That is the question.
To be more specific, I'm wondering how you feel about "To Do Lists". Do you make them? Do you stick to them? Do you make them for your husband and then go out shopping. :-), :-), :-).
I think I would fall into the category of making them on occasion, enjoying the satisfaction of checking things off, but not stressing if at the end of the day there are still items waiting to be checked off.
My husband, however, is a great believer in getting up on a Saturday morning, making the list and spending the weekend trying to accomplish everything on the list. Every.single.thing.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am impressed by what he is able to accomplish by the end of the weekend and I appreciate how hard he works. But as I get older I'm less interested in spending every weekend working and more interested in ditching the "to do list" from time to time to do something a bit more spontaneous. After all that is one of the benefits of the empty nest, isn't it? Spontaneity.
So, last Friday night before the "to do list" was written, I suggested something different. We got up on Saturday morning and headed here:
I had just heard on the news that they had just completed an Asian garden on campus and they were having a plant sale.
After purchasing a few new plants, we toured the gardens.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning.
The azaleas were in full bloom.
My husband has been working really hard and I think it's important for him to relax and de-stress when he can.
The sights and sounds in a beautiful garden can do wonders for lowering our stress levels.
I think he would agree.
My husband loves snowball bushes. While I was taking a phone call, he grabbed the camera from me and started taking pictures.
These are some of his photos.
I think he enjoyed ditching the to do list.
But, just so he wouldn't go through withdrawal, I let him plant the flowers we bought when we got home. ;-)
If you are loyal to your "to do list", you may want to try ditching it on occasion. I highly recommend it.
What a beautiful Asian Garden! Thanks for sharing the photos! You must have totally enjoyed strolling down the paths.
ReplyDeleteEvery year we take a ride over to Stanley Park in Westfield, MA and enjoy the serene surroundings. Rose bushes, annuals and perennials all have their own areas.
I no longer make weekly "to do lists". What cannot be completed one day flows into the next. :)
You are one smart cookie!!
ReplyDeleteIf I write a list, and it is rare, I follow it to the letter because it would be very important. I love that your husband was willing to toss the list for a wonderful time in the garden. Some of us are way too busy and he sounds as if he needs at least one weekend day to call his own.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a great idea to ditch the to do list. Looks like you had a great time. Lots of great photos.
ReplyDeleteI make lists sometimes and they are so long that there is no way I can finish every thing. But I do like crossing things off the list.
My list usually takes a few days to do. :-)
If something better comes along I'm all for leaving the list unfinished. :-)
One good way to make a list is to do some chore, put it on a list and then cross it off. You'll get every thing done on your list that way. :-)
So glad you veered from the list to enjoy that beautiful garden. My husband is our list maker too...I am more like you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea.....and a beautiful tour! I do make some lists, and then sometimes I lose the list. My husband does make a list and gets it done!!!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Beautiful photos! I make a to do list every day but it is necessary to keep me on track...I have trouble with boredom (others call it attention disorder!) if not for my list I wouldn't remember to get dress or brush my teeth...kidding, sort of!
ReplyDeleteA to-do list versus a garden tour -- no contest! Thanks for the beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteI used to have long, detailed, deadline specific to-do lists when I was working. Now I have goals and count the day a success if I spend time working on the goals -- giving myself plenty of detail to decide exactly what that work is (sometimes it's just meditating or planning!) Annie Joy
My oldest daughter went to school here. I never knew they had such a gorgeous garden. I will have to check it out. You captured it at the perfect time!! Your pictures are beautiful. I do like to make lists, but sometimes they can be overwhelming. I do love crossing things off my list when I have completed a task. Love & blessings from NC!
ReplyDeleteLoving the photos hubby took. I'm a list person...I'm also a person who forgets to write down the lists...but I still love lists, lol
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Kim ~ Such a nice "out and about" day for you and your husband! I am a "list keeper"...but it is more of a homekeeping list and I use it more for keeping our home and our life organized. My husband and I both like to follow a routine...we do stray from it...but our home runs more smoothly if we follow it. I might add that my husband is retired...so this is a joint effort for us. This works out well! We do love those "out and about" days! Blessings for your day! Thank you for visiting my "little space" and your sweet comments! Hugs ~ Teri
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place to visit! I love that stone bridge and the pond!
ReplyDeleteI don't ever make to do lists. I hardly look at my grocery list. I take it and then forget to look at it!
My husband has a hard time relaxing. He works hard all week but still wants to work on projects on the weekend!
Manuela
Let's see, first I do make lists and am very goal oriented.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I'm all for spontaneity! We love picking up and going. You're right-why not enjoy the empty nest to the fullest.
The flowers are gorgeous and it looks like you had a perfect day for it.
You were only an hour and 1/2 from me.
I might have to plan a trip there.
We went to Charlotte not long ago for the I-Max and science center.
I'm definitely a make a list person....I make list for everything, it drives me crazy. I do get the big reward in my mind as I mark through the items I've taken care of. Even though I'm a list person, I do love spur of the moment times.
ReplyDeleteThe Asian garden is so beautiful! The pictures captured a great spur of the moment adventure...
What a great way to spend a Saturday! Love the gardens. I'm not big on To Do Lists but I find I have to make them for hubby!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Donna
What gorgeous pictures. I wish we lived nearby to walk through that garden myself!
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of lists, but like you - I don't mind occasionally not getting something crossed off, there's always another day!
Thanks so much for sharing such beautiful pictures.
Hi Kim
ReplyDeleteToo bad you didn't tell me you were coming to Charlotte. It would have been great to meet you!
Hugs,Rhondi
I love spontenaity. It is a good part of life now for us. I read this post to my husband this morning, as we sat here facing a beautiful Spring morning. We both smiled as we identified with your situation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing to do together...visiting the Asian Gardens. Your photography almost gives me the feel of being there too. Gives us some good ideas for today. Thank you!
Hi Kim! I am catching up with you this morning and as usual your blog has been a pure delight! I have been preoccupied lately with a dad who had surgery and a husband with back problems, sorry I've been so quiet. This garden is beautiful. I don't make lists I just follow my nose. Hope you have a great weekend! Twyla
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to spend the day. So beautiful. I love Japanese gardens. There is a gorgeous one in Ft. Worth. My husband is more of the list maker in our house too. I am more a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of girl!
ReplyDeleteI do a list from time to time if I have something special coming up and I don't want to forget to do what I have to do, but usually I just follow a regular routine.
ReplyDeleteThis Asian garden looks so serene and beautiful! Taking a walk there must be relaxing. It's so true we need a few minutes ( or more!) each day to de-stress for our health.
What a beautiful garden! I love gardens! Have you been to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden yet?
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. Lists are great sometimes...however, a place like this looks like an incredible place to spend a relaxing Saturday. Wish this was in our part of the country! Looks positively lovely. Thanks for sharing the photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm all in favour of ditching the to-do list at this stage of life. I always seem to lose them anyhow!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your optional spur-of-the-moment plan was a terrific one!
Really gorgeous garden!!!
ReplyDelete