Easter in Vermont

We are getting ready for morning church services, here in Vermont. It is a beautiful day of hope! The cold winter weather is starting to fade. Snow is melting. There is a bit of warmth in the air. This Easter, I am reminded of how very difficult the bitter cold winter can be, but how very precious it is when spring comes. This is like our life - the sin and the misery that pulls us down is the winter. The spring is the joy and peace of holiness and purity.

I am delighted and thankful to be able to go to church today.  After services, we will have a special dinner with Nana and Grandpa.  It is to be lovely day!

I want to take a minute to thank you so much for being here. Thank you for your comments, emails and kind notes over the years.  You have encouraged me through some very wearying times. You have also shared in my joys!  May you have a blessed Easter!

Most Grateful,

Blessings
Mrs. White






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



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When Ironing Makes it All Better

There are days when housework is dreaded. We are not in the right "mood" to clean and bake and cook.  Or, perhaps we are letting some trial take over our mind, causing us to fall into despair.  This is sad, because once we start our chores, we are often happy and at peace. There is joy in dusting and polishing. There is pride in cooking for the family.  There is happiness in creating a pleasant haven in our homes. 

At times like this, one of my favorite things to do is get out the old ironing board.  I might get pillowcases and sheets if there is nothing else to iron, but I get something.  I can set up the board anywhere in the house.  It is nice to be near the children.  Or I might turn on an old black and white movie to watch while I work.

Ironing is done in a slow and careful manner.  It forces one to be peaceful.  This kind of work should not be done in a rush, or under stress;  Because that would take away its benefits.  Of course, the clothes we iron will look lovely, without wrinkles!  But the warmth of the iron and the steady movements we make while we work, will bring a calmness over us.

Husband and children will see this.  They will see something that is rare in this culture, where sloth and slacking are the goal.  Family will see that mother loves home and she loves her housework.  She will be with the family and they will see her doing the old homemaking tasks, the rare tasks that help make home special, and this will somehow bring peace in the home.

The next time you are not in the mood to clean, or you are overcome by sadness, just get out the ironing board and enjoy a precious task that homemakers have been doing for generations.  Trust me, you will feel so much better!

Blessings
Mrs. White


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



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Mother's Home Cooking

In my shopping bag were familiar name brands of groceries. I had Campbells soup, Tony's Pizza, Keebler cookies, and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  I was waiting for someone, and just thinking.  Then I realized that I had just bought convenience foods that took little effort to make.  While this is common in this modern day, it takes away the joy of enjoying Mother's home cooking.  If I had just bought some flour, sauce, cheese, chocolate chips, pasta and vegetables, I could have most of the ingredients I needed to make these foods myself.  

Something is missing in my home, when my husband and children are more excited to see a bag full of name brand foods, rather than being excited when I serve them a delicious homemade supper.

Have I really paid the convenience food industry to take away one of the most precious jobs of motherhood and wifehood? That of being the one to bring joy to the home by my home cooking?

Have you ever heard of travellers who eat in restaurants and diners, yet dream about sitting in the kitchen of a traditional home and just having a good home cooked meal? Can that even be found anymore in this day?

In my old cookbooks from the 1960's, there are sections with wonderful advice for the home cook.  There are tips and tricks and detailed instructions which teach any aspiring cook how to make a good meal herself.    With practice and time and a lot of patience, most homemakers can get back to the old arts of cooking.  These homemakers can Take Back the Kitchen! 

This will bring better health to our families, joy to their hearts, and a better quality of life.  This will also create a bond and tighten the love and happiness at home.  Much money will be saved when mother cooks her own foods.  Children and husband will also have appreciation and gratefulness for the sweet lady in the kitchen who  (gladly and willingly) takes time and effort to prepare their food. 

Many years ago, when frozen dinners and convenience foods were introduced to the general public, skilled housewives thought it was an insult and refused to buy such things!  How lovely it would be to have that same pride and capableness of taking on the joyous task of doing our own home cooking!

Blessings
Mrs. White



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



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The Little Journal of Pleasant Events

In the last several months, two of my grown daughters have had a very difficult time.  I have watched them deal with all kinds of things. Their pain has been my pain, and it has been hard.

Yet, just like precious little birds, they have flown in and out of my nest for recovery, comfort and hope.   They have spent days, weeks or even months at Mother's house and it has been a blessing to be here for them.

There were times I worried their troubles would drag them down so far that their despair would be unbearable.  I decided they needed little journals.  They needed some courage and inspiration from their own lives.  Journals would be just the thing to get them through the bad times.

In my own life, I often look back over my journal to see the many trials and triumphs in the lives of my children.  This encourages me so much and keeps me going. It helps me realize that bad times don't last.  . . Yes, we will always have bad times and yes they will often be rough, but they don't last.

Joy always comes in the "morning". . .

I bought each girl a journal and wrote an inscription.  I told them the book was only for happy events. It was to be a recording of all the blessings and good things that happened in their lives.  It was for small things and big things, as long as it was pleasant. 

One of the journals I found for my girls was leather bound and pink!  There was a quote on the cover, by Jane Austen, which says, "Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery."

 

 

 

Isn't this just like life? There are times of misery and times of precious joy.  When we dwell on the good, our outlook is better and our resolve is strong! 

Blessings
Mrs. White


To calm your worries - The Note in Mother's Pocket.


The Beauty of Mother's godly work - Amazing Dedication.




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



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Mother's Benevolent Society

One of the greatest opportunities for the homemaker is her charitable acts within the home.  If she can only delight in her calling, and lot in life, she can become a bright light of good deeds, noble virtue, and kindness to her family.

Sometimes when I would teach my children to do some little service, or help, for their siblings, they would perhaps frown or start to complain.  I would smile knowingly and say something like, "this will be a mitzvah.   It is a good deed, following the principles and commandments given by God, and He will reward you for it.  It is His work you are doing."  The term "mitzvah" was taught to my children when they were very young.  It is a Jewish term which is a keeping of the many commandments of God.  It has also been said that by doing a mitzvah, a bond is created by God and man.  There is a joy in it, a loving service for the Lord above, and that makes it precious. 

While we mothers are not always in the sweetest, holiest of moods, our main goal is to be kind hearted, and warmed by the presence of God.  This will pour through us, in our own actions and words.   In this way we are teaching our children the beauty of a life devoted to benevolence.

But what of the Mother's own actions?

It is very easy to become overwhelmed and even annoyed with all the work heaped upon us. It almost becomes a burden and a tremendous pressure that may crush us down if we let it.  Yielding to this work with a sweet temper is a herculean task.  It cannot be done instantly. It cannot even be done in our own strength.  But if we pray and read our Bibles, and sing our hymns and spend time in the holy worship of the Lord, He will give us the strength we need to do HIS work. . .  The main problem of yielding to our tasks is that we take on far more than we are capable of doing.  We often burden ourselves with impossible expectations and we all suffer because of it.

There is a simplicity in running a society of benevolence in the home.  There are basic tasks, and loving service, and little chores.  This slow-paced work should not be done in a hurry or under pressure.  These tasks should be done as unto the Lord.   The work can be done as many mitzvahs, with prayers and praises that continue to create a moment-by-moment bond to God.  This will bring us great peace and great joy that will fill us with a charitable, loving demeanor.  All who observe this, all who are the beneficiaries of this, will be warmed by this light and will carry on for us, and with us, for as long as we are in this society.

Mother,  will you become a member of the benevolent society? Will you set one up in your own home?    Will your influence and example affect your family and those around you with the beauty of holiness?

We must all remember this the next time a child whines, a dish is broken, the trash needs to be removed, someone is cranky, and when everyone forgets to do their own work.  We must remember to face these supposed burdens with a new excitement of doing mitzvahs and being charitable to those who have been placed in our care - including our guests, our children and our husbands.

Blessings
Mrs. White





For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking.  (It includes the story of "The Mission House" which sums up mother's godly work at home.)



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A Good Little Housewife

Have you ever started your spring cleaning with a happy attitude?  Even getting all dressed up and putting on a pretty apron to help set some ambiance in the home?  We can listen to classical music or old time gospel and enjoy the task of heavy cleaning.  One feels like "a good little housewife" as one takes pride in one's efforts and delights in the work of making and keeping a lovely home.  The housewife can sense the gratefulness and happiness as her husband trusts her with all pertaining to home and family.

In today's society, housewifery is still being scoffed at by those who choose another path.  I cannot imagine why. It is a precious way of life and something to aspire to.  Years ago, there was a club for girls called, "Future Homemakers of America."  I wonder if they are still in operation? 

To be called a "housewife" is an honor.  It is more long term than "a stay-at-home-mom," because a housewife is considered a married woman who keeps the home.  She keeps the home fires burning.  She is the hostess of the domestic arts.  She stays at home whether or not she has children, and she does a marvelous job of setting a happy tone for those who dwell there.

The lady of the house is the pride of her husband and the comfort of her children.  Home for her is a life-long career, hobby and occupation.   These dear women seek no applause. They seek not fame.  The godly housewives of today are the quiet heroes of their communities. 

Blessings
Mrs. White



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



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