Sunday Stuff

::  AAhhhchooo!  That is all we seem to be hearing today from Charles.  After years of allergies and different medications prescribed by his doctor for management, he began with a persistent cough 6 months ago queueing a new protocol.   The kid never complains...ever...which allows some time to go by, and I'll notice times when his symptoms are worse again, and this dry little throat clearing cough and seemingly more frequent episodes of wheezing are really bugging me.  So, why is he so miserable this weekend in particular?  Well he heads to the allergist on Tuesday and they want him 3 full days without any meds so he can be thoroughly tested.    Hmm we are now about 36 hours in, and he is walking around with a Kleenex box.  So, I guess the cocktail that he has been on is helping after all!  Hopefully, we will have some more comprehensive answers soon.

::  I received the beautiful felted stone from Julochka in the mail yesterday.  It makes a nice addition to my growing collection of smooth stones and sea glass.  It is so fun getting a little package in the mail with postmarks from Denmark.  Made me smile!

::  I really have been enjoying a few episodes of Extra Virgin.  I love the rustic Italian recipes.  I made the above linked take on a tuna salad sandwich today and it was appreciated by all.

::  We made some significant strides this morning on the barn project.  We re-organized much of the loft and cleared two large sections of the main barn, which are now designated for garden tools and recreational items.  Now we are loading those areas with all of the garden stuff that we have collected over time and had stored in the grainery.  As that empties out B will start construction on his new workshop.  A lot to do, but baby steps, and progress is being made.

::  With freezing rain moving in this afternoon, I think that I will curl up on the couch for a little while and watch a movie with the family, then put some rice pudding on to simmer for a late afternoon snack.

Reclaiming Space

 We came home tonight to this lilac just beginning to bloom!  A second blooming this year!!

It's hard to believe that the kids are starting school next Thursday, just a week from today.  The summer has flown by and I can say it has been our best family summer yet!  We have seen a return of some warm late summer days and are finally beginning to pick a few tomatoes.  This time of year I begin to contemplate fall; harvest, storing food, school, new beginnings.

Funny, the meaning of fall harvest is so profound to me now.  We have to pick our food, slowly clean up beds as they fade, plant crops for late fall harvest, plant beds to winter cover crops, and store the fruits of our labors away.  All of this frenzy is for a clean up that leads to tucking our little farm in for the winter.  With that thought passing though my mind, I came across a blog post last week from Mama Schell.  It discussed the catharsis that comes from purging, simplifying.  Her post was called 40 bags in 40 days.  The basic premise is to pick forty different areas, clean them out and dispose of or donate what you no longer need, use, want, have grown out of, etc.  By taking a space, even if it is as small as a drawer at a time, this overwhelming task becomes much more manageable.  So when I think of the settling in coming soon, I want my space to be as simplistic and comfortable as possible.

Since school is approaching, I began today with organizing the attic closet and all of the school mementos that I have collected from pre-school forward.  Everything is now better condensed into manageable quantities.  The kids in turn will spend some time tomorrow going through closets and drawers to determine what fits and what type of school shopping we may just need to accomplish before next week.  Then I will continue on through my forty areas.

1. Kitchen Drawers                                         21.  Basement Food Storage Shelves
2. Sewing Room                                             22.  Basement Craft Area
3. Our Bedroom Closet                                   23.  Basement Work Bench
4. Sid's Bedroom Closet                                  24.  Basement Junk Area
5. Sid's Bedroom Dresser                                25.  Holiday Decorations
6. Charles' Bedroom Closet                             26.  Hutch on Porch
7.  Charles' Bedroom Dresser                          27.  Garden Tools
8. Kids Bathroom Cupboards                          28.  Chicken Coop
9. Linen Closet                                                29.  Grainery Storage Area
10. Attic Toys                                                  30.  Upstairs Bookshelves
11. Attic Closet                                                31.  Entry Closet 
12. Our Nightstands                                         32.  Hall Tree
13. Our Bedroom Dresser                                33.  File Storage
14. Our Bathroom Cupboards                          34.  Canning Supplies
15. Powder Room Cupboards                          35.  Spice Cupboard
16. Desk                                                           36.  Liquor Cabinet
17. Kitchen Cupboards                                     37. Knick Knack Shelf 
18. Dining Room Hutch                                   38.  Irrigation Supplies
19. Basement Craft Area                                  39.  Trellis Supplies
20. Root Cellar                                                 40.  Laundry Room

Isn't this a great idea?  Fall is coming and when you go to open your windows and let in the amazing fall air, wouldn't it be nice if that air could fill your newly reclaimed space?  What forty areas can you look at to begin to simplify your life?