You're a stay-at-home Mom. You treasure the privilege of being able to raise your own children and manage your home, but sometimes you wonder if there's something you could do to contribute to the family income. Something that has the potential to earn a full-time wage without a huge start-up cost or sacrificing hours away from the first responsibilities God gave you. You love to write and crave an outlet to express yourself while making a positive impact in someone else's life. You're passionate about a particular subject and desire to explore it deeper so you can minister to others, learn, and interact with a community of like-minded women. If any of these sentiments resonate with you, you need to start a blog , and my brand new eBook, Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home | The Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers will show you how to do just that.
Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg PDF version
KINDLE version
Since the first edition of this eBook in 2012, Growing Home has grown ten times in size and now generates a five figure income annually. I’ve encountered many new challenges and opportunities not included in the original version and decided it was time to re-write it all. I started Growing Home with the purpose of encouraging Christian wives, mothers, and homemakers in their noble calling. More recently, homeschooling has been added to the queue since we officially started home educating our oldest child last year. Writing has always been a favorite pastime of mine and I loved the idea of interacting with like-minded women all across the globe. I began as every blogger does: with one reader, one Facebook fan, one Pinterest follower who pinned my posts. A few years later, with God’s extraordinary blessing in spite of myself and an exceptionally supportive, tight-knit blogging network, at the time of this writing, Growing Home is a community of 30,000 readers and is a significant contributor to our family income.
Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg $7.99 PDF version
KINDLE version
I have nothing to boast about. I couldn’t have imagined it this way, not in my wildest dreams! This is solely the result of the Lord’s blessing on the tools He has given me. He’s responsible for it all and He gets the glory! The goal of this eBook is to share with you the same principles and techniques that God has used to grow Growing Home, both as a ministry tool and a means of income for our family without taking me away from my first responsibilities as a wife and mother. What Other People Are Saying:"Jacinda Vandenberg's book is fantastic. Everyone is going to want to read it, even if you already know how to blog and manage your home. Coming soon to a theater near you. Very soon, in fact. January 13th. Don't get popcorn grease on your Kindle." ~ Melinda Martin, Professional Blogger and Virtual Assistant. I hope you find in these pages:
a vision for purposeful blogging,
helpful tips to manage both your home and your online presence,
valuable information that will help supplement your family's income.
I’ve included everything I can possibly think of!
Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg $7.99PDF version
KINDLE version
Table of Contents Introduction Part 1 | Creating a Vision and Maintaining A Schedule To Blog Or Not To Blog? That Is The Question Setting Priorities Time-Saving Home Management Tips This Is My Schedule, And I’m Sticking To It Efficiently Managing Your Time Online Part 2 | Content and Design Content Is King
Originality
Brevity
Titles
Engagement
Readability
Hyperlinks
Photos
Character
Professionalism
Inspiration
Understanding
Design Is Queen
Platform
Simplicity
Branding
Color
Fancy Fonts
Whitespace
Centered Gadgets
Placement
Comments
Image Use
Navigation
Call to action
Browsers
Recommended Blog Designers
Part 3 | Growth and Monetization
How to Grow Your Blog
Link Parties
Commenting
Following
Guest Posting
Facebook
Pinterest
Google+
Twitter
Email Subscriptions
Community
Giveaways
Posting Frequency
Advertising
Making Money With Affiliate Programs
Make Money as a Seller
Make Money as an Affiliate
Making Money with eBooks Make Money with Advertisers
Deciding Your Options and Setting Your Rates
Do’s
Don’ts
Part 4 | Logistics and Legalities
Dealing With The Nay-Sayers
What To Do When Someone Steals Your Content
Legal Stuff
Affiliate Links
Comment Policies
Copyrights
Disclosures
Disclaimers
Taxes
Closing Words Blogging Resources About Jacinda Vandenberg
Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg $7.99PDF version
KINDLE version
Praise for Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home: "One of the most important things that caught my attention in this book is that, she admits, she doesn’t try to do it all. Oh, how I loved this! Finally someone who was real about what actually happens during their day." ~ Shari A. Miller"Growing Your Blog is a worthwhile read if you’ve ever felt like your blogging was taking over your life, whether you are seriously considering monetizing or not. There’ve been many times over the past few months that I’ve felt maybe I just need to quit…after reading this book, I know I just need a better plan. My priorities have been out of whack. I knew it, but I needed a “blueprint” for turning them around." ~ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds"Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home offers a great vision of keeping your focus where it should be, without having letting go of your goal to grow your blog." ~ A Diligent Heart"If your dishes have been known to pile high while you aim to type one more blog post, then this ebook is for you... Priorities. Priorities. Priorities. Come on a journey as she shares her own story, schedules, and tips for Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home. You will be encouraged and inspired by her beautiful simplicity." ~ The Homeschool Village"Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home is going to be a resource I turn to time and again. I am thankful to not have to use Google to find answers to my blogging questions anymore!" ~ Thankful Homemaker"Jacinda’s book is a great introduction to the how-to’s of blogging for business. It’s refreshing to read a take that is from a decidedly Christian viewpoint. I found the details for advertising, ebooks, and affiliates especially helpful. She is very transparent and shares her own advertising and reviewing rates, which is also very helpful." ~ The Sunny Patch"{Jacinda}gives a ton of information of how to blog while balancing home life helping women to keep a wise balance and does it from a Christian perspective. This is hard to find and why I recommend it." ~ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home"What kind of blogger are you, or do you want to become? If you merely blog for the sake of keeping a family journal then this eBook probably won’t benefit you. But, if you want to step it up a notch then it’s definitely for you!" ~ Raising Mighty Arrows ***A special thank-you to my dear husband for proofreading the manuscript, Lindsey and Richele from Crisp Apple for their tremendous job on the design, and Melinda from Helply Helper VA Services for the many late nights and early mornings she spent editing and formatting my mess into something that looks professional!
Each winter, I hear this question: "Do you have any tips for dressing modestly while staying warm? I'm just so freezing cold when I wear skirts!"Before I attempt to answer this, you need to know two things:
I don't really have a sense of style (just ask my sisters!). I have budget-sense though, so most of these tips are more finance conscious than fashion conscious, although I do try to look somewhat put together. :)
I'm not a "skirts only" girl, although I do love them! None of these pictures show me in pants, but I wear them quite regularly (you can read more about my thoughts on pants vs. skirts here).
Without further ado, here are my favorite ways to stay modest and warm without breaking the bank. I've included a list of sources at the end of this post as well as a giveaway for a pair of fleece-lined leggings from Deborah & Co.!
1. Invest in 1 to 3 high-quality skirts. Pick a style you love in a neutral color that can match virtually anything. I am wearing the same skirt in all of these photos. I spent a bit more money on it, but I've been wearing it at least once a week since April (pictured above) and it's still not showing any signs of wear.
2. For warmth and a higher neckline, wear a tank top backwards! Make sure it's of the tagless variety or that the tag can easily be cut off, or that written tags on the inside of the tank can't be seen from the outside. For obvious reasons, racerback tanks don't work for this.
If you can afford to spend a bit more, I highly recommend the Undercover Mama Nursing Tanks from Deborah & Co. I have three of them and wear them all the time, even though I'm not nursing anymore (long story). They are long, which makes them great for layering. They also clasp onto any bra strap which means they are:
perfect for nursing
minimize the amount of straps underneath your actual shirt
can be adjusted to sit at a neckline height that makes you feel the most comfortable
I am wearing an Undercover Mama Nursing Tank under my cardigans in the last two pictures. I also own a shell and a halftee which are fabulous to wear underneath v-necks or scoop-necked tee-shirts.
3. Invest in some high-quality, fleece-lined leggings. I have two pairs. I cheaped out on one of them and am paying for it: the fit isn't nearly as comfortable as my other pair from Deborah & Co., and they're not quite as warm either.
These fleece-lined leggings from Deborah & Co. are the ultimate solution to cold legs! I love them because:
they keep me warm all over. I can wear a t-shirt in the middle of Winter with these things on and still stay toasty (I love wearing shorter sleeved shirts year-round; it's much less of a hassle when bathing children, washing dishes, or doing other jobs where long sleeves tend to get in the way).
they add no bulk. Their thickness is equivalent to a regular pair of tights, but they're much warmer.
my skirt doesn't cling to them like it does to a pair of tights of nylons. I really dislike wearing slips and was thrilled to discover I could do without one when I wear these leggings
they come in all the right colors: black, brown, and charcoal.
they are comfortable. Unlike nylons, they don't hike up past my belly button.
they don't rip, snag, or have to be thrown out after one use, unlike nylons which I may have mentioned are my nemesis.
they keep my feet free. I love bare toes as much as I hate nylons.
Never mind my hair in this picture; I just stepped out of the shower... and I'm experiencing post-pregnancy hair loss... sniff...
4. Wear a pretty scarf. Scarves:
are cheap
come in hundreds of different colors, prints, and styles to coordinate with any outfit
make lower cut shirts more forgiving
keep your cleavage hidden
warm your neck
can double as an emergency nursing cover
make you look slightly fashion savvy, even if you're not at all
okay, I digress...
To save money, I sometimes shop thrift stores. I usually pass on the second-hand tops since they often look worn, but have been able to find a few long skirts that were hardly used. I typically buy my tops at the end of the season when prices are reduced for clearance. I never pay full price for clothing. If I make purchases online, the item is either on sale or includes free shipping.
My Modest Clothing Sources:
High quality, modest skirts & dresses
Deborah & Co.
eShakti
For Elyse (not a huge fan of all their clothes, but they have some nice, long skirts for reasonable prices)
Shabby Apple
Shell Sheli (skirt extenders)
Camisoles, shells, half-tees, and layering tops:
HALFTEE
Deborah & Co.
Shell Sheli
Fleece-Lined Leggings:
Deborah & Co.
Scarves:
For Eylse
Peach Couture
As a gift to you, enjoy these discounts from Shell Sheli and Deborah & Co.:
Use code "frosty15" at checkout and save 15% OFFany product from Shell Sheli. Sale ends December 16.
Use code "stylefortheseason" to save 10% OFF any product from Deborah & Co. Sale ends December 13.
*** Fleece-Lined Leggings Giveaway! Courtesy of Deborah & Co.!
a Rafflecopter giveawayVisit My Other Friends For More Holiday Outfit Ideas! Smithspirations A Mama's Story Raising Mighty Arrows Artful Homemaking The Modest Mom Little Natural Cottage A Delightful Glow Raising Arrows Thankful Homemaker In The Nursery Of The Nation
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. This post contains affiliate links. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife
You treasure the privilege of being able to raise your own children and manage your home, but sometimes you wonder if there's something you could do to contribute to the family income. Something that has the potential to earn a full-time wage without a huge start-up cost or sacrificing hours away from the first responsibilities God gave you.
You love to write and crave an outlet to express yourself while making a positive impact in someone else's life. You're passionate about a particular subject and desire to explore it deeper so you can minister to others, learn, and interact with a community of like-minded women.
If any of these sentiments resonate with you, you need to start a blog , and my brand new eBook, Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home | The Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers will show you how to do just that.
Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg PDF version
KINDLE version
Since the first edition of this eBook in 2012, Growing Home has grown ten times in size and now generates a five figure income annually. I’ve encountered many new challenges and opportunities not included in the original version and decided it was time to re-write it all.
I started Growing Home with the purpose of encouraging Christian wives, mothers, and homemakers in their noble calling. More recently, homeschooling has been added to the queue since we officially started home educating our oldest child last year.
Writing has always been a favorite pastime of mine and I loved the idea of interacting with like-minded women all across the globe. I began as every blogger does: with one reader, one Facebook fan, one Pinterest follower who pinned my posts.
A few years later, with God’s extraordinary blessing in spite of myself and an exceptionally supportive, tight-knit blogging network, at the time of this writing, Growing Home is a community of 30,000 readers and is a significant contributor to our family income.
LAUNCH WEEK: $7.99 $3.99 !Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg PDF version
KINDLE version
I have nothing to boast about. I couldn’t have imagined it this way, not in my wildest dreams! This is solely the result of the Lord’s blessing on the tools He has given me. He’s responsible for it all and He gets the glory! The goal of this eBook is to share with you the same principles and techniques that God has used to grow Growing Home, both as a ministry tool and a means of income for our family without taking me away from my first responsibilities as a wife and mother. What Other People Are Saying:"Jacinda Vandenberg's book is fantastic. Everyone is going to want to read it, even if you already know how to blog and manage your home. Coming soon to a theater near you. Very soon, in fact. January 13th. Don't get popcorn grease on your Kindle." ~ Melinda Martin, Professional Blogger and Virtual Assistant. I hope you find in these pages:
a vision for purposeful blogging,
helpful tips to manage both your home and your online presence,
valuable information that will help supplement your family's income.
I’ve included everything I can possibly think of!
LAUNCH WEEK: $7.99 $3.99 !Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg PDF version
KINDLE version
Table of Contents Introduction Part 1 | Creating a Vision and Maintaining A Schedule To Blog Or Not To Blog? That Is The Question Setting Priorities Time-Saving Home Management Tips This Is My Schedule, And I’m Sticking To It Efficiently Managing Your Time Online Part 2 | Content and Design Content Is King
Originality
Brevity
Titles
Engagement
Readability
Hyperlinks
Photos
Character
Professionalism
Inspiration
Understanding
Design Is Queen
Platform
Simplicity
Branding
Color
Fancy Fonts
Whitespace
Centered Gadgets
Placement
Comments
Image Use
Navigation
Call to action
Browsers
Recommended Blog Designers
Part 3 | Growth and Monetization
How to Grow Your Blog
Link Parties
Commenting
Following
Guest Posting
Facebook
Pinterest
Google+
Twitter
Email Subscriptions
Community
Giveaways
Posting Frequency
Advertising
Making Money With Affiliate Programs
Make Money as a Seller
Make Money as an Affiliate
Making Money with eBooks Make Money with Advertisers
Deciding Your Options and Setting Your Rates
Do’s
Don’ts
Part 4 | Logistics and Legalities
Dealing With The Nay-Sayers
What To Do When Someone Steals Your Content
Legal Stuff
Affiliate Links
Comment Policies
Copyrights
Disclosures
Disclaimers
Taxes
Closing Words Blogging Resources About Jacinda Vandenberg
LAUNCH WEEK: $7.99 $3.99 !Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg PDF version
KINDLE version
***A special thank-you to my dear husband for proofreading the manuscript, Lindsey and Richele from Crisp Apple for their tremendous job on the design, and Melinda from Helply Helper VA Services for the many late nights and early mornings she spent editing and formatting my mess into something that looks professional!
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox.
Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I've been picking raspberries nearly every summer at the same farm. Originally it was run by my great aunt and uncle; now it's managed by their daughter and her husband. Over the years, the pick-your-own fruits and vegetables business has suffered greatly. I asked my great aunt why she thinks this might be. She attributes the declining interest to a two-income society that 1) doesn't have the time to pick their own produce between jobs and a pleasure-seeking lifestyle and 2) would rather pay a premium to have someone else do the hard work for them. I don't think she's way off base in her conclusion. Those reasons, coupled with a government that regulates small farms to near extinction and the toll feminism takes on traditional homemaking has resulted in very few people who have experienced the pleasure of gleaning their own harvest and preserving their food. Even very basic skills like picking berries have almost been lost! One of the goals of this blog is to help restore such traditions and revive glorious homemaking. So without further ado, here are 10 tips to help you pick a successful raspberry harvest (these generally apply to other fruit-bearing bushes like blueberry, blackberry, and gooseberry)!
Tips for picking raspberries:
If you don't grow your own, find a patch that's closed on Sundays and go on Monday. The berries will be most plentiful after an extra day to ripen.
Typically, the nicest berries are found the second or third week into the season.
If you're picking to make memories, bring the whole family along; if you're on a mission, you may wish to leave small children with a sitter in a place where they can keep cool. Raspberries are grown in direct sunlight and it can get intolerably hot very quickly for babies!
Go in the early morning or late evening to beat the heat.
Bring along mosquito repellent if you're going before the sun is at its peak. Mosquitoes love raspberry patches!
Wear old clothes; raspberries stain! A wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face is recommended too.
Use pints or quarts (my preference) instead of larger baskets to keep the berries from getting squished. Plus, for the same price, you can fit more into six individual quarts than you can in a 6-quart basket. Don't forget to top 'em up!
Pick with two hands. Set your container on the ground (or inside a berry picking harness) and use your thumb and index finger to roll the berries into your palm. Empty your hands once they are full.
Work your way from the bottom of the plant to the top. Start on your knees (or squat) so you can get all the berries near ground level without busting your back.
Take empty quarts with you as you work down the row. Once a quart is full, leave it on the ground and continue picking. When you're finished, get a flat and walk down the row and set all your filled containers inside.
Now that your berries are picked, the possibilities of what to do with them are endless! I usually freeze mine to use in our morning smoothie. You could also make jam, jelly, sauce, pie, or cobblers. Don't forget to keep some for fresh eating too!
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support. Linking to: The Prairie Homestead, Frugally Sustainable
Some of my fondest memories as a child were of summer vacations with our family. No matter how tight the budget (and with a large farming family, it was tight!), we always took a few days off from our regular routine in the middle of the year.
Sometimes we borrowed a trailer from friends and camped not a half-hour from home. Sometimes we tented in a provincial park. Four years in a row we cottaged at my Opa and Oma's resort up North.
We always come back refreshed and recharged after long nights of story-telling around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, early morning fishing off the dock, burying each other in the sand, and swimming across the lake. It bonded us closer together as a family and we excitedly looked forward to it every year.
Now that I'm married, we're carrying on the tradition with our own family and I have a whole new appreciation for the time and energy my Mom invested each year into our vacations! A summer holiday, especially with small children, requires a lot of work and preparation. There are plenty of ways however, to ensure that Mama enjoys some rest and relaxation too.
Here are 10 tips I learned from my Mom who's been camping with kids for 25 years!
1. Create a master checklist. Include everything from food to clothes and equipment. You may wish to incorporate multiple check boxes beside each item so you can reuse the list each year. Make mini check-lists for children who are old enough to read and be responsible for packing their own clothes.
2. Designate a "Camping Spot." In the weeks before hand, designate a room (or part of a room) in the house as "The Camping Station." Anything on the checklist that can be put together ahead of time can collect in that spot. Mark it off as you go.
3. Pack efficiently. This is especially important if your space is very limited. Camping with 3 kids ages 3 and under this year meant we had to take along many bulky items like strollers, a playpen, bassinet, and lawn chairs. We still had room to spare in our van by using stackable totes and diaper boxes for dry food and clothes, and large garbage bags for things that could be "squished" into awkward spots like blankets and towels.
4. Prepare your meals in advance. If you're hard-core camping (no electricity) this probably won't work. We rented a cottage this year that included an oven and fridge. I froze our dinners ahead of time in disposable foil pans. This made for quick and easy serving and clean-up! The ABC's of Freezer Cooking is worth a read if you plan on doing this.
5. Use paper everything. You're not going to win an eco-friendly awards for doing this, but if you want a real holiday from doing dishes, bring along paper cups and plates, plastic cutlery, and a large garbage bag. I thoroughly enjoyed a week off of dishes this year (and the kids loved having us be able to spend that extra time with them).
6. Prepare for bad weather. Bring along warm sweaters in case of cold and rain. Read-alouds and board games are great for days you're forced to stay inside.
7. Stick to your routine as much as possible. Children thrive on routine! Try your best to schedule meals, nap-times, and bed-time as you usually would for a family of happy campers.
8. Insist on small children wearing life-jackets. You don't want your vacation ending in tragedy! If you're going to be next to water, insist on young children wearing flotation devices any time they're outdoors. Two minutes of being distracted with something else is all it takes for a child to drown.
9. Use the "Treasure Chest" to keep long drives fun. Fill a container with fun finds from the Dollar Store and allow children to pick something new out of the Treasure Chest to play with every hour on long drives. Lap-sized Magna Doodles, snacks, plastic animals, and dinky cars are great hits! Audio books like Adventures in Odyssey, Jonathan Park and Farmer Boy (our choice this year) are great ways to keep older children occupied (and to be honest, Mom and Dad too!). 10. Keep your expectations low. Be determined to make the best of each situation, that way you won't be disappointed when it rains all week, the mosquitoes are vicious, you get a flat tire, and the kids don't sleep well at night. If the point of your holiday is to enjoy bonding time as a family, embrace the opportunities to display a selfless love towards them!
Do you enjoy vacationing with your family? What are some tips you've found helpful in making your time together as restful and relaxing as possible?
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, A Wise Woman.
After several long weeks of writing, I'm thrilled to announce that my new eBook, Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home | The Ultimate Guide for Christian Mommy Bloggers is finally here with a special launch week price!
Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg PDF version
KINDLE version
Here's what people are saying about it: "One of the most important things that caught my attention in this book is that, she admits, she doesn’t try to do it all. Oh, how I loved this! Finally someone who was real about what actually happens during their day." ~ Shari A. Miller"Growing Your Blog is a worthwhile read if you’ve ever felt like your blogging was taking over your life, whether you are seriously considering monetizing or not. There’ve been many times over the past few months that I’ve felt maybe I just need to quit…after reading this book, I know I just need a better plan. My priorities have been out of whack. I knew it, but I needed a “blueprint” for turning them around." ~ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds"Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home offers a great vision of keeping your focus where it should be, without having letting go of your goal to grow your blog." ~ A Diligent Heart"If your dishes have been known to pile high while you aim to type one more blog post, then this ebook is for you... Priorities. Priorities. Priorities. Come on a journey as she shares her own story, schedules, and tips for Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home. You will be encouraged and inspired by her beautiful simplicity." ~ The Homeschool Village"Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home is going to be a resource I turn to time and again. I am thankful to not have to use Google to find answers to my blogging questions anymore!" ~ Thankful Homemaker"Jacinda’s book is a great introduction to the how-to’s of blogging for business. It’s refreshing to read a take that is from a decidedly Christian viewpoint. I found the details for advertising, ebooks, and affiliates especially helpful. She is very transparent and shares her own advertising and reviewing rates, which is also very helpful." ~ The Sunny Patch"{Jacinda}gives a ton of information of how to blog while balancing home life helping women to keep a wise balance and does it from a Christian perspective. This is hard to find and why I recommend it." ~ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home"What kind of blogger are you, or do you want to become? If you merely blog for the sake of keeping a family journal then this eBook probably won’t benefit you. But, if you want to step it up a notch then it’s definitely for you!" ~ Raising Mighty ArrowsYou can read more about it and view the Table of Contents here, or sign up as an affiliate here.
LAUNCH WEEK: $7.99 $3.99 !Growing Your Blog While Managing Your HomeThe Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg PDF version
KINDLE version
Welcome to the 129th edition of our weekly homemaking link-up party: Teach Me Tuesdays! Each Tuesday, you're warmly invited to link up anything homemaking related from you own blog and mingle with others who've done the same.
How have you grown your home this week? Was it through gardening, preserving, baby-wearing, cooking, crafting, teaching your children, cleaning your house, loving your husband, or perhaps through something else the Lord has been teaching you? Encourage other aspiring Proverbs 31 women by linking up below. Share as many posts as you would like! A link back to Growing Home is greatly appreciated. :-)
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox.
Welcome to Regina's newest, most comprehensive website for food and restaurant news, tips, reviews, and information. As you can see, there's not much here at the moment, but bear with us for a few weeks as we get things up and growing. Be sure to check back often to check on our progress. Happy Eating, The Food Dude
I debated whether or not to include my personal schedule as part of the Keeping A Growing Home Series because really, it probably won't work for anyone else; our circumstances aren't the same. However, several women who are contemplating homeschooling have written and asked to see how it can actually fit into their day in addition to managing the rest of their homemaking responsibilities. I have chosen to include it for the sole purpose of assuring those who sincerely wonder that it can be done.
Below is a summary of a very good day at our house. It often looks nothing like this. Kids get sick or wake up on the "wrong side of the bed" and need more training and correction on some days than others. Interruptions happen. Sometimes it's little stuff like a blender explosion that takes me 30 minutes to mop up. Sometimes it's a bigger deal like the 20 week bed-rest of my last pregnancy. Schedules and routines are designed to serve you, not the other way around. Learn to be flexible and roll with the punches. It's good to have a vision (Proverbs 29:18) and be intentional about your day, but remember: "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth His steps." Proverbs 16:9God often allows disruptions to teach us life lessons, bring blessings in disguise, remind us of our dependence on Him, and equip us with grace to overcome obstacles greater then our own strength could bear so that His name is ultimately glorified. If supper doesn't get made, there's a pizzeria down the street; if school doesn't get done, there's always tomorrow; if the laundry doesn't get folded, we can live in wrinkly clothes for a week and no one will care; if I don't write a blog post, there are hundreds of thousands of other ones on the web for people to read. If I develop a stinky attitude over a few interruptions and storm around miserably because I haven't gotten my way, the whole family suffers and I've just made keeping a growing home appear to be the worst trial a woman can endure. This is not what I want for my daughters. It's not what I want for you. So please don't take my schedule too seriously. :) My Daily Schedule6:30-7:15: wake-up, personal devotions, get dressed, nurse Anna while checking emails. Flag any messages that need a reply. 7:15-7:30: write, schedule or publish blog posts, schedule Facebook and Twitter updates (I can pre-schedule updates on Facebook which are synced to my Twitter account) 7:30-8:15: wake kids up, change diapers, get dressed, have breakfast (smoothie). 8:15-8:40: Bible Time
Bible Story
Sing A Psalter
Recite memory verse
Pray
8:40-9:50: Homeschool
Charity (4) works in her Rod & Staff textbooks at the kitchen table
Judah (2) plays in the kitchen sink (I fill it up part way with water and give him a few toys) or colors a picture
Anna (7 months) bounces in the exersaucer
I start supper prep when Charity has independent work to do
9:50-10:00: Break
playtime
I might throw a load of laundry in the washer and check my emails
10:00-10:15: Snack time! 10:15-10:30: Homeschool
Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons with Charity on the couch
Judah usually like to sit beside us and sound out the blends too
Anna goes down for her morning nap
10:30-11:00:
Read from our weekly selection of books we borrowed from the library or do a craft that involves both kids
11:00-11:30: Play time!
kids play outside in the sandbox
I throw laundry in the dryer, clean up kitchen, or start working on an odd project like switching out the winter/summer clothes or organizing the pantry
11:30-11:50: feed Anna 11:50-12:45: make and have lunch and devotions with kids (same routine as morning) 12:45-1:00: Bathroom breaks, diaper changes, and put kids down for Quiet Time.
Charity is allowed a few books in bed (if she's tired enough, she'll fall asleep)
Judah and Anna nap
1:00-2:15: kids nap, Mommy has a coffee and works on the blog. I use this time to:
write blog posts, answer emails, reply to advertising inquiries, working on reviews or eBooks, reply to comments, and interact with my Facebook community
2:15-2:45: feed Anna, get Charity and Judah up from Quiet Time 2:45-3:00: Snack Time 3:00-4:30: Grocery shopping, field trip, or visit the library 4:30-5:15: Get supper ready, table set. Charity and Judah do their "Daddy's Coming Home" clean-up scramble. 5:15: Daddy comes home 5:30-6:30: supper, Family Worship (same routine as morning devotions, except Brad leads and we sing more Psalms or hymns together) 6:45-7:00: Brush kids teeth, change diapers, put pajamas on 7:00-7:30: Story Time with Daddy (Little House Series, The Miller Family Series, Beatrix Potter, etc.) 7:30: Bed time for Charity and Judah, feed Anna 8:00-10:30: Read with Brad (right now, we're reading Teaching the Trivium together), menu plan or school plan, write or edit, fold laundry, or host company. 10:30: Bed-time! Have you developed a good routine? Is it similar to mine or does yours look very different? How do you handle interruptions?
Part 1: Keeping A Growing Home | A Management Series for Moms Part 2: Keeping A Growing Home | Know Your Role! Part 3: Keeping A Growing Home | Making Priorities & 15 Good Things I Don't Do Part 4: Keeping A Growing Home | Time-Saving Home Management Tips Part 5: Keeping A Growing Home | My Daily Schedule
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. In the interest of full disclosure,some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a small commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Thank you for your continued support! Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family,
Recently I was asked a question I had heard many times before: "How do you get everything done in a day when you have three small children and a blog? I only have one child and I can't even keep up!"
Truthfully, I don't get it all done in a day and I often feel way behind on everything. I can't remember when each room in our house was tidy at the same time or the last time I had all the laundry caught up.
That's why I want to do this reality series, because if keeping a home entails a perfectly tidy house, an organized linen closet, well-behaved, homeschooled children, and an empty laundry basket, I fear we're all doomed. It must be something more.
Yes, more!
Gloriously managing a home does not mean the laundry is always caught up, the towels are straight, and the kitchen counter is clear of clutter. It means rolling with the punches, giving yourself grace, determining to make the most of every opportunity to love and serve your family, and pleading God's promises, understanding that there is nothing more important as a wife and mother than your place in the home and the powerful influence you wield in your family.
Becoming an excellent homemaker is a growing process, not an overnight change. Life happens. When I've spent three nights in a row cleaning up after sick family members and cannot see beyond the mountain of laundry or dirty dishes in the sink, I must remember that God knew I would be facing this situation when He called me to be a Keeper of the Home and will see me through it if I choose to place it in His hands.
Our house was messier when we only had one child. I wondered how in the world I could handle more of them, homeschool, and keep our home running smoothly. God faithfully gives grace every day and always enough time for the necessary things to get accomplished. It's up to me how to learn to prioritize and manage it effectively.
Care for our children's souls must always trump cleaning floors and decorating drywall; our house will be rubble one day, but their hearts are eternal. Some days that means all we do is read books and take a walk to the park. Some days it can mean making three healthy meals plus extras for the freezer, accomplishing two days worth of school work, folding four baskets of wash, taking the kids to swimming lessons, and getting the bathroom deep cleaned.
The longer we're married and the more children we have, the more tools God gives to help me become better at this task. In this series, I hope to:
share my favorite time-management tricks,
share how I prioritize my list of things that "need" to get done
homemaking stuff I don't do,
recommend a list of invaluable resources,
share my personal schedule,
share real pictures of it all in action at our house.
This is His work and it deserves to be tackled with the greatest fervor and grandest intentions. I hope you'll join me in learning together how we can be excellent managers of our homes!
Part 1: Keeping A Growing Home | A Management Series for Moms Part 2: Keeping A Growing Home | Know Your Role! Part 3: Keeping A Growing Home | Making Priorities & 15 Good Things I Don't Do Part 4: Keeping A Growing Home | Time-Saving Home Management Tips Part 5: Keeping A Growing Home | My Daily Schedule
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family, Moms The Word, Hip Homeschool Moms, Trivium Tuesdays, The Prairie Homestead
Does your house ever become a pig-sty? Maybe you prefer the term warzone or pit. It’s okay. It happens to even the biggest neat freaks sometimes. You get sick, busy, have a baby, or maybe you just take the week off from housework. You turn around and the next thing you know you discover a fossilized piece of pizza in a couch cushion.
There will be times when your house simply just gets out of control. Here’s how to get it back to normal again without going insane.
Unless you’re feeling very industrious (or have help) give yourself at least a week to get a very messy house clean. Could you completely clean an entire house in less than a week? Probably, but this game plan takes errands, small children, and life in general into account. Very few of us can get 12 hours of uninterrupted cleaning, so spreading out massive cleaning over a week only makes sense.
If, however, you get a call from your mother-in-law saying she’ll be stopping by in an hour all bets are off, it’s time to start shoving clothes, toys, and dirty dishes in the closets. Just make sure you don’t accidentally push a child in one in your mad-dash cleaning spree.
From Pigsty to Palace In One Week: The Game Plan
Before You Start
* Buy all the trash bags, cleaners, and all the paper towels that you will need. Also consider buying paper plates, and utensils for the week. The environment will forgive you. It’s just for one week.
* Plan simple meals for the week that are easy to clean up.
Day One
* Do all dishes and put them away.
* Clean kitchen counters.
* Take a trash bag and donation box around to each room get rid of as much stuff as possible. This will infinitely speed up cleaning this week.
* Take a box for misplaced items around to each room, and fill it with any odds and ends that are out of place. Tomorrow you’ll begin putting things from this box away.
Day Two
* Put away all misplaced items in their proper places.
* Pick up and put away all stray clothes in your home
* Clean your bathrooms
Day Three
* De-clutter your dining room, living room, and kitchen. Make sure everything is in its proper place in these rooms.
* Organize these spaces as needed.
Day Four
* De-clutter the bedrooms and family room. Make sure everything is in its proper place in these rooms as well.
* Organize these spaces as needed.
Day Five
* Catch up on laundry.
* Put away all clean clothes.
* Vacuum and sweep the entire house.
Day Six
* Clean the windows and dust.
* Wipe the walls as needed.
* Wipe down all kitchen appliances
* Properly file or shred paper work and mail.
Day Seven
* Maintain everything you’ve cleaned, then:
* Rest.
Bonus Jobs If You Should Happen To Have Extra Time
* Clean out the refrigerator
* Clean out and vacuum your vehicle
* Clean up your desk area or office
* Store out of season clothes Want a deeper clean? I highly recommend Sarah Mae’s 31 Days to Clean.
What are your best cleaning tips? Let us know in the comments!
KM Logan is a wife, mother, teacher, and Amazon best-selling author. She is wholly inadequate but strengthened by the Lord. She’d be tickled pink if you stopped by her blog and said hi.
20 weeks of bed-rest gave me plenty of time to do something I really enjoy but find hard to make time for during "normal" seasons of my life - reading. I haven't read this much since studying for my counselling certificates from CCEF over five years ago!
Apart from the Bible (especially the Psalms), by far the most encouraging, uplifting, and spiritually rewarding book I've read over the past few months was Kelly Crawford's Devotions, Advice, and Renewal for when Motherhood Feels Too Hard.
With 31 chapters (and 10 ingenious survival tips), it's meant to be read as inspiration for each day of the month. However, things didn't quite work out that way for me. I was so caught up in the message of the book, I finished the whole thing in two days! Ooopsies. No matter though. I know I'll refer back to it many times throughout this motherhood journey!
Kelly's blog, Generation Cedar, was one of the very first blogs I started reading regularly after we heard of it during her interview with Kevin Swanson on Generations With Vision. I immediately fell in love with her writing style and the content of her message. She's been a well-spring of encouragement and her thought-provoking articles have initiated many a conversation between my husband and I.
As busy homeschooling Mom who is also "in the trenches" with her own brood of blessings (#10 on the way!), Kelly's message of encouragement is real. Chances are she's been there and done that. When Motherhood Feels Too Hard provides an honest look at the challenges mothers face in the raising of their children and reminds us why it's all worth it. We are called to our glorious work by the Lord and through Him, we can receive sustaining grace and tremendous reward!
If you're struggling with your lot in life as a mother, question your usefulness, or simply need to be reminded that this is all worth it, you need to get a copy of Kelly's book. At just $8.99 for a paperback ($4.97 for an eBook), Devotions, Advice, and Renewal for When Motherhood Feels Too Hard is available for an affordable price that can't be passed up.
Who would've thought there'd come a time in my life where I'd wonder where my next breath would come from when I'd be able to squeeze in my next shower? Not me! But here I am with 3 kids in three years, wondering some days when I'm going to find the time to do things I used to take for granted.
"When do I take a shower?" If Brad is home, then I have it after the oldest two have gone to bed while he watches our newborn, Anna. If I'm away in the evening, then I attempt to have one before the kids wake up in the morning. If that doesn't work out, then I wait until Anna's morning nap - place her in the bassinet, Judah (2) in his crib or a playpen with several toys to keep him occupied, and trust our 3-year-old to keep herself occupied and out of trouble. So far, so good (famous last words)! Worst case scenario, I look like a slime ball when someone unexpectedly pops in for a visit.
"When do I have my devotions?" My friend Anna, from Feminine Adventures, covered this question in beautiful detail. Go and read her post if you haven't already!
I try to have them while I'm nursing in the early morning or late evening. It never hurts to involve the kids either should they wake up earlier than expected. If I'm not too sleepy, I go through my prayer list when I'm nursing in the middle of the night.
"When do I make supper?" Raise your hand if 5 o'clock seems to be the most hectic time of the day. Okay, you can put it down now. Someone is guaranteed to be nursing, crying, needing to use the potty, discovering (and spilling) things in the pantry (like flour) while the rest of the house sits in disarray. Plus, the kiddlets are starting to get cranky from hungry tummies and you're expecting your husband home from work any minute.
This is why I try to make dinner first thing in the morning. I love using the recipes from Trim Healthy Mama (you can read my entire review here). They are easy, healthy, whole-food dishes that can be prepared quickly and made ahead of time. That way, even if the rest of the day is chaotic, there will still be a nutritious meal on the table, and hopefully, an atmosphere of relative peace and calm for my husband to come home too. He deserves it after a long day at work!
"When do I clean my house?" I used to reserve one day a week to do all the major housework like cleaning the bathrooms, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, and dusting, etc. Now with 3 kids, 3 and under, I spread it over two days.
The biggest jobs I try to finish on Thursdays, leaving Friday and Saturday morning to wrap it all up. Brad has Saturday afternoons off from work and we like to spend it relaxing with the kids, visiting our grandparents, or having friends over.
"When do I fit in exercise?" Normally I like to take a brisk 1/2 hour walk in the early evening after the kids have gone to bed while Brad stays home with Anna. We've been having so much rain lately though, that I've resorted to torturing myself with Jillian Michael's 6-week six pack during the first 35 minutes of the kids afternoon nap time.
I've joined the Redeemed Health and Fitness Facebook group for accountability purposes and encouragement. All the ladies in this group are mothers (most with larger than average families) who are seeking to shed unwanted pounds on a tight schedule. We share our highs and lows, praise each lost pound, steal each other's great ideas, and kept accountable with a daily check-in. "When do I nap?" HA HA HA HA HA! Good one.
***For further reading, I recommendLarge Family Logistics: my favorite resource for learning how to build household routines within a larger-than-average families. Brad bought me this book for my birthday a few years ago, and I've been giving it out as gifts to other young moms ever since then. It's filled with step-by-step procedures, organizational advice, and a myriad of tips for efficiently managing a home in a way that honors God and builds up family relationships.
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support! Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Modest Monday, A Mama's Story, Raising Arrows, Homestead Revival, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies
Most women, myself included, get overwhelmed when they read Proverbs 31. There is no way in this world I could get done in one day what she got done in one chapter. That's why it's important to understand that her picture is a portrait of a lifetime, not a summary of Super Woman's day.
We go through seasons of life where we are able to engage in different things; right now I'm mothering through the little years where all the kids are still in car seats, they all need their shoes tied by an adult, and someone else to give them a bath. They aren't quite big enough to make their own beds, make dinner, or watch younger siblings when Mommy needs a nap.
It's busy, exhausting, and rewarding. I have to remind myself not to compare my Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 100. I'm not Martha Stewart. She can keep an immaculate home, tend glorious gardens, and grow every vegetable perfectly because she is at a different stage of life and her priorities are different than mine. She does not have three small children, nor does she homeschool. Of course she isn't any less of a person for that, but it would be silly of me to measure myself against her.
I'm responsible for using 24 hours wisely everyday. I use 7-8 of them for sleeping. That leaves me with 16 to manage well. Managing them well means learning how to prioritize and giving the most important things the most attention. In our house, that order looks like this:
God
Spouse
Children
House
I start everyday in the Word. I can't make it through the rest of the list with out God's help so it only makes sense to give Him the #1 place in my life.
My husband prefers a good meal to a clean house or an empty laundry basket, so if I have to choose between making dinner or cleaning the shower, the former takes priority.
We believe our primary purpose as parents is to raise our children in the fear of the Lord. It's a hard exhortation to remember when there are crumbs under the table and sticky fingerprints on the window, but if it seems the only thing I accomplish in a day is giving instruction, administering correction, breaking up squabbles, reminding our children of the necessity of their salvation, and teaching them to pray for a clean heart that hates evil and wants to do good, then the most important things have been given the most attention.
I'm told by seasoned mothers whose children have flown the nest that one day you will have time to bake, and sew, sell handmade goodies and keep a spotless house, but you'll probably wish you still had the company of several little people who think you're the world.
To help keep my priorities aligned properly, there are several good things that I just don't do. One day I'd like to do them, but right now I don't have enough time or attention to give them.
1. I don't cloth diaper. I know it's more eco-friendly, and I've heard it's no more work than disposables, but I haven't taken the time to build up a stash. My washing machine doesn't get much of a break as it is and I'm not sure how I'd find the time to keep a clean supply of diapers on hand or the stomach to slosh around poopy diapers in the toilet (or is that not required anymore?) When a pack of 136 diapers goes on sale for $17.99, I stock up.
2. I don't bake my own bread; partly because Brad eats gluten-free and I cannot seem to make a loaf that doesn't taste like a hockey puck, and partly because homemade bread isn't very high on our priority list. I don't eat much bread either. The kids eat store-bought sourdough bread at lunch time. One loaf lasts us a whole week, so the time and effort it takes to make my own doesn't save me any serious coin in the long run.
3. I don't iron. I recently pulled it out for the first time in three years to iron a blazer. Marveling at this new invention, our two-year-old son asked, "Why are you vacuuming your shirt, Mom?" Wrinkle-prone items get pulled from the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished. Sometimes they get hung up on hangers and hung neatly in the closet. Sometimes they lay on top of the dryer until I need to wear them.
4. I don't bath our kids every day. I don't even bath them every other day. We (usually Daddy) bath them when they're dirty (at least once a week, I assure you).
5. I don't use natural remedies for everything. I'm a vaccinated, formula fed kid and grew up taking Tylenol for headaches. I have a long way to go before I'm comfortable knowing what herb to give for what ailment, what homeopathic drops to pour into my baby's mouth when she's teething, and what essential oil to rub into my temples when my head is pounding. I want to though, and I'm slowly learning how, but you'll still find Tylenol in our medicine cupboard.
6. I don't grind my own flours. In fact, my electric grain mill is for sale if anyone is interested.
7. I don't have a large garden. There's not a great deal of room on our city lot. We grow tomatoes, peppers, onions, cucumbers, a few herbs, and whatever happens to seed itself through our compost. It's more of a teaching tool for the kids and it satisfies my gardening itch. I enjoy making Tomato Spice Soup from our produce, but I buy and preserve nearly everything else from local farms.
8. I don't can. I don't know how. It's on my list of things I want to learn. Thankfully, my friend Jill is a great teacher and my Mom is willing to hold my hand and walk me through the process. I'm terrified of things exploding in my face. For the past five summers, I've simply cleaned, cut, bagged, and thrown seasonal produce in the freezer. Gently, of course, so it doesn't get bruised. That much I understand about preserving.
9. I don't dust every week. It's really just a country accent anyway and we're honored when folks take the time to autograph our bookshelves. Kidding. Sort of. I make an effort to dust every Friday on "Housework Day," but sometimes it goes two weeks before it gets done. The kids each get a rag too, which means our carpet is probably due for an interesting homeschool science experiment...
10. I don't sew, knit, or scrapbook. At night, when the kids are in bed and I've got some time to relax, I write. Keeping a blog is the therapy that works for me. It's a fun way to interact and learn from a community of like-minded moms and a bonus to be able to contribute to our family income.
11. I don't coupon. I don't even look at flyers. They go from the mailbox to the recycle bin. I can purchase everything I need from three stores and they're all within 5 minutes of each other. It's quick, convenient, and just one afternoon in town (if you have three children in car seats, you get me).
12. I don't go to the Ladies Bible Study at church. We homeschool.
13. I don't have a phone. I don't want one either. I'm not sure I'd have the self-discipline necessary to give it the same amount of attention I give the non-existent one now. I'm sure it'd be handy one day if I were in a car accident or stranded on the side of the road. I'm relying on the generosity of those passing by and assuming they probably have one I could borrow.
14. I don't exercise. Not deliberately, at least. I've been blessed with a good metabolism and consider giving under-doggies to thirty-five pound toddlers on the swing for half an hour, and chasing our one-speed (fast) son around all day good enough.
15. I don't serve fancy meals. I like to cook a mainly whole food diet, but I don't go all Jacques Pepin on my family. Every morning we have the same smoothie for breakfast. Every afternoon we have the same sandwich for lunch. Snack-wise, I serve simple things I know our kids love. In the evenings, we typically enjoy healthy, low-fuss dinners like Cheeseburger Pie, Taco Salad, or Coconut Curried Chicken. Sometimes we have grilled cheese, or order pizza.
How 'bout you? Are there good things that you don't engage in because you simply don't have the time? What are they? What or who gets the bulk of your attention and what gets the leftovers?
Part 1: Keeping A Growing Home | A Management Series for Moms Part 2: Keeping A Growing Home | Know Your Role! Part 3: Keeping A Growing Home | Making Priorities & 15 Good Things I Don't Do Part 4: Keeping A Growing Home | Time-Saving Home Management Tips Part 5: Keeping A Growing Home | My Daily Schedule
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox.
The first step to becoming an excellent manager of your home is to understand your role and why it is so important.
As a whole, our culture dismisses the impact of a faithful homemaker and constructs stereotypes that are outlandishly opposed to our exemplary in Proverbs 31. For instance, note who gets attacked when one young girl says she's going to be a nurse and the other says she's preparing to be a homemaker, which, biblically and historically, is God's normative plan for women. It is considered a waste of talent and intelligence to bless your family with the gifts God has given you for eternal rewards, but admirable if a paper certifies a particular area of focus and you get paid monetarily.
We must not rely on society's view of homemaking as our source of strength, purpose, and encouragement. Our value and fulfillment is found when we understand that the almighty God of the universe has called us to this task, and therefore, there is no greater work as a wife and mother that we could be doing. "... teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2: 4The title "manager" denotes different types of jobs we must oversee to ensure our homes are running smoothly. Let's list them:
Accountant
Baker
Chauffeur
Cheerleader
Chef
Coach
Counselor
Dean of Education
Entertainer
Fashion Coordinator
Food Service Manager
Filing Clerk
Fitness Trainer
Gardener
Gift Coordinator
Health-care Practitioner
Interior Designer
Laundress
Maid
Purchasing Agent
Referee
Secretary
Short-order Cook
Travel Agent
Phew! It's no wonder conservative estimates suggest a homemaker's value is somewhere around 100K annually. Do it all "as unto the Lord," (Colossians 3: 23) believing that "as much as you do it unto the least of these my brethren, so you have done it unto me," (Matthew 25: 40) and you can be sure that your work is eternally priceless!
A woman who purposely trains to do all these things well will not just be an asset to her husband, but should the Lord call her to singleness, she will be able to minister well to anyone, wherever she is planted. This is why I tell my daughters that preparing to be a godly homemaker thrills Mommy's heart just as much, if not more, than having them trained, indebted, and degreed, in one particular field of interest at college. "Putting up the lunch for the children or cooking a good meal for the family may seem very insignificant tasks as compared with giving a lecture, writing a book, or doing other things that have a larger audience; but I doubt very much if, in the ultimate reckoning, they will count for as much." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the OzarksOnce you begin to understand and embrace the importance of your place inside your home, you can begin to draft a "mission statement" to refer to when you're feeling weary in well-doing, or you need to be reminded of your vision. It can be as simple as photo-copying Proverbs 31 and posting it on your fridge, or writing out your own summary on a note card and placing it above your sink. I've written mine inside my journal where I see it everyday:
"Called, authorized, and empowered by my Redeemer and Friend, with the blessing and support of my husband, my mission as the Keeper of our Home is to create an atmosphere of grace and forgiveness, order and flexibility, warm love and gentle affection, nutritious meals and fragrant aromas, conversation and education." I want our home to be: (Check all that apply)
Welcoming
Stressful
Warm
Light
Dark
Messy
Cluttered
Happy
Perfect
Neat
Chaotic
Tidy
Educational
Shiny
Sloppy
Organized
Attractive
Dusty
Beautiful
Positive
Well-arranged
Tense
Fun
Calm
Rigid
Creative
Chaotic
Cozy
Unique
Balanced
Homey
Joyful
Tacky
Intense
Purposeful
Simple
Appropriate
Immaculate
Functional
Fresh Bright
Expensive
Relaxed
As the Manager and Chief Executive Officer, you set the tone! Consider the list of words above; think about how you want your family and visitors to feel within your home. We'll start talking about practical ways to make your vision a reality next time!
Recommend Resources These titles encourage Keepers of The Home in their God-given calling. I'll list resources specific to organizing and maintaining different areas of the home as we cover them in this series. These are my affiliate links, but you are under no obligation to use them!
Passionate Housewives Desperate For God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Queen of the Home by Jennifer McBride
The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
Praise Her In The Gates by Nancy Wilson
Home-Making by J. R. Miller
Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman
Part 1: Keeping A Growing Home | A Management Series for Moms Part 2: Keeping A Growing Home | Know Your Role! Part 3: Keeping A Growing Home | Making Priorities & 15 Good Things I Don't Do Part 4: Keeping A Growing Home | Time-Saving Home Management Tips Part 5: Keeping A Growing Home | My Daily Schedule
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family,
Our 4-year-old daughter has no qualms about being feminine. She does her school in her princess dress, loves stories about princesses, hates wearing pants, wants to get married (to Daddy), diapers and clothes her stuffed dog multiple times a day, and believes green and blue are colors that should be reserved for boys.
Being girly is just so... so natural to girls (most of 'em)! Little girl, who aren't old enough to understand or conform to the most degrading and dehumanizing aspect of our culture: feminism. I wish there was a way I could preserve my daughter's natural inclination to girly things. How can I raise her to be feminine in a feminist culture? A times, the challenge overwhelms me. Society, at large, stifles biblical womanhood.. Girls get told it's a "waste of intelligence" to stay at home and raise children. Motherhood is a "mindless" routine that consists of changing diapers and being shackled to the stove. We know it's not a waste of time, but defending our decision seems like a losing battle. After all, there are a lot more of "them" than there are of "us." In the end, it comes down to who gets to define the terms: neither you nor I. God alone, the Creator of women, wields that kind of authority, and He hasn't left it up to us to play the guessing game with our role or how we should act.
His Word is filled with meaning, instruction, and examples of mothers, wives, daughters, grandmothers, saints, sinners, lovers, nurturers, teachers, peacemakers, artists, and so much more. All we need to know about what makes for blessed society is right at our finger tips.
Still, we somehow believe our culture's vision for "liberating women" is better than the One who created women and came to set them free from their self-induced bondage.
Somehow we find ourselves in an identity crisis that our Bible-believing foremothers did not seem to have.
Somehow our "liberation" in the 21st century has bound us to a cubicle of tormenting doubts about what we are doing as women. Somehow filing a stack of paperwork in an office is more important than sorting laundry.
Somehow drawing up a spreadsheet requires more creativity than artfully decorating your home.
Somehow teaching 30 kids to read takes more preparation than instructing three children how to live.
Somehow it requires sheer brilliance to manage employees in the corporate office while raising our children to be intelligent, honorable citizens is a demoted to a brainless job.
Somehow, if you get paid for doing one of the thousand jobs a mother does in a day, you can call yourself an expert. We buckle under the pressure and bashfully admit, "Oh, I'm just a stay-at-home Mom."
We attempt to justify our choice by rambling on about all the other things we do with our "spare time" as though being a mother isn't a real job. "Well, I'm a chef, baker, time management expert, teacher, personal shopper, repairman, financial adviser, writer, etc."
It's time to stop apologizing. Whether we find life as a woman to be stifling or liberating is ultimately our choice. The paradox of Scripture is that submission brings the greatest freedom and that death brings life. Only when we die to ourselves, our dreams, and our desires, will we find vitality and freedom in pursuing the high calling of biblical womanhood with joy, intelligence, and purpose.
If we get this, if our daughters get this, we can begin fostering femininity back into our feminist world.
In Part 3 of this series, I emphasized the importance of keeping our priorities aligned as God desires (God, Spouse, Children, House) and listed 15 Good Things I DON'T Do so I can give them adequate attention.
You cannot schedule long, lingering hugs with your husband, heart-to-heart's with your children, or circumstances that bring you to your knees and compel you to worship your Creator; but you can learn how to manage your secondary duties efficiently. This does three things:
It affords you more time to invest in the souls entrusted to your care.
It keeps your home "company-ready," and open for hospitality, whereby some have entertained angels, unaware. (Hebrews 13:2)
It teaches your daughters, by your own example, how to care for their own homes one day.
There are thousands of books available to help learn how to organize your home (I'll list my favorites at the end of this post), so I'll keep it short and simply list a few small, but meaningful things that have been a great asset in helping me manage our own home:
Meals for the freezer. 1. Double up when you cook or bake. Get into the habit of cooking extra so you have one meal for dinner and one to put in the freezer or give away. It takes almost no extra time or energy to double (or triple) a recipe and having a healthy "heat-and-serve" meal available on busy days is a great stress reliever! Some of our favorite things to freeze are soups, chili, casseroles, muffins, cookies, and brownies.
Making granola and sweet potato fries in the kitchen while the kids do school at the table. 2. Make supper at breakfast. I try to make my meals in the morning, or at least get some of the prep work done while the kids are doing their independent work at the kitchen table. That way, if school takes longer than normal or we have swimming lessons in the afternoon, 5 o'clock isn't as rushed as it could be.
3. Learn to use the kitchen wonder-tool: your crock-pot! You don't even need to use a recipe. Throw in a frozen cut of meat, a few vegetables and some spices in the morning, cover and set to 'Low,' and you'll have a tender, flavorful meal ready by dinner.
Our "school" cabinet across from the kitchen. The small drawers contain our pencils, markers, crayons, glue sticks, erasers, etc., and the four larger drawers contain our workbooks (one for each child, and one for Mommy). 4. Manage your space efficiently. Don't make yourself walk across the kitchen to retrieve the pepper grinder while you're simmering soup. Keep your baking essentials in a cupboard above the area where your blender is stored; your plates and silverware in closest proximity to your table (or dishwasher, if you have one); the schoolbooks on a shelf or drawer near to where you normally do your lessons (for us, that's the kitchen); the toys where the children play.
An uncluttered house is easier to clean up! 5. Clear the clutter. Get rid of the stuff you wouldn't know was missing if it suddenly disappeared. Donate, re-gift, recycle, or throw out. You'll spend less time trying to organize and clean what you don't need and your home will feel bigger and brighter. Cleaning up their toys will also be less daunting for your children when they have fewer of them to put away (you can read more about the toy storage system for our small house here).
A typical wash day: Charity (4) helps me fold (she's better than I am!), Judah (2) mountain climbs the unfolded pile, and Anna (7 months) watches us for entertainment. 6.Devote specific days to specific tasks. This is not a new idea. For Ma Ingalls and other pioneer women, each day had its own chore: Wash on Monday.Iron on Tuesday,Mend on Wednesday,Churn on Thursday,Clean on Friday,Bake on Saturday,Rest on Sunday. Nowadays, with machines that speed up a great deal of these things and imported products that are cheaper to buy than make, my list looks a little different but the principle is the same. In addition to homeschooling everyday, I typically do laundry on Monday, groceries on Tuesdays, freezer cooking and baking on Wednesdays, swimming lessons and the bulk of my writing/blog business on Thursdays, housework on Fridays, outside work on Saturdays, rest on Sundays.
7. Multitask. I make dinner while the kids are doing their schoolwork at the kitchen table, check my emails or read aloud when I'm nursing, dust when I have a phone call to make, and review memory work while we're folding laundry.
What I aim to have our kitchen look like before going to bed at night. 8. Clean up the night before. I'm much more excited and motivated to start my day when I wake up to a clean kitchen and a tidy house. Every evening after supper, Brad and I wash and dry the dishes while the kids clean up their toys. They are rewarded with a bedtime story if they get the living room (also our play area) neatly organized before we're finished.
9.Ensure you're are being spiritually fed. You can read the scriptures out loud to your children while you are nursing, sing Psalms at the kitchen sink with your two-year-old, or pray while you're driving. I keep my Bible on my nightstand so it's the first thing I see every morning before starting my day. "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31
When I remember to wear one, a pretty apron makes me feel like a real homemaker! My favorite ones come from Flirty Aprons. 10. Dress for the job. There's a reason the corporate world abides by a professional dress code. Dressing for success often leads to success. Your clothes make a strong visual statement about how you view your job. Comfort aids productivity and your personal, creative, feminine style tells the world your role is freeing, not stifling. Decide what you're going to wear the night before and put it next to your bed. Commit to not leaving the bedroom until you're dressed!
If you struggle with the temptation to stay in your robe like I do, I highly recommend reading Frumps to Pumps: Your 1-Month Motivotional to Getting Dressed and Staying That Way by Sarah Mae.
11. Take care of yourself physically. Eat healthy, take your vitamins, get fresh air, shower, go to bed on time, and adopt an attitude of joy that will energize you for the tasks at hand.
My very simple meal plan on a magnetic menu pad I found at Wal-Mart. 12. Meal plan. I'm not a rigid meal-planner, but I like to have a week's worth of dinners written down so I have a general idea of what I can prepare in the morning. It also saves me time and money at the grocery store.
13. Unplug. Turn off your distractions. Consider getting rid of the TV if it keeps you from going to bed on time and get an emergency only plan for your cell phone. Unplug the computer if you won't be needing it for several hours and keep it in an inconvenient location so it's a pain to check Facebook when you're supposed to be homeschooling.
Before and after the kids have cleaned up the living room/play area. 14. Involve the whole family. Managing a home doesn't mean you have to do all the work; it means you are responsible for seeing that the work gets done. Don't assume your children are going to learn how to run a home by osmosis. Let them take responsibility by giving them their own chores, and in the process of teaching them life skills, you will find more time to engage in fun, memorable family activities like hiking, tobogganing, or traveling together.
15. Stay home. Novel concept, isn't it? If too many trips out are keeping you from fulfilling your duties at home, it's time to cut back. I try to set aside one morning a week to do all of my grocery shopping and limit our extra-curricular activities. Currently, we're involved in swimming lessons and leave one other afternoon open for visits to the library, a friend's house, or a field trip. I don't go to Ladies Bible Study at Church and rarely go shopping "just for the fun of it."
My to-do list, decorated by someone who found a pen. 16. Make lists. Remember all of those careers being a homemaker encompasses? Making bite-size lists can do wonders when you're feeling overwhelmed. You can see exactly what needs to be done and get the satisfaction of crossing off a task when it has been completed. 17. Just do the next thing. When your kitchen sink is overflowing with dirty dishes, the floor is sticky, and dinner still needs to be made, just do the next thing. Don't look over your whole list or get side-tracked by thirteen other things that are calling for your attention. Just pick up the dish-brush, fill your sink with hot, soapy water, and do the next thing.
18. Accept help when it is offered and ask for it when it's not. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness or failure; it means you're a human who understands that no one can do it all. Asking for help humbles a person and opens their eyes to the community of believers that God has arranged to encourage and support each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13).
If you could recommend one life-altering home management tip, what would it be?
Recommended Resources These are affiliate links for books I love, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, but please don't feel obligated to do so!
Large Family Logistics by Kim Breneman
More Hours In My Day by Emilie Barnes
Saving Dinner Basics by Leanne Ely
Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley (The FlyLady)
The Christian Homemaker's Handbook by Pat Ennis
The Family Manager Takes Chargeby Kathy Peel
The House That Cleans Itself by Mindy Starns Clark
Part 1: Keeping A Growing Home | A Management Series for Moms Part 2: Keeping A Growing Home | Know Your Role! Part 3: Keeping A Growing Home | Making Priorities & 15 Good Things I Don't Do Part 4: Keeping A Growing Home | Time-Saving Home Management Tips Part 5: Keeping A Growing Home | My Daily Schedule
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If you're Dutch, you probably started salivating when you read the title. If you're not... well, allow me to let you in on the best kept secret!
Boerenkool met Worst is one of my very favorite meals. It kind of runs in the family; my Dad wanted this dish to be served at their wedding! I've made it twice in the past three weeks. It's a Dutch winter comfort food and I've been craving it since the temperature outside dropped below freezing. It's also extremely healthy (minus the sausage), and very frugal.
Most people have their own version of how to make this dish, but it's more or less the same. I make mine the way my mom does (except I didn't have a garden this year, so I have to buy my kale instead. It's still delicious!). We've never written out the recipe for it until now. It's one of those dishes that gets passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. But if you're not Dutch and happened to miss out, here's a good place to get started!
You'll need:
-2-3 lbs of potatoes (I use yellow flesh) -3 cups of finely chopped kale (I use HAK canned kale, strained) -2 Tablespoons butter -milk -salt -pepper
-Rookworst (Smoked Sausage) -water for simmering
Peel potatoes. Cut them in half and place them with the boerenkool (if you're using frozen kale; otherwise, add the canned kale after the potatoes have been cooked and drained) in a large pot. Cover with water and add a little salt. Bring to a boil and cook everything for about 25-30 minutes. Meanwhile, allow sausage to simmer in a smaller saucepan. Add the milk (1/2 cup) and a spoon of butter, mash boerenkool and potatoes until all vegetables are mixed. Add more butter, milk, salt, pepper, and vinegar as needed. Serve with the rookworst.
Tips: if you don't grow your own kale, this is a great brand to use:
You can buy it at Dutch specialty shops for $3-$4 a jar. We can get 2-3 meals out of it.
Country Meat Packaging Sausage is by far the best sausage to compliment the boerenkool-it's just not the same without it! You can find more information about it and where to purchase it {here}.
My Opa and Oma always preferred this dish with gravy. I like adding some of the "sausage water" during the mashing process instead.
What makes an effective writer? Is it somebody who can present thoughts articulately? Is its somebody who can weave words into works of art? Is it somebody who can truly see the beginning from the end of whatever it is they're working on? Is it somebody who knows the rules of writing and keeps them?
Yes. On all counts.
And no. On all counts.
When it comes to writing, there are basic rules that you should generally follow. Then, there are times you should break those rules because it will make your piece sing. In my opinion, an effective writer is one who knows when to keep the rules and knows when she needs to break them.
So, I want to start getting into some of the ways you can write more effectively, which will in turn will bring you more followers. We can talk about tips and tricks to get people to your blog and get them to follow, but in the end, one truth rules the roost. If you aren't putting out quality content, people won't stick around for long.
Today, let's talk about Phrases and Words that you shouldn't use when writing your blog posts (keeping in mind what I said above). Read & Comment >>
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