Eckhart Tolle says that stress is being here and wanting to be there.
I understand that. For most of my life I have wanted to be ‘there’. Wherever there is. But what I do when I’m thinking about ‘there’ is miss what is ‘here’.
This past weekend I was really aware of being ‘here’. It was delicious, delightful and de-lovely.
I’m watching a drama on Four right now called Any Human Heart and it is truly resonating with me. The story of a man’s life and the adventures he has, the people he meets and the loves lost. But it’s the scene where he stands at the river’s edge and speaks of all the different people we become throughout our lives that touches me. I think that now I am a parent I am more acutely aware of passing the baton of life on to another human being or two human beings in my case. It won’t end with Robert and I any more as we have reproduced, don’t ya know! And this oft clichéd circle of life has me thinking.
If I’m not here, in the now, then I’m nowhere. And to be perfectly honest the now is never as scary as one may think it is at first.
This last weekend there was the best coffee in the land in the ‘Now’.
And there were family members in our home for my famous Roast Rib of Beef.
My children had their Uncle Paul to hold them.
And their beautiful Aunt Louise to sit and play and hold them too.
Aunties & Uncles are so important in children’s lives. They fill a different hole especially as the children grow. They may even become confidants and friends. But for now they are as much a part of their formative years as is possible.
Of course when you’re living in the ‘Now’ you have to seize the opportunity to sneak off and have a nap when the aforementioned precious Aunts & Uncles are feeding your children.
I was busted for that act of pure selfishness and sent off out to get the papers.
Have you ever roasted a Rib of Beef? I’m sure you have.
Do you not just LOVE the fact that within moments of putting the joint in to the searing hot oven the smell is already wafting through the air? Of course this means that for the next 90 mins your mouth is watering and every adult needs a bib to catch the saliva but Roast Beef is a true master at building anticipation.
My daughter has a cold at present. This manifested itself in snot, teary eyes and a general sense of her not quite being herself. So the best place for her was with her Mummy. Where she napped in the crook of my arm and felt altogether better for it.
I was present for that.
Thank goodness.
Ned was feeling much perkier and although he is currently facing the very same cold on Sunday he was feeling bright and breezy.
He even managed to fly for a short spell.
And use the phone at the same time of course. Bit of a multi-tasker is our Nedlet.
When he told me that he wanted to catch up on the latest headlines from the weekend I insisted that he rested. Burn out at five months old is so 2009.
My angel. When she awoke from her cold induced sleep Aunty Louise brought her in to the kitchen and built a den for her in the rocking chair.
This is what she observed.
This is the scene she’ll see weekend after weekend for her entire life.
I’ve fulfilled every dream I’ve ever had if this is the case.
Family. Food. Safety. Home. Love.
Making from scratch all that we eat because I love to, not because I have to.
I’m rather sick of anything ‘domestic’ being disparaged and ravaged by people who don’t enjoy it and therefore insist that one must be very lazy or very wealthy to be able to do it.
Do go and take a flying leap is my response to that. Making people a home, feeding hunger and promoting a environment that is one of safety and love is my dream job/life/career whatever you wish to call it. I also happen to think that it is just as helpful to society as a whole as doing anything else. I think you have to be brave when you are deciding what it is you love to do because it may not be the most obvious of paths.
We all need each other.
Treacle Pudding anyone????
They are so happy on her lap.
I love seeing my children with others. Apart from the fact that you can’t really see their faces when you are holding them it is fascinating to see them interact. Especially with people who will know them forever.
So bloody proud of that Yorkshire Pudding. My Nana would be very pleased with me for that one.
And she would have loved the homemade Horseradish.
Babes on laps, wine in glasses, logs on fire.
A well hung piece of meat, blush pink in the middle. Would anyone object if I picked it up by the bone and bit in to it?
Anyone for seconds?
Thirds?
The daylight had faded before we had any room for the steamed pudding which was rather good news as if you eat a pudding such as this in the dark then it has no calories because it’s too dark to see them.
Little known fact that!
I’ll dish it up.
Gosh, it’s late and we’re all so full.
But warm.
And sleepy.
So the dishes can wait until later.
Because Mummy wants another cuddle.
The precious Present. Full of moments that are here and then gone. Never to return.
So if anybody needs me I’ll be in the ‘Now” because I don’t want to miss a thing.
I love you and thank you so much for reading.
Cherry x
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Lovely photos. I was thinking about this very thing the other day when I was getting caught up in the “busyness” of my life. I remembered an old Mac Davis song called “Watching Scotty Grow” which was about his 4yo son. I realized that the season of having my own 4yo children is past, and this present one will be past before I can blink…so I want to enjoy the now too
Blessings,
Marcia
What a heart warming post, Cherry. Everything looked simply divine… the food, the family, the home… all treasured moments in the “now” that have already become sweet memories. As always, you are such an inspiration for living each day to it’s fullest. Thanks for sharing. xoxo
Oh gosh, there are only 2 times of the year when I live in “the now” – the summer holiday, and christmas.
Although I do long the days you depict in your pictures. Having only 5 others in my family (mum, dad, brother, sister, grandma – parent’s only children so no others) I feel christmas will be even more perfect when I have more people to share it with.
(And ach, I’m going to Monmouth on Friday! Only ever tasted their coffee at Coffee@33 in Brighton so can’t wait to have it in their actual shop!)
Lovely Cherry, this post has warmed my heart. I too have read it several times.
Claire xx
oh what a wonderful weekend cherry…
on a very shallow note – where did you get your beautiful sweater?!
much love
vxx
The people who think loving family and home making is a waste of time are probably people who took it for granted. If you didn’t have it as a child it becomes the most precious thing you can pass on to your children. If we all spent more time on our homes and children there would be less unhappiness in the world. Lovely post Cherry. Doesn’t Louise look like Twiggy when she was young.
You are absolutely right, we need to live our own “now”. There are so many things around that distract us all the time that sometimes we forget about our own “now”. Husband, children, family and homes are the most important issues we all have. Christmas is a very good time, I don´t want to miss any second of it, all those magical moments, gatherings, meals, chats, emotions, etc. Have a wonderful day.
You carry on making a lovely life for the people you care about. There’s real pride to be had in creating comfort for your family and don’t let anyone tell you differently. Back when I was a single parent of one tiny daughter and working full time, another mother at the nursery criticised me for ironing my baby clothes and said I obviously had too much time on my hands. This was not in a joking way and I had never had a conversation with her before, she sought me out to tell me. Upset, I confided in a collague, a powerful and effective warm hearted woman. She told me that she grew up neglected by her parents, and that one of the ways she knew was that she and her clothes smelled and other children avoided her at school. She told me to show my child every day how much I loved her by keeping her warm and comfortable and well fed. Well, she was right, it’s worked, and it will for you too. Best wishes.
I feel so motivated when I read your lovely post…& the most amazing yorky pud.. beautiful life x
Warm full whole family!
Beautiful. I love what you said about “making people a home, feeding hunger and promoting a environment that is one of safety and love.” Most important things we can do!
A beautiful post, Cherry! I would be very proud too if I had made that Yorkshire pud, it all looks divine xx
I’ve read this post 3 times now and I continue to be amazed how you are able to convey such emotion and passion with your prose and photography!
I could honestly feel the love you have for the people in your life. I hope you are able to preserve these posts, in some fashion, for your twins because they truly are love letters.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
HI Cherry,
One of the most beautiful posts I’ve laid eyes on and all your words were icing on the cake of life. Isn’t life delicious when we see it for all it’s beauty!
Much love for a beautiful Holiday season!
XO, Cynthia
Very beautiful! Such a delicious time of life having young babies. You should be quite proud of the home you and Robert The Husband have made. It is stunning and cozy at the same time, plus warmed with love.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Cherry, I am also a domesticated home bird, ok at the age I am now but decidedly unfashionable when I was a teenager. Nothing like making your own food and raising your children a priority. Little Anais looks under the weather though bless , and how dishy is Uncle Paul !!!
Thank you for letting me be “in the now” of enjoying this lovely, delicious and delightful entry!
Gentle Winter hugs…
Ah… I always wanted to be domestic but am useless at it (I don’t think anyone in my family realises how much I take the teasing of my “domestic failures” to heart, I just find it hard to “have a go” when I know I will most likely mess it up!) I think that’s my long way of saying I don’t hate domesticity, I just find it difficult!
Saying that, I do have my moments (although cookery is more Tim’s forte than mine). We recently acquired half a pig, so our freezer is now stocked full of pork joints, pork chops, sausages, ribs etc and we are enjoying discovering new recipes for them all. We are poor, terribly poor, and wouldn’t have been able to feed ourselves if it weren’t for farming friends and a very considerate mother-in-law who sends us food packages. And we are run off our feet with Tim working in healthcare and my combination of trying to make it as a writer/jewellery maker, while trying to find a part-time job to make ends meet and fall pregnant. So my response to people who think making your own is for lazy people or very wealthy people is that they haven’t got a clue… we are the exact opposite of both and Tim loves to cook and I love to create anything and everything I can.
Lovely post, sorry about the long comment, it just struck a real cord with me. I often have to stop myself and realise what I do have and stop feeling jealous of others. Tim is a master of living in the now, but I worry far too much about tomorrow… between us we’ll get there, especially with posts like this to remind us xx
‘I’ve fulfilled every dream I’ve ever had if this is the case.’
Too right. What a lovely scene.
Is it OK if I wished I was there to share that scrumptious meal with you and your lovely family??? So….where are the recipes for this wonderful meal? You cant temp us, and not share……..
I am often guilty of wanting to be ‘there’ (which is normally my house in the country that i dream of – much like yours Cherry!), but i am trying hard not to forget about the now in case i miss the important things…
Oh that is so lovely and utterly blissful. I love homemaking and nurturing and being domestic. I also love being an Auntie, have 12 nieces and nephews so far, and love spoiling them all, even the 22 year old. Hope you have a gorgeous day x
Cherry,
What a lovely post. It looks like you had a wonderful weekend. I love the photos. Hope the babies are better soon. Any beef left?
Have a good week.
Hugs
Mandy xxx
I know exactly what you mean. I always say that when you are truely happy you live for what today brings not tomorrow. I always try and focus on today and what we can make it, I realised long ago not to live for tomorrow.
Looks a lovely weekend.
Wow…such a beautiful beautiful captivating post…Im a teeny bit jealous-but HUGELY glad that you are revelling in what so many take for granted…All our love today…Kirsty and family xxxxxx