Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens is a beautiful magazine that was first published in 1922 by Edwin Meredith, who served as United States Secretary of Agriculture under Woodrow Wilson.  It is the 4th best selling magazine in the U.S. and it is dedicated to helping women create better, more inviting homes.

As the pages are turned in this lovely publication, photos of pretty, remodeled kitchens complete with breezy curtains and expensive tableware, cozy porches with pillow laden furniture and colorful vases of flowers look back at you.  On another page you may find a weedless garden with a cobbled stone path winding through lush vegetables or variegated  flowers.  Everything is perfect!  Literally!   And as I page through magazines like this one, more than likely in a waiting room setting, I experience longing - longing to have what is on those pages, and discontentment and ungratefulness grows towards what God has provided for me.

You see, I am not gifted in this area, nor do I have the funds or time to mimic the photos on those smooth pages.  I have deep admiration (and a little bit of envy) for my friends who are talented in the area of interior and exterior decorating and it would be wonderful to have them visit me for a few days (or weeks) with the intention of putting those talents to work on our farm.  Our place has potential!  A lot of it and I can imagine how beautiful it would look in the end and how anyone who would drive by would oh & ah at my much better home. 

But, that is not my reality and for some sad reason, what is my reality is never published in a magazine.  I have been contemplating publishing one!  It would be titled, "Reality Homes & Gardens" and it would feature homesteads like mine - homesteads of busy, sometimes overwhelmed, mamas.  I have come to terms with my reality and realize that this is exactly where God wants me to be.  I have learned much in this imperfect setting and there is much more that I can still learn.

Consider yourselves privileged to have a sneak peek at the first photos for the new publication of my imaginary magazine.

Our reality kitchen .......
Seriously, why are there always dishes to do?

 

It is complete with the latest style of a potato, and obviously apple, bin.....

 

 the easy to use laundry chute.....

and the state of the art dining room decor.....

A paragraph will be added on how Uriah, Oliver & I learned how to remove a toilet so a leak could be fixed.  What do you think?  Should this article go at the beginning or towards the end of the magazine in a section called, "The Gross Part of Homesteading?"

And then the gardens......

We have scattered gardens and they are void of cobbled stoned paths.  Weeds and hose nozzles are more commonly seen as we stroll around among our plants.  :)

I first planted carrots in this trough and then waited and waited for them to grow.  When the delay went longer than I thought it should, I figured the seeds were bad or my thumb turned brown.  So, I planted sweet potato plants along side the tomato plant.  I had purchased the sweet potato plants thinking they would go in one of the bigger gardens but the master gardener informed me there was no room.  I would either have to throw them out or find a place to stick em.  Well, as you see the carrots did not like the competition and decided to grow.  I still have somewhat of a green thumb, after all.  The external of this trough looks so pretty, but is there really room for carrots and potatoes to grow in there?  We'll see.....

One of the tubs with sweet potatoes...

and the bucket?  Just one of the lawn ornaments.  Pretty, isn't it?  Wonder why we don't see more of them in Better Homes & Gardens?  :)

 

Another trough with lettuce, tomato plant and sweet potatoes...

had pretty flowers at both ends, but they died.  Not sure why......rethinking my green thumb idea.  We had this trough sitting in a different location, but the menfolk moved it to work at another project, which I will share at a later date.

 

As you can see, I did stick potato plants wherever I could.  What the potatoes will look like, who knows, but I have been enjoying the greenery.

 

This was once my beautiful bleeding heart bush that my mom gave to me years ago for my birthday.  For some reason the dog thought it was a nice place to lay down!  What would Better Homes do about this problem?  I guess they don't have dogs for their children.  Maybe they don't have children.

 
 The green bean patch.  Instead of being bordered by pretty flowers, we have Bacon & Sausage at one corner and calves at the other end.  New trend!  Makes for interesting odors while picking beans! 

 

Thinking I should add a new section to the magazine featuring laundry, for that is a daily reality around here...

Let's see, what could I call it?   Any ideas?

 

 That concludes this addition of "Reality Homes & Gardens."  If you would like to make a submission for future publications, send your name, address, pictures, and story of what "reality" is to you.  :)

Really, though, this was all meant in fun and to encourage everyone else in their less than magazine setting. Don't take me as complaining.  I am not!  God has been good to us and has provided everything we need.   My reality is one of blessings, as I am sure yours is as well.

As far as the magazines featuring beautiful, elaborate, yummy dishes of food?  Yeah, not my reality either.  :)  Would one of you be willing to tackle that edition?

Until next time.......