I'm on my way to a festival outdoors, and the weather is not holding up so I must bring along my umbrella and boots, but I thought about you this morning and so here I am popping in to say hello and see how you are doing. And by the way, I love Sundays don't you?
I woke up a bit late today at 9:30 to be greeted by my husband who had leaned over to plant a kiss on my cheek and then placed a hot cup of rooisbos vanilla tea (made from loose tea, he makes the best) on my bedside table. How nice, right? And so from there, he made breakfast which we ate on the sofa (I don't always enjoy breakfast at the table, don't ask me why as I do not know, feels too formal?) and I decided to read a few chapters in a design book a lovely friend sent to me. Of course, listening to A Fine Frenzy's new CD was a necessary touch only to enhance the experience of relaxing on the sofa this morning...
And this lovely cake above, well it was actually shared with my family yesterday. We had relatives up to visit and I pulled together a mini sweets table with several tradition German pastries and sweets, but I admit I made nothing by hand because I had no time... next visit. But all enjoyed the sweets anyway... I wish I had taken time to shoot the table before my guests arrived, it looked very, very pretty.
So yes, it's been such a nice morning. I often wish, unlike Morrissey from the 80s band, The Smiths, that Everyday WAS like Sunday because the mood is so chill and romantic. Especially here in Germany. Nicole from
Little Brown Pen once wrote on her blog, after a visit to Paris, that the French take their Sundays very seriously. And they do.
And so do the Germans.
Sunday is not a day to vacuum the house, nor is it a day to clean out the garage or do yard work. And of course, you'd never go shopping unless it was a special Sunday Shopping day organized by the city (we have them here but sporadically). Sunday is really a day of rest. You might attend a festival if there is one happening, but most families visit the parks and gardens, go to a cafe for coffee and cake, or enjoy a Sunday dinner either at home or to a restaurant.
I really, really REALLY wish America has retained this culture because in the 80s I remember things being closed, just like here. And slowly, more stores opened and more things because acceptable, and before long it was no longer a quiet day of reflection, relaxation or time spent with friends and family. It morphed into just "another day" of errand running, mowing the lawn and doing a "Target Run", which for those of you reading who are not American -- Target is a store much like an upscale version of Walmart, and many Americans flock to Target on the weekends to shop for everything from pillows to candles to CDs to cleaning supplies. I once did this too. Not every Sunday, but because Sunday was the only free day I really had NOT working, it was the only day I really could go.
I felt like my life was a bit comparable to a hamster in a non-stop wheel, only the hamster wasn't in control - my wheel was running on electric being controlled by some exterior force that I couldn't really identify. There was always this fast pace I was trying to keep in step with but never questioned why or how or what was behind it. I just ran around keeping up with it. But I was not more productive than I am now. And I'm still wondering why my life felt so fast because I'm living the same exact life now, doing the same job, and my life feels slower and more enjoyable. Why is this?
Living here I've come to understand the importance of taking a time out on Sunday to not think about responsibility or duty or anything relating to shopping. I love it. I also feel much more balanced and I find there is more excitement on Fridays for me because I know the weekend will truly belong to me and not to anyone else. Plus, I'm more productive during the week because I know that I cannot bring my work with me into the weekend. I also do not like to battle the crowds on Saturday as here it can get very busy in grocery stores, bakeries, etc. so I try to finish everything up by end of day on Friday, including my weekend housework, and my husband does a great deal to assist me as he handles many tasks in the home along with me. That way, Saturday and Sunday is 100% devoted to family, creativity, relaxation, travel, day trips and anything I fancy.
I can't tell you how vital this is and how I wish so badly that my family back in the states would adopt more of this European state of mind and learn to separate the weekend from the week and give themselves a Sunday off now and then, you know? But this is merely my opinion.
What are you doing today, anyway?
(image: holly becker)
Comments
Pumpkin lasagna, so at least we'll have sort of a "Sunday dinner" that should be a lot of fun.
Today we went to a bakery for breakfast and coffee and walked back home through a local cemetery. This afternoon we've just been pottering around the house and playing with our son. This slower pace certainly makes our weekends feel more restful.
Hopefully a German Comment is ok for you?! ;-)
LG Katja
salut du midi,
thanks for visiting my blog in the past which is how i found you!
as an expat too finding my way in a new country.
I'm spending my sunday with my husband: we'll have a good lunch (vegetarian strogonoff), then I'll read an ayurvedic book while he watches socker on tv. Then we'll go out for a coffee... maybe a big piece of coconut cake. Romantic dinner and wine at night.
Once you get used to plan your shopping according to their opening hours this is not a problem anymore, and it's really healthy to have at least one day a week when the city is quieter, people walk and enjoy this fantastic weather, go for a coffee or visit the museums -many of them are free entry on Sundays-. It really invites you to switch off.
PS I adore the way you photographed your table - inspiration for me, thank you xx
I like your writing so much. It is so true what you say about Sundays and getting a rest. I enjoy that as much as you do - although I must admit that I had more time only for myself before the twins were born ;)
When I'm in the States I like the fact that I don't have to watch and care for opening hours of shops because they are always open. On the other hand you are perfectly right when you say: where is the difference between days if every day is the same?
We have a supermarket here that is open till midnight. One day when we came back from a visit to my dad's and realized that we had run out of diapers for the weekend, I was so happy to remember this shop and we drove past and I dropped in (on a Saturday evening). It was amazing to see who it is to do their shopping on a Saturday evening. Young guys buying beer, me buying the diapers and wipes an old lady - I forgot what she bought but the idea ocurred to me that she was happy to be able to do something except watching TV. Maybe an elderly, lonely lady who is happy she has an option to spend her evening somhow. Moreover there was a couple who did their normal shopping.
A crazy situation to me and I agree with you that I'm so happy that the weekend has (mostly) remained somthing sacred to the family.
Regards,
FrauSchmitt
As my hobby has slowly morphed into a wee business, I spend pretty much all my spare time pursuing different avenues in regards to it. At times it is joyous, because I love doing my art, and the more I do, the better I get. But at times it feels like a job, and I get tired and would love to take a break. So, I must work harder at finding balance - but not today! I've got a huge show coming up in 5 days, and I've got lots of stuff to finished up!
Enjoy your day - i would LOVE a cup of tea and a slice of that deelicious cake right now!
Love was flowing so freely from my heart and I realize that the quiet allowed me to put down my defenses and soak up the energy of the moment.
I hope Americans embrace this more and more.
I also in a way feel guilty because I just zipped into the city to go to Zellers (Like Walmart, but Canadian).. it's not that I don't want to relax on Sundays, but in a way I feel bad like I'm just being lazy. It's like, working all week (I work Tues-Sat) going and doing stuff on a Sunday is a treat. I don't live in the city. I live in a small town with no clothing stores, no shoe stores, no homes stores, nuthin'. Anything similar is outrageously expensive because my town banks it's economy on tourists who don't realize $120 for a cotton t-shirt is NOT reasonable. I also work 9:30-5:30, when all stores except the grocery store are open 10-5.
This makes Monday my Sunday. But for most people, Monday is a busy day. It doesn't coincide with my boyfriend's day off, and all the shops (outside of my town) are open and buzzing. This definatly screws you around a little.
I do miss the whole Sunday mentality of Europe. It's very much the same in England too. Nothing is open except restaurants. Even the bus schedule is only half of a regular day's. The only other thing open is the odd museum for tourists or the odd convenience store.
One day, one day I will have the luxury of enjoying your Sundays!
x
although today i did not rest by any means, i did enjoy the company of some really great people, who inspired me in the most profound of ways..
and while i am in the midst of making a career change, i too am taking more time for me and relaxing and slowing down more and definitely getting more done.
its like when you remove the self imposed "shackles" (deadlines, must do's, make it perfect, etc.) you become so much more available to your life and the things and people that really matter.
Sydney - I can't speak for the whole of Germany but in Hannover, at least in my district, only a FEW bakeries are open on Sundays and they are only open in the morning, closed by 11 or 12. Many are privately owned so the owner has made the decision to be open.
The other cafes that I know of that ARE open on Sunday usually have students working there. Honestly, I don't feel that sorry for a young person serving coffee at a counter on Sunday -- they are students, they are happy to have the income to support their studies. When I was a "kid" I worked on the weekends, it was good training for me and taught me that things do not come for free in life - I had to sacrifice to work for them.
The small, privately owned cafes have the owners working and they have decided to be open, they are not forced or anything.
So don't worry!
Another fan here. Over the past few months, your posts on Haus Maus have grown even more lovely (if that was possible). You are a great writer and able to articulate many things that I feel. I live in Brooklyn with my husband, and this is a new city for me, so I can relate.
Thank you!
Here in Morocco it is kind of weird because Friday is the Muslim's holy day so most things are open on Sundays.
I'm looking forward to Sundays in Europe again soon!
xo
Melis
Love your blogg!
nicole
I try to hold on to the German ways of life in the States and we do not shop on Sundays, expept for emergences, we try to do something with all family members together. Not easy with one teenager and one tween) Walks with the dog, finding some countryside to discover, play Scribble and watch a movie together, read. And coffee and cake, you make me homesick...
Sundays are our break from the routine and now my 9 year old says: I am so happy we have the weekend coming, what are you making? (Mission accomplished)
We now incorporate the Sunday soccer game and go together!
You are such a sweet translater of german culture to your fellow Americans! Thank you!
Much love - Victoria
Unfortunately for our waistlines, it often includes scandalous amounts of sweets!
After returning to the States and resuming my civilian life, I began to realize that all this "convenience" we have here is probably not such a good thing. The pace of life is frantic; because people CAN do things (work, shop) whenever, they often DO do things whenever. Convenient? Perhaps. Civilized? Maybe not so much. I like weekends to be sane and relaxed...I choose to avoid stores and I absolutely do not want to work on weekends! I know some people have to - and I am grateful that I don't have to; I quit the job that required occasional weekend work (in addition to the 50+ hours I had to put in Monday through Friday).
Europe offers a degree of sanity that is missing here, in the U.S. I do wonder if that has changed since I was there?
By the way - I love how charming you talk about Germany. This makes me feel proud of my country... ;)
Liebe Grüsse!