A Heart for Staying Home

Flowers in a sculpted terracotta vase on a stone ledge, 1679 oil painting.

 

There have been so many things going on here lately, I have lost my bearings. I have purposed to have peace and not only stay home physically, but in my heart. I love home and want to enjoy my homemaking.

My mother has always been delighted with home. I remember once, when we were older teens and we moved into a new house. Mom said she didn't want us to do any chores because she wanted the joy of keeping house all by herself. So we only kept to our rooms and cleaning up our own messes. Not long after that, most of us moved out and had families of our own.

I remember watching my mother-in-law keep house. She would get up early and make coffee. You knew that at any hour of the day or night, she would be at home. That's where her heart was. She was such an example to me of not worrying about the culture around her. She made home a lovely place.

I find it disruptive to have to leave this precious estate. My house is old, it was built in the 1800's, and it needs an enormous amount of work, but it is my humble cottage and I love working throughout the day, just polishing and shining and organizing and working in my kitchen.

For lunch yesterday, I made a batch of biscuits and cooked up some turkey burger. I added this to pasta and peas and then used an Alfredo sauce. It came out great. Everyone enjoyed the meal. I love testing recipes and making treats for my family.

If I have to run out the door for an errand, my heart sinks and I am disrupted and distracted. I realize errands are a part of life, but I still struggle with the idea of leaving home too often.

My ideal world would be to only leave home one day a week for church. Groceries would be delivered and I could just enjoy staying here, sewing, cooking, baking and taking care of everyone. I delight in the skills of home economics and want to daily practice my craft, making this the home my children will cherish, in their memories, for many years to come.

Today, I will get out my best stationary and make a to-do list. I will cross each item off as I accomplish them. I will put on my best dress, apron, pearl necklace and put my hair up. (And yes, I will even wear high heels!) I will make a delightful supper tonight. I will keep house on purpose, not by chance. Then I will rest near the hearth with a good book and a hot cup of tea.

I hope you have a wonderful day at home!

Blessings,
Mrs. White

 

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