After a day, or even a morning for pete sake, of creating homemade food, there is also this. This is the part we don't always show each other, leading to all kinds of feelings of inadequacy and such since, being human, we compare.
So here it is...and this is a regular occurrence around here. Total mayhem. Dishes and food and left overs and half finished projects everywhere. This is just one room of it, too.
I choose this because I love making food more than I love a pristine house. Most evenings when it reaches midnight and I'm still putting it all back together, I make a new plan for tomorrow...fewer projects, finish what I start. Then tomorrow comes, I gulp some coffee, we all feel rumblies in our tumblies, and it begins again. I can't seem to help it. I don't want to help it. Yes to food production and creative expression on the domestic arts front and no to perfect order.
Every moment we make a choice. Being present with our children. Paying attention to small beauties.Breathing more deeply. Stretching to say hello to our bodies. Playing and laughing and telling the truth. Creating.
What are you choosing each moment? If it is what you truly want, then let the rest just fall away.
thank you so much for this line of posts. i love that you are so willing to open up and show us the "real" you. i totally related to this post and the blog envy posts. i also love cooking and baking every day, but it does wreak havoc with my need for clean surfaces... we have a quote in our house, "you're not really cooking until you're making a mess!"
Posted by: Jennifer | June 01, 2010 at 07:17 PM
that's the whole thing, mary. if you love to clean then DO that! we can each choose what we most love and follow that to wherever it leads us. when natalie saw this post she realized that she does not want to live in a house that is that messy and that is why she doesn't make as much food during the day. it is a relief to remember that you are choosing what you are choosing because that is what you actually love. when i walk into someone's beautiful, clean and organized home, i do a double check because my first thought is...oooooh. i want this. but then, when it comes down to it, i guess i don't want clean as much as i think, otherwise i would be unloading the dishwasher right now and instead i am delighting in writing to you!
Posted by: kris laroche | June 01, 2010 at 05:23 PM
I like the part of "just let the rest fall away". I'm always cleaning...i have to stop.. how can i stop my love to clean??
Posted by: Mary Leveque | June 01, 2010 at 02:08 PM
It is quite amazing the mess and clutter that blossoms and then gets tucked away, sometimes MULTIPLE times a day in our house.
I try and keep the perspective of how lucky I am to be staying home with my kids, creating, watching them create and yes, cleaning up.
Posted by: 6512 and growing | June 01, 2010 at 02:02 PM
interesting timing in this one. i constantly struggle with balancing my interest in cooking and making things from scratch, while having two young children, and my interest in having a home that does not feel chaotic and just plain overwhelmingly out of control. add on to that a partner who really struggles to feel calm and at peace when our home is torn apart by projects. i don't have an answers - i am just saying it is something on my mind.
Posted by: robin (woowoomama) | June 01, 2010 at 10:54 AM
This really nourished my soul and refocused my priorities. Being forever deathly embarrassed of mess, this inspires me to loosen my grip- and keep on loosening, for the sake of what I hold more dear.
Posted by: Rachel | June 01, 2010 at 05:49 AM
Yes, why do we hide "our work?" This shows me how you were active in your kitchen to nourish your family with food... then the family came before cleaning up. Isn't how that ought to be?
Thank you for sharing and putting it into perspective for me.
Posted by: Jenniesmith@gmail.com | June 01, 2010 at 05:11 AM