Do you ever feel like you’re wearing too many hats? Or maybe that too many things really interest you? That thought has been on my mind lately. I think it has something to do with this set-up, clean-out and arranging of my new office/craft/work space at Woodlawn. As I decide whether the basket of vintage sewing notions should stay in the room or get ferried up to the attic. As I uncover two bowls of pottery buttons that I made two kids ago. As I file away homeschooling papers and figure out where to stash my work laptop. Decide which recipe clippings I’m going to keep. Figure out where to put all that yarn. Uncover a few bills. Oops. Stack up gardening books and field guides.
I think it’s probably a natural reaction when we’re faced with the task of cleaning out our “stuff”. So far moving in to Woodlawn has been about everyone else’s stuff. And kitchen stuff. And where to put the bath towels and the big wooden box of barn boots.
But now this is my stuff. And deciding what stays, what goes, what I let go of, what I put away for now, is a bit daunting. When did simplifying become so complicated?
Anyway, that’s my little brain dump for the day before I go back to trying to clear a flat surface on my desk again today.
In the meantime, by my absence here, it’s probably obvious that spring is giving way to summer and life is full here at Woodlawn. A few goings on….
* The chickens have been officially moved outdoors to a coop. Last night’s after dinner entertainment involved trying to figure out how to get a favorite chicken to ride on their bike handlebars. According to WYPR, chickens love it. (We’ve yet to be succesful.)
* I’ve learned how to deal with bloated sheep. Twice. Another skill in my farming repertoire.
* We made my granmother’s granola. Again. And then they ate it from the pan, warm from the oven. And what looks like a small granola bomb hit my kitchen floor.
* We swam in the creek. Again.
* Dan and Grandpa built a horse jump. It’s been getting lots of use. And sometimes I have to cover my eyes.
* I’ve become better friends with the giant “estate” mower that Dan brought home from work. But I’m still not in love.
* I took back the porch chairs from the barn cats. Enjoyed one day of sitting in cat-free chairs. And then they re-claimed them again. I’m fighting a losing battle.
* I’m giving some serious thought to making a personal goal to be here every day in June. Even if it’s just a few words. I think it will be good all around. And good for me. I still have 48 hours to decide…
More soon!
"When did simplifying become so complicated?" I couldn't have said it better myself! I have this vision of a simplified home and I get started on it… after a few hours, it looks picked up and a little better, but still not simple. One day…
Sounds nice. The kind of nice that feels awesome when it is all DONE!
PS i'd love the recipe for the granola!
I'm glad someone else has granola all over their floor as well. I'm glad you wrote about having too many interests. I have been feeling that way recently and it almost paralyzes me. Can I ever get better at anything if I am too busy getting interested in more and more new things? Thanks for the food for thought. And those chickens sounds fun!
Just made my first homemade granola this week. It was OK but not great. Would you be willing to share your recipe? Thanks!
Hi Molly, I love hearing from you so I'm excited about the prospect of blogging every day in June:) Is grandma's granola a secret family recipe or are you at liberty to share?
It's nearly a month since I wrote anything on my blog, and only a year ago I was writing a few times a week. I too am suffering from the many hatted syndrome! But I am writing here on your blog today to add my voice to the granola recipe requests. Any granola that is good enough to eat straight from the pan is a granola for me!