Chapter One Highlights

The Joys of Homemaking:

"The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home"
--President Harold B. Lee

In the 1973-74 Family Home Evening Manual, President Harold B Lee gave this definition of the ideal home:
The primary function of a Latter-day Saint home is to ensure that every family member works to create the climate and condition in which all can grow toward perfection. For the parents, this requires a dedication of time and energy far beyond the mere providing of their children's physical needs. For the children, this means controlling the natural tendency toward selfishness.

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.
D&C 88:119

To Parents, with love:

Be Your Best to Give Your Best

"As we give of ourselves, we must reserve a little time and energy for that other life which is within each of us--that urge to make, to do, to try to create. It really amounts to putting something extra into the day--something we have seen or heard that inspired us, something we have learned or done which has added more to the quality of our day. Somehow, somewhere, there must be an island of time for ourselves"

1 Potato, 2 Potato, 3 Potato, 4, 5 Potato, 6 Potato, 7 Potato, MORE!

You may have read my other blog where I ranted about how great my new potato salad recipe is. It is super delicious!! Maybe its because I'm so Irish, but potatoes and kelly=best friends! I'm always looking for yummy ways to integrate potatoes in my menus. This is a great salad for barbeques!

(my measurings are a bit rough, i tend to just throw stuff together without precisely measuring)

Ingredients:
2-3 lbs of Red Potatoes
3/4 c. sour cream
3/4 c. mayo
8-10 slices of crispy-crumbly bacon
1 small red onion diced up
3/4 c. chopped celery
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
(option: green onion)

Boil potatoes until fork tender. Dice 'em up and let 'em cool. Combine remaining ingredients in separate bowl. Toss with potatoes, cover and refridgerate for several hours.
Should have 10 hearty servings


**Apples of Life** Thats what the Irish called the potato in the early 19th century.
A typical Irish family of 6 during that time period might have consumed up to 250 lbs of potatoes a week!!!!!!

Inspiration

I have been wanting to have a seperate blog where I could detail some projects, thoughts and tips about my life as a happy homemaker! I have always known that my calling/career and life would be wife and mother. I am truly blessed that I have had the opportunity to be given those roles, and it is my daily prayer that I can live up to those roles and make my home and family the happiest they can be. When I lived in Provo with my best-friend Alisa and her family I stumbled upon this great book:


I have been searching for a copy myself, and I finally found a used book website that has connections with utah-based book stores that have this 1964 copy! So hopefully I'll have it in my hands again soon!
My wonderfully crafty and creative sister, Jessie who is a brillant florist out in SLC (just wanted to plug how great you are) sent me two books recently that have taken the first two slots on my summer reading list!



While reading The Joys of Homemaking (TJOH) the other day, I knew I wanted my own little space online to share all the joys and fun homemaking can be! I think housewifery and homemaking has gotten a bad wrap over the past few decades. Although I am starting to see a comeback in the lifestyle, I still feel that a lot of women will say "Im just a stay at home mom" My own mother says that all the time. That ERKS the heck out of me. My mother has done a great job in raising us. I had such a pleasant childhood compared to many others. She is the reason I always wanted to be a homemaker. Homemaking is a divine calling that all women should embrace. Heavenly Father says so, and when Heavenly Father says jump.... I say how high?!
*ps* I dont want to offend anyone who is not a housewife and holds a career outside of the home. I am sure you are brilliant at what you do, and if you're happy, Im happy*

Just a thought from the author of TJOH

We have an eternal perspective: We are building homes to last forever.

Hopefully I can have a little fun with this blog, will receive a lot of feedback (I want to post cute things any of you gals are doing) and this wont be too lame....