Homemaking is NOT the art of having a perfect household.
If it was, this new series would be entitled “My Failures at Homemaking.”
To me, homemaking is the art of doing whatever you do to make your living space {house, apartment, etc.} a HOME.
The definition of a homemaker:
n.
One who manages a household, especially as one’s main daily activity.
Notice it DOESN’T say: “One who makes everything from scratch AND has a perfectly decorated house AND never has laundry waiting to be folded AND…AND…”
Each of us as homemakers are just trying to do the best we can to create a place our family feels at home. And that looks different for everyone.
That’s why this series is called “Attempts at Homemaking.” These are my attempts to find what I can do to make our house a home.
I have so enjoyed Courtney’s series “Making Your Home a Haven” – her challenges are a great place for EVERY homemaker to start.
My attempts as of late have been focused on creating a peaceful, inviting environment in which our family can live, play, interact and just be.
Lighting candles, clearing clutter, putting first things first…
And wouldn’t you know, the day Courtney challenged us to focus on the kitchen, this lovely thing ended up on my door step…
{photo: DaySpring}
This BEAUTIFUL Ever Grateful Pitcher is part of DaySpring’s Ever Grateful Collection – a gorgeous line of table and serving ware that fits this season perfectly. Not only did I receive this pitcher the day Courtney pointed our focus to our kitchens, but it was also the day the 30 Day Giving Challenge started AND the first day of November – a month filled with little celebrations of thankfulness we mark on our calendar each day.
I may have teared up a bit at how all of these things lined up together. God’s little way of telling me to be “thankful for simple graces.”
I know some will use this as decoration in their home, but my first thought was to make a fresh batch of lemonade and serve my family from the gorgeous hand-painted pitcher.
It hasn’t happened yet. I will attempt again soon.
Still, this pitcher – this reminder to be grateful EVERY DAY for things big and small – has enhanced my attempts at making our kitchen a more welcoming place.
Even if only because it makes me smile every time I see it. And a smiling mama is much better than the alternative…
Would having this pitcher in your home make YOU smile? Or maybe something else from the Ever Grateful line?
The GENEROUS people at DaySpring are giving one lovely reader a $50 shopping spree to their online store!!! {shipping not included}
I know YOU want to be that lovely reader so let’s get you entered – I LOVE giving stuff away!!!
To enter, just hop on over to the DaySpring Online Store, look around, come back here and tell me how you might spend that $50! Can’t wait to hear your ideas!
For extra entries, do one or both of the following and come back to tell me in a separate comment for each:
*Follow @DaySpringCards on Twitter
*Like DaySpring on Facebook
*Tweet about the giveaway and include @DaySpringCards and @homewiththeboys in the tweet
This giveaway will be open until Wednesday, November 10th at 9:00 p.m. CST.
Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced next Thursday during another installment of “Attempts at Homemaking!”
Disclosure: I was provided with a pitcher to review by DaySpring. All opinions expressed in this post are fully my own.
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All of these thoughts on homemaking being said, I DO love to try all of the “arts” that are commonly associated with homemaking and I had the pleasure of receiving a wonderful line of DVDs from Franklin Springs Media called Homestead Blessings that cover many of these arts. Look for reviews of each DVD as the “Attempts at Homemaking” series continues in the next few weeks!
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You are always welcome at Home with the Boys – please join us on the journey!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
Attempts, yes! That one word holds volumes more promise than FAILURES. 🙂
And your pitcher is gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing.
– Jennifer Dukes Lee
I would spend the $50 on the painting of the tree in springtime. I won the tree in wintertime at the Relevant conference, would love to own the matching piece!
Following on Twitter.
“Liked” on Facebook for extra entry.
Tweeted for another. SO needed to hear the “attempts” piece and definition from dictionary on this day of a very.messy.home!
anything from the ever grateful line. Love that whole collection!
I follow Dayspring on Twitter.
I love the Wooden tray which I think is also Ever Grateful – I love everything but I would use the $$ to buy Christmas Gifts! 🙂
I follow Dayspring on Twitter!
Love the full apron from Ever Grateful AND their serving ware. Such cute items!!
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ShawneeH/status/400137906036737
http://store.dayspring.com/metalsign.html I love this Jesus Is The Gift Yard Art or I’d use the $50 g/c towards a nativity set. Ive been wanting to purchase one for a while now. Would love to win!
Meghan
megtucker04@gmail.com
I follow Dayspring on Twitter @meghantucker
I “like” Dayspring on FB
I tweeted about the giveaway @meghantucker
Meghan
I like the Life Collection Blue Serving Dish among other things!
I follow them on Twitter
I like them on Facebook
I follow you both on twitter & here’s my tweet (http://twitter.com/#!/sclubmama/status/528182688088064)
I would definitely pick one of the pieces from the Ever Grateful Collection…got one of the plates @ Relevant & LOVE it! =)
I follow @Dayspringcards on Twitter!
Also follow Dayspring on FB! =)
I love the apron from the ever grateful line. Actually, all the things from that line. Just beautiful!
I “like” dayspring on FB
I was SWOONING over the Ever Grateful Collection just yesterday! I would adore the platter & pitcher (I’d throw in some of my own cash money with the prize!)
Follow on Twitter!
Like on Facebook!
I love the “Life” Collection. I have one piece, and I’ve love to get some more. Otherwise, I’d probably spend the $50 on cards to send to people.
I follow DaySpring on twitter.
There is a great cross wall-art home decor piece on clearance that I LOVE! That is what I would buy. 🙂
I “liked” Dayspring on Facebook!
Following Dayspring Cards on Twitter!
I would love this sign, because I sing the song to my son every night.
http://store.dayspring.com/trinlobocrsi.html
I follow DS on Twitter. {http://www.twitter.com/FrugalFemina}
I follow DS on Facebook.
I would pick this: ShareEver Grateful – Memo Board with Easel.
It’d make a great communication spot for my teen and I!
Thank you.
Following DaySpring on twitter. (won2x)
Liked DaySpring on FB (Wendy T).
Thanks again.
http://twitter.com/#!/won2x/status/597604207431680
They have some table runners that I would like.
tahearn at roadrunner dot com
I follow you on twitter
@tahearn
tahearn at roadrunner dot com
I’ve been eying the Giving Thanks hurricanes. They would look lovely gracing the top of my piano.
I follow Dayspring on twitter.
A lived-in home is coziest! I love Dayspring’s “Wonderful Grace” WoodenTray. So beautiful.
Dayspring is now officially “liked” on FB. 🙂
I like dayspringcards on FB
I follow @dayspringcards on twitter
I tweeted about the givaway
I would put the $50 toward the give thanks wooden caddy.
LOVE the Ever Grateful collection…I’m not sure how I could ever choose!
Following Dayspring on twitter – @thesweetpetunia
I would buy the Proverbs 31:28 sterling silver bangle! I have been eyeing it!
I liked Dayspring on FB.
I follow Dayspring on Twitter.
I love these products 🙂
My whole family (5 little boys and husband included) would love these dishes 🙂
I also like Dayspring on Facebook 🙂
Love them all but especially salad plate and pedastal bowls!! More than these, I love the inspirational messages they all offer!! Hope I end up with these one way or another!!
I love everything in the line – such wonderful colors and sentiments!! I love the wooden caddy too, and the apron, and the cakestand….
thanks for the chance to win 😉
Oh, wow! I love so much of their stuff! How would I choose??? I would spend my $50 on….The Hope in the Lord Wall Art for my mom who is going thru a hard time and the Fun Animals boxed cards to send out to all my pen pals and my “secret someone who cares” cards I sent out anonymously and some Sassy & Sophisticated note cards for friends as well. 🙂
Already follow both of you on twitter! (I’m inspiredmess)
I like Dayspring on facebook as well!!! 🙂
I would definitely choose the pitcher. So pretty!
I tweeted it!
I follow @DaySpringCards