I’ve been feeling distracted in my life and my heart has been longing to refocus on God. I want to leave my worries and burdens with Him and then care and love the people that He has placed in my life. As a homemaker, I can give so many things…..although I must admit that because I am home so much, I sometimes forget just how much I can give in this ordinary life of mine.
What a blessing Edith Shaeffer’s book is, The Hidden Art of Homemaking. It was just what I needed to read this morning. We homemakers can and need to create, make things beautiful, in our everyday lives. It makes our hearts grow and our lives abundant.
Here is the list of her suggestions in capital letters. (My own application for myself is in parenthesis. Everyone is different so you may think of other ways to incorporate her ideas.)
MUSIC (I can play good music on my ipod, enjoy listening to the children play their instruments, sing with the children, hum, whistle, and notice the bird’s songs.)
PAINTING, DRAWING, SCULPTURE (When the children work on their art projects I can join in, too. When I write letters, grocery lists, or journal, I can draw little pictures).
INTERIOR DECORATION (It’s fun to make our homes beautiful according to our tastes.)
GARDENS and GARDENING (It’s that time of year again, for my neck of the woods. I love pansies, I think I will plant some soon. And later, when the beautiful vegetables are ready, I will arrange them like fruit, in a bowl on the table.)
FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS (I picked some of my daffodils for the table, and added some branches off a shrub that is just starting to sprout leaves. Oh, it is so pretty. I feel happy whenever I see God’s handiwork.)
FOOD (Homemade food, made with LOTSA love, is a wonderful way to give to our friends and family. I also give away fresh chicken eggs right and left.)
WRITING—PROSE & POETRY (My blog is my writing outlet, also letter writing and journals.)
DRAMA (OH the drama! I love to dramatically read to my children…..)
CLOTHING (Put on something pretty for your husband and children. I am wearing a necklace that my wonderful sister gave me, with big pretty blingy jewels on it. Baby Sarah loves it. She held on to it when I nursed her to sleep, just a little bit ago, for her morning nap. A pretty scarf, or earrings, or a pin would work, too.)
I would encourage any of my Christian sisters who are feeling sorta frazzled and empty to pick up a copy of Edith’s book. God is the first artist and He created us in His image. We could all use some time away from tv, facebook, and other things to be artistic and creative. It’s a wonderful and simple way to GIVE to our families and friends. And as we give, our hearts get big (like the Grinch discovered, at Christmastime). 
(morning art: homemade muffins by candlelight)
(gardening art: the daffodils are in bloom and are being admired.)
(enjoying God’s original art: Seth loves to watch the pretty birds. We have a couple of feeders set up outside the window.)
Please share your ideas! When I read blogs I often discover that the feedback is just as valuable as the actual blog article. We can inspire one another by giving helpful, encouraging ideas and information, through our comments. Thank you so much.
Love, your sister in Christ, Shanda
more inspiration:
Mary posted some beautiful Easter pictures on her blog.
Tara wrote beautifully about what God is doing in her life. She is a kindred spirit and an encouragement to me.
Days after reading this post, I’m still thinking about inaorchard’s pretty pictures and words. I’m an old soul, too.
Good to be Home 
I think I need to make a trip to the used book store and find The Hidden Art of Homemaking. I love your book suggestions! I think that creating beauty, and focusing on the simple joys of everyday life, is another way I can worship God and show my gratefulness for all that He has so abundantly provided. I love that I serve a God who not only provides for my all of my needs but wants to bless my heart each and everyday, if I only have the eyes to see it. Love this post Shanda! ~April{I’m so pleases you liked my “old soul” post 🙂 I can’t tell you how many times I have drank in your pictures and words and been completely delighted and inspired}
I know that when I’m thankful and dont give a smidgen of a thought to how life should be more exiting or whatever it is that wants to bring me down….then life is content, joyful and colorful! Thankfulness is the best form of art! also when I accept people the way they are…not trying to change them….I can more easily see their beauty…that too is a form of art…having an eye for how fearfully and wonderfully and uniquely we are all made.
Thanks for the reminder!! I have started a journal of “thanks” (from the book by Ann Voscamp). It’s hard to feel insignificant when you list (and list and list) all the wonderful things that God has given to me. Great gifts!!Your muffins look delish! Love the chicken/daffodil picture. Those chickens always make me smile.
I’ll have to go get my copy and read in it today. Thanks for your blog. You are an encouragement to me.
@celebratinglifeandmotherhood – I like your comment….having an eye for how fearfully and wonderfully and uniquely we are all made. Thankfulness IS the best form of art. =)Shanda your posts are always so inspring and make me want to be a better mom and wife. Eveything on this site is such a blessing. Your words and photos just ooze happy homemaking! =)
oh Shanda…i love this entry. i love hearing about the books that you are reading and the tidbits you are gleaning from them. You and Joanna are always sharing such fascinating quotes and moments and they just thrill my heart. Praying that the Lord will continue to show you areas in which you can bring things amazing moments and things into your life! i’m going to now have to go look for a copy of this book 😉 hope you have a tremendous week!!
as well, where on earth did you get that absolutely GORGEOUS candlestick holder. oh my goodness, i couldn’t take my eyes off that arrangement in the first picture. sooo beautiful.
Thanks for the tips! I know having pretty music playing all day really sets the mood around here and helps keep me happy and calm when I wouldn’t be otherwise. 🙂 I have a pandora station entitled piano solos that I love.
I love that book too! It is such an encouragement, as are you!! We gardened this weekend and planted tomatoes. I harvested some veggies, and brought home a sweet bouquet of flowers. Those are my favorites. I will go take a picture!
hi shanda…….i so enjoyed reading your post full of inspiration. anna from “pleasantview schoolhouse” was selling that book in her etsy shop a while back and i snatched it up, which made that book even more special knowing it was once in her beautiful home!! wouldn’t you just love to visit her for a day?!
you are off to a great start. like you, i enjoy decorating my home to feel warm and inviting and cooking and baking lots of yummy food for my family. bringing nature indoors is something i always try to do, too. i would like to do more drawing / sketching, though. it’s something i’ve kinda put on the back burner once motherhood came around.
here’s an idea…..during our family dinners i often have some quiet music playing in the background. usually it’s classical or something like david nevue’s music, but other times it goes with what we are eating. there used to be a store in a nearby town that sold CD’s for $1.99 that were a collection of music from different places like italy, greece, hawaii, mexico, france, etc. so, if we are having tacos, i play the mexican one; if we’re having spaghetti, i’ll play the italy one (or some frank sinatra & dean martin work well for italian, too!). my boys have fun choosing a CD or a pandora station to go with dinner and my husband and i enjoy the atmosphere it adds. maybe your children would have fun with that, too?
I love that book also. Thank you for the reminder to re-read it. I am reading One Thousand Gifts at the present time…. 🙂 I also had a question. Awhile ago you posted a song from a CD that you have. I believe your Dad and your son were singing and playing one of the songs…I remember I loved the CD samples I heard on Amazon but I can’t remember now what CD it was….The song was a little “folky” or celtic in sound if I remember right????? 🙂
friend.. this is a wonderful and encouraging post to us all. All we have to do is take one moment at a time and hold onto Jesus. 🙂 you inspire me too. 🙂
I’m new to your blog and loved reading this 🙂 What an inspiration!
@inanorchard – Yes, I totally agree. Blogging has always been a way for me to sit and remember the wonderful gifts of each day. @celebratinglifeandmotherhood – “Trying” is too hard, just simply being the wonderful YOU God made you to be, is a joy. Yes, you got it. You inspire me, too. @srheam – I’m reading that book, too! It’s so good!@mytoesareblue – Isn’t it lovely? I found it at Pottery Barn a few weeks ago, 60% off!
@connie – I love your suggestions! And YES, I would very much enjoy a visit w/Anna of PleasantViewSchoolhouse. She is such a beautiful blogger. @ErinLynae – I believe the name of that cd is “My Cry Ascends” The song was “Blessed is the Man” or something like that. I’m surprised you remember that! Let me know if it was the one you remembered. I’ll check my ipod in the meantime, to make sure.@CecilliaMarie – Welcome! ((hugs))
YOU make me happy!
I copied these suggestions and then applied what I thought to them! Thanks so much for sharing!! You are such an inspiration ❤
@where_love_lands – You’re so welcome! I would love to hear some of your ideas sometime!
It is a great book I read it last year and kep thinking “How did I ever go so long without reading this book?!” I am glad to hear that you like it as well!
I like pansies, too! Each flower looks like a smiling face, wearing a sun bonnet! I have had the same urge as you and am glad you listed some ideas for creativity, you’ve given me encouragement to do *something*!