What am I reading: Passionate Housewives Desperate for God Fresh Vision for the Hopeful Homemaker by Jennie McDonald and Stacy Chancey

When I started to read this book I couldn’t put it down, it was so engaging and interesting, it has been an excellent read thus far (I read a little over half) and I am looking forward to finishing it. 

The book focuses on such topics as: the truth of feminism, the role of the Christian wife and mother (homemaker) as described in the scriptures, raising godly children (even when feeling weary and tired!), debunking the myths of the Stepford wives (women who stay at home are robots without a brain) and learning to embrace this precious role.  I found that it was truthful  and it doesn’t gloss over the struggles and difficulties facing Christian mothers as they bring their children surrounded by worldly temptations.  Someone in Amazon described it as a “realistic picture of a mother's calling” and I think this is very true.
Virtuous womanhood is a glorious lifework - one God deems praiseworthy in His own Words. . . May you turn your back on the hollow image of desperate home life the world parades before us and learn to view your own home as a place of life, hope, joy and industry - a place where spirits are made full and loves are changed forever for the glory of God.   (page 186)
It's time to lay aside the stereotype and glamorized myths and discover the rare jewel of godly womanhood - to rediscover what it means to e a passionate housewife "desperate" for God alone! (page xxv)
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What am I watching: Roman Holiday. I thought I would go back to the black and white movies of yesteryear (1953) and watch the beautiful Audry Hepburn in Roman Holiday. For those not familiar with the movie - a bored princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with a handsome journalist (Gregory Peck).  A beautiful love story that contains no swearing and is just a sweet romance - they don't make them like this any more.  Audry Hepburn won an Oscar for her role as Princess Ann.
Some trivia - it was the first American movie to be make entirely in Italy.  It cost $1.5 million to make which was pretty expensive in 1953.

I have also just finished watching Series 1-3 of Rosemary and Thyme - which is such nice series and unique as it has 2 middle aged women as the main character.  It is a "who-done-it" series. 

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What am I listening to: I love classical music and have quite a collection. One CD that I love to listen to when I am relaxing is Contented Rest: The Timeless music of J.S.Bach.  It is beautiful and perfect to calm the soul.  After a busy day I like nothing better than lying on the couch playing a piece of classical music - I prefer those that are quiet and calm that brings tranquility and relaxation.

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What have you been reading, watching and listening to?

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Comments

  1. I love Roman Holiday. It's such a pity they don't make them like this any more where the man is chivalarous rather than *hot to trot*.

    Rosemary & Thyme is good too. ☺ And Bach. lol Not so sure about the housekeeping. As a wit once remarked, "the house is about all I'll keep."

    We are on holidays so I am writing. When I write there isn't time for anything else. ☺

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  2. The book you're reading sounds like a really good read!
    I love classical music too, it can be very relaxing, or very stimulating (depending on the type you're listening to!)...

    I've not been doing a lot of reading on my own, but I've been reading 'On the Banks of Plum Creek' (Laura Ingalls Wilder) aloud to the kids, and a reference book called 'Discover Bugs' as well.
    The kids and I have been watching some DVDs about places and animals.
    And listening - a CD called 'Go to the Ant' (basically some Proverbs put to kids music). :)
    As you can see, most of what I do is with the kids!! :P

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  3. Too much holiday busyness here for much in the way of interest reading, though I have watched a few kids/ family shows.
    Have seen the Desperate Housewives book reviewed and always looks like a good read. Also often read at Your Sacred Calling (Stacy McDonald's blog).
    Clara, my kids loved Go to the Ant and other Judy Rogers cds.We still have some in the car.

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  4. Your life sounds very peaceful Jo.

    I've been reading the massive piles of school notes that come home this time of term.

    I've been listening to my children bicker and fight over who should clean up the blocks they have ALL been playing with together, and my teenage daughter complain about how she wants to shave her legs because one person at school commented that they were ugly, and my teenage son tell me that he lost his wallet at school with $50 of his saved pocket money but neglected to report it to the front office.

    And I've been watching PlaySchool, Wiggles, and some crime show (first two Kitcat's choice, last one HB's choice.)

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  5. I haven't read that book Jo, but I have heard a lot of good things about it.

    I also haven't seen the shows you mentioned and they sound interesting also. We love the English shows!

    I haven't read a book for a while and haven't watched much on TV or DVD lately. Oh, except for a movie on King David, which we own.

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  6. I hadn't heard of that book before, it sounds like a great read!
    As for me, I have a stack of books next to my bed that I am reading:) women can multi-task right:)
    They are:
    John G Lake - His Life, His Sermons, His boldness of faith
    Childwise - by the Ezzo's
    Teach your children well - Don Otis
    Seasons of Intercession - Frank Damazio
    and I won't fill up your comments with the rest as I have a few more there :)
    Watching - On Sunday nights, dh and I snuggle up and watch old episodes of Get Smart, The Brady Bunch etc, those good old shows!
    BTW, I love Roman Holiday too!
    Listening - The great composers cd that came with dd's curriculum and Hillsong's - This is our God.

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  7. @ joyfulmum - be careful of the Ezzo's. A lot of problems have come from their books. I would never apply their principles to my mothering....
    @ Joanne - that book sounds really interesting!

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  8. I am desperate to read that book. It is on my reading list, definitely. I liked your review of it. And Roman Holiday, well! What a wonderful movie!! All the art and music and literature at your house sounds just lovely to me.

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  9. Stacy-I have just read the chapter on christian women who believe in feminism and how they twist the words of the bible to suit their beliefs and how some beleive that Paul just got things "wrong".

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  10. If you like Roman Holiday, try the Audrey Hepburn version of Sabrina. It's lovely as well.

    I have to laugh that you find Bach comforting....after fighting with some of his pieces for years in my piano lesson days, I don't think I will ever find Bach peaceful again!

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  11. Jo,
    Thanks for the review of Passionate Housewives. It's on my reading list. :) I just finished Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel and Discipline by Elisabeth Elliot. I'm currently reading The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis and getting ready to start a P.G. Wodehouse book.

    The series you mentioned sounds like something we'd enjoy. I'll have to see if Amazon is selling it.

    I've been listening to the soundtrack to the Life is Beautiful movie (set during the Holocaust) over and over. It's very happy. :)

    And, I'm so glad you have such a treasure from your Mom. I'd love to have something in my Mom's own writing. Perhaps she'll finish the booklet I gave her so long ago.

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  12. Val - I have only watched the new version of Sabrina (the one with Harrison Ford) - will need to check out the B&W version.

    Trisha - I have almost finished Passionate Housewives (only a couple of pages left) and have found it an excellent read. Both authors understand the issues of being a mum and home and that comes across in the book - you know they aren't just "saying the right words" they really believe in being a passionate housewife.

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