Simple Domestic Bliss

I have been sticking close to home what with all the sleep madness going on, and taking pleasure in simple home chores. This year's project is to simplify all the 'stuff' in the house, and create peaceful, aesthetic, but very user-friendly spaces. My laundry is now under control and I have moved onto sorting out my poor old kitchen - well overdue. So far I have cleaned out my fridge, and sorted and relined a couple of cupboards. I am trying to create space to store bulk items. A few reasons for this: less shopping trips, less money, easier to make things from scratch.

I have had a minor victory over the bench spaces and have been ruthless at getting rid of things that we really don't need. I love cooking, but have felt more and more cramped as 'stuff' started taking over on the workspace, leaving my creative cooking energy frustrated and stunted. Now I have so much room - I am very, very happy about this. Forest loves to help prepare every meal now and hops up into his little learning tower to assist. Now we have plenty of space for him to have his own little cooking project on the go. Also I can multitask when cooking a meal and have space for things like baking bread and making yoghurt etc all at the same time.

Autumn is creeping slowly in and although the days are still sunny and bright the early mornings and evenings are now dark and chill. We have the beginnings of an autumn table to welcome this season into our home.


You may be able to see some chestnut shells in the last photo from our lovely trees. I have been looking forward to the chestnut harvest having watched each stage of our trees cycle so closely since last winter. But alas - I guess it must be something to do with the strange weather we've had, but all of the nuts are teeny, tiny, and not usable. Today I found the first four good size chestnuts so far - but at this time of year there are usually thousands.

And lastly, I think I may finally be becoming crafty! I have been a bit shy to show my attempts as I am such a beginner to all things handmade, but the last few months have seen a flurry of making activity inspired by all the lovely blogging mamas out there. And I am loving it!

At the moment I am working on a pair of knitted wool trousers for Forest to keep him snug in winter. This was a big jump up for me from knitting scarves, but it is going well!

I am also slowly making my way through 'The Knitted Farmyard' book by Hannelore Wernhard. I started with the simplest knits - the chickens and ducks. The chickens are cute, not too sure about the ducks though.....

I took my first patchwork class a couple of weeks ago, and I must say that the precision of it all totally appealed to my Virgo sensibilities. I am starting with a little quilted cushion. That is coming along slowly as my sewing space is still not very inviting, but I'm working on it!

So these are the things that are keeping me sane during this sleep deprived phase I find myself in. When I really feel like I'm losing it, I just knit a couple of rows, my breath slows down and peace returns....