|
Just Our Thoughts
Sep. 29, 2008
The remainder of The Hidden Art of Homemaking
Sep. 4, 2008
The Hidden Art of Homemaking Chapter 7: Flower Arrangement
I loved this chapter. Such an easy concept to execute. Flowers add so much color and joy to a room or a table. It doesn't have to be much. I went out after reading this chapter and wandered around my yard. I was able to gather a small handful of flowers for our dining room table. A vase of flowers, even just one flower makes a house of furniture more of a home.
Things to add to or use instead of flowers:
- grasses
- pretty wood
- a toy or two
- table clothes
- gourds
- sand
- candles
- candies
- vegetables from the garden
- shells
- mirrors
- moss
- stones
A centerpiece including flowers and anything from the list, or others you can think of, shows thought, care and love for those that come to your table and your home. These flower arrangements are a drawing card to calm in the busy crazy world. It symbolizes a sinmpler time and seems to "center" a family, giving them a chance to communicate over food.
The author goes on to talk about children and how they appreciate beauty as much as adults, and how those sick or in pain need that special attention too. And even those who live alone need that little bit of beauty in their lives and need to do so for themselves!
"You may feel I am giving the 'Hidden Art' of flower arrangement too large a significance but I feel that the 'caring' for others in the family, whatever that 'family' consists of, can be expressed over and over again in ways which bring a very warm chain of memories, through transforming an ordinary meal-table into a place of surprise and beauty." page 107
This "art" is so wonderful because it is so simple and so uncostly. A leaf, a twig, an ivy, a potted plant. Anyone, no matter their situation in life can add a little beauty to their table or home.
She ends this chapter with the following:
"I must add one more sentence to this chapter: please try something in this area today. The only way to start, is to start." page 111
|
• Comments
(1) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Jul. 22, 2008
The Hidden Art Of Homemaking Chapter 6: Gardens and Gardening
I really enjoyed this chapter. It kinda spurred me on a little. I know the season is half over, but the planing that my man and I have done is so wonderful. Next year I hope to do more.
The author says and I agree that it is not natural for man to be away from nature as much as we are. God created us to be workers in the field, not to sit at machines all day. A little bit of tending to plant life will go a long way to relieving some of the stress some of us feel.
It doesn't have to be big. We live in a retirement town of sorts. When I walk the streets with my children I am amazed at how many homes have flowerbeds, pots and gardens. I think that when life slows down for the retired or semi-retired they have more time for and are happy doing gardening and flowers. But I think we need to find the time before we retire to do just a little bit.
Starting on page 90, she tells the story of their first "garden" on their balcony. They grew morning glories. I want to grow morning glories now! I'd love to see them grow and develop.
The last part of the chapter talks about how often the Bible uses examples of gardening, planting, sowing, etc in explaining and teaching. Those things can be well taught in our lives today through hands on gardening and planting.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Jul. 19, 2008
I missed commenting on Chapter 4 of the Hidden Art.
I know I missed it. Well, I just realized I missed it. But I'm not going back to do it. I'm admitting my mistake and moving on. The chapter was called Painting, Sketching, Sculpturing.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Jul. 18, 2008
The Hidden Art of Homemaking Chapter 5: Interior Decoration
Okay, I kinda let this book sit un-read for a while. I don't know that it got overwhelming but seemed to tough on areas I didn't figure I was interested in. I'm not an interior decorator by any means and didn't want to read the chapter. But I did and found that she doesn't suggest what I thought she was going to suggest! I should have just trusted that she was going to be level headed and practical about it all.
"I would put under the heading of 'Interior Decoration' anything we do with the place where we are living for any length of time at all. Here, wherever, it is, is your spot. This place should be expressing something of yourself. It should be communicating something of you to your visitors, but it should also satisfy something within you. You should feel 'at home' here, because you have made it home with something of yourself." (page 66)
I never thought about how our homes, no matter where we live or in what we live, are an expression of who we are. My house does not really express who I am. It expresses someone that I don't like! I want to change it! I need to. I'm not a cluttered disorganized person with piles of stuff everywhere. I don't like who I've become. I don't like the story of me that my house tells. The little things she suggests are so simple, and will make a world of difference.
I have fallen into the trap of saying to myself, "When the house is renovated, I'll make it the way I really want it to be. Right now it doesn't matter because it's going to change soon anyway." I'm not really fooling myself. I know it's could be years before my kitchen is on the main level. And many months before I have a real bedroom. So, why do I try? Why not just make what I've got a home, an expression of me and of my DH?
She goes on in the chapter to talk about what I call "making something from nothing" or "one man's junk is another man's treasure". We have a friend who does this and his wife, bless her, has embraced it. He comes home with all sorts of things that she doesn't figure they'll ever have a use for and he turns it into something wonderful for their home! She has started to even ask him if he found "any finds" when he gets home from work or from wherever he's been. It's an adventure for her too now.
She touches on a number of other things including having a few things that move with us from house to house, as a continuity; being single and decorating; and helping others who are not able to, to decorate their homes.
A very simple-to-implement chapter.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
May. 13, 2008
Chapter Three Music from The Hidden Art of Homemaking
"In the process (of playing music) something else will happen - the freedom to express yourself in a medium that is yours will develop, and so will your personality. It will not be just a matter of your musical contribution making you more interesting to have around, but you will yourself be a more interesting person." (page 38, 39)
We play a tonne of music in our home. Something is always playing. From learning songs to country to a variety of Christian genres, there is always background noise. I'd like to see more expression on our parts, but I think that will come with time. I used to play the piano, not really well, but I think at about a grade 5 level. I loved doing it. Because we don't have a piano, I don't take the time to do it when I am around a piano. I need to do this more. I have the opportunity to bless others at a local senior's home once a month and we haven't done so in a long time. What a great experience for my children too. We need to start that again. I'm tired of being a boring person.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
May. 13, 2008
Chapter Two What Is Hidden Art? from The Hidden Art Of Homemaking
"I would define 'Hidden Art' as the art which is found in the 'minor' areas of life. By 'minor' I mean what is involved in the 'everyday' of anyone's life, rather than his career or profession." (page 31)
"the fact that you are a Christian should show in some practical area of a growing creativity and sensitivity to beauty, rather than in a gradual drying up of creativity, and a blindness to ugliness." (page 33)
The second quote hit me really hard! I have been stifling my creativity. I don't do anything any more. I used to write poetry and journal entries. I've kinda started it up again with my blog, but not nearly to where it was before I got married. I also used to play piano and sing some. Not that I was good at it, but I enjoyed it. I seem to have lost myself and my talents in my day to day drudgery. Sewing is another I could work on. I think my hospitality goals are part of reviving this too. Baking. When I think about it, there are lots of things I used to do. I look forward to reading the rest of the book.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
|
