Monday, December 28, 2015

The ordinary...


This Thomas Moore quote resonates deeply within my homemaker heart.
I tend to drift past life's daily rituals without truly observing their significance; without stopping to be grateful.


Domestic duties? 
That's what I thought they were till recently. Chores. Obligations. Even burdens. 

But they're not that at all.


The things I attend to within my home are a privilege.
Within these walls I get to care for people I love and people who love me.

I am allowed to create an environment which family and friends assure me is welcoming and homely; an environment that tangibly wraps itself around them and says, "stay awhile, I love having you here".

 
For too long I did not see any of that.
But now I do, and my soul is nourished.
 
 Just as a fresh cake or Christmas buns straight from the oven fill this house with an aroma of home-baked love, so too the fragrance of my attitude can carry itself through every room and each heart - but the effect will last beyond our afternoon tea.
 

Next year is not just  about living the gentle domestic life.

I must also examine the atmosphere inside this home as I go about it's daily tasks and privileges.
I desire to magnify an attitude of thankfulness, gratitude, and happiness within my spirit to the point where it becomes the most natural expression of my soul.
 
 
It feels like I've walked to the end of a long winding country path and have just discovered there were wildflowers growing by the roadside all the way and I missed them in my hurry-up preoccupation.

Time to turn around and take it all in as I wander, slowly, back to where I belong. 

It's our 24th wedding anniversary today, the perfect moment to turn around and marvel at the view.

hugs,


35 comments:

Kathleen Taylor said...

What a great message! Happy Anniversary!!

Deborah said...

Happy Anniversary. Thanks for your encouraging words.

Leeanne said...

A wedding anniversary is something to really celebrate! Good for you. P.S love your new header.

Little Penpen said...

Happy Anniversary; I am just now beginning to see all the joy in so many everyday things. I love your message.

Rosie said...

Happy anniversary for today and forever after. Love the new blog look and a truly inspiring message about our homes and lives. Thanks.

Snoodles said...

Lovely! Happy Anniversary, and best wishes as you continue to make the "ordinary" things "extraordinary"....isn't that what we do? Blessings to you, and may this new year bring you every happiness.

Ondrea said...

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary. I hope you have a great day with lots of love and joy together.

mightymadge said...

Jenny, thanks for allowing me to see things at a different angle.
Happy anniversary to you and Mr E.

mightymadge said...

Jenny, thanks for allowing me to see things at a different angle.
Happy anniversary to you and Mr E.

Cindy said...

I'm loving your posts about homemaking as I am back at home. I find I'm needing some direction. As an empty-nester, things are a little different but I still want to make a home for my family. Happy anniversary to you and hubby!

Jennifer said...

Happy anniversary to you and Me. E. I love your posts and the peace and calm that resonates from your words.

Julie said...

Hello dear Jenny, just catching up on some posts. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary. Your fresh new blog look is just beautiful. I love your message about the ordinary things we do everyday & shall look at it now with fresh new eyes. Thanks Jenny, your reminder was timely today ... perfect as always. x x x

Helen said...

Beautiful words Jenny, appropriately timed for me! Happy Anniversary, and all the very best for 2016.

Michelle said...

Happy Anniversary. When you first bought up A Year of Gentle Domesticity last year I felt almost relieved. I was glad someone else was having same ideas about home life and purpose. Thank you. I too was a point were home chores (life) just felt exhausting and burdensome. I even felt resentment. Long story short God has brought me around to a new point of view. I'd like to say I'm right where I need to be now but that's just how things work. It is a journey. But, I'm now able to see that being a homemaker has purpose and that I'm right were I need to be. I can be successful woman even though it's not the kind of success the world says it should be.

cucki said...

Beautiful words *•*
Happy anniversary x

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your dear husband. Guida

Sharon - creativity and family said...

Again you have put into words the longings of my heart, especially to nurture those graces until they become who I instinctively am. Hugs

Kate said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your husband! Enjoy the special day.

Teatime Creations said...

Happy Anniversary. Enjoy the day together.

Robin in New Jersey said...

Happy Anniversary, Jenny and Mark! Thank you for sharing your corner of the world with us! May the Lord richly bless you!

Carla Fiedler said...

Happy Anniversary! I look forward to reading your thoughts about "gentle homesticity" because they resonate in the hearts of most women I know. You are putting into words that which some of us are unable to express. Thank you for that.

Brenda said...

Jenny, Congratulations! One of the reasons that I enjoy coming and reading your post is that it always has such a special meaning and message. No matter what that message is it seems to always touch a part of my home life also and I stop and look around taking in the details; learning and growing myself. Thank you so much for sharing and have a wonderful creative day!

By the way...I did spend a couple hours and got my blog back! Now onto some major changes and hopefully it will be running smoothly!

Lorene Holbrook said...

happy anniversary! I love your words and the comfort they bring to read them. you are right on the money!!!

hugs....

Anonymous said...

Amen! And happy anniversary. If anyone deserves a peaceful life of loving and giving and reflecting and doing, it's you, Jenny. Your words evoke the sense of peace and harmony which I'm sure your home projects, too.

sandi s said...

Happy Anniversary! Hugs,

Lisa Smith said...

Jenny, thank you for your lovely blog. I always look forward to your posts; they are such a welcome breath of fresh air! It is comforting to know that no matter where you are in the world, there are like-minded women who value the basic, simple joys of living a gentle domestic life. I love the way you put that! What a lovely follow up to this year's "year of gentle domesticity".

A very Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. Such a joy to be able to celebrate the many years you have been together. Congratulations to you both!

wendy said...

Wishing you a very blessed anniversary! I just want to let you know how much I truly love your messages. They are always inspiring and uplifting to me and help me to take a few steps back and try to manage life between work and home. Blessings to you!

Angie in SoCal said...

Have a wonderful anniversary, Jenny. I look forward to reading your blog in 2016 - so inspiring.

Createology said...

Very Happy Anniversary to you and Mr. E. Your description of the long path to only find wildflowers at the end is such a wonderful visual and reminder to "Stop and smell the flowers all along the way". I shall endeavor to savor my domestic chores and create a loving home. With all smiles and joy...

Susie said...

Happy Anniversary. Have a wonderful day.

judith said...

Happy Day, I love the new look of your blog and look forward to the posts of your discoveries in the new year. Thank you for your honesty and for sharing. It is truly inspiring. May God continue to bless and use you for His glory.

selina said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
may the next 24 be as happy & prosperous.
love the new look too, very refreshing


thanx for sharing

Allie-oops Designs said...

Love this - so many times I get caught up in "what can I do for God", when the answer is right here at home. Happy Anniversary, enjoy the next 24!!!!!!!!!!!

Jackie said...

Happy Anniversary!! Have a joy filled day.....

shirley flavell said...

Happy anniversary Jenny. Love your new look for your blog. Look forward to seeing your New Year designs.