Welcome to a new Homemaking Week in the Life. Today we are spotlighting the tablecloth. We use tablecloths on both our kitchen table, as well as our dining room table. The kitchen table is new and has a beautiful wood top. I would be inclined to show the top, however, my children are still young and have spills, smudges, and all around messiness at dinner time. I know that the table will end up with food crusted in the grooves, which is hard to get out and unsightly. So we top the tablec with a plastic protective layer that easily wipes off spills.



On top of that, I will place a pretty tablecloth. Sometimes I will also put cloth or rattan placemats on top (this is a wonderful layering technique I learned from my mother-in-law who has the best taste in interior design). Beautifully laid tables are all about the layers. And a bouquet makes the whole table look so inviting.



I like to make each tablecloth last all day, if possible, so I have tactics of how I keep it neat with my younger children. The baby is still in a high chair, but my four-year-old will get extra napkins under his placemat if we are having a messy meal (as you will see in today's video).

While I use tablecloths to protect the table in the kitchen, I use them to cover the unsightliness of our dining room table. That table has seen better days and the top is scratched and damaged from years of use. A tablecloth covers this elegantly.

The Tablecloth
Each morning it awaits the bustle;
Each night it is restored to right.
Doing the duty of a work horse;
In unassuming blue and white.

We gather round the table;
No less than three times a day.
It’s wiped and ruffled and straightened—
And topped with a bouquet.

- Jennifer L. Scott



I hope you enjoy today's video. Here are the relevant links to everything featured.

⚜️ Home
Floral tablecloth
checked tablecloth
jacquard tablecloth
Plastic table cover
Rattan placemats
Rattan placemat 6-pack
Turkish towel set

⚜️Cleaning
Laundry Detergent Hiketron (Mambo Man is my favorite, followed by Royal Linen) JENNY25 for 25% off (first-time customers)
e-cloth (mop & microfiber cloths)
Grove Collaborative (natural cleaning products)
Laundry racks

⚜️Kitchen
Instant Pot
Dessert dishes
Copper measuring cups
Cake dome
Vitamix blender

⚜️Beauty
Lipstick A'DEL Natural Cosmetics in Nude
Jade roller

⚜️ Style
Half striped apron
French apron
Nail polish Londontown Vendetta JenniferS for 25% off
Pom Pom Slippers
Mott & Bow dark denim JLS10 for 10% off
Mott & Bow white denim JLS10 for 10% off
Blouses from Loft
SKYE Risette dress (blue) code Jennifer20 for 20% off
Pearl Earrings SKYE Jennifer20 for 20% off SKYE
Rachelyn Jewelry (pink earrings)

News
📍Last week, I published a bonus video, Cooking from What I Have. This was a collaboration with some dear YouTube friends where we challenged ourselves to make meals from what was already in our pantry, fridge, and freezer. Make sure you are subscribed to my YouTube channel (subscribing is free!) so you never miss a video as they don't all end up on the blog. Hit the "bell" to receive an email every time I upload a video or go live.


📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for June, 2020

📍Take my new eCourse, Carry Yourself with Poise. There are so many amazing ladies on this course, bonding and building friendships as we rally around elegant living. Tamara writes, "I absolutely adored this course! One of the best investments I have ever made in my life. Jennifer, I would like to thank you for taking the time to create a course that is enriching. I look forward future courses."

📍Become a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I do one livestream as well 3 episodes of my new Vodcast (a video podcast) per month. (Link must be accessed on a computer.) I often discuss more controversial and sensitive issues on memberships, that do not make it to YouTube and last month we had a great Zoom call with all of the participants.

📍Thank you for your wonderful support of my new book, CONNOISSEUR KIDS.

On Instagram
The Madame Chic books on Instagram.... Tag me with your book photos at #jenniferlscott

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Garden flowers, jam jars and ribbon - a few of my favourite things 💐🎀🎶 #gardenflowers #sunshine #inthegarden #jenniferlscott #tomhanksuncommontype #annefogarty

A post shared by Lynn (@vintagelovingceliac) on Jun 26, 2020 at 9:21am PDT

Comment of the Week
Kim H. writes, "I do this periodically. .. I call it "use it up! " week. I challenge myself to only buying what I absolutely must from the store (eggs, bananas, etc) and then get creative to try to empty the fridge, freezer and pantry. It's always fun to see how creative I can get. Your fish pasta looked really good!"


Hi Kim, my favorite part about cooking is the creativity involved. Because I never have all of the ingredients for any given recipe, I enjoy improvising. Cooking is forgiving with experimentation, whereas baking is not. Thanks for your comment!

I hope you enjoyed today's homemaking week in the life. I would love to know how your homemaking journey is coming along. Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.

*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: Today's video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Some items are sent to me to review. Others are purchased by me. All opinions are my own.

In today's Homemaking Week in the Life, we are making our own version of tapas and I'm putting the finishing touches on our Master Bedroom.



I hope this series inspires you to enjoy your homemaking tasks and see the beauty in the mundane things of everyday life.



Today we are making a tapas-style lunch. We like to do this every now and then when we can't think of what to make and it always ends up being a hit. Ben cooked up some spicy sausage, and I cut up a roasted rotisserie chicken. We had it with chopped veggies, olives, and artichoke hearts. The platter of food was totally devoured!


Here is my short poem, My Ritual, that was featured in the film:

My Ritual
The world can be crumbling in every possible way
The coffee is tepid, the bills not yet paid
The laundry is piled, the monsters at bay
But all is somehow right if my bed is made




Some of you ask if my children ever interrupt my daily tasks. Yes... all the time! I try to incorporate them as much as possible and sometimes the littlest one is very determined to not let me finish. This is a good reminder for me actually. I can be a very driven and task-oriented person. I'm always trying to get to the end result. But as we know with children, it's more about the journey, rather than the destination.

This homemaking series is meant to encourage you with your daily mission. I hope today's video accomplishes that.

Featured in the video:

⚜️ Style
Mott & Bow Jeans JLS10 for 10% off
Lulu's black floral jumpsuit
Draper James Chambray shift dress
Red bow slippers
pink pom pom slippers
Gingham top (similar)

⚜️Books
Audible audio books subscription
Jane Eyre (I finally finished Hamilton... it was so good. I'm on to Jane Eyre now)

⚜️ Cleaning
Hiketron Mambo Man laundry detergent Daily20 for 20% off (this is the most amazing scent)
HIketron Royal Linen (My 2nd fav scent) Daily20 for 20% off
Mirapur rose geranium essential oil
e-cloth microfiber cloths & mop
Grove Collaborative natural cleaning products
Dyson cordless vacuum

⚜️Home and Garden
American Blossom Linens Jennifer20 for 20% off
Ruffle bedspread
Cellar Door Candles
Riverbend Home 16 pc Turkish towel set
Riverbend Home shell bath mat
LILYSILK silk pillowcases Daily12 for 12% off

⚜️ Kitchen
Blue & white plates
Boos block
tapas tray / cake stand

News
📍 I am featured in the Epoch Times this week in an article called, Jennifer L. Scott: Projecting Beauty Into the World.

📍I am a guest on the Homemaker Chic Podcast with Angela Reed and Shaye Elliott. Have a listen to our lively conversation in their season premiere episode.

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for June, 2020

📍Take my new eCourse, Carry Yourself with Poise. There are so many amazing ladies on this course, bonding and building friendships as we rally around elegant living. Tamara writes, "I absolutely adored this course! One of the best investments I have ever made in my life. Jennifer, I would like to thank you for taking the time to create a course that is enriching. I look forward future courses."

📍Become a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I do one livestream as well 3 episodes of my new Vodcast (a video podcast) per month. (Link must be accessed on a computer.) I often discuss more controversial and sensitive issues on memberships, that do not make it to YouTube and last month we had a great Zoom call with all of the participants.

📍Thank you for your wonderful support of my new book, CONNOISSEUR KIDS.

On Instagram
Madame Chic in Japan... Tag me with your photos on Instagram using the hashtag #jenniferlscott #lessonsfrommadamechic or #connoisseurkids

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. フランス人は10着しか服を持たない . 昨日、無性にスナック菓子が食べたくなり バリバリ食べた私。 その夜から読み始めたこちらの本💁🏼‍♀️📖 . 読みながら スナック菓子を食べた事に自己嫌悪…😫 . . . . . . #bookstagram #jenniferlscott #lessonfrommadamechic #nobooknolife #lifestyle #booklover #フランス人は10着しか服を持たない #読書記録 #読書好きな人と繋がりたい #ライフスタイル #読み返し #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #カメラ女子 #ファインダー越しの私の世界 #bookshelf #bookaddict

A post shared by @ lotusmum on Jun 19, 2020 at 1:04am PDT

Comment of the Week

Elle writes, "Hi Jennifer, I love the French Country Toile look. Your bedroom looks like a lovely haven. I live in an apartment so I didn't want to do the walls and then have to paint them white when I moved out. I opted for a beautiful blue and white toile sheets set. I have a white summer coverlet to go with and the outcome is a very cozy, elegant retreat.
Thanks for sharing your home.
Ciao!
Elle"


Thank you, Elle! I love your positive attitude and that you were able to decorate with toile and work around the restrictions from your apartment. I bet your room looks lovely.

Thank you for joining me today. I would love to know how your week went in homemaking.


*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: Today's video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.

I'm making bread and yogurt from scratch in today's video....



The taste of homemade yogurt and bread far surpasses anything you could buy. I love making yogurt, especially and am excited to finally share my method with you in today's video.



This is a very simple bread recipe pulled from Bread World. There are instructions for using rapid rise yeast at that link too.

5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 (4-1/2 tsp.) Active Dry Yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter

Place 1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°F) in a large warm bowl. Sprinkle in dry yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar; stir. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy on top. Add remaining 1 cup water, milk, butter, sugar, salt and 4 cups flour. Mix well using the medium speed of an electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover; let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Punch dough down. Divide dough in half. Roll each half to 12 x 7-inch rectangle. Beginning at short end of each rectangle, rollup tighly as for jelly roll. Pinch seams and ends to seal. Place, seam sides down, ingreased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.


To Make Whole Wheat Bread: Substitute 2 cups whole wheat flour for part of all purpose flour.




Take one quart of milk (I find whole milk works best) and cook until almost at a boil (the edges bubble) or 180 degrees F. Remove from heat and let cool to 110 degrees F. Then take one cup of the milk and set it aside to mix in the culture. Then pour that one cup and culture back into the quart and mix well. **Please note: if you don't have culture, you can use 1/4 cup of yogurt with culture in it.** Pour evenly into your yogurt glasses (do not put the lids on the glasses, those are only for refrigeration). Then place the large lid of the yogurt maker on and leave alone for 8 to 12 hours. Turn the yogurt maker off, place a lid on each individual cup, and refrigerate. Top with berries, jam, honey, or sweetener of your choice.

Here are the links to everything used:
Yogurt maker
Another yogurt maker option
Extra yogurt containers set of 8
pyrex dish one quart
yogurt thermometer
yogurt culture option 1
yogurt culture option 2
yogurt culture option 3
yogurt culture option 4
Homemade Yogurt recipe book

Bread:
For those who are intimated by making bread from scratch, consider a Bread machine (I don't use one in the video but I have used them in the past and they are great.)
bread machine option 2
copper measuring cups
KitchenAid mixer
loaf pans
loaf pans option 2
Large mixing bowl
active dry yeast
dish cloth (similar options) and here

Coffee:
Cappuccino maker
Keep Calm and Remain Classy Mug

hot pads (similar)
My apron
my dress

News

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for April.

📍Become a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I do one livestream as well 3 episodes of my new Vodcast (a video podcast) per month. (Link must be accessed on a computer.)

📍Thank you for your wonderful support of my new book, CONNOISSEUR KIDS.

📍I am working on an exciting new eCourse for you and it is almost ready. In the meantime, check out my affordable eCourses: The Ten-Item Wardrobe, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living, and How to be Efficient at Home.

On Instagram
Connoisseur Kids and Madame Chic featured on Instagram...

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SUNDAY - relaxing with all my favourite books. This pile sums up all my interests I think.😊📚 I grew up with lots of books around and yes I have a couple books on the go at once! 😁 #ilovebooks #readingiscool #books #frenchstyle #education #healthyliving #connoisseurs #connoisseurkids #madamechic #zerowaste #wastefreeliving #lovehousedesign #countrystyle #australiancountry @rocket_science @dailyconnoisseur @countrystylemag @meredithgaston

A post shared by Kate (@kates_crew_) on Mar 28, 2020 at 11:44pm PDT

Comment of the Week
Sarah writes, "Hi Jennifer! Even though the rest of the world is postponed, I think it's important more than ever to have a certain level of class in this weird time. We all need something to look forward to."


Dear Sarah, yes! I am glad that The Chic Assignment is carrying on. This video today relates to Chic Assignment 3, which is to make something from scratch.

I hope you enjoy today's video! I would love to know... do you make yogurt from scratch? What about bread? What are your favorite recipes?


Visit my newly designed Author Website

*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the ten-item wardrobe, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: Today's video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.

What's in a day as a homemaker? How does a homemaker deal with the isolation that comes with the territory? These are the concepts I'm exploring in today's video.



What’s in the day as a homemaker?

The outside world looks in at a homemaker and wonders what on earth they do all day long. They envision endless hours of daytime television, folding laundry, and occasionally thawing a chicken from the freezer.

Well you know this, my fellow homemaker, they’ve got it completely wrong.

The Life of a Homemaker is deep and complex. There really is no other work like it in the world. Shakespeare’s Juliet asks, “What’s in a name?”

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”



Let us as homemaker’s ask “What’s in a day?”

The day could hold any number of quotidian tasks: making beds, ironing, cleaning, cooking, correspondence, teaching, parenting. Each of these things in and of themselves seems pretty straight forward. What’s the big deal? Some of the smaller tasks like making beds and cooking don’t seem so important. Aren’t there better things to do?

Well no, frankly, not really. I suppose it doesn’t matter who does these things, as long as they get done. So yes, as homemakers, we aren’t the only ones to do these tasks, our family does them too. But whatever tasks that are attributed to you, no matter how mundane, please know their importance. They may seem small. They may seem insignificant. But when placed together with the collective work you do all day long, they are deeply significant.

Some homemakers struggle with the isolation of being at home. If you’re an introverted homemaker like I am, you actually enjoy it. If you struggle with this, think of your isolation through a different lens.

Let’s look at how Henry David Thoreau made isolation work for him. He moved to Walden Pond to learn to live deliberately. To live a purposeful life. Notice he did not want to be around others during this time.

Oh, my fellow homemakers, make your solitude in this endeavor work for you. Can we live deliberately, like Thoreau, through making the beds, cooking the meals, ironing the clothes?

We can enrich our minds through this process as well. Through listening to books, taking the much-needed rest, and filling our minds with beautiful things.

So the next time someone asks you, “What’s in the day as a homemaker?” You will look at them with a twinkle in your eye. You could say, “Living deliberately, carving out my purpose, and making our life at home a magical escape from the outside world.” Or you could just smile and say, “You’d be surprised.”



News
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for December.

📍Become a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I will be doing one livestream as well 3 episodes of my new Vodcast (a video podcast) per month. The lowest tier is $1.99 a month. Upper tiers receive recognition in videos and even mail. (Link must be accessed on a computer.) We had our first livestream last Friday and it was so enjoyable. Also, listed in today's video you will see some fan recognition from the Chic Connoisseurs. Thank you, ladies!

📍Check out my ultimate holiday gift guide for 2019.

📍Thank you for your wonderful support of my new book, CONNOISSEUR KIDS.

📍Check out my affordable eCourses: The Ten-Item Wardrobe, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living, and How to be Efficient at Home.

On Instagram
Connoisseur Kids on Instagram...

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#connoisseurkids #jenniferlscott #parenting #BookishlyYours #featuredtitles #yournextgoodread #kinokuniyamalaysia #KinokuniyaKLCC

A post shared by Kinokuniya Malaysia (@kinokuniyamalaysia) on Dec 10, 2019 at 11:42pm PST

Comment of the Week
Kerri-Mae Ashley writes, "Where have you been all my life?! Lol I got so emotional towards the end of the video for a number of reasons - conviction, hope, joy and excitement! I recently became a SHAM (1 year ago). It was a goal that we patiently waited for ten years and I said I would not be a yoga pants and t-shirt mom and what am I today? A yoga pants and t-shirt mom. I used to get dressed everyday and now only to go out to go out the house. I hurt myself hiking and couldn’t work out so I gained weight over the past few months. I felt like I didn’t deserve to get dressed everyday like I used to because I didn’t feel and look the same in my clothes. The self pity and shame is over. Thank you so much for this beautiful video - it has inspired a changed back to my true self. You are such a blessing...xoxo"

Kerri-Mae, your comment is so empowering. I am so happy you have chosen to change back to your true self and I'm thrilled that the videos have impacted you in such a positive way. Thank you for writing to us.

Thank you for joining me today... I would love to know... what's in your day as a homemaker? How do you deal with the isolation that can come with the territory? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur.


Visit my newly designed Author Website

*NEW* Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the ten-item wardrobe, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: This post is sponsored not sponsored. Some links are affiliate.