Lately, with the busyness of work and a side project under wraps, nothing has rivaled the anticipation of unplugging on weekend mornings. Turning the ringer off the house phone, shutting off my mobile, and leaving the alarm unset has been, well, blissful. And there isn’t anything better in my books than an unscheduled weekend. So, when Number Four called me on Saturday from his dad’s and asked if I was free to have lunch with him, it felt incredibly good to simply say yes. No cancelling or moving around of plans required, just an all-out yes to my boy.
I spent the rest of the weekend in tinker-and-putter mode. I’ve wanted a tray for my lovely, old soaker tub for a very long time. And having seen how outrageously over-priced they are, I decided to make my own by re-purposing a pine shelf. After cutting it to size, I gave it two coats of all-in-one stain and polyurethane leftover from my drafting table re-do. To prevent the tray from sliding and plunking into the tub, I screwed two small blocks of wood to the underside at each end, to meet the walls of the tub—and presto, it was rock steady. With re-purposing on the brain, I pulled out the vintage invoice/memo holders I found at my favourite, new shop in town and put them to use above my drawing table. Small projects are hugely satisfying when time is scarce!
The weekend wrapped up as spontaneously as it began, with a dinner invitation from friends who I’ve been sorely missing, despite the fact that we’re neighbours. Having the chance to hang out with their three-year-old (who is all things divine) and tuck into food that someone else made (with heaps of love and care) was such a treat for this cook!
So, between the cups of tea and reading, the tinkering, puttering and the eating, I managed to avoid the laundry-doing and grocery shopping—until tonight, that is.
I hope the weekend gave you a chance to unplug as well!
photos by: bliss {in images}
I needed your post today.
My week has been fraught with busyness and stressful situations and illness and finally today I’ve been able to sit and breathe and go outside in the sunshine and read beautiful things like this. Thank you for reminding me that it is as essential to un-schedule as to schedule. XO
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This post makes me want to relax… a much-needed relaxation indeed!
Just looking at the images feels like a mini-vacation, that is why I LOVE this blog!
Thank you, Sally. Blogland can definitely be a great destination for a mini-vacation!
Dearest Jacquie,
Just finishing dinner, a salad inspired by your teachings of flavour and ingredient combos, and homemade lemon bread with a cuppa tea. Sat down to read my email and there was a new entry from your blogsite. I was so tickled to see it that I savoured the anticipation of reading it by saving the best for last. It was like having this delicious chocolate or treat waiting but wanting to make sure conditions were ideal to enjoy every last morsel. I’m so happy that I chose to save your message ’til last for it was ever so delicious to read and look at. You make the everyday special by your choice of the details and your own special brand of loveliness. Thanks for sharing that beauty that often takes my breath away or giggle with glee.
Heather
Awe, shucks!! It’s such an amazing feeling to know that you anticipate reading my blog posts! Thank you for that (and so much more). There are definitely a few blogs in my Google Reader that make my heart leap when I receive an update. And I always save them ’til last!
i need one of those for my tub!!!!!!! how cozy and wonderful it all is!
A little bit of luxury for less than ten dollars. Now that’s my kind of decadence.
Beautiful… as always
And also a lovely and timely reminder for me… for the past few weekends, I have allowed the week’s word to bleed into the weekend and… that’s not so good. I know this, but I sometimes forget.
Your post has strengthened me in my resolve to wrap things up for the week and allow myself a true “week end” this week. Perfect timing, as we are actually booked for a train ride down to Sudbury and I will have the luxury of a few days of … poking about… while my sweet Raggedy Man is off working. Who knows, I may even find me some Thrift Stores to explore. And, of course… I mostly look forward to….RUNNING WATER cuz that means bubble baths for Pammie! Wheeeeeeee!
Have a great week.
go easy ~p
Sometimes it feels like a luxury to have weekends off and to have that boundary between work and the rest of life. I’ve worked plenty (!) of weekends over the years and my preference is always to have a “real” weekend. In fact, I think we’d all be a whole lot healthier and happier if the work week were better balanced and a three-day weekend was the norm. I hope you have a fantastic time away. Train rides are the best (I like to bring food though. Breaking the bank for a few measly peanuts in cellophane is ridiculous!). And yes, running water and thrift stores—honestly, what could be better?!
If only I could figure out how to unplug my two corgis!
When you crack that code, please let me know. Crossing fingers that it’s transferable to felines …
I so love your blog. I discovered it when I chose the same Book Lit design for my blog. I just love it here. Your images are beautiful. Love your art.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I’m so glad to have you here! x
Such beautiful images!
Thanks so much, Jennifer! x