In Search of... "Simple Living" - Part 2

Continuing my thoughts from my blog a little over a week ago (Sat, 11/12/11), I realized that a Simple Life was more of a picture to me - of material things or activities. And I realized I have most of those things. So why don't I feel like I am living a simple life?   What is wrong? - is my 'stuff' the wrong colors? - is my house not plain enough? - is it not in the right location?  - or the right style? - or the right size? - do I need to spend my time differently? - go different places? - do different things? - bring home different items? - redesign all the rooms? - buy a different car? ........." Jeepers !!!!

But, it is not just material things that make a Simple Life, it is the way life is lived - that is what I have been forgetting much of the time lately! So, what does a Simple Life "feel" like? I took some time to ruminate on that concept - to try and determine how living a Simple Life would make me feel - what are the thoughts or moods those pictures and words evoke in me?

• Nice, long sigh - contentment - maybe not happiness, but definitely feeling OK in my skin
• Unhurried - not feeling that pressure that is so palpable to me today, like another external force acting on my mind and body
• Calm mind leading to a calm body (this is a big one!) - allowing my mind to pick what it wants to think about and block out or ignore all the chaos that typically overwhelms it - thus helping my body to respond in kind
• A deeper, more loving relationship with Keven and a closer relationship to others I care about.
• Truly being at one with the Earth and at peace with God

Art by Kat, saying by Thich Nhat Hanh

OK - so now I know what my goal is - I have a target.  I don't identify with these "spiritual" things much right now. So, while I continue my search for true contentment through simple living, I realize I need to work on both sides of my world - the material and the spiritual.

Blessings,
Kat

A Tumblin' Down

On my drive home from the quilt store Saturday, the wind was crazy strong, even by Oklahoma standards.  Kev called me to tell me there were tumbleweeds on the side of the main street leading to our house, and to be on the lookout for them.  With the way the wind was blowing, I did not doubt that they were true Texas tumbleweeds rolling in from the South!  


So, driving into a headwind with my eyes on the look out to the side of the road for a rolling weed, I top a hill only to be confronted by two rolling right toward my truck, and a car in the opposing lane stopped because of one in the road tucked up against the front of it.  I avoid the two doing a frontal assault on my truck only to get stopped at the bottom of the hill by one doing a sneak attack from off to my right.  I start to go around, but make the decision to pull off the road - I am going to take one home with me!!!  I got out, picked it up and headed to my Element.  Well, those suckers are bigger than I thought (this one was 3ft in diameter - no wonder nobody wants to just run over them).  I tried to put it in the back of my Element - didn't fit.  Back seat - didn't fit.  And if you have ever been in an Element, they have LOTS of room.  Anyway, I finally got the darn thing in the passenger-side front seat by moving the seat all the way back and laying it down a bit.  


Off I go down the last mile to my house with this big tumbleweed as my passenger.  It tickled me so much that I laughed the whole way home.  When I got home, I told Kev I had something to show him.  I don't think he expected a tumbleweed (what a misnomer - tumble bush or tumble bale would be more appropriate).   It is now a wonderful addition to our Fall decor.  

It will probably show up in future blog pictures in a variety of "situations". It has already blocked our front door forcing us to retreat out the back of the house.


Gotta love that Oklahoma wind!  Ooooo-klahoma, where the wind comes and sweeps your house awaaaay -
Kat

Best Fall Ever in Oklahoma !!!

Since we moved to Oklahoma in January 2000, I think this has been the best Fall ever for fall colors and up there for temperatures.  The trees have begun to lose their leaves out here in the country - especially after the few freezes we have already had - here is Wednesday morning's (11/9/11) heavy frost - even bird bath froze.

But the trees still have some fantastic color...

Some close-ups of leaves, a cottonwood branch and some prairie grass (wish our whole yard had this grass!).

Today we had amazing weather!  Temps got up to 80.  Sky was beautiful.  Trees were beautiful.  Kev mowed the grass for the last time this year and dumped some shredded leaves in the garden beds - preparation for next year's plantings.  I did some stuff around the house then sat out on the patio and quilted.  Pure Fall heaven !!!

Oh happy days - thank You, God!!!
Blessings,
Kat

In Search of... "Simple Living" - Part 1

I have been puzzled by my struggle in moving toward a simpler life.  I know I have this preconceived notion of what a simpler life is - but it is more a picture of what I think it should:

• a porch with rocking chairs to sit and enjoy a glass of iced tea on a summer day watching the birds play in the sprinkler
• country land with a vegetable garden (organic of course) and lots of flowers
• homemade quilts and pillows adorning my living room and bedrooms
• sheets hanging on a clothesline, blowing in the wind, absorbing that unmistakable clean air smell
• a nice, old car that is made of metal and can be repaired with duct tape (ha! ok, maybe not duct tape alone) if need be - no computer needed to diagnose it. 

Maybe not quite reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie, but definitely a flashback to my mom and my grandma ironing and canning and talking with the neighbors across the fence and sewing my clothes.

from Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill

from Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill

 

from Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill

 

from Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill



from Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill


Weird thing is, when I stop and think about it, I have most of those things - and I have so much more.  Hmmmm...

Stay tuned,
Blessings,
Kat

Rescue Me from SAD Quilt

Weather getting colder, days getting shorter, body trying to go into hybernation. I am trying to force myself to keep going at night - TIME changed Sunday night, now my body is ready for bed at 6:30 or 7:00pm. This is the typical time of year when SAD (seasonal affective disorder) starts to set in, every year - and then ramps up to full blown status after the adrenaline rush of the holidays. This year, it seems to be starting earlier.

In the past, I have tried the "day" lights - nope! Have upped my vitamin D - nope! Miscellaneous other "cures' - nope! But, one thing that did work a few years ago was planning, starting and FINISHING a bright, wild, artsy quilt - cheerful, uplifting - made me want to work on it often, so I stayed busy at nights. Actually won 3rd place at the Central Oklahoma Quilt Guild show. Pretty nifty!

So, decided to start my search early for my Rescue-me-from-SAD quilt for this year. It helped that I went to the Houston International Quilt Show this last weekend and saw an infinite amount of SAD-busting quilt patterns and fabrics.  Here is one pattern by Alexia Marcelle Abeg that came home with me - of course it is made with Anna Maria Horner fabric - she rocks my world.

My adrenaline is going just thinking about it.
Blessings,
Kat

Sometimes We Expect More...

Sometimes it is hard to live simply when I feel like this...

- one of the curses of being a "people pleaser".

Are people too BIG in your life?  Well, God is BIGGER !!!  Try to keep that in mind.  "Becoming obsessed about what others think about you is the fastest way to forget what God thinks about you." - quote from FaithEngineer.

Blessings,

Kat

Unveiling My "Refreshed" Living Room

I have been finished with my simple living room remodel - moved my furniture around, made curtains, decorated for Fall, and put up some pictures on the wall that have been leaning against the wall on the floor for way too long.  Now, with the couch facing the fireplace, I am ready to sit and quilt in front of a toasty fire during the winter months.

Before pics:


No curtains, odd furniture placement, no real theme

After pics:



Couch facing fireplace with TV to right



 


Curtains !!!

Ahhh, feels good to have it done -
Kat