Welcome to another homemaking week in the life. We are meditating on the end of summer in today's video, which brings seasonal recipes, and freshly washed laundry.



The end of the summer is an unusual time of year. Most people are ready for fall at this point... I know I am. Yet, we are still in 100 degree + heat. That could be one of the reasons why we are dreaming of colder days ahead.

The worldwide lockdowns have also made this a strange summer... We were supposed to visit England again this August, but had to cancel due to Covid restrictions... I know everyone has some version of cancelled plans. At this point, it's really about focusing on the present and appreciating what is right in front of us.

Here is my poem featured in the video: The End of Summer... All rights reserved.

The End of Summer
The end of summer quietly arrives,
It holds a certain peace.
My heartstrings are ready for what comes next,
Their curiosity will not cease.

But though I look forward to autumn,
Its final moments I embrace.
The solstice of our reckoning,
What challenges the world did face.

These meditations on homemaking:
Blithe thoughts to awaken the numb.
I’ll fold and think of summer’s end,
And the autumn that is to come.
- Jennifer L. Scott

Here are the recipes in today's video:

Butterscotch Cookies (from an old Amish cookbook I have)

6 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups butter
1 1/2 Tbs. baking soda
2 Tbs. baking powder
4 eggs, beaten
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar with a mixer. Add the vanilla and eggs. Sift in the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix until combined. Roll into a log and chill. Once chilled, slice into small disks (space them out a lot... I didn't and mine stuck together). Bake at 350 degrees for 15- 20 minutes. These cookies are chewy and delightful! Even though I messed them up in the video, they still tasted so good. Freeze half of this recipe... it freezes well. We have enjoyed these cookies so much this summer.



Zucchini and Tomato Gratin
I made this recipe up so I could use up some garden produce. Slice a zucchini and two large tomatoes. I used the beefsteak tomatoes we have been enjoying this summer. Also thinly slice one medium onion. Drizzle olive oil in a gratin dish and arrange the vegetables beautifully with the onion. Top with more olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever seasonings you enjoy. Finally, top a mixture of breadcrumbs and melted button on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.


Featured in the video:

⚜️ Kitchen
Sifter
Kitchen-Aid
Copper gratin pan Mine is over a decade old, but I'm linking a similar one here.
French apron
Striped half-apron

⚜️ Cleaning & Home
Pink floral gloves
e-cloth microfiber cloths
Cellar Door Candles
Riverbend Home Turkish towels
Checked tablecloth

⚜️Style
Londontown nail polish (Cheerio) JenniferS for 25% off
Londontown nail polish (Changing of the Guards) JenniferS for 25% off
Mott & Bow white jeans https://bit.ly/2JCP5cT JLS10 for 10% off

I hope you enjoyed today's video.

News
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for August.

📍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.)

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

On Instagram
This week was a wonderful milestone for The Daily Connoisseur. We reached 30K subscribers on Instagram and 90K subscribers on YouTube. My sincere thanks to everyone who is subscribed to my channel and who follows me on social media, and takes part in the blog. You make this channel special and I would like to thank you.

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I would like to thank you here on Instagram for 30K followers. Why anyone would follow me on Instagram is a mystery to me as I am #instagramclueless but, nevertheless, I'd like to thank all of you who do. If you are new here and you don't know much about me, I'm an author. You can see all of my books at the bottom right of this picture. Writing is one of my favorite things to do in the world. I also love creating videos on YouTube. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes by Henry David Thoreau: "To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." I hope you have a beautiful day and thank you for joining our community of daily connoisseurs here on Instagram. #dailyconnoisseur #authorsofinstagram #lessonsfrommadamechic #connoisseurkids #mademoisellechic

A post shared by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Aug 15, 2020 at 2:18pm PDT

Comment of the Week
Thank you for your amazing reaction to my Little House on the Prairie Homemaking video. I have one on Farmer Boy in the works so look out for that soon.
Kristyn writes, "I read these over and over as a child, and then as an adult with my children. Farmer Boy and The Long Winter are my favorites. They are probably the most different, one is about feast and one about famine. I admire the two mothers' hard work and devotion, even though their lives were so different. When I was 9 my family was snowed in with no electricity for two weeks while my father was away working. I remember looking up at our dog as I walked the path my mom had dug to our burn barrel and our dog ran on top of the snow. My sister, Mom and I played Little House for that two weeks. I had to be good and patient like Mary, and my younger sister had to be spunky and brave like Laura. We melted snow for water (the well pump ran on electricity) and thanked God the propane tank was full for the gas stove. It's funny, we all have good memories of that winter. Any time we might lose the power during a storm or get a big snowfall I feel mildly excited and I think that's why. (In Michigan it must be a coping mechanism!) I'm looking forward to Farmer Boy, thank you, Jennifer!"


Krysten, I loved your observation on how Farmer Boy represents feast and The Long Winter represents famine. We will explore Farmer Boy in the next installment. Thank you for watching!

I hope you enjoyed today's video. Let us know how the end of the season is going for you. What are your observations? Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur. See you soon!


*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: This video is not sponsored. I also use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links which means I get a small commission from any purchases made at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

“You may think that being chic has nothing to do with the most insignificant and mundane moments of the day. Moments like preparing your meals, emptying the dishwasher, and paying bills. But the secret is: those moments aren’t insignificant. Au contraire. They are very significant. That’s right—if you can change your attitude about making the pasta sauce, choosing your clothes for the day, folding the laundry, setting the table, or dealing with the incoming mail, you can completely change your life.”
― a quote from my book, At Home with Madame Chic: Becoming a Connoisseur of Daily Life



Welcome to a new homemaking: a week in the life. In today's episode, I'm cooking dinner, growing potatoes, enjoying breakfast, and looking after the home (with lots of tea breaks in between).

I truly believe that joy at home is all about perspective. If we frame our day with enjoyable routines and seek the pleasures of the morning, afternoon, and evening, we can enjoy our everyday life... even the most mundane parts.

I have really enjoyed spending time outside in the late afternoon. We like to have dinner outside and afterwards will spend up to two hours in the garden. I'll give you a garden update soon. The potatoes we are growing in bags are really taking off. This is so surprising and exciting to me (it's the little things!)

Also, I experimented making jam tarts for tea. I will share the recipe with you in an upcoming afternoon tea video so stay tuned for that. In the meantime I hope you enjoy today's video.

Here is a list of what was featured in the video:

Kitchen:
yogurt maker
Blue willow pattern plates
copper measuring cups
Le Creuset red pots
Meatless Farm Co. (vegan) Also available at Whole Foods
Oregon blueberries
French Apron
Earl Grey tea
potato growing bags
Burpee for seeds and potatoes

Home:
e-cloth microfiber cloths
Cellar Door Candle Company
Cezanne painting is from Great Big Canvas
Flower arrangement is from Horchow

Books:
At Home with Madame Chic
Alexander Hamilton
Pablo Neruda Captain's Verses
Audible subscription (audiobooks)
Oh Wondrous Grace Magazine

Style:
My robes from Plush Necessities
My nail polish is by Londontown JenniferS for 25% off
LuLu's black floral jumpsuit
white jeans JLS10 for 10% off
blue & white dress (similar)
Floral blouse
Amazon essentials cardigan

News
📍 I am featured in The Dispatch again this week in an article called, Possumhaw: Keeping it simple.

📍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."

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for May.

📍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.

On Instagram
At Home with Madame Chic on Instagram... If you would like your Instagram featured on the Daily Connoisseur, tag me with the hashtags #jenniferlscott #lessonsfrommadamechic or #connoisseurkids

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Afternoon tea with a lovely book💕 I absolutely adore the Madame Chic series by #jenniferscott. They help motivate me to live a beautiful, charming, creative life. What are your favorite lifestyle motivational books? #afternoontea #madamechic #thedailyconnoisseur #royalalbert #vintagechina #homemaking #homemaker #victoriamagazine #vintagehankies #vintagelinens #usewhatyoulove

A post shared by Shannon Jones (@prettythriftedhome) on May 2, 2020 at 4:52pm PDT

Comment of the Week
DJ writes, "Looking forward to this May assignment!!! I've been thinking about some big changes for my bedroom - now is the time! Thanks for the inspiration!!! I just needed a little push to get started. I hope you share with your readers if you change your bedroom this month. I've been taking your e-class and loving it."


Hi DJ, I have a special plan for our bedroom that I will share soon! I'm glad you're enjoying the new eCourse too. Thank you!

I hope you enjoy today's video... I'll see you on Thursday for a new 3 Articles on Dress.


*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.

Daily Connoisseur reader, Rachele, sent me this article from Elemental: Cooking, Cleaning, and Sewing Are the New Wellness.



The article discusses how many women are turning to old-fashioned, traditional homemaking practices such as baking bread and cleaning for self-care and wellness. Here are a few takeaway quotes from the article:

"Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that repetitive acts increase a person’s belief that they can manage a situation that is otherwise out of their hands."

"Household hobbies allow you to exert mindful effort. Consider them the antithesis to a society that has all its needs met without much exertion at all."

“In this modern age, we have lost the ability to be bored and then be inspired and then create something new. I think [home hobbies] are incredibly therapeutic.”

I believe the mundane, repetitive tasks that we do everyday constitute such a large portion of our lives, we might as well "re-brand" them in our minds and think about them differently. If we have to do them, we might as well enjoy them. In that sense, I do believe homemaking is the new wellness. And with the recent pandemic quarantine, so many people are forced to look at their home life and analyze how it is working for them and to rebrand their systems of keeping house.

Featured in the video:

My jumpsuit (new for spring) is by Lulu's
My earrings are Rachelyn Jewelry
I clean with eCloth microfiber cloths
Glass cleaner is by Squeak
The rest of my cleaning products are from Grove Collaborative
My candle is by Cellar Door Candle Co.
Keep Calm and Remain Classy mug

I hope you enjoy today's video.



News
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for March.

📍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
Madame Chic featured on Instagram (and check out that amazing teacup)...

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Dan 11. Dan bez društvenih mreža Moji četverogodišnjaci i ja smo do daljnjega kod kuće s obzirom na novonastalu situaciju u Zagrebu. Vrtića nema pa koristimo vrijeme da se družimo i ujedno svatko od nas nauči nešto novo. Odlučila sam da ću sljedeća 24h pauzirati sa društvenim mrežama. Posvetit ću se malcima i iskoristiti ovo vrijeme kako bih napravila plan za kuhanje, aktivnosti i daljnje proljetno čišćenje doma. Umjesto društvenih mreža, slobodno vrijeme (koliko god ga uspijem uhvatiti pa makar i 10 min) iskoristiti ću za čitanje knjige. Čujemo se kroz 24h. 🤗 #spaceforhome #proljetnociscenjedomaiuma #mindsetreset #mindfulness #offline #organized #organizedlife #simplifyyourlife #simpleliving #reflection #lessonsfrommadamechic #jenniferlscott

A post shared by Space for Home (@space.for.home) on Mar 16, 2020 at 2:42am PDT

Comment of the Week
Toni W. writes, "Thank you very much. Toilet paper was invented in 1857 which means the original owners of my house went without toilet paper for at least 25 years. This couple who were both musicians lived in our home for 40 years. They lived in an occupied through the Civil War and probably experienced pneumonia and possibly typhoid. I live in Old Town Alexandria, VA and the history of my house is available at our library. It documents the many home owners throughout the decades. Our house also has no closets. Clothes were kept in chests of drawers. If were wealthy you may have had a closet to lock up your valuables but closets were not used for clothes. Thank you very much for this video! We will run out of toilet paper and I ordered some wash cloths."


I loved your comment, Toni. I love researching different historical time periods and always wonder what daily life was like. It's true that most of our modern conveniences are just that... modern and new. People of the past survived without them. This should help us to not panic. Thank you.

I would love to know... is homemaking the new wellness? What do you think? 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* 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.

The 5th biggest enemy to homemakers… what do you think it could be? Let’s explore in today’s video.

Welcome back to The Daily Connoisseur. The world of homemaking is deep, complex, and fraught with enemies. In the previous episodes of this series, we have examined the various enemies to homemakers. When we identify these enemies, we are able to isolate them and not let them take over our homemaking, which is a powerful tool, indeed.





Today, I’m going to share with you the 5th biggest enemy to homemakers. Are you ready?



Double-mindedness.

Yes, double-mindedness. What does it mean to be double-minded? Well, here’s the dictionary definition: ADJ. wavering in mind : UNDECIDED, VACILLATING.

Here’s how I see double-mindedness… your heart’s not in it. You’d rather be doing something else. Even if you’re slightly enjoying what you’re doing, there’s still something in the back of your mind wondering, “What if? Could I be having more fun doing… xyz?"

Double-mindedness.

Let’s see how that affects us as homemakers. We inevitably have a list of tasks to do each day. Sometimes this list is dreadfully long, sometimes it’s delightfully short. We have to start somewhere, so we choose where to begin and commence our work. The minute we start, we begin to question our choice. Is this really the best way I could be spending my time? We have the urge to do something else… either another task on the list, or scrap it all together and go have fun doing something else: online shopping, watching television, revising that draft for work, going to work out, everything else suddenly seems more appealing.

Double-mindedness. We are undecided. We vacillate. We do not rest easy in our choice and, thus, we leave half-finished projects all over the house. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to commit to a task from start to finish? Think of the time wasted and the mental exhaustion from being double-minded about our housework?

So my fellow homemakers, eliminate this fifth enemy to homemaking, double-mindedness, by resting confident in your choice and decisions. After all, there is a season for everything. Rest and refreshment are just around the corner. And, oh, it is so much more satisfying after completely a task well done.

Featured in the video:
I clean with eCloth microfiber cloths
The rest of my cleaning products are from Grove Collaborative (I use the cleaning concentrate in this video)
101 Famous Poems is the book I'm reading
My top (similar)
My dress (similar)
My earrings Use code Jennifer10 for $10 off
Velvet scrunchie
Gingham vinyl tablecloth
water pitcher with strainer

Also, if you're curious, I was putting taco meat in the slow cooker for tacos. This is one of my favorite freezer meal hacks. I make a large batch and freeze it off in portions. I can then make tacos or taco salads whenever I like.

Thank you for joining me for today's video.

News
📍I am featured on The Darling Academy today with a letter to homemakers.

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for February.

📍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
Madame Chic on Instagram...

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#AtHomeWithMadameChic, after three years of collecting Madame Chic series, next year is for #ConnoisseurKids book! 😊

A post shared by Fauziah Hafidha (@fauziah.hafidha) on Dec 21, 2019 at 10:06am PST

Comment of the Week
Laura writes, "Thank you or this interesting topic. I had to think where I spend the majority of our money and I've come up with food and furniture.

Like you, we rarely eat out. I cook all meals at home but I always buy organic produce (local if I can) and locally raised grass fed meats, locally made sausages and local eggs, organic dairy and locally roasted coffee etc. It is significantly more expensive but it is something I really believe in and I truly believe there is no comparison in the quality and taste.

Our other splurge is furniture. We will buy high quality furniture that will last. Case in point, my brother and I bought houses the same year. In 15 years, he went through 3 inexpensive couches and we bought and still have our high quality couch. We recently moved and that 15 year old couch is now in the office and looks fabulous."

I agree, Laura! And I love your point about furniture... it really does save in the long run to buy quality there.

Thank you for watching. I would love to know what you think about the fifth biggest enemy to homemakers. Do you struggle with double-mindedness with your homemaking? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.



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: This post is not sponsored. Links may be affiliate. All Amazon links are affiliate.

Hello my daily connoisseurs, in today’s video I’m going to share with you the fourth biggest enemy to home makers. Can you guess what it is?



I like to explore the world of homemaking because our jobs as homemakers are complex, satisfying, and important, but also deeply fraught with enemies. It's a good practice to call the enemies out so we are better able to move on with our tasks at hand.

Let's discuss the fourth biggest enemy to homemaking.

Comparison



Yes, that’s right, comparison. The act or instance of comparing.

We have all heard the expression: comparison is the thief of joy. Well, a truer statement could not be uttered. And in today’s modern social media age, comparison is easier now more than ever.

If you call yourself a homemaker, then I’m guessing you have a place to live… a house, an apartment, a townhome, a place where you dwell. Let’s pause right there. If that is the case, and we have a roof over our heads, food on our tables, and a bed to sleep in at night. We should rejoice with gratefulness.

But instead, what do we do? We hop on Instagram and instantly feel pangs of jealousy that so-and-so’s home looks so amazing. Look at that sofa, that rug. Those houseplants. That person has better dishes than you. That person just wallpapered. That person has a swimming pool, That person just redid her master bathroom.

Comparison.

We start to look at what other people have… and it all looks so perfect. When we look at our own things… they can start to look shabby. Outdated. Awful.

Yes, our joy is being stolen every time we look at what someone else has and wish that we had it ourselves. We must not compare our homes to others. Some people have larger budgets than we do. Either that or they are going deeply into debt to live in such a beautiful space. You never know the true story behind the glossy Instagram picture. We must be content with what we have and budget responsibly for upgrades in the future.



I understand this struggle just as much as you do. I compare my home all the time. How do you think I’m able to write this? We were blessed to be able to renovate our kitchen this past year and guess what I’m longing to do now… the bathrooms. All of them! One thing I have learned about decorating and upgrades is, you are never satisfied. So let’s cease all comparisons and just be joyful and grateful for what we currently have. Let us make our homemaking a tribute and an act of gratitude for our homes. And when we finally get to do the upgrade, we will appreciate it so much more.


News
📍Join us for the monthly Chic Assignment. For October we are enjoying Schubert, Edgar Allan Poe, presentable sleepwear, and enjoying our best every day.

📍Thank you for your wonderful support of 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
Lessons from Madame Chic in Vietnam

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my new book, my holidays 📖📖 #peacefulmoments #lessonsfrommadamechic #girlreading

A post shared by Thao Tran (@haileystories) on Apr 27, 2019 at 10:00pm PDT

Featured in today's video: My headband
My necklace
My dress (similar)
My apron
I'm cleaning with e-cloth (clean with water)

Comment of the Week
Miss Fizz writes, I feel like a touch of class has just been added to my life that I never had, since finding your channel a couple weeks ago. So many beneficial changes for myself and home have taken place with your elegant influence. Closet cleaned out, (more) clutter cleared, apron wanting to be purchased ;), teas being sipped on (lol), classical music in the home, and most importantly the complete ownership of being a homeschool mom, stay home manager/homemaker and wife. The Lord's led me to this channel to help stir the classy woman that's been hidden under sweats, pjs workout attire, unkempt hair and dark under eye circles for almost 5 years and brought about the one that matches the joyful life I live in the Spirit. Prayers to you and your family and may God continue to bless you in your work of guiding others.

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 not sponsored. Links in the post may be affiliate.