pop up in my emails this afternoon.
    I hadly find the time at thenmoment to write mine or catch up with others, so one of the things I would miss is our internet as unreliable as it is I woukd be so sad to be cut off from sll my lovely blogging and FB friends.
    The rain is something we are already missing which has added dramatically to our workload and worry levels. Is it as bad up your way as it is here...Just looking out at ut is so depressing,and I think that follows into day to day life...
    On a high,your impossible pie looks delicious and I adore your new top.Enjoy your change in work location as I am sure you are not sitting around doing little.
    Take care Meg
    Cheers
    Jane.

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    1. It sounds very dry down your way, Jane. Until this week, it was very dry here too but we've had rain this past week. I hope you get some liquid gold down your way soon to green things up and ease those worries. I have popped over and had a look at photos of your amazing trip; how wonderful to have been travelling and seeing amazing and interesting places. Take care too, Jane.
      Meg Xx

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  11. Hello Meg, it’s so lovely to hear from you again. I’ve sometimes wondered what’s been happening in your life, and how things have been going for you. It must feel so good to be back ‘home’ again 😍 there’s no place better in my opinion 💕

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    1. Hello, Cheryl! It is indeed good to be home again for I can think of no better place than home either. I have wondered too about what you are up to down your way; I have popped into your blog now and then but saw that you were not writing there so thought perhaps you are busy with other things in life. I hope you are well and happy and have had rain and that your orchard is growing! MegXx

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    2. I have been busy, and I haven’t had much time, but mostly no mojo to blog. I’ve started an instagram account under the same blog title, as it is quick to post and keeps those interested in the loop. Maybe I will get back into blogging, but probably not this year.

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    3. I haven't really investigated Instagram, Cheryl, probably because I love to write so its longer posts that suit me better. Meg:)

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  12. So glad you are back in this space, it is good to catch up with what you have been doing. I hope you have a little more time to write here more often.

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    1. Thanks so much. It is nice to have time again and I do hope to write here a bit more often. I am going to resist setting a routine and just post when I have something new to share. Meg:)

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  13. It's wonderful to see you back here again Meg. Your current lifestyle sounds perfectly well balanced, with time to do the things you love and are so valuable to your family too... and a bit of teaching work too. Perfect. XX

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    1. Thanks, Sally. Returning to a part-time role in a huge educational system really clarified for me what it is I do and do not want to do. I feel things are once again much more balanced which is lovely for our family. MegXx

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  14. Welcome back Meg. Your last question really got me thinking as my life seems to be pretty full on and emotional lately. I think I need to sit with a good cup of tea and ponder your question while getting back to basics. xx Susan

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    1. I hope you've had a chance to have that cup of tea, Susan, and to ponder things happening in your life at the moment. Finding clarity can be hard when things are full on and hectic. Meg:)

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  15. So glad to have you back Meg, you have been very much missed. It is so good to catch up with what has been happening in your life, and to hear that you are back home living the simple life for a while. Enjoy your time at home.

    Take care,
    xTania

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    1. Thanks, Tania. It's nice have more time at home again. Having this time makes it easier for me to keep things simple.
      Meg Xx

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  16. So lovely that you're back with such a refreshingly wholesome post. I have just returned from a cruise - and this is like a breath of fresh air. I won't go into why I was cruising, other than to say family, when cruising is really not my thing. So what I'd miss - the quiet, the space and the hand made life.

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    1. I love the quiet of my simple life too, Anne. It's so peaceful during the day here; there's plenty of time to be and to think as a day unfolds. It's a lovely contrast to the world outside our gates. MegXx

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