Between the years

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

A beautiful sense of calm contentment and peace washed over me in the days immediately following Christmas. Boxing day itself was rather busy - but fun- in that we'd planned to take advantage of the Boxing Day Sales with the girls. But we had a plan for the day, a list of where each of us wanted to go and we were intentional with our purchases. From new life jackets to new underwear sets- nothing we bought was on impulse as such and we all felt happy with our purchases and the deals we snagged.  After a couple of solid hours of retail we replenished our energy stores in a cafe - coffee for me but Eggs Benidict for the others and then we were happily done and ready to come home. 

The joy of returning home was so special, knowing an entire week lay before us with no commitments or appointments (Bar one for me) just dreamy summer days to do with as we wished. 

The weather has been very rainy peppered with the odd sunny day or afternoon- which we have enjoyed some beach time and swims, seeing friends, reading lots and quiet mornings enjoying coffee early as the neighborhood wakes up. Yesterday the rain was so heavy I even began a puzzle as it poured outside - and the cat decided the lid of the puzzle box looked perfect for a napping spot. 

I am savoring the feeling of promise, of a brand-new year just around the corner, the anticipation of our long-awaited beach holiday in a couple of weeks, and the wonderfully relaxed contentment that comes with a leisurely day before you, to do with as you wish. While the weather currently is not conducive to hanging my laundry or lounging on the beach- or finishing the gardening projects I started, I can't help feeling that is part of the reset and relaxation. Encouraging us to read more, potter, play board games, take wet walks and do puzzles- it must be close to 20 years since I did a real jigsaw!  (And I'm very slow and not even convinced I enjoy it - but I enjoyed the tranquility of sitting at the large dining table, with it spread before me, one of my daughters coming to help and the sound of the rain lashing.)

Today I'm looking forward to having a bit of a de clutter, tidy, and sort, putting away some of the Christmas Decor- we've decided to leave the real tree up a little longer as it smells divine and it's so pretty its a shame to get rid of it before new years at least. 

I'm enjoying being more spontaneous about dinner options as there is no time crunch, so we can decide what we might like during the day- rather than my meal planning schedules of busy term time. These things may not even register with my family, but for me, as the main homemaker and organizer of all things domestic, it's a real treat to step back from the schedule , the lists, the to dos; allow myself a later afternoon walk on a whim, lie on the sofa to finish by current book after lunch, take my morning workout routine a little later after a chat and coffee with my husband, let the girls wake when they are ready, and THINK. I've been planning, dreaming, conjuring, connecting, journaling, making notes, taking countless photographs and drawing inspiration continually. I am truly allowing this downtime to nourish and re charge me. Utterly guilt free. The between the years week is just that- wrapping up the old, preparing to begin the new and planning. How luxurious to have this time.  

I am savoring every moment. 

I'm thinking tomorrow may be that last acceptable day to enjoy coffee or tea from my Christmas china Spode, so I am going to pop some laundry on, make a coffee and sit outside watching the birds, making a list perhaps, dreaming up dinner, and when I am quite ready, I may start my decluttering and tidying. Only when I feel like it. How wonderful is that!?