Tuesday, February 12, 2013
By 6am most of the water was mopped up, the washing machine was onto its second load and we were drinking tea and eating marmalade toast...not all bad. We talked about the 'stuff' that we keep stored in the garage, the things we don't use but should keep, attachments. There are piles of novels read long-ago and I'm wondering what to do with them all. They say a house without books is a home without soul but I'm pretty sure we don't need a library to justify the goodness in this abode. Still, I can't resist flicking through past reads and finding that paragraph, the one that made me stop and consider and take notes (the everyday luxuries before-children).
This afternoon I'm drinking my fourth cup of tea, counting days on my bamboo/cotton calender (it's soft and delicate like rice paper) and lounging in comfy clothes. Tonight I'm going to make chicken with ginger, garlic and tamari and later on I'll bake banana bread. Tomorrow? Pumpkin soup and humble summer broccoli pasta will hopefully get me through the list of work, over twenty stories long (three deadlines are overlapping this month).
I hope your week is turning out to be a good one.
me, in a tea-induced daze, wearing everyday yoga gear including knit bolero c/o pantheia.
47 COMMENTS
my home was flooded (1.5metres) in March last year. Having only just moved back home, after 10 months of having very little in the way of our possessions (which where mostly evacuated) we have very much minimalised our stuff. There is no way I want to deal with that much next time we evacuate - most of the things to go where my "props" stuff I'd make vignettes with around the house, things I thought where cool but really, upon reflection, held very little significance to us. Hope everything has cleaned up alright! *s*
ReplyDeleteOh no! My flood story seems insignificant in comparison. I suppose when it comes to flood/fire it's easy to figure out what is most important. Vignette pretties? - no! x
DeleteOh no! Does your garage flood often? I'm glad you got everything dry again and that the washing machine is having a workout. We have too many books as well, I don't know if there is a simple answer to the "stuff" debate. Maybe giving things away..
ReplyDeleteIt gets a little wet often but today was an entirely new level. I'm thinking of keeping a small bookshelf of my favourite reads...and going to the library more often when I want something new x
Deleteyou might be in a tea-induced haze but for some reason I especially love that photo of you, you are beautiful =)
ReplyDeleteHave recently had to deal with flooding in our shed just after moving house due to recent flooding here on the Sunshine Coast. While we got of v lightly compared to many who have lost everything, it was at least a week of sorting and throwing out and decisions and exhaustion etc and a considerable amount of frustration and sadness. Lost a lot of books and photos and paperwork and clothing and furniture etc (huge mould problem too with the humidity that came with the flooding). Hard work physically and emotionally but at the end of the day I have to say so so glad to be getting rid of "stuff". Paring back to basics is a big goal from here on in. Had thought we had done a lot of culling pre-move as we have downsized to a much smaller house and trying (like so many others) to cut back on costs and live more simply in many ways but you know there is always more to get rid of, pass on, find a better home for. Loss like this certainly does make you reflect on what you really need and want to be surrounded by. I hope you and "Shine Little Light" above and anyone else going through similar gets through it all without too much hardship. While it has been good it has not been easy and my heart goes out to those who have been through a lot more than what we faced.
ReplyDeleteOh Michele, what a challenge. I should point out that our flood was absolutely nothing compared to your experience. It probably wasn't even worth the mention. But yes, it does make you stop and really consider what you 'need' and then to keep what you most treasure x
DeleteOh what a shame about the garage. It's amazing how a cup of tea can soothe your soul. Hope you all get a good night's rest tonight.
ReplyDeleteP.S You have also inspired me to make summer broccoli pasta at our house tomorrow night. P.S.S Do you have a good recipe for banana bread? We tried an amazing one in Tasmania a few weeks ago with Belgium Chocolate through it. Naughty but oh so delicious x
I make Bill Granger's bb - it makes two loaves and stays moist for a good week or so. I use brown or raw sugar as opposed to caster and usually halve the amount x
Delete- http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2009/03/bill-grangers-m.html
This is so pretty
ReplyDeleteladies in navy
Thanks Jodi. Sleep well x
ReplyDeleteYou look so serene - before i read the story i thought you'd just come back from a yoga practice!
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is very lovely. In my head, I pictured it entirely different, so that photo is especially interesting. So many things to look at, such a feeling to soak up.
ReplyDeleteMy best,
Jo Farmer
I would like to clear up that in my head it was just as lovely, albeit different. I didn't have a mental image of you with an unattractive kitchen. Sometimes I read over things and realize I've left out very necessary words.
Deletehehe, I didn't read your original comment like that at all. There are lots of things I would change about the kitchen and in order to make a small chane I am considering putting up one or two shelves to house the glass jars and canisters that I'm accumulating. But then I remember that it is what it is - there is a pretty window, a kettle, an abundant fruit bowl. I can't complain x
DeleteWe've signed papers for a new place come May... once I saw the window above the sink I was sold. The rest of the apartment is wonderful, but it was that window above the sink that left me dreaming of herb pots along that sill, the whole room and everything I cook bathed in morning light.
DeleteWe suffered water damage in the recent floods and storms here in Brisbane, and amongst all the hours of clean up and salvage I felt so... wasteful. And ashamed of how much stuff had been accumulated over time with neither rhyme nor reason. We can't put things back yet as we're still dealing with wet floors, damaged walls and construction, but I am going to listen to the universe this time, and keep only what contains memories, is purposeful, or which I love. So much excess. How it builds over time! There will be many charity bags. I hope you didn't sustain too much damage x
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your house river. Where did your lovely calendar come from please? :o}
ReplyDeleteHi Emma, it was a gift but the artists can be found at dearmingus.com (I noticed the webstore isn't working so perhaps email them for more details) x
DeleteThanks Jodi :)
DeleteSo sorry to hear that. Worrying and stressful. Hope the water doesn't return and you get a deservedly good nights sleep x
ReplyDeleteOh what a yucky jolt into the day! Glad that you muddled through it all. I like to think of our books as a "moving" library. We pass some on to others, we find a a much sought after title from a beloved author at the op shop, we lend some to friends, they lend some to us. Books like to migrate I'm sure of it ;)
ReplyDeleteWe make Bill's banana bread too. Try using coconut sugar...it is lovely and one of the best sweeteners so I've been told. Early night tonight :) x
I feel a little jealous that your other half can take such serene photos, it would be nice to have these to look back at yourself on!
ReplyDeletexx
You. Are. Just. Too. Pretty. x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you can see the good this morning. I don't know that I would be so calm or peaceful after choas in the middle of the night! Hopefully lots of good things happen the rest of the day and that large amounts of tea bring forth the energy you need. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a happy day!
Sarah xo
what a way to start your morning ;(
ReplyDeletelove seeing the everyday yoga gear. glad to know i'm not the only one who wears it everyday.
xo
oh no! so glad you got it all mopped up. tea saves me on days like that :)
ReplyDeleteJodi, I'm so sorry about your garage! I can't even imagine... especially at that hour :/ Hoping the rest of your week proves to be a little less flooded x
ReplyDeleteOh, I wonder that about our own possessions in the garage, every time I pull in the car! Sorry to hear about the flood!
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous in that photo! What are you favorite yoga leggings, if you don't mind my asking?
that is a beautiful calendar! you look beautiful in that "tea" pic...
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about the mini flooding, that used to happen a lot at my parents house and I know it is a heavy work trying to get it all clean and dry...
Wow Jodi you look stunning! Bare feet, I cannot wait for that. Its slippers and socks weather here. I have recently culled a lot of things, books included. Some very precious ones I have kept, I think a home will have soul if it is loved and the people who live there are loved... not books. xx
ReplyDeleteI love that picture of you, Jodi. Such a beautiful mama and moment!
ReplyDeleteoh i love your blog. i should comment more...i'm disappointed in myself that i don't. these pictures are lovely. i have the same problem with books, but i've sort of half-solved it by keeping a very beautiful journal, where i write down what i wish to remember from novels. that way, i can get rid of some, if i can stand to that is.
ReplyDeleteTea. It's a must in situations like this :) Marmalade toast isn't bad either :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a good breeze to get the washing dry.
a whole lotta beauty despite the bad. xx.
ReplyDeleteThe downstairs level of our house has flooded a couple of times, since we have rented this house. So I feel your pain. When we moved in, it took two trailer loads to move all of my books. I realised it was becoming silly. So I donated all most all of the novels to a woman's shelter. I could part with all of my non-fiction. So still have a huge collection of books. But I got Kindle given to me when I was pregnant, so now my novels are all in one tiny light space.
ReplyDeletehttp://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about your garage getting flooded by rain water. I hope not all is lost : )
ReplyDeleteI love nothing more then lying in bed listening to the rain. Hubby had just prepped the backyard for some new grass so he was very heartbroken that his new grass was not already in. Sorry to hear your garage was flooded.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your garage...
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with all your deadlines, Jodi.
(Also, you look gorgeous.)
Ronnie xo
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope everything is dried up now. Hang in there!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about river at you garage. I am thinking about your books. Some time ago I cooperated with the company who deals with drying documents. It was in Poland - thousand miles from you. I agree with you - house without book is deprived from soul. Peaceful week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pensive shot of you Jodi! Sorry to hear about the water damage, hope it has all dried up well x
ReplyDeleteAh the deadlines. They are never-ending. And I just can't get rid of books. I can streamline and downsize everything but the printed word. I've stopped trying :)
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ReplyDeleteYou look incredibly thoughtful and beautiful in this picture here Jodi, despite the lack of sleep (it doesn't show). I'm sorry to hear that your garage flooded. We experienced a similar problem in the aftermath of Cyclone Oswald a few weeks ago. After moving into a new, furnished home, all of our belongings were crammed into the garage. Although it didn't flood, the constant humidity from the incessant rain caused most of our belongings to go mouldy. It was devastating to sort through loved items to find they were ruined. I hope that hasn't happened to you. On the (very large) plus side, we've been able to simplify our lives by recycling, donating and bidding farewell to a lot of things, which in itself is quite uplifting.
ReplyDeleteAll the best.
Bella @ Sea and Salt
xxx
Oh my goodness! That's crazy! Hope everything has settled down a bit - can't believe what beautiful photos you have in between all the water!
ReplyDeleteThat photo of you is so very beautiful and dreamy x
ReplyDelete