100th post

We spent some time yesterday watching this little visitor flitting from marigold to marigold

Well, there we are.  One hundred posts.  I didn't realise back in January when I typed my first post (with some trepidation, I might add) that recording the daily potterings in and around our home and garden would become such an enjoyable part of my days and weeks.  I have taken real pleasure in taking photos of seedlings germinating, plants growing, produce picked, projects undertaken.  Now, when we go out for a walk, N will say to me, 'Have you got the camera?'  

The snapdragons (pink and red) N grew from seed are looking lovely amongst the golden coreopsis I grew the year before last, and divided into several clumps last year

We still find it hard to believe how much we have changed since we left work, and in particular during the course of this year.  We have allowed ourselves to slow down.  We take pleasure from small, simple things and activities.  We are making more things from scratch.  We look for solutions to problems that we can tackle ourselves.  We shop occasionally - this morning we ventured into the main town as we had several items to get - and N commented, a little 'tongue in cheek', that shopping was making him stressed and he was looking forward to going home!  We both knew what he meant.  

N tried his hand at drying some of our herbs this week - rosemary, thyme and oregano

A few weeks ago, someone called us 'crashing bores'.  It made us stop in our tracks and do some serious thinking.  Our lifestyle is different to many others.  We no longer charge around at 90mph, terrified we are going to miss something.  We no longer worry about keeping up with whoever we're supposed to, nor are we bothered by celebrity trends.  We don't do Facebook or Twitter, and don't know how to.  The latest fashions come and go, and I have no idea what I should be wearing.  I haven't worn make-up for over 6 months and the last time I paid for a hair-cut in a salon was before Christmas.  We take huge pleasure in our little garden and growing a few vegetables.  We take time to see what is in front of us, under our noses, in the trees around us.  We make what we can, repair what we can and recycle wherever possible.  We try to be mindful in our spending and are happy to live within a budget.  If all this makes us 'bores', then why are we more content with our lives than we have ever been?  We've stopped chasing and searching.  Could it be that in slowing down and appreciating what we have, we've actually found contentment?  We think we may be on the way, and that's something to be thankful for.