"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Five On Friday: Tidying

 As I join in with Amy's Five on Friday, blog link up, I realize that my past week has had a fair amount of focus on tidying [much to my amazement!].  I love homemaking, but tend to have a lot of dust catching clutter that I try to store and display artfully.  At their kindest, friends and family members have told me that I create a "cozy" environment! This past week my tidying has fallen conveniently into five areas.
One:  In order to work on art projects and attend my once a month worship art group in a nearby church I have my art supplies in a rolling bag, on two shelves in a bookcase, and most recently in a little basket under this table by my favorite chair. This past Saturday I filled my rolling bag to take my supplies to the art group where we worked on creating the profile view of a face. My lady looked very mean so a couple more experienced artists there did some erasing and replacing of my lines explaining how they would soften her expression...then I tried again... but she still looks a bit grumpy and cold to me.
 Two:  After coming home and putting away my art supplies I started searching for some short circular knitting needles to try a new to me method of sock knitting.  One thing led to another and over the next few days my sock yarns, circular needles, sock patterns and lap looms got organized into this basket to the left of the fireplace.  I also got my acrylic and cotton yarns regrouped...some in baskets to the right of the fireplace and in other baskets around the room. The pair of socks on the book in the picture above are my favorite of the few pairs I have knit, and I want to knit many more pairs.
 Three:  In the midst of my fiber tidying I started to look for this book that I started weeks ago and had loaned to my youngest daughter.  She returned the book and I have been organizing my stacks and shelves of books to keep the book close at hand so that I can finish reading it and learn more about how a good shepherd cares for his sheep and how that care can help one understand the depth of God's care for human beings as described in Psalm 23.  It is interesting!
 Four:  Besides pulling some weeds here and there as I tidied the garden this week, I also guided the Sweet Pea tendrils up the trellis, and planted four Zinnias I bought at the grocery store.

Five:  Also at the grocery store, I bought an inexpensive bouquet of Dahlia's, my first of the season, and early this year, I think.  I enjoy seeing them sitting in the cobalt blue vase on the beautiful doily my mom crocheted years ago.
         I also got some tidying done on the front porch where I reorganized some gardening supplies.  My youngest son in law manned the water hose and helped me move the blue lawn chairs out onto the gravel driveway so that I could scrub the chairs with a brush.  After the chairs were dry we put them back on the porch with fresh rose printed material pillows on them so they are ready for you to come visit and try them out!
        While I may not be able to tidy up many of the troubling circumstances in the world around me, I am trying to share as much love as I can, and am in fact sending you my love if you are reading this.

        Is it just me, or have you found yourself  focused on tidying, too?

xx
Gracie


34 comments:

  1. Your home looks wonderful to me - and much more organised than mine is! I need to tidy - and I have just spent half an hour in the garden trimming some of the worst offenders - but my house needs serious attention! Have a great weekend.

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  2. One thing usually does lead to another when it comes to tidying. I actually tidied up some of my yarn stash and started using a couple of plastic baskets to contain my current two granny square blankets for charity. I always have a big pile of stuff next to me and when Jingles comes to sit, I have a hard time freeing up space for her, so that's been remedied now. I just move the baskets away. :) Of course, I still have tons of tidying to do everywhere. I'd love to come sit and visit you for awhile. Hugs and blessings, Tammy

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  3. Whenever, I go to look for something and it ends up turning into a tidying and organising session instead. I love your Dahlia's in that beautiful blue vase and your porch looks great. Have a lovely weekend xx

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  4. I too need to tidy but other things seem to distract me first. There is nothing like buying flowers to cheer up the place. Everything looks so lovely x

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  5. I agree, your home looks so lovely and inviting. I too have too many things that I collect and fills up my house. I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Pat xx

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  6. I felt the love as I was strolling around your home with you. A little dust here and there and clutter doesn't matter when there is love and a warm welcome. I had the urge a week or so ago and had a good sort out, we then had a car boot sale and then donated a lot to the charity shop and church table top, it felt good. The weather is not helping the sort out of the garden.

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  7. I used to be a compulsive tidier but these days just try and keep things straight and roughly where they ought to be. Your sweet peas are looking better than mine the rain is not helping them to thrive at all.
    bon weekend.

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  8. Lovely pictures. I seem to tidy but nothing ever looks better lol. I have too many books I think, but they are like good friends and I have trouble sorting them out. Your home looks very comfy which is exactly how a home should be.

    Enjoy your weekend

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  9. NO I can't say I am drawn to tidying but I always get energised by travelling so hopefully I can redirect this energy into some tidying up!!! Your art group seems a beautifully supportive group, how lovely of them to help where you were not happy with your work - looks pretty brill to me!
    Have fun with your sock knitting, reading, gardening, and other creative endeavours this weekend

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  10. I think it looks very nice! A little lived in is a good thing, I think. That said, I need to tidy up my "catch all," the dining room table. I don't know how so much stuff lands on it in a few days (it's all mine...).

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  11. I tidied up some for my daughter's grad party a few weeks ago. But forgot to dust a spot...annoying. I'm trying to stay more on top of doing a few things each day so it doesn't get over bearing. I think we have the same pink Fiesta ware teapot. I like dahlias too. Had pink ones at our wedding. I have yet to put out my Adirondack chair in our back lawn. It's summer!! Happy 4th of July to you my friend. Maybe I'll come visit and sit in one of those chairs and sip tea with you sometime!!

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  12. It sounds as though you have been very busy with your tidying and organising this week! I imagine that your home is a very comfortable and friendly place to be! Enjoy your knitting and art this weekend and sit and admire all of your work. Thank you for joining in with Five On Friday. I hope you have a fun weekend! xx

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  13. I'm tidying up like crazy. There's nothing like knowing someone else will be living in your house for three weeks to get one scrubbing and tidying up. I'm realizing that I have entirely too much fabric!

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  14. I think that your home is always cosy looking - and I mean that - love it. Funnily enough I have been trying to declutter and keep on top of things as I have some very busy weeks ahead!! I don't enjoy housework but I do like a clean and tidy home. Dust is a problem and as I live on an unmade road we get a lot!! At moment it's not as bad as it can be - the rain is keeping dust down. Hugs Anne x

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  15. My you have had a productive week. I too love when I finish sorting and organizing a corner of my home.
    It spurs me on to start or continue other projects too. After reading your post, I checked my bookcase and I have the same book. Your front porch looks very welcoming and a great place to read.
    Enjoy your weekend.😊



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  16. It's so funny the way one little act of tidying can lead to so many others. All I wanted to do today was clean my desktop, but it didn't end there and it took forever.

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  17. As I look around me I see that my living space is in need of lots of tidying. How nice that people find your home welcoming and cozy. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  18. I'm proud of you for all your tidying.. I'm trying to do a bit of that before Monday - the 4th of July! Tomorrow we decorate the gazebo. It looks like you've found a perfect spot for your Sweet Peas. I tried some last year but they were a bust. Dayle fixed all the lights in our pond, you should see it at night now. Have a great 4th! See you soon! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  19. You've been busy Sweet Gracie! I do love your home and the coziness that is pure you. I always feel welcome and comfortable and that is the most important thing in my humble opinion. :-). Isn't it nice to get things all put away where you know they are? I get frustrated when I can't find things. So are you using two circular needles for your socks, magic loop or the "new" 9 inch circulars? So many ways to make socks these days, but I always seem to go back to my DPN's. Dennis did a study on Psalm 23 and shepherds years ago and I found it fascinating. I may be looking for a copy of that book. I hoe you have a wonderful 4th of July my sweet friend.
    Blessings always,
    Betsy

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  20. It must be the time of year, Gracie. I cleaned out closets and found 2 large bags worth of clothes to donate plus an assortment of stuff to toss. Next up is kitchen kitchen drawers.
    Wishing you and yours a happy fourth of July week-end! xo

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  21. Well ironically I have very much been focusing on tidying. It has been a difficult week politically here in the UK but onwards and upwards :) I love the snippets of your home it looks lovely and tidy to me xx

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  22. Your home looks wonderful Gracie, so comfy and welcoming and of course tidy!
    Meredith

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  23. Tidying must be in the air. I'm trying to stop, but just keep organizing. How rewarding it is. Right?

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  24. It looks like you've been busy and have had a productive week! I tidied a few small areas … it's always a good feeling to improve things! Your sox look great!

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  25. It looks like you have been busy. Your places are very cozy, I like your balcony,it is inviting space!
    Have a good new week!

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  26. I feel like de-cluttering is a constant process in this house at the minute. I'm surrounded by clothes that need to be ironed.

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  27. Sounds a busy week with all that tidying, although twiddling the sweet pea tendrils is relaxing. Have a fab week!

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  28. Funny you should say that - tidying and deep cleaning is exactly what I have been doing! Thanks for your comments on my blog, Gracie. Your last one gave me a laugh!

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  29. I find myself tidying at this time of year as well. I end up donating things that I have no longer any use for....but I almost always replace them with something else.

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  30. You've had a productive week, Gracie. I love the look of your cozy home, it always looks so warm and welcoming. I've been doing a bit of tidying as well, wanting more space and less clutter for the summer months.
    Amalia
    xo

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  31. Doesn't it feel good to have a bit of a tidy sometimes? It doesn't happen very often for me but I do love the look and feel after!!! Your garden looks so pretty! xo

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  32. I love the look at the door! We are so busy packing! Tidying was for the showings! Now we are happy to be packing it up.
    Your garden is lovely. Ours is pretty dry. We need a little rain

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  33. Nice job on the socks, and your flowers look lovely and healthy! I have been working on tidying up my flower garden. Weeds are so persistent!

    Thanks for being one of the people who tries to spread a little love in a world of hate. Appreciated your closing remarks.

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  34. Hi Gracie! Yes, I have been tidying a lot this week. Our daughter and son-in-law moved into an apartment out of our basement and I've claimed our spaces back with a lot of dusting and vacuuming. Today I organized and tidied my linens. It feels good to feel more organized. I enjoyed your five tidy projects. Yes...it's good to share love to those around us. Hope you have a good weekend.

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