Life has been slowing down a lot in our little part of the world. We try to lead a pretty slow, simple life most of the time, but lately our days seem be to even slower, and we are really enjoying them.
I have been waking with the sun most mornings, long before the alarm clock goes off. There has been quiet mornings on the back deck listening as the world around me comes alive. There has been time for me to just sit and be, cup of tea in hand and enjoy the moment. It has been wonderful for my mind and soul.
The call comes from the bedroom to interrupt this moment but that is okay, the day is ready to be started. And those days, our days, have been filled with simplicity. Visits to my parents so Reece can ride his bike on the bike path, the same one I frequented as a child. He stops every so often to check for tadpoles in the creek, to smell a flower or notice a snail on a leaf. I follow along, happily, watching as he takes in his world.
On another day we packed up the backpack and hit one of our favourite trails for a hike and picnic. It was hot and we were the only ones around. We had lunch on a look out tower overlooking Lake Ontario and then we walked down to the rocky shore where we both collected rocks. Reece looked for the biggest ones and I looked for smaller ones that caught my eye. We spent a lot of time there, listening to the water lapping against the shore, watching the swans and ducks, collecting far too many rocks and just enjoying the peace being close to the water brings. We hiked back out through the meadow, laughing, running, and enjoying each other.
A little drizzle on Saturday had me getting ready for lunch inside, but Reece would have nothing to do with that, he moved all the gatherings for lunch to the table on the front porch. As we ate, we heard a little commotion over by one of the bird nests in our backyard. I quietly headed over and was surprised at how much the little birds had grown in just a few days. It seemed that both mama and daddy were calling to their little ones, and the next thing I knew one of the birds flew off. I called Justin and Reece to join me and from a distance we watched as the next three birds flew from their nest joining their mama and daddy. The three of us stood their smiling, grateful for the chance to witness this amazing first for these little chipping sparrows.
Many of our days are spent at home doing the things that makes us all happy...gardening, making, playing, reading, watching tadpoles grow (they have legs now), swinging, enjoying after dinner walks, and spending time together. It feels good and is making for some really slow, simple days that fill us up and leave us grateful for this life and the journey we are on.
So beautiful, Kim! The simple and the small things usually are the most special and beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee. You are so right :)
DeleteI'd like to know what you pack for lunches when you are out and about, do you keep them cold? or are they granola creations? Just curious! I wake with the sun as well, and enjoy a quite morning. I love having no alarm clocks :)
ReplyDeleteOur lunches usually revolve around nuts and seeds, hummus and crackers, raw veggies, fruit, some rice cracker sandwiches (as Reece calls them) with pumpkin seed butter, jam and hemp seeds, popcorn, water and a little dark chocolate :)
DeleteWhat gorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie :)
DeleteSounds like you are having wonderful days. Everything looks so beautiful where you are too. Wishing you a great week Kim! :)
ReplyDeleteWe are Tiffany. Thank you!
DeleteThe birds in the nest at our house also took off already. Gladly, it takes human babies a bit longer to stay with Mama and Papa till they take off on their own :)
ReplyDeleteSounds absolutely lovely! We live 5 miles from the shore of Lake Ontario (in western New York) and I am looking forward to many quite afternoons spent there as a family, once the big push of getting the garden in, situating summer housing for livestock and cutting hay is done over the next week or two. Your simple moments are beautiful, enjoy! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is such a peaceful place to be, enjoy it once all that work is done. Thank you!
DeleteLove, love love! Simplicity and rhythm. life is good. :)
ReplyDeleteYou can say that again KC :)
DeleteWhat a great weekend! Our days seem so busy right now, it seems relaxing just to get caught up reading through your posts!
ReplyDeleteThis was actually during the week last week as well as the weekend, and yes it was pretty great :) Happy to help relax you.
Deletelovely. i recall days spent watching tadpoles and poking around in the garden. sounds like good times.
ReplyDeleteVery good times :)
Deletewhat an awesome lake with awesome rocks! it reminds me of my fav lake at grand teton. i don't remember the name. all of our lakes in southeast texas are so murky. blah.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty awesome spot, we take time to visit it often to add to the rock collection :)
DeleteLove your simple days.
ReplyDeleteThanks, me too :)
Delete