The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Creative Recreation

I wanted to finish sharing my thoughts on each chapter of The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer.

Chapter 11 talks about Creative Recreation and getting down on the ground, out in the open air and in a river, etc.

"Man was made to relate to the things in the earth, mineral as well as plant, oxygen as well as animals.  However, although everything we find in 'civilization' has come from, or has been produced out of the raw materials existing in the earth, still it seems we have become more and more separated from the basic things of the earth."

When was the last time you took a long walk in the country, the woods, the seaside or the snow?  Have you ever left your home and walked to your destination or do you always drive?  When was the last time you sat outside on the ground or a rock to watch the sunset or sunrise?  After you did one or more of these things how did you feel?  Tired, invigorated, refreshed, grumpy, mentally stressed, relaxed?  Did it make you feel like you should do it again sometime?

"It is in nature, among the things which God has created, designed and brought forth Himself, that we are in the most natural atmosphere to be inspired.  Creative ideas are apt to flow in the midst of the creativity expressed in God's creation, as one is temporarily separated from the confusion of conflicting voices which would separate us from the simple basic realities of what 'is'..."

When was the last time you sat outside in the morning listening to the birds as they greeted the day and enjoying the coolness of the morning?  When was the last time you slept under the stars and listened to the night creatures and crickets chirping?  When was the last time you tended a garden and watched it grow and enjoyed the results?

One of the creative ideas she suggests is to make a "Meal Hunt".  Give clues to find and make the kids hunt for the meal.  Make it 2-3 courses.  This can be done inside or outside.  If you do it outside they might actually have clues that take them to a bush, tree or plant in the garden that they can pick part of their food to eat.

How do you encourage creativity in your kids?

"Children are naturally creative, but it needs encouragement."
Let them tell you about their ideas and encourage them.  Allow them the freedom to make something with stuff.  Give them "trash" to make into "treasure".  Do they really need that "kit" or can they do something similar if allowed a little glue, paper, rubber bands, sticks, grass, rocks, etc?

I guess this post is all full of questions to help you get your creative juices flowing.  What are you going to do about it?

I know that I love to be outside, but it sure is easy to stay inside and not get dirty or hot.  I need to make a conscious effort to go outside more to enjoy it.  Being outside makes me feel refreshed, relaxed, joyful and gives me a sense of wonder that my God created all of these things that I enjoy.