It took me a very long time to figure out how to live life well.
When I was younger, I used to be so worried about what lay ahead that I never managed to really enjoy the present. Over the past few years, I’ve worked hard at realigning my thinking – to constantly pull myself back into the now and search for the joy and happiness in every moment. I’ve tried to be more mindful.
Life is rarely smooth sailing for any of us. But our days are also filled with small, perfect moments – we just have to learn to recognise and appreciate them. And to live them and enjoy them and bask in them.
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For me, early mornings are a special time, when everyone else is asleep and I’m pottering around in the kitchen. If I’m up before the sun rises, I’ll turn the lights off in the dining room and watch as the morning rays stream in through the back windows, moving across the table like a slow spotlight…
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Baking bread in the morning always sets me up for a good day. I love the stillness and the gentle light and the bounce of puffy dough under my fingers. Last week, my freshly baked loaves were singing and giving off sparks. If you look (and listen) carefully, you can just see them on the left of the video below…
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I moved out of home when I was 17 years old, so I never once take for granted having our boys still living with us at 22 and 19. Every moment feels precious, and I try to spend as much time with them as they’ll allow.
Big Boy and I have found a new spot to sit and drink coffee, where we can gaze out over the street. He and I never struggle for conversation; we have an open, comfortable relationship that I’m incredibly grateful for…
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We’ve nearly lost Small Man three times – once to cancer, once to pneumonia, and once to a 4-wheel drive (he was completely unharmed, but it was a very close call). Spending time with him is like holding treasure in my hands. He’s an incredibly interesting, quirky young man who sees the world in a different way to most people. The other day, he saw three monkeys hanging from the stairs at Mum’s house, and asked why there was one for “smell no evil”…
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I’ve returned to knitting after a 20 year absence, and I’m loving every stitch. My knitting is very basic – I’m only making kitchen cloths which are used to wipe down benches and then thrown in the washing machine. It’s the process which brings happiness…
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Six years ago, I wrote about how creating new things from raw materials fills me with an enormous sense of satisfaction. I still try to make something every day, be it a loaf of bread, or a few rows of knitting, or an origami butterfly. But since that time, I’ve also discovered the great joy that comes from repairing, restoring and conserving – saving something which might otherwise be destined for the rubbish bin and giving it a second lease of life.
It drives my poor Mum a bit nuts, but I’ll often arrive for dinner in a mended shirt – this one has just been repaired for the eighth time…
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Almost every day, I give thanks for the wonders of modern technology.
When we moved to Australia in 1969, my parents would only call family in Malaysia on special occasions. It cost them $7.50 for a three minute call – a small fortune nearly 50 years ago – and had to be booked through an international operator.
These days, for $30 a month, I can call or text anyone, anywhere and at anytime. My darling friend Dan lives in California, and I’ve just finished chatting with her for half an hour. We communicate as easily as we would if she lived next door. Sometimes we set up video cameras and have a virtual cup of tea together. I know that anyone born after 1990 takes this for granted, but it never fails to amaze and excite me that we’re all able to keep in touch so easily…
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Sorry to ramble – spring is in the air and it’s a joyous time of year.
Wishing you all a glorious, mindful, happy weekend!
May it be filled with many small, perfect moments! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
What a delightful post! And your knitting style hasn’t suffered at all during its 20-year hiatus! Thanks for bringing mindfulness to the fore again in my own mind.
Beautiful and considered
There’s nothing like the shadow of death passing over you – whether it’s a loved one like you, or your own self, like me – to make you greet each day with gladness and a fresh appreciation. I love to go out into my garden and see what has burst into flower overnight, or what vegie has ripened for that day’s meal. Evidence of life, doing its stuff…
Of course your sourdough sparks!!! The sunlight moving in the morning across a room can be glorious I know and beautiful we just have to stop and take a minute to appreciate.
I always find 15 minutes to sit still with my crochet hook – it’s my form of meditation I think. It never ceases to amaze me that it gives me so much pleasure. A sure sign I’m getting old right??!
In this busy world it’s too easy to forget to be in the moment and grateful for what we have, rather than what we are told we should want. I’m rediscovering knitting again too and, while I have a big attention-consuming project on the go, I’m also enjoying churning out the quick ones. There’s been a lot of tea cosies, beanies and dish cloths coming off the needles – they are the things I can knit while watching tv.
The big, fancy knitting has come to grief twice now because of the television so I only do that when I can sit down and give it my full attention for 45 minutes – which is how long it takes to work a pattern sequence. Unpicking a gossamer-like angora mohair blend is no fun at all.
It s a lovely ramble indeed. Your version of ‘mindfulness’ springs from a very natural base, and is a joy to read. Sometimes this word can be miss- used or over- used. Nancy mentioned meditation- I too find myself n a meditative space when crocheting.
I LOVE it when my bread ‘talks’ to me :) Nice post, thank you.
Celia, I look forward to your posts.
I am starting to think that there is more to this middle aged thing than first glance. I, too, am much more mindful about the small things that make up each day now. I notice more and enjoy those simple little pleasures so much more than I ever would have in my youth. I love my life now and as stressful as life can occasionally be, I think hindsight and experience has given we middle agers an amazing perspective that we can draw on. Life is good. Aging does have it’s positives :)
Lovely post which I greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Life is made up of small pleasures and we need to make the most of them. I have just returned from my lovely garden in Italy and look forward to some Australian delights for a while.
Darling Celia – methinks this is called ‘maturity’ – and when we kind’of realize we have reached it one simply cannot measure the smile . . . be well, be happy . . and ditto to the boys . . . actually do hope they ‘stick around’ another wee while . . .
I would NEVER go back to being that younger me… I like the me, who like you, finds more and more joy from the simple things. Wonderfully they are things that can’t really be packaged or marketed, although I’m sure someone somewhere will give it a shot if they get half a chance :)
Dear Celia, I too rejoice that my boys, 25 and 23, are still at home, and whilst often not here, we love having them float in and out, sometimes grunting and sometimes very chatty! All the things you mention above keep us settled in ourselves and protect us from the hurly burly of today’s competitive world. I love your knitting and would love to make some dishcloths – what cotton/wool and pattern are you using? Your pattern looks fabulous and I’d love to make some for friends for Christmas. Enjoy each and every moment – even the tricky or difficult ones!
Sue, aren’t we lucky to have our boys still at home!
The dishcloths are made with Bendigo Mills Cotton (currently on special for $11 per 200g ball):
https://www.bendigowoollenmills.com.au/Product/tabid/55/2328/2328/183032/COTTON/Default.aspx
and the pattern is this one! (I use 8ply cotton on size 5mm needles and cast on 41 stitches):
http://www.maggiesrags.com/freedishcloth.htm
Here’s the first post I wrote about the dishcloths:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2015/09/08/knitted-cotton-dishcloth/
Enjoy! x
Thank you so much Celia! I have looked at the Bendigo Mills Cotton – the only problem I have is which colour to choose – I may need several balls….
Thank you too for the pattern – this will be just the tranquil project I need and my mother-in-law’s Christmas present will be complete.
Many many thanks, and for your posts too – they are a wonderful start to my day!
xx
What a beautiful post, I enjoyed reading it . All we have is the moment and we choose what we do with it.
Loved reading your post Celia. We are very much like minded in that I too enjoy giving life to old things to be thrown out. I am running out of room but still “collect” things. I like you have always liked making things too. Your post is a joy to read. Keep happy. I can almost smell the bread you mske. Mmmmm. 😊
Just loved the pictures of your kitchen table as the sun rays gently come in. The video of your freshly baked bread is something to drool.I couldn’t help but notice you have a liking for the color purple.My daughter just adores purple. She wants us to get her anything in purple, be it food or clothes.
Ah yes…the simple pleasures. Beautiful post, Celia xx
I love that you mend something time and time again. I have a friend that does the same. My problem is that I wear my favourite things to death and there is no fabric left to stitch together in the end. I always curse myself for not buying two or three of my favourite pieces of clothing. Hindsight!
Someone once commented that I always seemed to have the same shirt on. In the first instance (because it was just their perception) I felt annoyed however I then replied that I wear what I feel comfortable wearing. Lovely post!
I needed to read this today. Thank you Celia x
I welled up over that one. Thank you Celia.
Just beautiful Celia… Snippets of your life.. God bless your whole family. :)
Lovely and thoughtful insight behind your cooking endeavours.
What a wonderful read Celia, thank you. I too am learning to be more mindful, it really does make all the difference.
Have a beautiful and happy weekend.
:-) Mandy xo
Celia, you are so right. I try to remember to feel blessed each day ’cause I am.
Yes, and amen. Our feet travel where our mind leads. Great post, Celia.
Celia, this was just… so peaceful. Your thoughts were a blessing and your sparkly singing sourdough was a wonder! (I watched it 3 times just for fun!) Thank you for sharing your life lessons, xo.
Beautiful reminder to enjoy every moment… no matter how humble and quiet. Thank you!
You truly live a wonderful life. Even is our madness I try to take time to appreciate the smaller things. I just love hearing the boys laugh. While I may not have lots of time to create much now, other than cooking to feed this brood of course, I love watching the boys create their artwork. I know someday they will be gone and while I look forward to the quiet, it will be sad to see them go.
Beautiful and very meaningful post, Celia
Such a joyous post Celia. I try to focus on the little good things but it’s so easy to get swept up in the frenetic chaos of life. Thanks for the reminder.
Wow Celia, the purple you’re using for your dishcloths is so vibrant. A wonderful colour. Sometimes I hear my bread crackle as it cools, if the crust is particulalrly dark. What makes the sparks?
Such a great post – I love using knit and crochet washcloths in my home everyday. Your flowers are simply stunning and the spot that you stop to enjoy coffee with your boys sounds just lovely. Happy Sunday…
Jodie xx
so precious! xxx
Those bread sparks are AMAZING!!
Oh I love your rambling posts Celia and your words of wisdom. I’ve tried to take some of them on board, but it’s never easy. Live never quite goes in the direction you either hope or expect. I’m a terrible worrier, but I’ve tried over the last decade or so to live more in the moment. Love your colourful dishcloths. My mother gives puts one in my Christmas stocking every year and I treasure them – hers are white though.
Living mindfully does bring purpose to all we do. It’s good to settle into and let it be in our lives. Sort of like an invisible mantle that keeps the awareness flowing. Small man is indeed precious as is his brother is (no doubting you know that) all bubs are..Spring is a nice time to amble, ramble and dream.
You would have loved the workshop I went to on Saturday for “Decorative Darning”. The idea is that rather than darning to conceal the hole, you add another design element to the garment.
By the way, I have been mocked mercilessly by my family for knitting and using dishcloths. I blame you entirely.
This post made me very happy…I know I have missed many but there have been ups and downs in our lives lately…everyday things that keep you away from doing the things you like. I thought of you when we went to Panama City, Panama. We met a wonderful man from Balmoral, Brisbane, Queensland and mentioned you and how talented you are. We just received from him a beautiful calendar and a tourist book to look at and I’m itching to go. Finding out the right connections and best times to visit your beautiful country and maybe sharing a dinner.
Thanks for your rambling…I love it!
I’ve had this in my inbox to read for the past few days and I have to say, I saved it for the perfect day to read it. I needed this reminder.
A beautiful post. I’m so glad you’ve gotten back in to knitting. Your swatch looks perfect, with perfect tension, which is hard when you haven’t knit for a while! Personally, I’m really glad my daughters are both gone, but then, they’re just so messy. Fortunately they still like us!
Thank you for reminding me. I suffer from Depression post trauma so I have to make a conscious effort each morning. Sometimes I can;t and I just sleep which takes my day but rests my body. Life is so worth living. I love your reads and have knitted 2 dish cloths for my daughter, which I will name otherwise she will wonder what they are. lol. I will knit some more for me now I have mastered the stitches. I am yet to try the bread. Sending love.
That was a lovely ramble. I listened to Graham Long of the Wayside Chapel last week. One of the things he said really stuck with me. He said routine often sucks the ‘awesome’ out of life and we need to be mindful of being back in a place where you can capture the awesome. Just as you have done. He illustrated it with a story about training café staff at the Chapel and impressing upon them the need to serve a cup of coffee with a generous heart and an even more generous smile: the first day they really get it and the second day they know it, but by the third day it’s “who put the bloody sugar there”! :)
Ramble on Celia, ramble on because I love your thoughts and perspectives. So many times we all get caught up in silly details of so many things during the day that we forget how wonderful it is to be able to wake up & actually have another day to appreciate.
Hi Celia, I love reading your ramblings. We came to Australia in 1977 and I remember it cost a fortune for my parents to ring relatives in France, how times have changed x
i LOVE this post Celia. Its always from the heart with you. I love your breads too. I think of your starter (that u sent everyday-it may have gone for inspection my father reckons) Cant wait to get it. Your knitting is lovely.
What lovely words. Here’s to mindfulness. May there be more of it in all of our lives.
That was beautiful Celia. Have just got back to England after a stressful time in Spain and we are counting our blessings. Your thoughtful words (as in, they really made me think) hit a nerve and made me reflect on all that is good in our lives. Every moment is precious…and now I want to get my knitting needles out! Big hug x
From the sounds of your fabulous readership, everyone is as delighted as I am with your post. Gratitude and baking and sunlight and knitting and family = mindful living! Thank you for voicing the best news possible, always, xxoo
I wish for you beautiful moments and ordinary days. I try and be mindfully grateful for at least one thing a day :)
Knitting should be all about the process … just enjoy x
Celia, loved your “rambling!” Important reminders for all of us, and your way with words is very inspiring. Thanks so much!
What a beautiful post Celia. I enjoyed reading this.
I have returned to crochet recently after many years not making a single thing and it’s incredible how calming it is for me. I’m yet to attempt early mornings alone, but if it’s for the purpose of baking bread I reckon I could be tempted!!! :-)
This is such a lovely, peaceful post. I loved it.
Beautiful Post..Love the pictures they blend in perfectly..
Love the post Celia. I also cherish the early mornings when the house is quiet. Amazing that your bread is giving off sparks! And your mending looks like an intentional design, part of the pattern.
It’s good to be reminded to live in the present and appreciate each moment.
Thank you.
A wonderful post, Celia and a good reminder for all of us… life is so crazy busy, we can forget the simple pleasures of having our children with us… call me a mother hen, but I miss both of mine, every day, and even more so if there is a thunderstorm. Weird, perhaps, but that’s how I am. So glad you’re knitting again. I am about to teach myself to crochet, as part of the family memoir I’m compiling. Much love.
Beautiful post Celia…yes, I practice that very same skill everyday. To try and stop and enjoy those perfect moments. I feel that my children have taught me so much. They often say, come take pictures of us when they come up with a new trick or game. Sometimes I sigh, as I am right in the middle of something that seems important to my adult mind. But I try to remind myself, that the moments that they are small are fleeting. And so I grab my camera and we have the most fun. I shoot photos and they come to see if they like the shots of if we should try for new ones. The littlest one wants to take the pictures with me and so he climbs into my lap so that the camera strap encircles both of us and we take pictures together. Really those are the best moments.