I just turned 26-years-old, and being this age is very interesting.

The majority of your life up until this point has been your childhood. As a 26-year-old person, you’ve only been an adult for 8 years, yet it feels like a whole lifetime. At least for me.

Every quarter I live, I turn into a different human with different interests, dreams, and even beliefs about certain things. And as much as I want to say that I don’t look back, I do pretty often. I think to myself: “If only I knew about XYZ when I was 18, 22, or even 25.”

The saying that hindsight is 20/20 rings true in my life, and it feels like it is even more amplified because I am the eldest sibling (of 7).

So, I sat down and wrote 26 things that I would tell my younger self if I could have a conversation with her.

1. You are not old. I distinctly remember the feeling of being 18 and feeling like the years between 18-20 would last forever. “I’m so young and cool,” I thought to myself. I looked at women who were 24 as if they were extremely old compared to me. And then I hit 21. I remember feeling like I should have accomplished so much more by then. But here’s the reality: we all know that no one knows when they will pass, but most people live a pretty long life. Into their 80s even. The reality that I live in now is that I am the youngest I will ever be. Someone who is 40, 50, 90, wishes they were my age right now, basking in their 20s without body aches and wrinkles (by the way, you can say this for any age. Someone who is 95 may wish that they were 70 again). It is a waste of energy to think to yourself that you wish you were younger because you will never get the time back. It’s much better to accept reality and do your best with every second God grants you in this world.

2. Don’t sign up or pay for MLMs. Just don’t.

3. Not everything needs to be shared. You don’t have to document every thought, every plan, every dream. Some things grow better in private. Protect what God is doing in your life before it’s fully formed. Every time I’ve hidden something I was working on instead of blurting it out before it was completed, I’ve been thankful.

4. Choose your friends carefully. Not everyone who laughs with you is for you. Pay attention to who encourages your growth and who quietly resents it. You’ll know real friends by their fruit. They check up on you, don’t make you feel left out, and encourage you. I wrote an article here if you’re interested in my take on friends.

5. Actions speak louder than words. If they tell you one thing, but do something else, believe what they show you through their actions.

6. Learn how to be alone. Not lonely, but alone. There is a difference. I was in college so focused on wanting to be apart of the friend group, always wanting to be included, and then disappointed when I wasn’t. If you learn to enjoy your own company, whether your friends invite you or not won’t make a difference. Learn hobbies, build something with your own hands, you will not regret it.

7. Your habits are building your future. The small, daily choices you make feel insignificant, but they are quietly shaping your life more than any big decision ever will.

8. Stop rushing your timeline. You are not behind. You are not late. You are living your life, not someone else’s highlight reel.

9. Take care of your body early. You don’t need to wait for a wake-up call. Move your body, nourish it well, rest. It will thank you later.

10. Apologize quicker. Pride will keep you stuck longer than the mistake ever would.

11. Not every opportunity is from God. Just because something looks good doesn’t mean it’s meant for you. Discernment will save you from unnecessary detours (and MLMs).

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12. Money habits matter. Learn how to manage the finances that God has blessed you with. Learn how to create and keep a budget. Set financial goals and hit them! Do not take on debt. You will be so thankful you did this.

13. Comparison will rob you every time. There will always be someone ahead of you in something. Stay focused on your assignment, your home, your marriage, your life! When I learned how to look at life with a lens of gratitude instead of envy, everything changed for the better. You will start to see mundane things as blessings from the Lord, because they are!

14. Your words carry weight. Especially in marriage, in friendships, in family. Speak with intention, not just emotion.

15. Consistency beats motivation. You will not always feel like doing the goal you’ve set for yourself. It’s best to do it anyway! I used to set very lofty goals until I learned that things require you to do them one step at a time. It’s great to have the big dreams, but you have to start small and consistently. Allow yourself to get the small wins and build those habits. You’ll look back in months and years and see all you’ve accomplished.

16. Don’t ignore red flags hoping they’ll turn green. They won’t. What you see early on usually only becomes more obvious with time.

17. Learn to receive correction. It’s uncomfortable, but it will refine you if you let it. It’s better to have friendships and mentors with people who are not afraid to tell you the truth in love.

18. Protect your peace. Not everything deserves a reaction, a response, or your energy. This is one that I’ve learned recently. I used to watch political podcasts almost every day for years. It’s entertaining until it ruins your mind by allowing it to fill you with fear and chaos. My life has been so peaceful since I’ve unsubscribed from that fear-based life.

19. Choose to respect your husband. Allow him to make decisions, and then trust him. Encourage him and be his helpmate. This is a godly and good thing to do.

20. You don’t need to prove yourself to everyone. The right people won’t require constant validation of your worth.

21. Choose to work hard at your job. Don’t coast. Don’t just get by. Work with excellence and do everything unto the Lord!

22. Your identity should be rooted in something deeper than accomplishments. Titles change. Seasons shift. Know who you are in Christ beyond what you do.

23. Rest is productive. Burning out doesn’t make you more valuable.

24. Be teachable. You don’t know everything, and that’s a good thing.

25. Marriage is not about winning. It’s about unity, humility, and choosing love even when it’s hard.

26. God’s timing is better than yours. Even when it feels slow. Even when it feels confusing. Looking back, you’ll see the purpose in the waiting.

If I could go back and hand this list to my younger self, I would. But since I can’t, I’m giving it to you instead.

You don’t have to learn everything the hard way. Some of these lessons took me years of mistakes, quiet moments, and a lot of grace to understand. If even one of them saves you time, heartache, or confusion, then this was worth writing.

You are not behind. You are not too late. You are exactly where God needs you to be, learning exactly what He needs you to learn.

Trust Him, and remember to do everything with excellence.

See this article on our new blog here.

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However, here is my argument about work:

You were created for it.

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I was overwhelmed this week on one particular day.

If you don’t know this, I work a full-time work-from-home job, and I have a beautiful 5-month-old daughter.

Working while taking care of a baby is difficult, but this is what my husband and I have chosen for a short season for multiple reasons.

We are able to sustain this because I am blessed to work with very understanding people that have allowed me to move many of my meetings to two days so that my husband can watch her while I having meetings on those days (since his schedule is different than mine).

That being said, I was particularly overwhelmed on one of the days.

The baby was crying even though I had just fed her. She didn’t want to be in a baby carrier, and I couldn’t stand in one place to get my job done for that reason.

So, I did what anyone would do in this predicament and called my mom.

I don’t know if she could tell, but I was on the brink of crying. I was laying in bed with the baby, breastfeeding her, and telling my mom how hard that day had been for me.

And what she said to me made me want to cry even more:

“It’s okay to do hard things.”

Okay, mom!! Now I want to actually ball my eyes out.

It’s so simple, but it was exactly what I needed in that moment.

A gentle reminder that it’s okay to do something difficult, and work hard. It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to feel exhausted in this moment.

Because the truth about hard things is that they don’t last forever, and many difficult things in life have fruit at the end of them. Proverbs 14:23 says, “In all labor there is profit”—your work is not wasted.

Work was already here before The Fall, not a result of sin. God made us specifically to work and build with our own hands. Adam found the perfect helper in Eve and God called it good that they be married and tend to the garden.

It’s why we feel so satisfied after doing something difficult and seeing the fruit of our labor. We enjoy the result of cleaning our home, running a half marathon, folding all of the clothes in the hamper, or hitting a goal.

We build, multiply, and grow. It’s the main reason why people who retire at 65, and stop working on anything at all, start to deteriorate.

I’m not saying work will look like mine, and I’m definitely not prescribing corporate America on every woman who reads this. But, I am saying that working hard, and doing everything unto the Lord has good fruit (Colossians 3:23-24).

For you, work may be being a full-time wife and mother, maybe you’re a single nurse, or work-from-home wife like me. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

So, this is your reminder today that if you’re in a difficult season, it’s okay to do hard things.

“and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Disclaimer: I work from home and take care of my baby full-time because I believe strongly in the idea that mothers should be with their babies if they can make it work, and I don’t trust anyone else watching my child outside of a select few. I won’t work somewhere outside of the home for this reason. To everything there is a season, and this is the season that I am in right now as a young mom. And I am very blessed.

A simple recipe from my kitchen

• Note: For the salt - I like this one

I’ve always loved Baby Brew Activities, but they hit different when you actually have a baby to play with.

Everyone says “do playtime with your baby,” but what do you actually do, and how do you know it’s helping them develop?

These card decks make it so easy. They give simple, purposeful activities that support your baby’s milestones, with no special toys needed. My husband and I use them all the time and have loved watching our daughter learn.

They’re offering 10% off for my subscribers 🤍

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As someone who was born and raised in Northern Illinois, with a husband who was born and raised in New York City, neither one of us plays when it comes to pizza.

When we moved to The South, we sadly were brought to the realization that good pizza was not as easy to find…at all.

When you are used to having a variety of quality pizza spots close by, it’s so disappointing to try a spot that people say is good, only to find out that it’s Southern people’s definition of good.

Hey, I don’t blame them! This is all they’ve ever known. Just like how I believed I knew good barbecue before I came to The South.

And, I’m not saying that food isn’t good in The South. I love living in The South and enjoy food here (at first I didn’t have the greatest opinion, but we found some great restaurants). There’s just different cuisine here that you know will be good—barbecue, chicken & waffles, biscuits, etc.—and pizza isn’t usually one of them (unless you research and try many spots to finally find one that’s good). You can’t go to a random mom and pop pizza spot and expect the same quality you would see in The North around the corner, and that’s the life we chose.

Side note: If this offended you, that is not my goal. I am merely trying to share that different parts of the country have their own specialties.

So, we resort to making it ourselves a lot of the time!

Would I call this a 100% authentic Detroit-Style Pizza recipe? No. I’m not from Detroit, and only ever had this style pizza one other time in my life.

Also, it doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing as regular Detroit-Style pizza and doesn’t necessarily have toppings that this pizza might usually have since I just grabbed what I could find in our fridge (and made it

with a pie and cake pan since I didn’t have any metal rectangular pans).

But, I was inspired by some YouTube videos as of late, so I did my best to recreate it.

It turned out really good and was husband-approved!

I hope you enjoy.

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The Toppings

(Random things I found in my fridge)

• Poblano peppers

• Half of a red onion

• Mozzarella cheese

• Parmesan cheese

• Garlic

• Ground beef Italian sausage

• Tomatos

• Cilantro for garnish

• Oregano

• Freshly dried basil (thanks mom)

Homemade Beef Italian Sausage

I don’t eat pork, so I make my own sausage with ground beef. All you do is take some ground beef and season it generously with flavors like fennel seed, oregano, basil, parsley, garlic, paprika, black pepper, and of course salt!

I just spoon out little pieces, added it to the pizza, and it turned out so delicious.

The Recipe

(save it for later)

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The baby shower I desired was something I had imagined long before I was ever pregnant. So when it finally became my turn to have a baby, I was so excited for those ideas to be brought to life by my amazing family. Honestly, it exceeded even the dreams I had.

I was blessed with two showers, but in this newsletter, I’ll share highlights from my summer baby shower—my vision, how it came to life, and all the details that made it so special. Feel free to take some inspiration for your own!

The Vision

I love baking, gardening, and all things farmer’s markets. So, my theme was “Locally Grown Baby on the Way.” It felt so cute and perfectly aligned with my homemaker aesthetic.

I spent time on Pinterest, searched for venues, and imagined what the day might look like. Eventually, I made a collage of my vision and passed it along to my aunt, mom, and sister, and they brought it to life beautifully.

The Venue

Most of my family lives in the Chicago area, but my mom still lives a couple of hours away (which is where I grew up). I needed a venue that worked for everyone.

Praise God, my sister-in-law offered her gorgeous backyard. It was perfect—peaceful, surrounded by trees, and just the right atmosphere for the day.

Illinois weather in August can be unpredictable. It might pour or it might be perfect. To be safe, we rented a tent so everyone could stay comfortable (thanks, Dad and Step-mom!). Thankfully, the sun was shining, and the day turned out absolutely beautiful.

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The Event

This day was such a dream for me. My hair cooperated, I felt amazing in my dress, and our family came together to celebrate this new journey with my husband and I.

Since it was a co-ed shower, it ended up being a big event. We ate delicious Puerto Rican and African food, enjoyed sweet desserts, and snapped tons of family photos to remember the day.

The Food

I didn’t manage to get pictures of the food (too busy enjoying it!), but it was incredible. We always love to showcase our cultures when we host. For me, that meant Puerto Rican rice; for my husband, it was fish, African rice, and cassava. And for both of us—plantains! They’re our favorite, so of course they had to be on the menu.

My mom, who owns a bread business, also made fresh Puerto Rican bread. It was soft and so good.

The Dessert

When I say the desserts were amazing, I mean it! We ordered beautiful cupcakes from a local bakery owned by a high school friend, my aunt made all types of chocolate-covered goodies, and my sister made a garden-themed cake that turned out so cute.

On top of that, my aunt put together a full treat table with different types of candy, separate from the dessert table, so guests could also take treats home.

The Activities

My sister kept it simple with a few classic shower games, and my aunt came up with a creative idea: a little station where guests could decorate onesies and bibs for the baby. It was precious and such sweet keepsakes for us.

Overall

Overall, my baby shower was everything I hoped for and more. I loved being surrounded by family, catching up, and celebrating together. Even better—I had a cousin and an aunt who were pregnant at the same time, which made it extra fun.

I’m so grateful for this beautiful day and the chance to celebrate the life we brought into this world.

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I didn’t make many recipes during pregnancy for my postpartum period. I am thankful to have family who helped me with food for the first month of my postpartum journey and left me with homemade food in the freezer so that we would be prepared when they left.

Now, I am adding some more food that I can easily heat up during my work hours so that I can make sure my milk production is up and I’m eating well.

This is the first of many postpartum recipes that I will be sharing! Follow along on Instagram if you’d like the video version.

Protein Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Calories: 205 kcal
Protein: 5g

Ingredients

• 6 very ripe bananas, mashed

• 4 eggs

• 4 cups oat flour

• ¾ cup date sugar (date flour)

• ½ cup Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt)

• ½ cup milk of choice

• ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil

• 2 tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease your muffin pan with butter or oil.

2. Mash bananas in a large bowl.

3. Whisk in eggs, date sugar, yogurt, milk, oil, and vanilla.

4. Add oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

5. Stir until just combined (batter should be thick but scoopable). Don’t whisk or over-mix.

6. Fold in chocolate chips.

7. Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full.

8. Bake 18–22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

9. Cool 10 minutes before removing.

Notes

• I labeled and froze these muffins. Once I reheated them, they were just as soft as when I baked them!

• You can add in other things like nuts, blueberries, dates, etc. Be creative!

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From the beginning, God has called us to steward what He has given us and work with our hands.

Work is good. Stewarding your home well is good. And having goals to do even better in your home in 2026 is good.

We all know that you can create goals and start them any day and time of the year, but the new year gives you a push of excitement, and of possibility. It’s the “I’ll start on Monday” feeling times a thousand.

It’s a great time to reset your home, do things that have been set on the back burner, and start anew.

I’ve curated this list of tasks that I think would help you give your house a refresh so that you can be more efficient, think clearer, and make your home an oasis for 2026.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I believe you should treat your home like a business. Have open and close hours, make goals for this new year, and work hard with your hands.

Note that this is a long list that is not ordered in any way and I am not saying to do all of them. I’m just giving you ideas that can propel you forward in your home this season so that we can do everything unto the Lord with excellence. We were created for this!

Ideas to Reset Your Home for a Great 2026

• Access your current home routines and strategize how you can do better.

• Deep clean every room. Clean things you haven’t thought about cleaning in a while. Wipe door knobs, clean baseboards, dust air vents and lights, etc.

• Meet with your husband about your financial goals and the vision for the family in 2026. Access the last year and talk about things that you’re proud of and what you want to improve upon. Encourage one another and ask him how you can do better to love and respect him in 2026. Get excited together!

• Declutter every aspect of your home:

  • Be creative and use any older food in your pantry that will go bad soon. You can make granola with random nuts and dried fruit, make muffins, bread, etc. Consolidate duplicate items.

  • Go through your closet and get rid of any clothes you don’t wear.

  • Get rid of any old skin care, hair products, etc. in your bathroom that you don’t use and that could be expired.

  • Give away any old shoes, jackets, hats, etc.

  • Declutter all of your closets.

  • Remove any old toys that your children don’t use.

  • Declutter your kitchen! Remove any extra plates and cups. The less you have, the easier it will be to clean.

• Vacuum and clean your carpeted areas.

• Store or give away any clothes your children don’t fit in anymore.

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• Go through all of your purses and give away the ones you don’t use anymore. All the ones you do use, clean them out and reshape them by adding tissue paper inside the bag. Organize them nicely.

• Hang up any art that you’ve been procrastinating on hanging.

• Make any doctors appointments you’ve been procrastinating on.

• Create a new self care routine, and/or do some maintenance that you haven’t done in a while:

  • Workout

  • Get your hair cut and styled

  • Get your eyebrows done

  • Get your nails done

  • Get a massage

  • Go to a head spa

  • Get a facial

  • Get a wax

• Do something you’ve been waiting to do for a while that really won’t take that long to do.

• Pay that $50 medical bill that you’ve been putting off.

• Get rid of any old mail. Go through all your mail and toss the irrelevant ones.

• Clean behind appliances, couches, dressers, etc.

• Re-organize everything. Go systematically through each section in each room.

• Clean and organize your office and/or desk area.

• Dust everything.

• Get your tax information in order.

• Mop everywhere.

• Decorate!

• Clean the scuffs off of your walls.

• Deep clean your oven, refrigerator, sink, etc.

• Wash all of your laundry, fold, and put all of the clothes away.

• Reorganize and dust your bookshelves.

• Pray over your home. If you’re about that life, anoint it too. Why not?

• Reset your mindset about your home. Remember to be thankful for everything God has given you! You get to do dishes, clean laundry, change poopy diapers, etc.

• Clean out your medicine cabinet.

Decluttering Encouragement

Through out the year, you naturally pick up more things and bring them into your home. Maybe you were gifted things, maybe you went shopping for new clothes. There are tons of new items in your home.

And what happens to the things you already have? Most of the time, they stay there as well.

There is nothing wrong with having things, but keeping a clean and organized home is much easier when you remove items you no longer use or need.

It feels so good to let go! You got this.

I hope this list gave you some ideas on how you can use the beginning of 2026 to reset your home. Leave in the comments some other ideas you may have!

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Along with the beautiful decor and cold weather, the holiday season prompts this debate that many Christians are passionate about: why or why they don’t allow their children to partake in the Santa Claus tradition.

There are different camps of reasoning for why each person celebrates a certain way. And as someone who didn’t grow up with parents who taught her to believe in Santa, I was curious.

We asked Young Homemakers Club readers what their experience was growing up. I wanted to know what it was like being a child who whole-heartedly believed in Santa Claus.

Did you feel betrayed by your parents when you found out the truth about Santa Claus, that it was just something fun they did during Christmas? Or did it not matter to you?

And what if there was another camp outside of believing in Santa Claus or not? Can you enjoy the tradition while also keeping Jesus at the center?

I gained a new perspective on this topic as a whole and I wanted to share it with you because as women, we are usually the tradition-makers in our home.

We Asked, You Answered

Did you grow up with your parents teaching you to believe in Santa Claus?

I wasn’t told Santa was real. He existed, but never really came up at all. Presents were always from mom and dad. - Daisy

We were told he was not real from the start, but he was and is still very much part of the “magic” of Christmas. - Abby

My husband grew up believing in Santa and when we were dating I got to experience Santa for the first time when his parents tried to “catch” Santa- a beloved tradition they had when he was young. Now I have four kids, ages 9-2. We kept my husband’s childhood tradition because it feels magical AND we still keel Jesus at the center. - Cady

Did you feel betrayed when you found out that Santa wasn’t real?

“My sister felt so betrayed she ignored my parents for the whole day. My head just exploded when I found out and then I went on like dang and the magic of Christmas faded away” - Kay

“It was the most magical special experience of my childhood. Now that I have a child I’m going to incorporate more knowledge of the faith but keep the same magical Christmas experience. I remember I believed in it until I was so old maybe I was like 10? Then my parents were like you know he’s not real, you’re too old now, and I said yeah I kind of had a feeling and that was that 😂 less magical sense of wonder at that point but still loved Christmas and to this day I get 10x more joy and magical sense of wonder doing the Santa/elf traditions as a mother.” - Samantha

“When I found out as a kid I didn’t feel betrayed, but it took the magic out of it. Now with our own kids, we still believe in Santa (put out cookies and milk/reindeer food), but we have made Jesus/the Nativity the focal point, and have made all the magic around that vs Santa.” - Ashley

For more responses see here:

It’s interesting to see how different women grew up and how they parent their children now in contrast because of their experiences.

There seems to be a few different ways:

1. Keep the tradition of Santa Claus and have your children believe that this person is real and actually comes down the chimney to bring gifts.

2. Same as #1, but you also share about Jesus and do your best to keep Him at the center of celebrations.

3. Tell your children that Santa isn’t real, and only focus on Jesus.

4. Tell your children that Santa isn’t real, but still allow them to enjoy the story of Santa, and/or St. Nicholas, and keep Jesus at the center of the holiday.

Most Christians will land in #2-4, but my question to you is…is there a Biblical solution to whether we should celebrate or not? Leave your answer in the comments below!

Where Did Santa Claus Come From?

The Simplified History

I’m a protestant Christian. I grew up at, and currently go to, a Baptist church, but most identify with nondenominationalism. That being said, I never grew up learning about St. Nicholas.

I vaguely knew of this person because of Christmas songs and people sharing random facts with me, but it wasn’t until I researched him a few minutes ago that I understood his importance. As someone who loves history, I am fascinated by how the legend of Santa Claus came to be starting with this person.

St. Nicholas was a Catholic Bishop from modern-day Turkey who was known for his charity and good deeds. He traveled throughout the country helping people who were poor and sick.

One of the best-known St. Nicholas stories is the time he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so they could marry.1

St. Nicholas’s popularity grew over time until he eventually became known as the primary Patron Saint of Children. If you don’t know what a patron saint is, neither did I:

patron saint, saint who is chosen as the dedicated protector and intercessor of a person, a society, a church, an occupation, or a place.2

He started to become popular in the United States when Dutch families came together to celebrate him on the anniversary of his death. His nickname Sinter Klaas came from the shortened Sint Nikolaas, which is Dutch for St. Nicholas.

Overtime, many authors popularized Sinter Claus until his name evolved to Santa Claus. Advertisements, poems, books, movies, and new shopping mall Santas in New York all morphed together to turn into the jolly old man you see today.

Santa Claus’s current look was solidified after Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem that we all know, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” for his three daughters, originally entitled “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” And thus was born the American icon - Santa Claus.

Should Christians Celebrate Santa Claus with Their Children?

I’m not a pastor or teacher, so obviously take everything I say with a grain of salt and consult the people who matter in teaching biblical topics. This is just purely opinion and how I came to this conclusion.

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On one of the darkest nights of the year, you can look out your window and see nothing but the shadows.

You turn your gaze in to your living room and see standing beside a roaring fireplace is a vibrantly green 6 ft tall spruce.

Maybe you spent hours with your family picking out the perfect tree on a local lot. Or maybe this is the tree you brought in from the box in the garage, where it resides year after year.

No matter where your Christmas tree originated, it represents one thing — life. When everything outside is dead and decaying, we look inward at a warm home with a tree full of life.

The soft glow of the Christmas tree penetrates all the chaos in the world, all the death and despair outside the door.

There’s no hustle and bustle. The whole earth stand still for this moment.

That is exactly who Jesus is. He came to earth on the darkest point in its time.

The light of His birth shined through the evil of a fallen world bringing hope to generations.

This special holiday is to celebrate God’s action to send His only begotten Son to redeem of us from ourselves.

The most beautiful thing about the tradition of a Christmas tree is not about acquiring it, decorating it, or even putting gifts for loved ones under its branches.

Rather, the beauty of the Christmas tree is the deity it reflects.

So, when you decorate your beloved Christmas tree this holiday season and set your eyes on its glory, remember who all the honor and glory really goes to.

Written by , The Heritage Home

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Try this recipe on Christmas morning (prepare the night before)!

Baked French Toast Casserole

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You do not have to go empty-handed to your holiday parties. And you don’t have to buy some cheap Walmart find that nobody wants.

Here is an extensive list of meaningful ideas to gift to your friends and family that won’t break the bank.

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• A Bible with a note that has all of your favorite Bible verses. Or a note that gives Bible verses for certain emotions like sadness, anxiety, peace, happiness, mourning, etc. so that they always know where to turn to! Wrap it in some paper with beautiful ribbon.

• Go to your local Half Priced Books Store or Barnes & Noble and find some classic literature. Write a nice note on a piece of paper inside the book. Gift wrap it with some ribbon!

  • Some Ideas for books:

    • The Count of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas

    • Any Jane Austen Novel

    • Any CS Lewis Novel

    • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

  • Note: You can find some of these for cheap at Half Priced Books Store or Thrift Stores!

• A handmade book mark. Use color pencils, paint, photos, magazines, and more to create unique book marks. Cut a whole at the top and add ribbon.

• A unique thrifted vase with a floral arrangement. Tie a pretty ribbon around the vase. Write a nice note and talk about why the flowers reminded you of that person.

  

• A thrifted antique frame with a nice piece of art in it or a photo of you with that person. You can find free art online and print it at your local convenience store and place it in the frame. Write a note about why the painting reminded you of this person. Gift wrap it and tie a ribbon around it!

• Thrift a nice mug or buy a new mug and add some bags of tea or hot chocolate in the mug. You can also add scrunchies, socks, chocolate, money, pens, lip gloss, lotion, face masks, so many things!

• A local pottery mug if you want to splurge.

• Go to your local butcher and get a couple high quality steaks. Wrap them in butcher paper. Tie a bow around it.

• Get a high-quality, artisan food item that you know that person loves. Could be maple syrup, honey, beef broth, salt, hot sauce, noodles, jam. I’m envisioning something that they normally wouldn’t splurge on because it costs $5-$20 dollars more than they would normally buy. You can find these items at Whole Foods, Central Market, or some boutique grocery store near you.

• Bake a loaf of bread and wrap it with a cute dish cloth that you can gift to them as well. Here’s a 2-hour bread recipe that I love:

• You can also just purchase a fresh loaf of bread at your local bakery and wrap it with a couple of other items like jam, cheese, dried meat, and honey in a thrifted or brand-new wicker basket.

• A wooden cutting board. Marshall’s has tons of nice options for a great price.

• New kitchen towels. Sold at Marshall’s for a great price. You can also find nice ones at Walmart or Target.

• Popcorn from a local shop who makes it fresh.

• Make your own jam at home with some spare mason jars! Pinterest has endless recipes.

• Make a self-care basket. Add things like face masks, lotion, a Jane Austen romance novel, and high-quality chapsticks.

• A cook book with a couple of nice wooden cooking utensils.

• A cast iron pan or dutch oven. Marshall’s has some great options for this!

• Your favorite book from your own library that has a note for why it meant so much to you.

• A book with a candle that matches the vibe. Write a note saying why you chose it.

• A tray that can be used for keys, jewelry, etc.

• Homemade granola, banana bread, blueberry muffins, or cookies.

• A sleepy-time bundle that has eye masks, herbal tea, and a candle.

• A nice blanket throw.

• If all else fails and you’re really out of time, nothing says you love someone like a handwritten letter or a drawing! Write about the memories that mattered the most to you or why you love that person.

Christmas Eve Activities

• Walk around your local downtown where they showcase lights, small businesses, and Christmas trees.

• Go to a drive-through Christmas light show.

• Go to a local neighborhood that has tons of lights and drive around.

• Watch your favorite Christmas movie and make homemade hot chocolate.

• Play card games with family and friends.

• Invite your friends over for dinner and gift each other books. Or play White Elephant.

• Play Christmas songs with a crackling fireplace on your television while you read a book.

• Bake cookies, a cake, or a pie.

• Go caroling!

Christmas is a special time. I hope you enjoy these next few days!

Recent Journals

There is something beautiful about being pregnant with your husband’s child.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I kept on thinking about this over and over again—the idea that I was pregnant with my husband’s child and how proud of that I was.

I have this thing where I think about the intricacies of life very frequently and how I got to where I currently am.

Isn’t it odd how you can be so close to someone who used to be a complete stranger? And then this person promises to be in your life until you die, and you him. And then you carry someone that he will do anything to protect, provide, and care for. How special is that?

It’s beautiful, really. The idea that God allows us to be apart of the creation process, and how we can became pregnant with the child of someone we adore.

My baby was born looking like both of us. I see his nose, my skin, his dimples, and my hair. This is my husband’s child (mine too of course), but something about her being the man I love’s child and I being the woman he chose to have her with…There’s honor to that.

The fact of the matter is that my husband is blessed for having this child.

Scripture says so:

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Proverbs 127:3-5

The Word compares our child with an arrow in the hand of a warrior and says that my husband is blessed for having her.

To carry the child of a blessed man that I became one flesh with, who I vowed to live the rest of my days respecting, submitting to, and loving. To feel her growing in my womb and kicking me as we both lay our hands on my belly, knowing she is the result of our sacred covenant before God.

It fills me with an immense amount of gratitude.

And when I look into her beautiful face, it reminds me that God knitted together her soul because two became one. I see the man I love reflected back at me in the smallest details.

To give birth to the child of the man that God joined me to is an honor that I don’t take lightly. I was chosen to be his wife and we were chosen to be her parents. And that will always feel sacred to me.

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Recent Journals

As I’ve gotten older, the “magic” of Christmas has felt different. Over the last few years, I’ve adjusted my view of Christmas to be not so focused on the material things.

Christmas has a way of drawing us into the heart of what truly matters: faith, family, and the warmth of cherished friendships. Inspired by the timeless story of Little Women, a “Little Women’s Christmas” focuses on simplicity, heartfelt connection, and Christ at the center. Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate this holiday season with the spirit of love, reflection, and fellowship.

Jesus at the Heart of It All

The heart of Christmas is Jesus, the ultimate gift of love. Begin your celebration with a quiet moment of reflection or a family devotional. Reading the Nativity story from Luke 2 together can be a grounding moment, especially before the busyness of the day begins. If you’re celebrating with friends, invite them to join in singing carols that tell the story of Christ’s birth—songs like “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” never fail to stir hearts.

Make room for prayer, gratitude, and sharing about how Jesus’ love has shaped your year. These conversations not only deepen your faith but also remind everyone why we gather: to honor Him.

The Joy of Family Traditions

The Little Women sisters shared a close bond that many of us long to cultivate with our own families. This Christmas, consider setting aside time for simple traditions that foster connection. Baking together is a wonderful way to slow down and savor the season—whether you’re making sugar cookies, gingerbread, or a beloved family recipe. Let laughter and flour spills be part of the joy.

If your family enjoys storytelling, recreate the March sisters’ tradition of putting on a small play or reading aloud. Choose a Christmas story that emphasizes giving, kindness, and hope, echoing the themes of the season.

Don’t forget to exchange thoughtful, handmade gifts. They don’t need to be perfect; the effort and love behind them make them meaningful.

Inviting Friends into the Celebration

In Little Women, friends and neighbors were part of the family circle, reminding us that Christmas isn’t just about blood relatives—it’s about building community. Open your home to close friends for a cozy gathering filled with meaningful conversation and shared memories.

Host a simple potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish that reminds them of Christmas past. As you enjoy the meal, take turns sharing what you’re grateful for this year. This creates a space of gratitude and joy that echoes the love Jesus calls us to share.

For a creative touch, set up a Christmas craft station where friends can make ornaments or handwrite cards to exchange. These small acts of creativity bring out the childlike wonder of the season.

Living the Spirit of Christmas

A “Little Women’s Christmas” isn’t about extravagance or perfection; it’s about grounding yourself in what matters most—Jesus, family, and friends. It’s about choosing to slow down, connect deeply, and let love and gratitude shine through every aspect of your celebration.

This year, as you gather with those you hold dear, remember the message of Christmas: God’s love sent to earth. Let that love guide your heart, your home, and your holiday.

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A Christmas Activity: How to Make a Dried Orange Garland

A dried orange garland is a beautiful, simple decoration that adds a rustic, timeless touch to your “Little Women’s Christmas.” It’s a wonderful way to bring natural elements into your home and create a cozy, handmade atmosphere.

Supplies Needed

• Oranges: 3-5 (depending on the length of your garland)

• Sharp Knife

• Baking Sheet

• Parchment Paper

• Twine or String

• Needle: Large enough for threading twine

• Optional Decorations: Cinnamon sticks, star anise, greenery (like pine or rosemary), or beads

Tips for a Long-Lasting Garland

• Store your garland in a dry, cool place when not in use to preserve its appearance.

• Consider lightly spraying the garland with clear craft sealant to extend its lifespan.

• For a more fragrant garland, add dried apple slices or tie small bundles of herbs like rosemary or lavender to the string.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oranges

Preheat your oven to 200°F (90°C). Slice the oranges into thin, even slices, about 1/8 inch thick. Pat the slices dry with a paper towel to remove excess juice.

2. Bake the Oranges

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the orange slices in a single layer. Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping the slices every 30 minutes to ensure they dry evenly. The oranges are done when they feel dry to the touch and are slightly translucent.

3. Cool and Prepare for Assembly

Remove the orange slices from the oven and let them cool completely. Once cool, they will be firm and ready for threading.

4. Assemble the Garland

Thread a long piece of twine or string through the eye of a large needle. Carefully poke the needle through the flesh of each orange slice near the rind to prevent tearing. Space the slices evenly along the twine.

5. Add Optional Decorations

For a festive touch, thread cinnamon sticks, star anise, beads, or sprigs of greenery between the orange slices. This will add texture and fragrance to your garland.

6. Hang and Enjoy

Tie loops at both ends of the twine for easy hanging. Drape the garland over a mantel, along a window frame, or around your Christmas tree.

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Written by Jennifer Brallier. Follow her on Instagram for more great content.

• Want to feature your article on one of our journal issues? Just email founder@younghomemakersclub.com today!

• Interested in reading Little Women? Get the book or gift it to your friend this holiday season!

Recent Journals

Love, Anastasia Hounnou

The story of how I found out I had life in my womb begins on what I thought was a typical Saturday. I missed my cycle by one day, but it was a common occurrence for it to fluctuate. I knew better than to get my hopes up and think that I was pregnant. I just couldn’t be pregnant.

But, silly ol’ me decided to grab a cheap pregnancy test while I was grocery shopping at Walmart just in case.

I came home and took the test, but nothing came up on the little window of the pregnancy test. I figured it was a faulty test and just threw it away. I didn’t want to waste another test, so I just saved the other pregnancy test in the package and went on with my day.

Later came, and as I was using the restroom, I had an inkling to look to my side in the trash and see if a line came up…and too my shock, I saw a strong cross on the pregnancy test. I grabbed the test out of the trash and my stomach flipped. There’s no way this was correct. So I took another test, and this time the cross came immediately.

I went out to my husband and told him, “babe, come in here.”

And we both just looked at the two pregnancy tests. Our hands over our mouths in disbelief.

I told him that they were probably just evaporation lines. They’re cheap tests anyways, their probably wrong…the whole time praying to God that I was actually pregnant, but not wanting to get my hopes up.

I told him I was going to run to Walmart quick to grab a digital test so I could confirm.

I came back 20 minutes later and fell into my husband’s arms and sobbed. I wanted to be pregnant so bad, but I was afraid to take the test and get another disappointment—another time God telling me “not yet.” So we just prayed and listened to worship music before I took the digital test.

Once I felt at peace at either outcome, I went into the bathroom and took the test. My only regret is not recording this moment (again, I really didn’t think I was pregnant).

I waited for what felt like hours as the digital test took it’s time loading the results, the longest three to five minutes of my life…and there it was.

The word I prayed to God for years to see on a test.

Pregnant.

I went out to my husband who was doing the dishes and told him, “babe, I’m actually pregnant.”

He rushed to me and held me as I sobbed a deep cry from the pits of my soul. I was carrying life. A life that came from the love I shared with my husband.

I cried and cried. I was in a state of shock for days.

We went to a doctor to confirm if I was actually pregnant, and I was. We were overjoyed (and still are).

This is the start to my journey of motherhood.

I hope you will follow along as I share the rest of it, and what I learned along the way as I was pregnant for the very first time.

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Recent Journals

Can I be 100% honest about something?

The word “homemaker” has been annoying me recently, and here’s why. Homemaking culture on social media has become an aesthetic that many women are trying to achieve. It has been conflated with homesteading, farming, and dressing like you’re from a different era. It has made some women prideful, thinking they are better than others simply because they make everything from scratch and don’t work outside the home. Others believe they must be silent in their marriages—never voicing opinions, concerns, or needs—in order to be submissive (a biblical concept that I believe in). Still others envy a life they don’t currently live or can’t afford. And some have fallen into the trap of thinking that becoming a cookie-cutter caricature of a person is what makes them godly.

I’m tired of it altogether, and I don’t want to be associated with that mindset.

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Here are a few things I’ve grown in over the last couple of years:

Working:

I don’t think it’s wrong for a woman to work and help provide income for her family. Whether or not you work should not be dictated by an influencer who says it’s sinful for women to do so. Work is good, and it doesn’t have to mean being gone 10 hours a day. If you and your husband agree that working makes sense for a season, so be it. Ideally, it’s wonderful if you can work from home or in a way that doesn’t hinder your role as a wife and mother—but that isn’t always possible. Sometimes two incomes are a blessing for certain seasons, and that’s okay.

The real questions are:

• What matters most to my family right now?

• Is my work hindering my role as a wife and/or mother?

• Am I harming my children by working?

…all good questions to ask yourself and your husband.

Education:

I believe that education is never wasted. It doesn’t have to be through college, but if you choose that route, your knowledge can still benefit your home and family (just avoid debt as much as possible). Education can equip you to homeschool, support your husband’s career, or even provide high-paying work-from-home opportunities. Educating yourself does not make you a feminist, man-hating woman. And you can still be feminine and highly educated.

Cleaning:

Managing a home well includes delegating. Some seasons may require you to take on more, and other seasons may require you to ask for help. Routines and communication are key. You do not get holy points by burdening yourself with taking care of every single thing in your home to the point that it drives you to extreme exhaustion or resentment. Yes, working hard and being busy in your home is a good thing, but don’t neglect your well-being!

Cooking:

Cooking from scratch is wonderful, but it’s not the only way to be a good wife or mother. God has allowed us to live in a time where quality prepared foods exist. Hard pregnancies, busy seasons, or health challenges may require flexibility—and that’s okay. Feeding your family well matters more than perfection or trying to keep up with a status quo that you must make everything yourself to be a good wife or mother. I don’t think that homemaking accounts are actually saying this, but sometimes things are implied that might make you feel a type of way. Don’t give into that temptation and just do the best that you can with the time and energy that you have.

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Today’s journal includes a guest article by , a homemaker, homeschooler, and writer living in the Ozarks with her husband and two boys. Her work has appeared in several conservative and faith-based outlets and focuses on recovering the beauty and order of traditional femininity and family life. I have been a personal fan of Isa’s for a while. Thank you for this beautiful article, Isa!

Here’s the secret about what it takes to be a “good homemaker.”

In the world of homemaking content, it can often feel utterly overwhelming to consume content aimed at helping you improve.

Routines. Meal planning. Hacks. Content designed to encourage can often leave us more aware of our deficits than encouraged to develop new strengths.

The plethora of videos and photos circulating around online can often seem tailor-made to make us feel terrible about our own homes or convinced we’re just not cut out for homemaking, since other women often seem to have things that we sorely lack.

When our day-to-day reality often feels like we’re Sisyphus (or the subject of Paris Paloma song), sometimes nothing can feel more demoralizing than trying to improve.

Pretty soon, we’re fully convinced that maybe we just don’t have the skills, resources, time, or support to be a “good homemaker.”

And while much could be said about the characteristics of a “good homemaker,” this term is incredibly relative at best — and toxically problematic at worst.

Do you want to know a secret?

You already have everything it takes to be a good homemaker.

This is because your most valuable asset as a homemaker is you, babes!

You, just as you are, are a complete, full, made-in-God’s-image human being, and a female human being at that. Woman was given to the human race to animate and perpetuate it, just as we are. What a blessing!

When God created Eve for Adam, He put the final, crowning, glorious touch on humanity and thus, fulfilled and completed Adam’s otherwise lonely life.

“And the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken from man,” an elated Adam said of his wife in the first recorded human words in Scripture. Isn’t that amazing?

The fact that you are a woman, even if you’re not a wife, is more than enough to qualify you as a “good” homemaker. Trust me.

No, I’m not saying all you need to do is show up and sit around being female, by any means.

What I am saying is that you can’t be disqualified from any of the factors that you believe are holding you back from being a “good” homemaker.

What’s more, no matter how solid your routine, big your house, or wealthy your family is, the most important aspect of being a homemaker is your presence in and commitment to the home.

Productivity, space, and routines can never replace the warmth and humanity of a loving wife, mother, or female family member.

Greeting your children with love when they wake up in the morning, welcoming your husband home after a long day, pitching in to help your parents around the house, or just being there as a listening ear to your roommates is worth more than all the homemaking skills in the world.

The reason that homemaking is so important is that when a woman decides to primarily focus on the time-honored art of creating a home, she commits to animating it with her presence.

Your dedication to creating a home, your belief that this work matters, your understanding of what a home really is, these are the things that make for a “good” homemaker.

These are the things that will continue to motivate you to tend to the mundane, daily tasks, to put love and attention into your recipes, to be a loving wife, mother, daughter, or friend.

As author Sally Clarkson writes, “Today when you nurture, love and meet the needs of your beloveds with beauty, it will make a difference in how they face their whole day.”

The most valuable asset you have as a homemaker is the heart you have for your role and what that means to those who dwell in your home.

There’s lots of time to improve your skills, learn more hacks, grow in self-discipline, and these things will come with time, patience, and practice.

But every single day you are more than equipped for the role you’ve been given.

You are an image-bearer of God, a woman, a homemaker.

Keep house accordingly, sisters!

By , A Homemaker’s Manifesto

Classic Homemade Apple Pie

The scent of cinnamon, butter, and baked apples — a reminder that the best homemaking moments are found in simple, loving traditions.

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Welcome to Week 11 of the Young Homemakers Club Book Club!

Each week, you’ll find everything you need to dive into our current read:

• Chapters of the week

• Access to the YHC Book Club Kit

• Exclusive bookmarks (downloadable + printable for paid members)

• Discussion questions to spark conversation

• Fun polls

• The Zoom link for our live calls
  … and more!

Hello ladies! We had such a wonderful time at our last Zoom call discussing the last two weeks of reading, going over discussion questions, and chatting about the final parts of the book. Angel, who revealed her true name Sarah to Michael, has found her way home, and is now at peace and can be loved by her family. We have the epilogue left to read, so let’s find out what happens next in Sarah’s story with this weeks reading!

Don’t worry if you haven’t caught up yet, there is plenty of time to catch up before the next Book Club meeting. Our next Zoom call will be on Thursday, November 20th, at 7:00pm CST. I am excited to see you all then and look forward to discussing this week of reading!

Xoxo,
Anastasia Hounnou

Chapter Focus:
Epilogue

Themes:
Forgiveness, reconciliation, the transformative power of love, enduring commitment.

We’ve put together a Redeeming Love–themed YHC Book Club Kit to make Season One of the YHC Book Club simple, fun, and unforgettable!

Inside, you’ll find our curated favorites for this book. Beautiful notebooks, cozy reading lights, highlighters, pens, and more.

Everything you need to fully enjoy your reading journey with us!

Shop Book Club Kit

Paid subscribers can download and print the exclusive YHC Bookmark Pack—designed just for our book club!

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If your email is cutting this off, read the full newsletter here.

An important skill for the homemaker is the ability to romance our lives, to view life romantically. This isn’t maintaining a giggle-bubble, the often-confused-with-love romance, but it does have a similar softening and gentleness. It is not so much the overused ‘80s filter that turned the man and woman staring into each other’s eyes all fuzzy. It’s more like the snow and petals constantly drifting about in Legend. (Watch it. You now have homework.) Romanticizing our life and work has a bit of grit and cleverness in the gentleness. It is a choice to be comforting and merry when we could be cold and harsh. It is a choice for beauty, not just utility.

So what is this skill? Why is it important? How do we grow it?

What

This took me a bit to work out because I’m a habitual romanticizer of life. My favorite books, my daydreams, my whole being leans towards the romanticization of my world. From Anne of Green Gables to Louis L’Amour to my love of meaty descriptions, I’ve been at this for so long that I may as well try to define myself.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “romanticize” means to make romantic or treat as idealized or heroic, to present details, incidents, or people in a romantic way. “Romantic” is defined as marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized.

Romanticizing our homes as the maker of the home is to intentionally layer imagination over our work. We cook our families a hearty stew, knowing we aren’t the first or the last woman to stand over the heat and stir. Lean into that feeling. Imagine all the women behind you stirring, stirring, stirring, and all the women before you doing the same. Let that fill you with joy and determination (cheering strength and merry durability). This is working our gardens so that they please the eye. I’m slowly creating spaces where, if you squint, seeing a fairy would not be shocking. Even folding laundry, you can romanticize as you feel the fabrics, smooth the wrinkles, tidy corners, and make things once dirty chaos clean, fresh and ready.

To romanticize our lives is to notice. Notice the different bird songs or your hens’ different clucks. Notice green buds. Stop and look at trees. Notice bubbles, the smell of bone broth, and the feel of textures. Notice the smell of coffee, the rise of steam, the swirl of creamer. Notice the way a beer pours into a glass with a swirl of foam and liquid. Notice tiny wildflowers. Notice the art on your walls. Notice the feel of fresh sheets and towels. Notice a favorite meal. But don’t just notice, notice with joy and determination.

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Why

If we want to avoid the three homemaker plagues—boredom, burnout, and bitterness—romanticizing our life is one of the tools we use. When we’re on a heroic adventure to defeat the dragon who has hoarded all the dirty laundry, we’re much less likely to be bored. (Compose your own story. Maybe you’re a woman on the prairie or a maid in the scullery. Imagination and storytelling are wonderful ways to spice up the day.) When we have homemaker dreams (I want a pretty clothesline), we’re much less likely to be burnt out. When we attend to our small corner of the world with joy and determination, we’re not as prone to bitterness. When we’re re-arming our men for their next battle, we tend to love and not bicker. When we remember we’re raising the next generation of eternal souls, we tend to take time with our children. When we view our work as sheltering, we tend to welcome others in. Romanticizing our life is part of the equipment we employ, on purpose, intentionally, to keep at bay the nagging temptation to abandon our labors.

How

I hate to totally un-romanticize romanticizing our lives, but we grow this perspective through hard work. We train and build mental habits. The good news is that training for a romantic life is fun.

• Magazines: Look for publications that specifically inspire romance in your life like Bella Grace, Victoria Magazine, Homemade Homesteading, Homegrown, and this one.

• Books: Feed your mind with books like Anne of Green Gables, Rembrandt is in the Wind, The Last Unicorn, Watership Down, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, and always keep an eye out for Tenders in unexpected settings (like Howl’s Moving Castle).

• Movies: Studio Ghibli always presents domestic situations with love and charm and coziness. The Last of the Mohicans is written, filmed, and scored with a romantic lens. Seek out a feeling of romancing life more than a chick-flick type romance. I mentioned Legend. It is a fairy tale filmed with as much fairy as they could stuff in it.

• Playlists: Curate a playlist that inspires joy and determination. I have several that I use depending on my mood. Don’t hesitate to steal other homemakers’ playlists. I often listen to gingermaesmith’s foxfire waltz.

• Memorization: While I highly recommend memorization as part of all our Bible Study, the memorization of poems also builds our minds and fills them with loveliness. Every day things spark a recitation of delight. This is a great way to accomplish the next point.

• Beauty: Keep beauty before you always. Train yourself not to walk past beauty but to see it. Notice art, form, sunlight on the floor, and muddy toes. Notice the seasons. Hang light-catchers and bird feeders. Notice details, not just the big flowering bush, but the tiny white flower hidden in the grass. Nature is a great way, a must for romancing life. So is art in all its forms: paintings, photography, stories, drawing, architecture, and more. We need to study beauty, both high and low, and fill our homes with it. We are domestic artists after all.

• Privacy: This is one I’ve been pondering on a lot as I’ve withdrawn from more and more social media. My life doesn’t need to be an open book. Full transparency isn’t required for authenticity. Some things are meant just for me or just for us. It’s like noticing the details. Some details won’t be noticed by visitors until they’ve been around several times. That’s okay. A life romanced isn’t a life that has to lay all the dirt out to feel real. A romantic life is a temperate life, not overindulging in good and certainly not constantly laying out the bad. A romantic life is a life of decorum and politeness. Yes, we want to be genuine, but being genuine doesn’t demand ugliness.

One Time Support

Romancing life requires us to notice all the beautiful details God is weaving into our lives. It is hard to do this if we have to instantly share those details with the world. We’ve programmed ourselves to be more concerned with the sharing than the noticing.

Learning to romance our lives is a great way to combat day-in and day-out anxiety. As funny as it seems, some of us don’t just struggle with anxiety over the big things, but even over our small domestic duties. (I’m laughing at myself.) Romanticizing these duties can ease anxiety. Mystie Winckler in Simplified Organization calls this changing your story. Dumbledore describes it as: Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. This is holding up the phial of Galadriel filled with the light of the Silmaril tied on Eärendil’s brow, which is the last light of the Two Trees in Shelob’s Lair. (Yes, I’m a nerd, and that right there is romancing life.) Stay in the fight against anxiety and discouragement by turning on the light of romance.

The dishes are piling up, the laundry needs to be brought under control, and on and on and on the list goes. Take a deep breath and do the first thing. If you need that dirty pan for dinner, then breathe and only do the dishes. Narrow your view. Now, as you wash, daydream, or notice the bubbles, water, smells, and feel of what you’re doing. Notice just this one thing. This is a grand time to pray (watch out for prayers that turn into spiraling resuscitations of anxiety; instead, praise and practice thankfulness), sing, listen to music, talk with family and friends, listen to audiobooks or podcasts. Take note of the view out your nearest window and dream of how you could make it more idyllic. Take note of all the plants in your view, the birds, the sunlight, or the flickering candle. Romance your life.

Life is hard, ladies, and it requires grit. But! God is good. There is always beauty to be found if we look.

Article Written By , Founder of HearthKeepers

Herbed Chicken & Creamy Wild Rice Stew

A comforting bowl that turns an ordinary evening into something beautiful.

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Welcome to Week 10 of the Young Homemakers Club Book Club!

Each week, you’ll find everything you need to dive into our current read:

• Chapters of the week

• Access to the YHC Book Club Kit

• Exclusive bookmarks (downloadable + printable for paid members)

• Discussion questions to spark conversation

• Fun polls

• The Zoom link for our live calls
  … and more!

Welcome to Week 10 of Book Club ladies! We have a Zoom call this Thursday, and I am so excited to discuss these last two weeks of reading with you all. Angel has come home after being gone from Michael, and she has finally allowed herself to share love with him, after being redeemed by God’s unwavering love and grace. Does Angel choose to stay with Michael for good now? Let’s discuss at this week’s meeting!

Don't worry if you haven’t caught up yet, there is plenty of time to catch up before the next Book Club meeting. Our next Zoom call will be this Thursday, November 6th, at 7:00pm CST. I am looking forward to this week of reading and this Thursday’s Zoom call!

Xoxo,
Anastasia Hounnou

Chapter Focus:
Chapters 33-34

Themes:
Redemption, spiritual growth, finding purpose in service.

We’ve put together a Redeeming Love–themed YHC Book Club Kit to make Season One of the YHC Book Club simple, fun, and unforgettable!

Inside, you’ll find our curated favorites for this book. Beautiful notebooks, cozy reading lights, highlighters, pens, and more.

Everything you need to fully enjoy your reading journey with us!

Shop Book Club Kit

Paid subscribers can download and print the exclusive YHC Bookmark Pack—designed just for our book club!

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Halloween is approaching, so it’s the perfect time to share some spooky tips for the season. Follow these easy steps for a truly haunted home. Make sure you read until the end of the article before implementing them.

1. Disrespect your husband in front of family and friends.

There’s nothing quite as chilling to your husband as disrespect—especially in public. Call him out and show the people around you how much you obviously don’t care about his honor. The best part about this approach, it has a lasting effect and truly cuts deep. Your husband will think about it for a while.

2. Don’t support your husband’s dreams or his vision for the family. Tell him to work on something more realistic.

This goes right along with number one. All you have to do is tell him how unrealistic he’s being. Do this in front of family and friends, and you’ll really get the point across that you don’t believe in him and doubt his abilities to provide for your family.

3. Make your children more important than your husband.

Just like this step is number three, make your husband number three in your life by choosing to put your children and, even better, your father above him.

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Welcome to Week 9 of the Young Homemakers Club Book Club!

Each week, you’ll find everything you need to dive into our current read:

• Chapters of the week

• Access to the YHC Book Club Kit

• Exclusive bookmarks (downloadable + printable for paid members)

• Discussion questions to spark conversation

• Fun polls

• The Zoom link for our live calls
  … and more!

Hello ladies! We had such a wonderful time at our last Zoom call, discussing the most recent chapters, going over discussion questions, and chatting about what’s to come next. Angel has now found herself in Duke’s grasp since leaving Michael again. Will Angel be able to escape and find her way back to her husband, or will she continue to live her past life with Duke? Let’s find out in this week’s reading!

Don’t worry if you haven’t caught up yet, there is plenty of time to catch up before the next Book Club meeting. Our next Zoom call will be on Thursday, November 6th, at 7:00pm CST. I am excited to see you all then and look forward to discussing the next two weeks of reading!

Xoxo,
Anastasia Hounnou

Chapter Focus:
Chapters 31-32

Themes:
Community, faith, finding belonging, hope.

We’ve put together a Redeeming Love–themed YHC Book Club Kit to make Season One of the YHC Book Club simple, fun, and unforgettable!

Inside, you’ll find our curated favorites for this book. Beautiful notebooks, cozy reading lights, highlighters, pens, and more.

Everything you need to fully enjoy your reading journey with us!

Shop Book Club Kit

Paid subscribers can download and print the exclusive YHC Bookmark Pack—designed just for our book club!

Read more

By Contessa Larsen, The Etiquette District

Autumn is a wistful time of year. Leaf peeping, pumpkin everything, and chunky knits are much desired after hot sweaty summer days that seem to encroach into the ‘Ber’ months a bit too much. The cooler seasons also illicit such a nostalgic time of year.

The crisp, cool air draws in memories of our younger years playing in heaps of leaves, enjoying far too much cider, and riding bikes through the early nights with friends. And if you are like me, when you were a child you spent much time anticipating Halloween and all the festiveness that came with it. Whether it was bobbing for apples at a party, or coming up with the perfect costume for the big day, Halloween takes up a large portion of my autumn memories as a child. Childhood, as carefree as it was, is no longer reality. What is reality now is joyfully living a life for Christ and raising my children to do the same. With this new, beautiful reality comes the omission of things my husband and I believe displeases God such as places, events, people, and even holidays.

Halloween in the United States by tradition is a holiday to appease evil spirits because it was believed those very spirits could come back to life to harm people and their crops. The Catholic church ties religious practices to the holiday, celebrating as the beginning of their three day triduum where they use October 31 to remember their dead prior to their celebration of All Saints Day.

While running around in fun costumes is an entertaining practice on just about any other day of the year, our family makes a point to not take part in Halloween as the celebration of spirits, beloved or otherwise, simply doesn’t seem fit what God calls us to. God does not call us to celebrate death, but life: Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It is also written in Philippians 4:8 “..whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think of such things.” The celebration of death, the fear of the dead, and the exaltation of saints just does not fit into a Christ followers festive agenda.

Instead, we pull from scripture other ways to appreciate the season.

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A few years ago I began to truly wonder what the holidays we celebrated in our youth were about and why we celebrated them. I quickly learned that instead of the pagan or secular holidays my husband and I were brought up on, we could and should be recognizing the ones that are biblically accurate

Autumn has become this celebratory, reverent, reflective, and repentant season for us now. This year, October 3 Rosh Hashanah, or The Feast of Trumpets, began our ten days of repentance that culminated on October 12, Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. During this time our family ate our weight in challah, honey and apples, and heard our fair share of shofar blasts. These days, the Days of Awe, are meant to be spent doing a few things: fasting, spending time with loved ones and other followers of Christ serving His community, and reflective repenting. The children had a lot of fun! They crafted shofars from toilet paper rolls and just about any other crafty thing you can think of. We baked bread, and spent time with others playing and being so grateful for our lives together.

October 16-23 marks Sukkot, or The Feast of Tabernacles, where we remember God’s provisions and his unbending love for the Israelites while they were in the wilderness. We celebrate by popping a tent outside and eating, and possibly sleeping, inside it. This is a joyous time that the children really get excited about as it feels like a special camping trip-in our backyard. For our children, the emphasis is on Christ and His love for us as well as community and joy. And lots of treats, as per my children’s only request.

The New Testament does not call us to have to celebrate these holy days, but we do as it allows us to feel closer to Christ and His call for us to remember Him. Luke 9:23 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Having a new found lease on autumn celebratory events is all well and good, until your friends start looking at you as though you’ve begun speaking a strange new language. It is true, even many Christians happily will celebrate secular or pagan holidays.

So how do you kindly opt out of celebrating Halloween without alienating yourself or making your friends and loved ones feel like you are distancing yourself from them?

The best way I have learned to do this is to follow these simple tips:

• To ensure your loved ones do not feel left out of your life, invite them to everything. Keep in mind they may give these new events a pass considering they are so foreign to them and that is okay. The goal isn’t to force them to join, but rather include them by extending an invitation.

• Do not draw attention to how bad Halloween is, but rather how good the holy days are. We do this to be sure we aren’t quarreling with other believers, but instead allowing grace to take up space between us. Speak to your loved ones about why you celebrate these holy days and all the good that comes from it.

• Incorporate sweets. My children had one major concern with not celebrating Halloween. Would they now be without sweets? The holy days are all about the sweetness of God so have fun incorporating sweets like honey and tart apple pastries and apple stuffed challah into your days.

• Always approach your friends respectfully. Avoid talking down to them or belittling the season of learning they are in because you feel more knowledgeable than them. It is not a good look to put people down or be haughty or boastful.

• The simplest thing you can do is to kindly let them know you will not be celebrating and offer up an alternative that does not compromise your beliefs, but is festive as well.

The goal when approaching your loved ones in regards to your differences in beliefs is to give grace while also keeping your boundaries firm. There is no way to spin celebrating the dead as a way to glorify Christ as He is the one that is to be celebrated. The ability to be able to create beautiful memories with our children paired with honoring Christ is enough for us to truly have no issues omitting a secular or pagan holiday like Halloween from our autumn schedules. What makes the decision even sweeter is when we are able to share our new holy days with loved ones and show them love and grace if they choose not to partake.

Honey & Apple Challah Bread

A sweet reminder of God’s goodness and provision this season.

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