Offering the Benefits of Compassion
Shortly after our eldest daughter turned sixteen, I suggested that my husband take her on her first date. Accordingly, he extended an invitation to her and made a reservation at a very nice restaurant. On the appointed evening, they dressed up and... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Jul 26th, 2011 | 0 comments
Cutting Off the Clutter
As a long-time subscriber and a sometime contributor to the House of Order weekly newsletter, I have heard and thought quite a bit about organizing. I confess, I am the kind of person who sets up systems and maintains them for awhile, then I fall off... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Jul 14th, 2011 | 0 comments
Mother: The Heroic, Gifted Heart Behind the Scenes
My husband recently held a contest to see who would be able to best select a good and engaging book for him to read. The winning entry came from his parents, whose recommendation is now required reading for our four older children! Gifted Hands, the... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Jul 12th, 2011 | 0 comments
Benvenuto: A Beautiful Welcome From the Heart
After an unexpected opportunity to accompany my husband on a business trip, I have a new heroine. Her name is Jennie Butchart. Though she began her work more than a hundred years ago, her remarkable vision and diligent service transformed her... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Jul 6th, 2011 | 1 comment
Late Nights and Road Trips… and Other Experiences That Leave You With a Bad Taste in Your Mouth
I have an unusual talent. It’s not completely fail safe, and it’s unlikely to win any prizes, but in the privacy of my home it has been recognized with wonder and gratitude. In my sleep, I can distinguish “that particular tone” of cough, dash... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Apr 24th, 2011 | 0 comments
Gifts From the Love Cupboard: Developing and Maintaining Your Gift Pantry
After a summer-time birthday breakfast with her cousins, my daughter realized we had neglected to include her neighborhood friends in our celebration. We baked a cake and set up a party table in the parlor, then she and her older sister set out to find... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Mar 11th, 2011 | 0 comments
Kicking the Mardi Gras Habit: Wisdom For the Wife of a Self-Made Man
It happened just as our second child was born. My husband was a talented Pre Med student, working full time to support our growing family. We had just purchased our first house, our car died, and we decided it would be a great idea to start a business.... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Mar 9th, 2011 | 4 comments
The Best Way to Get a Buzz: Tips for a Haircut
I once had a talented roommate from Las Vegas who was a professional hairdresser. Among other things, she explained that some parts of a person’s head are more efficient at growing hair and that each haircut or trim should start with goals for the... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Jan 13th, 2011 | 0 comments
The Best Kind of Christmas Giving
There have been years when, about three days before Christmas, the Mrs. Claus in me evaporated and the Mrs. Grinch appeared. It seems that, at Christmastime, Mother is expected to cheerily create magical memories and orchestrate the warmth of... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Nov 24th, 2010 | 0 comments
Organized Storage — Even Without Shelves
Lately, I have been perusing home furniture catalogs, and have considered that they are not really marketing furniture: each photograph appears crafted to sell a carefree lifestyle, where all is neatly put away in places ideally suited for a... read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Oct 28th, 2010 | 3 comments
