History
This week we are continuing our three-part series that focuses on cleaning and preparing the home for the greatest feast of the Christian year—Jesus’ resurrection. As we mentioned in our previous post that was part of the series, Holy Week has long been a time set aside for intense cleaning of the home, church, and self. It is even the origin of the concept of “spring cleaning,” the perfect opportunity to turn your living space around for the upcoming warmer months.
The time that we set aside for Holy Week to clean and prepare is not only meant to prepare our homes, but also meant to serve as a reminder of the inner work which we pray the Spirit accomplishes in us in order to renew our minds and hearts. While we spend the days of Holy Week in silence and prayer, it follows that we try to carry out the same kind of work in our homes through the meditative and manual work of cleaning.
Finally, we wanted to mention again how, in addition to Holy Week cleaning, it is also fitting to mark the final days of Lent by continuing in final week of the fast with renewed vigor, especially if you have failed in one resolution or another throughout the rest of the 40 days. No matter how your Lent has gone, Holy Week is the perfect opportunity to dedicate your time to prayer and resources to almsgiving.
In all, these final days of Lent are best observed in the meditation on Jesus’ passion for our sake—a reflection which you might find fitting to especially think about while you take up a scrubber or rag while polishing the silver and wood in your home.
Before
After
Wood Conditioner
This wood conditioner recipe is a polish great for coating and reviving your weathered wooden utensils around the kitchen. The polish will restore a healthy, golden glow to whatever pieces you use it on, be it a spoon or cutting board. Plus, it is simple to make your own wood balm at home. Like our other DIY recipes (found here), you probably already have these ingredients in your cupboard and can easily dedicate them to a wooden kitchen utensil revival.
To make, simply melt the two ingredients of beeswax and fax together in a double boiler on the stove, allowing the mixture to cool before taking a portion of the concoction and working it into the wood with a clean cotton cloth. After massaging, go over the polished wood one more time with your cloth, making sure that it doesn’t accept any more of the conditioner and is thoroughly saturated. Then, let the wood rest for at least one day before using in order to ensure it is satisfactorily polished and ready to serve you and your kitchen another busy season of cooking and baking.
Ingredients
One part 100% beeswax
Two parts fat, either coconut oil or tallow
Instructions
- Melt the ingredients together using a double boiler system. Then, transfer the mixture to a glass container to cool before using. When cooled, massage the conditioner into your wood with a clean cotton cloth. After massaging, go over the polished wood one more time with your cloth, making sure that it doesn’t accept any more of the conditioner and is thoroughly saturated. Then, let the wood rest for at least one day before using in order to ensure it is satisfactorily polished.
- To make the double boiler, simple fill a small pot with a couple of inches of water and bring to a boil. Place a heat safe bowl on top and place the beeswax and fat inside to melt and meld together.
