For the first time this year I have slipped in to the zone of a ‘Slow Watch’.
My stay here may only last 24 hours 😉 but I intend to luxuriate in every nano second of it :
doors wide open to gentle breeze, soft sun, and cicada song;
table full- laden with gifts from friends and garden;
Gifts from garden and friends
the noisy, bustling, tilted world of recent weeks,
Busy
restrained, then replaced by sweet moments
Sweet bites
of the rightful order of a steady, subtlety silent, tick by tock.
The Rightful Order
With thanks to Nath at Beautycalypse for introducing me to the reframing of time via the Slow Watch.
https://beautycalypse.com/2017/02/26/productivity-and-sleep/
© silkannthreades
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Love the reference to the slow watch…I really want one of those!
It’s great, isn’t it! I suspect Zoey the Cool Cat has known about them for years. 🙂
tick- tock—- just paddling across that vast ocean to be sure the recent rains have not washed you away…
i’m back in the cloud forest, about 4+ hour drive from the coast, and am preparing to move to a new location – the reservoir/’poza honda’ which ‘feels’ like a smart place to put down new roots. very small community. sweet locals/neighbors, abundance of small-farm-vegetable crops.. climate is nice, fresh pure spring water, tamarind/papayas/citrus/ – it’s greener than the coast yet not as rainy as the cloud forest —- and i think basically removed from the shifting coastal plates as well as volcanic activity… you, of course, understand my choices.
We are not washed away yet! But another deluge is on the way. The first rain drops have arrived. Your new location sounds ideal. I can see you blossoming there already. 🙂
I look forward to getting in one place.. Today I’ve been rolling white paint on a three-meter long piece of canvas — it was like playing twister in a cramped space!
May the rains go around you….
I am intrigued!
I now buy vinyl fabric for covering office furniture, etc, and then turn it over and use the fabric-backed ‘other side’ for my paintings.. I buy it per meter at 4 dollars a meter, and first roll at least three coats of good quality latex house paint.. I will be using part of this ‘batch’ to paint an extra large prototype for an environmental ‘game board’ for a friend who will present it to a conference in puerto rico in a few months… game as in ‘monopoly’ or ‘chutes and ladders’ but with mountains and mangroves and such….
What a great idea.
I also use this fabric many times when someone asks me to do a small mural – i paint at home, under better conditions, and it’s mounted to the wall then ‘tromp l’oil’ touches to expand it a little… and if the people move, they can take the art with them!
I like that idea. It’s great to have easily portable art.
I had never looked at the link at the end of the post. Very interesting. I found the one habit I need to implement is scheduling only half a day! I also love the hue timer, a gentle reminder to shut down the computer. 😀
Let me know how you get on with that. I think it’s an excellent habit.
Just looking at the produce makes me feel healthy and relaxed. I hope you are still taking things easy.
I wish I were, Zambian Lady. Life seems to have sped out of control these past few weeks. Hardly had time to catch my breath.
Lovely pictures and words. I even can feel the smell of this time of the year, smell of ripe apples, pears and the other fruits.
It’s a wonderful time of year, Alex. Just now, though, we are having our first heavy frosts. Nights are very cold.
It’s a Wonderful World. You have frost and we are suffering from heat (33-35C).
Stay warm and healthy! Enjoy your winter anyway. Just remember Spring will come again! 🙂
There are already signs of spring, even though we are only just entering the coldest month of the year.
Your photos catch the beauty of enjoying the bounty of earth and slowing down in this life. We are having such a wet and cold spring that I am looking forward to the days I can fill my table with my harvest and enjoy an open window:-)
Robbie, it has taken me so long to respond……my apologies. I hope your window is now wide open and the summer goodies are nourishing your body and soul.
I hear you as you speak of moving slow and throwing the windows open. I’ve felt much that way as I’ve released myself from some of my former responsibilities. Your photographs are stunning and lend themselves to the movement of freshness and a lingering of another season to come but a rejoicing of the one you are in now. Beautifully written and photographed.
Thank you, Sheri. It was lovely to hear that you are letting go of some of your former responsibilities. Hopefully you will now have more time to enjoy other activities. There are no windows open here today. We are having a late autumn storm; lots of cold wind and driving rain. I have been having a lazy day though. My biggest activity was making a lemon pudding. 🙂
What a peaceful and restful post for me to sip on before turning off my computer for the night. I also like the suggestion in the link about not overbooking ourselves. It’s especially important for keeping free-time available for creative ventures like flower arranging 😉 and composing blog posts. Coincidentally, I left blank sections in my calendar this week, and my daughter and I have been doing some more girly things together.
Blessings & goodnight/good morning from Canada ~ Wendy ❤
You can tell from my delayed reply that I haven’t been giving enough time to my blogging! Or to myself really. I am taking special note of your blank calendar sections idea. It’s brilliant. Glad you have had some girl time with your daughter, and your Mother’s Day T.I.M.E. out with your children sounded perfect. Blessings. 🙂
Fascinated by this slow watch business. Had to check out the link! I have been thinking about time, how I manage it, how I talk about it (or rather my perceived lack of it), procrastination, etc so much recently. I love the simplicity of this lovely post and feel a little more relaxed just stopping by! x
Glad you found a moment of relaxation in my post, Marisa. I guess you will be feeling that your holiday time has gone by far too quickly. 😦
I do. I always feel like time in general goes too quickly. And I think it’s something I need to look at and “reframe” as it causes me genuine anxiety at times (the kind that wakes me at 4am). Having said that, at least I know it is an issue. I am trying to incorporate meditation as a daily practice. And I love the calmness in all your posts. I always have x
I try to keep my days as calm as possible and as free of time constraints as possible, but sometimes there is rush and chaos. I don’t do ‘busy’ as well as I used to, so I expect that’s a sign of ageing. I like the idea of meditation but am hopeless at doing things on a regular basis, although I am very good at sitting in a chair for half the morning, in my pjs, just gazing out the window; that’s far too easy…..perhaps I can call that meditation! 🙂 Sending calming thoughts and hugs.
Thank you so much! I am feeling far more grounded right now that we are home. And you know what? I suspect that just being is the ultimate for of meditation (not that I am an expert on the matter!) so you can teach me a thing or two. Big hugs to you!
I have had a very ungrounded month and a bit. Today, I finally can sit in the quiet of my own space and reply to you. Hugs. As I write the kitchen clock goes tick tock.
The freshness of the fruits and vegetables seem to mix up with that cool breeze you mention. Very nicely penned, dear Gallivanta…. Have a great week ahead! 😀 ❤
Thank you Aquileana. The breeze is much cooler these days; we can feel winter approaching. The fruit I am harvesting now is the feijoa. https://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/the-pineapple-guava/ Is this fruit familiar to you?
I´ll take a look…. 😀 Happy almost weekend! ⭐
Thank you. Same to you. 🙂
Hi, I’ve just mentioned you in my new post:
https://mybotanicalgarden.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/happy-anniversary/
Hope you like it!
🙂
Tamara
Thank you, Tamara. It’s a pleasure to follow your blog. These days I am really enjoying your art work, too.
Blowing you a kiss 🙂 🙂
Thanks Jo. I caught it. 🙂
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Well, no matter how long you stick around, I enjoy your delightful presence.
Thank you Julie. It’s good to spend time with you, too. 🙂
Fresh produce and slowed down day: that is a very successful combination. It’s nice to read this post and know that you are fine.
Yes, apart from some time consuming house repairs, all is well. Since I wrote my post, autumn has arrived with all its lovely red and golden tones.
Fresh picked pears, apples and tomatoes all during the same time frame…how nice.
It’s very nice; almost like all our Christmases coming at once. 🙂 🙂
From experience we say: “Yummy tomatoes.”
And all the sweeter and yummier when eaten in good company.
Amen.
Amen
Third time reading! Ah, my dear friend – I am so glad that you blog! Hugs coming your way.
Thank you Clanmother. I received them all. 🙂
That looks like good, healthy produce indeed. 🙂
Indeed, Bun.Theharvest season/eating compensates for the days devoted to biscuit or chip eating, or soda drinking. 😀
Such a lovely post. I’ve just visited the link you put up for the watch stop. Fascinating! I love the idea of a day slowed down, mindful, slow and filled with fresh fruit, warm days, and windows thrown open to the outdoors. It’s nice to find your post tonight. xo Alys
It was so lovely, Alys, but since last Friday we’ve been cozied up to heaters, and watching the rain drip and drizzle ceaselessly. The rain is wonderful but I am already missing the sunshine. Another time piece I would like is a sun dial (tho’ like my solar heating it would be useless much of the time, for lack of sun!). Would you like a sun dial? Maybe you have one already.
Oh my, rain and drizzle, eh? How quickly the weather changes. I’ve never thought about having a sundial, but that would be an interesting addition to a garden. I’ve seen some gorgeous sundials in park like settings but they’re quite large. I’m sure I could find one smaller.
Or maybe even a sundial small enough for the fairy garden. 🙂
Oh my goodness! Now you’re talking. Wouldn’t that be fun?
🙂
Well, will you look at that: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/152468431578?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
Oh, so gorgeous! Completely perfect.
🙂
Goodness, those fruits look delicious!
Slow is good. I’m dealing with health issues which have forced me to live life very slowly. While frustrating at times, it also allows me to see and appreciate things differently and more deeply.
Have you read “The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating”? I think you might enjoy it.
Phew. I have found your comment. I had managed to make it disappear! I haven’t read the book you mention but I know of it. Gentle reading is wonderful, but sometimes even reading is tiring if one’s health is compromised. I hope your strength and well being improve with the coming spring. Sending lots of hugs, and lots of good vibes from my yummy health giving tomatoes
Thank you for the well wishes – I accept them gratefully!
🙂 🙂
welcome back, Lady-G… and btw, may I have some of those gorgeous and yummy fruits and veggies, please-SVP!!! 🙂 thanx-merci d’avance! ❤
Wonderful post .. I would be slowing down too, enjoying those beautiful gifts from your garden and friends 😃
It looks as though your garden is producing abundantly, too. It’s a wonderful time of year ( hope you have been spared the excessive rain, though.)
We needed rain 😃but we can do without the wind!
Indeed! Sounds a bit dire. 😦
I am trying (hoping) to slip into that zone after the hustle and bustle of the past two weeks. I wish you a long and comfortable stay there – amid your wonderful table with gifts to enjoy!
And I wish you a smooth sliding into that Slow Watch zone. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Great pictures – I’m virtually enjoying a few moments of slow time as I look at the pictures.
Glad to hear it. 🙂 We have some slow rain today which is great for the garden. Have you done anything about the wristwatch on your blog? My reading suggests its general use really took off about a hundred years ago.
I love the peacefulness of this. That’s true that all we need for happiness is a garden (and friends with gardens)! I’m glad you’re enjoying every second.
Sheila, I am so very fortunate to have a small piece of land full of wonderful things. And even more fortunate to have friends who share their garden produce. And there’s always lots to forage in the neighbourhood at this time of year; I have my eye on some grapes!
Good to see you Gallivanta, I hope you stretched out that period of slowness and enjoyed it – and that you’re enjoying all the bounty of your table.
Andrea, sitting here having some lovely blog time, but your comment about enjoying the bounty reminds me that I am supposed to be cooking some pears for dessert. Must hop to it. Cooking/stewing pears is a lovely quiet activity, too. 🙂 🙂
Love your post, love the slow watch, and especially love the produce on your table. Nice to see your newest post, my friend.
Cynthia, I was starting to think I wouldn’t get even one post out before most of 2017 was over……but I made it. Perhaps eating all those yummy tomatoes gave me essential, inspirational nutrition. 🙂 🙂
Ya never know — maybe the tomatoes worked their magic!
All that lycopene. 🙂 🙂
The words “gifts from garden and friends” are magical; they conjure for me the world I want to live in. The world where we grow, appreciate and share the simple necessities of life with each other. I suspect that time in such a world would be inherently slower and kinder.
I suspect you are right. It would be kinder and inherently slower. Recently I was visiting my sister (and parents) in Cairns. Although we had heaps to do, time seemed to be less dominant, and friends seemed to have a wonderful way of taking care of each other. One of the community was in great need, and this is how everyone rallied around…..https://themundanityofitall.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/community-spirit/ Are you tired of the rain yet?
What a totally wonderful thing to do. I do love that while the “big picture” stuff seems to get scarier and more horrible, everyday life is no less full of goodness and little kindnesses.
I am very glad the rain is over. We have been remarkably unscathed by it, and are even celebrating a little that our water tank is full and our garden refreshed. But so many people have suffered in floods and landslides. The Big T and I had planned to go away last weekend, to Whitianga. I’m glad the accommodation I booked had free cancellation — though sad for the proprietor.
I am glad your water tank is full. I am glad you have a water tank. Is that a requirement in your area? (One of my many wishes is to have a water tank.) Even though we have had quite a bit of rain in the region it hasn’t been enough (yet) to break the drought in North Canterbury. 😦
I wish it was a requirement that houses had water tanks! Our area was quite rural when we moved here, and had a water tank. It leaked and when we renovated the house, we chose to replace the tank and bury the new one so it didn’t take up lots of lawn. It was an expensive option and we for various reasons we got town supply anyway. We use the tank for the garden mainly, but it’s lovely knowing that we a) have water in an emergency and b) aren’t wasting all the rain that falls on our roof. I’ve been wondering if there would be enough rain to break the drought. Hope you get more rain soon (though perhaps not torrential downpours).
Yes, a little more rain would be nice.
Such glorious photos from a beautiful bounty!! I love fruits and veggies…I am of to make a salad now whilst eating an apple! Xo Johanna
Johanna, I usually like to photograph a tidier table, but I couldn’t resist a photo of all the different produce, colours, angles, lines; the bountiful exuberance of it all just made me smile. Fresh salad and apple; one of the best meals ever. I am sure you enjoyed it. 🙂
All that beautiful colourful fruit and veg looks so healthy. I love the serenity of this post, Ann xxx
Thanks Dianne. A couple of weeks ago I was in Cairns market. It wasn’t serene but the variety of produce was wonderful. So much colour, and so many people who obviously love fruit and vegetables.
Such a lot of beautiful and delicious produce! It is so good to slow down and appreciate each moment!
When the weather is just right it’s the best thing to do; make every moment last as long as possible. Today, we have a complete change ~ an autumnal 10 degrees and lots of very welcome rain.
Thank you for sharing your sweet moments Gallivanta. I can feel the slowness, the savouring and the mindfulness in your words and images. May you enjoy more gentle times on the slow watch.
Thank you, Juliet. I haven’t had many gentle times in a while. I realised this weekend how much I had missed them. I loved the huge hibiscus you were holding in your latest video.
Ah, the bounty of the growing seasons…luscious.
It really is luscious; I love that description, Sally.
Before I ever got to the slow watch concept, I was found extremely wanting in the organisation (or not!) of my day! 😦 I think I may have exceeded my allotted time for reading blogs 😦 Woe is me!
I hope serenity lingers beyond 24 hours for you, Ann. 🙂
Jo, miraculously, I still feel serene. 🙂 And, again miraculously, look how much walking, blogging, photographing etc you do in your own disorganised/ organised way. We all need to find the tick tock which works the best for us as individuals.
Good to see you back again, Gallivanta! A bountiful harvest table, and I am glad you are taking time to slow down and enjoy it.
I am, I am, Lavinia. In recent months, I have been slow and sluggish and struggling to motivate myself. Being slow and content is an altogether better state to be in. 😀 Hugs to you and the cats. The latter know all about being in the zone of the Slow Watch. They are expert time managers!
Cats are indeed expert time managers, especially my time! 🙂
Ha! So true. 😀 😀
How did everything taste? It looks delicious from here 🙂
Everything is delicious ( and comes without stomach problems 🙂 ) One day I had tomatoes on toast for breakfast, tomato sandwiches for lunch, and tomato on baguette for supper. Sadly I couldn’t think of a way to have them for dessert!
I love seeing all of your gorgeous produce! We are SO over winter here. We get a CSA box every week from a farm, and it’s been all potatoes and root veggies for some time. Ready for more variety and sunshine! 😉
It will be our potato and root veggie time soon enough. Would you believe we are a bit over kale and other leafy greens? And the garden just keeps on producing the green stuff. 😀 The CSA boxes are a great idea, aren’t they!
I miss greens! We get kale year-round here, but the kale has been pretty sad the last two months. Love CSA’s…we’ve been doing that for about a year now.
I haven’t tried to grow kale year-round. It will be interesting to see if we can keep it going through the winter. I have managed to keep arugula going year round which is very handy for a quick salad.
Arugula sounds so good! We should start to see that soon. Love arugula salads…you barely need any ingredients to pull off an awesome one. 🙂
My favourite arugula salad is just arugula with apple, walnuts and lemon. Crunchy crisp apples, of course. 🙂
That’s a nice harvest you have there!
It’s a beaut, Mrs P. Did you notice how much the bugs are enjoying it too? We have to be particularly careful when we bite into the apples, in case our teeth behead a critter. 😀
Yikes! Taking care of everyone, eh?
Oh yes, we have to take care of the wildlife. 😀
I read about the slow watch twice, and still couldn’t make sense of its value. Of course, I haven’t worn a watch since about 1990, so perhaps I’m not a good candidate for such a thing,
On the other hand, your photos, your words, and the sheer fact of your presence here are a delight. The abundance on your table is a reminder that less is not always more. Sometimes more is what’s needed: more time, more laughter, more love. There’s never too much of those.
I want to cry. I just deleted a long reply to your comment! Let me try again. I find the history of the wrist watch very interesting. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/05/history-wristwatch-apple-watch/391424/ It seems that within the context of the history of time keeping, the wristwatch is no more than a passing fad. When it comes to not wearing time on your wrist, one could say that the weight of history is on your side. I rarely wear a watch now, except occasionally as a piece of jewellery or for sentimental reasons eg today I am wearing my grandmother’s gold watch. My mother hasn’t worn a watch in years. But she does like to have a small clock within easy view. Interestingly, the time management of her meal consumption improved when I gave her an egg timer at meal times (the one which uses sand). Her meals were eaten within the span of the 5 minute timer. So no more whining and complaining and dragging out her meal eating over 30 mins or more. Meals out of the way she had more time for reading, colouring, singing, bird watching and sleeping. 😀
I know just how you feel. I left a long comment on a blog a couple of weeks ago, and WordPress refused to post it. I tried to go back and copy it and repost, but it had gone “poof.” There never is a way to recapture the feel of a first comment, even if we remember the idea of it. So, there we are.
Still, I appreciate this “new” comment. Like you, I have a couple of sentimental pieces, including my mother’s watch. But I can’t wear jewelry at work because of the danger, and once the habit of not-wearing is established, it simply takes over.
The meal timer is a genius idea. It’s amazing how such seemingly small tricks can improve life. And what memories that egg timer brings back. Who among the under-thirties (under-forties? fifties?) would imagine that we used to use such to cook eggs? Sometimes I’m astonished to realize in how many ways the world has changed. The good news is, we have some control over our personal worlds. I may look for an old-fashioned egg timer.
I do hope you find an egg timer. I regret I didn’t buy one for myself. I don’t really need one but the way the timer works is so gentle and soothing, unlike other modern timers I have which beep and buzz, and harass if I don’t attend to them immediately
How good to see you again! And what beautiful bounty to share with us all! ❤
It’s good to be back and in a better frame of mind.
The Slow Watch is an interesting twist! I hope, however you’re keeping time, it’s all adding up to a relaxing, meditative, restorative break!
I love the Slow Watch concept (and look) but these days I hardly ever wear a watch, so I doubt I can justify buying one. 😦 Today was supremely restorative. 🙂
I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around ‘smallest time is fifteen minutes’, but I’ll work on it.
Give it time! Actually the Slow Watch made me wonder about military and aviation watches. Do you remember if your father had a military watch? Were watches standard issue? It seems as though military watches were very good quality.
Yes, I do remember him him mentioning a watch – and an old stand-by Zippo lighter! He taught me how handy a P-38 opener was – they do come in handy!!
The P-38 opener looks extremely handy! I must ask my father about that one.
I went on-line after our conversation and bought one to replace the one that was stolen.
Excellent!
With those conditions, I would want to slow down the time as much as possible.
Indeed, YC, I didn’t want the day to end. Today has been equally beautiful. 🙂
What a truly wonderful way to reframe time and slow down. Love it! ❤ 🙂
Have a relaxing weekend. x
It was a blissful weekend, Dina. Now I am recharged for the busy week ahead. 🙂
Good to read! Wishing you a lovely start.<3
Thank you, Dina.
Beautiful! I could feel myself relaxing just by reading your post – the power of this important message. X
And I was so happy to have stretched my day enough to allow a small catch-up on your blog.
It’s always a pleasure to have a visit from you. 🙂 x
One day you may get the real thing!
Oh, what a wonderful thought – can’t wait! 🙂 x
I was given a wonderful old photo of my great grandmother on board ship for her trip back to Scotland. Can you imagine her excitement to be going home? She arrived in NZ in 1875. I think she travelled back to Scotland nearly half a century later. It must have been a dream come true for her. So I will not give up on my dream!
What an amazing story and how fabulous to have that precious photograph. So important to keep hold of our dreams – “the biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams” ~ Oprah Winfrey 🙂
Many of my dreams (little and few as they were) have been mercilessly squashed over the years, but this last weekend was about as close as I have come lately to living the life of my dreams. 😀 😀
The stuff of life – there is always another moment in which we can live our dreams… 🙂 x
Indeed, and your dream trip is coming closer…….
Yes, can’t wait!
🙂 🙂
Such a beautiful glimpse into a lovely day and such abundant harvest 😉
Yes, this is a bountiful time of year. The tomatoes are from our own garden, and they are full of sunshine and deliciousness. I can’t stop eating them!
Garden goals and garden envy!!!
Nath, we have had a friend staying with us for several months. She’s a keen gardener, and I must confess much of the garden bounty is the result of her diligence in the garden.
What wonderful fruits from the earth lovingly arranged with vibrant colours. Is that not a wonderful time to be extra thankful! I can see you making delicious miracles out of it. Enjoy!
Ute, everything tastes so good at harvest time. And, yes, this evening I made a pear crostata. Pure delight. 😀
Love your luxuriating and letting us peep in!
It’s been a blissful day, A-Christine. I have been missing my gentle times.
♥