Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 14

Environment

The concluding chapter of Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking is a culmination of previous thirteen.

In other words, the sum of the pieces creates the whole.

As we act on our talents (or not), we have a hand in the finished product.

Whether we recognize that principle or not.

Mrs. Schaeffer freshens our understanding of an old truth.

I call it *atmostphere*

That special mood or feeling associated with a place.

our conversations, attitudes, behaviour, response or lack of response, hardness or compassion, our love or selfishness, joy or dullness, our demostrated trust and faith or our continual despondency, our concern for others or our self pity 

-- all these things make a difference to the people who have to live in our environment.

That far-reaching influence is a matter of prayer.

May God through the power of His Holy Spirit allow me to glorify Him in these many areas of my life.

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 13

Integration

There is no real possibility of an integration that is true and meaningful in the total sense unless it is based on the inner integration which God has made possible through the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ.

Defining terms and illustrating with Scripture establish Edith Schaeffer's platform as she delves into the touchy topic of segregation.

Wholeness seems to be a reasonable synonym for what we are striving for, when we are thwarted by complicating factors such as mixed languages, fierce competition, various rivalries, and stilted categories.

And just when we are overwhelmed by weight of the matter, Mrs Schaeffer directs our vision to the proper area of our influence.

The home.

Start with practicing greater sharing within the family.  Mealtime is the perfect opportunity.

That is the homemaker's model.

The most real something you can do is within the family unit, as you open it up to others, to a cross-section of ages and peoples, or the gathering together of community life on a small scale.

The Schaeffer's devoted their lives to this principle at L'Abri.

On a very small scale, I hope my home can be a shelter characterized by the art of conversation and peacemaking.

Hidden Art Book Club: Fashion

Two things I am sharing to wind up the conversation about clothing per Edith Schaeffer in her fine volume, The Hidden Art of Homemaking.

First, Pantone's color card for the upcoming Fall/Winter season.  I print and store one in my handbag for shopping purposes.  Another hangs on the wall of my closet.

Second, a well-known poem. It describes the most effective way of maintaining beauty, a fashion that never goes out of style. It was originally written for the poet's granddaughter, but popularized by actress Audrey Hepburn.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody. 

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

by Sam Levenson
American humorist, writer, journalist and television host
1911 - 1980

Hidden Art Book Club: Francis Schaeffer's Style

Francis Schaeffer could also be explored as a case study in the crippling evangelical weakness for spiritual celebrities.

Much of American evangelicalism consists of independent parachurch organizations founded by ambitious spiritual entrepreneurs.

These organizations depend on popular support so they must project favorable public images of themselves. This typically involves lionization of the founder, which usually traces back to the founder’s own self-promotion.

Ever since George Whitefield crafted the public persona that made him the first true celebrity of the British North American colonies, American evangelical entrepreneurs have followed his lead.

Schaeffer was no exception.

He created and maintained the public persona of a countercultural sage come down from the mountain with a new word of wisdom from the Lord.


Such a mythic image could only be sustained through the art of illusion.

This began with his costume.













I copied the above paragraph from an article published in the Evangelical Studies Bulletin Issue #70 (Winter 2008-09).

I found the photo of  Schaeffer in his co-authored book, Whatever Happened to the Human Race.  When I heard him speak in 1979 or '80, he was dressed as pictured.  

Bonus link about judging the book by its cover.


Postscript ~
I *like* Francis Schaeffer and do not mean to disparage his reputation by sharing Michael Hamilton's insightful review of two Schaeffer biographies.

Post-postscript added 3/10/15
Link to article about celebrity pastors

Hidden Art Book Club:Mrs Schaeffer's Style

In a time when evangelicals were suspicious of all things worldly, Edith reveled in music and dance, in her neat little figure and in beautiful clothes:

 "I was 5-foot-2 and weighed 102 pounds and wore clothes that looked like they had come out of the best shops" she tells us, breathlessly, as an example of why she didn't measure up to the standards of Christian womanhood at that time, which, apparently, included dowdiness as well as a rejection of culture. 

She was intelligent and full of conviction. She had a lot to say.

As a young pastor's wife and mother, she single-handedly catered weddings, complete with hand-filled cream puffs. She sewed beautiful clothes for her children, read to them from the classics, and took them to art museums, all, of course, while keeping her figure and continuing to wear good clothes, pearls, makeup, Chanel No. 5.

Read the rest of Rachel Marie
 Stone's article at her-meneutics ~

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 12

Clothing

Broadly speaking, author Edith Schaeffer is really addressing communication skills in her timeless book, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, which I am reading with Cindy and others for an online book club.

Few things speak more loudly than how we dress.

Because we Christian ladies are representing the Creator, it behooves us to understand that He dresses us and that we should dress for Him.

Once that tone is established, I think most things will fall into place.

Mrs. Schaeffer cautions us to have an approach that is both balanced and serious, yet avoids dogmatism.

She reminds us that fashion can open up lines of communication.  Some governing factors include occupation, climate, appropriateness, comfort, creativity, and beauty.

Finally, Mrs. Schaeffer encourages us to look past the covering and search for what's inside.

Overall, this chapter ties with the one about food as my favorites.  In my blogging, I have referenced them the most.

For a while I had fun highlighting fashion on Fridays.

My premise was to find a piece of clothing that I had not worn in a while and rework it.

Below is the Pantone company's 2013 Spring and Summer recommendations that I am using to organize my closet right now.

I found that by focusing on a seasonal color palette that I felt more stylish. 

 I stopped trying to wear the style (or cut) of attire that was newest and often not flattering to my figure.

 I started highlighting the colors that were more up-to-date.

Off to work now in Monaco Blue and Poppy Red ....

 My jumpers are in the attic  ;-)

Here's a link to fun article about dressing styles ~

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 11

Creative Recreation

Currently I am recreating at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA.

Which means that I am resting per Edith:

a sliding away from daily tensions and worries, changing my perspective, emptying my mind of the daily grind,

 releasing and producing creative energy.

Which, in turn, is the result of original ideas, creatively planned not only by the Callaway family (who preserved and developed the area)

but also my parents who for the past 25 years have gathered their six children (and spouses) plus their 29 grandchildren (and spouses)  together annually for resting.

While here I plan to explore the nature trails, visit the horticultural center, watch the butterflies, and attend the birds of prey demonstration.  That's just the beginning of getting outside, out of doors, and doing something different.

My parents took the challenge and developed it, as Edith suggests, giving memories of a childhood to the children of their children... not just watching it on a screen.

CWAC = Cousins Week at Callaway

Thanks to BaaBee and DanDan!!

and the Callaway Family ~

Whose purpose in establishing the Gardens

 is to provide a wholesome environment

 where all may find beauty, relaxation, inspiration,

 and a better understanding of the living world.

This post is written in conjunction with an online book club.  We are reading Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking.  Cindy Rollins is the hostess/moderator.  Visit her informative blog @www.ordo-amoris.com

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 10

Drama

Reading aloud is Edith Schaeffer's answer to fulfilling the needs of the inner drama queen in us homemakers.

She's right.    And there's a bonus ~

Reading together 

is one of the most important factors

 in a growing family relationship.

However, the last time I remember reading aloud to my young girls, I fell asleep sitting up!

My solution?

We listened to a lot of stories on tape while riding in the car.

Fortunately, we had an hour-long one way commute to school and I capitalized on feeding the minds of my captive audience.

Just queried 23 y o daughter who allowed that her favorite from this time period was the Let's Pretend Show.

To live through these books together,

 to experience them as a family,

 is something quite vivid and real,

 much much more real than reading alone.

Book club hostess Cindy is the queen of *Morning Time*, a daily routine that follows Edith's formula for reading from three classifications (plus hymn singing.)  It sounds like the Schaeffers did theirs in the evening.

I admit that we were no where close to achieving what is described in this chapter, but I believe I've reared a group of readers (as well as some drama queens.)  That should be encouragement to the young mothers out there who think they're not doing enough.

It doesnt take as much and as long as we think.

Just a little bit every.single.day.

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 9

Writing - Prose and Poetry

Well-known in family circles for saying the wrong thing, I purposefully made my blog public.

By keeping an online diary I was hoping that a *fishbowl-type moleskin* would help me think before speaking.


Edith Schaeffer addresses these very issues as she encourages us homemakers not to forsake writing.

It is important for people to communicate their thoughts, feelings, gratitude and expectations in such a way as to build a bridge over the *break* which is true and meaningful, rather than leave a misty gap of unsure hurts and undefined emotions.


Chapter 9 contains a plethora of examples for exercising the written word:  developing human relationships through communication.

She uses letter writing as a spring board and I heartily endorse this starting point.  Usually it is easy to write to a child, parent or friend.  I have even written a letter to myself.

For further inspiration, I highlight Alexandra Stoddard's The Gift of a Letter and Dorie McCullough Lawson's Posterity:  Letters of Great Americans to Their Children.

There is no reason for apology here.

Just do it.



PS  With my own children  I required that they write thank-you notes, even to direct family members who may have been thanked at the time the gift was opened.

  Here's an example of one of my thank-you notes to my parents.

  Here's a link to one of my sister's creative thank-yous.

Another link to my thoughts on thank-yous.

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 8

Food

Probably my favorite chapter in Edith Schaeffer's book Hidden Art, I summarize my thoughts with three quotes, four photos, and links to previous blog posts.

A (dinner) plate can be thought of at times as a kind of 'still life.'

Routinely I take pictures of my dinner plate.  Above is this year's Mother's Day Sunday Dinner of baked chicken, brown rice, steamed green beans, and a fig-chutney-stuffed sweet pepper.

Below is a main meal shrimp salad enjoyed last summer with a glass of chardonnay and a slice of french bread.

Here's a link to a 2006 post wherein I describe the dinner plate and reference Mrs. Schaeffer.

Photo collage of 2010 Fall Sunday dinner.

Food and meal-times shared have always been thought of as a closer kind of communication than simply talking to people, without eating together.

Sixteen for dinner one evening during our family reunion at Callaway - complete with tablecloth, napkins, flatware, but no centerpiece.  ;-(

This link highlights a 2007 Sunday dinner for sixteen, half in the dining room, half in the kitchen.  Georgia peaches are the centerpieces on each table.

Being challenged by what a difference her cooking and her way of serving is going to make in the family life gives a woman an opportunity to approach this with the feeling of
 painting a picture or
 writing a symphony.

Not afraid to wear an apron, I take my homemaker job seriously.

Another post from 2006 when I coached our daughters in omelette-making.

Join in the fun of book club blogging with Cindy and friends at Ordo-Amoris.

Schaeffer Chowder

In anticipation of tomorrow's book club discussion of Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking, I submit my rendition of one recipe mentioned in the chapter.

2 med  onions chopped; 1 stalk celery, chopped; 7 med all-purpose potatoes, peeled and diced

6 cups chicken stock and 3 cups warm milk

Saute onions/celery in 2 Tbs butter and 2 Tbs oil.  Add diced potatoes.  Cover with 6 cups chicken stock and bring to a boil.  Turn down heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. 

Meanwhile, warm 3 cups milk in the microwave.  (I used 2 cups skim and 1 cup heavy cream because that's what was available in the 'fridge.)  Very slowly add the warm milk to the cooked potatoes.  It's better to allow the potatoes to cool because it's very easy to curdle the milk, if it's added too quickly to a hot mixture.

Add 16 oz cooked corn.  I used a bag of frozen because that's what was available.  Then I added 12 oz creamed corn ~ again because that's what I was trying to use up from the freezer.  I had cooked both of those items in the microwave, so they were added warm to the warmer mixture.  

This concoction is resting for the day (29 March 2010).

This evening I'll come home from work, cook a couple of slices of bacon in the microwave, crumble them up and use them as a garnish for this easy dinner.

Enjoy~!

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 7

Flower Arrangements

Allow me to be the first to admit that I have not always followed Mrs. Schaeffer's advice when it comes to beautifying the ordinary meal.

It's not that I dont agree, I just didnt make it a priority to have a centerpiece at the dinner table.

Now that my children are grown, there is more time to spend expressing my creativity.

Here's one example, not in the kitchen, but in the front hallway from a couple of summers ago.

But in an effort to *keep it real*, I will share what is currently on the dining room table - a basket of wooden pears on a silver platter;  on the kitchen table - a basket of white chrysanthemums.

Practicing true Hidden Art (aka Schaeffer) style this year, I have planted a row of mammoth sunflowers along the backside of the house.  Just ran outside and took a *before* picture of the area.  We'll see how they grow.

Briefly though, in individual posts, I want to highlight three separate sparks that helped light the dry wood of my lack-luster talents in the area of flower arranging

First, my mother.

Second, a neighbor.

Third, an employee.

Whoops!  Make that four ~ because Mrs. Schaeffer contributed soundly to the planting, fertilizing, watering, warming, and general over all caring for my hidden talents ~ like the story from her high school years.

The bread becomes a different thing 

when eaten at a table with a lily in the centre.

More over the course of the week.

Hidden Art Book Club: Gardens

Visiting and supporting public gardens both fall into the purview of tending our patch of ground, if we take seriously Edith Schaeffer's encouragements in The Hidden Art of Homemaking.

*Human beings were made to interact with growing things*

So, it is with great pleasure I draw your attention to Callaway Gardens where we will gather for an annual family reunion for the 22nd time in just a few weeks.

In my blog's sidebar there are links for CWAC (Cousins Week at Callaway) where you can read about our family tradition.

More links here, too.

But dont miss the opportunity to visit Callaway's website.

Originally conceived in 1930, after owner Cason Callaway wished to preserve the eco-system of the native plumleaf azalea, the family established the 6500-acre resort in stages.  There are more horticultural opportunities than I can take advantage of each year, so I never tire of returning.

Of course, visiting with our own adult children, my 25 nieces and nephews, various in-laws, plus some first and second cousins is the primary focus.  What a beautiful place for nourishing relationships.   I think the journalist who just published this op-ed about siblings in the NY Times might like to make a reservation.

Next, allow me to bring to your attention Gibbs Gardens located where I live in Cherokee County, GA.  

This landscape designer purchased over 300 acres about 35 years ago and has been developing them ever since.  Last year he opened the grounds to the public and wow!  What a refreshing place to visit.

In my first visit this year, I was taken with the red rhododendron, the fern dell, and this charming trillium (turned upside down for photo.)





Gibbs Gardens, like Callaway Gardens, sparks the dry wood of my lack luster talents and gives me just the right amount of inspiration to come home and try something myself.

What garden are you visiting?

This post is written and shared in conjunction with my participation in an online book club where we are reading Edith Schaeffer's Hidden Art.  Consider reading along.

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 6

 Gardens and Gardening

Spiller, filler and thriller is a mnemonic that fertilized my anemic horticultural skills recently.

See the faded pink bucket?

Formerly used as a toy bin and now gracing the view from my kitchen window,

this makeshift planter exemplifies the  aforementioned design.




Spiller = varigated ivy cascades down the side.  I probably need to add a few more sprigs around the perimeter so that they will eventually hide the bucket.

Filler = orange zinnias and white begonias occupy the center.  Additional pots on the left are ready to provide decoration indoor or out as circumstances arise.

Thriller = ornamental grass in the center leftover from a previous project.

Here's a link to one of the first times I tried SFT.   It started with the black metal chair that now holds a young hydrangea that is being nurtured for Fall planting.

I have so many thoughts about Edith Schaeffer's advice that I'm planning to break up my commentary over several days.

More in a day or two ~

Added later:
Where Garden Meets Wilderness by E Cal Beisner

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 5

Interior Decoration

Early Attic and Late Basement describe the mixture of furniture in our home.

 Over the course of 32+ years of marriage I have been fortunate to be the recipient of hand-me-downs.

Most, if not all, remain in their original state, since I do not paint.

Edith Schaeffer's ingenuity sure puts me to shame.

From candle-making to furniture-making, from dumpster-diving to toy-making, there really are so many opportunities to decorate that we have to admit to being creative.  If nothing else, I suggest that orderliness counts.  My children always played better when the toy room when it was picked up and organized.

Schaeffer's most significant and over-riding point continues to be *communication.*   This word keeps cropping up and I finally realized that she's talking about non-verbal communication.

Whether you admit it or not, what you buy or what you forgo, what you keep or what you toss, what you repurpose or what you overlook, all express your style, tastes, and interests.

In other words, we cannot ignore our talents.

My goal is to make sure mine are speaking accurately.



Photo of my living room taken March 2012 ~

Link to interior decorating post written in 2004

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 4

Painting, Sketching, Sculpturing

Commenting on this week's reading assignment for book club, I propose that illustrating falls into the category of hidden art that Edith Schaeffer is promoting.

While she includes some of her own sketches in this section, which are very good and helpful, especially for keeping youngsters attentive during church,  I found myself curious about the illustrator of Hidden Art.

So, who is Deidre Ducker?


Nee Haim, Deidre encountered the Schaeffers while enrolled at the English school in Champery (1948-52).  She attended Francis' little church and together with classmates would enjoy the Schaeffers hospitality.  She married Richard Ducker in 1960, and together they were some of the first official students at L'Abri.

As an artist, Deidre had the privilege to illustrate not just the Hidden Art of Homemaking, but also L'Abri.   Only one additional title shows up when searching for her work: The Reason Why You Need Christ.

But back to the topic at hand which is developing creativity, aka practicing undiscovered talents, I am encouraged that there could be something artistic buried deep in my bones.

For years I'd never seen my mother do anything other than doodle, generally while talking on the telephone.  After her children were grown/gone, she started taking art classes.  For 25 years she painted.  Here's a link to her website.  Now (almost 80 years old) she *paints* with Adobe's Photoshop program, creating greeting cards, scrapbooks, and photo albums.

She's definitely a spark lighting fire to dry wood.




Photo taken after this past Sunday's dinner when we enjoyed this menu ~


Baked Chicken Piquant
Brown Rice
Steamed Green Beans
Chutneyed Sweet Peppers
French Rolls

Strawberry-Rhubard Pie a la mode

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 3

Music is the first of a dozen disciplines addressed by Edith Schaeffer as she challenges Christians to honor God in every area of their lives.  She goes so far as to say that music should be a part of the life of any family.

No talent, you say...

No excuse, she says...

Learn to appreciate music. Collect music or musical things. Support musicians.  Mrs. Schaeffer's book provides a host of examples of how the talented and the untalented can develop this creative aspect of our nature.

In our family we like to sing.

Here's a photo of our daughters practicing the anthem they sang at church one Christmas.

John Rutter's Candlelight Carol

 Here (below) the girls gathered around the piano after Thanksgiving dinner when we enjoyed a mini hymn sing.

Join in the fun of learning how to tap into your God-given talents by following along with our online book club.

Cindy Rollins is the hostess/moderator.

She blogs at Ordo-Amoris where she advocates singing, even if  one cant carry a tune  ;-)

Sing to the LORD, all the earth!



Addendum:  Read John Wesley's instructions for singing.  I blogged about it here and here.





If you're interested in reading more about my family's singing, notice the *singing* categories/labels/tags in the sidebar of both blogs.

Or click here for a similar post.

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 2

Definitions are important.


That's the reason for focusing on the short title of our book club selection.  Hidden Art.

Author Edith Schaeffer knew what she was doing, when she chose those pregnant words.  Aside from the obvious stated at the beginning of chapter two and which declaration is my mantra (see masthead), I am challenged to look more closely.

Most words have more than one meaning.  Context governs both denotation and connotation.  So, further examination of Mrs. Schaeffer's choice should improve our ability to apply her message.

Straight from the dictionary ~

Art is the exercise of human skill (as distinguished from nature).  It was such a relief when I first finished reading Hidden Art years ago to see myself as an artist.

Hidden means concealed, but not in a secretive sense, or out of sight, but in a foundational sense.  Like the basement walls in my home:  hidden, yet crucial to the structure of my house.

Again, what encouragement I felt as I read example after example in each chapter of how to tap into what was already there.  The atmosphere (intangible) of a home jumped to the forefront.

Furthermore, when Mrs. Schaeffer referenced discipline - the time, energy, practice, and routine all required to produce art.  Those words defined my life, especially when our children were very young.  For a long time, knick-knacks were non-existent.

All this to say that I began to realize that the orderliness that was so important to me, that which made my day go more smoothly, is art.  The First Artist is orderly.  That is the art of pattern.  That must be His Image in me!

Now that the meanings of hidden and art are fully defined,

the real training can begin.

Let's shed the cast and exercise.

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 1

Art/Artist was a bad word for me for a long time, conjuring up unorthodox images and anxious feelings. Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking: Ideas for Creating Beauty in Everyday Life resolved my hang-ups.

As an elementary school student, I squandered much of my art class-time by wringing my hands over what to draw, paint or mold.  In middle school, I got kicked out of art class because I couldnt draw a picture of pollution.  I sensed manipulation and political-correctness in the assignment.  That was the last time I ever took *art.*

The first time I ever felt artistic was May 9, 2003 (age 45), even though I was creative before that.  I just didnt recognize it.  Here's a link to that story.  It's my very first blog entry, after coming up with the title for my site.

Before that, in the mid 1990s, I spearheaded an art appreciation program at the Christian school where our daughters were attending.    It was called Picture Parent and there was a 2-hour training program for volunteers.  I was called upon by the museum-trained docent to select a painting from a stash of prints on the table and explain why I liked it.  A mild panic attack set in.  I couldnt think of anything to say.  Thankfully, I spotted two prints, both head studies of young girls.  In front of the group, I held them up, stating that they reminded me of my own daughters and what type of artistic expression I wanted them to emulate.  That's why I wanted to be involved.

What did Edith write and I read years ago that cleared up my view of art and artists?

Chapter One, The First Artist.

Specifically, the Amos reference ~

For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The Lord God of hosts is His name.

Therefore, because God (The Creator, The First Artist) knows me (called me), I must be artistic.  By definition, I can create and be creative.  Look for it.  It's there.  He tells me what to think.  That's how I know what to do.

Furthermore, the first chapter is an appropriately-placed apology, a defense of doctrine that is Truth, vital to daily living and worldview.  It lays the groundwork for implementing the practical aspects of the following 13 chapters.

Schaeffer's reference to Isaiah 61 is the call to action.

What would Edith have us do?

Let's get busy.


Artwork Credit:
"Bouquet"
Acrylic on Canvas
10" x 14"
signed *DJ*
Sunday, April 28, 1968

Link to related blog entry

RIP Edith Schaeffer 
1914 - 2013

Middelmann tribute

Tim Challies' tribute

Son Frank's tribute

Christianity Today (article link)