Monday, November 17, 2008

Casual Monday


‘Tis Monday! Feeling decidedly unwilling to let go of a “weekend” mentality, I have decided to make this a Casual Monday. A slipper-wearing, feet-up kind of day wherein I let go of the prosaic rambles and poetic sojourns in favor of a zany silly detour. A few days ago Farmlady closed her comment with “Thank you for letting us know how truly human you are.” I laughed when I read that one, realizing that my pinkly poetic blog may give some the wrong impression. So, to dispel any myths or misconceptions I figured I should pull the lace back a bit further and share some silliness with you.

Hmmmmm . . . Already having admitted I love Mondays, dare I venture further and add that I enjoy tidying the cottage? Yes, indeed, I do. Washing dishes, doing laundry, and vacuuming bring a smile to my face. Of course I do add a bit of “atmosphere” in the form of music. I absolutely love cranking up the stereo and grabbing the vacuum. Granted, my family does not share my love of domestic duties, so when they hear Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade theme (one of my favorite motivational tunes) ringing through the halls they scram. Doing math beats out folding laundry any day.

With a wide selection of music to choose from, I gravitate toward the light and lively. Any Disney/kids music will do but I also enjoy kicking up my heels with an American in Paris, or twirling amongst the alive-with-music hills of Austria, and I shall never forgo an invitation to Dance with Anna and the King of Siam, dustcloth in hand. Some days require a céilidh atmosphere and my collection of irish/celtic music serves me well. Who can shuffle through a mundane task when the fiddles and drums meet the hornpipes and penny whistles for a rollicking good time?

Can you handle a bit more silliness? I generally get involved with the cleaning routine before I shower, so am often casually cleaning in my nightie. For this very reason I take great care to select sleepwear that may be mistaken for a summer’s shift or a comfy winter's lounger. Once my neighbor stopped by a bit on the early side and I invited her in for tea. We chatted and sipped as she shared some sorrow upon her heart. She bid me farewell quite some time later, thanking me for the tea party. When I closed the door my children burst out laughing as I had carried the whole thing off in my nightie. That pink sprigged “dress” has saved me on more than one occasion, for not only do I enjoy cleaning in pjs, but have been known to stroll the gardens in the same attire and receive deliveries from UPS. Fortunately we live in a secluded spot behind a gate (to keep out deer, not guests) without too many drop-ins.

As a final silly snippet I will divulge my zaniest food vice. Known for healthy, from-scratch cooking with an abhorrence for fast- or processed-foods, I do have a penchant for “melty cheese” – that cheesefood that makes the gooiest grilled cheese sandwiches and the smoothest omelet filling. I buy organic “melty cheese” though my husband laughs out loud at that oxymoron. Still, I prefer the healthiest choice possible so Horizon’s organic cheese slices reside in my treasure-trove cheese drawer right alongside the cotswold cheddar and smoked gouda and sheep’s milk feta and buffalo milk mozzarella and lavender chevre and Point Reyes Bleu and a host of other delectable creations to delight the palate.

Well, I think that’s enough zany for one day. After all that talk about yummy cheese I feel the need to take a break and go have a snack before I turn up the volume and enjoy my Monday morning cleaning festival. Shall we snack before we dance?

15 comments:

Becky said...

If I sing you Disney tunes will you waltz over here and clean for me... call first ;-)

kylie said...

i cant say i share your love of housework, debbie but i once i'm in the mood it's hard to stop and if the mood takes me while i'm in pjs i work in pjs :)

if we're gonna snack i'll have the blue thanks.......

or maybe the chevre?


thanks for dropping by my place

k

Laura ~Peach~ said...

I have an old dolly parton greatest hits tape... yes TAPE... it has some of her very fun songs... And it is my most very favorite to clean to...two doors down i can hear em laughing and singing and havin a partyyyyyyy two doors down theyre not aware Im around.... la la la ....hummm cleaning must be in order....

dawn klinge said...

You have just motivated me to crank up some music and clean...a good thing because it needs to be done. ;) I love the photo of your feet up on the ottoman. Have a great Monday.

Karen Deborah said...

indeed! I like to throw in some of Gary's tunes to really spice things up! I miss you. Come over and clean my house please, and I'll whistle whilst you do...

Kathy said...

Buffalo milk cheese? Oh my! I must find some.

I am busy between yard and pasture and house work today. Charging about; taking a water break at the moment. No music playing,but an excellent idea, I think I am in a John Denver mood this morning. ;-)

sukipoet said...

You make housekeeping sound like fun. Zippedee doo dah. I hope you had a lovely day in your pretty slippers and nightgown.

Anonymous said...

I love that you blare the Main Street Parade, I love that song too!

And I too am never without my cotswald...never.

Davene said...

Debbie, I enjoyed this post very much; what a fun peek into your world! And thank you immensely for your comment on my blog today; it put a huge smile on my face and joy in my soul!

Karen said...

I would never be offended if you chose to clean while you were at my place visiting. I'd want you to be happy, after all.

"Create Beauty" said...

I like your attitude!!! I think cranking up the music would help me get more cleaning done ... but I don't know if I'll ever know the glee you posess about it. I wonder if music helps with ironing too? (I do like an old black and white movie while ironing though ... Audrey Hepburn? Cary Grant?)

CIELO said...

Love your pretty pink slippers! ;)

cielo

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful picture!!
ciao
freddie

farmlady said...

Gardening in PJ.s Do it all the time. Of course I live on 42 acres in the middle of nowhere.

Cleaning house; vaccuming,dusting and doing dishes, make my brain ready for other things. Glad to know there are others who LIKE TO CLEAN. It's a "good thing", and music is a great idea.

Ruth MacC said...

I was just sitting here lookinig at hyour picture, and your tidy looking room and I thought to myself, she probable enjoys house cleaning!!!!

Irish music? I must try that while vacuming.

I too teach Sean, make beds, vacume in pj's and night dress! Ah well, so long as I know I am working away and not spending the day in bed, who cares!