I've been inspired lately by various old photos I've come across recently of ladies in the old-time days sewing or spinning--or doing any random household chore--outdoors. So with that in mind and facing either a tight, tiny bathroom or the sunny deck for ironing...I chose the latter. Now I wouldn't recommend this if your facing blistering, scorching hot summer days....but if you have a nice, breezy summer day...I say go for it!
Ironing for me is something like what studying used to be in college or high school...ya know, the hardest part is opening the book! Well, the hardest part of ironing for me is pulling up the ironing board!
Once I've got the thing up and all of the 30 seconds it takes for the iron to heat up...I'm pretty well over the ironing-chore-hump. But that's quite a hump in my world, I have to admit!
Truthfully, in the whole scheme of things, I really don't mind ironing. There's something therapeutic about it--I know this sounds absolutely absurd. And I know that you probably don't believe me for one minute...
But I truly believe I'm onto something here...especially out on the deck like this. There's something quite satisfying about taking something all wrinkled and crinkled and smoothing, steaming....patiently pressing out all those bumps and creases....
Until everything's flat, and crisp, and lovely. The creases and pleats are where they're supposed to be and all the others are gone...leaving the fabric just soft and flowing. This is especially true for summer clothes, of course. That's the thing--summer dresses and capris and blouses and shirts are so wonderful--but oh! the ironing involved to keep them that way!
It is worth it, though, don't you think? And not only does everything look so lovely...it also has that crisp, steamy smell...of having been pressed and finished.
So why do I balk and dread ironing so much...??? I should actually do more of it! I work certain muscles that don't get worked otherwise...and it is rather therapeutic in its repetition....and we all know that ANYthing therapeutic is all the rage these days! Perhaps this could be the new craze....perhaps it could surpass yoga! No? Ok. I don't do yoga so I wouldn't really know, but I definitely think this ironing-on-the-deck thing's in there!