Afternoon Tea by the Sea

Good morning dear Ladies at Home,

Several years ago I took a party of Victorians, ( in full costume)  including parents,children and friends, to a little beach, where we set up a Victorian afternoon tea on a cloth covered picnic table.  The men carried the heavy picnic baskets with real china and old silver teapots.  As I cannot locate any pictures of the event, I have always wanted to reenact the whole experience, this time with good pictures.  It turns out I may have that opportunity soon.   I will post pictures this coming week.

In the meantime I have assigned myself so much to do:

-Writing free brochures and booklets for Christian ladies on various subjects of family life and some subjects concerning the woman's part in church; (will post on this web-log)

-Sketching out some designs for sewing clothes from the pretty cotton fabrics, for all occasions, and then sewing some of them. (Will post the drawings and the sewn clothing if it ever gets from the paper to the garment ;-)

-Get more organized by sorting through papers, art supplies, old pictures, and boxes of things from days gone by.

-Finishing painting the house both outside and inside.  I have a half-painted bedroom, dining room and kitchen and half the window trim outside. Life keeps interrupting it. For some reason, people want to sleep and eat in these rooms and there doesn't seem to be much time inbetween!  Do you remember the Extreme Makeover shows that would send the family on a vacation while the house was being re-done---that would work for me, as long as someone else did the painting and I was on the vacation.

Back to the tea by the sea:  Over 15 years ago  several people stopped on a pathway just above where our table was set and we Victorians were walking around on the nearby beach and took pictures of our group. It will be a smaller event this time; likely only me! I will not have the Victorian group on this trip but will have the meal anyway. This time will be the same tea things and the same costumes and maybe a similar beach.  I smile as I think how the Victorian styles are kind of locked in history, like the Koine Greek of the New Testament, and cannot change, historically.  That way we know what the pattern is!

I hope you have a lovely day. Our Saturdays are very busy and I plan to stay home so I will not lose much time. I am hoping to finish a sewing project and do a few other things.  It seems in a home here is breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the day goes so quickly!

I Should Have Done This!

As per the photos, below, a long-time reader hs printed and saved my writings from way back. She has them in plastic sleeves so the paper will stay fresh and clean.  I certainly wish I had done this.  I have copies of the very first ones, but not later ones.  I need to mention there is a host of great posts by other ladies that are worth saving. Check my blogroll daily for some very wise and useful Titus 2 type articles.

Mail Twice a Day

At 6 a.m. I already posted a message, but I could not wait to send these two inspiring photos I found on Pinterest a long time ago. They both evoke old homestead memories when we took a bit of old and new and put it all together, before we ever knew anything about color coordination or matching.

It is a busy day for me as I will be cleaning up after hosting Ladies Bible Class yesterday. Anyone care to help?  I was absent from the Wednesday evening Bible class at church due to some sniffles and a little sinus--signs of things in bloom--but am feeling fine.  For those who suffer more seriously from sinus, try eliminating wheat and flour products, and high oxalate foods.  I know someone who has done this and says she has not had any sinus trouble in a long time, and when she does tempt nature and eat something grain-related, or something high in oxalates, she feels the familiar twinge in her face and a sinus coming on.  I am trying this and it is more effective than any other remedy, at least for me. Do a web search on oxalates to get a list of foods low in oxalates. Oxalates form crystals in the sinus membranes, causing pain.  The same foods cause kidney stones. You can "kill two birds with one stone" on a low oxalate diet.  It generally avoids rough foods and whole grains that cause the most trouble. Not all people can tolerate the same foods, so we must each do what suits us best! Notice it says "low" when referring to oxalates.  It is not possible to eliminate every oxalate but we can aim for "low".

There was a time when the post delivered mail twice a day. As a common and frequent form of communication, the mail could really back up!

Your Mother Was Right

                                      

How are you, on this fine morning?

Today I need to leave a  post about the care if elbows and knees.  We may all recall our mothers telling us not to put our elbows on the table, because it was not considered polite or refined.

                                    

The elbow ettiquette may have seemed silly at the time, because it was just plain natural to prop your chin with your elbows, or rest your elbows on the table when the meal was finished: a sign of contentment and satisfaction.  

Elbows on the table may have been less-than-polite, but did you know how delicate the elbows are? They were not actually created to hold things up or to brace things. They are fragile bones only made to move freely and can be easily damaged by wrong use!  Putting your elbows on the table can result in internal damage to the elbows, such as bursitis, (painful swelling) broken bones,  and permanent damage. An elbow or knee injury in your youth can give you trouble the rest of your life. That is how an injury to the elbow can affect you and that is why I am bringing this up. The house can be a source of physical injury, and great care should also be taken to guard yourself.

                                        

 To protect the elbows while reading, make sure the arms of the chair are padded, or that you have cushions to comfort them. If possible, wear clothing that covers elbows, knees and even the ankle. Knees are also just joints used for bending, and not intended as braces or muscles. Knee pads should be used when gardenning or doing anything on the floor.  When we had the cushy carpets with their spongy padding, it was not so hard on the knees to get up from sitting on the floor, but now, we have to learn to protect the knees from injury. 

I noticed many of the men's  lady's clothing in pre-20th century photographs and paintings covered the elbows and the knees, or at least the trousers and sleeves could be rolled down over these important joints.

It is easy for a homemaker to injure these areas, resulting in bruising or swelling. There are some effective natural things you can do to alleviate the pain caused by prolonged elbows on the table. An ice pack helps, as well as wrapping a stretchy bandage around it. Soak a swollen elbow in calendula tea (available at most grocery stores, also know as dandelion root) Make sure the elbows are not propped up by anything harder than a soft bed-pillow, and be careful to let them be free of getting bumped.  Do a web-search for more details on the signs of elbow damage and the treatments available.  

To prevent injury of the elbows at home, make sure wall edges are covered with the proper woodwork, and that arms are kept close to your sides to prevent nicking the elbows around hard furniture and appliances, doors and doorways. The ankles are also very delicate and the most painful when injured. They also need protection by wearing adequately covered shoes and if wearing flats, walk carefully and be aware of where you place your feet. One common source of injury to the delicate bones of the feet is the modern steel shopping cart, which hits the forestep of the foot. I try to choose a small cart that has a higher basket and no metal bar close to the area where you step.  For cuts from these horrid contraptions I find the silver mineral spray very effective if used several times a day.

When we were taught to write properly, our elbows were just off the edge of the table while our paper was at a slant, and never did we rest  our elbows on a the hard surface of a desk. 

Sometimes when the mind is so preoccupied with things that must be done, we are not conscious of protecting these areas of the body. Rushing through the house or mindlessly going about some task can result in injuries to the knees, elbows and other places. I am sure everyone has had the awkward experience of trying to explain an injury due to heedlessness.  Teach children not to get in the habit of putting their faces up close to things that might injure them, from packages that are being opened with scissors, to oven doors, appliances and anything in the house that could cause injury. Regularly examine the home to remove anything that may cause injury, such as cords that can be tripped over or things that can be knocked over.

 What do a few scrapes and scratches matter? You never can be too careful with the skin, either.  It is the outer layer of the immune system protecting everything underneath. Treat your body well, for it was designed to serve you as you serve The Lord.          

Something Pleasant

                         

                                (Tea cup from Horchow also comes in white)

Matthew 6:34  Be not therefore anxious for the morrow, for the morrow shall be anxious for its own things; sufficient for the day is the evil of it.

It is very easy to develop the habit of worry.  If you can remember the first anxiety you ever had, you might be able to see a pattern of worry that came after it.  If only we could develop the habit of not worrying, using the same methods that got us to worrying in the first place!

My motto is: Do what you CAN do, and what you CANNOT do, leave up to The Lord.

Some Good Points

                                             I

Someone sent me this link to a very well-written piece about respectful dress for church. http://fashionforrealwomen.com/blog/the-what-to-wear-to-church-  It addresses all the challenges about the subject in a very tasteful and peaceable manner.

Please note: The post was not written by me, nor do I necessarily personally sanction all aspects of it. However, the major points of her article are worth considering.

I have forwarded it to several people. One of the replies I received was this:

"This explanation makes a lot of sense-- of course if they are in grungies all week (and doing actual work in them) they would want a day off from that! And why shouldn't it be continued in their culture-- what a lovely tradition! As housewives, we don't have to dress "down" every day, but it is still more special for Sundays-- we have clothes that we set aside for that special day."

Perhaps the modern boredom of church could be somewhat alleviated with the practice of making it a special occasion by dressing our best. I can only suggest you give it a try.

As per usual, a couple of the comments following the article gave the old tired excuses about dressing up being conceited or causing others to feel inferior, or dressing your best not being affordable.  Have you seen the price of casual, trendy tee shirts and jeans these days?  It is not exactly cheap to dress down!


You might also like this video from World Bible School which tastefully and kindly and gently addresses the subject "Does it Matter What We Wear to Church?"
 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n-oi7eN7vjY. Please click this link and view the video.

Naturally whenever someone blogs about this subject they get the usual comments about how we need to be more casual in order to get people interested in Christ, but I think it shows they did not actually read the link.  If you feel you have objections to the article the author wrote on that link, please watch the World Bible School video I provided to get the entire picture. 

People sometimes become very PROUD and yes, high-minded about how casual they dress for worship. In fact they seem to be saying, "Look at me: I am not as stuffy as you are; I can come in my pyjamas as that's better, since it is my heart that counts! At least I am being myself. I don't care what you have to look at or what it does to YOUR heart, as long as I'M happy!"  A thoughtful, sacrificial and selfless person will want to offer God and others "the best of the flock", so to speak, by dressing respectfully.  The problem is, the moderns have gone about changing the meanings of words like "best" or "better", "formal" or respectful.  I suspect advertising twists our senses until we do not know the difference between refinement and savage. Dressing decently, orderly and beautifully has been labelled and libeled and lashed at as high-minded or affectatious. It has been given bad press. There is a reverse-snobbery taking place!

Casualness being the tradition these days, perhaps women feel awkward when dressed a bit more carefully. To alleviate this, try dressing better at home. It is after all, your "castle on the hill" where you preside as its queen in its daily functions and order.

Below: photo of Church of Christ Ladies Group in Lowell, Indiana, circa 1910.  This photograph is a treasure, for it tells a history. Please leave a comment and tell me what you can observe in this.  I have photographs of a very poor family (mine) in the late 1940's and early 1959's dressed up for church. My mother managed to find all the special clothes we needed.

The Importance of A Cheerful Heart

Learn to overcome discouragement by replacing pessimistic thoughts with optimistic ones. Do not allow the critics to get too much inside of your mind and do not replay their remarks or mull over them. The best way to overcome those who are against you is to do more of what is good, kind and lovely. 

Actions speak loudly of what is on your mind. If you are content at home and are minding your own business, others know you have a cheerful heart. For some reason, there are people who want to boss homemakers and make them miserable. They may be jealous because they see you enjoying your role in the home.  They reason that life should be hard and grueling and miserable for you, and that you should not enjoy yourself as you work. They don't want you to sit by the fire or stop for tea, read a book, talk with friends, enjoy listening to music, go shopping, bake bread, rearrange your furniture, arrange flowers, or anything of any comfort.  

It is so important not to allow anyone to control your thinking, and it is also important that a homemaker not feel a bit guilty for loving her home and loving her life with her family and enjoying every minute of it. Do not let the naysayer control your routine, how you live;  even where you live.  You are not doing anything wrong; there are always going to be people who are intent on spoiling life for others. When you get in the habit of feeling defeated, it can become a pattern for your entire life. Do not inflict guilt and misery upon yourself for doing what is good and right just because someone made a caustic remark.

Remember to be alert and aware of how others who do not have the same values, are leading and controlling the way you live.

Sometimes in an effort to assure people that we do not have it "too good" we can resort to saying things like, "Yes, I am a homemaker, but it is such hard work!"  We become too self conscious and are afraid we will be taunting or showing off the good life in front of those who might be envious.  We do not want others to think we are too happy, as it might make them feel bad!  Do not give in to this type of thinking. You can confidently say you are home and loving all he different aspects of caring for the family and the house, as well as all the different interests you are exploring.

Life is too precious to allow other people to destroy your happiness and your contentment. Do something happy today, at home. Make a list of everything you must do, and another list of everything you would like to do, and try to do one of each.  Your want-to-do list can include rest and whatever puts your heart at ease. This is puts restorative things into your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual state. Feed good and creative nutrients (with rest and re-creation) back into yourself to replace the energy you have used.  

Remember the Proverb:  "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

When a Christian has a gloomy outlook on life, it is not effective evangelism, (unless it attracts those who are sour on life---what a congregation that would be!)  is a poor testimony of his beliefs, and tells others that he must not have a very good Heavenly Father, and ruins his influence. In spite of troubles, it is good for your body and soul to be cheerful because it restores your health. You can only take so much despair and it will effect your over-all health, so be sure to feed on the Word, pray for all your needs, and do not let other's gloom effect you.

Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

So, remember how the cheerful heart prevents illness and emotional meltdown!

Good Morning Dear Ladies,

I am getting ready for company on Sunday and so I only have time for a short post.

Every time I post a photo that shows any of my wicker chairs in the background,  someone suggests I paint them. Yes, they do need painting, and I am going to do that. I found some spray paint by Krylon that includes primer and covers wicker great. The next time I have a photo of the wicker, I hope it is painted!

This is a little table in front of the couch that is set with a vase of flowers from my gardens: ranunculus blossoms with white daffodils. 

This scripture from Titus (below) is addressed to a young preacher but it can apply to ladies today. A lady is a woman who tries to be refined in the way she speaks (not using vulgar expressions and not swearing) and her habits (avoiding the world's vices and unfeminine practices (you know what they are). A lady is a woman who tries to grow in maturity in her mind and her judgement.

One way to replace bad habits with good habits is to engage in doing things that benefit your home life.

Tit 2:7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Tit 2:8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Good Times at Home

Being a home keeper can require being on your feet more than you plan, while keeping things in order, and the other things that keeping the home requires.  Wouldn't you love to go out to a grand place away from it all and sit awhile? For many of us it isn't possible due to distance, cost, and pressing responsibilities at home, however, almost everything you want to go "out" for can be reproduced at home, at least for the time being. Want a musical comcert, a book review club, a sewing circle, a ladies Bible class, morning teatime?  There are ways to do this when you cannot go out to it. And to paraphrase Jane Austen, "Since you cannot be brought to the fancy hotel, the fancy hotel must be brought to you!" (Does anyone know what the correct quote is?)

Have you ever been unable to leave your house for some important reason, but longed for someone to come and bring you something special to cheer you up?  That happened to me, once, a long time ago. A lady that I knew showed up completely by surprise  and brought in a folding table and set up a tea party for me, complete with savories and tea, with cups and even hot water which she brought in thermoses. I did not think at the time to get a picture but the vision of it is still very clear in my mind! The table cloth and napkins, the silver teapot (which she uses for travel because it will not break) and her brightly colored dishes are still a fresh memory.  

In lieu of the expensive hotel tea when it is not feasible to leave your house, you can set this up in your own home as a reward for completing the things you have been trying to do. I always look forward to getting a room cleaned and then standing back and looking at it with a feeling of accomplishment.  Remember after each day of Creation, God said, "It is good!"  As we create order at home and add beauty, pleasant scents and sounds, let us do so with the intention of being able to say "It is good!" Having a nice place to go when I am finished is a good motivation, but when it is not possible, I can bring the nice place to my own living room.

I like to get the rooms closest to the front door--the ones I see when I first come in the door- presentable first. That way if I do not get the other rooms completed, here are a couple of places at look nice enough to keep me encouraged. (I keep goimg back to look at the nice rooms, even while tackling the messes in other rooms. It gives me something to look forward to.). 

So if you are lagging a bit and not really making the progress you like, create one small space where there is order and put all the elements you would expect to see if you went "somewhere nice"--- a bright flower arrangement, a fire in the fireplace, soft, low lighting, books, music, and of course, afternoon tea in the living room.

Breakfast

(Picture: Tea Time Magazine, Hoffman Media)

All is well here and I hope all is well with you. 

Years ago I read a health book written by English author, Barbara Cartland. She had observed that when the popular cold cereals and grains began replacing the traditional breakfasts, people were more anxious, upset and tired.  Prevention of quarrels, mood swings, emotional instability and nervousness, she said, was in a good breakfast.  While we acknowledge that the cultivation of good character is essential, we must also admit that food has an effect on our sense of well-being and emotional stability. 

Several books I own that describe the Victorian breakfasts indicate a variety of foods we rarely see on the breakfast table: fish, steak, vegetables, and included  foods saved from the previous evening meal. There was no uniform breakfast food as we use today, however, the morning meal was hearty and substantial. Their cookbooks describe breakfast tables laden with food, and yet as a whole, the society did not suffer from being overweight, as it does today.  A hearty meal at the start of the day is fuel for the day and is less likely to cause weight-gain. If you have no inclination to eat in the morning, a time later on in the morning when your appetite returns will suffice.

Starting the day with a meal high in protein and a balance of other nutrients can sustain you for many hours and keep your mood on an even keel. Think how our grand and great-grand parents ate in the morning, and you will have a fairly good idea of what made them strong, mentally and physically.  Food high in essential nutrients can help us think, plan, create, overcome setbacks and problems. If you have a small appetite in the morning, just eat a small amount of these foods.

That being said, it is sometimes hard to start the morning with a great rush of energy to get the meal on the table. Many of us prefer to have time to ourselves first, and sit by the window to watch the light come in while we have our first cup of hot herbal or fruit tea.  One solution to this is preparing food as much as possible the previous evening and and getting the breakfast table ready.  This meal is the most important one of the day and yet has been treated as the least important for decades.  We need to take the time to "dine" and linger at breakfast. In winter, breakfast by candlelight, with the fireplace lit, is a delight. Put a table in the living room next to couch and chairs for the meal, and the weather will not seem so formidable.

Although Tea Time magazine is for tea time, I have found quite a few high-protein, savory recipes in it that would be great breakfast foods. The advantage of using these recipes is in the preparation:  foods can be pre-assembled and refrigerated, and heated in he morning if preferred. (You can go to Tea Time magazine on the web for recipes.)

To be hungry for breakfast, avoid a huge meal in the evening. Your appetite will wake you up earlier the next day.  

(Photo: Tea Time magazine)

The Pleasant Pause

        painting: Seaside Inn by Janet Kruskamp, from allposters.com

Good Morning,

Today I noticed our local tea room, which was such a delightful place for families and church members to meet, had closed for good.  I only hope another one will be available to our community again soon.

Tea rooms are some of the most pleasant places to visit, with a different meaning and effect than any other kind of restaurant.  If you have never tried one, please go as soon as possible and you will see how the visit effects your mood for the rest of the day.  Going to a tearoom makes you feel you have been "somewhere." You never know when the tea room might not be there!  It is like a visit to another country or another time. No hurry and no worry seems to be the tea room motto. 

 If you have no tea room in town to take a guest, you might try making your home into the "somewhere" you take people for a light meal in the afternoon. Since the passing of the tea room, I have been thinking of having a couple of tea-time events this year, amd in preparation have been reading about tea rooms around the world.  These two pictures are from a place in England.

One thing I like about this kind of hospitality is preparimg ordinary ingredients to have an interesting appearance. I think it causes people to eat less hurriedly, and it is such a nice experience to share with family and good friends, in the home.  

The verdant countryside around here ought to inspire more artists, poets and tea-room advocates, but few seem inclined or able to do it, so this is where the home can be so valuable.  There can always be  an afternoon break at home where someone can enjoy this little pause and come away with a happy heart.

It would be good if every homemaker knew how to put on a simple afternoon meal of these nutritious treats, and all the children could observe it being observed often enough to imitate it. The home has to be the place where these traditions are held and continue so they are not forgotten. 

If you do not use tea, there are other pleasant drinks you may sip at a traditional tea-time, so do not let the dislike of tea prevent you from enjoying a time to sit still and exchange pleasantries with someone. You may not have a tearoom available to you but setting a tea table using the finest things you own will add something very good to the teatime experience. 

Look for a future post featuring a very simple but attractive teatime menu with recipes using commonly stocked ingredients.

"Time passed pleasantly, and nobody seemed in a hurry to move." -Jane Austen (from the book, "Emma")

Getting Started With the Day's Duties

Basket of Roses by Paul de Longpre

Are you new to being a homemaker and caretaker of the home and family? Perhaps without imposed schedules and time-cards it is hard to know how and when and where to begin your day.  Seasoned homemakers sometimes wake up not knowing where or how to start, but this problem can be a good one, because, at home, you are free to jump start your own day with your own little motivational perks.

What about:

-Getting ready for the day by dressing in fresh, clean, pressed clothing, and adding a new apron that matches your outfit.

-Wearing  a delicate scent.  I like "Vanilla Brown Sugar" from Dollar Tree. It is just enough of a scent without overwhelming.

-A hearty breakfast high in protein...poached eggs on homemade bread, with freshly squeezed orange juice. This is a good time to take any supplements you use, as taking them on an empty stomach is not so comfortable.

-Some homemakers like to do their town errands in the first half of the day while shops are open and energy is higher. A list should be kept for adding household shopping needs so you do not have to sit down and make one each day. Just keep adding to the list as you run out of things or have to find something to finish a chore or a project.  Going out at first has its advantages,  but for variety it is nice to go out "at last" when the home work is done.

-List a few things to do that are not housekeeping: a card or scrapbook page, sewing project, a package for someone, a nicely set afternoon tea tray waiting for that time.

-A little reward: a flower arrangement, a new or old publication or book you enjoy; in short, a gift to yourself to open when you are finished necessary tasks, all placed in a basket or tote of sort, which you can anticipate using at a time you decide upon

-Begin with the room closest to the front door, putting it in order and working clockwise around the house to quickly get the house looking tidy.

-Do not stress over any thing, and developed the habit of cleaning as you go. That means picking up and neatening things as you see them. An automatic clean-up mentality will prevent the necessity of a grueling cleaning day.  (You know you are developing effective habits when someone calls you a neat-nik or a clean freak.)

The end of your day determines the ease of the next day: make a plan of things you want to do, get your clothes out for the next day. You can even set the table if you like.

On Pinterest while looking for pictures of ladies and tea, I found this photo.  Ladies were determined to take time for tea, and I have seen photos of them sitting in a camping area taking tea or in front of humble shacks. It looks like such a relaxing time and it is too bad this picture is not in color. 

A Beautiful Sight

Greetings on this fine Lord's Day.  I hope you have a pleasant time and concentrate on the reason for assembling, avoiding distracting thoughts.  God bless everyone,

Lydia

The painting is by Paul de Longpre, who made what are known as "yard longs".   This one looks so fresh,like the roses are still alive. Would love to have this in my home to wake up to every day!

A Sound Mind

                         (Pinterest)

As I am busy today and still have nothing to show for it (isn't that often the story of daily life at home?) I am just dropping by here to leave a scripture that I have been thinking about lately. We discussed this at home quite a bit over the years, and every time find new meanings in it. 

2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

There is always someone who thinks you are strange because you do not follow the crowd, adopt the fashions, the latest hairstyles, or seek after a career. You can be minding your own business or be sober-minded and there will be someone accusing you of being mentally unstable.  

I would not dream of calling someone "crazy" and I am astonished when someone tells someone they are mentally ill.  If you are ever the recipient of such rudeness, it might shake you a little and you start to have some doubts about yourself. The purpose of such a remark is to discourage you and shake your confidence in who you are, in your choices, in the way you live and in your  beliefs.  

Before you become too devastated by such labeling or name-calling, focus on the things that someone else is calling "insane": sewing your own clothes, dressing femininely rather than masculinely (I am speaking of ladies), cooking your food from natural ingredients, teaching and training your children, caring for your home and family, being sensible with money, content to be home, not participating in the vices of the culture, etc.  Is this what they are calling crazy?  People who cannot think rationally are unable to do these things. To call someone "mentally unstable" is just an attempt to de-stabilize them.

The reason I like this verse is because of the phrase "a sound mind." It is reassuring to read the words, "a sound mind."  If you have e-sword on your device, how about doing a New Testament word search for "sound" and "mind" and see what the Word says about them. We must judge our mental health by what God says, not by some wild accusation.

What do you think about this verse?

Already Cleaned

                                   

(Picture from Pinterest)

Good Morning Dear Ladies at Home ( or hoping to be one day!)

I am so happy you have come to visit my web-log and hope it is a pleasant experience.  

                 

As I have a big day ahead of me getting my house in order, sewing, and painting a piece of furniture, I want to start out by featuring pictures of rooms that are already clean and orderly.  I think that is one good reason for ladies to visit showrooms and tour of homes or see pictures do not show the dishes and laundry and ironing that is awaiting attention, and they give me a nice goal towards which to work. 

 The pictures today come from an online catolog called "Touch of Class."  My home is far from this classy look but the pictures are an inspiration.  Note: not everyone is inspired by this, so if you tend to be discouraged by looking at rooms that are finished, please do not read further. This post is not intended to stir up envy or wants, but to give examples.  Books with pictures of houses and furnishings can be helpful if you use the ideas and photos to give you ideas of how to use what you have to achieve the kind of atmosphere you want.  Sometimes there is an attitude that "if I cannot have that exact house with the exact decor, I do not want anything to do with it." A person who needs inspiration and ideas and refuses to seek knowledge and look at examples will still end up with no ideas.

In former days our catalogs from which we ordered our household furnishings provided pictures of orderly rooms as examples. Many of us got our ideas these catalogs even when we did not have the products.  Girls used to create scrapbooks using catalog pages or advertisement pages in magazines. It helped them formulate ideas for order and beauty in the home.

If tempted to envy anyone for their nice home, remember they probably went through a lot of work to get it that way.  Lack of personal contentment can cause envy. 

Now on to the pictures, with more musings:

           This is interesting: a fold-away table and chair set. It would be a great "extra" when you need more than one dining area. Then it can all be compactly stored and still useful. 

                

Even the chairs fold for compact storage.

                 

A lady's home desk all organized and ready for correspondence.

                     

                                                 A bed already made!

Today I would like to leave a few notes of my thoughts about envy.  From my earliest days I could never understand how a woman could become envious. I was taught that when other people seem to be doing well, have a lot of things, money, achievements, success in the family, etc. it always came with added responsibilities and expenses and stresses. So, to envy someone would mean there was a possibility you would acquire some of their problems.  

Sometimes people envy those that do not have anything of value or anything obviously enviable. There are those who would envy a lady's personal life: the fact she is happy or content. Maybe she has a good life at home and is a good cook. Maybe she has talent for sewing or music or art. People envy the strangest things. Sometimes ladies have been a target of envy for no other reason other than the fact they exist!

There were things I always wanted to do or have. When I see others accomplishing things I always wanted to do, I have no envy for them. They are to be congratulated.   Now when I see something "I always wanted" it is not as interesting to me and I do not feel anxious to have it.

 Over time, a homemaker learns that acquiring one more thing is one more thing to wash, dust, find a place for, and protect.  However I do think the homemaker needs some basic things that provide a home some comfort and convenience. It is not very sympathetic to tell someone who is starting out her young life in an unfurnished home to "be happy with what you have" especially if all the rooms are bare and there is no table for dining and no couch to sit on.  There has to be a proper perspective of every situation.

Younger  ladies may be in the acquiring mode as they prepare their nests and get everything that is needed.  Older women have possibly accumulated more home things and should not be frowned on if they have more, because it did not all come at once and it is not a sign of greed or a point of envy.

Sometimes ladies who have been given gifts or win prizes are the target of envy and it shames them into giving things to envious people.  It is important not to feed envy.  The gift given to you was for you, for some reason, and no one should be shamed into giving up something just because an envious person thought it was not fair.

The Bible warns about the problem of envy. If you do a word search on your e-sword or an online Bible search, you can see all the verses with the word "envy" in them.   We should never envy but we should also not allow the envious to demoralize us or make us feel less than Christian if we have posessions. A Christian knows that he takes nothing out of this world and that posessions are for serving The Lord through care of the family and hospitality.

These days there is not much clout in the clothes, jewelry, furniture, and cars we own, for it is now possible to get it all so cheaply or second-hand and holds no "status" above others.  While it may be tempting to envy someone's nice house, you have to remember the cost of acquiring such a house, and even those who live in cheaper or free housing (such as apartment caretakers, trailer-park managers, camp maintenance personnel, live-in care-givers) it can be costly and is not always the advantage it appears to be.

A good verse to consider regarding envy, and a lesson to teach to those who are trying to avoid envy:

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

I would like to hear your comments on this subject.

If you think this tilting mirror might be nice to own, I would like to tell you one thing about it that is not an advantage.  I have one I acquired about 20 years ago that I had to put firmly inside a closet so it would not move. It is very easy to get your fingers pinched ( very painful, as I found out!) between the mirror and the frame.  I have opted for the over-the-door mirrors for everyday use and have put mine in a place that it cannot move. There are screws on the sides to tighten the swivel aspect but they do not stay tight.  This mirror also easily falls over.  Although I will be keeping mine,  I can't have it in a place where anyone will get hurt.

If you have been a homemaker for a good length of time and your husband is retired, why not get a new lease on life by rearranging your home and adding new curtains or acquiring a new convenience or comfort to enhance your home life?  I like to be creative and imagine my house as a bed and breakfast inn awaiting guests. I like to go outside and come back in the front door as if I am a visitor. This helps me see the house through a different mindset.

Every Day Is A Gift

Hello Dear Friends,

Today I have a few thoughts. Maybe you have something to add to them.  I appreciate your comments.

-I remember when I was much younger how sad I felt if any day was "ruined" by unpleasantness. It could have been a plan that cancelled, a recipe that did not work, some sewing  that needed to be unpicked and re-stitched.  An unexpected expense or a fickle friend could be very discouraging.  Being  able to look back is a real advantage. Now I see how the Proverbs 31 woman could "laugh at the time to come."  

-Every day is a precious, but because of the other things going on around us, it will not always be the way we personally want it to be.  Other people and events will mess up our plans and our goals. We have to develop the attitude that although there can be nonsense going on around us, we can have peace inside of us and not lose our minds or give up. This is a fact we need to teach our children so they wont be discouraged. 

-Sometimes when you take a risk to do the right thing, it seems like every thing is against you, but it can be a test to see if you really mean what you say, or live what you believe. Yet in spite of any conflict in your day to day life, you can have peace and happiness within. 

-Housekeeping is a lot of work, and it is good to include some time to rest and refresh and dream. Include in your routine the things that need urgent attention and the things you would dearly love to do.  It is good to have that balance of duty and creativity.

-What should our reaction be to any setback, or anything that threatens our mood?  Do more of what you are doing and do it better.  It is a way of overcoming the negative. Clean and beautify the home, eliminate things, go through boxes of storage, and get back to sewing or the things you enjoy.

Look deep into the following verse and observe that there will be problems in life, but you can still have a calm assurance.

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

 but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.

Monday Morning Moments

Picture: Better Homes

Greetings,

In a few moments I will begin my day of duties at home and I thought it would be nice to elaborate  to the new homemakers on how to have a good beginning:

-Bathing, fresh clothes, (that make you happy to wear)shoes (functional but attractive to you) hair and makeup before anything.  These things have the power to set your mood at optimistic for the responsibilities ahead.  If you have been unable to get started and it is now noon,  why not start with these things anyway.   You will be ready to greet someone at the door or for a sudden trip to town if necessary.  I often get ready in the morning and then am available if my husband wants me to accompany him on one of his calls.

-A list that includes things that must be done, in order of importance, and things you would like to do. The like-do-do list will motivate you to finish the must-do things.

-Going out in the morning while the businesses are open, for essential errands.  Some people do this on a weekly basis and others, when they are best prepared.  Since I share a family car, I get things ready and wait til the car is free.

-Work patiently from your list, being flexible when meals need preparing or unexpected messes need cleaning. Always go back to where you left off and eventually it will be done.

-Quiet time to sit and read or gather your thoughts, get inspired, revived.

-Stop oft for prayer, asking for help with your goals.

It is important not to give in to hopelessness or listen to negative news, for it may de-rail  your efforts and demoralize you. Life is too short not to accomplish anything. Keep on the track and keep the goal in mind as you work.  

Homemaking is a "high calling."  Press forward toward that high calling!

Painting by Fred Swan