“I'm only a housewife, I'm afraid." How often do we hear this shocking admission. I'm afraid when I hear it I feel very angry indeed. Only a housewife: only a practitioner of one of the two most noble professions (the other one is that of a farmer); only the mistress of a huge battery of high and varied skills and custodian of civilization itself. Only a typist, perhaps! Only a company director, or a nuclear physicist; only a barrister; only the President! When a woman says she is a housewife she should say it with the utmost pride, for there is nothing higher on this planet to which she could aspire.”
~John Seymour
“If you have been afraid that your love of beautiful flowers and the flickering flame of the candle is somehow less spiritual than living in starkness and ugliness, remember that He who created you to be creative gave you the things with which to make beauty and the sensitivity to appreciate and respond to His creation.”
~Edith Schaeffer
During summer, we take a bit of a respite from schoolwork (although I firmly believe learning happens during all the day-to-day happenings as well as book-work). We are able to spend more time doing other things that we enjoy which is such a blessing.
Our green beans and corn (growing in the big garden I posted about previously) are growing well. Other than going down to weed some, we get to just let the growing happen. At home, we continue with all our daily, normal chores like laundry, dishes, sweeping, tidying etc. The other day was simply beautiful and Jaxson helped me wash Wanda-the-Honda (we vacuumed her out too!)...
We've also been working at raking up leaves and pine needles (the long, soft kind) and using them to put into the chicken run (which doesn't get much sun....so with the abundance of rain we have had lately, has been quite muddy). My muck boots came in handy...
I enjoy using this time of year to organize rooms or areas in my home. I like to open up the windows and just go through things! I enjoy rearranging furniture to find a way that works better for the room it is in...and purging out home of things we no longer need! Sometimes, areas don't need "organized" really...but I just get the urge to *freshen* things up and switch it around a bit! :) It's such a great feeling of accomplishment when I am done.
As I have mentioned many times before, I enjoy mowing our lawn. It's great exercise (as we have a good sized yard in the back, sides and front) and a chance for me to roll up my sleeves and get a little bit of sun on my arms and face. The only disappointment is that with the abundance of rain we have gotten lately, the grass seems to grow *so* quickly (much *too* quickly in my opinion)...so between days of rain, we are blessed with a day of sun. As soon as the grass is dry enough, out I go again to get it all mowed again! I joked with Chris that it was like mowing the Amazon Rain Forest! :)
Pearl has enjoyed being out and about...enjoying the grass and sunshine! Our hens enjoy time free-ranging in the afternoons-evenings. I am so grateful that the Lord gave them the know-how to coop themselves at bedtime. Can you imagine having to chase 20 chickens to get them to bed every day?
Remember that homemaking happens *out*of doors as well as inside! Planting flowers (hardy perennials are absolutely fantastic as they come back every year and spread easily!), keeping your yard tidy and pulling weeds are all a part of making your home lovely!
The front of my home is not my favorite thing...I hope to change it one day, Lord willing (but truly, in the scheme of life, it's really not that important)...I *love* dressing it up with tons of flowers though! They bring me such joy! I love the looks and smells of different types of flowers. What a glorious gift the Lord gave us to enjoy! :)
These nicer days allow us to go to a few yard sales as well. I don't go to many...mostly to yard sales of friends and loved ones...but it's always fun to see what you can find for a deal! I found this lovely sweater that I *hope* will fit Madelyn (as she wasn't with me when I got it). Don't you think she will look so nice in it? ...
I also found these fun things...
“Homemaking is a passion you can pass on from generation to generation.”
~Elizabeth George
And now, I really must go. There are things to tend to....which are not getting done while I'm on here!
I hope your weekend ahead is blessed....and friends, don't be discouraged by the Supreme Court's ruling today. Our Lord is *Supreme* over all. He will prevail and not forsake His people. It's terribly disheartening but not surprising as the wickedness of man continues to demand its way. Stay in prayer and continue to follow Christ. Glorify Him in all you do and pray that this purifies the true Church. :)
In loving kindness,
Katy