Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch: Simplify

The sun is shining, by midday it will be 70. It's a perfect day to sit on the porch. I'm going to visit Patrice and chat with her, and other blog friends, on her virtual porch. Care to join us? You can link your blog to Patrice's by following the link below, or you can respond to one or more of her questions as comments on my blog. It's always fun to share ideas!

Patrice asks:
  1. Are you planning on doing most of your Christmas shopping in stores, or online?
  2. Have you ever been to a bonfire?
  3. What would "simplifying life" mean to you?
  4. Tell me about one blog you really enjoy reading.
  5. Have you ever had someone who isn't in your family, but felt just like family?
My Responses:

1.  I will do most of my shopping online. I don't particularly care for crowds, so I don't like shopping when the stores offer huge sales - like on Black Friday... shudder! I am thinking our shopping will be a bit easier this year as my side of the family has decided not to exchange gifts. I also plan to simplify shopping for Mr. Dreamy's family by purchasing fewer gifts, opting to buy quality vs quantity.

2. When my kids were teens we hosted a Halloween party for the Church Youth Group. We enjoyed a nice bonfire in our yard, burning all of those branches that had dropped from our pine trees throughout the year.

3. I'm with Patrice - simplifying is doing without all of the gadgets and clutter that seem to collect.  Mr. Dreamy and I have just discussed boxing up things we aren't using and enjoying and donating them to local thrift shops.

4. I follow a lot of blogs. I especially like reading the blogs where I have developed a relationship with the author that goes beyond the blog, where we know about each other's family and pets, where we trade comments or emails. However, there is one blog that I really like, where I don't even 'know' the author. She hasn't posted for a while, and I'm a little worried, since her last post was about depression. But, if you haven't stumbled across Hyperbole and a Half, take a visit and look through some of her posts.

5. Yes, isn't it a nice feeling? Mr. Dreamy's mother had a friend who was just like a surrogate Grandmother to all of us. My best friend, near Detroit, is even better than a sister to me. Our house sitter is also a great friend - and, could actually be our daughter, given our ages!

Everyday Ruralty


6 comments:

  1. 1. I haven't even started thinking about Christmas shopping! I'll probably go to stores, but no Black Friday for me!
    2. I go to bonfires all the time! When we camp, at friend's houses. . .mmmm S'mores :)
    3. Simplifying life would mean getting rid of my cell phone! I love technology, but sometimes, I wish I could live off the grid.
    4. Hyperbole and a Half is hilarious! I laugh so hard, I cry at most posts. I think she said she was working on a book, too. I agree with you, though. I really enjoy the blogs where I have gotten to know the author. Besides this blog :) I really enjoy Halt, Salute, and. . .written by Martine. She is from Ireland, but just moved herself, her husband, her dogs, and her horses to France!
    5. Yes! My best friend since high school is like a family member. There are also a lot of people in my husband's family's lives that are like family to us.

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Did she just say, "No cell phone!" Goodness not that simple...Lol...I agree taking unused gadgets to a thrift store would be a great way to simplify & maybe even bless someone with some caeos ;O) Have a blessed week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, no cell phone! I don't want to be bothered when I am doing certain things, like with my horse, or napping, or whatever. Sure, I could leave it or turn it off, but it's not the same. Then it is like a cloud hanging over me. Crazy, right? lol

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  3. Black Friday makes me cringe - no thank you! We packed up lots of stuff this year and donated it all to Goodwill. It was so freeing! Have a great rest of your week.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't like crowds either. Sounds like Christmas will be very manageable this year. I think ours will be smaller than usual.I look forward to sending more clutter out the door. I can't help but wonder how I even got some of it in the first place. Wendell says HAY! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Are you planning on doing most of your Christmas shopping in stores, or online? Online as much as I can! I hate shopping.
    Have you ever been to a bonfire? Yes many..love them!
    What would "simplifying life" mean to you? I am trying..I need to get rid of lots of "stuff"
    Tell me about one blog you really enjoy reading. Oh I enjoy your blog!
    Have you ever had someone who isn't in your family, but felt just like family? I have several friends who are just like sisters..love them! My girls have both had friends who seems just like our kids because they spent so much time at our house growing up:)

    ReplyDelete

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