Monday, October 29, 2012

The Care and Keeping of Home

Potato Digging in the Kitchen Garden




There are so many things I would like to do at home, but they are all related to recreation. This makes it difficult for me to actually work in, and around the home.  I would rather have a day of ease and enjoyment.  This is mostly a daily battle. 

I have to make housework fun and pleasant so it seems like recreation.  Yesterday, I kept calling for my 15 year old son, John. I told him, "We should spend some time together. Since I love cleaning, let's do that!"  He would just smile and walk away.   He thinks I am funny. But I was serious. (gentle smiles)

There has to be some way I can make housework exciting for my family.  Sometimes we talk and laugh while we work. This is a great way to pass the time, and get things accomplished. But here is the problem - it is not really about getting things accomplished, it's about enjoying the process of maintaining a home.

Right now, here in New England, it is shockingly beautiful outside. I think I will sweep the porch. Maybe someone will rake the leaves while I am out there. Then we can sit and visit before coming back inside.

I  can also ask someone to help me bake cinnamon rolls.  I am sure plenty of people will help us eat them!  There is fun in family - centered homemaking.

Little Girls used to dream about having a house and a family of their own. Now that we are grown up, isn't housekeeping and motherhood just as exciting as it was then? Or did we forget to make our own fun, and enjoy playing house?

Creating meals, setting tables, washing dishes, baking, and reading to children are all lovely activities.  .  . There can be joy in cleaning and organizing.

I wonder. . .  Can't we all just wake up excited to be able to wash our floors?    Maybe If I ask John to help me. . . .

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

What would happen? - If I Visit you at The Dinner Hour.

I'd Love to Have one of These - A Jane Austen Day - When Mother is Worn Out.

Do You Wash Your Dustpan? - A Little Visit - Happy Homemaking.




7 comments:

momma-lana said...

I did not wake up excited to clean the master bath today! I know it is on today's list and I really dislike scrubbing the tub/shower. I really like it when it is all done though!

kozimom said...

I like it when it's all done too! But it does work better when everyone pitches in - at least on the big jobs. The other day, I still needed to do a thorough vacuuming of the main floor, as well as wash the floors AND I knew that someone was going to be stopping in soon. I enlisted my 4 sons ages 13, 9, 6 and 6 (twins). I vacuumed and the 13 year old mopped while the other 3 followed him with bath towels on their feet. They scooched around after him getting the edges and corners. They had SO much fun and the job was accomplished thoroughly and in half the time! Then we were even able to relax while the floors dried before our guest showed up!

A Proverbs 31 Wife said...

I woke up excited for my work, but didn't want to get out of bed because it was cold lol!

LeAnn said...

I think your thoughts are awesome. I think we should take more joy in our housework and I children need to help and feel that joy to. I love a clean house and wonder how people enjoy messes. I enjoy your post today.
Blessings!

Cathy said...

I love what you said about little girls dreaming of a home to care for.

Karen Andreola said...

Your post gave me a needed lift today with its standard sweetly put. I like, too, how the quote from "Plum Creek" in the side bar does not dismiss domestic activity. It's a way of life.
Karen A.

whtmtngirl said...

Wouldn't it be wonderful to join Grandma Walton in the kitchen every morning?