Over seventeen years ago my husband married a woman who knew nothing about housekeeping and home management...me! We met while we were both working and living at a Christian boarding school. Every morning, as we escorted our middle and high school students to breakfast, a hot meal was magically placed before us in the cafeteria. Same thing with lunch and dinner! You can imagine the panic I felt when we left our positions there so my husband could continue his education. The first meal I prepared for him was the only thing I knew how to cook...little pizzas made on canned biscuits! Can you believe that!? This is no reflection on my mother, who is a wonderful cook and housekeeper. I just had always thought myself to creative for such everyday, boring tasks.
As a 23 year old college graduate and wife, I was feeling the sting of my ignorance! Not only was I a complete beginner in cooking, I also knew very little about running a home in general. When my husband was studying I would pull out my brand new copy of More Hours in my Day. I took notes like a mad woman. Emilie's style of organizing and scheduling fit me perfectly. Not only did her writing help me in practical areas such as record keeping and home/time organization, she gave me a vision of home-keeping as a creative profession and ministry of service. At this time, such a concept was brand new and truly life changing for me. ( I eventually even learned how to cook!)
One of the many things from this book that I have enjoyed implementing over the years is the practice of letting the children take turns creating table centerpieces for meals. We love doing this! Lego creations, stuffed animals dressed in silly clothes, treasures from outside, and many other creative things have graced our tables over the years. Now our older daughters enjoy doing things like gathering a nice bouquet of flowers or arranging rocks in a bowl with a candle for the centerpiece. It hardly seems like a meal if there is not something at the center of the table! I am so thankful that Emilie inspired us to do this when the children were young. I truly believe that it has given them a vision of the meal table as a lovely place for creativity and beauty.
I was thrilled to see that this book was revised in 2008. I pull my 1994 edition off my shelf now and then and always laugh at her references to typewriters and white correction fluid. Much has changed since this book was first published in 1982! This book has a great deal of value for new homemakers, as well as older ones who need a bit of inspiration. Everything from organizing your wardrobe and purse, to selling a home and money management, to family traditions and hospitality, are touched upon in More Hours in My Day. I hope you will benefit from it as much as I have! Happy Reading!
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