Finding the Simple Life.

Yesterday was Tasha Tudor’s Birthday.  You can see how others celebrate her life by visiting Storybook Woods.

As a little girl I remember looking at her ‘A is for Annabelle’ Alphabet book and being enchanted with her whimsical art. 

Then as a young mother I remember viewing articles and pictures of her and being envious of her simple living…

her gardens…

her nostalgic style, and again her magical art.

 

It seemed her pencil and paint brush elicited the feel of the simple life she lived.  And I was saddened that pursuing her dreams of those virtues had cost her two marriages and estrangement from some of her children.  She was human after all and as human wasn’t perfect.

Today I choose to celebrate the good things she enjoyed.  The pleasure from a simple life.  One of Tasha’s favorite quotes happens to be one of mine.  

“If one advances confidently in the directions of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.”             ~Henry David Thoreau

Of my dreams, somehow they have changed with the years.  I used to dream of being a photographer.

And in doing so I found happiness in spending make-believe time with my young boys.

 

I used to dream of being totally self-sufficient and having a huge garden from which I would nourish my family year-round.

 

Today I am grateful for the things I do grow well, and even if I can’t find the time to preserve all that I grow at least I have friends with which to share fresh zucchini and tomatoes.  And in sharing I’m blessed with the kindness of others.  One sweet friend brought me a dozen beautiful brown and bluish eggs fresh from her chickens.

 

I also discovered I grow weeds better than anyone I know. 

But in growing weeds I recognize the beauty in the strength of those plants that survive them.

And I vow to keep fighting those pesky weeds as well.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy taking a stroll while barefoot.

 

And even though I’ve been a rough and tumble tomboy my whole life, I’ve a funny quirk – I’m a tomboy who loves wearing dresses, skirts and aprons.  Even when gardening, weeding or playing in the park with my kids.  One neighbor thought me quite unusual when she found me weeding while wearing a dress.  I guess what I love about them is they make me feel like a lady, even when my daily actions are more of a worker.

I love Tasha’s quote about the subject.

I’m very fond of men. I think they are wonderful creatures. I love them dearly. But I don’t want to look like one. When women gave up their long skirts, they made a grave error…" ~Tasha Tudor

It seems the older I get I’m finding how to be less attached to things.  I’ve been fighting the clutter monster for years.  It’s a dreadful battle still.  But just look at the grand pile I’ve got going for a future garage sale.  

I can’t wait to see and feel how my home feels after it’s lost many of the things that clutter it’s rooms.

 

I tackled my mudroom again this week.  I had it wonderfully set up last year.

 

With a bench and shoe storage containers.  But the kids could never seem to find a way to put their shoes away.  So the floor became cluttered and soon you couldn’t get to the hooks to hang your backpacks and coats.  And before too many months had passed it again resembled my typical mess.

I really needed this room done before school started again so that after school routines could be in place on Day 1.

So I tossed the shoe storage units and brought in a crate per child to hold their shoes. 

This room is now dedicated to shoes, coats,  and school supplies.  It might not look as fine as it did last year but I’m convinced it will be easier for the kids and I to maintain.

Baskets, now filled with back to school supplies, will hold all the papers and homework that they bring home.

So I’m trying to really focus on the simple life.  Funny thing is, what I’ve found through all my dreams, my favorite isn’t my garden, or my art, or my quest to find the beautiful, or cut the clutter.  My favorite all time dream is a happy family.  Loving my husband, children and helping them learn to love each other.  That’s my favorite dream.