"The way to start a day is -- Go outside and face the east and greet the sun with some kind of blessing or chant or song that you made for yourself and keep for early morning. " Byrd Baylor, The Way to Start a Day
I discovered it at my absolute favorite shop in Austin last week: Take Heart. If little shops could be soul mates, this one would be mine. This article about the owner is pretty fantastic too! It all speaks to me, you know?
Beatrix is at horse camp this week. For five days, from 9-3, I have time to myself. And let's face it, I've had quite a bit of time to myself this month. The first week, she attended art camp, the second week, I travelled to New Mexico, and now again, this week.
It's a funny/strange thing. To have time to myself. I like it. I feel a bit guilty admitting it, but I kinda sorta want more, more, more! I'm plowing ahead on full steam, trying to take advantage of every quiet moment to do all of those quiet, alone things I enjoy. Like blogging, and planting seeds (quietly), and taking Beau to Berry Springs for a good long (quiet) walk, to pot plants, and clean kitchen cabinets, and to stain a picnic table, to listen to audio books, to sit in my chair and read a poem or two, to face the sun and stretch my body, and to rearrange this and that around the home.
Needless to say, this time to myself is also an exercise in trying not to over achieve. To be good to myself. To pay attention to the items on the list that remind me of my whole being. That serve me well. To not get caught up in perfectionism (which is really, really hard when one notices black gunk (mold) growing around the outer frame of one's house windows. Bleach would work wonders... Alas, I only have three more days!! I'll be back to my under achieving self really soon. And let's be honest, that's when the real practice comes into play.
Oh motherhood, oh life, you have so much to teach me, still.
Next week, we are traveling to Louisiana. June has been so full! Yet, it hasn't felt like a good ole lazy summer yet. I'm really looking forward to July and August ( I don't know if I've ever said that before living in Texas). But I am. As much as I've savored and adored my alone time this month, I'm looking forward to those long hot days full of not so many obligations with Beatrix. Maybe some time at the pool. Maybe some art time on the porch. Some window shopping on the square. Some afternoons at the library. Some hibiscus tea brewing in the sun. Some more of the yummy, homemade chocolate popsicles we made a few weeks ago. Some family breakfast time with the happy sunshine pouring in through the windows.
Oh summer, oh Texas, it's going to be a good season.
xo,
Nichole
i love this. i love your honestly, and the way you shared it. i love my alone time too. i truly feel that i NEED it. the quiet. the quiet is so nice. some days i feel i go through the whole day with noise in my head... it's so hard to really stop and think with constant noise around you. i know some moms who seem to thrive on busy and chaotic. not me. i need slow, and i need quiet. :)
p.s. i love peeking into your lovely thoughtfully decorated home. it is always inspiring to get a glimpse :) thanks for sharing!
Posted by: jenny | June 26, 2015 at 11:52 AM
oh that shop looks incredible! I'd love to go poke around inside there with you. I signed up for their email list to be notified when the online shop opens. next time you're in our neck of the woods we'll have to go to Villagers- it's another wonderful shop, though much more just kitchen and homesteading and home goods.
love the photo of your dining table- what pretty light.
and goodness don't feel guilty about enjoying that alone time! I thrive on it, and definitely need it. I think too often we (parents, moms) go through a day without many opportunities to finish a thought or go deeper in our wonderings..... and I think ample time to do just that can feed us in so many ways.
xoxo
Posted by: amanda | June 29, 2015 at 09:32 PM
I love all your photos! but the window felt so nostalgic yet in the moment for me. That's summer for me! Thank you. And you have a poetic way. So lovely.
Posted by: Ruth | June 30, 2015 at 05:44 PM
Thank you Jenny! It's so important to find ways to practice that self care! I'm not always so good at it, but it's something I'm really trying to hone in on it. Always a process isn't it?
Posted by: Nichole | July 03, 2015 at 09:27 PM
Our list of places to visit together is getting mighty long. We are due don't you think? Hm....how to make it happen? We can do it!!
Posted by: Nichole | July 03, 2015 at 09:29 PM
Thank you so much Ruth!! Do you have a blog or IG? I'd love to know you more! :)
Posted by: Nichole | July 03, 2015 at 09:29 PM
Gorgeous photos...truly. I just would love to visit your home. Everytime I see your photos it just really makes me swoon. I don't see you in my IG feed anymore...makes me wonder if somehow you are not there anymore. I need to check.
And yes.. all mama's need time to themselves. It's a must.xoxo
I would love to see you over here if you feel like joining my giveaway: http://www.ladycordelia.com/my-blog/2015/07/this-is-summer-and-a-giveaway.html
Posted by: ladycordelia | July 06, 2015 at 05:57 PM
I've been taking a sort of break from reading blogs for the past year or so (trying to cut back on internet time in general but Facebook still has its claws in me ugh), and I have to say yours is the only one I have missed. :) So lovely. I really enjoyed catching up on what your little family has been up to for the past year. I feel like we are in similar places of upheaval and big changes and trying very hard for self care amidst it all. Can't wait to check out The Way to Start a Day!
Posted by: Megan | July 22, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Hi Megan! It's great to see you here again. I know what you mean about the computer time...I cut back on posting over the past year for similar reasons, but I do miss the connection with friends like you.
Posted by: Nichole | July 26, 2015 at 02:44 PM
Hi Cory! I'm still on Instagram. My name is nichole_livefree (I think that's it..:)) I follow you there! Thanks for the love! My yard is actually looking quite brown and crispy right now, which is pretty typical for late July in our parts. I'm hoping the huge El Nino they are predicting brings rain to CA. We were very, very wet the first six months of this year, so now it's your turn to get some relief from these constant droughts. Congrats on the album success. You are such an inspiration!
Posted by: Nichole | July 26, 2015 at 09:18 PM