Five Question Friday

 

1. What's the best Christmas present you've ever received?

Suitcase set. In my first years of college I had to lug my stuff in anything I could find to put it in anytime I stayed away from campus. It was embarrassing and a pain in the patoot every time. I was so grateful for a suitcase that I could pack, zip and roll!

2. Worst/Funniest White Elephant gift ever received?

In the last one I participated in I actually ended up with some useful tools (screwdriver with changable heads, etc). Being the lover of humor that I am, my White Elephant gift wasn't as nice. I opted for giving a wrapped box filled with a can of air freshner, pinto beans, and Bean-o. The next opportunity that arises for a fun White Elephant gift will likely produce a box of classic 80s Buns of Steel or other such videos. (hehe!) 

3. Is your Christmas tree plain and simple (white lights and matching ornaments) or is it wild and crazy (colored lights with lots of ornaments collected over the years)?

I love our kindergarten tree! Hubby likes white lights and I like colored, so we compromise with a strand of each. The ornament balls are brightly colored, and the other ornaments are things that have been collected throughout the years- many from my childhood. Hubby and I started a tradition a couple of years ago of getting a new ornament each year. We've got to get a move on in ordering this year's ornament!

4. "How" do you iron your clothes? The old fashioned iron/ironing board way, the shower, back in the dryer, etc.

     Well, apparently I'm so old fashioned that I didn't even realize clothes could be ironed via "the shower, back in the dryer" etc. haha. I prefer a crisp result, and so my ironing board and can of starch are always out. Ideally I like to have things ironed and ready to go when they go in the closet, however I'll confess that sometimes that process doesn't always happen.

5. How much baking do you do for Christmas and what are your "must make" items?

     I used to do a lot of baking and detailed decorating. I had even become well known for my cookies. In recent years, however, the demands of working up until the day left little energy for baking and so I got out of the swing of doing much of anything. This year I'll probably do some thumb print cookies and perhaps one other kind.  I might do more, but that will depend on how things go as it gets closer to the day itself. I love Christmas goodies, but with hubby's job as busy as it is I try to keep everything else as calm and simple as I can.

 

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What is Homemaking? Part 2

Last week I defined "homemaking" as:
      Homemaking is the art and science of creating and maintaining the home to be a pleasant and productive environment for the glory of God.

          I've underlined certain words I felt were key to the concept and practice of this definition. These will serve as foundations for the directionality of the Reviving Homemaking blog. The following is a generalization of each term as is applied to homemaking:

Art: Many words come to mind when I consider art- expression, discipline, appreciation, skill, perspective, diligence, beauty etc etc. In her book The Hidden Art of Homemaking, Edith Schaeffer contends that art is not bound to the professional realm, but is also "found in the 'minor' areas of life. By 'minor' I mean what is involved in the 'everyday' of anyone's life" (pg. 31). Homemaking is multifaceted in it's potential for the creation of art. The objective is to simply come to see it as such. And so, just as an artist would we observe the works of others past and present within the realm of homemaking with an appreication and enthusiasm. We also diligently work to discover and develop our own canvas so that we may create something that is uniquely ours, and in that be there something beautiful. We all possess some level of artistic or creative talent. As Schaeffer says, "although your art or talent may never be accepted by the world as anything 'great', and may never be your career, it can be used to enrich your day by day life: enrich it for you, and for the people with whom you live" (pg. 48).

Science: Homemaking involves far more than the "how-to" of practice, but also the "why." Even when Home Ec was commonly taught in schools, it was done so as a science. Today, it is still being taught as a science in select universities but under a new name- Family and Consumer Science. The greatest example of use is within the kitchen. We may know how to follow a recipe, but do we know why each ingredient is important? How do we determine proper nutrition? How do we decided the best use of our financial resources? Science examines the "whys" behind the elements or actions within our home so that we may be more knowledgeable and skilled to complete the tasks further. Home Ec courses featured a lab. The home serves the same purpose for discovery. The mundane may become a little more enticing when we desire to learn the science behind it.

Creating: Proverbs 14:1 says, "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." The home environment will exist to some extent, but for it to flurish it must be effortfully created. This is a verb and ought to be treated as such. We are not bound to the trapping of circumstance or poor demonstrations experience previously. Within our homes we possess the ability to construct or destroy the entities of home and family. We set the tone for our home environment and even our days. God's grace is sufficient! 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, " But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." With hearts focused on serving the Lord, the home can be created to be something beautiful.

Maintaining: Again, verb! Maintaining the home environment is to anticipate and behave preventatively. Otherwise, I'm forced to scramble to complete the task at the cost of my time, attention, energy, and resources. Maintenance is far more effective! We've invested in the creation of the home environment, and so it next must be maintained. Here too, I recall the words of 2 Corinthians 12:9. The Lord has given me this home and family to care for, and He will also give me the strength to complete my role.

     
      Next week, we'll complete the definition of "homemaking" by looking at a few more key terms- home, pleasant, productive, glory of God.

Review- "What is Homemaking?" (part 1)
Up Next- "What is Homemaking? Part 3"

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