The morning greeted me with full sunshine. Definitely a treat after a weekend of rain and dark clouds.
I did finish making the small table runner. I didn't add any batting but I did add a backing and quilted it in the ditch. I also added a very small binding around the entire runner. It will add a nice touch of color to a summer table...
Today marks the beginning of a new monthly theme along with the week's focus. Simplicity for the theme and Simplifying Your Home for this week's focus. Before we talk about that, though, how are you coming with your goals? Remember the goals you put in place in January? Take a few minutes today and check out your progress.
I remember when I was young and we were establishing a home for our four children, garage sales were a mainstay of summer 'fun'. Finding and collecting things for our home, for the children, etc. Especially children's clothes and knick knacks. My husband collected teapots and plants. I think at one time we had well over one hundred plants in our home...they were great for decorating. I was always on the lookout for something to craft with.
Now that I am in my senior years, I have been downsizing. I never understood my grandma when I was younger. If I admired something she wanted to give it to me. She always said she wanted to see someone else enjoy it while she was still alive rather than wait until she was gone. Now I totally understand her.
So simplifying your home may depend on where you are in your life adventure. When beginning your life's journey, you may be in an acquiring stage as opposed to your senior years when you may want to decrease some of your things.
Another consideration when simplifying is that one size does not fit all...let me repeat that ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL. Some folks like to simplify their things down to a certain number of items or to the bear minimum because that's where they feel comfortable. Other folks may feel more comfortable with lots of things around them including pictures and knick knacks.
The thing to remember is that you own your 'stuff and not to let your 'stuff' own you. Having 'stuff' requires time to clean, to repair, to change. If you're overwhelmed with taking care of your 'stuff' maybe it's time to think about the amount of 'stuff' you have.
Take some time today to walk through the rooms in your home and make note of what you find. The easiest way would be to take a notebook and make very brief notes (or even simple drawings) about your ideas for each room. What you like, what you don't, what seems to be out of step with everything else, what works, what the needs are (i.e. a place to eat, a place to study, a place to play), etc. Tomorrow we'll consider what you find.
Talk with you tomorrow...