Tuesday, February 11

Keeping Home: Plain, Common Work...



The best things in life are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. 
 Robert Louis Stevenson

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 I've been thinking a lot lately about the things that help to keep things running smoothly around here.  On Sunday I spent a few minutes jotting down a meal plan and shopping list for the week ahead and then slipped out just after dinner to grocery shop on my own.  When I take the time to do this, I have noticed a huge difference in the flow of our week.  I don't have to scramble to figure out what we're eating and there are no quick trips to the store with my trio in tow to buy things to make dinner when we are all hungry and tired.  We spend less and eat more healthfully when I use a meal plan and keep a shopping list to jot things down as we run out.

With homeschooling two children comes a lot less time to fritter away.  I am someone who really likes my downtime to be free from nagging thoughts of things left undone and so I try to find efficient methods of keeping house so that my evenings are open for knitting, reading, and spending time with my husband.  I'd like to start a series of posts on this topic and hear all about how you run your households.  Cleaning, cooking, and laundry are things that we all have to deal with on a daily basis...  it would be nice to feel some enjoyment from these tasks rather than feeling like they are something that must be simply endured.

8 comments:

elizabeth said...

I've been thinking about these things too! Menu planning can be huge... for me I am thinking about lists and how it was helpful for me to have the Nativity Fast planned out like I did...

I think I function well with realistic goals and a list of what to do...

It's been a struggle to regain this since after Christmas...

so I hear you!

I am feeling encouraged today: got some things done, hope to do more... including a good walk!

look forward to hearing more about this ~ let me know via email if there is anything I can do to support this blog idea of yours! :) love the quotation you found also!

Melanie said...

I agree that overall downtime is much more enjoyable when all our duties have been completed and a sense of direction for the next day. I had been doing well with this bit the last couple of days have been a whirlwind that has through me off my tracks. I find it interesting that my own unsettled behavior reflects on the children. When I am unsettled they are much more disruptive and unsettled. I guess it's time for me to step away from the computer and start settling myself and the children so we can start fresh tommorrow. ;)

monica said...

i look forward to hearing this too. i plan for meals on sunday, get everthing after church and then am set for the week. I have a laundry schedule, but i often dont remember to go by it and do it as our hampers are full.

this lent i want to do a deep clean and have my oldest help me.

mandysexton said...

I love the way I feel when the mundane becomes wonderful to me. My heart is in a much better place when I am content with my station. Great post.

Unknown said...
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Jen said...

I find this too! I need to practice it more often though. I'd love to read more posts on how things are working well for people.

Fiona Ferris said...

Oh, I would love this series, and am happy to contribute in any discussions if I have something to add!

Unknown said...

Oh my! I would love this. I often wonder how you do so much and seem so peaceful at the same time. What a blessing to me this would be to get some pointers. HELP! SOS!...whatever it takes. I need it.

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