Thursday, February 4, 2016

Block 2 "Gentle Domesticity" BOM...

I know it's a day early, but I think presents which arrive unexpected are the best ones. 


I don't know about you but I find December and January to be busy months.
December sees us winding up commitments for the year just gone, partnered with the rush and flurry of Christmas and relatives and giving and receiving.
January requires the winding down and the putting away of our festive activities and social gatherings, alongside a need to put in place fresh plans and routines for the year ahead. 

For many of us the ending of one year and start of another can be quite exhausting. 

So as February's page is flicked over on the calendar I let out a great sigh of relief and breathe more deeply than I have in ages, and I seek time to revive...


 This month's "Gentle Domesticity" block reminds us that we are each very important, and need to take time after seasons of busyness, illness, emotional stress, weather extremes and other wearying times to REVIVE our souls.


 "How can I do that?" you ask.

Well, we're all different beings so what I do and what you would choose to do may look nothing alike, but I suggest you begin by setting aside some personal time for reflection and see where that leads.


Here's a few 'revive' ideas...

Plan an hour or two alone with soft music, a cup of your favourite brew, the phone switched to silent, a scented candle flickering beside you, and pen and paper for recording your thoughts.

Take a solo drive out into the countryside with a thermos of cocoa, thick cut sandwiches with your favourite filling, a blanket and your camera.

Walk barefoot along the shoreline just listening to the waves and the gulls. Let the waves and sand wriggle in and out of your toes. Breathe in, breathe out, and let it all go.

Perhaps you need sleep? Put fresh sheets on the bed, have a long and luxurious bath, pop your favourite pajamas on, and spend a whole day napping and reading without any distractions. 

Soak those weary feet in warm water with a little lavender or peppermint oil and lay your head back on a cushion letting the oils work their magic while you listen to an audio book. Then continue the personal pampering by giving yourself a pedicure or manicure or both.


Do you know what revives me when the world has left me empty?

In winter it is a day spent up the mountain with my camera, trees, birds, and lots of tea, but at this time of year in the Australian tropics it's too hot to go there, so I lock the doors after Mr E goes to work and then I potter around the house in my pajamas all day long with no 'to do' list, no distractions, no phone calls or emails, no people, no work. 

I watch old movies, paint my toenails, brew pots of tea, read, snack on comfort food, and nap if I need to. 

About 20 minutes before my husband is due home I shower and dress, and then he takes me down to the beach to share fish and chips while we watch the sun set behind the mountains and the moon rise before us over the ocean.

This was our view last week when I took some revival time...


Are you in need of refreshment and time out to gather your thoughts and catch your breath?

Put things in motion that will allow you a day to yourself, and don't feel guilty.
We're made in the image of God, but we're not God.
Our flesh gets weary, our minds overload, adrenaline stores deplete, and sleep is restless when we forget to slow down and take a breather.

We need to rest, we're not machines.
 (read Mark 2:27 where Jesus reminds the Jews that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath)
You were not made to live a robotic life and it IS okay to say no.

As you stitch "Revive Your Soul" this month ponder the things that can be put aside in your life, and consider what is truly important to your physical and emotional well being, the things that will allow you to be a gentler and contented wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandparent, friend, woman.

You may be surprised by what you discover.



The free download for Block 2, "Revive Your Soul" is HERE and will remain free until I share Block 3 on March 5th.

Be blessed,

25 comments:

Guida said...

Thank you Jenny that is a lovely pattern and a wonderful suggestion. Guida

Anonymous said...

Great post Jenny. I love the pattern and the ideas for taking time out for oneself.

Sue WA

cucki said...

Wow it's so beautiful ..
Sweet hugs x

Joanne said...

What a great surprise this morning!
Thanks for the beautiful stitchery and blog post!
Take care,
Joanne

Ondrea said...

Another sweet pattern for us to enjoy stitching. Thankyou so much for such a beautiful gift. Angel hugs.

Águeda said...


I think many people think : homemaker is God. Homemaker not need rest, homemaker can doing forty things in same time , homemaiker works in familiar holidays too and she not need nothing. Homemaker ends up think it is true. She feels guilty when resting.
Your post, dear Jenny, reminds us something very important: soul needs rest, soul needs revive. You do a precious gift. Thank you very much. Bless you.

Anonymous said...

What a very lovely post, Jenny. Just reading about your revival ideas is restful. I think I might need one of those days next week. Thanks for the reminder to take time to live and not always bustle! Thanks, too, for the lovely pattern that, if I can find the right frame (ha, I don't think we make them here!), would be wonderful hanging in my quilt room!

JES said...

Jenny, this is a darling design! I can't wait to try it out! And I appreciate the sentiments you shared on resting. It is needful to maintain health and we often overrun ourselves (and to what avail???).

Little Penpen said...

What a beautiful design and a beautiful post. I love having 'soul refreshing ' days. They seem to come fewer and fewer these days, but I do long for them!

Sharon - creativity and family said...

Lovely design Jenny! I have never given myself a revival day out of choice, only when my body has forced me to, I think maybe I need to choose a relaxing day soon :-)

Jackie said...

Thank you for the beautiful pattern and post!

Annerose said...

Hallo Jenny, das ist ja ein schöner Blog gefällt mir mit den Hexagons sehr gut. Vielen Dank für deine Kreativität und die guten Tipps zur Entspannung. Ja man muss sich selbst auch etwas gönnen und dann bleibt man auch zufrieden und kann für die Anderen da sein.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Syd said...

Thank you for such an inspiring and uplifting post. I am a new reader and look forward to your future blog posts.

Kathleen said...

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny,

I definitely identify with the sentiment in this month's block. Yesterday I attended a pre-op clinic and my surgery is confirmed for 17th, so between now & then, I shall be sorting out materials, colours & printing and getting this sorted, so that when I get home & can just sit & stitch.

As much as I love dots, I have some lovely magnolia print from Lincraft (purchased with a Christmas gift card) which I might use for the mug, and it will be scraps from the stash for the vase.

Thank you for your lovely words and inspiration.

Bless you,

Marian

Createology said...

That is the most beautiful photo of the ocean and moon. How very fortunate you are to live so close and enjoy this amazing best of Nature. I really like this new Gentle Domesticity BOM with the message to revive. This is a time of exhaustion from the holidays and so many people are very sick with the Winter Croup. Our local hospital is calling it the 100 day cough and it is nasty and makes for sleepless nights. Time to definitely rest and revive our souls. Thank you Jenny Dear...

Christine M said...

Lovely block, Jenny. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Allie-oops Designs said...

LOVE it - I need to do some reviving myself, I think!

Baa. xxx said...

It's gorgeous!

Sheryl said...

Another beautiful pattern. Thank you Jenny.

Kathleen said...

Ah! Nothing like unwinding with a good cup of tea. Just reading your post was restful. Thank you for another beautiful pattern.

allthingzsewn said...

Oh, I so need to find your blog. So calming and and inspiring. Beautiful work. I'm looking forward to becoming friends, and having a new christian sister. I will be learning more about embroider from you too.
We are blessed.
Tonia

Brenda said...

Good Morning Jenny! Such special words of wisdom and caring! I pamper myself every evening for an hour or two, actually I have to because of my brain injury! So at some point, I put away the projects of the day and make sure the kitchen is tidy and the pets have fresh water...then we head to bed. Such a variety of relaxing procedures can happen, I will not go into any...except it is when I usually do my hand stitching while watching or rather listening to a movie. Miss Dodger, Mr. Shakes and Miss Chicca all snoozing and taking turns getting ear scratches. Thank you for sharing and encouraging everyone to take the time to pamper themselves. It is always a blessing and does revive us for another day. Your new block is so pretty! Thank you for sharing! Have a fantastic creative day!

Christina said...

Great post! I think we all could use some time to focus on ourselves.

Christina
www.ourwoodhome.com

PS: I found your blog through the Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth link up!

daisydilly (vicki) said...

Thank you for sharing this. Not sure how I missed Jan but I will keep my eyes out for the others. Again thank you