Puttering is really a time to be alone, to dream, to get in touch with yourself…to putter is to discover.
–Alexandra Stoddard
I believe an afternoon of puttering is good for the soul. It is really the one thing that separates a housekeeper and a homemaker. We putter, we tweak, we rearrange, snug up and beautify. Puttering (or pottering as it is called in England) is not really housekeeping or cleaning, which are far more utilitarian tasks; no, in my mind, puttering is more akin to play.
Sarah Ban Breathnach , says that puttering, “is to be approached with an unhurried approach for maximum metaphysical benefits.”
When we putter, we are not ticking things off of an ever lengthening to-do list, we are slowing down, allowing creative juices to come to the surface. When we putter away at small household projects, we allow ourselves to be present in the moment, almost like a meditative practice.
This weekend, I puttered. The weather was warm and beautiful, so I spent time tearing apart flower baskets and repotting things that looked like they had a little more life left to share. I picked a few wildflowers and put them in various spaces around my house. I made up some potpourri for the stove top, a few cinnamon sticks, some whole cloves and some dried citrus peels.
Puttering is taking care of small inconsequential household jobs that give us immense satisfaction upon their completion. In our busy lives they might even be therapeutic.
I hung laundry on the line. I love to do this when I have time. Beautiful linens hanging on a line are a simple pleasure all on their own. The aroma of line dried sheets is divine. My grandson always comments about how cozy his bed is when he spends the night.
I think over the next few days I will change out my summer bone china with white ironstone, my dainty china teacups for more substantial pottery mugs.
I bought new spice bottles that need to be labeled and filled. None of these jobs need to be done. Puttering is that little extra that takes my home from habitable to a place to thrive.
Puttering is a different kind of caring for a home. It isn’t cleaning, or maintenance, it is more soulful than that; it’s not utilitarian, it’s sensual, it feels like playing.
Our homes are experienced through the senses; a warm woolen throw, the soft light of a candle, a decanter of bath salts, freshly pressed vintage pillowslips, Joni Mitchell playing softly on the wifi, a perfect cup of tea or warm mug of brandied coffee, a knitting project or jigsaw puzzle. Puttering creates the environment where those that we love can relax and recharge.
As we move into autumn, what little jobs could you do that would make your home more welcoming?
- Start with your entryway, change it up, sweep the steps, add a wreath or autumn arrangement.
- Bring the outside in, with small arrangements from the garden, or wildflowers from the ditches. I always keep garden shears in my glove box in case I see something when I am driving.
- Make a chutney to serve with cheese and crackers, they will last a couple of months in your refrigerator.
- Redecorate your mantle or bookcase.
- Change up the towels in your bath.
- Put your dish soap into an old crystal decanter.
- Make up a mixture of bath salts.
- Tie satin ribbon around hand embroidered pillow slips.
- Mend something that needs mending.
- Transplant some houseplants.
- Take stock of your winter woolen items like socks, sweaters, mittens, hats and scarves, you will need them soon.Do they need to be aired, or washed?
- I like to use my old silver more in the autumn and winter, this would be a perfect time to polish silver while watching a British cozy mystery or listening to an audio book.
