Long time no see

Did ya miss me?

I've been offline for a while - it has been supremely busy at work, and by that I mean working until 9 or 10 or later. It's going to be very busy for another two or three weeks, so I may only be posting intermittently in that period. Please bear with me!

Scandinavian-inspired cross stitch snowflakes to edge a new tablecloth

The busier I get at work, the more and more I value in particular my weekends as time when I can really slow down. Getting out of the house for walks, reading an actual physical book (The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot) over pots of tea and indulging in some embroidery really help me recharge my batteries, as does spending some really quality time with my boyfriend and catching up with friends and family by phone or over a coffee.

Herb seedlings

I've mentioned before that when you work long hours in a fast-paced job, things that 'make themselves' are particularly valuable. Soaking dirty whites in baking soda, for example, or hanging laundry on a line, or leaving bread to rise or yoghurt to incubate. After an initial investment of only a few minutes, you have the satisfaction of knowing that even while you are working or sleeping, these activities are ongoing. It helps me feel that home and work life are not totally incompatible. My seedlings have been brilliant in this regard - after the initial planting one evening after supper, my only investment is a splash of water as I rotate the tray each evening, and I get the enormous fun of checking to see how they are growing. The basil is growing the most enormous leaves, the oregano are all unfurling a second pair of tiny leaflets and the one lavender seat that has germinated is racing upwards at an almost alarming rate. At what point should I pot these on?

Wooden bowl/cheese board with coconut oil

How about you? What are your favourite tasks that do themselves?