“Well, all I need is the air I breathe and a place to rest my head.”

There’s always something to do at the Manor and each season brings a new list of chores that need completing. I like to keep busy. I also like to keep a slow pace; there’s a to-do list but no rigid schedule. Everything will get done in due time. Wild Crocuses and Daffodils are everywhere in the forest at this time and when I go for my walks, when the sun is shining – and the chilly Pacific winds aren’t blowing – you can actually feel it warming your skin and it feels hopeful.

Join me on a typical week at The Bell Witch Manor.

SATURDAY

We woke to sunshine which always makes me want to head outdoors. After a breakfast smoothie and a warm shower we went for a walk at Douglas Park and did 5 laps around the park. Back home, I pulled chicken thighs from the freezer to thaw in the fridge for my Peanut Thai Curry Chicken for dinner. Some of the most mundane chores bring me comfort so with sunshine beaming through the windows warming the home, I put a fresh set of flannel sheets on the bed. Making the bed is playtime for the kitties and they dive under the sheets as I work. I’m so used to them playing that I continue to make the bed regardless if they’re still under the sheets when Im done; I’m used to a lumpy bed by now. Their innocence makes me smile. We were lucky to have walked early in the day because as the afternoon drew on, low lying clouds crept in from the west and it poured down rain for the rest of the day. I happily made dinner to the sound of raindrops tapping the windows and my favourite jazz soundtrack in the background. After dinner I gave myself a manicure and we watched Murder Mystery 2 on Netflix.

SUNDAY

I’m not into big breakfasts so I had my usual:

Unsweetened Almond Milk, 1 Banana, 1 cup of Blueberries, 2 Brazil Nuts, 1 teaspoon of Hemp Hearts, 1 scoop of Protein Powder and because I practice Seed Cycling, this week I’m doing 1 Tblsp of Sesame and Sunflower seeds. When I have spinach in the fridge I add it too.

It was our nieces birthday so we drove out to Coquitlam for a visit with family. It was a very rainy day and back at home I spent a bit of time re-organizing the spices. When I’m cooking I sometimes mindlessly put the spices away and they can get pretty messy. I keep my most-used spices in glass jars in a box on the counter but with use the labels have worn off so I labeled them again and put them back into alphabetical order.

Dinner was leftover Peanut Thai Curry from Saturday. I made a green salad to add to our dinner. We’re on season 2 of Outer Banks so we watched a couple of episodes before I went off to do my nightly meditation before bed. I’m also reading this book that was recommended by Tom Bilyeu. If you struggle with Anxiety and Depression, you might want to check it out. It’s called Feeling Great.

MONDAY

I work part time, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays from 11am – 4pm. First thing I do when I wake up is have a glass of water with the juice of 1/2 a lemon. I then do a 30 minute seated meditation before showering and getting ready for work. I love that I can walk to and from work every day. For dinner I made Baja Style Shrimp Tacos and after dinner I pulled the seeds out of the fridge and planned what I’ll plant in the garden this week. Cold weather veggies like Lettuce and Spinach are perfect for the Spring Garden and can be enjoyed before warmer weather make them bolt.

TUESDAY

Morning meditation, work and home again. I pulled 1/2 of a Truffle Lasagna (the Recipe HERE) I made last week from the freezer for dinner and took advantage while it baked in the oven to give the home a good dusting and organize. It’s amazing the difference just fluffing the sofa pillows, folding the throw blankets and putting things back in their place, makes. While my husband did his nightly after-dinner cleanup, I sat down to write. I put my earbuds in and put on a coffee shop ambience video on Youtube. It has the sounds of a coffee shop (the door opening, soft murmur of people talking, background jazz and the rain falling outside). I’ve always wanted to be one of those cool people who sit in a coffee shop and blog on their laptop over cappuccinos but I can’t drink coffee and I love being home! lol.

WEDNESDAY

Overcast and cool. It truly felt like Spring on my walk to work with the scent of the earth still damp after rain overnight. Wednesday’s are my last work day and in my mind the weekend has begun. Homemade Pizza night! I made the dough in the afternoon so that it’s doubled in size by dinner . I tried to roll it as thin as I could but it still puffs up. Our favourite pizza toppings are Salami, artichokes, olives, tomatoes , fresh basil and mozzarella. Pizza night’s are casual and I set plates and napkins on the kitchen counter to serve ourselves and we ate in the living room and watched the game.

“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” 

THURSDAY

I was glad to have my car again, especially with the rain. We got it running this week after being stored since 2020. With work and having most of my basic shopping within walking distance, I figured I’d save money during Covid and cancelled the insurance. I got so used to walking everywhere that I didn’t feel the need to drive it. Recently though we needed it as my husband is hunting for a new truck and is without a vehicle. I picked up supplements at Pure Pharmacy, dropped off some clothes that needed altering and did a grocery shop. If you’ve been readind my blog for some time you’ll know I keep 2 Pantries; one for ingredients I use every day: spices, canned goods, oils, vinegars. I created a second pantry during the pandemic to keep back up non-perishables “in case of emergency”. I pick up 3-4 extras during every shop to keep; things like bulk rice, canned soups, bottled water. I’m not paranoid but I do like to know that in a real emergency (like during covid where grocery shelves emptied really fast), that we can sustain ourselves for an extended period of time.

FRIDAY

Spring cleaning day. Every week I do a general clean at home but twice a year I do the “big clean”. Everything gets deep cleaned. The apron goes on and I work most of the day. Walls, baseboards and windows get washed. Oven, microwave, fridge and all kitchen cabinets wiped clean. I take stock of what is needed in the pantries and linen cabinets. Any bedding and towels that are torn can be donated to the SPCA to use as bedding for animals. I also take inventory of my candle supply and essential oils as these are two things I use on a daily basis at home and place an order of anything we’re short on.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week at the Bell Witch Manor and that you’re inspired to do some cooking and cleaning at home too. In every simple task there is purpose and with love and moving slowly, the home can be a place of great comfort and joy.

Until next time.

“I have learned to have pride in what I do”.

Love,

Jennifer