We are Sunshine-Makers

“Go out more, keep cheerful as well as busy,

for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, 

and if you get dismal there is no fair weather.”

Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Dear keeper at home,

you are the sunshine-maker of the family.

You see the weather forecast of the day and you brighten it as best as you can.

Like a group of candles burning together makes a peaceful glow, so does the light that you spread in your home in all your nurturing ways.

You see a "storm" coming... 

It is a troubled face... and as it walks through the door,  you are the first to offer a kiss, an embrace, an ear, a shoulder and an encouraging word.

You see a "weather-beaten" man (your husband ☺️)...

You know he has had a rough, long day... you make an extra special supper. In the winter you would add another log to the fire. In the summer, you might turn down the air-conditioner one more degree to offer him refreshment from the exhausting heat. 

You see your child is going through some "windy" days...

You bake something special to cheer the family... You are there waiting to listen to their story.

You manage the house so that all have clean towels, tidy rooms and tasty meals. 

But most of all, you are managing the ambiance in the life of the home.

You are the sunshine-maker bringing brightness to the dark days.

"But the path of the just is as the shining light, 

that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

~ Proverbs 4:18

"The Lord make His face shine upon you..."

~ Numbers 6:26

and THROUGH you!

May we all be a window of His love and light to our family.

Happy winter…

Love, JES

P.S. Thank you to all who have encouraged and commented in my absence.

It was very touching to be remembered.

The "Art" of Home-Making Mondays ~ Inspiration #13

 

"What are some of the secrets of happy home life? The answer might be given in one word—Christ. Christ at the marriage-altar; Christ on the bridal journey; Christ when the new home is set up; Christ when the baby is born; Christ when a child dies; Christ in the pinching times; Christ in the days of plenty; Christ in the nursery, in the kitchen, in the parlor; Christ in the toil and in the rest; Christ along all the years; Christ when the wedded pair walk toward the sunset gates; Christ in the sad hour when farewells are spoken, and one goes on before and the other stays, bearing the unshared grief. Christ is the secret of happy home life."

~ J.R. Miller, Secrets of Happy Home Life

P.S. I also wanted to say thank you to those who shared with me some ideas, encouragement, suggestions, etc., in the comments of my last post regarding the continuation of the blog. Your input was very helpful! I look forward to share here and there (in both large and/or small doses) and I appreciate all the kindness you sprinkled here on this little space ♥️

THANK YOU ♥️

A "Real Life" ~ Snippets

May I never forget the “real life” I was raised with so that I can daily live with a grateful heart…

I grew up in a two-bedroom home sharing a room with my two younger brothers until I was ten. This was normal. In our home, there was never money for remodeling or redecorating. We wore hammy-down clothing and then continued to pass them down to others in the family. We ate what food was put on our plates, never wasting as we were taught to be thankful for the food we had. There was no individual catering of menus to each of our desires. And yet this was all normal.

Somehow along the way, our culture has begun to accept the wealthy lifestyle as one of normal. And when it isn’t your own, you begin to feel discontent and ungrateful because it seems everyone else lives it but you. You begin to accumulate debt to satisfy your desire to keep up with the Joneses. But none of these things will ever satisfy as there is always something better, newer and more luxurious. And sadly, none of this is normal. 

It is living within your means which brings true prosperity. You don’t have the anxiety of endless bills to cripple your joy each month. We should view our hardworking husband as wealth and our children as riches. Our faith in God gives great contentment and peace. This concept, once comprehended, is true earthly treasure.

This lifestyle is “normal” (or once was 😞).

So what does one do to appreciate their humble, normal life?

“I make myself rich by making my wants few.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

~ Philippians 4:11-13

Pictured: Our little farmhouse (in which we raised our little family) with all its imperfections made the most glorious of memories. Bittersweet as they often were with its challenges to survive but, you guessed it, it was all quite normal.

The Family Supper Table and a Spring Potato Salad Recipe

“There is no occasion when meals should become totally unimportant. Meals can be very small indeed, very inexpensive, short times taken in the midst of a big push of work, but they should be always more than just food.” 

~ Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

Once again, I’m here to share the good and noble tidings of a family supper… If a homemaker was going to have one goal of the day, this would be mine.

I remember the younger years as I cleaned little messes throughout the home, changed diapers, attempted laundry and a tidy kitchen. All of these things were the precursor of the most important event of the day… when the dinner table was set, when father came home, when the family is rejoined in prayer around the meal that mother took all the day long to prepare (you are quite right to think it shouldn’t and didn’t take all the day long to prepare, however, everything throughout the day was planned and arranged so this glorious moment would actually happen - so in a way this is so).

Everyone in the household knew a special time awaited them. They knew a meal would be lovingly made (however simple) and presented on the table with dishes, napkins and sparkling utensils. But most importantly, was the undivided attention given to one another.

And this, is what my whole day in the home essentially revolves around to this very day (even with my adult family)… bringing us all back to the table each evening for fellowship with one another and our heavenly Creator. 

Amidst the toil of home keeping, the energy of child raising, the time spent homeschooling… always in the background whispers the daily question… what is to be for dinner? And what needs to be done throughout the day to make it happen as peacefully as possible?

For it is the picture of a family heritage, a family covenant and the precursor of the most important and holy family reunion of all time.

The heavenly one…

“Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

~ Revelations 19:9

Spring Potato (and/or Macaroni) Salad Recipe

• 32 oz. cooked/cooled Macaroni (or approx. 14 c. peeled, boiled, cooled 1/2” cubed potatoes*) 
• 1 small can sliced black olives (drained) 
• 1 small can chopped black olives (drained) 
• 2 small jars pimentos (undrained) 
• 2 stocks celery (chopped fine) 
• 6 chopped pickles (more may be added later for more tartness) 
• 8 - 10 shredded hard boiled eggs 
• 3 stocks thinly sliced chives 
• 6 shredded radishes 
• mayonnaise to taste and texture (32 oz. jar, start with half the jar)***
• seasoned salt, salt & pepper (to taste) 
• dill (dry or fresh to taste) 
• onion powder (to taste) 
• cayenne pepper (to taste) 
• garnish: sprinkle of paprika on final product 
• optional: squirt of mustard for more tang
• optional garnish: rose radish with parsley leaves 

Combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Start off with half the jar of mayonnaise and add more as necessary according to taste and texture. Season according to taste as well. Once the mixture is to your liking, sprinkle with paprika for a final finish. 

Chill the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

This can be made a day ahead of time for convenience.

* When making potato salad, make sure to cube the boiled potatoes in a smaller 1/2” size. This allows for more flavor to envelop the pieces. Larger chunks do not taste as seasoned. 

** The amount of mayonnaise is key in this recipe. Too dry of a salad isn’t appetizing while too “wet” of a salad is quite overwhelming. I like to start with 1/2 jar and continue to stir until the consistency is moist without being overdone. 

*** I like to use the Primal Kitchen or Chosen Foods mayonnaise which is made with avocado oil (which I feel has healthier ingredients).

Here is a printable recipe should you like to add it to your Recipe Book!

Related Reading:

-- Weekly Menu Planner and the "Ten O'Clock Principle" Tip

-- Homemaking Helps for the Homeschooling Mother

-- Sacred Suppers

The Real-Life Dangers of a Screen-Free Childhood

It all starts at a very young age when you choose not to introduce your children to the world of fancy, flashing electronics. You end up with a life of little schemes and threatened home security. A screen-free childhood can be VERY dangerous. Books are at risk, household odors develop, first aid is required, sleepless nights, added expenses and unauthorized uses of axes are all menacing situations you may encounter!

I remember when our child was just about five. Her showers seemed incredibly long. I began to suspect some foul play was involved but every time I interrogated her, I received no answers. Finally, after feeling the time had been extremely excessive, I crept into the bathroom, peeked through the curtain and behold! I see a child showering and a book held high away from the streaming water.

Those poor Bobbsey Twins were inches from their demise. No wonder she took so long in there, she was catching up on her reading!!! Those poor books didn't stand a chance.

Let's fast forward to the age of nine. Her bedroom began to develop the most horrendous odor. Finally my husband and I maintained that this was no average farm aroma and began some investigating. And what did he find lurking suspiciously in a corner but a rotting jar of some kind of bubbling, fermented liquid! When we confronted our daughter on the subject, she exclaimed, "Carla Emory said the smell will last just a little while but eventually the juice will turn into vinegar".

She had transformed her bedroom into some kind of medieval laboratory! Can a child reading homestead books be safe? Perhaps a video game would keep her out of trouble because the unfortunate part of all that reading is that she wanted to start actually DOING.

As we were studying England, she decided she was going to make a four-course dinner in honor of menus she had seen of those fabulous feasts. She wanted to do it all by herself (she was 10 but was becoming quite an accomplished chef with all this screen-free living). Apparently some fried potato item was on the menu and she got a bit too close to that splattering oil and received an unfortunate burn on her little arm. She didn't say anything until after the meal because she was enjoying herself too much. She had self-treated it in the meantime with a bottle of lavender which explained the heavy fragrance in the air (the audacity to administer her own first aid!).

While I did have to tone down her elaborate meal making schemes and create more ground rules (i.e., report any accidents immediately to headquarters), I must admit that she sure can cook right now! Anything she sees she can make or bake but imagine the chaotic kitchen at the time... Imagine Cal/OCIA!

By the age of 11, the requests started coming in. She would like a book on making her own paint (who thinks of these things?). She would like some crochet thread and a hook and perhaps even some knitting needles. She would like to make a drop spindle (I didn't even know what this was). But how can this be when I didn't even know how to do these things? But there it was, the answer was presented to me with her chubby little fingers, The Complete Guide to Needlework was explaining everything (It wasn't an exciting book by any means but it was quite comprehensive!). "You simply follow the instructions mom!"

As a homeschooling teacher, I felt compelled to feed these hobbies but I'm sure some may think I should have just kept a television going to keep her occupied and the expenses down?

Then at the age of 13, I notice the sleeping habits became topsy-turvey. During the day she would be so tired (is this due to growing pains?). But no, apparently the issue was that she snuck into the library at night, removed the unabridged copy of Oliver Twist from the shelf and couldn't sleep until Dickens had told his complete tale! And this would happen with each new novel on the shelf. Teen rebellion at its finest. 

Maybe a big dose of social media would keep her more lethargic and sleepy? A love of books was certainly a problem in this household. After all, books were the norm many moons ago, perhaps this old fashioned childhood with "nothing exciting" to keep you busy was way too archaic? 

And then there was the day I remember quite well. My husband and I had gone into town for supplies and our daughter (now 14 or 15) was to stay back, finish her homeschool work as well as have lunch ready for us when we returned. I remember coming home quite famished and was elated when I saw the meal. It was nice and hot chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy! We began to enjoy the hearty fare when I realized WAIT, we didn't HAVE any chicken in the freezer! Where in the world did this come from as our home is far from any store? And then she proceeded to tell us that she had butchered the chicken this morning. And yes, de-feathered and de-gutted it and all. Yes, she did indeed use an axe when no one was home to monitor her safety. I couldn't believe my ears! 

This screen-free childhood could be treacherous!

So, if you would like to refrain from any mischievous adventures, experiences and actual “extreme” learning in your home, then I suggest you make sure your child owns an IPAD, has 24 hour access to a television and can be tapping on a cell phone any time in between it all. Clearly, you can see where such thinking with books as their best friends and the great outdoors can lead. 

As a side note, I remember growing up in the suberbs with my two brothers. We would climb trees, build forts, make fruit stands from our avocados, rally the neighborhood children to play basketball and baseball games. It was a beautiful childhood and it breaks my heart that so many children are growing up with artificial memories in front of screens. What kind of memories will they have to look upon when they are adults?

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

~ John 10:10

I know this poem is a bit nerdy but I think it shares the concept of this subject that has been so dear to my heart. As I see more and more of this "modern childhood" experience, I feel the need to share about old fashioned childhoods - the ones that dreams are made of.

THE GIFT OF A CHILDHOOD III

Each parent gets to decide....

A "Little House on the Prairie" life running across the lawn...

or a screen-filled life, boredom, yawn?

Shall I inspired a "Green Gables" imagination fulls of capers, plans and dreams...

or give them one more thing to robotically watch and stream?

Will I encourage a "Caddie Woodlawn" childhood full of family and fresh air...

or teach them to touch a screen as if no one is there?

We can give our children the beauty of these beloved classics in a real life home.

We can give them a "Secret Garden" or "Swiss family Robinson" abode.

Do you remember wishing you could live that life when you were a child?

That storybook life?

We can give that gift to our children.

We can give our children more than the flashing screens that this culture offers.

We can give them laughter, jumping, running, building, climbing, making, crafting, playing, creating, pretending, resourcefulness... pinecones, feathers, tents, paints, leaves, trees, forts, art, dress up, and old fashioned play.

We can give them a true childhood

We can give them the gift of memories.

"Preserve your memories. Keep them well.

What you forget you can never retell." 

~ Louisa May Alcott

You May Also Be Interested in:

The Gift of a Childhood (Playtime without Toys and Electronics - Creating a Home Library)

The Gift of a Childhood II

The Biblical Cure for Bored Children

DIY Projects Based on Books

Sacred Suppers ~ Snippets

 

Dearest homemaker,

Let us not underestimate the powers of love and spiritual growth that a home cooked meal served side-by-side provides for the family. There is nothing like a satisfied taste bud to bring about joy. There is beauty in this time around the table, when hands are clasped and a prayer of gratitude is given. This valuable age-old tradition, is a sacred part of the “old paths” of the New Testament believers who also gathered in one accord. The “fruit” that came forth from that fellowship was nothing less than amazing… Which blessings will be bestowed on your family when you take the time to serve a meal around the kitchen table?

🍞 🧺 🕯 

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…. and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”

 ~Acts 2:42-43b

The Intentional Homemaker ~ Snippets

The intentional homemaker seeks to embellish every area of home life.... she adds powerful aroma through her simple basic oven. She adds smiles and laughter through her delicious dinner offerings. She adds comfort and security through her cozy interpretation of home. She is ever ready to bless. She is ever aware of her holy example. And like the God she serves (though she may be in the humblest of circumstances), she strives to make everything she can “beautiful in its time...” 

🪴 Based on Ecclesiastes 3:11 🕯 

Dearest homemaker,

What a glorious work is in your care!

❤JES

The "Art" of Home-Making Mondays ~ Inspiration #11

“And there are my children!

My darling, precious children!

For their sakes I am continually constrained

to seek after an amended, a sanctified life;

what I want them to become

I must become myself”.

~ Elizabeth Prentiss, Stepping Heavenward

An important message to our sweet subscribers:

Recently, the Feedburner team released a system update, that the email subscription service will be discontinued in July 2021. After July 2021, the automated emails to our subscribers will no longer be supported. If you’d like to continue getting updates on our blog, please consider switching to Bloglovin (on sidebar) or some other system. In the meantime, I will see what options I can offer on my end. Thank you for understanding and subscribing! Love, JES

Sometimes it’s Difficult ~ Snippets

Sometimes it’s difficult to be a light in all the darkness, to sail bravely when you feel like sinking, to stand strong for your convictions when you feel like collapsing... but I think it would be more difficult to watch the results in your home if you didn’t.

You make a huge difference dear homemaker. Keep on shining as you are raising up little candles in your home that will one day light up another corner of this earth. Imagine the beauty when we release our efforts into this world. You are needed now more than ever. 

“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. “

~ Joshua 1:9

🕯 

(Note: I'll be sharing these little "snippets" here and there from some of my more special Instagram posts that I feel some of you may enjoy that aren't on it... Painting by the talented Daniel F. Gerhartz)

The "Art" of Home-Making Mondays ~ Inspiration #9

 

"O dear mothers, you have a very sacred trust reposed in you by God! He hath in effect said to you, “Take this child and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages.” You are called to equip the future man of God, that he may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. If God spares you, you may live to hear that pretty boy speak to thousands, and you will have the sweet reflection in your heart that the quiet teachings of the nursery led the man to love his God and serve Him. Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing, think the reverse of what is true. Scarcely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship; but dream not that she is lost to the work of the church; far from it, she is doing the best possible service for her Lord. Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty."

~ Charles Spurgeon

A message to the sweet subscribers:

Recently, the Feedburner team released a system update, that the email subscription service will be discontinued in July 2021. After July 2021, the automated emails to our subscribers will no longer be supported. If you’d like to continue getting updates on our blog, please consider switching to Bloglovin (on sidebar) or some other system. In the meantime, I will see what options I can offer on my end. Thank you for understanding and subscribing! Love, JES

The Gift of a Childhood II ~ Snippets

Instead of giving them an IPAD, show them how to climb a tree.

Instead of providing them a video game, read to them an exciting story.

Instead of turning on the television, pull out the scissors, paints, crayons and glue.

This is the gift of a childhood. 

It's all up to you...

🤍

"All your children shall be taught by the Lord,

And great shall be the peace of your children."

~ Isaiah 54:13

(Note: I'll be sharing some little "snippets" here and there from some of my more special Instagram posts that I feel some of you may enjoy that aren't on it...)

The Special Forces ( Have you enlisted?) ~ Snippets

There is a small band of women, silently building up the kingdom in their own humble homes. There is no worldly acknowledgement, glory or praise.  They are motivated by a higher duty. A higher calling.  Their leader is the King of Kings. And like the heavenly league of angels in heaven, they are silently serving with all their strength on earth.

They are a gentle band of soldiers.

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."

~ 2 Timothy 2:4

🥀

(Note: I'll be sharing some little "snippets" here and there from some of my more special Instagram posts that I feel some of you may enjoy that aren't on it.. Since I have been out of town for the last month, I  hope you don’t mind these series of snippets all in a row.... I usually try to post a variety but it hasn’t been possible this month..)

Motherhood Means Choices ~ Snippets

Motherhood means choices... 

Shall I read this which will support the culture or this which will nourish their soul?

Shall we watch this which will compliment the culture or this which will teach them His ways?

Shall they wear that which is what “they” are wearing or dress them like the children they are?

And then there is music, friendship and a multitude of activities which separates them from home sweet home.

It’s choices ever day. Every hour of the day. Every minute of the day that makes you mother. 

It’s hard choices. Unpopular choices. Counter-culture choices that take prayer, discernment, wisdom and strength.

This is motherhood.

“...choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

~ Joshua 24:15

(Note: I'll be sharing some little "snippets" here and there from some of my more special Instagram posts that I feel some of you may enjoy that aren't on it...)

My Only Chance ~ Snippets

 

My Only Chance...

I remember embracing her, kissing her, dressing her up and always rocking her.

I remember bathing her every night and reading and saying prayers with her every evening.

I remember playing games with her and helping her make all kinds of kitchen messes. I drank so much tea and ate many homemade pastries around the table with her. And then I began to home educate her.

I remember one day when she was 7 she said, “mom, you kiss me too much... you hug me too much... you squeeze me too much, you love me too much”.

But I only smiled and squeezed her again because that second one never came. That moment of anticipation never arrived. That next baby was not to be and only He knows why.

My only consolation in all of this was...

I took every chance. 

I didn’t hold back one ounce of love or give away my time to other “important“ pursuits. I was her mother and I took every. single. chance. to be one.

Dear young mothers, don’t rush through these crazy and turbulent childhood years... don’t assume another is coming to fill those empty arms. Just be there and love them as if they are your last.

Take every chance.

(Note: I'll be sharing some little "snippets" here and there from some of my more special Instagram posts that I feel some of you may enjoy that aren't on it...)

What I Learned About Homemaking Living Abroad ~ Part 2

"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;

as poor, yet making many rich;

as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

~ 2 Corinthians 6:10

Living for several years in a small foreign country with a struggling economy taught me many lessons about homemaking. Since moving back to the State's, I realize how my thought process has changed in many areas. Here is my continued list of 12 random, home-related things I gleaned while living abroad (and in no particular order)... Part 1 is shared here.

4. Though You May Have Little You Can Still Give Much

Even though our neighbors were not well off, they were always giving...  fresh milk from their cows (gifted in a recycled jar), bouquets and clippings from their garden (hydrangeas and roses!), vegetables from their homestead (organic and fresh!), honey from their bees (raw and sweet!) and homemade jam from their fruit trees. Gifts do not need to cost money and generosity is not only for the wealthy. Sometimes we get caught up in the monetary world and forget how many things we can give which doesn't cost us any money and yet has real value! I was always humbled by the variety and creative blessings they bestowed on us as their new neighbors.

To give you an understanding, the gentleman who shared his honey had no wooden front door. A piece of fabric was what divided his home from the outdoors. He would bring over native herbs and share its uses with us and yet he had an exposed roof in his home. He told us where to find affordable bulk foods for our family which was so very helpful (you take Costco for granted and these things do not exist in all areas of the world) and yet his pantry didn't provide past the first day. His knowledge and friendship was worth so much to us and was a gift in itself! 

5. Preparing Food is an Event, A Process

As Americans, we often want things as quickly as possible. After all, we invented "fast food"! However, our neighbors reminded us that meal making is a slow ritual that was worth time and effort. They would roll out handmade ravioli for lunch. They would fill them with fresh chard from the garden and cover them with the pasta sauce preserved from the summer. They worked incredibly hard and the carefully crafted food they prepared was a way they celebrated their simple life. 

6. Make Meal Time Important

And as much time as they spent in preparing the meals, they also spent in enjoying them. They didn't rush through a year's worth of existence in order to spend a week's worth of vacation together (like many are in the habit of doing). They enjoyed their life one meal at a time (it is the simple things that contribute to the daily joy and make up the memories).  Each afternoon and evening was spent lavishly in regards to time. It allowed them to share fellowship with one another. Often, we think money is necessary for creating happy memories (think Disneyland, resorts, etc) when in reality, it is time! It is each-other's company that is most meaningful. It is laughter, deliciousness and love that create the best souvenirs (ones that our carried in our hearts and do not clutter up our homes). 

Time spent around the dinner table has become a ritual in our home. While having a lunch together does not work for our current schedule, dinner time is given our full attention. The table is set every evening with real dishes, serving bowls and cloth napkins. It is as if company is coming over because it is treated like a special family event. The house is quiet and peaceful (television, radio or cell phones are not guests at our table). This is where we first pray together, visit together, find out about each other's days, encourage each other and just keep connected in general. We may be there for hours. It is an investment in our relationship and I see many blessings from it! 

(Note: While we have always eaten our meals around the table since we were first married, I am ashamed to say I did not always put the same amount of love into the meals to make it special. The table would be set in the quickest way possible with torn paper napkins haphazardly arranged. I would chuck the sour cream on the table in the original container instead of serving in a pretty dish. I would rush through the meal in order to get to the next phase of the evening. I'm not saying that sometimes we aren't in a hurry and that shortcuts never happen, I'm just sharing that I began to put more time and effort toward the dinner hour and it has made such a difference toward forging a bond between us. It is hard to put into words but once you attempt to make meal time special, you will understand.)

Perhaps many of these concepts are already understood but I thought I would share them just the same. In such a materialistic society, we sometimes need reminders of how our great-grandparents lived and how rich in experience and memories their humble lifestyles were!

"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;

as poor, yet making many rich;

as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

~ 2 Corinthians 6:10

What about you, what have you found to be true from your experiences with the topics above? I will continue the series in another post because it can take quite some time to go through. Happy homemaking!

And a Time to Build Up...

Greetings to my old friends!

It has been awhile and the fresh spring air has brought me out of my reverie. It has been an interesting few years, full of many changes. We have moved back to our homeland. I have been watching a young girl turn into a young woman. I am seeing my strong young groom gently aging into a stronger but gentler man. We no longer have prairie fields in our midst but are currently surrounded by concrete and brick.

I am sorry I have not been able to answer any correspondence during my absence. When I stepped away from the computer, I had to completely give my all to what was ahead. Therefore, I kept clear of my blog email account as well. I do hope you understand ❤️ As a person who hates to offend, I found that part to be very difficult (so PLEASE forgive me)...

I am now in a new season. I have finished home educating. I don't have the same homesteading responsibilities. I am feeling a sense of calm (after quite a bit of a storm) and am hoping to once again step inside this little realm with the random parts of a home-making life. I am going to be sharing a bit differently in some areas and quite the same in others. While I won’t be posting as often as I used to, I hope to be able to enjoy it this time around with a better balance.

Also, as I relaunch the blog, I am going to include some giveaways to give it a fresh fun start! I think we could all use that right now! There will also be some lovely homemaking projects, recipes, pantry love, and all kinds of our favorite home-making subjects! The idea is to bring joy into our daily routines.

What is my new focus with all these changes? The same it has always been -- creating a safe and welcoming sanctuary within our home and to make it an enjoyable experience for the homemaker in the delightful little details. It means guarding the home, protecting its walls from uncomely influences, unhealthy lifestyles and negative attitudes. It means forging through the muck and mire we may find ourselves in and moving our way (and possibly -- figuratively speaking -- fighting our way) to higher ground. We are not going to wallow in the mud of despair. We will not give in to depression and sorrow. We will choose to be a beacon of hope in our home. ( I write this to encourage myself as well!)

How do we achieve this?

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name:

bring an offering, and come into his courts.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness..."

~ Psalm 96:8-9

Our offering -- dear homemakers -- is ourselves. It is our reassuring smile (which says "God is in control") to our loved ones when they walk through the door.  It is the enticing scene of a nutritious, fresh meal waiting on a carefully set table filled with ceramic plates, bowls, sparkling silverware and lovely linens. It may be the scent of essential oils diffusing in the background or a flickering sweet candle glowing in our midst. It is laughter and love. It is giving a real, true and noble life experience to those God has entrusted in our care. We are worshipping the Lord in the beauty of holiness every moment we have on this earth. While surrounded with darkness, we are called to be a light. Burn brightly dear ladies for this is our time to shine, our influence is needed now more than ever -- it is our "time to build up"!

(Ecclesiastes 3:3)

Happy homemaking!

Love, JES

P.S. -- Pictured is my kitchen table. I like to decorate it with things we use and eat during the week such as pretty salt and pepper shakers, ruby red cherry tomatoes standing by for a salad, zucchini from the garden and any other fruit and vegetables waiting to be made into meals. The other items I keep displayed are a stack of napkins in a wire basket (this way they are convenient to access). Some households have a paper towel holder on the countertop so this is my version of ease. Oftentimes there is a pretty candle or a vase of flowers from the garden. I also keep a tablecloth on our painted table. It is of laminated cotton which wipes easily with a soap and water solution while maintaining the "real tablecloth" look that I love for its coziness.

P.S.S. I have also done a bit of housekeeping around the blog. I hope you enjoy some of the new updates. I changed my focus verse from one of my favorites (Jeremiah 6:16) to a new favorite in Isaiah. I also added somewhat of a bio picture (while still maintaining some privacy). I will also continue to slowly update and change in areas where needed. Please feel free to share the topics you are interested in hearing about most in the comments below... I am always curious!