Beauty in Daily Living

Today may seem like an ordinary day.

  We get up, we eat breakfast, we do chores, then schooling, lunch, followed by free time,

 then naps and more schooling, dinner, stories and bedtime.

 Seems normal and plain enough.

  However, one of the things I like to do the most in my homemaking 

is create something beautiful and lovely out of the mundane.

Ordinary days like today can be as meaningful and beautiful as the special occasions in our lives,

 it just takes some ingenuity (or copy-catting, *which is absolutely fine*) 

and deliberate planning. 

 The results are well worth it.

In her highly influential book, Living a Beautiful Life, Alexandra Stoddard says, 

" Making daily tasks into times of enrichment 

through planning 

and special personal details

 is a way to live a richer, more satisfying life."

I do believe that is a very Biblical principle to live by 

if it does not require self absorption or materialism to be achieved. 

 God is the designer of beauty. 

 He created this incredible world for us to enjoy, 

and though for believers, it may not be our ultimate "home"

 there is no reason we should not mimic God in his creating beauty and order,

 using great creativity cultivating a wondrous abode for our family. 

 He did, so should we.

There is great power in the little things-
joyful acts of love that enrich and ennoble our lives.  

The question is, what little things?

What little thing(s) could be done as we get up?

  As we eat breakfast?

How about chores?

  and so on. 

 Think it through. 

 I would love, love, love to hear your ideas!

Here are a few of mine:

-Snuggles and hot drinks when we get up

- Singing and sharing what we are thankful for at meals

- Playing classical music during housecleaning

- Adding an essential oil, such as lavender to the dish water

- Praying for the one whose clothes you are ironing

- Setting a beautiful table for dinner

- Light candles

- Sing to the children before naps

- Read aloud to the family before bed

Rituals such as these enable you to

 enjoy the ordinary more deeply
as you flow through the day. 

 Think then, not just of everyday, but also of the weekends. 

 Weekends too, are made extra special by adding thoughtful rituals.

  At our house, the children sleep in on Saturday.  

They get up leisurely and listen to Moody radio while mama fixes a large brunch. 

 After extended housecleaning chores are done ( O glory!)

 they are free to play/watch a movie.

 Sunday then, we take for rest. 

 Rest from our regular daily life. 

 Sunday naps for all, a day off from laundry and housework, 

 and time to fellowship with others, make it a day set apart from all others. 

The usual Sunday pot roast awaiting us when we arrive home from church is an awesome weekend marvel.  One can smell it the moment they step out of the van...

mouths are watering fiercely by the time we are in the door.

Monthly rituals are harder to plan for in our busy lives,

 but, like daily rituals, greatly enriching and worth it.

A once a month trip to the big town with my husband for groceries and such is a necessity,

 but we have made it a habit to stop by a favored coffee shop each trip

 to just sit and relax and visit over a hot drink. 

 On this trip, too, we often listen to an audio broadcast sermon of some sort, 

usually chosen by content to some personal current interest. 

 Another wonderful  ritual for me, is the once a month overnighter at nanny's,

 where all the children have a day and a half to spend with their grandma at her house...

leaving mama home...alone.  

  Mama's day off.

  Boy, this is a life saver of a day and a half for me! 

 Sunday afternoon the children leave, and I typically have a long nap, a walk, 

and read something just for fun, then close the day with dinner and a movie with my handsome husband. 

 The next day, I sleep in as late as I can, 

then go visiting or sew or some other such crafty thing. 

 By the end of the day I am refreshed and longing for my children to arrive safely home.

"In a culture that richly rewards achievements 
and accomplishment, 

it is left to us to create a balanced life, to master the art of creating a life worth living." 

 -Wally Arnold, Illiminations

Managing a home and mothering is much more than surviving life in the trenches.

When we apply those nourishing touches that come
from deep within a woman's soul,
we warm not only our family's souls,
but our own as well.

Here's to drinking deeply of God's great love,

until our cup is running over,

 and living beautifully this holiday season. 

Blessings to you this day,

Julianne