If not project 333 but something like that

I have always liked to live in a well organized home but during the recent busy years I somehow have not had energy or time to maintain my previous standards.  Well, they might have been too high...However, now I have taken some steps to slowly feel more organized again. Not in every aspect in my home or life but in some.  This spring I have eagerly been going through our things here at home and organized things like cups and plates, crafting materials, yarn, toys, linens, and also clothing.

I read author and essayist Terra Trevor's thoughts about clothing and simplifying one's wardrobe. I agree on so many things! I also read about Project 333:

The Basics (source)

• When: Every three months (It’s never too late to start so join in anytime!)
• What: 33 items including clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes.
• What not: these items are not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewelry that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear,  and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)
• How: Choose your 33 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement, seal it with tape and put it out of sight.
• What else: consider that you are creating a wardrobe that you can live, work and play in for three months. Remember that this is not a project in suffering. If your clothes don’t fit or are in poor condition, replace them.

 I am not very fond of strict rules like these but still there is something to think about in this project. The basic idea is very good, I think. One does cope with a smaller amount of materia and in fact might feel better.

I went through my wardrobe and decsided to donate most of the items that I haven’t been wearing in a long time; items that are too small (yes, I have saved those for future skinnier days...bah. Why? I do not want to feel all the time that I have to fit into those and feel not good enough. I do not want to use most of my space or thoughts for that!!) and items that have been sort of  mistakes (too short sleeves, wrong shaped trousers etc.). However I decided to keep some of my all time favourites regardless of the size. I am planning to pack them in to a memory section in my wardrobe (like  my wedding dress, some sentimental things like something my husband or mother have given to me). I am also organizing clothes seasonally more carefully than before and make enough space for the things I am actually wearing right now.

I figure that by doing this I gain:
- self esteem -  I do not have to live in this odd state of needing to be drasticly smaller or something I am not all the time. It is a fact that I have health issues that stop me from exercising nowadays. I can do a little something (like walk a little and ride my bike slowly shortly) but still exercising is not a real help to weight issues.
It is another fact that even before I had these limitations I found it really difficult to stay in the same  size all the time. For my wellbeing it is crucial to try to stay under some scale numbers but otherwise I do not want to stress myself with that.
- it is easier to find something nice to wear when there are real options to choose from
- I can make someone happy by giving away things someone else can enjoy
- I can let go and live the life that is happening right NOW
- I will focus to gratefulness towards my body instead of dissatisfaction - I have been given this body. Why not embrace it?

I am not going to be strict about the exact amount  (33) of my clothes and accessories per season. But I am trying to practice the idea of letting go when it does me some good. I am going to buy and sew/knit new items when I feel I need them or want to but consider more carefully every choice.
You can see some of my spring/summer items in my pictures above. I truly enjoy those items and colors. There is my beautiful Ona Brooklyn leather camera bag, summer bags and shoes, camel colored pants, some tops, scarves and my happy colored new linen/cotton coat (LOVE IT).

Anu


Ps. I Don't consider myself fashionable, and I don't care much about trends. I like beauty, however, and clothes that make me feel happy but I think it is ALWAYS the person not the clothes that matters.

About trees and their ways

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

 Isaiah 43:19

Green leaves - they are finally here! I am breathing that vivid air, whispering that I have missed you!!

Anu 
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Photographing trees is something I enjoy tremendously. Trees speak to me the language of silence and they remind me about  fragility but also about strength and possibility to be renewed. I started this series last fall  and am going to share my love for trees with you by taking you with me to a journey to explore my everyday trees. There will be photograps about surroundings of my trees as well, like fields and  all kinds of natural beauty. I am sharing my photographs just as I have taken them (either with my camera or cell phone) so there will be no image processing. This series is about modest everyday meetings with trees, not aboutperfection. But then again I think there is often perfection like the purest kind of beauty hidden inside imperfection. Welcome to my world of Trees and their ways.

Gratitude Sunday

There is nothing extravagant in our Easter days yet I am so grateful for everything; mornings without haste, child's laughter, his small hands into mine, little eyes full of happiness, family time, just enough chocolate, some low budget flowers from the market, home made pastries, catching up my reading, playing music together, gardening, dreaming about things that might come true and the joy of Easter. I am grateful!!

Happy Easter to you!!

hugs,
Anu

ps. I just LOVE that combination of pink and golden little chocolate eggs :) (first picture)

About trees and their ways

Do you ever think how much potential is hidden inside people near you? People are like trees. If there is enough warmth, enough caring and nourishment they will burst into bloom.  It is beautiful.

This is one of my everyday trees. I am so unpatiently waiting for it to wake up from it's winter sleep...... And then, all of a sudden, it will transform into green and alive again. It just needs the sun to kiss those branches gently, silently. Day after day.
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Photographing trees is something I enjoy tremendously. Trees speak to me the language of silence and they remind me about  fragility but also about strength and possibility to be renewed. I started this series last fall  and am going to share my love for trees with you by taking you with me to a journey to explore my everyday trees. There will be photograps about surroundings of my trees as well, like fields and  all kinds of natural beauty. I am sharing my photographs just as I have taken them (either with my camera or cell phone) so there will be no image processing. This series is about modest everyday meetings with trees, not about perfection. But then again I think there is often perfection like the purest kind of beauty hidden inside imperfection. Welcome to my world of Trees and their ways.

Surrounded by loveliness

Lately I have not had time or energy for my own projects. BUT  I do have organized my yarn stash. When I buy yarn I often go a little overboard....one more skein just in case. Do you know the feeling that you are afraid that you do not have enough yarn for your pattern to finnish it?  But of course I usually end up having too much. Actually it does not matter because I have enjoyed knitting little things from that left over yarn for family and friends but now I decided to donate most of my stash to my son's school for the kids to knit and crochet. Today that stash was given to my son's lovely teacher who was pleased to have yarn for the kids to enjoy.  It makes me happy too that the kids can experience knitting with quality yarn. It makes all the difference.
I left some of the stash for myself. There is enough for a sweater for my son (greys, blues and greens), for a few scarves and beanies (pinks, yellows and whites) and some for our crafting moments here at home. At the moment I have two cardigans I need to finish but now has not been an enjoyable time for knitting. But I am hopeful...this professional life I am having right now may turn into a more peaceful rhythm. I very much hope that I then I could have energy to do things I love more often. And guess what? I enjoy just seeing and touching those pretty colored yarn balls. I feel I am surrounded by loveliness.

Have a great week end my friend!!

hugs,
Anu

My week in cups of tea

Hi!  I am sitting in my kitchen drinking tea while writing this to you. This kitchen is one of my favourite places in the world. I can see over the fields, my eyes have room to wander. I often see friendly wild life while enjoying my cup of tea. Today I met a huge rabbit. He was staring me as if he wanted to say something through my kitchen window. The birds have also been very busy settling down to their new home. The nesting has begun and there is obviously plenty of "housework" for  them to do. How hard working they are! This morning I have also enjoyed  a decision I have made which gives me hope and peace. I am ready for the spring to come. Welcome friend!!
The color of the week has been green. I am so hungry for it right now. I kind of love that outfit in the second last picture (The Simple Things/21).  Are you hungry for some color right now?

Things I have enjoyed lately:

• my tea moments
• fresh flowers, especially hellebores
• willows, catkins
• color green - everywhere: on clothes, on my plate, in my tea cup, on flowers, pictures...you name it
• gratefullness!!
• my new shower cream called Spring rain
• the scent of spring late in the evenings
• purl soho -  beautiful fabrics
• birds singing outside our bedroom window in the mornings
• watching bird nesting
• seeing happiness in the eys of a loved one
• waking up to sunlight
• coming home in daylight
• starting something new with our son - piano lessons
• baking chocolate cakes 
• conversations with a true friend 
• these lovely parcels I have received from Anna and Liesl. Thank you both so very much!!!!

Anna had sewn me a blouse. LOVE IT!!! Thank you!

And Liesl had put together a sweet combination of plum and cocolate crafting material with lots of other treats as well. We were swap partners via Vibeke's  color swap. Thank you!

I am afraid I have a nasty flu for the second time of this year so today it is going to be just resting and drinking  hot, hot tea. At least that is  lovely :)
Have a happy week end!
hugs,
Anu

About trees and their ways

I have taken action to change my life towards a more peaceful way of living. I am seeking slowness and peace of mind. Sometimes it takes quite a lot of thinking to be able to find an escape but I can see an open door somewhere there in front of me. My path will go towards that door. Slowly.

I am already in spring mood but I still wanted to share these pictures I took some weeks ago. In these pirctures the quietness and peace are so intensely present.

hugs,
Anu