Giveaway - Rachel Jankovic's new book for Mothers

I have a special giveaway for you today.  There will be two winners.  This is for the latest book by Rachel Jankovic.  She is the daughter of Douglas and Nancy Wilson. She is an excellent writer.  You may have seen some of her blog posts at Femina.


  "Fit To Burst: Abundance, Mayhem, and the Joys of Motherhood," is published by Canon Press. There are 128 pages.  It is a slim but powerful book.

It is a book many mothers need. It is full of serious lectures based on real life at home.  These lectures are really just chapters, but they are Biblical lessons with a serious impact.  This will help the mother at home to straighten up, and get a better understanding of the call of godly mothering.

Rachel's book will take away a lot of guilt, freeing you to enjoy caring for your family.   You will find yourself smiling during her lectures, and nodding your head in agreement.  She has somehow found a way to take common worries and intelligently teach you what is really important.

The Giveaway

To enter for a chance to win a copy of this book, just leave me a comment.



For additional Entries:

1. Post about this on Facebook.

2. Write a post, linking to this giveaway, on your own Blog. (This is worth 3 entries. Please leave 3 separate comments.)

3. Choose to "like" The Legacy of Home on Facebook.

4. Choose to "like" Rachel on Facebook.

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry.*

Two random winners we be selected on Friday, October 4, 2013. (U.S.  Entries only.) Each will receive one copy of Rachel's book, "Fit to Burst."  If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.


-  You must include your email address in your profile, or in your comment, or I can't find you if you win! - Anonymous comments will be void.

Note - This contest is closed. The winners are:  Henna Maria and Laura Lane.
 

*Disclosure - A book was provided to me for review purposes. Books will be sent to the winners directly from the publisher.*

To find out more about my commercial breaks, please see my disclosure page.

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Little Time for Homemaking

I often get up at 5 or 6 in the morning. This is how I get many things done in the home. I am not talking about heavy housework, but a way to set the mood for a pleasant day at home. 

I make my parlour look inviting, and open the blinds.   I tidy up the kitchen and sweep the floors.  I make tea and, perhaps, a batch of muffins.  Then I sit and read or write for a little while.  This prepares me and my surroundings for a day of keeping house.

On those days I get up late, I am rushed about.  I am distracted and distraught.  There is stress coming from my soul, rather than a sweet, gentling affect on those around me.

There are also things in the day which can take us away from our homemaking.  There are distractions that we get lured into.  Sometimes we are like toddlers walking in a candy store for the very first time.  We start watching a new television show and then forget about the sweet simplicity of life at home.  We may get caught up in doing some research and then start doing other things instead of being busy in our motherhood and homemaking.

When there is little time for homemaking, for whatever the reason, we rob ourselves of a beautiful life at home.  Instead of a sweet, slow-paced Italian home, we end up feeling like we are in the middle of a busy city apartment.  The way we keep our home, can give a sense of peace or  one of confusion.  The way we mothers and wives set the mood at home, can affect all who reside there.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

What life is like - Living Without Credit Cards.

Make the Most of this beautiful time at home - Spiritual Homemaking.



For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Simple Days at Home

Things are very quiet in rural Vermont. Many of us are getting ready for the coming winter. There are pretty leaves all over the landscape. Raking will soon become a family activity.  

There is always so much to do, from sun up to sun down.  There are children to care for, meals to cook, and a home to clean.   We all enjoy having Grandbaby here for an extended stay, along with his dear mother.  They brighten the home and keep the laughter going. 

I have been teaching baby how to clean. He just turned a year old.  I will give him a damp rag and he loves to clean his own high chair tray.  He will laugh with delight when he helps me with the work.  Throughout the house, baby's laughter awakens a happiness in every heart. Every home should have a baby.

Our wood pellet stove has been fixed. Mister was able to take care of it.  He has been doing test runs for us on these cool September mornings.  I love sitting near the fire with a pleasant book.

The other afternoon, I made a double batch of homemade frozen pizza. I neatly wrapped them in wax paper and stacked them in Ziploc freezer bags.  I thought how wonderful it would be if my freezer was full of homemade foods, rather than packaged commercial products from the store.  A carefully filled freezer of home goods, is something like rows of home canned foods stored away for the coming winter.

I need to set up a little basket near my parlour chair.  Socks, in this house, need mending. I haven't mended socks in such a long time, but I know it will be an enjoyable process. Perhaps when Amy (baby's mother) sits with me to chat, she will pick up some of the work, and we can mend while we have our daily visits in the parlour.

One of the greatest things I have learned as a homemaker and mother, is to have incredible patience with life.  One must never act on emotion - never in the moment.  Time is needed to pray, or to consider.  Having simple, quiet days at home, has made this all very clear to me.  Through a trusting patience in the Lord, we have a great contentment. Worries tend not to linger. They fade away as quickly as they came. 

To keep busy at home, in a slow and simple way, is a wonderful way of life.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

Please don't be one of these - Bossy Wives.

From My Kitchen - Baking Homemade Cinnamon Rolls by Lamplight.




For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Review Tour - For the Love of Christian Homemaking

I wanted to host a little tour today.  There are a few bloggers who have reviewed my homemaking book.  I'd love for you to visit them, when you have time, and see what they thought about the book.







Angie

I will start with Angie.   She is a homeschooling Mother of two sons, and lives with her family on a beautiful Lake out West.  Her homeschooling posts are always inspiring!

 Here is part of her review:

"We had just moved to this tiny town from a larger city full of activity and Going. Always Going. All of a sudden, I felt stuck at home, and quite alone. Mrs. White’s writing was soothing salve to my hurting heart. She talked of loving to take care of her home. Of relishing the quiet hours of the morning for rest and reflection and planning for the day. She would write about common housework like she was preparing for the most precious holiday or for a State Dinner. It was so calming; it brought validation of the importance of my role inside these four walls."

. . . .Read the rest at Petra School.


Sherry

This Homeschooling Mother of fifteen children has encouraged many people with her blog!  Her books about teaching using the McGuffey readers are well worth a look. 

Here is part of her review:

"Any mother would feel refreshed after just a few paragraphs; Sharon seems to know how to blend the simple with the profound."

. . . Read the rest at Large Family Mothering.


 
Mrs. June Fuentes

A Wife and Mother of 8 children, she has been blessing women online with her blog for many years. Her lovely blog is inspiring!

Here is part of her review:

"She draws us back to what is simple, peaceful, without all the rush and pressure of this world. Her focus is keenly on making a home for her beloved family and she does it with grace and strength that she draws from the Lord."

. . . Read the rest at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home.


Laura

A wife and homeschooling mother in Alaska.  She does a wonderful job with her blog, as she reviews many products that would benefit homeschooling families!

Here is part of her review:

"Having read several of Mrs. White’s writings in the past, I already had an expectation of the lovely conversational style she possesses.  I can just envision her in my mind’s eye with a cup of tea on the table as she spends a bit of time typing on the computer to share her thoughts on the vocation of motherhood."

. . . Read the rest at Day by Day in Our World.


Lady Violet

A Sweet mother of several little ones, Lady Violet is a dedicated homemaker. Her beautiful blog is artistic and encouraging.

Here is part of her review:

"Come and sit awhile in Mrs. White's parlor and be transported back in time. Mrs. White is a full time homemaker who takes her job seriously. Oh and yes, it is a job! If you have ever doubted that, this book will remind you of the importance of your job as a Christian homemaker."

. . . Read the rest at Blessed Homemaking.



If you decide to buy a copy of "For the Love of Christian Homemaking," for yourself or for a gift, I would love it if you would buy through one of their posts (which should contain an affiliate link, and will provide them with a small commission).


I hope you enjoyed this tour! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit!

blessings
Mrs. White



An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Corrie ten Boom - In My Father's House

Corrie ten Boom was one of the most inspiring people of our time.  Her faith in God was incredible. She was called of Him to endure unbelievable pain and trials.  Through it all, she was a light of hope and warmth, as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God.

Corrie is best known for her book, "The Hiding Place."  This is about the holocaust and the concentration camps. Her family hid Jewish people in their home, to protect them from the Nazis.  Her family ended up in the camps.  She was the only one from her family to survive the prison camps.  She later became a "tramp for the Lord" (as one of her books is titled).  She travelled and spoke about her faith and encouraged others.

I have read, and owned, several of Corrie's books over the years.  However, old books tend to fall apart over time and need to be replaced.  The content of some books are so valuable, you want to get a new edition and take care of it as long as possible.  "In My Father's House" by Corrie, is one of those books. 

Lighthouse Trails Publishing has come out with a beautiful  new edition of Corrie's book.  This edition includes more than 50 photographs from Corrie's childhood and home.  "In My Father's House" is about her growing up years. It shows the foundation of her training and experiences that made her the strong, godly woman she was, which enabled her to endure the War and the aftermath. 

In this beautiful edition, you will read about her loving parents, her three aunts, her brother and sisters.  You will read about her father's life as a watchmaker and repairman in Holland.   You will read about little Corrie's concern for the lost souls in her town, and how her parents lovingly guided her to have compassion for others.  

I loved reading about her Mama! What a beautiful and wise, dear lady!  She was an incredible mother and an excellent wife.  Her father was also a very hardworking, patient, wise man. Corrie's memories of home life are instructive and precious.

The pictures of Corrie and her siblings are endearing.  I loved seeing her old home and the furnishings.  If you get a chance, look at the back cover of the book and see the gorgeous picture of sweet, little Corrie as a child.  It will give you a gratefulness to be a mother of your own children. It will encourage you to tenderly care for your own babies and raise them up to do God's work in this difficult world.

* This is one of those books I plan to re-read at least once each year. *



In My Father's House by Corrie ten Boom
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
ISBN # 978-0-9846366-2-4
(This is the beautiful 2011 edition with the family photographs.  It includes Scripture quotes that "Father ten Boom shared with his wife and children.")



* Disclosure - I received this item for review purposes.*


An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Lovely Work at Home

It is raining and pleasant this early morning. The lush Vermont landscape is inspiring. It makes one want to shut off all technology and enjoy the pleasant tasks of homemaking.

 I will sweep and polish by lamplight in my old country kitchen.  Our little homeschool will start in just a few minutes.  While my teenage student is working on math, I will do some baking as I listen to the rain falling and the birds singing.

I will do a little laundry and delight in the folding and the sorting. It is lovely to put out fresh towels and do those little touches that make this place a home.

I will set the table for the noon meal and have it ready hours before it is needed.  This will inspire me to take my time and create an atmosphere of a happy kitchen!

Perhaps I will wash the kitchen floor before enjoying an afternoon rest.  I plan to drink hot tea, and read some Amish fiction before getting back to work in the cool of the day. 

blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

Even good intentioned words can harm others - Do Not Disturb.

A little History and Memories - Electricity as an Entertainment Expense.

An Example of a Noble Character - What I Learned from My Husband's Weariness.


Order My Books:


For Home-keeping Inspiration, - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

A 90 Day Bible Study, inspired by John Wesley, -  "Early Morning Revival Challenge" 

To Encourage the Mother of Waywards - Mother's Faith.

The incredible life and marriage testimony of Connie Hultquist  - Dear Kitchen Saints.




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

The Estate without Electricity

I was watching an old episode of The Waltons, late yesterday afternoon.  I loved to see their large old house and how productive everyone was at home. There was cooking and baking, mending and sewing, cleaning and gardening.  There was always so much to do and so much excitement with a house full of people.

Then I heard thunder outside.  A large storm came in and took away the power in our house.  This is not normal. We rarely ever lose power, here in the rural mountains of Vermont.  Even in the midst of a snowy blizzard, we usually keep our power.  It was a little shocking.

The evening hour was fast approaching. Things were getting dark.  Mister set up his old lanterns at the parlour table.  We sat in the old antique chairs and visited while we waited for our kitchen to start working again. One cannot make tea or treats when there is no electricity for the stove. 

As the hours passed, some of the children played cards by candle-light.  Grandbaby was tucked into bed for the night.  The entire town was quiet.

The sound of the rain was pleasant, but the thunder and lightening was a little frightening at times.  Some of us wanted to read, but the dim lights would not give us enough light to see.  Someone stopped by to visit.  We heard work crews out behind the property.  There was some excitement for a little while.

At some point, many of us went to bed.  It had been a tiring day.  There would be plenty to do in the daylight, even if we didn't have power.  Somehow, during the night, it was restored and all was back to normal.

This morning, as I listened to old gospel on my kitchen radio, and worked about the house, I was grateful for our electricity.  Yet, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have all the comforts of electricity, without the dependence on television, computers and radios like we have today.  Perhaps that is something that each family can work on, to set rules and limits on their use.

 The Amish have rules for the way they live, so that the modern world does not seep in and take away their simple life of service for the Lord. They have boundaries and limits on what they will allow into their daily lives.  This reminds me of the resolutions great ministers used to make years ago  - Puritan Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley come to mind.  They set up plans for their daily actions and lives and resolved to do them.  This is what is missing in many of our modern lives.  This, to me, is the lesson of the loss of electricity, for those few evening hours.  Many of us need to decide, much like the Amish, what will be best for our own homes.  We need to find a way to keep resolutions for a godly home, and decide what that means for each us.


Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

Called Home to Heaven?  Come home to Suppertime - Real Old Fashioned Suppers.

Life for the Working Class - Living without Credit Cards.

The Sweet Notes for a Clean House - Chore Letters for My Children.



Order My Books:


For Home-keeping Inspiration, - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

A 90 Day Bible Study, inspired by John Wesley, -  "Early Morning Revival Challenge" 

To Encourage the Mother of Waywards - Mother's Faith.

The incredible life and marriage testimony of Connie Hultquist  - Dear Kitchen Saints.




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Afternoon Walk in the Parlour

After an early dinner, it was time to entertain baby.   The family headed off to do pleasant things, and I got to be with baby.  I put him in the carriage and had him "follow" me around while I cleaned.  Then we had our little walk in the parlour.  I set the carriage on "recline" and baby laid down.  I started to briskly walk him through the rooms.  He immediately sat up, reached for the carriage - tray and excitedly hung on (for dear life)!    Back and forth we went through the kitchen and parlour.  Anytime I would catch a glimpse of his sweet little face, he was smiling and happy!

As I walked, I prayed for him and for the family.  We walked and walked through the rooms while old gospel music, by J. D. Sumner, played quietly from the kitchen radio.

I started to notice the tablecloth needed straightening, or a dish needed to be brought to the kitchen.  The next time I passed by, I would fix something or grab an item with one hand and bring it with us to put away. Baby loved it when I cleaned while we walked!

 It finally dawned on me that perhaps the reason I have so much trouble with my tired, swelling hands, is because I am always prettying up something while pushing and turning a carriage at the same time.  I will just rest more later on. . . Nevertheless, it is worth it to entertain baby with my cleaning and walking antics.

Blessings
Mrs. White




From the Archives:

Please Don't be one of these - Ex - Housewife. 

Having a Good Marriage means avoiding this - Bossy Wives.

This is why We Mothers are Home -  A Humble Parlour as a School of Theology.



Order My Books:


For Home-keeping Inspiration, - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

A 90 Day Bible Study, inspired by John Wesley, -  "Early Morning Revival Challenge" 

To Encourage the Mother of Waywards - Mother's Faith.

The incredible life and marriage testimony of Connie Hultquist  - Dear Kitchen Saints.




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Blogging - Behind the Scenes

In the early morning hours, before the family woke up, I used to write here about homemaking. 

These were like visits. I often shared what was going on in my own home.  In the beginning, I wrote daily. This has slowed down to a point where I am only able to write a few times a month.

A few times, I tried to quit blogging. I even packed up my old laptop and put it away for almost a month.  I didn't write at all.  I was in the middle of a physical breakdown and was bedridden for a time.  Writing wasn't possible. When I recovered, I came back at a slower pace.   The pressure seemed to be off.  (Why do we feel pressure to blog?)   I changed my own rules and made things much easier to write.  It was different. Things were better.  I could write when I was well enough. 

I started to put together books, thinking there might be a time I had to stop here.  I wanted to get the books ready for anyone who wanted them, so I didn't have to worry about what would happen to the blog - If I stopped writing, or if my computer broke, or if I lost all the files.  The books became a permanent, safe place for some of the writings.

I have done many things with this blog. I have reviewed hundreds of products, books, food and movies. A few years ago, I was sent off on a trip to Boston by T.J. Maxx and Marshalls and treated like royalty.  The trip came at such a wonderful time.  I also worked with Erin Chase at $5 dinners for almost 2 years, writing recipes. I thought it was a volunteer job but was delighted to be paid.  I have graduated 2 of my 5 children during my blogging years here. I became a grandmother, and started a small book publishing company.  I have publicly homeschooled and shared much of our life.  I have gotten to know many people by visiting blogs; and reading the comments and emails of my own visitors.  I have been greatly blessed and encouraged by you, the readers. I am so grateful.

Behind the Scenes of this blog, is a normal family, with normal troubles.  I have often written despite tears and pain. I have often written through financial troubles or family worries.  But most of the time, there have been joyous times and seasons and I have loved writing during those times the most.

Last month, after 4 and 1/2 years, my blog reached a milestone, of one million views.  I know there are far bigger blogs than this one,  and far better ones, but I was so grateful!  I am so grateful.

I appreciate your patience with me, even when I have an occasional public breakdown (who hasn't?)  - gentle smiles -  When one is one's own editor and publisher, sometimes things get through the blog that we look back and say, "I better delete that post!"   We all learn to focus on what we want to write about and do our best to maintain some dignified privacy:  Because blogs are public.  We have friends and family who read, but we also have random strangers and "drive-by" readers who visit once by accident and aren't able to find it again. There are also readers who cause trouble.  Many bloggers have dropped out and deleted their entire blogs because of the troublemakers.  Others have changed the settings on their blogs to make them "private" for invited readers only - genuine friends and family.

This is a public blog and will always be a public blog.  When I make mistakes, I will just go back and adjust my writing or delete things when it is called for.  But public blogging does bring some pressure.  It is an incredibly hard volunteer job with little or no pay.  It is a work of love.

I wanted to share this with you today, because I notice things are changing. I am blogging much less than I would like.  My hands keep swelling up, making it difficult for me to do much. Even though I have wanted to write each morning, I can't physically do the work.   I have stopped hand-sewing and knitting projects. The last few weeks, I can't seem to find time, energy or strength to write.   I don't want you to think I am ignoring the blog.  I also feel so bad when I can't respond to all emails and comments.  I can't visit blogs like I used to. I can't keep up with the sweet return visits I would love to do for the 'callers' who come here and leave me a note.   I love that you visit and encourage me!

I also want to thank you so much for shopping through my amazon affiliate links, and the occasional donations that come in!  This income is an incredible blessing that helps with food, clothing and the heat of this old Vermont Estate.  May God bless you richly for your kindness!

So now I am back to blogging only when my health will allow.  I still have a great many review obligations, which I am looking forward to. But things will be slow.  .  Thank you for making this blog a lovely place for me to write.  Thank you for your prayers and sharing your wisdom and kindness with me. 

Thank you for taking the time to be here. 


Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

Is your Fridge clean?  - Beware of Random Kitchen Inspections.

Mother's Holiness - Amazing Dedication.

Trouble with Mister - Forgotten Kindness in Marriage.



Order My Books:


For Home-keeping Inspiration, - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

A 90 Day Bible Study, inspired by John Wesley, -  "Early Morning Revival Challenge" 

To Encourage the Mother of Waywards - Mother's Faith.

The incredible life and marriage testimony of Connie Hultquist  - Dear Kitchen Saints.






An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.