New to the Homemaker Diaries series? Find January’s post here and February’s post here.
March’s lesson could be summarized as finding contentment in the ordinary tasks of everyday life. This is something I think most of us have had to learn (for better or worse!) as we’ve navigated the past year. I know for me, if I give in to bitter or resentful thoughts, I’m just a miserable person! I’m thankful for yet another reminder to focus on today and what’s right in front of me.
The Lifegiving Home
On the level of home life, beauty is the order and grace we bring to the waiting hours and spaces of our lives, the celebrations we choose, the rituals we make, the gardens we plant, the care we give with as much attention as we can muster.
Such beauty speaks of our belief in a God of the details, a God aware of each sparrow, each tear, each heart. Our creativity affirms His care and presence in every aspect of our lives. Such beauty is also a shelter; it makes home one of the primary places where we can step back from the impersonal, deadening craze of life in order to encounter the life of God in the midst of a fallen world. (p.82)
Another beautiful quote and my new vision for my home: “This is the atmosphere I want those who come into my sphere to taste – the goodness of God made tangible in food, in pictures, in music, in the way they are served. I want my home to reflect the deepest affirmation of my heart that God is with me, that He has given me every good thing.” (p.83)
Another topic Clarkson touched upon in this month’s chapter was wonder: “Wonder helps us to notice with quiet, focused attention that helps us perceive the inherent, unique beauty of the people and the world around us.” (p.86) Children are the best teachers, especially in this area, so I watched mine for inspiration. A few highlights: I watched my oldest son quietly step outside to the front porch to take a photograph of the blazing orange sunset. I noticed my youngest sitting all by himself, staring intently at a picture book filled with vibrant illustrations. I witnessed the spur-of-the-moment learning about how to identify fraudulent money, three heads bent together around a ten dollar bill.
Mrs. Dunwoody’s Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping
“Every home should have a sewing basket.” My homemaking project this month was to start a good old-fashioned sewing basket! I found a little wicker basket on Poshmark – this one or this one or this one would work great too (affiliate links) – and started filling it up with odds and ends that I’ve collected over the years. She recommends the following supplies (I put the ones I have so far in bold):
- Sewing needles in assorted sizes
- Thread in light and dark colors
- A very sharp pair of scissors
- Straight pins kept in a pincushion
- Assorted buttons (I have these in a separate container)
- Assorted snaps, hooks, and eyes
- A thimble
- A magnifying glass
- A tape measure
- A seam ripper
- A needle threader
- Safety pins
- Dressmaker chalk
I also added denim iron-on patches and denim thread (affiliate links) to help prolong some of the little boys’ jeans. What am I missing?
A sewing basket is a must in our house! My mom gave me a small sewing tin as a gift on my 18th birthday. It was replaced after 5 good years of service by a much larger and fancier sewing tackle box, which was a gift from my wonderful MIL. My girls all know where to find it so they can mend things as needed. ** I do have pinking shears in my box, they can be very useful.
I LOVE that gift idea! I’ll have to remember it for my daughter/future daughters-in-law someday. So practical and useful.
Lifegiving Home is one of my favorite books EVER! And I also have a plant like that, but I cannot seem to make it perk up…it’s leaves are always droopy no matter how much water it has! I wonder if it’s the light…
Funny you mention the light, because mine was a little sad-looking all winter long, but now with more sunny days, it has perked right up and the shoots are growing like crazy!