How do homemakers’ work differ based on how much money their husbands earn? In what ways must their work be the same? Let’s begin with the definition of a “good provider,” referring to husbands. Often people call a man a “good provider” as a codeword for that he makes a lot of money. But, I don’t think that is only how we should define a “good” provider. Any man can be a good provider if he has a vision for his livelihood and he is hard working. A pig farmer who has a plan that he wants to always be a pig farmer and in his vision that will likely not make ever more than a few thousand do ..read more

The most common pitfalls in Easter books for children are: 1) violating the second commandment by depicting images of Jesus or 2) giving an unbiblical reason for Easter, or summary of what occurred at the resurrection. Books that come out into the house annually for a season are going to be pretty powerful for family culture so families should want to find good ones. This work is refining a child’s palette. A mother is helping shape an appetite for what is beautiful, as defined by God. These are children’s books I recommend that capture the glorious meaning of Eastertide. This list is se ..read more

How do holiday traditions start? One of my dreams is to play a part in Easter, or Resurrection Day, becoming as big as Christmas in celebration. With having a dream like this, it’s helpful to reflect on how holidays come to be. They originate from some group of people, somewhere, simply – having fun. Or, having a culture. The Germans were over there decorating pine trees to celebrate the incarnation, and now everybody in Branson, Missouri does it too. How did this happen? In part, when people have a tradition and it looks fun, other people want to start doing it. This is one wa ..read more

This is an offering of help for Weather Complainers and a reminder homemakers can set the dark months’ ambiance. It has never become not strange to me when someone starts doing a little bit of Weather Complaining. It’s the boring talk of the unintelligent and sinful. Some women nearly make disliking cold (during winter) and grieving that summer will end (during summer) their whole personality. First, stop complaining about the weather. Second, be a great homemaker during the winter. If your children are tempted to complain (but I doubt they will be if you don’t model Weather Complai ..read more

The most common pitfalls in Valentine’s books for children are: 1) depicting romance between children or 2) giving an unbiblical definition of love. What better way do I like to celebrate any time of year than with a children’s books curation. I love curating book collections (and I don’t discriminate against “lower” art mediums so movies too) that are beautiful or good in some way to share with others. And I am highly selective! In general what I look for in children’s literature (and all art forms) is a piece that somehow captures some of whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovel ..read more

“Maybe you don’t know what the atmosphere of your home is, but there are some who do – the people who frequent it.” This is a review of the book Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow. I had never heard of Linda Dillow, but it seems there is some denomination or time period where she was or is selling a lot of books. Creative Counterpart seems to be a collection of her teaching on biblical femininity, perhaps distilled from what sounds like seminars or conferences she did at one point. There are a few wrong comments in this book, but I would recommend it to a discerning reader. Here is a l ..read more

Do you think your husband is good at giving? Do you like the presents your husband gets you? You should. If you feel like the success rate of your husband’s presents has been “mixed” or even total strikeouts over the years, you need to stop not liking your husband’s presents. This rest of this post is for paid subscribers only; you can become one here. MORE TO SEE Asking Moms: How Do You Mother with Chronic Pain or Longterm Illness? BANANA PINEAPPLE CINNAMON PANCAKES FIG & GORGONZOLA BAKED BRUSCHETTA SLOW COOKER ITALIAN CHICKEN Sovrn ..read more

Tell your children the correct answers to christianity applied questions. When I see a dispute online, perhaps about God’s design for women, or something cultural, I have so much fun striking up the question (unbeknownst of the online prompt) with my kids in terms they understand, and telling them the correct answer. Once they’re adults you have to state some of your opinions to your children more cautiously, or not speak, but when they’re children they in a unique way love to have your time and learn from you. They want to be molded. Train up a child in the way he should go and whe ..read more

Well I gave you my October Movies List, or, Movies for the Time of Year We Consider the Supernatural. Now we are to the general all-of-Fall Movies List. I am what they call an “autumn girlie.” And I’m also a “movies girlie.” So, this list is important to me. Some of these get mixed in during October, with that movies list, and then of course in September and November these are going strong. BUT, even fun seasonal movies must meet our Christian movie standards. Here’s the winners and my rating for each. I also have seasonal children’s book curations. These are the links for the children’s ..read more

Homemakers have to understand presentation. Everyone knows the value of presentation in food preparation, but that is not what I am talking about here. (Although also pertinent to keepers of the house!) The family is blessed and the culture of a home is fortified when Mom knows how to do a little pomp. In many instances this can be completely free. 1. THE ART OF ANTICIPATION First, I recommend honing the art of anticipation. It costs nothing and requires only foresight to create anticipation, which can make anything more special. If you make a big batch of trail mix, set it out in an at ..read more