Sunday, January 23, 2011

Cast Off

Through, 2011

I am preparing to cast off, to shed. To pare down and live lightly. Just for a while, but one never knows. Lessons will be learned. Things impossible to foresee. Open, aware, and patient. I will discard the unexpected and acquire what I did not know existed. Goodbye, for a short while, short relative to what has passed thus far. What have you been pondering lately? Leave me a note. I'll look forward to them as postcards upon my return.
Posted by Denise | Chez Danisse at 11:58 AM
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38 comments:

  1. JoannaJanuary 23, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Am I decoding your post correctly in thinking that you are going on a blog hiatus for a spell? I've been sort of contemplating the same thing myself. I feel as though I've hit a blog saturation point. Though I always find it refreshing to come to your space. Hope you don't stay away too long.

    As always, your writing is transporting. Such beautiful mantras to live by, too: paring down, living lightly, discarding the unexpected.

    Enjoy your time to yourself!

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  2. Magnolia HandspunJanuary 23, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Have a wonderful time off..refresh and renew. You will be missed...your touching words and images.

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  3. CharJanuary 23, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    a time of renewal is always welcome. today i bought stuff to organize.

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  4. NicoletteJanuary 23, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Denise- As with any journey, I wish you the best and will be happy to see you return to this space.

    My mind lately has been thinking of the upcoming year, changes I want to make and changes I need to. I've been thinking of my friends, my family, and all the little things I hope to never take for granted. I have also been thinking, of course, about molten chocolate cakes served in warm mason jars- I'll have that recipe to you soon.

    Take care, and I hope you have many heartfelt adventures.

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  5. alexandriaJanuary 23, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Wishing you a most wonderful time, Denise. You will be missed, but I image you will have many special moments doing something different.

    Lately, I've been writing a list to help myself to focus on the things I wish to accomplish. It's working and I feel lighter while enjoying life as well as working towards something.

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  6. flwrjaneJanuary 23, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Oh I will miss you, your words and your photos.....and the way you make me take a moment and think, not respond but think.

    Come back soon.

    xo Jane

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  7. mosey (kim)January 23, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    We are on similar paths, although I'm physically paring down. The other kind of which you speak will hopefully come later, when I'm ready.

    While you are there, we'll wish you were here.
    x

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  8. EmilyJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    That's a beautiful photo Denise and I'm so glad you're taking a break for a while to renew and unwind. Travelling light feels good. I'm pondering possibly returning to the UK next year and hoping the creative writing will get easier with practice. I think I need to just relax and let it come naturally. Take care and come back to us refreshed and with lots of stories.

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  9. isabelleJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    enjoy your time off.
    i hope it will be as serene and as beautiful as this photos is.

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  10. JaneJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    See you soon Denise. Enjoy your time away. Me...I need to get my butt in gear and workout. I've become lazy due to winter blues. That and I'm behind in my reading. We will look forward to your return.

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  11. MagdaJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    I hope you come back sooner than later Denise. I'm gonna miss coming here, to your space, reading your words and seeing your beautiful photos.
    Take care.

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  12. RWJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    enjoy your time away. hopefully we will see you on the other side.

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  13. t does woolJanuary 24, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    relax...enjoy your time..
    what a beautiful image..the light is fabulous~

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  14. shariJanuary 24, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    dear denise,
    i hope your journey is a good one. will be missing your words until you return.
    xo
    s

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  15. Michele | Cooking At HomeJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Enjoy your respite, Denise. I look forward to your return.

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  16. Anne MarieJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Enjoy your time off, recharge and know that we will look forward to everything you hav to share with us when the time is right. Take care!

    ...I'll come back and read some old texts if the missing gets too bad :-)

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  17. Rachael LevyJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Bon voyage, Denise.

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  18. Stacy G.January 24, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I'm sad, but I understand. You will be missed.

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  19. Tiziana Rinaldi ArtJanuary 25, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    at this time, we always need to lighten, to make room. and I try to do it constantly.
    not always succeed...
    but already be focused on this, is a good start.
    (as always I hope to be able to say something intelligible, in my insecure English)
    have good days. I'll wait for your return.

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  20. christinaJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    i feel this post in my heart. enjoy your time.
    XO

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  21. ConnyJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Learn lots while on your adventures away. I've enjoyed visiting your blog this past month ~ I am a relatively new reader to your blog. I hope you'll return some day. Cheers~

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Enjoy... we'll miss you.

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  23. nancy at good food mattersJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    entranced with the photo...traveling light is best. we have a big journey coming up, the end of February, and I always anticipate great inner travels that parallel the outer! we look forward to your return

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  24. a friend to knit withJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    and here i was getting excited that you were casting off your latest knitting project! :)

    you will be missed...
    anxiously awaiting your return!

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  25. BethanyJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I was thinking the same thing as a friend to knit with.
    I love you blog, Denise. I really, really hope that this isn't farewell for long.

    Enjoy your hiatus.

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  26. RachelJanuary 27, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    enjoy your time away, your lessons learned, acquisitions obtained...

    looking forward to your return.

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  27. Elsa MayJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Enjoy your casting-off. If it is indeed a break from blog-land i can highly recommend it - my summer hiatus was very rewarding and helped me reconnect with the world around me in a way I hadn't realised I was missing. Your writing of shedding and paring down struck me....we have been living for the past 18 months with 80% of our belonging in storage in NZ, and aside from a few treasured artworks, we have not been missing them....interesting how one adapts...living simply with few possessions is rather freeing. I was thinking the other day about how the people I have 'met' via blogging is somewhat akin to the pen-pal idea of old.... your comment of notes as postcards reminded me of this....thank you.
    Enjoy your time casting-off and I look forward to your return. Best, Annie

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  28. WSAKEJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    have a lovely time off, hopefully experience a lot of new things... but i´m going to miss you though.

    take care!

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  29. raining sheepJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    A time off is so important. I hope you have some time to write and ponder. Hugs.

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  30. JanisJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Oh you will be missed... I always look forward to your writing, your moments captured so beautifully, but I completely understand. It's good to shake things up and make changes every once in a while. Step out, throw yourself into new experiences, rejuvenate and refresh... cross the threshold... xo - until later, take care.

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  31. nadine paduartJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    yes, you do that. it is brave.
    good luck and till later.
    n♥

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  32. KatrinaJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    i love this image. and i hope you are off having magical adventures, wherever you might be...

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  33. redmenaceJanuary 31, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Enjoy your journey. The new year is the perfect time for casting off.... xo

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  34. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    Have an adventurous "journey" at home or elsewhere. I look forward to your return and reading about your discoveries. Best, Melissa

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  35. lucy flintFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Such a courageous and inspiring post. Lovely photo as well. I hope it's a nurturing time for you!

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  36. graciaFebruary 3, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    "Leave me a note. I'll look forward to them as postcards upon my return."

    Yes, I like this idea a lot. And here is to a good journey.

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  37. juliaFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Fare thee well, dear Denise. I hope we meet again on the avenue...

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  38. Denise | Chez DanisseFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Thanks, everyone, for your kind notes (postcards). Much appreciated!

    Joanna, More of a trip to Paris, but that trip did not involve any computer time. It was a good idea. I highly recommend it. I'm starting to believe that there is very little that cannot be improved by a brief hiatus.

    tiziana, I adore your English. It is so much better than my Italian.

    nancy, Your journey is coming up. Enjoy.

    Annie, I do enjoy this pen pal revival. And for the living with less, I do, but think it could even go a little further. Your ability to live comfortably with 20% is such an intriguing example of this concept. Nice work.

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