A Rainy Visit

There is a gentle rain falling on this early November morning. I was getting ready to do the morning work but didn't want to turn on the lamps. The dim, dreariness of the outdoors was almost charming.

I have to take care of Grandbaby in just a little while.  When he wakes up, all other activities must be dropped, for baby must have all my attention.  So please forgive me if this writing stops abruptly.

Mister and I did a little shopping last evening.  We had a tight budget for groceries this week because we had some other necessary expenses that took quite a bit of money.  It will be better in a few days.

I have all kinds of things to cook and bake; but plan to be quiet and enjoy the rainy day.  It puts one in a mood for just reading by the window, and having a simple day without any worries.

I baked cornbread to go with a late afternoon lunch yesterday.  I will bake a pumpkin pie (frozen) this morning.  It brings a warming sense of happiness because it brings a delightful scent to the kitchen.

I still have to clean the parlour and work on the kitchen, but wanted to have a quick little visit with you.

Have a wonderful day!

blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

Won't you be one of these? - A Good Little Housewife.

The joy and peace of simplicity - The Basics of Lovely Housekeeping.

Mister and I took one of these - A Vow of Poverty.







A special book for Homemakers - "Mother's Book of Home Economics."




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

Keeping House while Staying Sane

Each day, I have plans and chores I set out to accomplish. I am usually able to get things done in a leisurely, happy way. But more often, some hurricane or tornado comes in and makes me struggle to keep my footing. These "storms" can be grumpy relatives (gentle smiles), troubled teens, sickness, a husband with a completely different outlook on life, or some painful turmoil attacking the family. 

I have learned that I cannot change.  I cannot alter my path because of the negative circumstances. I have to stay calm and focused.

I cannot dwell on moods. I cannot wallow in sorrow or pity. I cannot grumble or allow misery and indignation over the unfairness of it all destroy my daily walk in life.

One of the things I do is read a sweet, calming book.  My favorite, of course, is anything by Elizabeth Prentiss (1800's). I have also been reading "Lessons at Blackberry Inn" by Karen Andreola.  This is a sweet work of fiction about a family living out in the country. It is a pleasant read and a diversion from regular life.

 I am not one of those people who want to be "supported" in misery. I do not want to read about suffering, or other mothers dealing with trouble. I want to be "calmed" and "centered" and brought to a peaceful place so I can adjust my attitude and get back to setting the example of godly living for my family.  We are told in Scripture that "iron sharpens iron."  Godly influence, wholesome christian literature, and wise Christian friends keep us sweet and dedicated to our noble work.  But if we dwell among the writings of anger, and suspense, and high-alert, we are going to be anything but calm and sweet. Our temper, our spirit, will be troubled. We cannot safely walk a gentle path when we are wallowing with comrades of misery.

So today, even though my circumstances are greatly troubled, I will live as happily and calmly as I can.  I will do my housework and sing hymns. I will take care of "precious" (my grandbaby). I will make a pleasant supper and do a little baking.  I will find comfort in my faith and I will keep looking up. I will not notice the storms around me. . . because we all know that no one can walk on water, unless one's eyes are on the Lord.

blessings
Mrs. White


A special book for Homemakers - "Mother's Book of Home Economics."




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

Pleasant Hours of Housework

I was reading a bit from "Farmer Boy," by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I had already cleaned the parlour, swept the floors and did some dishes. I had fed grandbaby and settled him down for his nap.  As I read, I was intrigued and inspired by how Ma and Pa Wilder industriously kept the farm.

There was certain heavy work that happened at specific seasons.  Ice was carved out and stacked in the ice house.  This was the main work at hand, for days, in addition to daily chores.  When the men finished with this, the ice was all set for the coming year.

 Later, in springtime, the maple trees were tended to.  Here in Vermont, this is a common event. Much of life stops while the sap is "running."  The sap is gathered and boiled and processed.  For Mother Wilder, much of it became cakes of maple sugar.  The rest was saved in jugs as the year's supply of syrup!

Oh, then it was time for the entire house to be cleaned! The carpets were un-tacked and taken outside to be cleaned.  The rooms were emptied and washed and scrubbed!  They were also whitewashed and made ready for the next season.   

While Pa worked with the fields, in his workshop, in the barns, and kept busy with his chores. Ma made large, delicious meals and kept a lovely home.  Ma also had a workroom where she kept a loom and made the family's clothes!

Well, this all got me thinking. . . And all I wanted to do was dust the house, sweep the rooms and vacuum the carpets! I wanted to wash windows and then take a little rest before I started the great task of preparing the evening meal.  These were just little jobs.  These are jobs that are re-done on a regular basis. But as each task is "done," there is a sense of pride for the hard work being accomplished to make home a happy, special place.

These are the pleasant hours we spend at home, doing the housework. 

blessings
Mrs. White



From the Archives:

Days full of Good deeds for Mother and children - Mother's Benevolent Society.

Here are the details on the latest publication at "The Legacy of Home." - Mother's Book of Home Economics.

For the very bad days of Motherhood. - Trouble with Teenagers.






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

Mother's Book of Home Economics

My new book was just published today! 

It is designed specifically to encourage the Christian wife and mother at home. 

Here are the details:

 


Title:  Mother's Book of Home Economics: Remembrances, Letters and Essays from a New England Housewife

Author:  Mrs. Sharon White

Publisher:  The Legacy of Home Press

6" x 9" Paperback, 312 pages.












Description from the Back Cover:

"There are many Home Economics books that will teach you important facts, such as how to get out a stain; how to clean your oven; or how to read food labels. This is all valuable information. We should certainly have those kinds of books in our homes. Nonetheless, did you ever just want to enter someone's home and observe how it all works in daily life? Did you ever want to learn about how a family used to keep house, or how it is working today?

   "Mother's Book of Home Economics" will give you that personal touch of Homemaking. It covers subjects like Marriage, Cleaning, Child Care, Manners, Simple Living, Motherhood, Thrift and Holiness. Here you will find a variety of letters, essays and memories about Home Economics. This was written by a New England Housewife, who has been married for more than 25 years."


There are 121 short chapters, compiled from 4 years of blog writing.

The Index in the back of the book loosely categorizes everything by the following topics:

1. Child Care
2. Cleaning
3. Etiquette
4. Finances
5. Holiness
6. Homemaking
7. Hospitality
8. Kitchen
9. Marriage

Some of the chapter titles include:

1. Chalkboard Prayers
2. How to Teach a 2 - Year old To Clean
3. Mother's Benevolent Society
4. Bossy Wives
5. Saturday Morning Chores
6. How the Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty
7. Home as a Little Christian School
8. Cooking for Mister
9. The Housewife Contract
10. Walking the Gardens with Baby

"The writings are designed to encourage the Christian housewife.  You will feel supported in your decision to stay home and care for your family.  You will also notice a gentle nudging to live the old paths, and find peace there."



- Mother's Book of Home Economics.


Thank you!

blessings
Mrs. White



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