It’s time for another installment of Homemaker’s Haven blog carnival! This week’s focus is the living room. Our living room is usually rather messy…the signs are everywhere that we really live there.
The Homemaker’s Haven challenge today started with these words: “Today I want to focus on the atmosphere of my home. Is it peaceful? Is there a spirit of love and contentment?” I often feel discontent in the living room because it seems to be a catch-all instead of a place to rest and be refreshed together.
Many of our happiest memories happen in this room, and yet it is a constant reminder to me that I don’t have good routines in place. In fact, I just said to my husband this weekend that there is not a single room in my house where I can sit and recharge without seeing a bunch of clutter! This must change. So let it begin today: in the living room.
This room is often cluttered, as we do our devotions and read-alouds here, as well as some of our schoolwork. I often let the children color during devotions and read-aloud, so it seems like I’m always finding coloring pages, colored pencils, and school books scattered around the living room.
We couldn’t even get to today’s living room challenge without some very basic pick-up. Several people had left shoes and dirty socks (yuck!) under the coffee table, papers on the edge of the fireplace and strewn on the coffee table, videos on the floor, legos and bionicle pieces under the couch and empty cups on the end table. We did that much this morning before starting school.
A good dusting hasn’t happened for quite some time, so that was a high priority for me. I even climbed up on a step-stool to dust the fan!
I also emptied out the baskets that hold our school books and moved a bunch of books we’re finished with to our shelves in the basement. 
Windows were washed, blankets were folded, and I even took time to vacuum (my most hated job).
I want to find some ways to make this room more pleasant, while keeping it functional for our big, busy family. Tonight as we sat in this room for our evening family devotions, I felt a sense of peace. Finally, there is one clean spot where I can enjoy my family without being confronted with all the work I should be doing….at least for tonight! 
I’m enjoying participating in Homemaker’s Haven. I need these little bite-sized chunks to help me get some things done around here!
Speak Your Mind