I think it has been well established on this blog that I love cleaning and organizing. I used to think it brought me peace but what I'm discovering about myself is what it really does is bring me joy. How lucky is that?
I love starting my day with what I call my daily refresh. After my coffee and meditation, I light a candle, I make the bed and straighten pillows, wash any stray dishes laying about then sort and start the laundry. Why this brings me so much joy, I have no idea but I think it stems from gratitude. Grateful that I have a home of our own, a garden to walk out into and snip a few flowers from. I don't take any of this for granted and realize how blessed I am.
Last year I was walking thru a Home Goods store and came upon an end aisle of Murchison-Hume products. I'd never heard of them but the packaging was beautiful and the scent was just amazing (I'm in love with the Fig scent and have not tried the white grapefruit, but I will one day.) I hand wash all our dishes so I'm at the sink several times a day. Washing up with a beautifully scented, safe soap has turned a chore into a pleasure. I bought all the bottles they had on sale that day and just recently ran out. That took me to their website and I learned more about the product and its founder. I restocked and while it seems quite a splurge, is it really? If something so simple as a washing up liquid can bring so much joy why would I deny myself? Well I'm not. I'm at the age now that I'm seeing the importance of taking the best care of myself that I possibly can. Putting myself first is something that does not come easily to me so I'm starting with the little things and it feels quite nice.
What are some of the little ways you show yourself love each day? Do share because I can use all the help I can get! xo
PS - The Fig counter spray cleaner not only cleans and scents the air beautifully, it helps combat ants. Ants are an ongoing issue here when it gets hot. I just spray around their entry points and voila, they retreat. So much better than Raid.
PPS -
HERE is the Amazon link in case you are an Amazon Prime member
I cannot wait to check out these products. I LOVe to hand wash my dishes, its like mediation.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. Your love comes across in your house pics. Your daily refresh sounds like where I want to be.
ReplyDeleteI've had building work going on and had dropped the house work as dust was getting in faster than I could Hoover it. I'd turned a blind eye to that part of the house but it was starting to get to me.
Then a lightning strike cut off the internet for a few days which coincided with me stumbling upon a blogger's housework checklists. I love procedures and checklists! Being without internet gave me the time and enthusiasm to get going on the house, using the lists as my inspiration. And it gave me such joy that I found myself drafting up about it. Writing gives me joy too, so it was a win-win and lightning and serendipity got me there!
I LOVE the beautiful watercolor of your home and garden that is posted at the bottom of your page. Is there any possibility that it might be available as a print at some point? phoeberom161@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was told recently to "TAKE GOOD CARE OF MYSELF."
ReplyDeleteI thought I had done a pretty good job of that.............facials monthly, a massage now and then ,exercise 3 times a week.........ETC.Maybe that means adding YOUR DISH SOAP AS WELL...............
I LOVE SIPPING MY COFFEE IN THE GARDEN if weather permits.I LOVE TAKING A NAP!
I LOVE READING BLOG POSTS and COMMENTING!
I think there is enough SELF CARE THERE as I have VERY little time for cleaning and organizing!!!!!!!!
BUT IT DOES BRING JOY!
I can relate to THAT!!!!
XX
I feel like everybody I know in SoCalif right now is having a prob with ants inside the house...except me. I'll definitely pass on your tip because there's nothing worse than spraying something toxic like Raid inside the home.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a good-developed morning refresh and I know it's something I need to improve. But I'm definitely more 'together' for the day once I've walked through each room and tidied up. I always feel better after the dishes are done.
My mother would take a wee bit of time for herself in the afternoons before dinner. She would have finished up work for the day (my parents had a home-based business), maybe had put something in the oven to roast; we kids would be doing our homework after school ('cause if we got it done, it meant we could watch TV later in the evening!). She wasn't a person of excesses but Mom would indeed relax in the chair by the window and read with the fading afternoon light, a diminutive glass of sherry or white wine on the table. It was her quiet time. And she was comforted by a routine.
One thing I miss is a quiet Sunday. My husband's tradition is to leave all the yard work and chores to Sunday afternoon whereas in my own house growing up, Sunday was beneficially lazy (and good family time); minimum of activity. Very necessary relaxation. Great way to ready for the busy week ahead.
A small refresh of the day for me is when I get everybody fed and watered. Not humans, but my pets. The birds, the cats, the dog. When I know they have full tummies, I rest easier.
When I used to iron a hundred years ago, I found it as calming as folding laundry. Meditative; the time-honored homemaking rituals; lost arts.
I feel close to God when I'm outside in the garden, picking warm tomatoes off the vine and putting them in the lap of my sundress like my grandma would in the lap of her apron (never without an apron, my granny). Vastness of blue sky; bugs buzzing in my ears; the taste of one of those sun-warmed fruits, bursting with organic goodness; the feel of the grass underfoot, the smell of cold water on damp earth. Senses alive.
What lovely writing, Vicki. I have no garden, so I loved visiting yours through your words, picking and tasting those beautiful tomatoes.
DeleteLove this. It perfectly describes me. I live in a 1500 foot cape cod near Kansas City - the only home we ever purchased. I love to clean it. When one of my husband's grad students came from India he said it was a mansion. I am lucky to live there and have loved it since the minute we walked in.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog today as I always do! I, too, enjoy washing dishes and will be looking into the Murchison-Hume products. I found a beautiful hand made soap at Whole Foods and love the ritual of washing my face with that soap of natural botanicals, and pure essential oils. I also love to put on some light classical music, drink my coffee, read a passage from Simple Abundance (an old book) to start my day and, of course, say a prayer of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any suggestions for good organic cotton sheets?
I bought the Wash & Stain Bar by The Laundress that you talked about in a previous post and just the smell alone is heavenly!
Keep posting please because yours is a joy to read!!
I love the organic cotton sheets from Target! They are so soft and wear well. They DO wrinkle easily, however. So if you're bothered by wrinkles, these aren't for you.
DeleteLinen sheets is my indulgence. Yes, they are expensive--at first--but after 10 to 20 years of wear--they still look great. Cool in summer and warm in winter. And I wash dishes with a pink grapefruit dish soap. Love it. Borax--the laundry booster old ladies like me used to put in the cloth diaper pail-- is great for deterring ants. Run a line around the outside of the house or where ever the ants are. And in the wash--it makes things clean and bright.
ReplyDeleteJoanne S, I am looking for some good quality linen sheets. Which ones do you have?
DeleteI remember the borax in the diaper pail days! I hard good luck dabbing peppermint oil along the window will where ants were entering a few weeks ago. I used some on a paper towel, then laid the paper towel on the sill.
DeleteThis post touched my heart, I think when you got to the point of writing your at the age? I sighed and thought to myself once again I am reminded of that age. Yes, I too am at that age and caring for myself has suffered a bit, like you I am a bit, No! more then a bit of a clean and organized freak...I won't go to bed with a dish on the sink and any dirty close laying about. I don't mind them washing while I sleep, but I just don't want to start my morning with dishes and laundry.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind putting dishes away. drying and folding laundry that's very relaxing to me.
As for your soap Murchison-hume? Well, I wish I had known what you know about this product because I was at our Mashales store and they had a full end cap of this line, fig being one of them. I loved the dark glass bottles usually known for keeping sunlight from penatrating and spoiling or tainting a product stored.
I am going to go baxk and see if they have more or some left and certainly get a few bottles of this or that from the luxeray of feeling pampered. And yes! The aunts are invading and driving me crazy, I stay clear of toxic poisons if all possible.
I show myself a little love by taking time to look at inspiring magazines and books. Best of all sit and put my art inspirations into works, I find it necessary to create a little as often as I can if not a bit each day in someway or another.
Cleaning and having a well organized home is so very gratifying and rewards great pleasure in knowing my home is loving me back for loving and caring for it.
Thank you for adding joy to our lives with such an open life in sharing,
Xx
Dore
Hi Dore,
DeleteThe ants down here in S. FL hate peppermint oil and I just smear it where they are & they disappear. You can also put some on cotton balls & lay them where the ants congregate.
Cara
I love this! I love learning about your routines. After you do your daily refresh on a typical day what does the rest of the routine usually look like? Please keep going! :). Soooo inspiring !
ReplyDeleteReading is my HAPPY place. It is what I have done for myself for years and years.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Ever since I learned how, really.
DeleteI love learning about new products from you! I can see you now. Cozied up to the sink, all bubbly with maybe some music in the background. I am at a point in my life that putting myself first is really a must, but hard. I'm working at it each and every day.
ReplyDeleteYou are my favorite blogger. I check out your blog daily. It there's nothing new, I routinely look thru your archives. Always picking up good tips and ideas for simply living. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJnethery... ME TOO!!! I study her blog and get so much inspiration. I go back consistently! Jen
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, just a note about linen sheets. I bought ours from Restoration Hardware and they only lasted a couple of years. Wore though where our feet rest on the bottom sheet. Just a heads up on that. Thanks for your wonderful post. Allegra
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post, I always learn something valuable when I read your blog . Thank you for that !!
ReplyDeletehi ladies! i'm unable to reply to your comments as blogger is having issues the last several days. v frustrating. anyway, a big THANK YOU to all your kind, sweet words. i'm so flattered and humbled by them all.:) i've never bought any linen sheets, except i do have a PB linen dust ruffle which is great. Thanks Allegra for the heads up on RH linen sheets. If anyone knows of a good brand please chime in bc they are supposed to last for 10+ years. Again, thank you all. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI too love to clean and organize. Lately, I'm decluttering and minimalizing.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and every one of your posts. You are so inspiring! 😘
Re: linen sheets, I love Rough Linen sheets. Just wanted to put that out there for those looking to indulge in linen. Expensive at the outset, but they last and last....
ReplyDeleteI too enjoy decluttering and organizing. I think the main way I show myself a little love is by grocery shopping and preparing healthy meals. It sounds strange, but I love to grocery shop, especially at the farmers market. I find great joy in a lazy day at home, puttering about with a big pot of something simmering on the stove.
ReplyDeleteI love to grocery shop too! It is one of my favorite things to do when I travel and always try to go a local one when I am in a new town. People think I am nuts.
DeleteI agree with your view point. Gratitude for the simple pleasures and responsibilities is an important part of everyday life - it's where we live daily.
ReplyDeleteI love this post, I love making my bed , pottering in the garden and fluffing cushions too! It makes me calm and happy! Such a nice antidote from work too. Like you I am always grateful for my home. I love coming into it ! It's my sanctuary and asks for so little and gives so much x
ReplyDeleteLike you I enjoy routines and domestic chores give me such a feeling of calm...there are so many things beyond our control that I find controlling one's home environment to be the best way to stay sane!
ReplyDeleteLovely to peek inside your charming cottage again!
XO
I love this post Janet & am loving all the comments just as much. I bought RH linen sheets last year & am disappointed to hear they won't last long. I did look on the Rough Linen site before purchasing & their things look wonderful. The linen sheets & a new comforter were quite a splurge, but classics I think I will enjoy for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time treating myself, but my sister-in-law, who is a counselor, has given me that advice often. She always asks what I have done to take care of myself. After another difficult year because of the death of my oldest son, I am trying to take her advice. I purchased a chaise lounge for my screened back porch & go out often in late afternoon after a day in the garden to read & sometimes take a catnap. Quite luxurious for me!
Anita ~ the cabin on the creek
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your oldest son. Unfortunately, I can understand. My oldest son passed away almost 8 years ago at the age of 21. My heart goes out to you.
DeleteI love this post Janet & am loving all the comments just as much. I bought RH linen sheets last year & am disappointed to hear they won't last long. I did look on the Rough Linen site before purchasing & their things look wonderful. The linen sheets & a new comforter were quite a splurge, but classics I think I will enjoy for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time treating myself, but my sister-in-law, who is a counselor, has given me that advice often. She always asks what I have done to take care of myself. After another difficult year because of the death of my oldest son, I am trying to take her advice. I purchased a chaise lounge for my screened back porch & go out often in late afternoon after a day in the garden to read & sometimes take a catnap. Quite luxurious for me!
Anita ~ the cabin on the creek
I love to be in my kitchen in the morning enjoying brewing my coffee and relaxing for a bit before work or chores.
ReplyDeleteI have Eileen Fisher linen sheets from Garnet Hill and so far they have worn well; they are pricey, but occasionally GH has a 40% off sale.
Also, Williams Sonoma dish detergents are wonderful - earth friendly and they smell divine; I especially love the clean and light scent of Garden Herbs.
It is the little things!
Thank you Cara, for the peppermint oil cotton balls for ants... I have been going crazy sucking them up in my vacuume cleaner and wiping all day. Your tip sound healthy for the home and a perfect try.
ReplyDeleteXx
Dore
ROUGH LINEN in SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA!!!
ReplyDeleteI own two SETS.........I TOSSED THE OTHER SHEETS.............will never go back to cotton!
EXPENSIVE YES............BUT SO WORTH IT!
AN english lady who is lovely makes them right here in CALIFORNIA!HER name is TRICIA Rose.
SHE IS ON INSTAGRAM AS WELL...........ROUGHLINEN
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTreats for myself...a cup of hot chocolate and a book. I too check your blog almost daily and like others reread posts if there isn't a new post, it's always a treat for sure. You've inspired me to simplify, attempt organizing and be grateful. It's so easy to be envious of others talents, homes, clothes, life so I pray daily to not be envious but to be joyful for others good fortune and mostly for my own.
ReplyDeleteI've so enjoyed reading through some of your older posts. I feel I learn so many things to just make life a little simpler and more beautiful. I have been thinking on things that bring me joy.
ReplyDelete.coffee with sugar free creamer early in the morning.
.hot sudsy dishwater
.white or vintage dishes bought for pennies.
.our pond out back and how it sparkles
.watcbing the geese all fly together and splash in the pond
.seeing a blue or white heron!
.tablecloths on my mom's old dinner table I now own
.trip to the library in the summer
And the rows of colorful books
.vintage children books especially
By Kate Douglass Wiggins
.having good health n good Dr
.bringing in branches or flowers
.having a small garden..herbs..flowers
.grandbabies
.making a good soup
.baking home stuff
.listening to good music
.ridding out..organizing
.painting my nails
.getting a special coffee out sometimes
.getting my hair cut and colored
Sooo many things❤
.
So much YES in this post! I do a daily refresh in my home, too. And love little splurges for the house like your dish soap. Like you, as I get older, I am realizing how important it is to take care of ME. As a wife and mom, most of my life has been dedicated to taking care of others. I still have a 26-year old at home, but of course, he's (mostly, ha ha) self-sufficient. I love fresh flowers on my kitchen table and in my bedroom. I do daily yoga and/or take a walk around my neighborhood. I make sure my toenails are always painted a bright, happy color. I sip wine on the patio. Sometimes I nap on the couch in the afternoon. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteI adore this post and all the lovely comments. You have made me appreciate the simple things in life and the joy they bring. I always tell you that, but it's true. You have a way with words and discovering the small treasures in life and then sharing that with your readers.
xx
a
I cannot believe you found them at Homegoods. We do not have a homegoods close but I have found really good soaps etc at Marshalls and TJMaxx (as you know owned by the same company). I love the grapefruit scent but must try the fig!!
ReplyDeleteLet me just say, please never stop blogging. I find myself in such a crazy season of life with so much busy-ness and chaos that little moments of calm and self-care are so hard to find. I so admire your outlook on life and the fact that you are finding a way to put yourself first in a meaningful way. My husband and I are beginning to make the shift toward down sizing our life and your blog gives me such inspiration in every aspect and I hope to put so many of your tips and philosophies to work in my own life. All that being said, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your beautiful life.
ReplyDelete