This will show my age, but growing up the art of homemaking was a critical part of a girl’s education. From a young age I learned to cook, sew, clean, and craft. My mother was a task master, and if things weren’t done to perfection, my sisters and I re-did it until it passed her inspection. This was not easy, however it did teach us to do things to the best of our abilities. It also taught us to be responsible and respectful to our elders. I remember going to Fashion Fabrics, Zim’s Craft Store, and Orson Gygi. Yes Gygi’s in Salt Lake City has been there as long as I can remember, although in a different location and vastly different in layout and design. Out of all these stores, Zim’s was by far my favorite. Wandering the isles imagining the creations I could make with that vast warehouse of crafting items was a dream come true.

In Jr. High we were required to take three years of Home Economics, usually a half-year of cooking and a half-year of sewing. The boys took wood working shop and automotive which was also required at the time. Mrs. Sanders was my favorite teacher and we became fast friends! She took me under her wing, and groomed me to be prepared for my high school experience in the field of Home Economics where she passed me along to Mrs. Myrna Mayes and Mrs. Deanne Judd. These women were incredible influences in my life, and because of them, I was able to use my homemaking skills to participate in many sewing and home economic related scholarship contests. This in turn prepared me for my college experience where Mrs. Gen Wise, Mrs. Donna Bauman, Miss Chloe Merrill, and Miss Desiree Cooper became my mentors in the field of Clothing and Textiles with a minor in Fashion Merchandising. I will forever be indebted to these incredible women for the things they taught me. They were my village, and brought so much LIGHT and knowledge into my life!

The art of homemaking has changed significantly since then. It does my heart good to see it making a comeback with many young women taking classes to learn how to cook, sew, quilt, and beautify their homes. As a grandmother, I have six granddaughters and two grandsons.

When my oldest granddaughter turned twelve, I gave her replicas of my favorite kitchen gadgets and a recipe box filled with my favorite recipes. Some of these are old family favorites, and some are new family favorites. It’s now time for my second oldest granddaughter to receive her cooking tool-kit.

I have taken the time to hand write each recipe, place it in a protective plastic cover, and file it in her own recipe box chosen in her favorite colors. I know if I had one of these from my aunts and grandmothers, it would be a treasure! I hope these boxes become that for my grandchildren. And yes, I plan to do one for my one living grandson as well! It’s just as important for boys to learn to cook as it is for girls in my opinion.

I have enjoyed gathering the items for these special gifts. They may not fully appreciate the love and meaning behind them until they are older. It is my hope for them to study and learn as I did, but hopefully in a more kind and loving way, how to properly care for their homes and families.

I also include a silicone ring of their choice as a daily reminder for them to know how much I love them, and I’m here for them in any way they need me. I love having them in our home! We have so much fun sewing, cooking and crafting together as we make happy memories to last a lifetime. I want them to know how much I LOVE them! They are the brightest of LIGHTS in my world! I am so blessed and grateful to have them. I heard the following quotes a while back and I laughed out loud! :) “The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.” “Grandkids are the reward for surviving your children.” Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids with all my heart and would never try to do anything to be divisive in their relationships with their children. It’s just that grandkids are so much easier. They come and hang out for a while and we get to enjoy them at their best. Then their parents get to take them home and do the hard stuff – discipline and parenting! It does take a village to raise our kids, and grandparents can be a great support system in numerous ways. When the grands are visiting grandma and grandpa, parents are able to recharge, renew and revive - while the grandkids get to spend quality time with their grandparents. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

So I want to thank our kids for blessing us with these incredible little gems who keep us smiling, laughing, and filled with LIGHT!!! If you don’t have grandkids yet, tie a knot and hang on, it’s worth the wait! And happy soon to be twelve to our kind sweet Macey, I can’t wait to watch you fly with those beautiful wings of yours!

Love Ya, Les :)

Life

The Art of Homemaking