The Art of Home: A Podcast for Homemakers

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In this Holiday Homemaking episode, I am featuring the Christmas memories, tips and recipes from Carrie Parker, Kerita Fuller, LeAnne Stadler, Darah Rogers and Alecia Doty.

In Holiday Homemaking Hints, I’m sticking with the 2024 gifting theme and will be sharing lots of stocking stuffer inspiration. After I give a little history on the legendary origin of Christmas stockings, I'll give you stocking stuffer ideas for foodies, kids, babies, teens and adults.

EPISODE NOTES & LINKS

Recipes & Resources Companion Blog Post (coming soon!)

Poem:
Paul Laurence Dunbar, "Christmas Carol," from The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar (Dodd, Mead and Company, 1922.) Public Domain.

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

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This first installment of Holiday Homemaking 2024 is a little different than past episodes. The first half of the episode is a mini deep dive on Advent with wife, mom, homemaker and author, Donna Amidon. She shares how her family practice of decorating a Jesse Tree throughout Advent transformed their celebration of Christmas and led to her new book, Tracing His Promise.

Then we jump into familiar Holiday Homemaking territory with Amanda Faucett's and Holly Tompkins' holiday stories of home, some holiday poetry and some tips from me on coordinating family or group gift giving. 

EPISODE NOTES & LINKS

Connect with Donna Amidon
Website | Instagram
Advent Book:
Tracing His Promise: Understanding the Bigger Story of Jesus and What That Means for Us

E. E. Cummings, "[little tree]" from Tulips & Chimneys. Copyright © 1923 by E. E. Cummings. Public Domain.

Gift Apps

• Elfster
• Gifster
• GoWish

Santa Surveys on Etsy

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

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As we head into the holiday season, many of you may be considering hosting opportunities that the season brings. Maybe you plan to host your first Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve dinner or perhaps a fun holiday themed party, or maybe, like our family, you have a few birthdays to celebrate this time of year. Whatever type of gathering you are hosting the difference between a happy hostess and a frazzled hostess is planning and prepping ahead. 

Join us for some motivating ideas for stress-free party planning and prep. I'm also sharing some of your feedback in today's mailbag segment.

EPISODE NOTES & LINKS

Give your feedback for the Mailbag! Use the One-Way Text Link above ⬆️⬆️⬆️

Halloween Tracts to Hand Out:

• Heidi Lee Anderson Ministries , Printable PDF, instant download, print as many as you need, $2.99
• Crossway, "A Pumpkin Tale" Halloween Handouts, physical product, pack of 25 for $4.25
• Etsy, Printable "Let Jesus Light Your Way" Tag for glow sticks , digital file, $5
• Etsy, Pumpkin Prayer Flipping Craft Card, digital file, $3.99

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

Send me a text about this episode!

First, I am chatting with ANOTHER Scottish homemaker, Jillian Johnson. Technically, she was raised in Canada by Scottish parents, she moved to Belfast, Ireland for midwifery school where she met a dashing Scottish medical student who was raised in England. They got married, had a baby, and now make their home in Scotland. We have the most delightful conversation about Jillian’s experience as a newbie homemaker, wife and mom. I adore her sense of humor and found myself smiling and laughing all over again as I did the editing of her segment.

Then I chat with Anna Murphy who stayed home for about 5 years with her daughter then taught school for 12 years before returning home full time in 2020. The Lord really changed Anna’s perspective about the importance of homemaking to draw her back home just in time for those crucial years of helping her teen daughter see the value in homemaking. With both of these ladies, we cover all the usual territory of strengths, weaknesses, expectations, fails, wins, resources and more.

In Allison's Update, I'm sharing my favorite Fall music and news about Holiday Homemaking 2024!

EPISODE LINKS & NOTES

Allison's Update

• Fall Feels Playlist
• Spooky Grooves Playlist
• Gratitude & Remembrance Playlist

Connect with Anna Murphy
Instagram @annadesalvomurphy

Rawlings, Marjorie. "It Isn't Work." Songs of a Housewife, edited by Roger L Tarr, University Press of Florida, 1997. p. 106.

Detailed ShowNotes in the Next Newsletter (it's FREE)
Subscribe: theartofhomepodcast.com/subscribe

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

Send me a text about this episode!

I realize for some believers this holiday is off limits due to their past and or their conscience before the Lord. I respect that because, while we all have freedom in Christ, each one of us should do as the Holy Spirit directs us. If that's you, feel free to skip this episode.

For those of you who are on the fence or haven’t really considered how Christians should think about Halloween, I'd like to present one perspective in today's episode. Is this really "the devil's day" and are we violating scripture by handing out candy? 

It is my prayer that this episode will encourage you to fear not, but rather seek the Lord's will for your family's participation (or not) in Halloween. 

I am also giving some practical suggestions for fun couples and family costumes as well as my (new) favorite fall candies.

🎃 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
 -John 1:5

EPISODE NOTES & LINKS

Fall Favorites: Clean Candy
Unreal Coconut Bars
YumEarth lollipops and hard candy
ChocXO Cups

Halloween Hospitality
Scripture References

• Hebrews 2:14-15
• 1 Peter 5:8
• John 1:5
• 2 Timothy 1:7
• Proverbs 19:23

"Halloween and Christians: An Opportunity with Jimmy and Kelly Needham," Family Life Today Podcast, October 4, 2024
  Apple | Spotify 

Newsletter Series on Acts of Courageous Homemaking
#1 Be Informed by Trusted Sources
#2 Keep the Home Fires Burning, Homemaking in a Spiritual War Zone

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

Send me a text about this episode!

I've got TWO great stories of home for you today! First I am chatting with Maryela Soto-Portillo who has been keeping a home for 15 years. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New Jersey, she now makes a home in Florida with her husband, 2 children, and her mother. Maryela works part time, homeschools her children and has dreams of opening a homeschool co-op to help other busy moms make homeschooling work for their families. 

Then, I visit with Amanda Faucett who has been keeping a home with husband, James, for 23 years. She just launched her son from the nest and will be launching her daughter in less than 2 years. Amanda and I have a great conversation about living in a somewhat politically divided home. It’s not a topic that comes up often, but it is her experience and she has some great insights to share.

I will also be sharing a couple answers from last Monday's question of the week about favorite fiction books and giving you my answer to that question. Enjoy and don't forget to use the chapter markers to hop around and find you place later if you need to listen in more than one go. :)

EPISODE LINKS & NOTES

Allison's Update, Books Mentioned

• The Mitford Books by Jan Karon
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
• The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

Send me a text about this episode!

In our recent deep dive episode on the informed homemaker, Isa Ryan and I discussed the value of exposing ourselves to great literature because it helps train our minds in the art of story-telling. If you are intimidated by tackling the classics or fear you'll never finish without encouragement, might I suggest a book club?

I'm on year 4 of a virtual book club with friends and this December we will have conquered over 50 classics together!

In this episode I'm sharing 5 ways great literature will help you be an informed homemaker and 5 steps to start and maintain a virtual book club.

EPISODE NOTES & LINKS

Deep Dive Episode: The Informed Homemaker with Isa Ryan

Conquering the Classics Book List and Questions will be in the Newsletter this Friday. Subscribe below

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

Send me a text about this episode!

I've got another 2-for-1 Double Homemaker Portrait Episode for you!🏡🏡

First we will hear from Jennifer Crozier in my first interview with a homemaker outside of the states! She shares all about her homemaking farm life in rural Scotland  and her love for the old ways and how she is helping to keep them alive with the Scottish Women’s Institute.

Then we will chat with homemaker and mom of 5, Holly Tompkins, all about juggling a large family, homeschooling and hobby farming. Holly is a meal planning, freezer cooking pro and shares some excellent tips with us!

I'm also sharing some of my favorite Fall Things and some tips in Allison's Update. 🍁🍂

EPISODE LINKS & NOTES

Connect with Jennifer Crozier:

• Instagram @wholesome_sunday (farm, flowers, homemaking, SWI)
• Instagram @Jenny_jack21 (personal account)
• Instagram @waterbeckfloraldesign (florist account)

Connect with Holly Thompkins:

• Instagram @thefancyfarmgirlhomeandfarm
• Website thefancyfarmgirlfarmette.com

Allison's Update

• Autumn from the Heart of the Home by Susan Branch
• Share Your Fall Favorites-Send me a Text with the Link Above 👆🏻

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

Send me a text about this episode!

Today's episode is a companion to our recent deep dive on the informed homemaker which is all about making sense of what is happening in the world and our culture with eyes of faith through a Biblical worldview lens. Of course going right to the source and studying scripture itself is the best policy, but what about companion resources such as devotionals, Bible focused podcasts, Bible study books, online sermons, other Christian publications, YouTube channels, etc? How to we know who to trust? Is there a way to tell whether or not a preacher or publication is biblically sound? That is what we are discussing today as we look at the example of a group of believers from the New Testament called the Bereans.

EPISODE LINKS & NOTES

Companion Resources

• Homemaking Deep Dive | The Informed Homemaker with Isa Ryan

Scripture References

• The Bereans: Acts 17:10-12
• The Holy Spirit dwells in believers: John 14:26 & 17, John 16:13

Works Cited

• Sadler, Kevin, 2023, What is a Berean?, Berean Bible Society

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.

Send me a text about this episode!

Has the news got you angry, worried, or ready to opt out of society? As part of our season-long exploration of courageous homemaking we are going to tackle the topic of world news, events and culture. How do we navigate all of that responsibly without fear, fighting or checking out completely and what does all of this have to do with courageous homemaking?

My discussion partner today is Isa Ryan, a homemaker and writer who grew up with a very progressive paradigm and no concept of biblical femininity. As a follower of Christ, she now champions God's design for men, women and the family in her writing and her interactions on social media.

Join us as we look at what it means to be an informed homemaker and why it matters.

EPISODE LINKS & NOTES

Connect with Isa
Instagram | @created_female
Substack | isaryan.substack.com

Bible Reading Plans:
What Isa Uses: The Grant Horner Method
What Allison uses: Robert Murray M’Cheyne Plan

Recommended Reading on Worldview:

• The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl R Trueman *note, Trueman wrote a more concise, less academic version of this book called, Strange New World 
• The God Who is There, Francis Schaeffer
• Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey
  
  

Apps, Sites & Misc

• Feedly news aggregator app
• Epoch Times
• Just the News, No Noise
• Real Clear Politics
• The Hill
• World (News from a Biblical Worldview)
• Substack for indie news and opinion pieces

Subscribe to our newsletter before 9/20/24 to get more on sources for the informed homemaker.

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• Newsletter Archive
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide
• Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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

Get recipes, make friends & support The Art of Home! Leave your tip of $5 or more by October 31, 2026!!

https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/recipe 

Support the show

HOMEMAKING RESOURCES

• Homemaker's Journal, AoH Seasonal Magazine
• Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum
• JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide

SUPPORT & CONNECT

•  Review | Love The Podcast 
• Contact | Text/Voicemail-use the link at top of description | Website | Email  
• Follow | Follow The Podcast
• Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

DISCLOSURE

• **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend
• AI Content | Portions of this episode’s copy and/or show notes may have been drafted with the assistance of AI and then reviewed and edited by a human, Allison Weeks.