52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Domestically Challenged: Book Review
On an average morning I get up an hour or so before my daughter and have my devotions, get things going in the house, breakfast ready etc. Dinner is planned and ready to go and I have a bit of web work under my belt. Then she wakes up and the day begins in earnest.
But lately I have noticed a little less pep in my step. About the last few months to be exact. I’ve been feeling the need for a tune up. A jump start. And no I’m not into cars. Sometimes it’s energy but mostly I was looking for a little motivation. I know what I do is important. The little peanut growing by leaps and bounds is proof daily of that. And so are all the emails of thanks for this tidbit or that. But still…
Being a big reader I have been browsing the homemaking book sections lately looking for something more than just your average how to organize, clean, cook book. I have tons of those and have written a bit about it myself. I wanted something more.
So when Lynn Bowen Walker contacted me to take a look at Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker
What a great read! And I mean that sincerely.
It’s not just that she added all those wonderful vintage (and some modern) quotes from books I know and love.
It’s not that the book is arranged so that each week’s focus is timely to the season and time of year and even possibly how you’re doing right about that time in this big job of homemaking.
Nor her new words for the week that gets a nod ’cause I can soooo relate.
Not even for the timely scripture at the end of each chapter or prayer example to remind you what this homemaking is all about and Who you ultimately serve by giving it a go.
It’s that this book is a big hug for women out there who need to know that the work they do at and for the home and home life is truly important.
And YES! there are homemaking tips in there. These are practical application tips and even recipes that Lynn has learned along the way and is passing along.
Designed for the Christian homemaker (and by the way whether single, married, with children and without if you have a home of any size and/or description (palace, to studio) you are a homemaker) this book is a year long, 52 week long advice book on picking up your chin and being proud of what you do.
Right now I’m on Week Two where I am reminded to Give Homemaking My Best. There is the suggestion, especially if you have children or a spouse who may not quite understand, to give it your all and then take a vacation. One that takes you off the premises so others in the household may understand all you do 
I do this now and again. Also incorporated is the reminder that no one is super woman. This is perfect wisdom for one of close friends who is struggling with feelings of inadequacy on not being able to work part-time, raise two children and foster for two more who are under the age of five. This in addition to being a wife and very active in her church’s music ministry. It’s okay to say no. To only do the amount you can do well. When we start giving less than our best it’s time to cut back. No comparison to anyone else. No other homemaker, blogger woman, business executive etc.
See how inspiring the book is?
Although listed as 52 Weeks of encouragement you’ll read through each chapter (which is for the week) rather quickly and be tempted to jump ahead. My advice? Read your chapter at the beginning of the week and use that week to digest and apply the tips Lynn provides. As with a foreign language, which this may be for some of us, it sometimes takes digestion over and over to get the message.
You can also visit Lynn on her recipe blog at Queen of the Castle Recipes. Did I mention there are recipes in the book?
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 8:43 am and is filed under Reviews, homemaking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Homemaking Organized Blog » Week 3 – Be Good to Mom says:[...] on week three of Queen of the Castle and it’s like Lynn is watching me or something. She KNOWS what is going on in my [...]