It’s time for another Remembrance Press giveaway. This time we’re giving away 3 copes of The Girlhood Home Companion “Secret Garden” issue, with the first winner receiving the Secret Garden Bundle. To enter read the directions below and leave a comment.
This contest centers around the beauty of homemaking. What makes a house a home? What makes a home beautiful? Is there a homemaker (present or past) who you admire? Why?
Tell us what some of your favorite aspects of homemaking are. What activities or recreations do you enjoy doing with your family that center around being home? Answer any of the above questions and have fun. We can’t wait to read your comments!
Contest ends Monday, April 30th – 12:00 midnight.
Blessings,
Jill
I think the blessing of homemaking is so overlooked. My very favorite thing to do with my daughters is teaching them a skill that they enjoy like sewing or creating a beautiful meal. It’s brought me so much pleasure seeing them learn to share what they learn with others.
A house is home in my opinion when it’s a haven from the chaos of the world. I think a home is truly most beautiful when it creates an atmosphere of peace and a place where all who come there feel loved.
The homemaker I will always admire the most is my late grandmother Clova Herbert. I admire her for all she taught me. My grandmother was an amazing homemaker for how she mentored. Right after WWII, she & my grandfather sponsored a family from a Latvian refugee camp. The wife was unable to speak English & my precious grandmother invited her into her kitchen every day as they prepared meals for the men in the fields. They gave the family a home to live in for free, seed for their first crops & garden & they treated them like family. She shared all that she was as a homemaker. That is who I want to be as a homemaker, wife, mother & mentor friend.
I love homemaking. I love to sew and make all my girls dresses. Both of my girls sew now too, which I love. And I love cooking healthy and delicious meals for my family.
I love your tribute, Kristen. How wonderful to have such a goodly heritage. I’m glad we can remember and honor your grandmother here. I love how you put that – “mentor friend.” Blessings on your homemaking.
We love to sew too, Sivje. We just started a quilting club and we’re having so much fun. We make tea and treats and giggle and sew!
I think having a place that provides peace, love and security, makes a house a home. I love that everyday I have the opportunity to provide that for my husband and children and all who enter in. A beautiful home is a home that welcomes you with cheer. The best example I’ve ever had of a “home” was my Nana and Papas home. It was always a place of love and peace. My Nana taught me by example the importance of a welcoming home. She always kept her doors open to everyone. Her home was always neat and tidy, with food on the stove and a smile on her face.
Though it’s not always easy for me to do when I’m in the midst of the busyness of homeschooling, I really enjoy creating fun healthy meals and lately I have taken up some simple sewing projects. It’s so fun to create a beautiful place for my family. I enjoy keeping our home tidy so that it feels relaxing. And keeping a scent warmer in the entry table welcomes everyone with a fresh clean smell. It’s such a blessing to know that my family and friends feel loved here and desire to be here!
A house is a home when someone takes time and care to make it comfortable and safe. It feels like when you go there, you know how it will be and you can feel that even when you are not there. You take it with you, the memories of the warmth, love and peace. It is like it always is, a secure place in a changing world, a place much like a haven out of the winds and storms. The beauty of the home is its cleanliness, orderliness, and brightness. Things are in their right place and have been put there with intention to meet the needs of all who come inside. There is a light that shines for all who may need to find hope. The beauty of God’s Word placed in frames on the walls makes the rooms feel protected by Truth. Extra care such as placing vases of fresh flowers, fragrant candles, or simple handmade pillows add beauty to the home.
I remember my dear Mother-in-Law and the care that she had for her lovely home, chosing favorite but simple room furnishings that reflected her appreciation for things that are well-made and lasting, things to be passed on to future generations to help them remember their Godly heritage and the Blessing of home and family. Also, how traditions of family holidays with all the love and care put into having these times be for my children (her grandchildren) meant so much. Simple but favorite meals also made her home a lovely place to be together. The most special part was how much she made us all (especially me) feel that we were so important to her and how much she enjoyed and wanted us all to feel comfortable when we were there. She just wanted us to be happy and to be with us.
You’re our second winner, Roxine!
I love to bake. My daughters and I put on the aprons we sewed together and I just love to make my Blessings a nice dessert with them. We also found these really neat iron on embroidery kits, that we have made pillows and decorations and gifts. We make a lot of things together. This summer we will be making lots of bath salts, sugar scrubs, lotions… together and give them away as gifts, and make a nice Guest Basket so when guests visit they can have their own special things. We are making their Hope Chests and adding lovely works of their own creations. I found each of my older daughters China Sets and we have them displayed and enjoy using them. Its something I cherish doing with my daughters, and am learning from other moms because I never had this growing up. My mother was a career woman and we had a cleaning service. I never had these bonding moments, so I read all I can and try my best with my children. I love being a Home maker, help meet, and mama!!! I would not trade it for anything.
Amber, you are our third winner!
I think what mychildren and I enjoy the most about ‘homemaking’ is living the country life. Canning our own foods, raising chickens for farm fresh eggs, baking, cooking, and just being as self sufficiant as we can. God gave us this land to live off of and we are making it so.
I enjoy teaching my son and daughter all things a good homemaker need to know. My daughter has learned to sew and cook. Her favorite thing to cook is dessert. My son has a love of cooking. They both help take care of our home.
Homemaking is just part of my ministry to my family and probably the one I enjoy least – but I’m trying! For me a “home” is a place that is comfortable and unassuming – a place someone can relax and breath.
I love to bake and sew and read. I love home-schooling with my children. Spending time with my husband and children – just together. They are my favorite people on the earth.
Blessings on the journey~
Being a stay at home mom is such a privilege! I love having a place where my family can relax and be ‘at home’, a place away from the bustle and commercialism of the world. My mom was a great homemaker – even though she worked while I was growing up so that we could go to a Christian school. She still taught and showed me how to care for a home and garden and fix good, nutritious, home cooked meals. We made homemade bread every week and I learned to sew at a fairly young age. All things that have been invaluable skills throughout life! My grandmother also was a wonderful example of hospitality. While she was confined to a wheelchair all the years I knew her, she was quick to fix a pot of tea or even a meal when anyone dropped in. Neighbors, family and friends were frequent visitors at her kitchen table.
I love being home with my family. Our favorite thing is to all cook together. We make quite a team. Thankfully, since being diagnosed with cancer and having radiation/chemo and 2 weeks ago surgery, my whole family knew how to keep the kitchen moving when I couldn’t do a thing. Love my big happy family 😀
I am similar to Deb. I am learning how to appreciate homemaking. I’ve got the happy children and husband in place. I absolutely love to cook with all of them, although hubby can definitely hold his own at the stove! We made a decision when we bought our house to make it what we want it to be. We all pitch in on improvement projects, gardening, raising our ark of animals, and enjoying one another for a majority of that time (we each have our moments, lol).
I most admire my mother. Our house was not spotless or impeccable, but it was always presentable for friends and family. There was never a rush to tidy when company was at the door. As a matter of fact, she never seemed to rush around the house, but always seemed calm and reflected that onto everyone else that entered the door. I will always strive for the happy calm she has always given to us. Oh, and there will always be something in the kitchen for any rumbling bellies!
May God bless all you homemaking mommas and families.
I think my response will be very different from everyone else. I am in a season right now where I find little joy in what I am doing as a homemaker. But I long for it. I belief the Lord is teaching me that my home is a reflection of what is going on in my heart. . .which right now is a lot of wrestling and questioning before the Lord. Chaos. I have spent the past 13 yrs having babies. I have 7 beautiful children. I wasn’t a very good homemaker when I came home to be with my oldest daughter. It’s been what feels like an uphill battle to learn the skills of homemaking. I think I have done a better job in training my girls to be homemakers than I am one. Right now, I just feel very overwhelmed by the tasks.
God has given me such grace in this season and I see that being given to my children as well. My 3 oldest children have really stepped up to keep my home as I struggle at times to get up and do anything. I am crying out to God ALOT these days to renew a steadfast spirit within me, to return me to the joy I found so many years ago when I retired from teaching a middle history class and came home to be with my oldest daughter. I was and still am a horrible homemaker. For some reason I have struggled to really learn how to manage my home well. Again, I think that is a reflection of what is going on in my heart though. So I spend alot of time these days praying for insight into what is going on in my heart. I want to love what I do. . .keeping a home, teaching my children, helping my husband. This is the hardest season of life I have had to go through thus far. He stretching me, that’s for sure. But on of my favorite verses has always been James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” I am resting in that right now. And my hope is that on the other end, I will find a great joy in this calling that God has me in.
My grandparents recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. Wow!!! While we sitting around talking to them at the table my grandfather told me that there have only been a few days in their 63 yrs that my grandmother has not brought him coffee in bed in the morning. I was blown away. I would stay with them during the summer and would see her do this. But I had no idea. I was blown away. I remember thinking at the time “I want to be that kind of woman. One who will lay down her life for her family.” That is my grandmother. She’s served her family non-stop for 63 yrs and it’s still going. My grandfather is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. He’s not been a pleasant person to be around. Almost angry. Her heart is breaking in that way but she’s loves this man so much. I told my grandmother a couple of years ago that her children will rise up and call her blessed because they already do. I want to be like my grandmother.
This probably isn’t at all the answer you were looking for. i felt compelled to answer though. This is my favorite magazine. It’s a special treat when we get to enjoy it. Money is tight so we don’t always get to splurge. I have splurged though simply because it brings ME joy. . .and my girls enjoy it too. 🙂 Thank you for following the call to publishing it. God Bless.
I have only one girl and six boys, so my dreams of making matching dresses and teaching my girls my sewing skills was thrown out the window. With boys the key ot thier hearts is in food and eating. I try to make good food and have meaningful conversations at dinner time so theres at least one way we connect every day. I’ll have to wait for granddaughters to have quilting nights. 🙂
Michelle
Two things come to mind with this question.
The first being, that we have always gone to church together. Every Sunday for the past 20 years (save for a few due to illness etc.) we have gone to the house of the Lord together to worship.
Our children still go to church with us and they are 20, 17 and 16 now.
Not going was never an option.
Why mention that with respect to an activity related to homemaking?
Because, worshiping the Lord together is the foundation of building a home. You can make pretty things for the house, cook wonderful meals, decorate, be hospitable etc. but if you don’t put the Lord first as a family, you have no true ”home”, you merely have a nice house and a group of individuals that live in it.
The second thing was:
Every Saturday morning since the children were born I have gotten up early and prepared a wonderful brunch-style breakfast. This is a 20 year tradition at this point in my life. No matter what came and left from our busy schedules (yes, even homeschoolers have busy schedules), this Saturday morning tradition continued.
And when I was recovery from chemotherapy and couldn’t cook, my teenager daughters took up the task, that’s when I knew we had more than a ”routine” but that God had graced us with a godly tradition that had passed on a generation.
I enjoy being home with my two daughters so, that I can teach them to be homemakers. I enjoy homeschooling with them and baking with them. Being a homemaker and mother is one of the greatest blessings in my life.
I think in the end the whole process of creating a lovely home, enjoying your home, taking care of the people in the home . . . it all comes down to contentment. When I was first married I wanted the big house decked out like Pottery Barn–only then would I have “arrived” and only then would I be truly happy. But along the way I’ve learned so much and it doesn’t matter if I’m owning a home or renting a home, whether it’s brand-new or kind of junky (and I’ve lived in all these situations!) but at long as we’re there together, learning, living, and loving that’s all that matters. You work with what God gives you and strive to be happy and content in that spot.
I love being home with my children. 15 years ago we added homeschooling to our plate and 10 years ago my husband ‘retired’ from a high power, high pressure job to work at home. We like working around our house and are currently adding more ‘edible’ landscape and trying to figure out how to keep Bambi and Thumper from eating it! My children love playing in the dirt and watching the wonderful plants that God has provided for us grow. It’s kinda tight, in today’s economy, but we are praising God for all he has provided for us!
Home to me isn’t where we live….it isn’t a certain building or even a specific gathering place….Home is wherever and whenever we gather together in love….My husband and I haven’t lived in our own HOUSE for over 3 and 1/2 years….but HOME…ah yes….everytime I get to spend time with my children and my grandchildren….every gathering whether for birthdays, band concerts, art exhibits…simply being together with those you love….That is HOME to me…Being together…sharing the good as well as the challenging times in life….Praying with and for each other….HOME is a state of heart….
Our 13 yr old daughter and I love it when my husband comes home on the weekends, as he works out of town, that makes our family/home complete. We love doing things together-baking, dancing to old tunes, singing, working, anything that we do together makes home enjoyable, and our snuggle TLC times in the mornings adds alotta love and special sweet times of conversation.
Hullo! First off…. Am I the only un-married person (who is 16 year old) to comment so far? 🙂 Hehe!
Although I do not yet have a house of my own, I look forward to it. 🙂 At the moment I’m not crazy about home-making, but I do enjoy cleaning the house on Saturday. Strange, I know. I don’t really like baking and cooking much, actually. :-/ I love the feeling after a good Saturday cleaning, when I’m relaxing in a fresh-smelling, clean room! 🙂
So that is sort of my answer to the second question. 😉 Home is with my family, playing card games together, just sitting and talking together, having sleep-overs with my two lovely sisters, and of course… Homeschooling. 🙂
I think my Mom is a really good homemaker. She makes sure everyone is comfortable when they visit and helps them feel at home. 😀
~Anna
(www.littlemebigcreator.blogspot.com)
A home is where people are more important than things like nice furniture and perfect decor. It is a workshop/laboratory where we learn, share and grow together. It is that safe harbor you so desperately want to get back too when you have been gone for awhile. Our oldest just began Army bootcamp. He is a long way from home. He didn’t really appreciate it until now. He recently wrote home and said, “I had an amazing home life Mom.” That was nice to hear!
I love my home and my family. A home is where you are loved unconditionally. It is a safe haven. I have an adult married child,a teenager and a preschooler. I am happiest when my whole family is together. All my kids and my son-in-law live here. I know my oldest will be moving out soon with her new husband so I am cherishing everyday that she is here.
Time has gone so fast.
I love that my mother taught me how to do so many homemaking skills when I was young. I feel like I have not had time to do some of them (sewing, needle art, baking) and have been poor at passing them on to my daughter. I do try to pass on some things like cooking (my favorite) to my children. I think a home is place where you are loved unconditionally and are not afraid to make mistakes. It is a place to learn and grow and be loved.
Homemaking is a very natural thing for me- since I was small, all I wanted to do was take care of a family of my own. There’s nothing that can replace a warm smile and a hot meal after coming home from a weary day at work, or sinking into a nicely made bed on freshly washed sheets at the end of the day. By caring for my family in these small ways, as well as keeping up with the house work, and sticking to schedules, I feel that I can effectively show them just how much I love them!
You’re are first winner, Mandy!
My favorite homemaker would be my late mother. As a young mother, she worked in the fields and tended her home garden. I was born later in her life when the brother and sisters were grown but I have heard about the chicken and dumplings and fresh fruit cobblers simmering on the stove. The smells and taste of the food mama prepared (all home grown) and the warmth and comfort of a wood fire and a hand peiced quilt in the winter. I was born in the 50’s. Mama and daddy had moved from the farm and had settled in Clearwater Florida by then. Daddy was forman of a Citrus grove and mama was a homemaker. She made life cozy and comfortable. Daddy passed away when I was 5 years old. We had moved from the orange grove and in to a smaller home the year before. Mama had always been a homemaker. She took in ironing and ran (what would be called today) a home daycare. She became Granny to the children she tended. Mama had a hot dinner (lunch) on the table every day. I came home from school to a well kept home. I played with friends on the vacant lot behind my house and knew it was almost supper time by the smells wafting from mamas kitchen. She washed on a wringer washing machine. It took all day on Mondays. The clothes smelled so sweet from drying on the line. It was a comfort and a pleasure to climb in bed betweens fresh line dried sheets. There were other things. The waxed floors, hand polished furniture, starched and ironed (almost all home made) school dresses, lovingly planned and prepared holidays and everything made from scratch. What made mama so special is that she did it all cheerfully. It was her job. She was proud of it.
Beautiful tribute, Beverly. I love your mama.
We’ve had to implement a schedule since taking care of my father. It gives us a sense of normalcy. I guess I never thought that it equates to showing them how much I love them – but you’re right. Making sure everyone is taken care of and helping them grow in serving the family is a legacy of love because it keeps everything running smoothly and makes home a peaceful place. Thanks for sharing, Mandy.
Jen, I love what you said here: “I think a home is place where you are loved unconditionally and are not afraid to make mistakes. It is a place to learn and grow and be loved.” I think that is very powerful!
Oh, Cindy, I hear you! Time does fly…and I know what you mean. I’m happiest when all my children are home – something that only happens occasionally now. But the Lord assured me one day that I was a mother no matter where my children were – in state, out of state, I was still their mama! Skype has helped a bit…I still like it best when we’re all together, though. I love “hugging” my kids.
Dear Kim, What a sweet thing for your son to say and a beautiful testimony to your mothering. Keep up the good work!
Hello Miss Anna,
Since I know you personally, I can testify that your mama is very hospitable and love what she does. You have a wonderful example to follow! Keep up the good work. I know when you have a family of your own someday, you’ll follow in her steps!
Joetta,
This is the secret to your joy: giving your daughter the gift of time: “We love doing things together…” “snuggle TLC times in the mornings…” Thanks for sharing.
Debbie,
I love what you said: Home is wherever and whenever we gather together in love…HOME is a state of heart… Very powerful from a lady who knows. Thank you for sharing such wise insights.
Brenda, Today our puppy mauled our white leghorn to death. We were so sad. She laid really beautiful large white eggs.I guess the dog got its “edible landscape.” LOL A simpler life – being content…God bless your homestead. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, Janna, wherever our family is, that’s where home is. Contentment makes the humblest of homes a castle!
Yes, Tiffany. One of the greatest blessings is being a homemaker and passing those skills onto the next generation. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing, Angelina. Last year, the day before Thanksgiving, I had to take my elderly father to the emergency room. My daughters cooked the whole meal for the next day and held down the fort. My 12 year old washed seven loads of dishes – not a task she relishes. But as we sat down to that meal the next day, my heart could have burst with joy in knowing the my daughters kept focused during a time a crisis and “just did the next thing.” When we love the Lord, our whole life becomes a reasonable act of service and a worship unto Him. You have modeled a little of Mary – your worshipful attitude to the Lord, and Martha, your acts of loving service for your daughters. Blessings to your household.
Michelle, Even though you only have one daughter, you are her greatest mentor. Sounds like she is already learning a lot of good mothering from you. We just stated a quilting club and every other Thursday our home is filled with the sound of ladies and their daughters giggling and talking (sounds like a babbling brook). Your home reminds me of the movie, Seven Bride for Seven Brothers. 🙂 Find yourself some other female company and get some quiltin’ time quick! LOL
Taking a basic bread recipe and adding to it with my daughters help to get a whole new, exciting and delicious recipe. Wouldn’t have time if I was at paid work.
I love the honor of getting to be a homemaker.I have been a homemaker for almost 22 years.I love that I get the priviledge of running our home.Cooking,baking, cleaning,organizing,decorating,child rearing,homeschooling,etc.
My mom and late grandmother are/were definitely influences in my life.
My grandmother worked on her farm,kept her home,sold apples and cider from her trees,worked a part time job,gardened,put 3 meals a day on the table,made candy at Easter and Christmas for friends,family and neighbors,decorated for the holidays,went to church with us every Sunday, and made Sunday dinner for all of us nearly every week.Most importantly, she put the Lord first in her life and instilled this in us grandkids.She is my inspiration and always will be.She was really my best friend and I always like to share about her.
A house is a place where you find shelter from the elements, but a home is where you find shelter for your heart. A home is where God is honoured, all are respected and where all feel safe and welcome.
My late mother always provided us with a home where God was centre and no matter how bad we felt or what we had done we could always retreat to our home. She made us feel secure and soooooo loved, there was nothing that would make us feel unwelcome in our own home. My mum was and still is my greatest inspiration and I miss her immensely and can only hope and pray that my home will always be one of security, safety and God honouring.
A house becomes a home when it becomes a place of peace, refuge, & joy. A house becomes beautiful no matter how humble it may be when the homemaker makes the effort to cultivate a beautiful heart through knowing Christ and His Word and share that with others by opening the door of the home in Christian hospitality to both guests and residents, making it a place of joy and peace and also doing her best, within her means, to use her creativity to add aesthetic beauty even if in very simple ways.
I admire my sister for working with creativity, intelligence, and diligence to create beautiful, welcoming homes within her means no matter where God has placed her. She inspires me.
Some of my favorite aspects of homemaking are getting in the kitchen with my children and preparing highly nutritious and delicious foods for my family and teaching my them about cooking, baking and nutrition, extending hospitality by opening our home, and vegetable and flower gardening. As a family we enjoy the togetherness of family worship and read-a-loud time, making and having hot tea and scones, gardening, and the children and I are enjoying learning needle crafts together.
Homemaking is a lost art in today’s hustle, bustle lifestyle. My grandmothers raised their children without the benefits of running water and electric appliances. They worked in the fields, planted – harvested – preserved food for their families making it “stretch” to meet the need. While these wonderful examples never had the Martha Stewart look to their homes, they had something that was so much more valuable, they had homes made with love! Without love you can have a house filled with many beautiful things, but you can’t have HOME!