In this the last month of Autumn, it's really nice to be really slowing down.
Closing the curtains early, lighting a candle or two and cosying up with a good book, a good television programme or Netflix film while clutching a mug of coffee and maybe a biscuit or three to nibble on. Pausing only to brush away the crumbs, refresh the coffee and relish the moments that you have created.
I may have slowed down to almost a standstill, but it really doesn't worry me one iota.
Sue xx
Sounds perfect to me x
ReplyDeleteIt really is :-)
DeleteSlowing down at this time of year is the right thing to do - trees shed their leaves, plants pull back, energy is conserved, roots are maintained and made stronger ready for rebirth in the spring.
ReplyDeleteElectric lights and an 'always on' society may bring benefits for many people but I think we have lost a lot in the process. There is much curling up with candles here too :-)
The only downside for me at the moment, is since Covid, I can't smell any of the scented ones ... I can just sort of 'sense' that are giving off something. It's very strange not being able to smell anything.
DeleteIt does come back, eventually. I cannot taste as much as I used to but the sense of smell is definitely improving. Hang in there, and it might take months (sorry I cannot be more encouraging). x
DeleteI'm pretty lucky that my sense of taste is not so badly affected. I can sort of taste things normally, but I'm aware of using too much salt and pepper and far too much garlic. The other day I could sense a warm hum of garlic breath even though I couldn't smell it ... and I'd eaten the over-garlicked sauce the day before. I think I need to keep away from people on days like those!! ;-)
DeleteLooking forward to watching Enola Holmes 2 this month
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the first one of these, are they good?
DeleteLovely thought. So many more leaves have fallen now.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere is a leafy mess isn't it, but I still love this time of year.
DeleteI rally don’t like November and so try to keep busy doing things which will hopefully be useful to the charity where I volunteer. As usual this has backfired and I am sewing like a demon and not relaxing at all. I need to take a leaf out of your book and accept the short dreich days as a time to be cosy and reflective. Catriona
ReplyDeleteMaybe sew 'like a demon' for three quarters of an hour and then take the other fifteen minutes for a quiet drink while you relax. I know the feeling of being busy crafting though, you do get in a mindset to continue while the mood is there don't you.
DeleteYou have absolutely got the right idea with how to deal with the change of seasons - embracing and accepting it. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
They change whether we make the most of them or not, so it's always better to 'go with the flow' in my opinion. :-)
DeleteI’m with you! Ready to hunker down for winter here in Iowa. We’ve been have some warmer weather but I’m keeping an eye out for that to rapidly change. All the major outdoor chores are done for fall and I can now focus on indoor cozy projects like knitting and sewing. My sadly neglected housekeeping will get caught up and I’ll be baking some yummies for the holidays. My mom is coming to stay for an extended visit so that ought to be interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, my little garden has now been put to bed for the Winter, it's nice to be able to concentrate on the inside now isn't it. I hope you have a lovely visit with your Mum, sometimes it can go better than you expect.
DeleteI'm with you too. Closing the blinds early and shutting the world out, reading and knitting (although not at the same time 😁) snuggling under a fleecy blanket.... Enjoy your slow time x
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely feeling to hunker down isn't it. :-)
DeleteI am not sure why, but this year I seem especially conscious of 'the slowing down' and it feels almost like relief.
ReplyDeleteI think it maybe that the world in general seems to be spinning faster, with so much going on in the news etc. We do need to give ourselves permission to jump off and go at a different pace, and when we do it really is such a relief.
DeleteI dearly love slowing down and firmly squash any feelings of guilt. I've done my share . . .
ReplyDeletexx
Exactly that!! If we can't take the time to slow down at this time of our lives, when can we!!
DeleteOur colder weather here does encourage a person to "hibernate" with a good book! I also enjoy taking time in the morning to check on my blog friends and new posts always lift my spirits! Thanks, Sue!
ReplyDeleteBlog world is a good place to start the day isn't it. A cold dark morning and a bright screen with a mug of coffee, just seems so right.
DeleteI have just pulled the curtains over, put on a dim light and turned the television off, for a short time I will glow in the silence. I am trying so hard to slow down but something keeps happening to rev me up again, never mind , tomorrows another day to try again, autumn colours are lovely , planning for Christmas I so enjoy, making the pickled onions and chutney, feeding the Christmas cake ( and me ) , hiding presents and looking forward to seeing all the same old decorations that we have been putting up for the last 40 odd years ,oh joy !
ReplyDeleteHi Christie, can you share your recipe for pickled onions? What size onions do you use?
DeleteYes Chrissie, sometimes when we're busy with the big things, taking time out to really savour moments of quiet and enjoying the little things is the only way to keep sane. Pulling out old decorations is one of the best things about Christmas ... although I don't think I can bring myself to dig up last year's tiny Christmas tree as was the plan. It's settled so well into its position outside ... I may have to buy yet another one!!
DeleteCarol, here's a good pickled onion recipe from the queen of preserving herself Pam Corbin.
Deletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pickledonions_7719
Thanks, Sue
DeleteSorry Carol, just noticed your comment, we either use standard pickling onions or shallots, always salt them overnight then rinse well and cheat using pickling vinegar put we like ours spicy so add a few little dried birds eye chillis, also this year I have made a couple of jars with balsamic .
DeleteWise words Sue. I'm trying to slow down a bit too, but still wanting to accomplish things. Like you I have been decluttering, it feels great. Recycling a lot and also gifting and selling a few bits. The trick is not to replace stuff over Christmas. I will do my best.
ReplyDeleteI am currently getting rid of somethings and only acquiring things that I have thought about long and hard. Gifting things at this time of year feels very good doesn't it. I am using the Olio app for finding my things new homes where they will be useful and more appreciated.
DeleteI love your poetic description of your cosy evenings in front of Netflix. I drive jon mad as relaxing isn't part of my DNA, I do try, honest! xxx
ReplyDeleteI do have the very occasional poetic moment, at other times the Mancunian in me just says it like it is ;-)
DeleteSounds wonderful and probably helpful with your health concerns as well. I could do with a bit of slowing but the cat's in hospital again and another potential hurricane/storm is projected to be here by Thursday depending on its path...so my worry wart brain won't stop til all is past...I hope you will enjoy your slowed down time.
ReplyDeleteAww poor Lukas, I do hope he is feeling better now. xx
DeleteAs our weather heads into the first of winter I will enjoy early darkening of the sky and mugs of hot chocolate. I need to slow down, but I have a feeling that won't take place until after Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I think I need to teach myself to love hot chocolate, it's so easy to make without dairy and yet I have never even tried since I went dairy-free.
DeleteI like the slowing down, candles and coziness but do not draw the curtains until it’s properly dark. My husband is in the habit of drawing the curtains as soon as the light begins to fade and I absolutely hate that. I keep the daylight coming in until the simply isn’t any.
ReplyDeleteOh, I draw the curtains as soon as I feel the dip in temperature that comes while it's still a bit light. It's amazing what a difference it makes to the feel of my lodge to have all the curtains drawn early. In Spring and Summer though I am with you completely, and I leave the curtains open until the last possible minute to keep the natural light for as long as possible.
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