taking stock

Everyone’s wondering the same thing: where on earth is this year going? In the next few days the calendar flips over to spring and we venture into a new month and a new season with renewed energy and expectation. But let’s not get carried away. Afterall, it’s only Monday night and we’re still getting used to the new week.

It’s times like this, when I need to slow down and reassess, that I take stock (thanks to Pip for the list). Currently, I’m:

Making : plans for a thorough spring clean.
Cooking : spaghetti bolognese (because it’s Monday night and some habits are too good to change).
Drinking : fermented ginger beer from Nurtured Earth.
Reading: The Secret History. It’s been on my must-read list for years and I’m reaching for it at every opportunity.
Looking: for a new wallet but can’t find one that’s quite right.
Deciding: on what to cook for the coming week.
Wishing: and hoping that a much talked about holiday will come to fruition.
Enjoying: breastfeeding Percy in the late afternoon, a lull before the dinner-bath-bed routine of evening.
Waiting: for the neighbour’s cherry blossom tree to bloom (any day now).
Liking: productive mornings at the library.
Loving: Percy’s dance moves.
Pondering: the cost of living – it’s particularly expensive of late.
Listening: to children squealing as they jump on the bed.
Considering: switching from plastic to glass.
Buying: food – so much food.
Watching: the flame of jam jar candles on the now deserted dinner table.
Hoping: to steal another hour or two before Percy’s cries call me to bed.
Marvelling: at Poet’s persistence; it really is quite something.
Cringing: at the shrieks of squabbling children.
Needing: to wrap myself in wool once the sun sets.
Smelling: warm, spring air.
Wearing: these and looking forward to wearing this.
Following: boyandmoon
Noticing: how relaxed I am after reading, even if it’s only a few pages.
Knowing: that books are good for the soul and my lifespan, apparently.
Thinking: about what to read next. Suggestions?
Admiring: life…because I’m learning to look past the chaos and mess and see the good.
Getting: a grip on how to juggle work and motherhood without succumbing to stress.
Bookmarking: mother, writer, monster, maid
Coveting: quiet moments, a daily coffee, new season avocadoes and roadside freesias.
Disliking: the enormous pile of dishes waiting to be washed.
Opening: too many bills.
Feeling: like a cup of tea.
Hearing: whimpers of a dreaming baby.
Mixing: almond meal with oranges
Slicing: banana bread.
Forgetting: so many things. My mind is a sieve.
Embracing: a nightly skincare routine and it really is working wonders.