"Worketh Willingly With Her Hands" ~ Proverbs 31 Series

"Useful and ornamental needlework, knitting, and netting are capable of being made, not only sources of personal gratification, but of high moral benefit, and the means of developing in surpassing loveliness and grace, some of the highest and noblest feelings of the soul."

~Author unknown, from The Ladies' Work Table Book, 1845

We all read about the Proverbs 31 woman but how many of us actually possess the skills that are mentioned. I personally lacked many of them when first married and found my mother in law teaching me plenty.  Because of this, I was determined to pass these homemaking skills to my daughter.

We have put together some small teaching booklets, tutorials, resources, spiritual inspiration, pretty paintings, poetry and other fun activities in order to build an interest and home economic foundation for young ladies. We will also be hosting a link up per subject so that you can share your expertise with us! I hope some of this may be useful to our dear readers. We will begin this series shortly with "simple sewing skills". I hope that you can join us!

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

~ Proverbs 31:10-31

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Teach Me Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Make Bake Create, Wise Woman Link Up, Christian Homemaking, So Much at Home, Homemaking Thursdays, Hearts for Home Thursdays, and Growing in Grace Thursdays. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.

Casual Christianity ~ Pondering "Grace"

We have not written for awhile because we have lacked words. I must say it is because we lack the courage to print them. This little area in the world wide web is concerned with the "casual" Christianity that is flooding the internet. They make it seem like the Messiah will be coming back in surf trunks and a beanie. Like people will greet the "King of Kings" with a "hey, dude!" and then move on with a Facebook entry.

Long gone is the "fear of the Lord" for He is just a "pal" now. The "awe" for the magnificent Creator of the Universe is dwindling into cyberspace.

Sadly, it is being justified by a distorted version of "grace".

Grace does not teach a lifestyle of "take me as I am Lord, keep me as I am and deal with me. I am a sinner and there is no use trying to live likewise".

No, this is what grace teaches...

"denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,

righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Looking for that blessed hope,

and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.

Let no man despise thee."

~ Titus 2:12-15

The life of a Christian isn't a party but a purposeful path. A path where we are told to pick up our cross, deny self and follow Him that is holy. To honor Him (who died so we could live!) with our life of love, devotion and service.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

 ~ Romans 12:1-2

High-fiving one another while we sin and then picking up the banner of grace to justify our choices isn't living for Him. It is living for Self. It isn't *full* acceptance of grace or *freedom* in Christ. It is mocking it.

May we see the difference and have the courage to "examine ourselves". May we strive to be that "peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14)…

May we be the believer who realizes “all things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up" (1 Corinthians 10:23)…

Because you dear reader, are the Daughter of the Most-High King in this "chosen generation". You have been called to "be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." ~ 1 Timothy 4:12b 

"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit.
Grace be with you."
~ 2 Timothy 4:22

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homemaking Thursdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. 

Virtuous Woman ~ Proverbs 31 Printable Art

I have seen many Proverbs 31 prints for sale but they are rather expensive.

This basic printable would make a thrifty but lovely gift for a mother or maiden.

Look for 8 by 10 frames in second-hand stores that you could paint and decorate.

To accessorize this printable to match a room, print on colored card-stock or fancy paper.

Or, perhaps you will want to make your own design?

To use ours, simply press the link below, download and print.

PRINTABLE INSPIRATIONAL ART A Virtuous Woman by JES

Graphics for this project are courtesy of Reading, Roses and Prose.

You will find gift tags there as well.

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homemaking Thursdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. 

Starting Small ~ Planting Seeds of Motherhood

"Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

~ Proverbs 22:6

The world is wise enough to know that a young child is a very impressionable child. This is why the education system continues to fight to get our children into schools at a younger age. The advantage of mothers is that they can use this opportunity to advance the kingdom of God.

I recently found this little book in our archives and thought to share it with you today. "When I'm Mommy: A Little Girl's Paraphrase of Proverbs 31" by Ginger Adair Fulton is a wonderful tool to aid aspiring homemakers. Many mothers wonder when the right time is to instill the Keeper at Home/Proverbs 31 values.

Today is the day... for every book they read and every video they watch, is already instructing them in some way. Be purposeful with what you share with your maidens for everything contains a message (Be discerning. For example, do they devaluate motherhood? Etc...). What you expose your daughter to at a young age will make a huge impact in their adult lives. It is forming their worldview. 

We shy away from books where the main characters are disrespectful to elders, are demanding and spoiled (lacking parental instruction), use inappropriate words such as "stupid" and contain trendy lifestyles that the author would portray as normal (picture if you will a little one wearing earphones, listening independently to worldly music while ignoring the family, obnoxiously chomping on gum, dressed like the latest rock star).

When you see affordable, picture books with a godly message, it is also fun to think creatively with them to make the moment more enjoyable. You can create a curriculum of sorts. A book like this can be a coloring book. Read a page a day as a Bible lesson, cut out the pictures and make a "beautiful girlhood" scrapbook. Memorize and copy the corresponding verses, decorate them in pretty colors, glue down ribbons and other fancies to make for a fun craft.

I encourage you to spend time with your daughter, learning about their Creator and their biblical role now. The books we choose are vital. Tomorrow will be here quicker than you can imagine and your little girl will be a young lady.

For our favorite beautiful and biblical picture books, visit the list here.

For the beautiful benefits of mothers and daughters reading together, visit here.

For our Regal Reading List, visit here.

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homemaking Thursdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. 

Inspirational Gardening Journal Planner ~ Free Printable

"She considereth a field, and buyeth it:

with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."

~ Proverbs 31:16

Spring is in the air, soil is waiting in the earth and visions of grandeur are in the hearts of those who desire to provide "food for her family" (Proverbs 31:15). To aid in this proverbial pursuit, we are sharing our garden planner printable with you. This was originally shared on our homemaking blog. Ideas for using this Regency-inspired journal are here. Simply download from the menu below and print. May your harvest be plentiful!

You may also be interested in our other (printable) organizational tools: "Good Steward Record Binder", "Inspirational Recipe Book", Pantry Labels, Laundry Room Labels, and/or a Baking Basics Jar Set. Artwork for this project was provided by The Graphics Fairy, Reading, Roses & Prose along with lovely drawings by Kate Greenaway. 

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Wildcrafting Wednesdays, Simple Living Wednesdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these!

The "Art" of Crochet

The Crochet Lesson by Mary Cassatt

"And Diana and I had a lovely afternoon. Diana showed me a new fancy crochet stitch her aunt over at Carmody taught her. Not a soul in Avonlea knows it but us, and we pledged a solemn vow never to reveal it to anyone else. Diana gave me a beautiful card with a wreath of roses on it and a verse…"

~ Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

The Crochet Lesson by Edward Thompson Davis

"I want you to teach me how to crochet that lace I saw you making the other day..."

~ Elsie's Kith and Kin by Martha Finley

Young Girl Crocheting by Michael Peter Ancher

"There was Miss Pole, who was becoming as much absorbed in crochet as she had been once in knitting, and the burden of whose letter was something like, "But don't you forget the white worsted at Flint's" of the old song; for at the end of every sentence of news came a fresh direction as to some crochet commission which I was to execute for her."

~ Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

Girl Crocheting by Edmund C. Tarbell

"... good-tempered and possessing the happy art of pleasing without effort. Her little airs and graces were much admired, so were her accomplishments, for besides her drawing, she could play twelve tunes, crochet, and read French without mispronouncing more than two-thirds of the words..."

 ~ Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Crochet Lesson by Federico Zandomeneghi

"We have heard that the greatest lady in the land deigned thus to serve her soldiers. We have been told of a cravat worked in crochet by a queen's fingers which fell to the share of a gallant young officer in the trenches—the same brave lad who had carried, unscathed, the colours of his regiment…"

~ Life of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, (Victoria) Vol II by Sarah Tytler

Lydia Sitting on the Porch Crocheting by Mary Cassatt

"She seeketh wool, and flax,

and worketh willingly with her hands."

~ Proverbs 31:13

Creating with Crochet and Musings on Mentoring

200 Crochet Flowers, Embellishments & Trims ~

Fresh Looks for Roses, Daisies, Sunflowers and More…

Longing to be like "Everyone Else"?

"All things are lawful for me,

but all things are not expedient:

all things are lawful for me,

but all things edify not."

~ 1 Corinthians 10:23

There are moments in our Christian walk where we feel isolated. We must pass on going to certain events that "everyone else" is attending. We are compelled to exclude ourselves from different places, activities, clothing and media. It happens when we believe (through our actions) the inspired words of the Scriptures and "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

However, loneliness can creep in… The crowds can be captivating. It can all look so easy, so carefree and without worries… It can be tempting to dive in and join in the frolic. To be like "everyone else" without the constant concerns…

Dear sisters, in these moments of weakness, let us learn from the past...

"Everyone else" drowned  in the flood... Genesis 7:23

"Everyone else" was destroyed in Sodom & Gomorrah... Genesis 19:24

"Everyone else" shouted, "Crucify him, crucify him." Luke 23:21

Oh mothers and maidens, may we never be like "everyone else"... 2 Thessalonians 1:8

"Everyone else" may continue to do ,"Everything else" that we choose not to...

But as for us, we are SOMEONE ELSE...

"...ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light..."

~ 1 Peter 2:9

With love, JES

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these!

Good Company/Against Gossip

The Gossips by Daniel Ridgway Knight

“My idea of good company… is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation;
that is what I call good company.'

'You are mistaken,' said he gently,
that is not good company, that is the best.”

~ Jane Austen, Persuasion

Ah... good company, nothing is like it! The biblical term for this pleasure would be "fellowship" and it is something we are all encouraged to participate in. However, there is a danger in certain types of fellowship for it can foster poor conversation and our words which are so easily said, hold a lot of weight in our Creator's eyes.

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."~ Matthew 12:36-37

Such sobering words! What is a daughter of the King to do? Please continue reading at Deep Roots at Home where I am guest posting today…

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these!

Ode to the Proverbs 31 Woman

"…but thou excellest them all…"

~ Proverbs 31:29b

Many ladies begrudge the Proverbs 31 woman. Perhaps they think her too perfect for this world. Maybe her standards are too high?

When I read about her, I am inspired! She is an excellent model for us, showcasing the opportunities the "keeper at home" has to serve her household. She illustrates that the believing woman is special and highly valued, in fact she is "far above rubies". The world may suggest that the submissive, christian female must walk like a mechanical-minded mummy but the virtuous woman teaches us that it is not so.

She is a paradigm that while a godly woman is help meet to her husband, mother to her children, or a single daughter of the King, she is glowing with wisdom. She is a capable, educated, skilled and creative servant of Christ. Her example to the world is that believing women are not robots, slaves, homely, worn out, sloppy housewives, but beautifully industrious, and ready to bless all who surround her. What a wonderful mentor we have in this "woman that feareth the Lord"!

"Give her of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works praise her in the gates."

~ Proverbs 31:31

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these!

Creating with Crochet and Musings on Mentoring

One of the beautiful aspects of biblical womanhood is that of mentoring. For some it may be a spiritual mentorship while others provide a practical mentorship in skills that we ourselves do not possess. For example, crochet is something my daughter had a desire to learn. I was blessed to have a sister-in-law proficient in this art who is also a godly role model for her. Two needs were met when they spent an afternoon with a ball of yarn, a crochet hook and a desire to "worketh willingly" with their hands.

Due to certain circumstances, they were only given a few hours together but the basic skills were taught which inspired these self-created projects.  

Position of the hands and explanation of chain stitch.

Position of the hands and explanation of chain stitch.—Take the thread in the left hand between the finger and thumb, hold the needle between the thumb and first finger of the right hand, letting it rest on the second finger, in the same manner in which you hold your pen, and put it into the loop, which you hold between the finger and thumb of the left hand. Take up the thread, lying on your finger, with the needle and make your first stitch as you do in knitting, tightening the loop just enough to leave an easy passage through it for the needle. The end of the thread must be held by the thumb and forefinger. The next stitches are made by taking up the thread with the needle and drawing it through the loop. The throwing of the thread round the needle by a jerk of the wrist is called an 'over'.

If we can provide our daughters with at least a taste of handiwork knowledge, their imaginations can produce many lovely items. Furnish them with books or video tutorials on the subject and their artistry will continue to flourish. These types of skills nurture the moments of beautiful girlhood.

Even a pair of socks become special when adorned with a few simple stitches. The possibilities are limitless with only two hours of tutoring… 

The supplies are minimal for crochet and therefore economical. Balls of yarn are found in plenty at thrift stores and estate sales. Crochets hooks are affordable as well. Once these two simple materials are procured, one can spend hours crafting handmade goods.

Single stitch.

Single stitch.—Put the needle in from the right side of the work, into the uppermost loop of the preceding row, take up the thread on the needle and draw it through both loops.

The basic projects shown here are done with the knowledge of two basic stitches known as single crochet and double crochet (shown above).

Queen Victoria was knowledgable in the art of crochet. She was responsible for making crochet popular. Prior to her interest, it was deemed a poor substitute for lace. Her desire was to boost the Irish economy at the time of a potato famine and this skill helped to pave the way. (You can read more about this topic here.)

She also crocheted eight scarves as awards for a select group of veterans from the South African war when she was 82 years old (actual scarf shown above).

Victorian era writer, Elizabeth Gaskell mentions crochet (in a humorous account) in her novel, Cranford.

"When we came back, nothing would serve him but he must read us the poems he had been speaking of; and Miss Pole encouraged him in his proposal, I thought, because she wished me to hear his beautiful reading, of which she had boasted; but she afterwards said it was because she had got to a difficult part of her crochet, and wanted to count her stitches without having to talk." 

~ Elizabeth Gaskell, Cranford

You will find many other lovely ideas in the art of homemaking for young ladies here.

Crochet instructions are excerpts from:

Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese de Dillmont

Collecting Cookbooks ~ The Hope Chest

As a young maiden, preparing for the future is very necessary. Something you can do today is start a cookbook collection. You can begin practicing new recipes on your family now and make notes on which ones were favorites and which were failures… Then, dear hubby need not be the experimental victim. These single years are an excellent time to sharpen your kitchen skills and become a culinary queen!

Cookbooks make an excellent addition to a hope chest because they are always in "style" unlike some items you may place inside and lose interest in. If you already have a repertoire of recipes but need a storage system for them, you may be interested in making an "Inspirational Recipe Book" (free printables are included with the link).

Some of our favorite cookbooks are:

• Betty Crocker Cookbook: Everything You Need to Know to Cook Today
• King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Nutritious Whole Grains
• With Heart And Soul (Among Friends Series)
• Keeping Good Company: A Season-by-Season Collection of Recipes, with Entertaining & Homemaking Ideas (Among Friends Series)
• Mrs. Fields I Love Chocolate! Cookbook: 100 Easy & Irresistible Recipes
• Fix Freeze Feast

"When young people marry they are rarely troubled with many thoughts about the details of housekeeping. Their dreams are high above all such common place issues. The mere mention of such things as cooking, baking, sweeping, dusting, mending, ironing—jars upon the poetic rhythm of the lofty themes of conversation. It never enters the brains of these happy lovers—that it will make every difference in the world in their home life—whether the bread is sweet or sour; whether the oatmeal is well cooked or scorched; whether the meals are punctual or tardy. The mere thought that such common matters could affect the tone of their wedded life, seems a desecration.

One of the very first things they discover is the intimate relation between the kitchen and wedded happiness. That love may fulfill its delightful prophecies and realize its splendid dreams—there must be in the new home, some very practical elements. The palace that is to rise into the air, shooting up its towers, displaying its wonders of architecture, flashing its splendors in the sunshine—to the admiration of the world, must have its foundation in commonplace earth, resting on plain, hard, honest rock. Love may build its palace of noble sentiments and tender affections and sweet romances—rising into the very clouds, and in this splendid home two souls may dwell in the enjoyment of the highest possibilities of wedded life; but this palace, too, must stand on the ground, with unpoetic and unsentimental stones for its foundation. That foundation is good housekeeping. In other words, good breakfasts, dinners and suppers, a well-kept house, order, system, promptness, punctuality, good cheer—far more than any young lovers dream—does happiness in married life depend upon such commonplace things as these!"

~ Except from The Family by J.R. Miller

The Hope Chest (What to Put Inside?)

Marmee's Hope Chest