April "Posies" pattern for you...

 

I love a cup of tea, especially mid afternoon when I've worked hard around home and feel the need to just sit quietly and listen to some instrumental music, read a chapter of a book, or watch a short gentle homemaking video on YouTube.

My tea breaks often only last for 15-20 minutes, but my goodness how they refresh my mind and body. So often we are focused on that to-do list or even thinking up tasks to add to it, but we neglect the physical and mental rest our bodies need at intervals throughout the day. 

When we were homeschooling the habit of taking morning and afternoon tea breaks was very special for myself and the children. In the morning break I'd read to them a chapter from a biography or a section of the Bible while they nibbled on cheese and crackers and sipped tea from real tea cups. The break from their academic studies settled their minds and refreshed them to take up where they'd left off during the pre-lunch hours.

During the afternoon break we'd study various artists, listen to classical music, read poetry and another chapter (or two) of our current historical fiction novel, all the while enjoying more tea and something sweet I'd baked earlier in the day.

It's no wonder Blossom and I introduced tea-time to Cully May and Rafaella when they were barely a year old, and in time little Charlie David will find his very own small tea cup waiting at the table.

The little rose filled teapot which features in April's "Posies" block was designed with those many years of precious memories in mind.

In fact, I find that most of my designs tell a story which began as a memory revisited. Lovely memories to cherish and share as the years pass.

What tea time memories do you have to share?

UPDATE...

POSIES was free until January 1st 2022.

The complete 2021 POSIES quilt is now available from my ETSY Shop.

As I've blogged today with the new Posies pattern I shan't be doing a Friday blog post tomorrow, but I would still like to encourage you to take some time to create a sanctuary of beauty and rest within your home as this week draws to a close. 

I know at times we are hurried and weary, lost for inspiration, and it's during those times I play calming music in the background, sitting quietly to pray that the Father's inspiration will fill my thoughts - and He always answers.

Walking in the garden, letting my eyes rest on the floral masterpieces each flower pot or garden bed displays for my delight is another source of gentle calm to my soul, another avenue of inspiration.

I watch the bees flitting here and there, and thank the Lord they are working at pollinating for our benefit as well as their own. 

As the weather cools just that wee bit and the sting of this very long summer abates, I can see just a touch of autumn coming alive in the flowers again, for where I live their glorious displays burst forth during mid-autumn and all through winter until the harsh summer returns around mid-spring.

The garden brings me joy during those cooler months, more joy than I can express. The work to tend it is easier, the fruit of our labour more bountiful, and the flourishing of colourful blooms and delicious produce which greets our eyes overflows this old heart of mine with gratitude and heaven's joy.

If you need a little calming musical inspiration as you prepare your home to welcome and nourish the hearts of those who dwell within, or visit over coming days, I'll add a few lovely music links below.

When I am doing housework I often listen to my favourite Christian albums, but when just soothing instrumentals are needed to slow down, or as background to dinner, sewing, knitting, crochet or reading, we enjoy the Celtic flute and similar instrumentals in videos that you can just listen to without watching. Some go for an hour, others up to eight hours.

There's also THIS one with Celtic flute 

THIS one with music from Pride & Prejudice

and THIS Hygge background music compilation.

Blossom, Ross and the children will be here for lunch on Sunday, such a blessing.

Though we celebrated Passover last weekend (we follow the Jewish calendar and not the modern adaptations) we shall continue pondering the love-giving sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary with all Christian believers in the days ahead, and rejoice as always in His resurrection to life! Hallelujah!

(below - In the Sanctuary - beautiful!)

May God's blessing be upon your homes and hearts, sweet friends!

hugs

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