A few thoughts

My dear OH and I talk a lot - to each other!  I sometimes think this in itself is quite unusual, for couples to actually engage with each other in meaningful conversation, and to enjoy doing so.  Perhaps for many the pace of life is too fast, or has too many distractions.  Whatever the reasons, I really appreciate the fact that we do talk to each other.  We've had a couple of discussions over the past few days which made me think that maybe we're going in the right direction (for us, at least - I do appreciate that not everyone embraces a simpler life). 
Over dinner the other day, OH pondered whether we were in danger of becoming 'cheapskates'.  We were eating a delicious meal of carrot soup and wholemeal bread rolls, all home-cooked the previous hour (soup - him; bread - me).  We quickly came to the conclusion that 'cheap' was not the word we were looking for, but 'simple' was.  And the benefits?  We had both really enjoyed preparing the meal and we knew exactly what the ingredients were.  I have only just rediscovered the pleasure of baking bread (I have done so in the past but not for many years, when work was always the convenient excuse), and OH, having trained in the kitchen, is finding that having time on his hands allows him to experiment with fresh ingredients and different flavours.  He's loving it.  We were able to take our time to enjoy eating our meal together.  And yes, it worked out cheaper than buying ready-made.

Then last night, we had a rambling conversation on the state of society today - a very popular topic of ours!  One of the many things we pondered over (yet again!) was the effect of consumerism on society, and in particular young people, so many of whom seem to be pressured into following trends - latest clothes, styles, looks, gizmos etc.  We debated the pros and cons of a period of 'social responsibility', a bit like National Service (only just before our time!) where young adults could make some positive, obligatory, contribution to their community and society.  I am very aware that many, many young people do exactly this already; we were thinking more of those who give the impression that for some reason society 'owes them', without them doing anything in return.  This seems to be a mindset of lots of people, regardless of age.  Is it because we allow ourselves to get trapped into the consumerism grip that we then have nothing left to give back - financially or our time? 

And finally, we talked about housewives, of which I am now one.  I've read quite a lot of blogs and books recently which have given me a different perspective on housekeeping and managing a home.  I will confess that in my feminist hat I had reservations about labelling myself as a working housewife, because the title is often regarded as menial - "I'm just a housewife" - almost requiring an apology.  But actually, we decided, running a home is incredibly important, and should be respected as such.  I've just read a book called 'Almost Amish' by Nancy Sleeth, which I came across on a lovely blog I have recently started to follow, Plain and Joyful Living (and when I have learned how to list this on my blog, I will do so).  The Amish women are homemakers, and their menfolk work for a living, but importantly, both are seen as essential contributors to the running and welfare of the family and home.  There is respect for each other's roles, and both are valued.  There are, I think, some lessons we could all learn from that.

I decided to put some of these random thoughts in type, more for my own benefit than because I thought they were profound and intellectual (having read the post back to myself, rambling springs to mind!)  They are simply things that OH and I mull over from time to time.

Now to things for today.  On my list is a date and walnut loaf to bake, a pattern for a knitted beret to write up, and a pattern for a waistcoat for my dear OH to cut out.  And I might have a sort out of bottles, jars, lotions and potions, of which I seem to have far too many.