SIMPLE {and unfancy}

I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which

anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens,

but just those that bring simple little pleasures,

following one another softly,

like pearls slipping off a string.
 

L. M. Montgomery

We have pretty simple tastes in our home. We enjoy our share of quiet days and basic routine. And although I know it is pretty unfancy of me-- the honest truth is that I really love paper plates.

I love them so much that I usually stock them right in my kitchen cabinet so we can use them all the time. Oh, we enjoy our fancy dinners too in which we go all out, but for the most part we like things that keep life simple-- and unfancy.

By the way, I really loved The Sacred Sandwich's version of Keep Calm and Carry On and simply printed it on photo paper to enjoy in my kitchen. Isn't that a fun use of color?
 

Another unfancy thing I do is have my children work. We don't have house cleaners or gardeners or anything like that.

And I don't like to do everything myself- I am a firm believer in family working together and then resting together. Mom doesn't do anyone any favors by doing everything.

So especially when I feel overwhelmed in an area I simply ask the kids to give me a hand. I figure that helping with the cooking and cleaning is the best way to have children appreciate what is cooked and cleaned. And I think work prepares them for the future. Simple-- unfancy.

 

I believe in marketing to children. I suppose I should say-- I believe in marketing to my own children.

Whether it's pulling together a book basket with the books I'd like them to notice this week or putting an activity I'd like them to do in plain sight, I try to find a way to put good things within their reach.

Don't you just love the vintage look of candy canisters filled with brightly colored treats? Me too, but since I really didn't want to promote candy each day I filled ours with markers and crafty things and made copies of some coloring pages I thought would encourage their hearts in the Lord. They get used a lot. Simple-- and unfancy.

Have any simple and unfancy marketing tricks you like to use at home?
 

The days get so warm that we seem to stay inside until the sun starts to go down. This is when we go out to play with the dogs, water the garden and jump on the trampoline.

I make sure to remind the older girls how important it was to them when big kids would spend time focusing on them and I have them play on the trampoline with the littler ones for a set time each evening. The little girls really look forward to their play dates. Simple-- unfancy.

Our garden is very unfancy this time of year and not the least bit impressive. In fact, each day it seems to grow a little more wild. I could handle a few planter boxes with pathways between, but

this year we kept the garden really simple- even choosing to grow fewer varieties of things.

We primarily have strawberries and tomatoes. A few squash, peas and a couple of rows of popcorn. Simple-- and very unfancy.

Wishing you a very simple and unfancy day!

Blessings,

_________________________________


P.S. Remember my friend, Gabe? Well, she had her baby! We are so excited and thankful for the healthy arrival of this new little blessing. Feel free to pop over and enjoy the cuteness. : )