Updated Flower Garden Pic

What is "Hidden Art"?

Edith Schaeffer describes "hidden art" as, "The art which is found in the 'everyday' of anyone's life."  She asserts that "each person has some hidden talent which is unfulfilled in some hidden area of his being, and which could be expressed and developed."

A few years ago, I was complaining to Marc about how I felt as if I had no time to do anything but dishes, laundry, meals, and keeping the kids from killing one other (this is still a problem, but not the point of my story).  After I was finished laying out all my woes, he asked a simple question that had me completely stumped: "What do you enjoy?  What would you like to do if you had time for it?"  I felt a little silly, but my honest answer was, "I don't know."  I was so caught up with the stresses of the mundane, that I forgot what I liked to do.  It had been a very long time since I had given any thought to it.  I had been in survival mode so long that I had forgotten how to imagine, invent, dream... I was on the treadmill of the mundane with no idea of what I would do if I ever got off.  (Honestly, at that point in my life, I didn't care what I did when I got off, I JUST WANTED OFF!) ;)

Marcus encouraged me to start thinking about what I enjoy or think I might enjoy, and start making time (little as it may be) for those things.  So, I did.  I read, wrote stories, sewed, gardened, made jewelry, did crafts with the kids, practiced the piano and the flute... and those were times of refreshing for me. Times where I felt like I actually accomplished something.

So, how did I make time for those things?  In the book, she says, "Developing a creative talent involves discipline, time, and energy- the balance of time is a constant problem.  One is always having to neglect one thing in order to give precedence to something else."  I don't know if anyone else can relate to this, but I lived so much by the standard of "work then play," that I never had time to play or create, because, let's face it, as wives and mothers, our work is never done.

There is a point that you have to say, "Enough." and go ahead and spend time doing something you enjoy, even thought there are dishes in the sink or laundry in the hamper.

Another very important point that Edith touches on is the thoughts of, "if only" and "someday."  "If only I weren't so tied down...someday when my kids are older.....when I have more time...when I have more money...when I retire....then I'll develop my love of music, gardening, painting, sculpting, sewing, baking...."  Someday sometimes never comes.  We must consider the very practical use of that talent today.  What is your talent, your "hidden art"?

In the next several chapters, Edith explores specific forms of art and how they may be developed and incorporated into everyday life.  Can't wait to explore each one!!

Kidmade Books!

 Kate's Book

I was at the local used book store yesterday looking for a particular board book, "Animal Sounds," for Charlie.  I had it when the girls were little, but can't seem to find it for this go around.  Unfortunately, they didn't have it; but when I got home, I thought that we could try to make our own animal sounds book.  I told Kate (our 6 year old) about my idea, and she went right to work!  I was thrilled because I had wanted her to work on her writing today anyway.  She carefully wrote, "The cat says, 'Meow,'" on the first page and drew a cat, and on and on she went!  Claire wanted to get in on the action, so she drew her versions of the animals.  Marc and I were in hysterics looking at Claire's pictures!  And Kate's book turned out so cute!  Ran over to Staples today to get them laminated and bound.  Keepsake forever (and Charlie might just learn his animal sounds)!

Side note: We went all out and got every page laminated, and Claire only drew on one side of each piece of paper, so it got expensive.  If I had to do it again, I would cut the papers in a little less than half so they can fit 2 on each sheet of laminate, or if you want to do it really cheap, just laminate the front and back cover! 

 Claire's Book

"The First Artist" Reflections on and Summary of Chapter One of "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" by Edith Schaeffer

Chapter Summary:

Who was the first Artist?  Who was the first to create beauty? The first words of the Bible state, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1. God was the first artist. He imagined the colors, sculpted the mountains, composed the music of the wind, ocean, and birds. He filled the earth with not only good things to eat, but things pleasant to look at. He designed the heavens: stars, moon, sun, galaxies seen and unseen.When we consider all that He has made, we can't help but notice that beauty matters to God.

Why does beauty matter to God? Why didn't He just create all things functional and practical? Because God's art communicates. It communicates something about who He is. "The heavens declare the glory (greatness) of God, and the skies show His handiwork." Psalm 19:1. There is something about seeing the beauty of creation that sparks awe and wonder. I have experienced this feeling of "awe" many times, but one time I remember in particular was when I visited Crater Lake for the first time. There was something about that place that absolutely took my breath away, and I couldn't help but wonder at the majesty of the One who created it.

When God created man, He said, "Let us make man in Our image" Genesis 1:26. It is an amazing thing to consider that we were made in the image of God. When I think of God, I think: loving, kind, good, faithful, forgiving...and I understand that I was created to be all those things, but for some reason, "creative" is not something that I remember that God is. We were made to be like him; we were made in the image of the Creator. Being creative actually demonstrates that we were made in His image!

Creating is not one of those optional things that we should let ourselves do only if everything "essential" is done.We were actually designed to create. It is part of who God made us to be, and when we create beauty, we are, on a smaller scale, "declaring the glory of God."

Reflection:

I really got a lot out of this chapter. When I realized that I was made to create, it confirmed what I was already thinking: creating really does keep me sane. It is essential, and I need to allow myself time to create. I get so caught up in what needs to be done that I forget to enjoy the journey. I think a lot of moms feel this way...that they don't have time to be creative...they are just surviving...I've been there (today I got all three kids bathed and myself a shower and consider that a MAJOR accomplishment!) ; but I've found that when I take the time to create beauty: when I practice the piano, cook something elaborate, sew a quilt, plant a garden, write out my thoughts...there is refreshing that takes place, and I can't help but feel like this is what I was made for.

The next chapter is called, "What is Hidden Art?"  Hopefully I'll get to that next week! :)

My First Blog Series! Working through, "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" by Edith Schaeffer

So, I've decided to go through a book, chapter by chapter, on my blog.  This is more for me than anyone else, but if you'd like to follow along with me, then be my guest! :)  The book is called, "The Hidden Art of Homemaking: Creative Ideas for Enriching Everyday Life" by Edith Schaeffer. 

The reason I chose this book is because I have found that in this life of the mundane, making time to create helps me to stay sane. ;)  In this book, not only does she give great practical ideas, she also gives the reasons behind why creativity and beauty are important. 

There are chapters on music, gardening, food, and writing (to name a few that I'm particularly interested in).  So, here it goes!  I'll be posting about the first chapter, "The First Artist" within the week (I hope!!!).  :)

Garden update

Almost totally done with planting.  Just waiting for my "Sweet Autumn Clematis" vine and Jasmine to come in. So fun to watch this change every day, and so glad it'll all be coming back bigger and better next year (yay for perennials!)!  :)

Pressing Flowers with MomMom

Today we spontaneously did a fun craft with my mom.  She and the girls had pressed flowers about a month ago when they were just starting to bloom, so we decided to open the flower press today to see how they turned out.

After ooohing and ahhhing over what we found, Mom brought out a couple of frames that she had gotten at the Goodwill, and the girls went to work creating their very own pressed flower arrangements.

Fun and easy craft!  The girls were so proud of what they had made!