I have a small plant sitting on my kitchen counter. It’s a plant I bought at the Bird and Flower Market in Guiyang, one of the plants that emulates a miniature world. The world on my countertop has mossy rocks sitting next to a plant made to look like a tree next to a rocky mountain-scape; and I added a little cottage. Whenever I’m in the kitchen, cooking or washing dishes, I gaze and gaze upon this little world.
Since coming to China, I’ve appreciated this tradition of art that emulates an idyllic world. My idyllic world is life in the countryside. This would be life with brisk walks outdoors, the smell of rain on soil, evenings that echo with sounds of nature. This of course is in contrast to current life in the city, with walks on crowded sidewalks, the smells of exhaust and building dust, and sounds of bus brakes and car horns on the street at night. Alas, alas, this is the real life.
And alas, it’s not going to change overnight. We are like most people who live in the city because this is where our practical lives are rooted, our jobs, our schools, our families. Our family fantasizes about moving to the countryside. But we know that kind of move would come with its own sacrifices and adjustments we’re not sure we’re ready to take on now, or ever.
So, what to do? We’ll just have to try to make our lives in the city a little more idyllic— that is, cleaner, more sights, smells and sounds of nature. This is the goal of the Simple Life Project. This is our own family’s project that we invite you to share with us, in whatever way you like.
I’ve already started, by trying to begin a kitchen garden. So far it’s not working. But we did get a couple of green tomatoes, and I hope that our failures this year just mean good lessons to use for the spring. So stayed tuned on those experiences. For now, Christmas season is upon us. I’ve decided to keep most of our decorations handmade from nature. Just like the old days! And many of our gifts will be home cooked.
That being said, here’s wishing you a SIMPLY delightful Christmas season!
Since coming to China, I’ve appreciated this tradition of art that emulates an idyllic world. My idyllic world is life in the countryside. This would be life with brisk walks outdoors, the smell of rain on soil, evenings that echo with sounds of nature. This of course is in contrast to current life in the city, with walks on crowded sidewalks, the smells of exhaust and building dust, and sounds of bus brakes and car horns on the street at night. Alas, alas, this is the real life.
And alas, it’s not going to change overnight. We are like most people who live in the city because this is where our practical lives are rooted, our jobs, our schools, our families. Our family fantasizes about moving to the countryside. But we know that kind of move would come with its own sacrifices and adjustments we’re not sure we’re ready to take on now, or ever.
So, what to do? We’ll just have to try to make our lives in the city a little more idyllic— that is, cleaner, more sights, smells and sounds of nature. This is the goal of the Simple Life Project. This is our own family’s project that we invite you to share with us, in whatever way you like.
I’ve already started, by trying to begin a kitchen garden. So far it’s not working. But we did get a couple of green tomatoes, and I hope that our failures this year just mean good lessons to use for the spring. So stayed tuned on those experiences. For now, Christmas season is upon us. I’ve decided to keep most of our decorations handmade from nature. Just like the old days! And many of our gifts will be home cooked.
That being said, here’s wishing you a SIMPLY delightful Christmas season!
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