No.480: Homemaker Diaries // January 2021

One of my goals for 2021 is to really embrace the homemaker spirit and focus on my vocation at home.  Home should be much more than just where we collapse at the end of the day and I want to work intentionally to create a warm, welcoming place for my family and anyone who visits us.  And you know me…I head straight to the books for guidance and inspiration!  I’m sure I’ll be adding throughout the year, but here’s my “syllabus” so far (affiliate links ahead):

+ Theology of Home: Finding the Eternal in the Everyday by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering & Megan Schrieber
+ Theology of Home II: The Spiritual Art of Homemaking
+ Home Economics: Vintage Advice and Practical Science for the 21st-Century Household
+ The Life Giving Home and The Life Giving Home Experience by Sally Clarkson
+ Mrs. Dunwoody’s Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping by Miriam Lukken
+ Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family

My focus for January was pretty typical for the beginning of a new year: to return to consistent rhythms and routines.  I dove into my books and love all of them so far!  Some highlights:

Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family

For the first time, we did a home blessing on the feast of the Epiphany.  From the book: “…the father took the blessed chalk and wrote over every room that led from the house into the open: AD 19 C M B 55.  This stands for “Anno Domini 1955 – Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar” and means that the three Holy Kings, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, in this year of Our Lord, 1955 (or whatever the year may be), are protecting this house against all evil spirits.” (p.67)  I’ve also heard that “C M D” could also stand for the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “Christ bless this house.”

Mrs. Dunwoody’s Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping

I especially liked the following tips from Mrs. Dunwoody’s Notes for Planning a Superior Day.  Lots of wisdom here!

1. Make a plan for your day.  She recommends making a general schedule, with an emphasis on 2-3 major things to accomplish.
2. Concentrate.  This tip focused on the concept of uninterrupted time, whether that be five minutes or an hour.  You can accomplish quite a bit if you focus on one thing at a time vs. trying to multi-task all the things.  I think putting away the phone (as it can have the temptation to be a huge distraction) could also be added here.
3. Learn to rest and catch your breath.  “…do not underestimate, or feel guilty about your need for a rest.  It is not a poor use of your time to rest; on the contrary, being refreshed increases your productivity.”  I have found that my 20 minute afternoon break for coffee and reading rejuvenates me enough to power through the rest of the day.
4. Don’t procrastinate.  She recommends doing the most unpleasant chore first.
5. Sift and sort.  This tip was about sorting your tasks into priorities – what is the most important and what can wait for later?  I’m using the Confident Mom’s Household Planner to sort the household chores for me.  One less decision to make each day!
6. Strive for excellence, not perfection.  Loved this line: “Perhaps this is one of the most important things I can teach you, my precious children, for the women in my family seem not to realize that there is a great difference in striving for excellence and striving for perfection.  The first is attainable, gratifying, and healthy.  The second is impossible, frustrating, and neurotic (not to mention obnoxious).  It is also a terrible waste of time.”
7. Never lose sight of the “big picture.”  Another great quote: “..if you can try to maintain a perspective, and remember that people (especially children) are always more important than things, you will do well in life.  After all, today is all we ever have to work with.  Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow.  Take it minute by minute, wisely, and you will succeed.  As you’ve often heard me say, ‘Trust in God and do the next thing.'”

The Lifegiving Home

A quote that really hit me in the gut: “If my awareness of space is concentrated on a screen, my home will reflect the absence of my attention, my creativity, and ultimately, my love.  How can I pray without ceasing and bring that prayer into every aspect of making home if I cannot focus on anything for more than five seconds at a time?” (p.38)

For January, Clarkson gave a handful of tips for planning for fun.  One that really inspired me was the idea to create “cozy play spaces.”  I deep cleaned my linen closet, cleared out the items on the floor and piled in some blankets and Sophie’s pillow lounger.  It was a big hit!  We eventually added some twinkly lights and she has spent so much time reading and drawing, enjoying a little peace from little brothers.  (Although those brothers have enjoyed the hiding spot too, ha!)

Linking up with Rosie’s “Just Because”!