Current Favorite: Book

At Home with Madame Chic

by Jennifer L. Scott

 

I devoured this book, stopping only because I was so inspired by her words that I needed to immediately execute them in my home. Many of my personal thoughts on home and housekeeping were echoed throughout the pages, so much so that at times I felt like she had invaded my mind and taken notes. Candles for every day luxury, music to set a tone to the day, clutter-free house for a clutter free mind, prep work for busy mornings; all these things have been marks of how I desire for my home to look and feel but reading it afresh was just what I needed this time of year to get back in the game of homemaking. There were of course things I have no current plan of making a part of my life, but the beauty is I can take and apply only the portions of it that match who I am and how I am wired. The same goes for you of course.

 

 

Homemaker.

 

 

 

The word might make you cringe, might make you smile, might not strike you in any particular way. But for me this is a word I want to embrace more and more this year. I am at my house every day for at least 18-20 hours. I have four children and a husband who spend much of their life at our home. It not only makes logical sense to work hard at making it a place I want to be, it also stirs my creative, up for a good challenge personality. Thus far in working towards these changes I will say that I have found myself relishing the precious days we have been given more.

 

My eyes have become more trained to take in the beauty all around, be it in my children, the endless piles of snow out my window, the way my house lets in light...all of it can fuel thankfulness. Christ calls us to be thankful. It is hard to be thankful when our eyes see deadlines, dirt, meal making and whining children as we bow over in an overwhelmed state. But lift up your eyes. Lift them up and see Him. He will accomplish his good plan and we simply need to heed His direction for us. No, it probably is not a home cooked meal, probably not a clutter-free entry way, but certainly is our heart's state as we go about these daily to-dos. While I strive to grow in homemaking I pray I do not miss the forest for the trees.

 

Current Favorite: Book

The other evening I was having dinner at my friend's house and noticed this book on her coffee table. It of course caught my eye with the fun typeface and cover styling. I commented on it and asked how she liked it. She (being the giving person she is) offered it to me to borrow. I declined. I have this odd issue with borrowing things from people. I dread that I will somehow destroy it or forget to ever return it and I really like to own something for myself.  I did however go home and reserve it at my local library (to see if it was worthy of a purchase)....6 holds before me so my hope was to be reading it by mid-January. Perfect.

 

The next day I am sitting on my couch as Isabelle came running in holding this very book. "Mommy, someone left this for you on our porch." Before even looking at the card that accompanied it I knew that my sweet friend had gone out and purchased me my very own copy. And I was right.  I am one of those people whose love language is gifts....which always makes me feel like I am really vain or selfish, it seems lowest on the totem pole of love languages...but I really do feel loved when people give me gifts. When I received this book from my friend it made me feel so loved. She thought of me and knew I would devour this book page by page (as I have). She knew I would love owning a copy of my very own rather than borrowing it from the library. She knew.

 

Decorating is a passion of mine. Houses are a passion of mine. Imperfection being perfection is a passion of mine. This book has it all. Read it, but be warned there are 7 holds on it at the library.