tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post1659579627874609843..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: The secret life of a happy homemakerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82374881385810123282014-03-07T05:36:55.586+10:002014-03-07T05:36:55.586+10:00I didn't see this post the first time around (...I didn't see this post the first time around (in 2009) and am so glad to see it now. I can remember a time when I thought housework was of very little or no real value. It was just drudgery that must be done as quickly and infrequently as possible. Now I can really see the value and joy in making a home. I couldn't be happier with the turn of things. I just wish more people knew! I'm glad you and so many of your readers are spreading the word.BLD in MThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08497511995276601468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88477415527554669592014-01-10T15:38:28.297+10:002014-01-10T15:38:28.297+10:00This is so true. I love your blog. There is so m...This is so true. I love your blog. There is so much information. I just started my own blog. I have been here before, but just joined the other day. I work from home and I homeschool, butI have neglected my home in making it comfortable. Oh, it is comfortable, but not what I could have made it. I have recently stepped back and looked at what I am doing and I want to make changes. I have a daughter that is 20 and she wants to get married in the future and be a homemaker. I am going to send her the link to follow your blog. Really, I think I have not slowed down in my mind. I even need to reread this article and absorb what it says. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17097668418787538276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77504729945450190002014-01-09T05:27:45.581+10:002014-01-09T05:27:45.581+10:00Hi Rhonda
I came to your blog via Bunny Mummy and ...Hi Rhonda<br />I came to your blog via Bunny Mummy and wanted to tell you I really like your blog and your thoughts on making a home. I find it tough to get motivated about cleaning or enjoying my home but it's one of my priorities for this New Year! Thank you for the inspiration :-)Witchy Lizardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00450656913660741640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16846079100894801852014-01-06T19:22:38.362+10:002014-01-06T19:22:38.362+10:00Hi Rhonda,
Happy New Year to you and Hanno, and t...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />Happy New Year to you and Hanno, and thanks for this post, timely as ever.<br /><br />I'm a new mum and currently at home on maternity leave with our 4 month old son. Before he was born (and before I was even pregnant!) I looked forward so much to stopping work and being a homemaker.<br /><br />However, whilst I love spending time with my son (I know that he'll grow too fast!), I also find myself getting frustrated at how little else I seem to achieve at home. I guess I had naive visions of finally having time for baking, sewing, knitting etc, whereas the realities of parenthood are somewhat different! <br /><br />But I get the sense that our grandmothers achieved more/were more content as stay at home mums and homemakers. Rose-coloured glasses perhaps... but do you have any tips for simple living at this stage of life? Has there previously been a post on it?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mrs Tigs<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11991187827810415026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-51175985255372990522014-01-04T03:03:43.511+10:002014-01-04T03:03:43.511+10:00My home is my safe haven..i love being a homemaker...My home is my safe haven..i love being a homemaker..your post is so full of warmth..<br />saraflowertotmumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498443996707884535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72733152351454831332014-01-04T00:33:06.170+10:002014-01-04T00:33:06.170+10:00I don't know how you do it, Rhonda -- every da...I don't know how you do it, Rhonda -- every day I feel like I'm rushing, rushing, rushing to get things done and if I'm not rushing, I'm not keeping up. I have zero sense of satisfaction from my daily chores around the house, and although I agree with everything you've written, I can't figure out why it does not translate to my own daily life? It's not like I'm a newbie at this, I've been a SAHM (working on and off as well) for 19 years and still...zero job satisfaction. Maybe it's the six children? lol Beautifully expressed as always, much love...xxMoeyMichelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17188003226227123506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91546736587186191402014-01-04T00:29:46.442+10:002014-01-04T00:29:46.442+10:00Thank you Rhonda again for thoughtful wise words. ...Thank you Rhonda again for thoughtful wise words. I am at the stage of having more time at home now having very recently retired from working with and giving respite to carers of disabled vulnerable adults. It was rewarding work and I feel I was able to give back to the community, BUT I am also thankful for the many things l learnt from co-workers and my clients and their family situations.<br />Now there is time to be spent with family, little ones and to stretch to new horizons. Time to refresh old skills learnt when young. To enjoy time for sewing again, potter in my tiny vegetable garden, and learn new skills. Being content.<br />New horizons open by way of creating a blog, which has been a slow process but have just got there.New challenges and happenings which are good as they keep the mind active....one is never too old to learn. Alexahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359326046389139990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23893316560772008212014-01-03T22:41:15.830+10:002014-01-03T22:41:15.830+10:00Ditto to all the above comments! Rhonda, I finall...Ditto to all the above comments! Rhonda, I finally got hold of your book from our library (it is permanently in a queue there!) and I am thoroughly enjoying it. If I hadn't been following your blog, I would have rushed out and bought a copy, but as I am now familiar with much of the book content through reading your blog, I'm happy to return it to the library when I've read it through a few more times, so the next person will be able to learn from it :-)Gina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07532527261977368083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25052812910815886892014-01-03T22:37:29.870+10:002014-01-03T22:37:29.870+10:00Sue, your comment really resonates with me. When ...Sue, your comment really resonates with me. When I was younger and we were renting, we had no hesitation in getting a house sitter in to mind the flat while we travelled overseas. But since we've owned our own home, I hate leaving it for more than a few days, because like you, I love coming home to it. So no, you're not mad!!Gina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07532527261977368083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3974737618556298822014-01-03T21:45:49.440+10:002014-01-03T21:45:49.440+10:00Today I foraged a few kilograms of self-seeded che...Today I foraged a few kilograms of self-seeded cherry tomatoes, which I'll freeze, and somehow finding and preparing food is such a simple, profound pleasure to share with my small children. As they grow, I hope to be able to gradually do more and more with them in our home. Thanks for your example!Concrete Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12368862362127742038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43898611150814797672014-01-03T19:15:42.197+10:002014-01-03T19:15:42.197+10:00I really liked this post, thanks Rhonda :) battlin...I really liked this post, thanks Rhonda :) battling the heat at the moment and this was the refreshment I needed. <br />Blessings Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08652394321048906070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60153045792101322272014-01-03T18:35:48.271+10:002014-01-03T18:35:48.271+10:00I love my home too, love being at home and potteri...I love my home too, love being at home and pottering about and just cosying up like you do. But we've just retired and bought a small campervan to go off for days away, I love it but I always love coming home again, a few days is enough for me. The other half is talking about maybe taking a couple of months or more to go travelling in Europe and the thought of months away from my home fills me with dread. I keep telling myself that I should look forward to it and enjoy this chance but the thought of coming back to a cold empty house and all my plants dead and the freezer defrosted because we've had yet another power cut is not a happy one! I have a neighbour who could keep an eye on the place but I don't feel it's fair to her to leave her in charge for such a long time, particularly because she'd have to walk up and down a steepish hill every day to get to me. Am I mad or what? Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463317651625459406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-87282681319672536672014-01-03T18:28:23.494+10:002014-01-03T18:28:23.494+10:00What a warm post, Rhonda! Thanks for sharing it.What a warm post, Rhonda! Thanks for sharing it.Clothes and Creativityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314849071622374994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-73940899960607283972014-01-03T14:49:56.216+10:002014-01-03T14:49:56.216+10:00You have a knack for saying the things I think. A...You have a knack for saying the things I think. A slower more deliberate life has yielded so many unexpected perks - and I found that when I slowed down and did things right - well...I really could make homemade noodles just like Grandma (she used to putter and make me crazy by being so slow!) Live and learn eh? Thanks!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209722078916803400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15758685279655419022014-01-03T13:59:57.882+10:002014-01-03T13:59:57.882+10:00I've been reading your blog since 2008 and it ...I've been reading your blog since 2008 and it is posts like this that make me yearn to have more free time to spend at home. My home is always clean and tidy ( I work in our family owned business during the week) and my 2 children are grown up and have left home but I long to be able to learn how to make a quilt top, crochet those granny squares, knit more dishcloths, sit and read a novel. I do love baking and make bread rolls and biscuits and cook mainly from scratch, I just don't have the time to do more. I guess it will come one day....Joolzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490462580345458546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88369583966775837442014-01-03T13:22:15.318+10:002014-01-03T13:22:15.318+10:00I look back at my 24 years as a stay-at-home mom w...I look back at my 24 years as a stay-at-home mom with great fondness and always loved homemaking. Then I had to go to work out of necessity and it always pained me to listen to other women talk as if staying at home with their children is the last thing in the world they would want to do. I've never understood that mindset! I'm recently widowed with seven children scattered about the country. They are blessing my socks off with their attentiveness, making sure I'm taken care of. And my home is still my refuge after a day in the working world. Thanks for sharing this secret with the world! :)Lisa Richardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567160304529796810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60683266425910038412014-01-03T11:43:41.070+10:002014-01-03T11:43:41.070+10:00This is a very nice post; certainly something whic...This is a very nice post; certainly something which could be repeated regularly without fear of anyone getting tired of hearing it! :)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12503930255842185609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13817081199919124372014-01-03T11:34:18.131+10:002014-01-03T11:34:18.131+10:00Thank you for this! I always get so much out of y...Thank you for this! I always get so much out of your posts. I love being at home with my boys, however I do struggle with the housework side of things...My focus word for 2014 is "deliberate" and I will endeavour to apply it to this aspect of home life as well. Kristiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05080034749235370080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28372798920590740512014-01-03T10:13:17.323+10:002014-01-03T10:13:17.323+10:00Thanks Rhonda, I will give it a try later on. We a...Thanks Rhonda, I will give it a try later on. We are going out soon to cool down in the aircon at one of the shopping centres as the house is getting too hot already. Then maybe take in a movie in the hottest part of the day. I can always sleep through it. LOL! 38 degrees! Just ridiculous. :-)Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28470354890589546202014-01-03T09:42:32.120+10:002014-01-03T09:42:32.120+10:00You don't need to add the code to pin them but...You don't need to add the code to pin them but it makes it much easier for you to pin and others to pin your photos.<br /><br />You can do a backup of your template first and it it wrecks it all, you can restore the old template. It's pretty simple. If you were here, I'd do it for you.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61753792500928120472014-01-03T09:29:45.428+10:002014-01-03T09:29:45.428+10:00Rhonda, I have read that before but am not quite b...Rhonda, I have read that before but am not quite brave enough to fiddle with the code in case I muck up how everything is set up on my blog. I might look into it again and see what happens. I noticed that one of my blog photos ended up on Pinterest which somehow was pinned by someone else even without the button so I should have another try. Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12421477109587204362014-01-03T08:39:00.869+10:002014-01-03T08:39:00.869+10:00I too am enjoying this slower life style. I would...I too am enjoying this slower life style. I would not trade it for any number of "things". Mt Devon Meanderingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02729875433219374844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35815891988851002572014-01-03T08:09:31.705+10:002014-01-03T08:09:31.705+10:00You have to add to the code, Chel. I followed thes...You have to add to the code, Chel. I followed these instructions: http://www.digitalkonline.com/blog/how-to-add-a-pinterest-hover-button-to-your-blogger-images/rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36412555948445472122014-01-03T08:06:11.783+10:002014-01-03T08:06:11.783+10:00I am new to your blog and so happy to have found y...<br /><br /><br />I am new to your blog and so happy to have found you. This post is beautifully written, calm & lovely. I find great joy in taking care of my home. I was turned around years ago when I read Martha Stewart referring to housework as "housekeeping". That made it all clear to me. I am keeping my home clean, organized and efficient and I LOVE it that way. I have fresh flowers on my table almost every week and orchids in bloom frequently. My closets and cabinets are tidy and my home is filled with things I treasure. It is a joy to "keep" my house! Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184370219253409713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43025586549375054722014-01-03T07:31:25.980+10:002014-01-03T07:31:25.980+10:00Thanks for the lovely post, Rhonda. I just noticed...Thanks for the lovely post, Rhonda. I just noticed that you have the 'Pinterest' button coming up on your photos. Were you able to add that without changing all that complicated code? <br /><br />Have a great day and I hope you don't melt. We are due for 38 degrees today and 39 degrees tomorrow. Unbelievable temps for us here in Toowoomba!Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.com