Our handmaidens and another free Postcard...

 You know, for so many years I have heard women lament of not having any handmaidens, such as the Proverbs 31 woman mentions in verse 15, and it always astounds me how they have completely overlooked the handmaidens in their own homes today. I think Mrs Proverbs 31 would have loved some of the ones that work in my own home.

Growing up I saw my Nana work hard each day, never begrudgingly, and for us not having a fridge or washing machine or vacuum cleaner or hot water in the home was quite normal. I did not realise that some people around us had a real refrigerator, a twin tub washer, or that they could turn on a hot or cold tap right inside their own house. My little world revolved around the home Nana and Pop made for us and in comparison to many of their peers it could even be called primitive by late 1960's standards, in fact I was thirteen when Nana and Pop moved into a different flat, one which had hot and cold running water at the kitchen sink (though we had to light the gas for it). Up until then Nana boiled water in the old copper (which doubled as her washtub as it had a detachable wringer) and every few days she'd carry bucket loads of hot water from the copper, up the back path to the bathhouse and pour it in to the old tub for us to take turns bathing in. 

Then the water had to be emptied from the tub, bucket by bucket, and the bathtub cleaned and dried. On in-between days Nana, Pop and I would scrub our hands, faces, feet, behind the ears and wash our hair under the cold tap by the back door. This was our normal and I never imagined life to be different.

I can still remember the Ice Man arriving every week to deposit a huge cube of ice in the Icebox because until I was thirteen we did not have a refrigerator. 

Now, you know, I love the old days, the old ways, and enjoy learning the skills of those times, and there was a time where I expounded over and over how if it was good enough for Nana then we should all aim to step back and do things the way they used to be done. But things change. A child, which is still what I call myself before God, grows up and the Lord instils a bit more wisdom and common sense along the way. 

When Nana finally got a twin tub washing machine in the early 1970's it was a gamechanger for her. She was getting older, around the same age I am now, and she did not have the strength of her younger years, so for the next ten years she delighted in her new handmaiden until she passed away in 1982.

And one day this came home to me as I studied Proverbs 31:10-31...the fact that if Nana were alive to day she would love a front loader like mine. She would have thoroughly enjoyed using my vacuum cleaner and steam mop. She would definitely find my two refrigerators quite a step above the small second hand Kelvinator she eventually got around the time we moved in 1972.

My dishwasher, iron, sewing machine, coffee machine, blender, oven, cooktop, hair dryer, hot and cold taps, water filter...every one of these is also a maidservant in my home, just as they are in yours.

Pondering lately how well my Nana kept house, how everything she owned was appreciated because my Pop worked hard to purchase them, how her little abode twinkled and shone with care and homemaker pride, how her days reflected a gentle unchanging rhythm of habits and routines...I've been struck by my own lack of appreciation for all the modern appliances which fill my home and make my life easier.

Though our homes are larger today on average, I can easily mop a three bedroom house far quicker than Nana could scrub the one-bedroom walk-through on her knees.

I don't have to shop every day or two for fresh produce as she did, but can shop weekly and store it all in a larger fridge and freezer as well as the walk-in pantry.

My washing is done one load per day, on a 30 minute eco cycle, before I hang it all out in the sun on the clothesline (I don't have a dryer nor want one). Nana spent many hours every Monday doing the weekly wash and until we got the twin tub (which was still far more work than our modern machines) she did it all by hand.

Nana would take all the rugs outside and hang them over the clothesline to beat them with a huge broom to dislodge the dust each week. I just vacuum.

How wonderful are our handmaidens?!

I'm writing about this today because like most things in life that we take for granted, a lack of appreciation for what we now consider basic everyday items, can creep in to our hearts.

This next month, as you and I fill the washing machine, vacuum the carpets and rugs, cream butter and sugar in minutes with our electric mixer (Nana had a hand beater that took forever), brew a coffee, heat up leftovers in the microwave for dinner, or attend to any number of household requirements, let us give thanks for each of our labour-saving handmaidens, okay?

This week's Postcard from Heaven is number four in the series of six.

Over the past year or more I think there have been many tears shed across the world, and many hearts do not realise that those tears matter deeply to our Heavenly Father.

If you know of someone who needs comfort, hope, or affirmation that their sorrows matter to God, this postcard would be a precious gift given from the heart or posted anonymously.

Perhaps your are the one who is in need of strong arms to carry you for a while, an ear to listen and a genuine infusion of compassion and love? Stitch this for your own heart dear one. Know, and do not doubt, that the Lord cares, and as it says in Psalm 56:8 -

"You keep track of all my sorrows; 

You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. 

You have recorded each one in Your book."

Use the link below to download the free pattern.

DOWNLOAD "Postcards From Heaven" week 4.

Other things around HOME...

I clearly remember Nana mending, always mending, making things last. As I was going through my dress patterns the other day, looking for one to make that was cool and modest, a memory of Nana mending Pop's woollen socks came to mind. As with many memories, this led me on a journey of thought which eventuated in my decision not to make a dress, but to mend a few dresses which had been packed away due to various unravelling, holes and other problems. 

Each day I've been working on one or another during the late afternoons while waiting for the washing to dry and the chickens to finish their free-range time.

I uncovered a few more items than can either be mended or repurposed after cleaning out the wardrobe in the bedroom and giving the inside a good scrub. It's funny what you find when you take things apart to clean. There was one bag of old things which made their way to the op shop, but everything in need of mending made a tidy pile in the sewing room.  Which made me think how blessed I am to have a sewing machine as a handmaiden! 

The south of our state is in Covid lockdown again, and up here in the north, for the first time we have mandatory wearing of face masks. As this has not been needed until now our dear Blossom set to work on her own sewing machine to make fully lined masks for the family. 

I prefer ties to elastic and she wisely chose to tear strips from one of Ross's old t-shirts for stretchy ties. 

We tried them out yesterday when we went out shopping to stock up on essentials and she's made them very comfortable and quite easy to breathe through.

I came home with a good number of glass jars for the pantry so as we won't be leaving home again for a while I can finally get in and sort out the walk in pantry, removing the last of the plastic containers and replacing with the glass. I'd wanted to do this last week but other things cropped up which needed more attention. Tomorrow this will be my focus and I'm very excited about it. 

It's raining! Hang on for 5 minutes...

Well, I got the washing off the line just in time, one egg collected from the coop, and as dinner is already in the crock pot I shall brew myself a cup of Earl Grey and nibble one or two Ginger Kisses before returning to the mending.

How are YOU faring this week? I'd love to hear what's occupying your thoughts and time. 

Bless you heaps,

PS: Block 3 of Simple Days is now in my shop. Go HERE to purchase as an instant download.

Setting the mood, Passover, and choosing rest...

 It is we, the homemakers, who usually hone the art of creating a peaceful and restorative atmosphere within our dwelling space.

I'm more aware of that now, in this season of life, than I ever was. What a gift we've been given, such a blessed and high calling to conduct the music of life rhythms inside our home. 

My Fridays have become a steady hum of home and family delights; though this morning was extra special.

I sat atop a picnic rug with Blossom and the girls, sharing the lesson of Passover with bread to break and share, alcohol-free wine to sip, and the story of the Passover read from their Children's Bible. Their eyes were wide and absorbed in the story, their eager hands broke the bread as Jesus did, and then we held our glasses high and thanked Jesus for all He has done for us. 

I think we adults have a tendency to make things harder than they need be, especially with young children. Our Passover today was completely God-led and came about with such gentleness and in the most relaxed way.

Blossom threw the picnic rug down and the girls ran off to get their picnic set and set the 'table'...we talked about the Passover picnic table Jesus prepared for His disciples, how and why he washed their feet, what the breaking of bread and the drinking of wine meant. 

They know their Bible stories, often going to bed with the audio bible playing in the background, but today we did more than talk about it, we made it real to the girls. I have to tell you this was incredibly special for Blossom and I too...in fact as I think back on the morning there are tears of joy welling in my eyes.

And that set the mood for the rest of the day. Joy, peace, gratitude, awe for our Lord and what He did for us...and delight that He was present when we four gathered together to teach the girls about His Passover.

When I came home there were the usual Friday chores to attend to so after a sandwich and cup of tea I set to work vacuuming, mopping, washing and folding. This week I removed the couch covers to wash, and as is my custom the bed was remade with fresh crisp sheets after airing all morning. 

Fresh towels were hung in the bathroom, the kitchen wiped down, a quick tidy of the pantry and then I took out the frozen leftover Shepherd's Pie from last weekend and popped it in the oven on a low slow heat, ready for 6pm when my beloved comes home. 

The candles are lit, this one a gift from Cully May...

...and the oil burner is on the bookcase in the living room, the fragrance of lemon myrtle and  eucalyptus once again relaxing my senses.

Something restful which is being added to my days is reading. I decided to finish a book which was begun many years ago, a book I was enjoying at the time but found life was too full and I did not have the time to sit and read anything other than my Bible, for in God's Word I find my deepest peace, hope and desires - and that was needed far more than a story. 

However, now that life has begun to slow down, I shall enjoy a half hour each day with this novel by Elizabeth Goudge, who shares her own faith in Jesus within the ebb and flow of her stories. This resting of my mind as the week winds down and the Sabbath approaches has changed me in many ways...I am softer, gentler of word, offering peace and hope to those who are worried or anxious, even more productive within our home, and walking closer with the Lord. 

My prayer for you today is that you give your mind, heart, body over to rest after a productive week. It is good for us to be industrious around the the home, it is right. But it is also good that we remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy...and whether that is Saturday or Sunday for you, pursue the Lord's rest and in doing so refresh your body, revive your love for Him, and dwell in His peace.

This quiet life I live has become pure delight, because I see it now as a gift, a gift which was not often enough appreciated. But now it is.

Bless your precious homemaker hearts...they are worth more than rubies. 

hugs

Postcard and a bonus pattern to bless your homemaker heart...

 

I first began my earnest journey towards gentle domestic living around the middle of 2014 after a few years of being unsettled within myself, feeling I’d somehow lost part of my identity when the children grew up and left home.

 In 2015 I shared the idea of following ‘a year of gentle domesticity’ on my blog (HERE) , suggesting others might like to revive the gentle and oft-forgotten arts of embracing home-life and all that entails. A loud cry was heard from all corners of the globe, women everywhere were hungry to have their home-centred-hearts refreshed and validated. I was stunned at the response for I had imagined this was perhaps my own crisis, a journey for one. Yet, beautiful notes and comments flowed forth about a similar longing.

 It seemed that for too long the simple and precious delight of being a homemaker had been made to appear trite and lowly, yet I believed the woman who loves her home and family and finds joy in the everyday living of a domestic life had value far beyond measure.

 Walking this path over the last few years I have come to appreciate that you never quite ‘get there’. Intentionally living a gentle domestic life is a morning by morning choice and the fruit of our labours may not be evident for weeks, months or perhaps years – but it’s always worth the effort.

 As the months pass by, the softness of a grateful and gracious heart begins to shine and others will notice. A new depth of appreciation for the people in our lives and what we’ve been blessed to have will richly increase our capacity for kindness, compassion, love and generosity.

 We discover new skills, return to old ones, and along the way find more women who share a desire to ‘feather their nests’ and create a wonderful home sanctuary where crossing the doorstep is always accompanied by a sense of belonging, hospitality and welcome.

 Living the gentle domestic life is not solely for the woman who spends each day at home, it’s for all women who embrace homemaking, whether they work at outside employment, are caregivers for relatives, volunteer a few days a week, work beside their husband on the farm, or like me are working from a home office.

The heart of a homemaker is ‘for’ her family and home, no matter her circumstances.

 One example - for the busy working mother a simple act of throwing a fresh tablecloth over the dinner table and popping a few flowers from the garden into a glass jar between the salt and pepper shaker suddenly causes her heart to swell with satisfaction and the meal of BBQ chicken and salad from the supermarket suddenly doesn’t seem so bad because she’s changed the atmosphere of the meal and made the place where it’s going to be eaten one of warmth and care where the family can laugh and share about their day.

It’s really about doing what you can in the time you have with a gentle homemaker spirit.

 Join me for the rest of this 2021 year as once again I pursue the ever-deepening call of discovering what our homes reflect about our hearts and how to nourish the atmosphere in ways that will bring blessing and joy and comfort to any who pass over its threshold and also to our own lives.

 

Personally I shall be confronting the hangover of over-consumption within our home, budget and personal purchases by choosing to live on less, using what we have first and learning new skills which I hope will be useful now and into the future. I have no high expectations to put upon my efforts, just a willing heart to embrace the small things that matter and remove the things that don’t.

 I was raised by my Nana and Pop in a tiny one bedroom walk-through with outside bathroom and flower strewn front garden barely the size of a bathtub, so I’ll be drawing much of my own inspiration from the memories of that time, years where love was generously given, gentleness, laughter and gratitude were normal, hard work was accepted as everybody’s responsibility in life and housewives took pride in their homes whether modest or grand.

  I remember there wasn’t much money but my grandparents provided well through the industry of their combined creative skills, but many of those skills I never bothered to learn or have long forgotten...for now. After all, it’s never too late to learn and life really can be an adventure.

 Shall we journey this gentle domestic year together? I hope so. 

The underlying intent of this blog has, since 2015, focused on three things - faith, the gentle domestic life, and stitching. At times I've strayed a bit from that path, but God always draws me back to it and I have to tell you that it's right where I need to be because it's where HE wants me to be. 

This path, this journey of homemaking, fills me with satisfaction and hope in a way nothing else does, and today I want to make a commitment to you, my dear readers and friends, that as this year wanders it's own path that I shall endeavour to encourage you along the way to find joy, hope, satisfaction, sanctuary and even holiness, within your home.

I shall start by sharing "A Year of Gentle Domesticity" as a free pattern again.

I designed this pattern late in 2014 and stitched it onto a very pretty vintage doily before framing it and hanging in my sewing room as a reminder through the year to stay my course and pursue it diligently. In 2015 I shared the pattern for others to embroider as well.

Later that year I stitched the same design in blue, and again framed it for hanging, this time in my office as the house we lived in back then was large and I had separate office and sewing rooms.

Dear friend, here it is for you once more. Stitch it and frame it, place it in a position of prominence within your dwelling and be blessed as each day that small reminder grows and encourages your heart for home. Use the link below.

DOWNLOAD A Year of Gentle Domesticity

Around home...

I've been surprised that through last winter, spring and our endless baking summer that the Zinnias kept on blooming, spreading their seed and popping up all over the place. They have stolen my gardener heart and can firmly lay claim to being my favourite flower (closely followed by the also-abundant self-seeding Cosmos)...

After the summer scorched and dried so many of the smaller plants and herbs I am excited to begin planting anew in the remade and secured raised garden beds my husband maintains.

On Sunday he worked like a trojan to move the beds to one side, replenish them with good soil, compost and sugar cane mulch. Then he needed to build a fence around the first four beds to keep the chickens out...

I am so blessed to be the wife of Mr Reynolds!

Later today I will plant the herbs and kale seedlings we bought last weekend and then we shall tackle another growing area around the house. Little steps all add up to big steps as my friend Rosie tells me.

The two younger chickens will be ready for their first molt very soon and that means they require extra protein for feather production. Their layer mash is wonderful but fortunately they all love porridge with yoghurt and a little milk, which helps with extra protein in this season and will also be needful when winter arrives in June.

I was amazed to get the photo above because its usually impossible to get them to stay still for even a second, as you can see below...

Apparently giving them some scrambled eggs is another great way to add protein, especially when we have too many eggs on hand. They are incredible layers and never miss a day!

POSTCARDS week 3...

This week's postcard is one that I often reflect on because I am not a good sleeper. The harder I work during the day the more difficult it is for a restful night's sleep. If I have a slower day then sleep is sweeter. What I glean from this is that I need to stop pushing myself, even though I LOVE housework and could clean and reorganise all day long. 

Psalm 3:5 tells us - "I lay down and slept; I awoke for the Lord sustained me."

What comforts me in this verse is that God will give me all the sleep I need, and when I lack longed-for hours some nights, He shall indeed sustain me to function next day. In all things HE sustains me and in that truth, that promise, I really find rest. 

Use the link below to download this week's free postcard pattern.

DOWNLOAD week 3 Postcards From Heaven

Well, I have chatted enough today and should really get up from my desk now and go hang washing, let the chickens out of the coop so they can free range a few hours, and then begin chopping vegetables for tonight's dinner. There's also a pantry to empty so I can wipe all the shelving and then ascertain how many  jars I need for emptying out the smaller dried fruit packs which lay here and there amongst my others stores. I am hopeful of having everything moved to glass by the end of this month.

What is on your homemaking agenda today? What are you planting in the garden this month? I'd love to hear from you. 

Oh, before I go, news of Blossom - she has left Etsy and launched her very own website! You can even request items for her to make now. I'm so proud of her hard work and diligence. Go HERE to Blossom's new website.

Bless you heaps,

Don't miss a  blog post or free pattern! Sign up for my free newsletter HERE.

The rest...

 

It's been a long week, a productive week, indeed a satisfying week. 

As Friday evening approaches I've put everything away, just leaving out the dinner we shall share when my husband arrives home; the candles and burning oils flickering in the shadows of the late overcast afternoon, a sign of slowing my body and preparing my heart for rest, rest in Him.

The fragrance of eucalyptus and lemon myrtle oils burning through our home is sweet and fresh, welcoming to the senses, relaxing to the mind. One of my Bibles, now open and displayed permanently on the kitchen counter, draws my attention throughout the day; a verse here, a passage there...always speaking life, encouraging, correcting, imparting God's truth in many ways between the washing and the chopping and the simmering.

Walking through each room my thoughts often drawn to the hand stitched Scriptures nestled thereabouts; more truth to ponder, more love to grasp.

He seeks us in all the hidden places of home, whispering Truth in our ears, assuring us again and again of His love which can overflow the empty heart, strengthen the weary arms, and promises rest to the tired body.

May His Sabbath rest this weekend draw you closer to the Father, restoring and refreshing you in every way, filling your life with a gentle peace and allowing you to breathe slowly, long and deep, without any need to rush. 

Be blessed...

The next postcard and a trip to the thrift store...

 I really love the Scripture verses which inspired this "Postcard From Heaven" design because they deeply console my heart in the twists and turns of life's circumstances. 

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father." (Matthew 10:29)

"Therefore you should not fear; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:31)

"Look at the birds of the air; They do not sow or reap or gather in to barns - and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26)

God values us beyond comprehension. Never will He leave you or forsake you. He knows the exact number of hairs on your head and every thought you have before you speak it.

You are PRECIOUS to Him, my sweet friend!

As you embroider this postcard, imagine the words were written by our Father directly to you, His child, and let them be gently stitched across your mind and upon your heart for always.

Use the link below to download the free pattern.

DOWNLOAD WEEK 2 POSTCARDS FROM HEAVEN

It's even hotter today than when I wrote earlier in the week. Normally February is our hottest month  but this year it's transferred to March and we are surely feeling the sting of the sun's deeply burning rays amidst the humid air. 

But when you have errands to run the weather must be overlooked - thank the Lord for air conditioning in the car, I say!

First stop was Bunnings for some 'S' hooks and new plants to display in the two macrame hangers Rosie made me for my birthday. Thank you to everyone who identified the Pothos cuttings from Blossom which I am patiently waiting to sprout roots because I like it so much that I bought one for the cream macrame hanger and one for the blue. One will become a feature in our bedroom as its a wonderful air purifier, whilst the Pothos in the blue macrame hanger looks lovely in the living room hanging between our two recliners.

Next stop was Spotlight for another ball of yarn to finish Charlie David's wrap cardigan. It's coming along nicely; the back is finished and most of the left front so it shall surely be ready for him when the weather cools.

While at Spotlight I also purchased some linen on sale, a beautiful green and a musky pink. I got just enough for two new aprons, and instead of making my usual full aprons these will be mid-calf length half-aprons with a bit of gathered frill edging. As I am wearing aprons all the time now it occurred to me that I'd like them to be made of hardier fabric and be pretty as well. 

From Spotlight (which is like Joans for my US friends) I headed across the highway to rummage through a couple of op-shops for good glass jars, 100% cotton sheets to make dresses from, and long scarves. I had success and came home with these lovely fringed scarves...

...a navy blue gingham sheet which has barely been used and will easily yield enough fabric for a dress or pinafore, a skein of chenille yarn (which was such a bonus because Rosie is making a cushion with chenille yarn and calico, which inspired me to try one too - now I can!)...

...a set of three floral curtains for the sewing room and which I've now washed and hung on the line to dry...

...and this fully lined and pocketed elephant bag which I shall use on library days with Cully May and Rafaella, and on Sunday market days with my husband.

And I did find some lovely glass jars but I popped them straight in the dishwasher when I got home and forgot to take a photo. They are clip fastening and have pretty lids too. 

I achieved a lot in just over two hours this morning, even dropping in to the supermarket to stock up on fresh fruit and veg, but the best thing was I hardly spent any money from the allowance I'd given myself. What I purchased was on sale or marked down on the reduced rack - even the op-shop purchases were half-price at just a dollar or two. 

Whilst I do enjoy thrift shopping, I don't do it very often, only going if I have a few things on my list to look for. For too many years I went all the time and came home with things because they were cheap and not because I actually needed them - it was more of a want, than a need back then. Today I'm very mindful that my husband and I work hard for what we earn and even shopping at thrift stores can eat into the budget because all those little things add up to big dollars spent over time. Today's purchases will all be used immediately, but I won't be revisiting the op-shops for a while now. 

Bob-the-dog has come to stay for a week while Blossom gives her house a deep autumn clean. He's more than happy to come here on 'holiday' every so often but it was very funny when he followed me into the chicken coop yesterday afternoon because the hens scattered, unsure if he was friend or foe. He's quite fascinated with them and once I'd shooed him out and they settled down, he just stood at the door of the coop and watched them...much like Sophie Cat does each morning. 

I'd love some chicken advice from those in the know, please? We have five raised garden beds and now that we have young chickens that can jump, they have decided it's fun to dig up the beds! I have all these herbs and kale ready to plant out in the two beds my husband just made over for our autumn planting (remembering that we grow summer crops in winter here in tropics) but I am holding back now because of the hens. 

It's important that they free-range for a few hours every afternoon as it's good for their physical and mental health...but. If you have ideas I'd love to hear them. The raised beds are only about 18 inches high, which we know is a problem with chickens. Sigh.

Okay I'm off to water the garden and take corn cobs to the hens because they follow me straight back in to the coop when they see a cob in my hand - it's their most favourite treat beside porridge and peas with yoghurt. 

May you mid-week be lovely, productive and blessed.

hugs