Friday 20 March 2009

Busy doing nothing



The day before yesterday I took my book, a cup of tea and my lunch into the garden. I ate my sandwich, drank my tea and sat. For fifteen minutes, yes fifteen minutes, I did nothing other than watch the washing swaying in the breeze. It was wonderful. I can't remember the last time I sat during the day doing nothing and not feeling terribly guilty about it - no sewing in one hand, duster in the other, nothing. Bliss! Those fifteen minutes felt like an hour, sun shining on my face, remembering just how enchanted we were when we moved into this house, the silence of the garden save from the singing of the birds. Even the cats were still at my feet. All three of us just really enjoying the moment.




On the way back home from school that day I found myself humming this tune. Little Sister stared blankly at me and I told her the name of the song but the joy of doing nothing was lost on her! I hope you all find time this weekend for a little 'busyness' of the nothing kind and that all you mummies have a wonderful Sunday.
x

33 comments:

Simone said...

Thanks for the video link! I know the song but have never seen the film. I am going to be busy doing nothing in a minute apart from sipping a cup of tea! Have a lovely weekend.

Anonymous said...

That song was going through my head the moment I saw the title of this post. Enjoy your weekend Kim.

Marie x

LissyLou said...

How Lovely!! and a lovely link too. x

Marie said...

You have just inspired me to go stand on my balcony while the sun is here and hum a few bars of busy doing nothing....ah....nice! Thank you for the link.

Shsjndkdns said...

Sounds like a lovely way to spend 15 minutes, glad you enjoyed the sunshine X

Sal said...

I sometimes do that when the 'other half' is not looking!!
In all seriousness, I think everyone should take 15 mins out, just to sit and do just that.
Have a lovely weekend!;-)

Sarah said...

How lovely, and the pictures are great. I agree, 15mins is not a lot of time out of a day, but most of the time, we are too busy to even spend those 15 mins doing nothing!

A Bun Can Dance said...

Hi Kim. How lovely to do absolutely nothing. It really is a great tonic, isn't it? And thank you for the link to Bing - he is one of my favourites! D xx

MelMel said...

I love the end of the day....when i have a well earmed cup of tea and a rest....before i begin dinner....then off I go again!

Glad you got some time out just for you!xxx

Emily said...

I'd love to see pictures of your garden! It sounds lovely. Good for you to take a break.

Shabby Chick said...

Me and my brother always seem to sing that song! Not sure why! I love the idea of sitting still and just being instead of trying to do something.

Melxxx

Selfsewn said...

Its something I find hard in the garden, to do nothing.
I always end up weeding or something!

Clare

silverpebble said...

I tried to predict what the song was - I got it right! What an unadulterated treat to have sat in the garden like that. I think it's wonderful that you gave yourself that quarter of an hour Kim. I expect we all deserve it - but few of us take the chance! I know I don't.

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Love the song. Isn't the weather glorious?

driftwood said...

time to do nothing , what a treat! hope you have a lovely mothers day too xx

Pam said...

"What is this life if, full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?"

Or in your case, sit and stare.

Quite right.

Willow said...

Good for you Kim! I often sit out in the garden, first thing in the morning, with my chickens & a nice hot cup of tea - lovely just to be still before the day kicks off!!

Willow xx

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Dear M... I have perfected the art of doing nothing this week.. so much so that the wash pile is now a small mountain.. so this weekend will by busy doing something..
I know which I prefer!
Adorable illustrations... they remind me of someone?
Love DX

P.s Wasn't Mr Martyn magnificent last night?
My matchsticks lasted till 11.30 p.m.. wouldn't have missed him for the world.

Mary Poppins said...

Thank you :) A Lovely and special post

I have quite an emotional Mother's Day, have done a little blog on my feelings why, though we really have fun and do silly things and remember our special little man with happiness :)

Enjoy your Mother's Day

Have fun and laughter

Love

Mary

X

Summer by the sea said...

I think we often feel guilty for doing 'nothing' but I shall be trying to get my own 15 minutes of 'nothing' this weekend too - Natalie x

Margaret Cloud said...

I liked your pictures, I am glad you had time for a nice little rest.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely, lovely post! The little minutes of time during a day can sure help us feel refreshed, can't they?!

Happy spring!
Debbykay
Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures Kim, I'm glad you enjoyed your refreshing break and thanks for the song link, brilliant! JackieMx

Anonymous said...

how lovely , 15 minutes is far better than none - fingers crossed for more sun..
lisa x

OhSoVintage said...

It is difficult to do absolutely nothing, isn't it? Good for you. I have spent time sitting in the sunshine in the garden today just reading my book and not feeling guilty!
Ruth x

Shirl said...

Wonderful; spring at last!

Poppy said...

Thank you for that lovely post you have just made my Monday blues go away!
I hope you had a lovely mother’s day…love Lou xx

Thimbleanna said...

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day doing more of nothing Dear Kim!

Dotty said...

yes its funny how the warming sun almost grants us the time to just sit and absorb it all..... beautiful post.

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

ps love the pictures......

Heidi said...

I love that song and have it on a CD of Bing's best. I remember watching all his specials on TV as a girl. The whole family watched.

I can just picture you busy doing nothing. I envy that you can have lunch out in your garden. We live next to a very bad school and the noise is awful even in our house. I think the idea of sitting in the sunshine with your lunch and tea watching the clothes blow in the breeze sounds heavenly. I hope you make that a regular part of your week.

I am doing fine but have to be very patient as the treatments will take a long time to have an effect. We hope there will be a slight improvement with 4 months but it will be a year before I know for sure that it will help. I am tired but doing fine. And yes, I am well enough for chocolate bourbons. :)

Hugs ~
Heidi

Rowan said...

Hope you had a lovely weekend too. I know the song - it used to be on the radio a lot when I was a child in the early 50s. Oddly enough I've never seen the film - must do something about that:)

Gone to Earth said...

Sometimes you just need to sit still and enjoy... just connect with the world around you.