Seasons of change and a free gift...

 Just as in nature there is a progression of seasonal changes, so in life we also journey through various seasons. 

This year has been a wonderful season of slowing for me, something I had long desired but not quite achieved, though not through want of trying. I used to strive for slow...and isn't that a strange thing to do?

Interpreting slow as having less, I set my mind on a path to decluttering our home, removing everything which seemed superfluous to the life I longed to lead. But decluttering is not slowing. It is simply the absence of things to store, display or maintain. 

Don't misunderstand me, I am and will always be one who declutters regularly, but this rhythm in my life did not slow me...it just gave my visual need for order a desired sense of calm. 

As the months of 2022 have steadily come and gone, the real lesson of slower living has grown in my understanding, becoming increasingly evident in the day to day rituals and practicalities of homemaking, conversation, planning and mindset.

Preparing breakfast as the sun rises each morning; changing the linen sheets and freshening the bedroom every Thursday; milling flour to bake a new loaf of bread; moving smaller garden beds of greens into the dappled shade of our Poinciana tree when the burn from the afternoon sun begins to singe their delicate leaves; hanging washing on the line and inhaling the freshness of sunshine when I take it off later in the day to fold and put away; walking around the yard mid-morning to check on our fruits and vegetables as I gather cucumbers, tomatoes and greens for lunch; tending to the daily gardening tasks and admiring God's creation as I go...all of this is done slowly now. The rush has left me. The striving has fallen away like autumn leaves on a tree. 

With slowing comes contentment and peace of mind. With slowing, I am giving myself more time to ponder God's Word and not be distracted by the noise and voices of this modern fast-paced world.

I'm intentional about using time at the computer wisely (writing blog posts and answering emails) because I don't enjoy sitting in front of a screen anymore, unless there's a purpose to it. 

One purpose during our tropical winter has been to learn things I did not know, but which add benefit to our lives here on our quarter acre...things like fermenting and preserving food. I've also uncovered old books which teach these skills, and acquired more knowledge from those locally who know about preserving in the hot tropics so that I do not waste produce.

Some friends have noticed that I've been quieter, as have my daughters, and I think that's a good thing, in fact I believe it's confirmed to my heart that at last, this desire for a slower yet more productive life is indeed happening. 

I've never been a social butterfly, it's not appealing. Being home each day and tending to life here, working at my stitchery design business, and helping the family - those satisfied me. Yet, within that home-centred life I still set my mind to achieve as much as possible in the day...until one day I just wanted everything to slow down because I couldn't see any room to spread myself and learn new things. That's when decluttering, something I'd regularly done, became even more of a habit...because I thought having less around would slow my life. 

This year I have decluttered with a different purpose, and I have allowed myself to let many distractions and self-applied obligations fall away...like autumn leaves. The heavy weights of time, mental anxiety, and future business planning are lifted, and I am walking lighter, thinking clearer, and able to give myself with full attention to the tasks before me.

No longer am I frustrated with a two-day rising of sour dough. Instead, I pick up the bowl and admire the bubbles appearing as the fermenting bread dough works it's magic. Whilst I still bake a regular loaf every few days, the slow loaves of sour dough bring me greater satisfaction and are a reminder that good things come to those who wait.

Though I've not as much time for hand embroidery lately, it's simply because the time I have is given over to things which matter more, time that is no longer rushed. Simplifying Elefantz Designs earlier this year, reducing the workload by about 80%, has made a huge difference to those parcels of rest and free time I enjoy today, and though embroidery is still one of my delights, it's done when I feel like it and thus it has become even more delightful. The business is mostly 'maintained' now through my Etsy Shop (here) and the established 12-month pattern club (here), which only takes one afternoon each week. 

In the afternoons I brew a pot of tea, choose a sweet treat, and spend 15-30 minutes reading. The joy of reading returned this year and I cherish the time given to it.

Not one for modern novels I've always enjoyed older books, those written in slower times, and this year I'm especially enjoying those with a home focus, the books of my youth which I'd almost forgotten - like Little Women. 

Recently I purchased a lovely devotional, drawn from chapters in Little Women, and together they have highlighted areas of Christian character which draw us closer to living our lives in a way that glorifies the Lord. It's not a children's devotional, if you're wondering, but when my grandchildren are a little older it will definitely offer godly lessons I can teach through.

Would you mind sharing about your own journey to slower living? I'd love to glean from your experience. Or perhaps you're still working out what slowing means to you, and how it would enhance your life?

Free book study bookmarks...

I received a lot of feedback about the little quotes included with last week's Emilie Barnes book study and thought you may like to have them in a "Creativity" bookmark format to download and print up.

They'd be lovely to use in your own reading, but would also make useful and pretty gifts for posting or slipping inside a gift book. 

I printed mine on heavy weight 250gsm paper, not regular printing paper (which is usually 80gsm) and after punching a hole in the top I added some pretty ribbon.

If you'd like to download the bookmarks I have two paper formats - A4 size such as we use here in Australia, and Letter size such as may be used overseas.

Click on the link below that suits your country's paper size...

Download the A4 "Creativity" bookmark file

Download the Letter "Creativity" bookmark file

With that I shall sign off for this week, and leave you with some inspiration and a promise. God bless you all!

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."  Jude 1:25

hugs

Simple and slow...

 A few of you have wondered lately whether I've stopped blogging (after thirteen years of it being a regular part of my life) as even after returning on August 1st from my first 'real' break' through most of July, I've barely been seen or heard from. Not even emails. I haven't even answered comments. In fact my email inbox is so overflowing that I don't even know where to start.

So I decided it was best to not start, but tell everyone here today who has left comments and sent private emails "thank you for caring" as I have read them all and sometimes shed a tear from the kindness offered, and to those who were sharing their struggles know that I prayed immediately, trusting the Father who hears when we cry out to Him for help or strength, and knowing He will surely respond. 

Now my inbox is almost empty, a weight has lifted from my mind, and like the entrance to my home when I open the door at dawn, all is clean and tidy, ready for a fresh start.

The word "simple" has taken on a very clear meaning of late, one which is encouraging me to plan those easy, ordinary meals which Nana made; recipes with few ingredients, yet so very tasty and comforting; made not with a list of expensive or numerous ingredients, and not requiring special equipment or many hours standing at the kitchen bench working through a long list of steps. 

I've swung back to this style of meal planning in the past but then been enticed to follow recipes full of 'superfoods' and found my days over-full due to the time needed for this lifestyle. But after this time of intentional slowing at home and being away from the computer and blog, I've considered the days of old when we were only able to eat locally, and could not walk into a supermarket to buy food items from all across the globe. I do believe there was much more contentment in those days when using what was readily available and not having to shop very often. 

Once a week Rosie and I get together for morning tea and sewing, though to be honest not much sewing gets done because we linger over a second cup of tea, a second slice of cake or another passionfruit melting moment biscuit (she makes the best ones you ever tried!), and we talk about so many things that the time passes before we know it and it's time for one of us to go home. But these weekly catch-ups have been almost medicinal for the soul, and it's not just the sweet treats and tea, but the slowing...the lingering...the sharing of life, hearts and hopes; the remembering together of simpler times and a desire to step back in our own lives to recapture some of what we knew growing up and as young mothers - before the hustle and bustle of a global connection became normal.  

We've reflected on the lack of manners these days, especially online and even with regards to online businesses; and made decisions not to maintain relationships or purchase from certain places for that very reason.

I'm so glad I left Facebook six months ago. It was a life-changer for me and not once have I regretted that decision. I rarely even look at Pinterest these days unless I'm specifically after something I cannot find elsewhere (such as a free pattern to make children's aprons or for a particular tutorial). Instagram is hit or miss and I am usually missing, but I do check there every few days to see what my daughters or friends are up to, and to share a little encouragement or glimpses of the garden, new patterns, or life in general...but even that has lost it's glow lately. 

You know what I have loved about slowing, especially slowing far more than I have in the past?

There's time to breathe. 

There's time to value what I have right before me.

There's time to sit in the quiet and hear myself think. 

I have more creativity and am able to make things unhurried. 

There's not as many distractions, just a rhythm of routine which I follow as the week progresses, and if something doesn't get done I don't worry about it because there's always tomorrow.

There's time to listen, and far more time to pray. 

I sleep better.

You know how cooking a meal in a crock pot (slow cooker) all through the day, gives the ingredients time to come together and merge into a wonderfully tasty dinner later that night? That's how I see this slowing of a simpler life. Everything I do, each conversation, every meal, all my ideas, come together slowly and intentionally, and this always proves beneficial to my life and the lives of those around me. 

(hand painted glass water bottle, a surprise gift made by a beautiful young friend of Blossom's for me)

I'll be honest, there was a day spent pondering and praying about whether to draw to a close the Elefantz blog, but the Lord and common sense stepped in, so I'm not going anywhere just yet, probably not for a couple of years...but I do believe the way I write, or the frequency of my writing, will shift slightly...after all, having taken time to reacquaint myself with genuine slower living and simpler ideals, why go backwards?

Above is a little peek at one block from my 2022 free block of the month, "Roses and Books". The idea came one afternoon when I cut a rosebud from the garden and placed it in a small vase beside a pile of homemaking books. That one pretty little scene inspired the first six of twelve blocks and I'm really enjoying bringing them to life with needle and thread each afternoon as I sip my cup of tea and listen to the next chapter of an audio book.

Over the past six weeks I've studied the book of Hebrews twice, and done an expanded study of Ruth as well. What a joyous thing to sit in my armchair after hubby leaves for work and read, ponder, pray...and most importantly to not think about time, but to stay there in the Word until my cup overflows with His wisdom and grace. Only then do I begin the days chores and surprisingly more is done in these slower days than when I use to hurry, working my way through a long list. 

The strawberries are coming along very well, and this was our very first ripe and ready to pick. I cut it in half for my beloved and I to share after dinner the other night. So sweet - the berry and my man. It's very satisfying after all the care I've given to the garden this winter, to eat what we've grown, no matter how small. 

Being there. Not watching the clock because I need to answer emails, shop for groceries, work on the business or any number of a hundred other 'commitments' which have tended to quietly rule my life for many years. 

Being there for the little ones, for Blossom, for friends, for my husband, for God - being right there to live a good life at home and be content.

These are the old ways, the good ways. 

I still run a business, still design, still have a mortgage to help my husband pay off so we can retire on time and not have to work until the grave. Having bought our first home just three years ago, we came to the mortgage/home-owner party very late in life, and we accepted that we'd need to work hard and consistently to pay it off, but this doesn't mean we can't live a slower, simpler, more contented life. 

It means we appreciate the blessings our Father brings our way, we seek to be generous in order to share blessings, and we live well today with grateful hearts, seeking the Lord's will in all we pursue and not trying to run ahead in our own steam. Like that crock pot meal, living slow and steady, that we may have something lovely to offer Him and others at the right time and in the right season.

For those who would like to know what's coming in the next set of Let's Stitch Again patterns, the theme is herbs, flowers and simple ways.

If you'd like to receive these patterns the information for joining my 12-month pattern club is HERE.

I'll sign off now as my dearly beloved is on his way home from work and I'd like to freshen up a bit before he arrives. I remember Nana would brush her curls, pop on some lipstick and a fresh apron about 15 minutes before Pop was due home from work. I love that memory. 

God bless you and keep you in His loving care!

hugs

Slowing the mind and thoughts...

 

These quieter days have given me a physical refreshment and mental soothing which I cannot describe adequately in mortal words. 

Letting go of the weights which previously held me down, many weights which I'd lain upon myself, and others which I'd not realised until recently could be let go, has allowed me to breathe slowly again, and opened the eyes of my understanding to pursue many wonderful and overlooked activities right here at home. 

There's a new rhythm to my weeks, a renewed sense of purpose, accomplishment and satisfaction - and all to do with home. Whether it be ironing garments straight off the clothesline, polishing the wooden bed frame, tending to my sour dough starter, cleaning away dust from under the bed, or slowly stirring delicious lemon curd until it thickens and coats the wooden spoon - everything brings a deepening sense of gratitude to my soul and I feel great delight giving attention to each task.

And then there are the moments of quiet reflection, gentle music playing softly in the background; brewing cups of delicious French Earl Grey tea and slicing pieces of date loaf for an afternoon repast whilst reading old magazines I've saved; slowly enjoying a book about womanhood, femininity and poise; or being delighted in a childhood novel which I always meant to read but never did. 

Just as the process of making sour dough requires patience, so these days of late have taken on that quality too. I feed the starter each morning and watch the fermentation process as bubbles grow and expand throughout the day and on through the night. Good things need not be rushed, but given time...

Making use of what I have on hand is how meals are being prepared now, even the treats. Instead of desiring what's not available, or heading off in the car to buy one or two ingredients, I just use what I have and be creative with it. This keeps me home, and allows me to use the abundance of creativity usually reserved for stitchery design in a fresh way. Though I mostly cook without recipes anyhow, now its about forgoing the purchase of what I do not have in the kitchen or pantry, but substituting with what is right before me. 

A little of the sour dough starter became the basis for blueberry and lemon muffins the other day, and as I made eighteen I was able to freeze a dozen for the future.

This slower, grateful and deeply calming way of living is not the way of the crowd, and that's what I like about the quote from Laura Ingalls Wilder (in the first photo), for she encourages us to step away from the crowd, to walk to the beat of our own drum, to seek out quiet times and think, ponder.

And pray.  Not quick prayers, though there are times for that, but slow, thoughtful, gracious, thankful, honest prayers to Our Father.

Become acquainted with your thoughts; turn off the television, turn off your phone and take a break from social media. Sit alone in your comfy chair with a cup of tea or your absolute favourite beverage (make it special), light a candle, play gentle music in the background, watch nature coming alive outside your window...be quiet and let your thoughts arrange themselves without the interruption of others or media.

If you're a believer, let the still small voice of God reach you in that quietness. Set yourself apart from the distractions, the rush, the to-do list...be fully at peace in your own skin, in your own home, in your own thoughts. 

May the God of all glory be right beside you today, dear friends, and show you how to create your own moments of peace and beauty and thoughtfulness in the weeks ahead.

Bless you,

A quiet life...

For quite a while my mind has pondered the choices which need to be made in order to live a quiet life, and also what that would look like in our home and marriage. Over time I also considered how differently the perception of what makes up a quiet life would be to each of us in our individual and unique lives.

These 'quiet life' thoughts intensified in March when our state went in to lockdown and the longing within my heart to step back even further than I already had the past six or seven years came to be more profoundly important than before.

I'll tell you truthfully, I enjoyed being confined to home during the months of lockdown.

I enjoyed not having to leave home, relieved at not needing to shop so much, inspired to use what was in my pantry, garden and freezer. I slept better and got more done than is usual around the house and yard even though life was being lived at a slower pace.

A sweet and unexpected bonus was that I found myself more fully present in the moments each day offered and the knots in my neck were disappearing as my body naturally relaxed.

Within those moments a fresh stirring of my heart's desire for a quieter life came forth by God's still small voice, so in the background of these past months I have sought to understand what can be put aside and what can be given more space in the gentle daily rhythms of an ordinary life like mine.

Being a homemaker means the world to me.  But being a calm, joy-filled, peaceful and productive homemaker means even more because when I have those attributes determining my daily actions and plans the atmosphere of our home environment reaps the benefits.

I asked myself last week, "Why do you need a lockdown in order to live a quieter life? Why can't you simply choose to continue with that gentler rhythm?"

It may seem an easy question to answer but it's not because I need first to write down the comings and goings, the responsibilities and expenditures of this ordinary life, the expectations and the over-commitments. Which is what I'm beginning to do...praying all the while for wisdom, understanding, and a knowledge of what to let go of and what to keep (and not just things, but habits, routines etc).

You know, having the desire for 'a quiet life' so deeply etched upon my heart the inspiration for a project to share with you came to mind. I was tidying the sewing room last week and whilst stacking my smaller pieces of fabric into colour piles I put the soft blues and whites aside. Their humble and subdued shades and patterns looked so calm and safe that my thoughts began to fill with peaceful pictures of home. Soon I had pencil and paper on the cutting table which now stands right in front of the sewing room window and by the fading light of our late afternoon sun I had two simple designs drawn and couldn't wait for the next morning to begin preparing nine blocks which would hopefully become a small wall quilt.

Next week I'm going to share my free "A Quiet Life" pattern with you...

Each night I stitch a bit more, but mostly my creative time has been taken up completing Rafaella's cardigan as we near mid-winter already. The final stitches were knitted on Sunday evening and everything sewn together on Monday. Yesterday I took it over to Blossom's and Raf's little arms lifted high when I showed it to her and immediately her 2yo body was wrapped in warmth and Nana's love. She is always cuddly but during my visit she constantly came and curled herself up on my lap and insisted we share her jam tarts. Bliss. Blessed.

I'll write more about living a quiet life over the remainder of this year as I journey along this lovely path, weeding the unnecessary and planting what matters. In fact it will be my focus - just as the lessons of gentle domesticity and embracing a homemaker heart undergirded the blog for many years. 

You see, when a lesson is learned I've come to appreciate that God wants me to use it like a step to stand on before calling me to climb higher in this quite privileged 'keeper of the home' calling.

Are you living a quiet life already? What can you share of it?

Perhaps some of you are weary from busyness and too many responsibilities? What would you like to change in order to usher in a quieter life?

Do you look at how much others seem to achieve, feel like a failure, and then try too hard to emulate them? Social media can magnify this and many beautiful souls fall into the trap of comparing their lives and (perceived lack of) achievements to others. You dear heart, need to turn your eyes away and discover the beauty of where God has you this day, the people He's put in your life, and the very unique-to-you calling He created you to walk in.

God bless your precious hearts! Each of you reading my blog mean a great deal to me and to quote Paul in his letter to the Philippian church - I thank my God in all remembrance of you.

You bless me often and the encouragement you offer through your comments many times will pick me up when the day has been hard or my body has been given over to pain. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness I so often receive from you, it is a gentle balm from one woman to another.

Before signing off today I thought I'd share something lovely to watch. I came across it the other day when I was delving further afield for aspects of living a quiet life. The wife and her husband live in Ireland and though just a short video I found it soothing, gentle and exactly what I needed.

Tomorrow Blossom and the girls will be here and the new/old cubby house will come alive again with the hustle and bustle of little women playing house. There is much joy in sitting outside with a large mug of coffee or a cup of tea watching the simplicity of children at play. Much joy indeed.

Till next time,

loving hugs