One of my favorite bloggers is here today, Rachel Anne from Home Sanctuary! Rachel Anne’s blog is such a blessing and a beautiful ministry. Each day she posts one small thing (tips, tricks or tasks) to help you make your home a great place to be. You get points for completing the tasks given and she awards lovely prizes at the end of the month to the person with the most points. Rachel Anne is the one that originally encouraged me to create a Housekeeping Mission Statement (click on the link and scroll to the bottom of the page if you want to read it) that has really helped me solidify and accept my role in the home.
Please welcome her here today!
Keeping a home is a lot like pie making. It seems simple enough until you start getting advice from the experts. By the time you have gathered all the information on crust preparation, rolling pins, recipes…and parenting, cleaning, time management, marriage, financial principles, health and fitness, education, gardening and cooking, you may find yourself overwhelmed and discouraged before you even start.
But take heart. Remember that a pie doesn’t have to be perfect in order to be enjoyed and appreciated! I’ve gobbled down many pastries that would never make the cover of Bon Appetit and still found myself wishing for more.
Here are a few “Pie Making” tips that are good for Home Keeping, too:
1. Less is more: Fewer ingredients (i.e. outside activities) lets the flavor of your family really shine through. Resist the temptation to add “just one more thing” into your family’s schedule.
2. Enjoy fruit in season: Realize that there are seasons of life that are crazy, and there are some that allow for more freedom. When you are squeezed, don’t feel guilty about taking shortcuts. A store-bought crust is often a perfect solution, as can be a pizza night rather than an elaborate dinner for a busy family.
3. Don’t compare your pie to your neighbor’s. Focus on the things that matter to YOUR family, and don’t compete for cuter furnishings or more prestigious activities for your kids.
4. Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Your home is uniquely yours. Following someone else’s recipe for the perfect home may not work for your family. Find what works for you.
5. Keep your expectations simple: Pies are made to savor and enjoy, just like your home life. When you are committed to perfection, it is hard to find any joy at home. It’s really ok not to alphabetize your spices and color code your towels. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unattainable goals. Make small, manageable steps that keep you moving in the right direction.
6. Don’t let pie experts intimidate you. The best pie is the one in front of you. Take the ingredients you have been given, mix them up with love, and then don’t worry about things like pastry cloths vs. marble slabs. In the end, your home will be remembered by how sweet it was, and how it felt to be there. You must slow down long enough to savor what you have, instead of wishing for something better.
Learning to make pies takes time and practice. And so does home keeping. Even if you don’t get it right every time, there is no reason to stop serving up pie…or working at creating something good for your family.
The sweetness will linger to the last crumb.
Chele says
That is a beautiful way to descibe that! Thank you for sharing! I love the don’t compare your pie to your neighbor’s! 🙂
se7en says
Oh what a nice surprise… I could glimpse two of my favorite bloggers in one post!!! #3 is my pet bug!!! If only we didn’t compare life would be amazingly simple… in fact my life is perfectly complete and the only times it isn’t is when I am comparing ours to others!!! Brilliant brilliant post!!!
Anna says
That is a good way to look at it. 🙂
Snow White says
awesome. thanks for sharing this wisdom.
Susanne says
Great analogy full of great nuggets of wisdom. Thank you.
Wendy Sice says
Your mission statement is beautiful and very inspiring. I never thought I would use the word ‘beautiful’ to describe a mission statement, but your words speak volumes about what a blessing you are to your family. You can see the light within you in your photo too. A generous, glowing giver. Wendy xx
Kari Fischer says
Oh boy! Did I need to read this today! With three kids all under the age of 5 I often get very discouraged about the way the house looks, or the laundry being piled to the ceiling, or that I’m making yet another hamburger helper for dinner. But right now that’s where we are and I need to learn to stop and be happy with that.
Jena OrganizingMommy says
Very clever analogy. Thanks. Nice thoughts.
KaraKIara says
What a wonderful analogy! Thank you for a beautiful and encouraging post.
Vikki says
That is a wonderful way to describe it. And yes we do all have to find what works for us.
Thank you
Hugs and blessings,
Vikki
Kristen S says
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Sue says
Wow! What a PERFECT PIE post!! Thanks so much! Definitely will pass this info on to other ‘pie makers’ that I love and who are living the crazy ‘gourmet’ life.
Sue
Jenni says
That can also describe my homeschool! Thanks for the comparison.
Marci says
What a cute article!! It’s meaningful yet lighthearted. Two thumbs up! 🙂
Michelle@Alittletipsy says
What a great reminder! Thanks for the fun analogy!
Becky says
Thanks for sharing how to enjoy life for yourself. After many years of marriage and housekeeping and now grown children, it’s still a struggle to keep things in perspective.
Hope Cantrall says
love it!!
Aiming4Simple says
I’m right with you, Kari! Thanks for this encouraging post from Rachael. My husband tries to admonish me, but somehow, words from another woman are what I need.