DECLUTTERING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

Decluttering is good for the soul

Scroll Down And Click Watch Now

This summer has been pleasant here. I avoided extreme temperatures, allowing me to tidy the garden, declutter, preserve for Christmas, and thoroughly clean cupboards and drawers. A lengthy Skype conversation with Grandma Donna revealed numerous shared interests, making it feel like we've known each other for years.

Decluttering proves beneficial for the soul, streamlining daily chores. Previously, moving things around delayed effective decluttering. Since Hanno's passing, I've given away and recycled about half of my possessions, creating a liberating feeling. Some items, like lawn mowers and a wheelchair, still need to be sold, but I'm confident they'll find new homes easily. Reflecting on this process, I wish I had focused on real decluttering years ago, recognizing its profound impact on how one lives and views life.

These are four cucumber slices that were salted for an hour, as mentioned in a previous post with the complete recipe and instructions available. I preserved the remaining spiced vinegar, which serves as my preferred salad dressing, as I'm not a fan of dressings that include olive oil.

I purchased two new playthings for Gracie yesterday: a stuffed pig and a ball on a rope. She adores them and even brought the pig to bed, where it remained beside her when I woke up this morning. 😊

The garden is progressing nicely, and I'll refrain from significant shaping or remodeling until the plants spread and cover the soil. Once that happens, I plan to create a wild garden that unveils hidden beauty alongside the obvious.

Recently, I experienced a few hours of sadness upon hearing about Shane MacGowan's passing. He and the Pogues are personal favorites, and I anticipate hearing "Fairytale of New York" many times during the Christmas holidays. This song, with its darker tone, reminds me of the beauty found in embracing imperfections, echoing Leonard Cohen's insight: "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

Wishing you joyful holidays spent with loved ones. My Christmas lunch will be shared with family, including Shane and his children, Alex and Eve, as well as Kerry, Sunny, and Jamie. Our traditional feast includes glazed leg ham, spicy chicken wings, fresh prawns from Mooloolaba, potato salad, green salad, homemade pickles, sauces, pavlova, and cheesecake. What are your plans?

Grateful for your support this year, I've navigated through the grief of losing Hanno. Living alone is more challenging than I imagined, but with Gracie as my sidekick, we're content and enjoying life.

Happy holidays to all! 🎄