Like Making Pie

This is a excerpt from a post done by Rachel Anne from Home Sanctuary. The link to the whole post is at the end of the article.


Keeping a home is a lot like pie making. It seems simple enough until you start getting advice from the experts. By the time you have gathered all the information on crust preparation, rolling pins, recipes…and parenting, cleaning, time management, marriage, financial principles, health and fitness, education, gardening and cooking, you may find yourself overwhelmed and discouraged before you even start.
But take heart. Remember that a pie doesn’t have to be perfect in order to be enjoyed and appreciated! I’ve gobbled down many pastries that would never make the cover of Bon Appetit and still found myself wishing for more.

Here are a few “Pie Making” tips that are good for Home Keeping, too:

1. Less is more: Fewer ingredients (i.e. outside activities) lets the flavor of your family really shine through. Resist the temptation to add “just one more thing” into your family’s schedule.

2. Enjoy fruit in season: Realize that there are seasons of life that are crazy, and there are some that allow for more freedom. When you are squeezed, don’t feel guilty about taking shortcuts. A store-bought crust is often a perfect solution, as can be a pizza night rather than an elaborate dinner for a busy family.

3. Don’t compare your pie to your neighbor’s. Focus on the things that matter to YOUR family, and don’t compete for cuter furnishings or more prestigious activities for your kids.

4. Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Your home is uniquely yours. Following someone else’s recipe for the perfect home may not work for your family. Find what works for you.

5. Keep your expectations simple: Pies are made to savor and enjoy, just like your home life. When you are committed to perfection, it is hard to find any joy at home. It’s really ok not to alphabetize your spices and color code your towels. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unattainable goals. Make small, manageable steps that keep you moving in the right direction.

6. Don’t let pie experts intimidate you. The best pie is the one in front of you. Take the ingredients you have been given, mix them up with love, and then don’t worry about things like pastry cloths vs. marble slabs. In the end, your home will be remembered by how sweet it was, and how it felt to be there. You must slow down long enough to savor what you have, instead of wishing for something better.

Learning to make pies takes time and practice. And so does home keeping. Even if you don’t get it right every time, there is no reason to stop serving up pie…or working at creating something good for your family.

The sweetness will linger to the last crumb.


http://orgjunkie.com/2009/08/home-keeping-is-like-making-pie.html