Last year in the weeks and months before we left on our caravan adventure, I remember writing lots of rambling listy blog posts. Lists of all the stuff I had to get done and wanted to get done, stuff I was thinking and feeling, stuff I was wondering, and other miscellaneous crap that was filling up my brain.
I remember reading a few of those posts back while we were away and being astounded by their speed and clutter. I remember feeling clear and so very far removed from she of the speedy-cluttery posts. I remember wishing that there was a way to hold on to the slow and the clear and to bring it back home with me.
Today all morning I've been dying to get a chance to sit down at my computer and write one of those rambly, overwhelmed, overweight, listy posts of before. I've wanted to find a way to get it all out. I've needed to find a way to find peace and calm. To be back on the beach in Broome, on the Coral Bay reef, or in a rockpool in Litchfield.
Inhale.
My head is FULL of making the most of the one sunny day of the week, not coping with Pepper getting big and going school next year, Abby leaving, worries about my Grandfather, Jazzy's middle child stuff, birthday prezzies, rhubarb recipes, Indi's emotions, potato planting, plans for my studio, crochet sampler thoughts, searching for asparagus and daffodils, the naked wall, Wednesday's chicks, Melbourne plans, what's for dinner, a little caravan adventure, the three woolly projects I started on the weekend, the op shop pile, the project, overdue library books, naked windows, what if's, the caravan pages, what should I do's, Indi's training, spring planting, the little busy Milo, washing the ballet stuff, potato bread, everything but the thread, next year's trip, father's day, the postage pile, some indoor, early planting, finding linen tea-towel blanks, all those school notes.... I could go on.... and on...and on...
Exhale.
I think today's mission is to slow down and get out of my head. To breathe deeply. To notice the details. I think I need to put on my farm clothes and to get outside. I think I might need to split wood, or to shovel some dirt, or to go for a long walk in the bush.
Life is good.
Inhale.
Has your week gotten off to a good start?
Are you in your head or are your feet on the ground?
Are you a list writer or do you carry it all around with you like me?
What do you make with too much rhubarb?
What do you do when you feel like you are about to explode?
Exhale.
See you later sprouting potata.
xx
Abby we miss you so much already. xx
oh me, oh my …. do I get your head space!
ReplyDeleteI do spend way too much time in head, usually with another little voice reminding me to get out.
I find a nice long walk around the peaceful National Rhododendron Gardens works, clean air and big tall trees swaying, making me feel like an ant is helpful somehow!
Else a little bit of 'I know I'm sitting in the lounge crocheting, but really, pretend I’m not here ok!' will do the trick too…. tho’ I’m usually mentally creating another list or crocheted project whilst I do this … but the rhythm of hooking/knitting seems to keep it calmer for some strange reason.
Otherwise breathing and counting … sounds easy I know, but you’d be surprised how hard it is when your head wants to explode with its ‘to do’ list!
I used to list with pen and paper but have converted to iphone notes as I just don't need more crap to clutter my bag, coffee table etc...
I like making stewed rhubarb - boring I know but super versatile - for breakie or sweets.
thanks for sharing... and making us all feel normal :-)
Little White Dove
Fabulous photos! It's funny how similar and different you and Abby are all at the same time. Love that about sisters. Everyone says that about my sister and I, though we can't see it. Anyway, lovely pics to have in your stash. I desperately try to write lists but as soon as I do it's like my brain lets go of the items and I think they are done or something ;) Good that you have your list here on your blog now to come back to. I'm still looking for good tea towel blanks too - I ordered some that are okay but not how I'd wanted them. Hard to find. Let me know if you come across a good one? Have fun exhaling :) Kx
ReplyDeleteI just got an email from Amy with this link:
Deletehttp://www.linenthings.com.au/kitchen-linens/linen-tea-towels/blank-linen-tea-towels.html
Could be what we've been looking for.
x
Quick reply, as my head list is making me sick and I need to not think about it. But - I get my linen tea towels from linen line, they are nice and big, and have black ones as well. Or Hemo WA has hemp tea towels if you want that often, though they aren't as big, and are a bit more pricey.
DeleteRhubarb Champagne! All pink and sparkly, it makes everything better!
ReplyDeletexx
Oh I so know what you mean about the 'list' and how overwhelming it can all seem sometimes. At times I feel like I weigh myself down with my own expectations. Sometimes you just need to (physically or emotionally) walk away from it all. Do something not on the list. Watch a movie. Go for a coffee.
ReplyDeleteAs for rhubarb, I made a lovely rhubarb and orange marmalade once. Also nice stewed (and sweetened) and used for topping porridge or in pastry.
oh yeah...i am so there at the moment. thanks for this post - 'the overwhelm' i call it. I find even simple things like early nights (i am crazy with the late nights crafting etc), stopping every now and then and breathing deeply, walks along my beach, making sure i eat well (i would happily exist on toast or nothing in times of overwhelm), and letting my son open to my eyes to the magic and beauty in the world...snaps me out the circling thoughts of the grown up. Much love to you in it all...we hold so much we mama's. x
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to just breathe sometimes. I dropped in for a quick cuppa with a friend today. Bundle of hand me downs to pass on. Stayed for lunch. Cuddle of bubba. Another cuppa. Built a cubby for the 2 yo. Fabulous. My house is still standing. Nothing fell apart. Need to do that more often. Xx
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile when someone does a brain list dump....I am sure on some level it is extremely good for you and now will make breathing normally much easier....here's to a great week. x
ReplyDeleteI am a compulsive list maker and today my brain is in total overdrive as I prepare to be interstate at a conference for 5 days - all of the stuff I need to do so work and family and routines run smoothly while I am away and I just feel like I am spinning my wheels and getting no where. I'm hearing you loud and clear LOL!
ReplyDeleteApple, rhubarb and ginger crumble. It's on the Taste website.
ReplyDeletePut rhubarb crumble, rhubarb crumble and more rhubarb crumble on the list! Then maybe a rhubarb and apple sponge pudding, rhubarb and apple pie, rhubarb roly poly...and make lots of custard hehe! By the way...take the what ifs off the list for starters, that makes a lot of difference. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteCarol what a great piece of advice, "take the what ifs off the list for starters" why have I never thought of it like that....so many what ifs...pfft what a waste of energy. Thankyou :)
DeleteLiving here, where the sun is baking down and we're just coming out of a heatwave.....I find I spend many an hour,sitting /lying ...and 'what iffing'...I haven't got the energy to do anything else...
ReplyDeleteWhen the temperature has gone down a couple of degrees, I'm going to explode if I don't write a few notes...my list of crochet/knitting projects...garden projects, artistic projects.... scary!!
Take care
Jude
yes, listwriter and stressor here. i go to the beach and watch at least three waves roll all the way in when it gets too much. and last week i used rhubarb in some apple pie jam. yum.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long while since I stopped by... but I just read this and laughed out loud and felt like hugging you. A wonderful post. As for the rhubarb? Blanch and freeze, maybe?
ReplyDeleteI have a list in my head. Sometimes I write them down ifiI really need to tick them off. As some as it sounds though sometimes I just nerd to remind myself to DO them. Once I do one thing I find the others flow.
ReplyDeleteMy head is constantly filled with thoughts like yours, list of things I need/want/have to do but the problem is I NEVER have enough time to do all of them. Working 5 days a week takes up too much of that precious time. I lay in bed at night & think of all the things I haven't done. I used to call it a " failure list" until my counsellor told me to stop & list the things I did get done. I don't write either of those kind of list any more instead I have a notebook filled with lists of things to cook, read, do, make, buy. The lists help get the stiff out of my head because I over think stuff WAY too much. It's a bloody curse!
ReplyDeleteWhen I feel like I am going to explode I usually do. I yell or cry or shut myself away from everyone. It's probably not the best way to deal with it. I'm sure some smarter, calmer person will tell you to go for a run or a walk but I'm not that person. I'm too emotional, I just gotta let it out.
Here's hoping your week, & mine, is lovely Kate xx
I had muesli with rhubarb in it the other day, it was lovely :)
ReplyDeleteRhubarb sour cream pie
ReplyDeleteLine pie dish with short pastry , cube 4 cups raw rhubarb and place in dish on top of uncooked pastry.
Mix 1.5 cups sugar, 1/3 cup flour and 1 cup sour cream and pour over rhubarb
Mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup soft butter to crumble over top of pie
Bake at 220 for 15 min then at 180 for another 30 mins , ( or bake as your oven dictates ? With wood oven)
It makes a pretty pie streaked pink with the rhubarb and tastes yum.
Great recipe, must try it soon. My mom makes a plain sour cream pie, never thought about adding fruit. Thanks, deb
DeleteI can't believe you have too much rhubarb!! I'm I'm Sydney & every week I place my order through our organic delivery service & I haven't received it once as there's never enough!!! Enjoy your lucious rhubarb...I'm jealous :)
ReplyDeleteOMG the library books !! Gah ...*runs...door slams*
ReplyDeleteMy list is about as long as yours but i've got one less farm and one less child! Walking works for me...I get out of my head and down to my feet. Love to you sweet Kate x
ReplyDeleteYep I'm a list maker and I like to plan ahead. Unfortunately the waiting game doesn't really gel with lists and plans, so I'm just living in the moment, getting on with it and waiting...
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to make your list and clear your clutter.
As for rhubarb... I have no clue sorry!
Up until recently I was completely overwhelmed by lists and head space being taken up with thoughts of must-do's, need-to-do's, want-to-do's, should-do's. I took a step back and have been exhaling ever since..it's been great! I feel so much lighter and happier for it.
ReplyDeleteWe adore rhubarb and use it in baking/desserts or lightly stewed for breakfast with yoghurt. I recently stumbled on a rhubarb jam that I am keen to make.
x
yep my list is long like yours but i am trying to remember the breathing part. i like a good list written down ready to cross off, if only i had time to write it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a lister too. Writing.it.down gets if out of my head. Have 4 bits of paper in front of me right now with various lists. Love crossing things off. With extra rhubarb I make rhubarb sauce-great on toast, with yoghurt, or over vanilla icecream.
ReplyDeleteGreat family photos! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree... how did life get so FULL?
PS. Rhubarb & ginger jam is yummy! http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/12486/rhubarb+ginger+jam
ReplyDeleteI think 'let it all go' is the best advice. Things sort themselves out most times even without lists and worrying!
ReplyDeletewhat about your other sister? where's the bub??? erin xx
ReplyDeleteawww miss you all so much, too! thanks for cuddles and company (and coffee...and cocktails! :) xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteI just remembered something I did with rhubarb that's a bit more exciting than stewed!
ReplyDeleteI figure by your amazing posts on bread in all its various gorgeous glory that none of you are on a gluten free diet - but this is a gluten free idea.
Find a flourless orange cake recipe - and sub the orange for stewed rhubarb(yep still gotta do that bit). Usually a flourless orange cake uses two oranges, boiled. I guessed with my 'can't follow a recipe to save myself' style that this equates to about two cups of stewed rhubarb. It worked a treat - in fact it works with other stuff too - I've done it with stewed apples and add yummy spices, and also done it with dates (slightly stewed to soften). I'd like to try it with peaches when they come back in season.
I just found this recipe - http://www.food.com/recipe/nigella-lawson-flourless-chocolate-orange-cake-303266
It uses lots of eggs too - and I guess that's perfect for you guys!
little white dove
My head is a constant blur of lists. The what to do, the what not to do, the what I have time to do, the what I never seem to have time to do....the will I ever have time to do! The garden is solace for me too. Or some serious demolition work. Wielding a hammer can be such a life saver. Have a brilliant week :) x
ReplyDeletei love lists too. and i sometimes forget to breathe. remembering is good!
ReplyDeleteyour blog is lovely.
your vegetable garden is most enviable.
thank you for sharing. : )
I am living entirely in my head this week replaying a crazy conversation I can't get my head around. I was glad to read your post to distract me a little. A little crochet therapy needed for me.
ReplyDeleteGosh Kate, I so adore visiting with you, cos it's like you tiptoe into my head and manage to extract my own feelings and write them as your own. I hear you. I feel exactly cmopletely the same at this moment in time, my head is BUSTING at the seams with clutter and stuff, mental lists, piles, to-do's, ideas, colours, plans.
ReplyDeleteI was just this morning thinking i need to find my diary again and start writing some lists. create some order. make progress. I too miss caravan life, the simplicity of it. I wish for a simpler home life without so much of the chaos and clutter. Sigh. yet....and yet, I am feeling like for the next few weeks at the end of our summer it is futile to try and make too much progress, that really go with the flow is better, even if it is harder.
Sending much love....I had a dream about your knitted pipe covers a few nights ago. I think it's cos I was sat outside looking at my black plastic drainpipe and thinking i would love to crochet a stripy cover for it, and you came to mind. the the stripy knitted dream followed,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Oh how I adore those photos! What a gorgeous family you have.
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