homemade apron among the trees
I’ve rediscovered two things that bring rejeuvenation to my heart. And I’m drinking them in deeply.
I’ve been getting exercise by walking in a nearby park full of old trees and nimble squirrels. As I walk, I listen to music on my MP3 player, and soak in God’s creation as I sing praises. After just a couple of days, I realized that I was getting far more than the benefit of walking and worship. I was getting nature time.
There is something about nature that works healing in my soul. It doesn’t have to be Yellowstone to achieve this calming effect on my heart. The trees, birds, and blue sky that I see in the backyard are enough. In Last Child in the Woods Richard Louv talks about the healing quality of nature, and I’ve certainly seen it in my own life.
This week something on Twitter (of all places) reminded me that creative pursuits are also very healing for me. At this transitional time in my life, I really need all the healing and wholeness I can get. I believe that although God works that healing in my heart, I have a responsibility to put myself in the pathway of that healing as much as possible.
So I’ve given myself a two-part assignment:
- enjoy nature several times a week
- make something creative every week
What do you think about my apron pictured there? I took my sewing machine out of my mom’s attic, and repurposed a thrift store denim bustier (!) and a tablecloth into this colorful apron. I had so much fun designing the apron, fiddling with the cloth, trying it on and adjusting it. It just makes me happy to wear this in the kitchen and to think that I made it.
What activities refresh you? Do you make a deliberate effort to do those things when life is stressful?
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Hi and welcome! I'm Jimmie and this is my online collage of our Charlotte Mason homeschool. Taking just a little more time to document our learning shortens the learning curve for other busy homeschool moms.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, I love this! Both of those – nature and creativity – are priorities for me this year too. I sometimes forget how important they are for me. I’m buying my own nature journal and a new set of colored pencils. I’m very jealous of all your trees!
I think you did great on the apron. I am glad you are feeling refreshed.
Blessings,
Dawn
Good on you Jimme! Your apron is beautiful. I find that beiing creative is like breathing, I have to do it often, or I feel like I’m suffocating. We are made in the image of our Creator, and I believe we are designed to be creative too. I have enjoyed reading Edith Schaeffer’s “Hidden Art of Homemaking” over the past year.
Hope all is going well with your “new life” back in the States.
Rachael.
I really relate to your analogy to suffocating. What an appropriate word picture.
denim bustier! I can’t get past that one…
I’m so glad you are being refreshed. I have sewing on my list of things to do this week too!
The apron rocks. I’ve been working on a half apron made from old jeans…
I know! Who wears a bustier? Well, I certainly wouldn’t! I initially passed it by in the bargain bin, but the embroidery on it caught my eye. It was so pretty that I decided to buy it for a craft. (At that particular thrift store, the clothes are $1.45 per pound. Dirt cheap.)
Love your apron!
I’ve been thinking of these sorts of things lately, of needing to get myself back into some of the hobbies I enjoy — most of which also happen to be great things to teach my girls. Like sewing, baking, needlework. And if I could get my own artwork looking respectable, that would be great, too!
See Jamie blog recently posted Nature Study- Cattails in Winter.
Cute apron! You did a great job. I’m not much of a seamstress and truthfully find sewing VERY frustrating, but I do find scrapbooking relaxing. Number one for me, like you, is experiencing nature. Oh, and reading.
Amy recently posted Read Aloud Thursday–The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame.
Love your apron! I know what you mean… I get grumpy when I don’t get enough nature time. Or creative time for that matter. Both are so healing! Recently, I did something to bring creativity to my spiritual life…I picked up a blank sketch journal at Hobby Lobby instead of a lined journal. Crazy how freeing it is – I can write sideways or in a circle, add scrap papers or fabrics, staple pictures or nature things into it, paint in it, just whatever! If I find a scripture I want to meditate on, I can illustrate it in my journal now, and I love it! I know God will bless your time being creative and spending time in His creation!
Dana recently posted if you ask a friend for sugar.
Living in a big city in China makes me crave nature! Even the nature is surrounded by city!
My thing is knitting. Beautiful yarn, interesting patterns are fun and soothing to my soul.
Sandy recently posted Jia You- Little Baby!.
That apron is cute with a capital C!!! Great job! Well done, taking time to look after YOU! We all forget that in the busyness of our lives. Not worldly ‘me time’ just Godly ‘be time’! God reminds us to ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ and I think sometimes that the ‘Be still’ is the hardest command in Scripture!! LOL! (I feel a blog post coming on……… )
)
Deedee recently posted I’m back!.
Yes, you should expand this into a blog post. “Me time” is not a godly concept. (Did Jesus take “me time?” No, he took prayer time with His Father.) But being still, savoring God’s gifts, and creating (to bless others and manage your home) are godly.
Jimmie,
I love your apron and the fact you were inspired by nature to be creative… you might be a farmgirl at heart!
check out http://www.maryjanesfarm.org just to make sure!
Love your apron!
Deb
Debbie recently posted The Far East and Haiku.
We moved to NW GA last May and our house backs up to some woods that I am eagerly waiting to explore, by myself and with the kids. I’m craving outside time, but it is just a little too cold still.
And I get that creativity thing. I started to pick up the crochet hooks again, just to let something creative flow from my fingers.
Alli recently posted The tide is high.
So very very true about nature and healing…even a walk around the yard can center me like few other things can. For me, it is often the resounding glory that nature itself gives to God that permeates my spirit…
Melissa recently posted cancer.
I love it when a small new habit becomes a valuable lifestyle investment! A simple walk becomes health-giving and emotional restoration and meditation and praise! Simple pleasures with huge benefits!
What a great creative apron! Recently I also made 2 pretty aprons for my friends and insisted that they wear them! It is lovely to feel happy in the kitchen! May you enjoy many more nature and creative moments!
Nadene recently posted Is it b or d New Posters for b-d Reversal.
Jimmie- I’m sure it’s a beautiful apron but because the picutre is outside I assumed at first it was an “interesting” shirt choice. LOL.
Life has been rather stressful at my home for the past few months… so yes, finding a way to relieve stress is important to me. Since I just began weaving I am finding great solace in taking a little time each day to work on a project. And, I love that I get something beautiful that I can share with someone else out of my efforts.
I hope you and your family are doing well (how is your husband doing with this sudden change?).
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Twitter: dana_wilson
January 28, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Hi Jimmie,
Love the apron! Praying for you as you make such a big, sudden transition! I’m happy you are intentionally ‘thinking restoratively.” lol What I like to do as a creative outlet is make cards. There is something about working with paper that is very relaxing. Designing a card for someone in particular and praying for them while making it is such a blessing to me!
May the Lord restore you and bless you in this new location…
Dana
Dana Wilson
Epi Kardia Home Education, LLC
http://www.epikardia.com
http://www.epikardia.com/blog
dana@epikardia.com
Very cute and very creative! I wish I could sew. Maybe I should learn. Love, love, love the apron!
Kris recently posted Review- Grocery University.
Your apron is too cute! I love it! I also love the book Last Child in the Woods–it’s one of my favorites. One of my favorite things to do is to go hiking through the woods with my kids. Sometimes at one of several local parks–we are blessed with an abundance of cool parks here in Northwest Arkansas–and sometimes venturing out to a state park not far from where we live. Of course, there are times when all it takes is a puddle of water on the edge of our street to occupy us! Learning to take pleasure in the simple things of life has brought me so much joy over the years. It’s one of the things that makes homeschooling so fulfilling. Grow where you are planted!
I am so with you … I have so noticed that a trip to the gym is just not refreshing … I need the great outdoors too. I feel the time has come for me to be seen taking some time to create and linger longer outdoors.Dinner might be a bit later but we will all feel a whole lot better for it!!!
I loved your outdoor photo. I too feel the need to be outdoors more for rejuvenation. My grandchildren (12, 6, 5, and 3) and I spent an hour or so playing outdoors at noon but it was not quite the same as your location. We were trudging (slogging) through about a metre of snow in the backyard and more was falling. We had such fun. The temps have risen to around minus 15C, or sometimes even a bit warmer, and we have taken advantage of the opportunity to get out and get rid of some internalized frustration.
I agree with you about creativity being good for rejuvenation. When I neglect that aspect in my life, I get very grumpy (as my grandchildren are quick to tell me!!, bless them).
Praying for you and your family in this difficult transition season in your life.
Sewing, baking, painting, photography, and playing my flute… those are the activities that refresh me and just make me happy.
Except for the music, the other activities are wonderful because I have something to physically show for my efforts when I am done. Things that don’t go undone… like dusting, laundry and dishes!
Great job on the apron, Jimmie! I am laughing that it was a denim bustier. I cringe when I see those things being sold at the mall as everyday kind of clothing.
MarshaMarshaMarsha recently posted Koror- Palau.
Right on, Jimmie!! Nature does the soul good. There’s something so wonderful and reviving about sunshine. {happy sigh}
And art in any form- yes! Our creator made us to create, and it brings a sense of joy and peace like few other things.
I have similar goals, and am feeling like I can survive the winter now.
Love your apron, girl!
Wendy recently posted Jan 28 mid 60s Wonderful.
Good for you! I think your apron is fabulous, and I totally agree with you on both. I don’t know you, but my heart and prayers go out to you during your transition.
Jamie
I love getting “lost” in the local arboretum.
Or even on the nature trail by our beach.. very soothing indeed. All though I must say I might be willing to trade a few seagulls for a few squirrels! I will never forget the day my inlaws charged across Graceland’s expanding lawns to snap photos of a squirrel. Security came running to see what was up and everything!
Kendra recently posted Just a Reminder.