Shining the Light of Home

Summer's Reflection

by Carol Jones.

The home dweller represents her family and her values both in and outside of the home atmosphere. For this reason, she needs to develop a code of living and a set of standards that will put her at ease and present a good message to everyone around her. I have made a list of possible things that can be done to create more contentment in homemaking. Not only that, but some of these things tend toward a sweet happiness that will produce an inclination toward creativity and efficiency.

View From the Veranda

by Leon Roulette

Take Care of Your Appearance. This has been emphasized throughout the years by many wise women, and discussed a lot in the blog world. We live in an era that preaches an attitude of  informality. Fifty years ago, there were those who proclaimed loudly that any kind of carefulness regarding appearance or speech was insincere, affectatious, prideful, and self-indulgent.  Dressing down took over the whole culture, and   many women feel self-conscious if they try to dress up neatly or wear anything they really like that is pretty. Snide remarks about floral prints were heard on television by "experts" who intimidated many sensitive women who only wanted to look nice. They then put these women in clothing that was inappropriate for them, both emotionally and physically. Women were made to feel self-conscious and conceited if they dressed well at home or in public. 

We can change this mindset just by wearing something nice in public. When others see someone wearing a nice garment, they then have the courage to do so, themselves. It is very tempting just to want to keep to ourselves at home, to avoid feeling uneasy and different, but the Bible teaches  Christians to be like lights in the world. 

During the course of a day at home, a woman is going to have to answer the door, and that few minutes makes an impression. The day you decide not to fix yourself up, is the day everyone comes to the door and catches you off guard. It is important how you present yourself, because of what you represent: the family, the church, your nation.

Summer Breeze

by Alice Dalton , from allposters.com

Make a point of taking care of your appearance before anything else, at the beginning of the day, barring illness or other circumstances. If you have children, they will get these habits from observing you as they grow up. If your children are grown and gone, dressing up (and I don't mean prom dresses or ultra-formal, impractical clothing) can lift your morale tremendously. This includes care of the hair and face and all the other grooming necessities, to go with the look of completeness and confidence.  Do it to glorify God and for your self, and there will be other good results that follow.

One example that was given to me recently was from a friend of mine who had grown discouraged at the way women were dressing in her town. It made her sad to see the sloppy, badly designed, dull looking clothing in the stores with high prices. She decided to pray for the women in her town, that God would give them something beautiful to wear that would increase their love and happiness for God and the life He gave them.  Since she was able to sew, she wore some of her prettiest things whenever she went to the grocery store or her errands in town. When she had company, she also dressed her best, wearing skirts and dresses instead of tee shirts and jeans.  She did not expect quick results, but in just a few years she noticed that some women had chosen prettier, more feminine clothing and wore it in public.  

T.C. Chiu

Make your home beautiful, no matter what your circumstances. People do not notice the flaws in your house if you have something beautiful in it. An arrangement of meaningful books in a shelf, a picture on the wall, a pretty rug and a lamp, a bouquet of flowers or just a basket of yarn in the colors of your choice, go a long way to create a feeling of love and contentment at home.  You can feel so much better in a home that has some order in it, and some cleanliness. There is something very relaxing about just having one room done the way you like it, so you need not think you have to wear yourself out making the whole house perfect. You can make any home beautiful without expense just by they way you arrange things, and such a house will make its members content to be there.

Making a lovely home requires attention, and so it is important not to get sidetracked by all the issues that life presents.  Recognize unnecessary drama and trauma and work around all obstacles. Keep sweeping and arranging and planning and singing. When discouragement interferes, ignore it and move on. It is important to learn to work alone, and not depend on the approval of others, but to get satisfaction from reaching goals. Make a brief list of two or three things you want to do and then make small steps to do them. You'll see how it changes your character and your heart and your love for your home. 

Veranda, by Candace Lovely, from allposters.com

It is one thing to expect changes in your circumstances, or changes in the world, or the economy, or,  the end of the world, but it is another thing to stand around anxiously looking for signs. Christians need to be busy about the work that God has given them, rather than sitting around wishing things could be already done. Women at home have a great work, and a "good work" to be done, so it is no wonder that they will be challenges. The greatest defeat is in demoralization. Demoralization is where you don't feel worthy of anything and do not feel your work is worthwhile, so you give up.  The greatest weapon against demoralization is achievement. If all you do is dress up and sit on the porch with a cup of tea to make a list of immediate things to do, you have achieved something. If all you do is look after your new baby, you are achieving something. If all you do is get a meal on the table, you have achieved something. These things should make you feel good, especially if you find creative ways to do them.

Ofsprey Point by Albert Swayhoov from allposters.com

With these two things: dressing well and creating beauty in the house,  much can change for the better, for yourself, and for others, but it will take patience. By patience, I mean that you do not give up when you don't see results. You keep doing something steadily, and then you will notice how much more content you are and how much stronger your light shines.

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world...Philippians 2:15

For those who feel demoralized because they feel they cannot get anywhere with their work, I would like to say that it does not always have to look like you are making progress in your house, for that work to be worthwhile. One great lesson that I learned was from a quote by a soldier in the 1800's who was on the losing side of a conflict. He said that he did not feel defeated, because he would rather be on the right side and lose, than on the wrong side, and win. He still believed in his cause of freedom, and clung to that principle. So, if you feel you are just treading water, you have to look at life differently. The world thinks that progress is important, but God wants us to do our daily work, even if it does not look like anything great in the eyes of the world.  Every day that you do the work of the one who sent you, is a day of progress, even if it is just your daily work.

Someone in comments mentioned the lift a new paint job does for your inside walls. I was given a lot of ---yes--quacamole green paint (the color we would ALL like to get rid of!) but was able to mix it with white and make a very velvety green. It was not my choice of color but because it was free, I wanted to use it, and the effect was a lot better than the "before" look. A  fresh painted wall or clean curtains are great motivators because the room becomes a new place. It is more enjoyable to make the bed or straighten up a "new" room in a "new" house. Cleaning and rearranging also make a "new" house.

Jubilee

English Rose

 Congratulations to the British people for their Queen's Jubilee. One of the purposes of a jubilee celebrations in modern times is to unite a people in celebrating their history, their language, and their religious roots. It is a time to remind a nation of its strength, its honor and the blessings that its people enjoy for being part of that country.

hot tea

I'm glad she wears pink.

Flags around the world that contain the Union Jack emblem:

Cayman Islands

Grand Union, first U.S. Flag

Hawaii

Australia

New Zealand

CSA displays the Union Jack with stars.

Please enjoy Laura's celebration at Decor to Adore.

Watch the Jubilee Flotilla on the Thames here.

JU'BILEE, n. [L. jubilum, from jubilo, to shout for joy; Heb. the blast of a trumpet, coinciding with Eng. bawl, peal, L. pello.]

1. Among the Jews, every fiftieth year, being the year following the revolution of seven weeks of years, at which time all the slaves were liberated,and all lands which had been alienated during the whole period,reverted to their former owners. Thiswas a time of great rejoicing. Hence,

2. A season of great public joy and festivity.

                                                          From the 1828 Dictionary

Comfortable Afternoon Tea

Mrs. Wilson

by Robert William Vonnoh, 1858-1933, American

View This Painting Here

All these pictures and paintings depict an easy, informal afternoon tea. The only formal feeling that you get is from the presentation and the tea cups. You see here ladies gathered informally by a window, and children outside taking tea at a table. Note the children sharing  their milk  with the kittens nearby.

Tea Time 

by Frank Write Bourdillon (English, born in India, 1851-1924)

Seating for everyone, including children.

Those people unfamiliar with the Afternoon Tea gathering may feel that it is too stiff and formal, but my experience is that it is comfortably informal. The only formal things about it are the nice settings and beautifully laid out food.

Afternoon Tea

The most formal part of the event was the tea set.

Wildflowers in a jelly jar just match the label, another formal but informal touch for this gathering.

It is always interesting to find things growing outside to put in a can or jar with a label that matches. While it is wonderful if you can afford the cut flowers from the floral section of the grocery store, it costs nothing to provide your own. Even if you have no flowers growing, try green things like mint, laurel, Queen Anne's lace and other "weeds."

Deli-prepared lunch brought by the some of the guests  made it easier for everyone

Visitors brought sliced foods from the deli and plenty of raw vegetables, fruits and dips, to which everyone helped themselves. Note the pretty square plates and plastic "silver" ware. These inexpensive additions create a special, formal yet relaxed feeling to the tea-luncheon.  Several ladies who came had large families and they insisted on bringing huge amounts of food, which was very welcome.

There were 10 ladies and 12 children attending this Afternoon Tea, and the children's tea was provided on picnic tables outside. That way, they had more freedom and more room, on the great expanse of lawn.

The lovely silverware also comes from a dollar store, and I wanted to let you know that you can often get real stainless steel, made in USA there, sometimes 2 or three pieces for a dollar.  

A small dining table placed in the foyer area for extra serving and seating.  I find it is best not to have a formal program at showers or teas, but to allow guests to serve themselves and to visit freely.

Observing American Memorial Day

American Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, which began with Southern ladies  decorating  the graves of fallen Confederate soldiers in 1868. Today it is celebrated all over the United States and its territories as a memorial to all those who have died in military service.

Decoration Day

from a Book Published in 1891

If you are just getting acquainted with the Memorial Day custom, and wanting to know how you can participate in a meaningful way, it is first necessary to know the history and purpose  of memorials.  God often told His people in the Old Testament to raise a memorial so that others who passed by it would be reminded of something  that took place. Memorials are reminders of the values that people stood for and the historical events surrounding them.

One ancient but living memorial that thousands of people observe each week is the Lord's Supper, which Jesus instituted on the night on which he was betrayed. He taught his disciples that the unleavened bread represented his broken body, and that the fruit of the vine represented his blood. Matthew 26:25-30.  The purpose of this memorial was to provide a time to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Jesus told his disciples when  they took the emblems, "This do, in remembrance of Me." We observe this memorial on the first day of the week when we come together to worship.  Memorials are important because they keep us from forgetting lessons and events that are integral to our future days. 

Observing a memorial day effectively will require a respectful attitude and a feeling of solemnity, accompanied by some knowledge of history.  In America, there is a great choice of ways to observe Memorial Day. In or around  nearly every single town, there is an official event  or ceremony available for people to attend. You can find some of these events by typing in "Memorial Day Events in (your area)."

There are thousands of Memorial Day services across the country, but that is nothing compared to the hundreds more personal family and individual memorial day celebrations, where people plan their own activities.  We always enjoyed having an old fashioned farm lunch taken picnic-style, and reading about the custom of Memorial Day so that our friends and family would not forget what it meant.  On the Lord's Day, previous to the Monday holiday,  a sermon was usually preached about the purpose of observing meaningful memorials.

Historical re-enactment groups host Memorial Day shows in various places across the country, and FM/Classical radio stations broadcast hours of patriotic music and hymns with speeches, on this day. If you are spending the day at home, you can listen to some of these broadcasts on the web.

You can read more about Decoration Day and Memorial Day in a book called "Victorian Entertaining" by John Crosby Freeman, and in a chapter called "The Art of Living" by Linda Lichter in her book "The Benevolence of Manners. The author spent some time detailing the Victorian's respectful conduct during mourning and memorials, and showed how it brings an appreciation for life to those that remain.

If you are in any doubt that this country has strength, value and worth, just read comments by people in other countries when they congratulate Americans on their special observance days. "I love my country," wrote one man after watching a video of a Memorial Day service, "But I truly wish I loved my country as much as Americans love theirs."  Another person added, "I wish people loved my country as much as other countries love America."  In some international events, citizens of foreign countries place their hands on their hearts while the American anthem is being played. We must not forget that in observing memorials to show appreciation for those who have contributed to our safety, we also receive unexpected blessings and respect.

 God commanded the nation of Israel to set aside time to celebrate their nation by honoring God and their leaders. We can re-enact that on Memorial Day and take courage in the fact that our country is unique among the nations, not because of its location, but because of its concept of freedom, enterprise and worship of God. Any country can have what America has, if they have the beliefs and freedom to enjoy the fruits of their labors, beliefs of work and worship, free enterprise, love and loyalty to God, and the belief that they are obligated to develop and use their talents to glorify God and serve others.

Although Memorial Day is generally set aside for patriotic activities, it has been extended to include remembrance and respect for all relatives, friends and loved-ones who have gone on before.


You might be interested in watching this video about Sergeant York, and American Hero, for part of your Memorial Day observance.

Fake Cake to Scent Your Home

A Pet Rose Bush

Although allposters attributes this painting to Corot, I think there has been a mistake made, for it obviously is by the American artist Daniel Ridgeway Knight.

I have had quite a few requests over the years for a tutorial to make this decorative scented fake-cake, which is similar to ones sold in home interior type catalogs for hefty prices.   I have been trying for a long time to make one of these and get it posted. I am entering this tutorial in  Beverly's Pink Saturday .

 All the ingredients  that you see in the picture below are available at Dollar Tree stores.  The styrofoam rounds are essential for this craft, and I would strongly recommend using some from Michaels or JoAnns or WalMart floral department, rather than the Dollar Store brand, which is very difficult to cut. However, if you have an electric knife or some kind of cutting tool, it might be easy to cut the cheaper styrofoam. I have used the Dollar Store styrofoam here and was able to cut it with a table knife or serrated edge cake spatula.

You'll need a hot glue gun with plenty of glue sticks, round styrofoam for the cake layers and a few stems of fake flowers and berries, all available at the dollar store, or just use supplies you already have.  This project is best left to those who are adept at using hot glue and is not for children.  You will need a stem of about 7 large roses and a stem of small roses or flowers, as well as some of the berries that you see in the photo.

If using the dollar store styrofoam, you'll need two packages of round styrofoam, and each package contains two rounds.  If using a higher quality brand, just use three round styrofoam pieces. For a quick and easy project, choose the smallest size you can find. This one that I am making took one stem of flowers, which contained about 7 roses. The total cost for the flowers and styrofoam was about 6 dollars.  

Before attempting this, please read through the directions to see if you really want to take the time to do it. It took me about 3 hours, but I was photographing the steps as I went.

On a piece of paper, trace around the styrofoam shape:

Cut out the paper circle.

Fold the circle in half,

and in half again.

Open the circle and cut out one of the four sections.

Lay the larger paper circle on top of the styrofoam round, and draw with pen or pencil, the fourth section that has been cut out, digging into the styrofaom with the pen.

With the hot glue gun, glue all the styrofoam layers together, using just a few drops here and there on each layer.

With a table knife that has a serrated edge, cut out the slice, following the lines you have drawn. Put the small piece aside, because you will be using this later to make a single slice of scented cake.

Pull some small roses off the stems but do not remove any of the plastic pieces from the flowers, because you will need them to stick firmly in the styrofoam.

Hot glue a strip of the plastic berries in the middle, for the "filling' and dab some glue on the other sections. Put the white roses into the styrofoam and the glue on both sides, as you see here:

Pull the roses off the stems and remove all the plastic joins. Then clip the petals off.

Hot glue the largest petals on to the lower part of the cake, overlapping them and letting the tips fall a little below the edge.

Hot glue another row of petals, overlapping the lower row, and overlapping the other petals as you glue them around. Position the petals to come above the top of the cake a little.

Hot-glue large petals on the top of the cake in a circle, overlapping and overhanging,  starting new rows until it is completely covered.

This is what it should look like, but there can be many ways of doing this. If you have very curly petals, try gluing them all over without bothering to put them in rows, for a different look. Or, you could just leave the plastic pieces on the flowers and push them directly into the styrofoam, along with hot glue. I have seen some of these cakes in home interior shops, with the leaves up the sides for "icing."

Now turn the cake upside down to show the bare styrofoam underneath, and hot-glue the leaves that were on the rose stem, shiny side down, all over.  Be sure to remove the little plastic fittings first. Let the leaves over-lap and stick out beyond the cake base.

It will look something like this.

Take two of the leaf groupings and hot-glue them to the top of the cake,

adding two or three of the smaller roses from the inside of the cake, and some of the berries.

I hope you did not throw away that little wedge you cut out, because now you can make a scented slice to go with your cake. Cut that wedge in half, as you see above,

and set it on a flat side.  Glue berries to the middle, trimming with scissors to fit.

Add hot glue on both sides of the middle and stick the  miniature white roses into the stryrofoam.

Now cover the rounded side with some of the left over, smaller petals from the rose stem, making sure they reach over the edges,  and add some green leaves to the end, like you did on the cake. 

If you want to scent your cake, you can spray it with vanilla perfume or cologne, or get scented oils at the dollar store which work really well on this cake and give off a pleasant scent for a long time.

Use a dropper or pour the scented oil from the bottle onto a section on top of the cake. Find a loose petal and lift it up to get the scent on to the styrofoam, and also tip the cake on its side and add scent to the filling.

Display it with a few spilled berries or flower "filling"  to make it look like a yummy, gooey slice of cake. To make a gift of it, glue the cake and slice on its own fancy paper plate, or use a plate from the thrift store.

If you do not have styrofoam, this could possibly be made with other materials. It is possible to make this by using a round box with lid, as the base, but it would not have a slice. The round box still makes an attractive centerpiece, though, and looks great on a mantel or entry table, but keep out of reach of small children. It looks great behind the glass doors of a china cabinet, on a pedestal cake plate.

Fake food like this is used for display in historic tour-homes and other places. This might be something worth making for someone's Etsy store and it certainly is nice to look at.

Try  another kind of fake cake here.