Tonight I found myself in such a place. I had a choice - sit and brood over my troubles, wasting an evening, or do something productive to work towards other things that I want. Things that I can control.
Perhaps I have a masochistic streak but, even without a glut harvest to deal with, hot, sticky August evenings leave me craving the preserving process. Stirring a steamy pan of goodness to enjoy in the coming year, allowing myself to linger over thoughts of what those times might look like.
It's all so wonderfully predictable - the preparation of ingredients, tending the pan, the constant washing of dishes and wiping of surfaces, the routine of sterilising the jars. Working alone in the kitchen to the CD soundtrack du jour (a little bit of country-style heartache this time around).
The condensation from the steamy windows broke into droplets, like tears, running down the windows right about the time when darkness properly fell.
Rosy cheeked and with a sense of achievement I secured the last jar lid, did the last round of washing up, hung up my apron and clicked off the lights.
Spirit Restored.
(((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteI'm already missing the jam and pickle making from last year and knowing that I probably will not be able to repeat it this year and I have to admit that it makes me rather sad :0(
Yes, perhaps you're right, a little masochistic (missing sitting processing plums till midnight ;0)
Thanks for the hugs, Nikki x
DeleteI hope you get to put a little bit of something by to scratch your itch, so to speak.
It's great how you took a feeling that could have lead to slumping and turned it into a productive evening. Preserving is such sweetness for the soul and spirit. I feel the same kind of thing coming on as I am feeling rather seedy from watching too much Olympic TV!
ReplyDeleteI know, Jules - I'm so proud of myself for not slumping.
DeleteGood luck with your TV detox :o)
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ReplyDeleteI had been googling for some kind of bread when I came across your blog. I subscribed immediately and my attitude to life has been very changed since.
ReplyDeleteI'm from India with three daughters aged 13 to 7. My husband works abroad and visits every couple of months. The whole lot of us had been there too and shifted back to India only in April 2011. It was quite tough adjusting to life here. I found myself wallowing in self-pity most of the day. My frustration and anger used to rub off on the kids. All in all the entire household was upset.
Though you are miles away, I cannot thank you enough for the positive influence you have in our lives. I always have a project or two running now. I do crochet, sewing, cooking, reading and no longer have time for any negative emotions. And on days when the going is really tough, I undertake projects which come to immediate fruition.
It was you again who came as my saving angel when you mentioned FlyLady in one of your posts. Though I haven't actually started Flying, my house is now a home and no longer looks like a cattle shed where a bull has run amuck.
Well I better stop the blabbering lest this comment turns into a full post :D
Aww - thank you SO much for leaving a comment. I absolutely love to hear back from people who have found inspiration here and I'm so pleased to hear that you have x
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