The found art of homemaking

I've been going through a lot of changes the last few years. If I had to describe it I'd say I've settled into myself. I'm happier than I've ever been with who I am and my life. I don't want to sound like PollyAnna, I do have bad times and challenges just like everyone does, but when it come down to it, I can say that I really am happy. One of the things that I realize that really brings me joy and a real sense of calm is homemaking. What is homemaking exactly? To me it's nurturing and caring for hearth and home. It's doing the little things to show that I cherish those in my life. It's taking the time and care to make sure our environment is lovely and comfortable. It's assuring that when my loved one's think of me it is with a warm heart and love. I wasn't always like this...oh I was always a bit domestic, but I've become more than that in recent years. I've truly become a homemaker. I realize that this was my calling all along, it's as if I truly found me. I remember in my 20's how ambitious and goal oriented I was. I don't think I really took the time to enjoy my life. Now I cherish each day in a way that I never did before. It's not important to me to be thought of as professionally successful or to keep up with the Jones' anymore. I'm happy feathering my own little nest...having my own slice of the pie.
I know that this all seems sort of anti feminist and retro perhaps, but I have to say I value my education and the fact that I can provide for myself and my family...but I love that I can also provide for them in other ways too. In fact I think being educated has made me a better homemaker even. I'm online a good bit and I think there's definitely been a resurgence in the art of homemaking. There are tons of sites about making your home beautiful, HGTV is constantly adding shows to it's lineup, blogs abound about homemaking, parenting, cooking and decorating. When I go to the bookstore, the home section seems to have expanded in recent years. People want to know how to care for their house and by extension their families. I feel like I'm just part of a growing movement really.
I could go on and on...but I won't. I'll just say that when people say things to me like "Oh, you're so domestic" or "Oh, you cook?" with a hint of irony in their voices, I don't take it the way they probably intended it...I take it as the highest compliment I could be given. Yes, I am a homemaker.