We are the HearthKeepers, so where are our hearths? Why is important to know where your hearth is tangibly located in the home?

Check out this episode for some cozy encouragement!

And no we're not a book club, but books seem to keep coming up every episode.

Show Notes:

Intended for Pleasure by Ed and Gaye Wheat

The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

Sink Reflections by Maria Cilley

Article on Hearth Location

Join us for a discussion with our backup admin, Rachel Atterholt. She's a single homemaker who has only recently chosen to go down the path of homemaking. She's not only a big help in the group, but we think you'll find her story encouraging.

Show Notes:

-Moby Dick by Herman Melville

-In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick

-The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien

Welcome to Season 2! We're continuing our exploration of the foundations of homemaking from Season 1. Our starting point is the Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. If we wish to excel as homemakers and in our home management, we must utilize the classic Virtues. We’ll provide some definitions, quotes, and practical advice as we move through this episode. Please note that the afterthought is longer than normal, so this episode isn’t as long as it appears.

Join us as we share happy memories of Halloween celebrations, discuss what the holiday means for us as adults, and make practical suggestions about how to use the day in your homemaking.

Show Notes:

- Intended for Pleasure by Ed and Gaye Wheat

- Jeeves and Wooster series by PG Wodehouse

- Tolkien Dogmatics by Austin Freeman

- The Three Apologies by GK Chesterton

Holiday Menu Prepping:

We both felt having our moms on as guest speakers was important in our introductory season. This season is all about getting to know us and our goals. We would not be the women we are today without these two women standing behind us and serving alongside us.

We're very thankful they agreed and that we can share their wisdom with all of you. Recording this episode was an absolute delight. Enjoy!

Show Notes: (Lots of books.)

-Don't Waste Your Breath by Brian Borgman

-Living Life Backwards by David Gibson

-Nearing Home, Comforts and Counsel for the Aged by William Schenck

-The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

-The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson

-The Valley of Vision

-The Island of Stars by Carrie Brownell

-Watership Down by Richard Adams

-Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Merry Durability is mentioned several times. It was coined in this article.

Nothing builds or destroys our homes like our attitudes. In this episode, we'll discuss what we mean by attitude, what a good attitude is, what a bad attitude is, and how it affects our homes. We'll finish by making some practical suggestions on how to keep a good attitude about our homemaking.

Sarah shares her postpartum preparation, both for her home and herself. We thought it was important for her to share this while it was still fresh in her mind.

She'll talk about cooking and cleaning and then we'll dive into the aspects of identity loss that she's struggled with.

While not every homemaker will have these experiences, there is much to learn about ourselves as women, home management, and how to help one another in this episode.

Show Notes:

Happy as a Homemaker: Peaceful Postpartum Planning

Welcome to our first bonus episode! Please listen to Episode 1.4 Seasons for context. Here, we expand from the big picture of utilizing the seasons in our homes to the specific uses of the Autumn Equinox.

(Please pardon the dryer in the background. Andy did his best.)

Books Mentioned:

The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques

Because seasons will be a subject we return to regularly, we thought we should discuss the basics of the agricultural wheel and the value of being mindful of the seasons.

Show Notes:

Yes, Sarah had her baby.

-Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw

-The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman

-Tolkien Dogmatics by Austin Freeman

-Living Life Backwards: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David Gibson

-Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Around by Myquillyn Smith

-Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

Now that the introductions are done, we're going to get started by discussing the foundation of our homemaking: Tending our People!

If you don't have this as your beginning and your support, you'll never endure in the work of HearthKeeping.