Worship and Prayer

Today we worship and pray. There are no tasks or duties for the household.

Offering Hospitality

Today, we offered hospitality to our friends for play group. I so enjoy baking and entertaining friends. It's a shame that it took so long to begin this wonderful treat for me. Have you considered entertaining some friends, lately? Not formal, elaborate fetes - just inviting someone over for tea and a simple pastry - these events belong in the routine of our lives. Connecting with others can transform a home, even if it be a humble cottage with two tiny vines along side.

A Party

Today's weekly social outing involves a birthday party. Then, we'll have cleaning this afternoon. It should be a busy, fun day. It helps that I actually enjoy cleaning.

Since our schedule is so tight, I hope to have more time for posting later today, during nap time. Unfortunately, this week has not been fruitful in this manner, but I have hopes for today.

Matins

Our matinal routine is as follows:

Feed and bathe the chinchilla
Turn on the computer
Sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" followed by, "Texas, Our Texas"
Open the blinds
Recite the Lord's Prayer
Silent Worship
Read the Proverb chapter of the day, and decide on the verse of the day
Read the New Testament passage of the day
Turn on the radio to music
Start the laundry
Update this blog, specifically the Proverb of the Day and the New Testament Passage of the Day

I keep to this specific sequence (with the possible exception of laundry, depending on weather and laundry pile) for a few reasons. I want to make sure that all of these things are attended to daily. I want them to become automatic, and that I do them comfortably without too much thinking about getting them done. Matinal prayer is the basis. If I can only accomplish one item on this list, it's the Lord's Prayer. Everything else is built around this, either added before or after it. I have other times during the day, such as vespers, with alternate routines. By having routine blocks of related tasks, I can get more accomplished in an organized manner. Also, I like the structure that it gives the children's lives. I like to think that they will have fond memories of a seamless order, of a mother who gracefully goes from song to prayer. Starting here provides a sense of freedom to the free time mid morning for daily, weekly, montly, seasonally or yearly duties. Occasionally, the Vintner's schedule or needs will trump my matinal routine. By missing it or reducing it, I appreciate how much more smoothly the days go when I do practice this routine. I also appreciate the block of time. I can add or subtract various blocks for what the day may hold. Instead of locking the whole day in a tight or rigid schedule, as I used to do, I have a flexible routine that provides a place and time for everything. This is my way of applicating the wisdom of Ecclesiastes: to everything there is a time and a season, a time to every purpose under heaven.

Project Day

Today is project day, but yesterday felt like it. Perhaps, I'll do my ironing today instead, and take the boys to the library. We don't have a schedule so much as a routine and a pattern. We can do whatever we like, whenever. Having a pattern just allots a time for everything, giving the opportunity to get everything accomplished. We're not rigid.

The other task on Wednesdays is a focus on needlework projects. I have quite a bit going on with that. Hopefully, I'll accomplish my goals there. Check the link at the sidebar for that blog.

Third Thursdays

On the Third Thursday of the month, our schedule is altered. Instead of just running errands, we also attend a meeting in the morning. That pushes our errands to the afternoon, and makes for a busy day. It's a challenging day as far as organizing goes, but it's a testament to how much organizing improves our day. It used to be that the meeting threw off our schedule so much, that nothing else could be accomplished. Now, we can fit it all into the day.

How did we get so organized? Well, the boys getting older was a big help. There's no magic with a newborn in the house; those are busy days. Once we passed that phase, matins was our key. Beginning the day with prayer, worship, a chapter of Proverbs and a New Testament Passage sets us off on the right foot. From there, we've been able to gradually add in more tasks, duties and activities, one at a time. Matins is the magic!

Project Day

Wednesday is Project Day here at the Cottage. Ostensibly, that means needlework projects, but it's more than that. It's the one day reserved for tasks that need to be done weekly, monthly, seasonally and yearly. Of course, those sometimes bleed into other days, or fit better elsewhere. However, I found that if I didn't set aside specific times to address larger projects or infrequent duties, then I'd get too bogged down in the daily work to get to them. I also think of it as my day to sharpen knives - a metaphor for sharpening my mind and my homemaking skills, well, and literally sharpening the knives in the kitchen.

Today, I need to begin work on the new sling for the baby. I need to sharpen knives. The windows could use a little washing, at least one or two. I could go on and on with making the list, but I should stop there. If the list is too long, then I'll get overwhelmed and not start. Plus, there's always next Wednesday. It's not like the projects are the only things needing attending today; there are still daily duties, like child care and cooking that are done regardless of the day of the week or year.

Ironing

Tuesday is our Ironing Day. I suppose I really don't need a whole day devoted to this task. I have an electric iron, and most of our clothing is knit wear. Even so, it's my favorite day, because ironing is my favorite duty. I wouldn't mind hours of ironing. Today I'll be doing two shirts, the fabric for an upcoming sewing project and napkins. I don't really have to do any of it, but I enjoy it so much.

We'll also be gone to a day game of minor-league baseball for much of the day. The boys should be exhausted after an outing with grandparents and mom. I expect a nice nap from them both, and I'll get my time then. If not, then I'll get in my pleasurable duty in the late afternoon. The Vintner will work late today, and pick up his own supper on the way home. He appreciates one night a week where he decides the menu. Therefore, I'm freed up from my supper cooking for his meal. As much as I love cooking, too, I defer to his comfort. I'll have a chance to replace one pleasure for another then. Even if I get my ironing done before then, I still have needlework to do. I may even get time to start that sewing project, of which I'll be ironing the fabric today. Such is the joy of our Tuesdays at the Cottage.

Washing and Wandering

On Monday, we have much washing to do. Since we have had so much spring rain, we haven't been able to hang our laundry out in a few days. It's piled up, and there's sunshine all day. While I could spend the whole morning catching us up, we have a therapy appointment for the boys. Instead, I'll spend that time driving all around, out and about. Then, there's tidying up and organizing after the weekend - the other Monday duty. Perhaps I'll get a break and catch my breath as the boys nap this afternoon.

Worship and Family

Today is our Family Day at the cottage. It's the day for worship, family and charity needlework. Other than the most basic work, preparing meals, there's no work today. It's time for silence.

Cleaning Day and Morning Calls

Friday is Cleaning Day at the Cottage Vineyard. In addition, we also pay (or host) our Morning Calls. Of course, we don't use such an old-fashioned term outside this blog, but it's the same practice. It's a social day, as well as cleaning up to get ready for the weekend. We'll also have time to get ready for Saturday's baking. It's a busy day, and occasionally I have additional shopping, if the outing takes us to a convenient location. I don't do all the shopping on Thursday, just because it's Thursday. I consolidate trips, to save time and fuel.

Cleaning is not what it once was, before children. Jane Austen said it best in "Persuasion": "A lady, without a family, was the very best preserver of furniture in the world." Now that I have two small boys, my furniture, and home, are not quite kept in the standard to which they were formerly. Perhaps, this blog will be just the impetus I need to return to my former ways.

Our social schedule easily removes two, or more, hours available from other tasks. When considering the other every day activities, Friday is easily one of the busiest days of the week. It's also going to be a test as to how much more organization can add to the productivity.

Shopping Day

Thursday is Shopping Day at the Cottage Vineyard. Today is the day for out-and-about errands, and not too much time at the cottage. The best part is returning home, and seeing what a beautiful home it is. From the inside, I sometimes forget how fortunate I am. When I see it from the outside, I remember my blessings.