Editors' Note:  Daryl Hoole is truly a master of the art of Homemaking-what she calls:  The Ultimate Career.  We talked to Daryl in the last few days and convinced her to share her talents and skills and insights with Meridian readers across the world.  We have featured her latest book on the right column.  Plan to hear from Daryl every month on Meridian.

Meridian:  Please tell us how you got started in teaching and writing about home management?

It was during the 1960s. Hank and I lived on Third Avenue in Salt Lake City, and we had two children, a toddler and a baby.  A neighbor across the street, Mary Helen, who also had children about the same age, began asking me "how do you do it?" with regard to managing our house and caring for our family.  Things seemed to go smoothly for us; she was struggling.   She wondered aloud why I always seemed to get my work done while she felt behind with her duties.  Her questions persisted.   At first I didn't have any specific answers; I told her I just got up and did my work like my mother had done.  But my husband, Hank, encouraged me to analyze my habits so I could offer her some specific tips.

Mary Helen was a very good cook, however, and a dietician by training and was teaching a weekly adult education class at the old McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City for the Brigham Young University Continuing Education Program.  At that time leaders there were organizing a "School for Brides."  Mary Helen was preparing to teach a basic class on nutrition and meal planning for brides.  She suggested my name as one who could teach home management.  So, I was invited to teach a class on "Efficiency and the Simplification of Household Tasks."   I was thrilled to be asked and began in earnest to prepare information.

I went to my class, but there were no brides in attendance.  The "School for Brides" was a complete failure.  Evidently the brides didn't know the questions, so they weren't interested in the answers.  But my room was full of women-the brides' older sisters and mothers had picked up on the advertising and they were there, eager to learn.  They did know the questions and could hardly wait for some answers.  

The next morning my phone began to ring.  Stake and ward Relief Society leaders from all over the valley wanted their women to hear the message.  The notes I passed out as handouts eventually became the basis for my first book, The Art of Homemaking.   

Meridian:  It's remarkable how our lives completely turn at moments like that.  So, what was the motivation behind this new book, The Ultimate Career?

I spent the next thirty years speaking before women's groups and my books continued to sell for over twenty-five years.  Then in 1988 I was called to serve on the Primary General Board and subsequently we accepted two mission calls, so I retired from the speaking circuit and doing additional writing and began serving in other ways. 

A couple of years ago I was approached by two of our daughters-in-law, on separate occasions, with some compelling reasons why I should revisit The Art of Homemaking and write again. They insisted there was a great need for an updated book on home management.  Many of their friends, they said, were asking for tips/ideas/answers for better management of their homes.   At first I dismissed the notion of writing again, but a few days later it struck me that I could do so if my daughters and daughters-in-law would work with me.  They were the ones in the trenches, managing homes filled with lively children, and they were the ones who knew what helps are needed today.   I proposed the project to all our girls-five daughters and three daughters-in-law-and they each agreed to assist.  A son responded by saying, "I'm not a daughter, but I would like to help, too."  And he did!   As an attorney, he provided legal counsel and was an expert reader and critic.  It was decided that I would be the sole writer, the voice. The girls, who are talented, capable women and devoted wives, mothers, and home managers, and who have fresh ideas would serve as contributors.   Their thirty-six children (including a set of triplets) would provide an invaluable resource from which to draw and help to keep things realistic.

We soon discovered that we should not attempt to revisit The Art of Homemaking.   A "remodeling job" or "restoration" just wouldn't do.  It had to be a total "rebuilding project."   So, using the old foundation of enduring values and principles, we tore the rest of the original structure down and created anew.   We chose as our title, The Ultimate Career with the subtitle:  The Art of Homemaking for Today.   

Meridian:  But why the "ultimate career?"

For the main title, we took a phrase from a quote from the manuscript by C. S. Lewis wherein he stated:  "The homemaker has the ultimate career.  All other careers exist for one purpose only-and that is to support this ultimate career." 

At one point we had a publisher, but it became apparent that in order to be true to our vision about the book, we needed to be fully in charge so we withdrew the manuscript.   Hank, my husband, who has been my most enthusiastic supporter, became the underwriter and publisher.  Producing the book became a great family project.  Everyone contributed in one way or another. 

We felt inspired throughout the entire undertaking.  Little miracles happened all along the way in the writing, production, and distribution of the book.    We gratefully acknowledge the hand of the Lord in our work, not because of us, but because of the significance of the message.  It is important that women find fulfillment, rather than frustration, in their homemaking.   When women experience success and joy at home, the entire family is blessed. 

Meridian:  This is a broad question, but, what do you think goes into finding success and joy at home?   You've had tremendous background in this, so, ideally speaking, what makes up a happy home? 

To us, managing a home involves much more than keeping a house clean, organized, and attractive.  These skills are important, and our book focuses to a large extent on improving them; but the skills are only the means to a greater end.  The paramount objective is to create a setting where family and friends are comfortable and happy, where there are good dinners and good times, where there is fun and laughter, where children are taught life skills and how to be self-reliant, where challenges are faced by coupling temporal endeavors with eternal perspectives, where joy through gospel teaching and living prevails, and where love is strong enough to bind the family forever.  The overriding purpose in our book is to strengthen the home manager as she embarks upon the ultimate career.

Meridian:  Tell us more along these lines.  This will hit a resonant chord with our readers.

"The ultimate result of all ambition is to be happy at home," stated Samuel Johnson, eighteenth-century writer and literary critic.  Finding happiness at home is a quest of quests.  So what we would like to do is dedicate these monthly columns on Meridian to helping home managers, regardless of what stage in life they might be in or what special challenges they may be facing, find such happiness.   We'll do this by sharing ideas, helping you sharpen skills, suggesting answers for some of your questions, and encouraging you in your demanding responsibilities.

Meridian:  Are you suggesting that the column, like the book will also be a family affair?

Yes.  Advising me in this pursuit will be my eight daughters (five daughters and three daughters-in-law).  These girls have thirty-six children among them (as I mentioned above), ranging in age from ten months to twenty-four years, so their input will have passed the tests of real life!  We plan to share some of the key points of The Ultimate Career.  Of course this column cannot replace the book, but hopefully even in its brevity, the column will provide an interesting and helpful read for you.  And we'll be adding fresh perspectives and new material as we go along--there's just no end of ways to strengthen women in their role as wives, mothers, and home managers. 

Meridian:  We live in a very challenging world for mothers and fathers economically.  Will you be addressing some of those difficulties faced by families every day?

Over the months as we write we'll address the challenges of busy mothers of active children; women who are stressed with additional careers; single mothers who have to do it all, all by themselves; newlyweds and others who are setting up their first homes and have a desire to get off to a good start; women who feel overwhelmed with housework and yearn for "how to" helps; women who want to have smooth running homes in spite of health problems; mothers who are looking for answers for teaching children how to work and how to live righteous lives; women who are discouraged and need support in helping them to feel more motivated and empowered; and those who already excel in home management and read this type of material for pure pleasure; and to the many of us who have some of almost every above category in us and are always looking for ways to improve. 

Each of us has days or even seasons when we just plain have too much to do, when we are so exhausted we have only enough energy to cry, when responsibility overwhelms us, when we feel paralyzed by problems, and when we feel stressed and stretched to the point of breaking.  For one reason or another, a "bad house day" happens to all of us.  The hope is to have many more good days than bad ones and to experience joy in our daily lives.  To bring this about, our best efforts are required; yes to be happy at home is the result of all ambition. 

Now, while you're waiting for more to come in the months ahead, treat yourself today to a quick lift and some instant satisfaction by doing three simple chores: 

First, sweep your front porch or outside entry way.  This stops dirt at the door and provides a welcoming experience for family and friends who approach your house.

Second, wash the window over the kitchen sink, if there is one.   As you look through a clean, sparkling window the entire world brightens up.  If you don't have a window, shine your sink.

Third, pick up and put away, give away or throw away ten pieces of clutter.  This should make you feel so charged up and in control that you'll pick up ten more pieces the next day and the next and next.  You'll be well on your way when you read our April column "Establishing a House of Order."

Meridian:  We can't wait!