Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

In this episode, I am chatting with Bess Hawthorne, seasoned homemaker and host of the Come Over for Dinner Podcast, about her experience keeping a home for the last 29 years. She shares her journey of raising 5 kids and juggling some homeschooling and some working out side the home during those years. We cover all the usual ground of beginnings, influences, priorities, challenges and more—she has one of the best homemaker fail stories I’ve heard yet! 

Bess offers some great ideas for inviting kids into homemaking and she draws from her own experience and her podcast guests’ suggestions to give lots of hot tips for recipes and hospitality. 

NOTES & LINKS

Apply or Nominate a Friend to Be Out Guest this Fall! Deadline, August 13, 2025

Episode Companion Blog Post for all links, resources and recipes

Connect with Bess Podcast Website | Instagram 

Allison's Interview on Come Over for Dinner

Mentioned in this Episode

• Bible Reading Challenge
• Robert Murray M'Cheyne Reading Calendar (RMM)
• Bess' favorite homemaking resource: Technavorm Mocha Master KDT coffee pot
• Signature Dish: Chicken & Rice

Call to Action Homework

What ONE idea are you going to implement from today's episode? 

I'd love to hear about it! Send me a text using the link above, or send me an email,  or share with the FB group in Homemaker Forum. 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

In last Wednesday’s episode, Creating a Learning Environment in the Home with Lyndsey Mimnagh, I promised you some more information on nurturing your own love of learning through various practices of Homemaker Culture. 

I’ve already covered the basics of this concept in Monday Motivation #6, Homemaker Culture and Seasonal Creativity. I will link that below. 

In this episode, I’m going to expand on the topic, explaining how nature study and nature journaling can foster a love of learning and strengthen a sense of wonder in your own spirit. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why? 7 Benefits of Nature Study for All
• How? Engaging the Senses to Optimize Your Nature Time, No Matter How Short
• Documenting & Learning with a Nature Journal or Cabinet of Curiosities
• Suggested Resources

NOTES & LINKS:

• Companion Blog Post with All Resources and Printable PDF Nature Study Guide

• Monday Motivation #6 | Homemaker Culture, Cultivating a Creative Life
• Homemaking Deep Dive | Creating a Learning Environment in the Home with Lyndsey Mimnagh

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

Today, I am chatting with Lyndsey Mimnagh of Treehouse Schoolhouse, about how to create learning environments in the home. Whether you are a homeschool family or not, you will find value in this discussion. 

Topics:

• Lyndsey's Story: A few homemaker portrait basics and how her passion for preserving the wonder of childhood lead to home education and the birth of Treehouse Schoolhouse.
• How values shape the home environment and vice versa
• Practical suggestions for setting up environments that promote learning and wonder throughout the home
• Learning together through regular daily tasks
• Filling up Your Inspiration Tank: Cultivating a love of learning in yourself 

NOTES & LINKS

Mail Bag:

• "3 Reasons I am Still a Homemaker in the Empty Nest," by Susan Macias
• "An Empty Nester Homemaker and Her Immeasurable Value," by Christa Sterken

Connect with Lyndsey

Treehouseschoolhouse.com | Shop | Blog | Instagram |YouTube 

Discount Code for Art of Home Listeners: ARTOFHOME15 for 15% off your total order. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promos. Expires six months after episode release.

Recommended Resources:

• The Daily Rhythm Bundle
• Family Bible Curriculum, Vol 1, Rooted & Vol 2, Flourish
• Holiday Studies

Free Resources:

• Book Lists
• Homeschooling Helps

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

Many times my guests and I have discussed the importance of having good tools to work with in the kitchen. As with any art form, the tools you use to practice the art of home will have a direct impact on the quality of your work. That's not to say you can't get good results with poor tools, but you will have to work a lot harder to get those results. 

In this Monday Motivation, I'm sharing my suggestions for essential kitchen tools that are worth the splurge for higher quality. 

NOTES & LINKS

Knives:

• Here's a good set that includes a chef and paring knife
• Serrated Bread Knife

Skillets: start with a 10", then add 12-14" and an 8"

• Stainless Steel
• Cast Iron 
• Enamel Coated Cast Iron

Dutch Oven: I recommend 5-7 quart capacity, depending on family size

• uncoated cast iron
• enamel coated cast iron: budget option, splurge option

Stand Mixer

• Kitchen Aid, Professional
• Bosch, highly recommended for bread dough
• Cuisinart, a good all-purpose budget option
• Ankarsrum, very pricy, but has great reviews, not available on amazon

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

I am chatting with in-the-trenches homemaker, Cara Semler, about her experience of keeping a home for the last 10 years with husband, Ross. Cara was deeply influenced by the beautiful, calm home her mother kept and wanted that for her own home; she just didn’t realize how much discipline would be required on her part to follow in her mother’s homemaking footsteps. 

Cara also shares her struggle to trust the Lord with her desire to own a home and how she learned to embrace homemaking even as a renter. As usual we talk about Cara’s homemaking wins, fails, tips and recipes. AND…. 

I am pulling out some Historical Homemaking Hints for you…we haven’t done those in a while! I hope you enjoy them. 

NOTES & LINKS

Register for Summer Book Club! Read and study JR Miller's Homemaking with us. June 11-Aug 6, 2025, 7:00am-8:00am CDT over Zoom. Meetings will be recorded and sent out to all registrants in case you miss a meeting. theartofhomepodcast.com/bookclub

HHH: Sunset's Host and Hostess Book, complied by Helen Krueger Muhs, 2nd edition, Lane Publishing Co, 1943, San Francisco, pp 148-149.

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

If you are looking for some summer reads, I’ve got you today. I want to share some of my favorites in several categories, so there will be something for everyone. 

I have recommendations for Classics, Cozy Mysteries, Historical Fiction, Children's Lit, Sci-Fi, and some non-fiction recommendations on Theology/Christian Living and Homemaking. 

Tell me your favorite summer reads so I can share them in the next newsletter! Text me using the link above. ⬆️

NOTES & LINKS

• Around the World in 80 Days | Jules Verne
• The Count of Monte Cristo | Alexander Dumas
• Emma | Jane Austen
• Lady Hardcastle Mysteries | TE Kinsey
• Ivy Hill Series | Julie Klassen
• Belgravia | Julian Fellowes
• The American Heiress  and Fortune Hunter | Daisy Goodwin
• Mary Poppins Series | PL Travers
• Mrs Piggle-Wiggle Series | Betty MacDonald
• Redwall Series | Brian Jacques
• Five Little Peppers | Margaret Sidney
• Stuart Little, Trumpet of the Swan, Charlotte's Web | EB White
• The Chronicles of Narnia | CS Lewis
• Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength (Ransom Trilogy) | CS Lewis
• Jesus the King | Tim Keller
• Even Better Than Eden | Nancy Guthrie
• None Like Him, In His Image | Jen Wilkin
• Eve in Exile | Rebekah Merkle
• My Dear Hemlock | Tilly Dillehay
• The Hidden Art of Homemaking | Edith Schaeffer
• No Ordinary Home; The Uncommon Art of Christ-Centered Homemaking | Carol Jo Brazo
• The Life-Giving Home, The Life-Giving Table | Sally Clarkson
• Homemaking | JR Miller

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

Summer is right around the corner and many of us are making summer travel plans. Jessica Fisher is back to share her knowledge on traveling with a large family on a small budget. 

We are going to focus mostly on international travel today, as that’s where Jessica’s experience is, but many of the concepts will apply to all sorts of travel. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Figuring out your motivation for travel and how to facilitate good family communication regarding travel plans and expectations. 
• Benefits of traveling together as a family and some specific benefits of international travel. 
• Researching & Organizing the Big 3: Transportation, Lodging & Food.
• Budgeting, Saving & Paying Cash for Vacation
• Vacation Homemaking: how to pack, stay organized and manage laundry on the road. 
• Good-to-Know & Things You Might Not Think About

NOTES & LINKS

Connect with Jessica

Instagram| @lifeasmomdotcom | @goodcheapeatsblog

Blogs 

•  lifeasmom.com for all the mom content 
• goodcheapeats.com for all the food and food savings content
• Follow her travels in Japan lifeasmom.com

Grocery Store Picnic e-book | Free for AoH listeners, use code "artofhome" at checkout at goodcheapeats.com

Family Travel Tips from Jessica at lifeasmom.com

Resources Mentioned

• Rick Steves for European Travel
• Lonely Planet Kids Travel Series, Not for Parents, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know 
• TripAdvisor 
• AAA International Driving Permit
• booking.com 
• packing cubes | Compression | Regular
• laundry detergent sheets
• compact elastic travel/camping clothesline

Register for Book Club! 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

Today, I am answering a listener question about how to make paper planners work in your homemaking. I will share 6 things I've learned to help paper and pen planning work for me. 

NOTES & LINKS

Planning a Week of Homemaking Blog Post from 2023 with free planner sheets

Join us for Summer Book Club! theartofhomepodcast.com/bookclub

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

We are going to tackle the 4th and final pillar of homemaking, Community, with homemaker and 2-time former guest, Sarah Beaugh.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Pillars 1-3 Quick Recap
• What is Community? How does God's Word help us understand community? 
• Different Types of Community. Does online community count?
• Obstacles to Healthy Community
• Why Community Matters for the Home & Homemaker
• Practical advice to find and foster community right where you are with the people God has placed in your life.

NOTES & LINKS:

REGISTER FOR SUMMER BOOK CLUB! theartofhomepodcast.com/bookclub

Jazz Playlist on Spotify

More from Sarah Beaugh

Connect with Sarah Beaugh on Instagram: @the.welcoming.home | @sarah.beaugh

Homemaker Portrait | Sarah Beaugh, The Art of Home Podcast

Deep Dive The Homeschooling Homemaker, The Art of Home Podcast

More on The Pillars of Homemaking

Access all episodes and related content on The Pillars of Homemaking page at theartofhomepodcast.com

Mentioned in this Episode

My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.

Today, we are wrapping up our series on Rhythms & Routines with a piece written  by former guest, Alecia Doty. Based on the Doty Family Plan she and her husband created, Alecia regularly creates a personal mission plan, or Rule of Life, informed the Word of God, to help her set and keep personal priorities in order. 

In this article, Alecia explains what a Rule of Life is and gives some pointers on how to create one. I follow up with some examples from a past rule of life plan that she shared with AoH readers. 

You can access Alecia's full example and a blank version for your plan at theartofhomepodcast.com/ruleoflife

NOTES & LINKS

More on Rule of Life from John Mark Comer https://practicingthewayarchives.org/unhurrying-with-a-rule-of-life/workbook

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

• Review | Love The Podcast
• Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support