Sunday, February 25, 2007

Home-making

I'm currently in search of good books pertaining to homemaking. Not just housekeeping, but books on making the house a home. I guess I'm looking for more wholistic ideas that include keeping a house, raising children, being a good wife, being a good steward of finances, living a holy life. I've noticed that Catholics often have a good understanding of these things, but as an Evangelical-turned-Anglican, I don't have very good resources for finding such books. Anyway, if you know of anything like this, (whether Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox) please comment!

6 comments:

Camiva Mom said...

Here are some great leads to check out for information on homemaking, etc...:

http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productlist.aspx?categoryid=126

http://www.doorposts.net/our_books.asp

Heather~

Jessica Snell said...

Have you read "Home Comforts" yet? You probably want to check it out before committing to buying it (I haven't bought it yet, but want to), it's a hefty, expensive tome. But very good.

(More aimed toward care of the actual, physical plant of a home, but being a thinking woman (a lawyer, actually), she does go into the 'why' question a fair amount.)

Dy said...

I don't know of anything, myself. (I've had to rely wholly on the unsuspecting older women who've come close enough for me to attempt to suck the knowledge from them, bit by bit. Sort of a new twist on the Titus 2 theme.) The Jacobite Rose often posts wonderful tidbits and resources, however, so you might want to check there. :-) And ask her, too, she might have some WONDERFUL ideas to share with you.

http://jacobiterose.blogspot.com/

HTH,
Dy

Camiva Mom said...

http://www.createdtobehishelpmeet.org/

another link.

Amber said...

I really like Elizabeth Foss - http://ebeth.typepad.com/reallearning/

She writes a fair amount about homeschooling, but she also ends up talking a lot about homemaking and making a house a warm, lovely, wonderful place to grow and nurture your family. She also has a book called Real Learning, which is part homeschooling, part homemaking, and part child-rearing and infused throughout with faith, generosity, and warmth. She has a wonderful style that I really enjoy - I've been reading through her book little bit by little bit just to savor it.

That's the main thing that pops into my mind right now - I know you have already read A Mother's Rule of Life, which would have been my other recommendation. :-) I also liked Confessions of an Organized Homemaker, but I don't think that's quite in line with what you're looking for right now.

For what it is worth, sometimes I find that when I feel a need for improvement or change in the domestic sphere I need to take another look at what I've already read. I've frequently realized through this that what I found useful before I've stopped doing or am not doing as fully as I used to/should be. *grin* Also, sometimes things hit differently than they did on the first reading (for better or worse!) and that can prove to be enlightening as well.

Emily (Laundry and Lullabies) said...

Thank you, everyone, for the links. I'll check them out.

Jessica, I did read Home Comforts - probably about a year ago. I don't remember it being all that helpful, though; it was mostly just overwhelming. But perhaps I should try it again now that I'm in a different place in life.

Amber, it's funny that you mention re-reading books you've already read - because that is what I'm doing right now, and what sparked wanting to read some new ones! I'm on my third read through A Mother's Rule of Life...I get something new out of it every time.