A Genteel Christmas Gathering

I have been up since early this morning, preparing for a Christmas gathering. The rest of my children will be coming home tomorrow.  We live in a rural area in Northern Vermont and the snowy landscape is lovely. There is a quietness at our Estate that is like a retreat.  The children are coming home from the city.  They are coming back to the old homestead for a happy time of eating and visiting.

Lately I cannot keep up with the messes my family makes. I have full charge of the care of my 15 month old grandbaby, along with my regular housekeeping duties.  Sometimes the men in our house are helpful with the cooking and cleaning but they don't "love" the house the way a Mother does.   My two boys, at 16 and 21 are "The Uncles" to grandbaby.  They help me with his care.  I am weary and slow-stepped. 

I have a great many plans for today to prepare for tomorrow's gathering. I want to bake and cook.  I want to make special treats for the children to take back home with them.  Things like homemade fudge, sugar cookies and muffins will go into little tins for them.   But I will do this in a very slow and steady way.  I turned on an old sermon on my kitchen Radio by the late Evangelist, Dr. John R. Rice.  It is "The Christian and His Bible."  This is such a tremendous source of Spiritual nourishment, it makes the work in the kitchen a joy to the heart.

Soon baby will be awake and my focus will shift almost entirely to his care. He will play in his highchair while I make batters and doughs.  We will sing together and see all the snow out the parlour window.  Then one of the Uncles will take him out to play before his afternoon nap.  There will be times of quiet and times of hustle, as we prepare for a happy Christmas gathering.

Yet, I know that nothing will make this family time wonderful without a loving, humble attitude.  Whether all gets done or not, is not the goal. It is the process of creating and of homemaking that will bring delight to our home. It is the happy smile and the effort that counts.  It is the thought and the love that will make it all worthwhile.

 I may, at times, be in the midst of cleaning a mess, or burning one batch of cookies, as I go along, but the sweet kindness that I spread, like rainbows in the middle of rain, is what will cheer the hearts of all.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

Recovering from the world - Lingering by the Hearth.

We dearly Need this - Homemaking Propaganda.

A Summer Visit to our Property - Tour of the Estate Grounds.



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




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Crowned with Silver

In the 1990's and early 2000's, we homemakers were greatly encouraged by an old fashioned magazine called, "Crowned with Silver."   Each issue taught us the history of feminism and how it was destroying modern homes.  It was gently, and sweetly done and a blessing to learn.

We also read old stories from the 1800's and 1900's that inspire families - just like those old fireside readings.  We read articles about old fashioned child training and keeping our homes nice and our pantries full. 

There was a small pen pal section where mothers and daughters could find like-minded friends to correspond with. 

Late yesterday afternoon, I found one issue of the magazine online.  I believe it was the last issue, or close to last issue, before they ceased publication (when the editor passed away).  It is the Summer 2007 edition.   The main article is called, "My Wife Took My Job" by Mrs. Anna Neumas.  She spoke about how a husband was heartbroken because his wife had decided to divorce him.  The court gave her the children because she was earning much more money than he was.  She was very successful in her work and didn't think she needed him any more.  Mrs. Neumas went on to explain The Industrial Revolution and Women's Rights Movement, and the ungodly thinking that lured wives and mothers out of the home.  The article is excellent and will greatly encourage we homemakers who are committed to our calling at home. (I hope you are able to read this article.  I have embedded the file, of the entire issue, below.)

I dearly wish "Crowned with Silver" was still in print and could continue for many years to encourage each generation. If it was ever possible to get it back into publication, I would be proud and honored to help in any way I could.

Here is the issue I found.  Please feel welcome to share it with as many as you can.

Blessings
Mrs. White

(If you are receiving this by email and cannot see the magazine below, please go directly to my blog to see this post:
"Crowned with Silver".)

Crowned With Silver 3







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




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Snowy Days at our Vermont Estate

Grandbaby and I went on a horse-drawn carriage ride this weekend. We had the Uncles with us. "The Uncles" are my sons John (16) and Matt (20).   Uncle Matt wore his wool overcoat and a pair of sunglasses. He looked charming.  He held baby.  Baby loves both of his Uncles, but when there are difficult things to do, Uncle Matt is the one baby reaches for.   He held baby and comforted him during the entire ride. Baby felt safe and secure and very happy.

It is cozy here at home. Our wood stove is blazing and the gospel music is playing quietly in the background.  We will make a small batch of sugar cookies late this afternoon.

It can get bitterly cold here with temperatures below zero.  We have to close up some of the house to maintain heat in only a few of the rooms.  Our parlour is the main room where we keep it mostly cozy. It is attached to our kitchen. We put up a pretty floral quilt in the hall doorway to block out any cold drafts. It makes things look vintage and old fashioned to have a curtain - of - sorts for a door!

Mothers in the old days would stuff newspapers in windowsills and cracks in the walls to help keep out the chill.  Can you imagine how cold it must have been (before modern heating and plumbing) when families would wake up and find a sheet of ice over the water in a washbasin on cold winter mornings?

With heating costs so high, we have to work on overcoming depression and sadness on the coldest of days. We have to bundle up and think of our extra efforts at warmth as an adventure!  We may notice the pretty snow outside and decide to make a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate to provide an extra sense of comfort and warmth.  Knitting or crocheting by the fire (or electric heater) are nice ways to stay warm.   If one can bake or cook something special, it will certainly help heat up the kitchen.  It is good to set a "mood" or create an "ambiance" of home.

I love having a little lamp in my kitchen.  It adds a sense of gentleness to our evenings.  In just a little while, I will wash dishes and start supper.  Grandbaby will sit in his highchair and play while I work. I will give him little treats and little toys as I go along.  Then baby and I will sit by the window and look at the snowy landscape and enjoy the view from the second story of this 1800's Estate. It shall be another pleasant day in Vermont.

Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

Are you doing this? - Creating a 1950's Like Childhood.

Keeping family Bible Time on Busy nights -  Cooking While Holding a Bible.

The foundation of a Christian Mother's Home - The Mission House.




Mrs. White's 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. 

Getting Ready for a New Baby

I have this little booklet from "Coats and Clark's." It is called "Baby Book of Knitting and Crochet." It was published in 1958. The price on the cover is 29 cents.  It is full of patterns of classically simple sweaters, bonnets, and little booties!  It is adorable.

I am no expert at knitting, but am going to take on the incredible challenge of making a set of charming items.

We are expecting a new grandbaby. This one is a dear little girl and will arrive at the estate sometime early next year.  My daughter is so happy and her pregnancy is going well.  She and grandboy have been our guests for several months, while her husband is away.  They will continue to stay with us through birth and recovery. I am delighted!

I want to make a set of bonnet, mittens and booties in a dusty rose. I want to make another set in a delicate plum.  Then I want to make a little afghan in pink and white! 

I will have my knitting projects by my chair near the hearth in our cozy parlour.  I will work when visiting with the family, or watching my grandbaby as he plays in the playpen.  This will be a challenge with the trouble I have with my hands.  (They swell and hurt at times.)  I will have to give up some other hobby or activity to make time for this endeavor.  I may hand over some of the housework to one of the children!  (gentle smiles) 

I can just imagine this new little baby dressed in such sweet, charming clothing, and surrounded by things handmade with love.

Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

Peaceful time at Home - The Morning Work.

No Matter the Financial Trials, Being here is important - A Humble Parlour As a School of Theology.

The Blessing of - A Formal Dinner.





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Dear Christmas Mothers

The holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas is centered around the home.  While the culture around us encourages shopping and spending, it would be so nice to be comforted in the art of Christian homemaking and motherhood.  There is a new book that just may help us!

"Dear Christmas Mothers" is a sweet homemaking book, which was just published!  The author shares precious letters about her days as an Iowa housewife - a wife, mother and grandmother.  Her letters are about what she is doing in her home for Christmas.  A selection of 17 letters, from a period of 5 years of her writings were chosen to make this little book.  These are from 2000 to 2005.

As you read, you will be encouraged.  You will enjoy a literary visit to an Iowa home.  You will learn about how Christmas used to be, and how it can be.  

This book would make a lovely gift for yourself, or for any mother who loves home. 

It was written by Mrs. Connie Hultquist, the author of "Dear Kitchen Saints."

- "Dear Christmas Mothers"

paperback, 116 pages.






Blessings
Mrs. White



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