Thursday, August 31, 2006



The prayers for rain seem to be working. We are onto our third showery day in a row! It is still not drought breaking rain, the dam levels have remained steady, but it's a start. Even after the very first shower the grass seemed a little greener. Now, after three days, you just have to step outdoors to feel the life returning to the garden. I have taken a few photos. My sunflower started to open its petals this morning. It accidentally grew from spilled bird seed, and has already brought us great joy. The ladybugs seem to love it. They have been all over it since it sprouted!

This week I have been focusing on building a household manual, trying to work on my housekeeping skills. I had an epiphany. I have always hated the housekeeping, and viewed it as a thankless drudgery. I was reading Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, a passage about how our creativity is someting we use all day, every day, as we cook, deal with our children and go into the world. She said "Women are artists of the everyday. The world does not acknowledge or applaud everyday art, so we must."

I am trying to find ways of feeling creative and turning housekeeping into an art form. I have felt like I let down myself when I don't have beautiful crafts to post pictures of or delicious meals to illustrate. I need to find the creativity in my everyday. So, with that in mind, here's the sunflower outside my kitchen window. I'd even be able to see it as I wash dishes, if I were just a few inches taller! And now I am off to find the beauty in coleslaw.

6 comments:

Miriam Pauline said...

What a gorgeous picture! I love how you captured the sunflower.

I know what you mean about changing perspective of housework. A friend once challenged me to not view ironing as drudgery but as an opportunity to thank God for a husband who has a good job and a time to pray for him. It totally changed my perspective. Now to find my creativity in decluttering this mess!

Tanya said...

I can see the life returning to that sunflower already. Great pic.

Happy birthday to the big 8 year old!

I was going to tell you I had moved sites, but I see you've already noticed. Hope you like my new blogging home.

Megan said...

Just beautiful! I have trouble with housework too, but I'm going to give it a new look today, thinking more about how it can bring beauty into my family's life :)

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Lovely sunflower! i am glad you are getting rain. We have been blessed with some at last and cooler weather. oh and no i donb't have anything planned yet for my fabrics. Hugs!!!!!!!

_ said...

Wow! What a gorgeous shot of your sunflower. Good luck with finding ways to be creative with housework. Be sure to pass on your tips once you do. :)

Emma said...

Thanks everyone! I got a couple more nice photos I plan to use later on. I am having fun learning how to use my camera :)

Emma