April 25, 2009

Moving Outside.

My Saturdays are always devoted to two activities; household chores and relaxation. My house is not big, but it is big enough for my two roommates and me. It is also just big enough to handle when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. I usually spend about four hours each Saturday morning on cleaning; I have gotten into a routine that barely changes. Even Batcat is familiar with it at this point. He is not very pleased when I am busy running around putting things into order and most of all, he hates when I am using that terribly loud and scary "animal" that vacuums anything in its way. He is not really scared of the vacuum cleaner, I think it mostly annoys him. I guess at this point he is somewhat aware of the fact that it is not dangerous and is mostly the noise he dislikes. Therefore he keeps his distance when it is in use.

After the house is clean I love to relax and the way I do it depend on the season. In winter, I love to sit in front of the fireplace listening to music reading magazines. However, in spring and summer, I move outside to my terrace. In the past few weeks, the unusually large amount of sunshine has made the garden green and the terrace is very serene and inviting. It is time to once again move outside and relax in the warmth of the spring sun. This Saturday we have had the record breaking 20C in the shade (around 68F). That is very unusual for a Scandinavian month of April and I am hoping this is a good indication of how the coming summer will turn out.

15 comments:

Julie Hibbard said...

Enjoy your clean home and the gorgeous weather! I love your photographs and your calm words of gratefulness...
Have a lovely weekend beautiful lady!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Z, I don't know how I have missed so much of what you have written and recorded here, but I am very pleased to have caught up now with all your news - the Irishman, his incredible taste in unique and loved jewellery, the weather, the change in your surroundings, Batcat (ruling the roost, as ever), the salamanders (!), Bill Withers (Je l'adore!), more pop from your youth (we are both doing a bit of powerful reminiscing at present!), and just you...

I shall not stay away for so long again, and I wish you a splendidly warm and wonderful weekend, friend! x

swenglishexpat said...

You are a creature of habit, so it seems. But that is often how things get done. I mowed the lawn today since it might rain at the beginning of the week, and here in Germany it is illegal to use lawn mowers on Sundays. (I'm not kidding!) Enjoy a relaxed weekend!

Hazel Designs said...

My cats HATE the vacuum cleaner!

Betsy Brock said...

When we had cats, they would stand on their back legs and hiss at the vacuum!

I think the spring sunshine is doing us all some good!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

AAAAhhhh, what a lovely Saturday here in the states as well.
I like your routine...a bit of cleaning and then LEISURE time!!!
Wonderful!

Hilary said...

We had a gorgeous morning and early afternoon with a high of 26C and then a thunderstorm rolled through and cooled us down to the teens again. Still it was lovely while it lasted and I got my summer fix.

My cats are so different around the vacuum. If Zephyr hears me even roll it out of the closet, he tears his way down to the basement to hide for hours. Skitty on the other hand will allow me to vacuum him. :)

I hope you're having a relaxing weekend now that your housework is done.

Shelly's Style Shop said...

What a wonderful Saturday you had! It was beautiful over in my neck of the woods, too. It went up to 82 today. I hope you have a very relaxing Sunday, too!

xoxo, Shelly

Zuzana said...

=Julie,
thank you for your always kind comments, hope your weekend is lovely as well.;) xo

=Fhina,
you are so generous with your compliments and kind words, I know you have many places to visit and I am always glad when you stop by. Have a wonderful weekend yourself.;) xo

=swenglishexpat,
you are very correct, things gets done if one sticks to plans and habits.;)
I see, so no mowing of the lawn on Sundays - maybe Germans like it to be quiet on those days.;)) Hope your Sunday is great.;)

=Hazel,
yes, isn't it funny that they hate it so much? My other cat, Gypsy, that I had in the US, hated it too. Batcat accepts it, but keeps his distance.;)

=Betsy,
that sound so funny, I would love to see a clip of them hissing at the vacuum cleaner.;)
Hope you are having a lovely and sunny Sunday.;)

=Jill,
yes, it is a good combination.;)
I am happy to hear that you are having wonderful weather as well, hope you are enjoying your Sunday.;)

=Hilary,
wow, 26C! Amazing, I am so glad for you that the spring has arrived with full splendor.;)
I was - and am still - laughing over the description of your cats reaction to the vacuum cleaner. I really do not think I have ever heard about a cat that likes to be vacuumed!! Please post a clip, I simply HAVE to see that.;)
I am hoping you are enjoying a lovely weekend with your son and the rest of the family. I am always happy when you stop by, dear friend.;) xo

=Shelly,
please send some of the heat my way.;)) Wishing you a wonderful rest of the weekend as well.;) xo

Taking Notes said...

My cat Daisy allowed me to vacuum her with the soft brush attachment - she used to stand there miaowing, waiting for the massage! My other cat Lulu would run and hide though!
I like to get up early on Saturdays and do my housework too -then I take myself off to the local Farmer's Market to buy some lovely fresh produce and enjoy a cup of tea and a home-made cake!

Donna said...

Beautiful outdoor pictures! Glad you're enjoying the weather.

Hugs,
Donna

Claus said...

Saturday is also cleaning day for me. Some Saturdays, the day isn't long enough for me to do all the little projects I want to. When I'm finished, I like to have a nice meal and a nap. I like Saturdays very much, no matter the season.

Zuzana said...

=Jeanne,
that is so funny that your cat loves to be vacuumed as well, this is really interesting indeed.;)And amusing.;))
I am sure you know how to relax, I remember that wonderful post of yours with the serene pictures of your garden:;))

=Donna,
yes, thank you, my weekend was truly lovely, even though a bit too short.;))

=Claus,
my sentiments exactly; I love Saturdays no matter the season. Yours sounds ideal to me.;))

Noelle Chantal said...

Wondering and enjoying your beautiful garden after hours of cleaning is the best way to do it. And by just looking outside your window plus the gorgeous sunset is just perfect too, Protege. :)

And I can imagine Batcat being scared/annoyed of the vacuum. haha cute!

Zuzana said...

=Noelle,
yes I love my Saturdays and Batcat likes them too, once the vacuum is safely tucked away.;)
Thank you for stopping by and leaving all those comments, you know how much I enjoy reading them.;))