Clutter

Last week I was cleaning all the kitchen collectibles on top of my cupboards. Then as the dust fell, I had to do the counter tops and the top of the stove. I got to thinking about all my kitchens in the past. They were all filled with my favorite things. I would go to a friend's house and see the counters...free of all clutter...and think how neat everything looked. I sometimes would come home and "clear the decks" and put everything away. Slowly, day by day, the clutter reappeared in the kitchen. I have to have a clean kitchen, but not necessarily a clutter free one. I was reading my Country Living Magazine last night and came upon a quote that I really can relate to.

CLUTTER IS THE POETRY OF OUR HOMES. IT IS AN INTIMATE VIEW THAT IS NOT ALWAYS PERFECT- A FEW DISHES IN THE SINK, BOOKS PILED NEXT TO THE BED. EVERYTHING IN IT'S PLACE MAY GIVE A CERTAIN SATISFACTION, BUT A LIVED -IN ROOM EXUDES COMFORT AND WARMTH.

THIS BY MARY RANDOLPH CARTER..AUTHOR OF "A PERFECTLY KEPT HOME IS THE SIGH OF A MISSPENT LIFE. "

I've been in homes where nothing is out of place...counters are cleared... no magazines...no books...no knick knacks...not a pillow on the couch. I once was in a home and needed to take something home...I asked for a bag. They said, "We don't keep bags." I'll never forget this. I guess we all live pretty much the way we want in our homes, but with all the fall cleaning I'm doing...I'll continue to dust things off and put them back on the counter.I will put my garden shoes by the back door, hang my gardening jacket on the peg, have my book and cozy throw by the chair, and in the kitchen...the tools that I use most will be on the counter, and some old well used utensils will be at arm's length, and my cookbooks on the shelf. It's a look that I like and am comfortable with.
Balisha