A Different Sort of Slow Summer
Folks are always saying that they want a slow and simple life. I think it’s one of the reasons why tiny house + camper living have held the attention of the public in such a tight and tantalizing grip in recent years— the promise of a pared-down life filled with fewer avoidable stresses. The appeal of more time and less noise.
But, as one of Small Space Living’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders, I must say: right now, there is no such thing as slow (at least in the relaxation sense of the word) or simple, no matter the size of your home.
Those who are looking out for one another are either sheltering in their homes for their fifth month, or working in essential positions at their own great risk in order to keep our communities healthy and fed. And while being home is an immense privilege, it’s also an enormous challenge. Even with just one child, the days are exhausting for parents. And as a small business owner, a wave of overwhelm floods every minute of every workday.
This is why our garden-to-kitchen-to-garden habits throughout the summer have been so valuable to me. (Related post: Small Space Gardening to Reduce Anxiety.)
Above: Straw & jar lid from Simply Straws. Jar by Ball.
When we need a momentary a break (from running the business, from parenting around the clock, or from the daunting realities we’re facing as a country), we find ourselves shuffling between the small kitchen and tiny wrap-around garden here a the cottage.
The garden and kitchen have begun to blend together as we clip fruits, vegetables and herbs, tote them inside, prep them in one form or another, then return outdoors to enjoy whatever we’ve made as we escape the heat while beneath the vine canopy. (Related post: Our 2020 Grape Harvest.)
Our neighbors have been making sweet grape juice (which we add to our sparkling water) from this year’s Concord harvest.
Above: Vegan Khala & Co food wrap (to replace single-use cling) drying on the rack.
Meanwhile, Adam has started making jam to accompany his weekly batches of sourdough bread.
Above: Adam’s freshly baked bread.
They’re little indulgences that offer impactful satisfaction. They help us— for a moment— regain that feeling of slow and simple. (The good kind of slow.)
Above: Cherries from our weekly CSA box, piled into a handmade ceramic tumbler by Daniel George of Flying Uke Designs.
