About a month before Mr. U and I married in 1998, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar with Christian author and interior designer Terry Willits. She gave many ideas for little touches here and there that you could make around your home to make it more "SenseSational". She has writte several books, but the one I was blessed with purchasing that night was "Creating a SenseSational Home".
What exactly is "SenseSational"? It is using your five senses to enhance your home. For example:
sight- fluff your pillows
taste- try a new recipe
hear- play a CD of beautiful music
touch- dust your furniture
smell- fill a vase ful of fragrant flowers
I'm sure there are a million ideas that you could come up with in these areas, and Mrs. Willits shares a good number of them in this book!!
I must confess, I've read this book before years ago when I first purchased it. However, I didn't really appreciate it like I do now. So, I've pulled it out and I am re-reading it. There is so much wonderful information to glean from this book.
Here's just a little peek at Mrs. Willit's thoughts from the first chapter:
Throughout Scripture, God is referred to as our spiritual refuge. We are told to run to him for safety, security, rest, replenishment, comfort, and never-ending love. In the same way, I believe God created our homes to be our physical refuge. He knew we would need a corner of the world to call our own. We go to our homes in hopes of finding physically many of the same qualities God offers us spiritually- a restful place, safe from the storms and stresses of the world, filled with love, comfort, and absolute acceptance. A warm bed, an encouraging word, a tasty meal, a crackling fire all give comfort, security, and love. Home is to be the refuge we run to after doing battle in the world. It should be where we are reminded of who we are, to whom we belong, and what really matters in life. Home needs to be a safe place where we house not only our bodies, but our hearts and our souls.
How do YOU make your home SenseSational?
Do you have this book? If so, please share what you've learned!!
14 comments:
I can say to all who read this blog that Mrs. U definitely creates a SenseSational Home. I know. I am the lucky man who is married to her.
Mr. U
Mrs. U - I have had this book for years and re-read it almost annually!! Every re-reading inspires me to do something a little differently or to change something about a bit to appeal more to my family's five senses!
I have been anxiously awaiting to get my hands on this book and your post makes me even more excited to read it :o)
I have reread this book many times, too.
I had something similar happen because the first time I read it, it was...okay.
For some reason, when I read it a couple of years later I appreciated it so much more. I guess the circumstances were different.
I have heard of this book but have not read it. I think this one will go on my library list. ;)
Blessings,
Mrs. C
This sounds like a lovely book. Our home is being renovated so I'm sticking to the simple things... making the bed daily, putting out clean towels for my hubby, and cooking some meals at home even in the midst of disarray.
I bought this book in '99 and LOVE it! I read it through every other year or so. It inpsires the homemaker in all of us!!! Thanks for reminding me to dig it out and read it again!
Sounds like I need to get my hands on this book! and I love Mr. U's sweet comment about you. How romantic!
What a sweet comment from your husband!! Thanks for sharing about this book. For me, it is so easy to get caught up in the daily chores that I forget the special touches. Thanks for the reminder.
Paula
I'll have to check with the library and see if I can get this one.
I adore homekeeping books! I have put this book on my wish list.
Sweet comment from your hubby!
This is one of my favorite books. I, too, reread it often and each time discover a new idea to use in my "nesting", usually such a simple idea but makes an impact in the home.
I think I'm going to give this book as gifts this year.
Mrs. U,
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to reread Terry Willits' book, "Simply SenseSational Christmas." The vivid photos are soothing and the writing is enchanting. I never got around to it this year, but left it out. I read it this morning while waiting on the kids to get ready for school, and was again reminded that I do have an important job in setting the tone of our home.
Blessings to you!
hi terry! we moved from atlanta to europe as missionaries with crusade 10 years ago. i attended every seminar of yours while there and bought every resource of yours i could b/f leaving america. i'd like you to know your influence here has been widespread. i have shared your principles of decorating with 5 senses as i speak to womens groups here. your ideas have been to moldova, hungary, ukraine, bulgaria, romania, russia, poland, and albania, and probably more places b/c i don't know who has heard my talks. thank you for your work on behalf of eastern europe!!!eb jackson from budapest ps - i'm out of touch. do you have any new books in the last 10 years??
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