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.