The Art & Science of Keeping House

Yesterday I tried out my new Meyer's cleaners. Although the scent, Geraniumm is divine, I found myself going back to my old reliables. The cleaners that really work. I will still use the Meyer's for things like wiping the table before I put the tablecloth on, and cleaning up the counters for the night because, like I said the scent is so nice and it does a good job as a wipe away cleaner. But for things like soap residue and cleaning the potty after a little boy who is still perfecting his aim, well....those jobs call for some serious muscle!!!

One of the Meyer's products that I do recommend whole heartedly is the scented soy candle I bought at the same time I purchased the cleaners. I have placed this little jewel on the table beside my bed and even though I have not lit it yet, it has filled my entire bedroom with the lovely faint scent of roses. I know it calls itself Geranium, but I checked the label and it contains rose oil which is the predominate fragrance.

It is a lovely aroma to wake up to in the morning:)

This morning I visited Allison at The Brocante Home Chronicles. I love to go to her site and view the charming pictures and read about her life as a single mom and vintage housekeeper, she has such a way with words. As I was browsing I read her Manifesto, in it is a quote from Mrs. Beeton that got me thinking:

...so it is with the mistress of a house. Her spirit will be seen through the whole establishment; and just in proportion as she performs her duties intelligently and thoroughly, so will her domestics follow in her path. Of all those aquirements, which more particuarly belong to the feminine charcter, there are none which take a higher rank, in our estimation, than such as enter into a knowledge of household duties; for on these are perpetually dependant the happiness, comfort and well-being of a family....

What does my home say about my spirit....do the pile and stacks say that I am disorganized and flighty, does to sink of dishes mean that I am messy, does the dusty furniture speak of neglect or does it simply mean that I too often find something better or more interesting to do. Hmmm I wonder.

When I close my eyes and picture my home in a perfect state I see order and cleanliness. Everything in its proper place, dinning table covered with vintage linens and adorned with flowers, beds dressed with fresh coverings, clothes in closets and wardrobes, windows sparkling with sun light, surfaces decorated with just the right amount of accessories not too cluttered, beautiful wooden floors that glow with the character of 70+ years of age. In this setting my family and I truly feel at home.

A couple of years ago I found a wonderful book by Cheryl Mendelson that speaks to the vision of my perfect home. It is entitled Home Comforts; The Art & Science of Keeping House . Not only is it filled to the brim with useful cleaning tips. As she writes of her passion for housekeeping Cheryl weaves inspiration and storytelling throughout the pages. She writes:

When you keep house, you use your head, your heart, and your hands together to create a home....because keeping house is a labor of love....