We have been busy and industrious here at home. Amy (15) and I sew and bake and cook and clean. There is no end to the projects and creative ideas we come up with. It does, however, wear me out.
It's important to take breaks. These are little retreats of the mind. I need to rest and enjoy the sights and sounds of the property. I love to sit on the front porch with a book and savor the nice weather.
Mr. White and I have been talking about landscaping the grounds. In England, yards are called "gardens." I would love for all the children, directed by Dad, to create a welcoming, lovely, restful place. I know nothing about yard-work. This is Mr. White's area of expertise. He has all kinds of ideas in mind. We thought we would use a small amount of money each week to buy one thing for the "garden." It might be flowers to plant, some bricks or stone for a walkway, a blueberry bush, a pretty new tree or some pink roses to plant next to a trellis. Just a few nice touches, throughout the coming summer months, to keep us all productive and taking pride in our work.
I am trying to do the same thing, here, indoors. Yet, in my case, it is more of a task of simplifying and removing the constant clutter and mail which accumulates so easily. There are always outgrown clothes or shoes. There are files and empty package containers to be discarded. Once the house is neat and tidy, that is when I enjoy cleaning the most. Do you like to vacuum a clean rug or polish a dust-free table? These are things I delight in. I love to open the windows and let the house be filled with precious, fresh, clean air. It makes home feel like a happy place to be.
Home is where holiness can thrive. It is a sanctuary and a refuge from the world.
Blessings,
Mrs. White
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Dirty floors are the one thing that really drive me crazy. I need a clean floor.
ReplyDeleteStaying on top of the dust is a difficult task here, so I'm really trying to do dusting more than once a week (my old habit).
Have a blessed day.
Oh, yes, I am constantly getting rid of stuff, decluttering, and trying to simply things.
ReplyDeleteThe less "stuff" I have, the easier it is to keep things up.
I really appreciate your post! I am so behind myself in the housework department I'm ready to pull out my hair. However, after this next weekend's garage sale, hopefully things will be more manageable. It is amazing the stuff that gets stored away to not see the light of day in years, or is just taking up space in the guest room.
ReplyDeleteI get so discouraged about my home. My older sons are neat-challenged to say the least!! ;) Clutter seems to collect so fast! I need to find ways to tame the clutter at my house! Is it even possible with a mega family to keep it under control?? I mean I'm so outnumbered -- so many more people commited to bringing clutter in the house than the one person (me) committed to keeping it out! Do you have any motivating posts on decluttering and cleaning?? I must tell you -- I really love your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Elizabeth