Walking the Grounds with Mister

[Part of Mrs. White's front Property.]

 I was walking the grounds with Mr. White, in the early evening, here in Vermont.  We checked on the strawberry plants up on the hill.    We paused to watch the rushing river behind the property.  Birds were chirping, as we felt a gentle breeze.  Earlier in the day, I had helped plant radishes and spinach in a small raised bed in the front garden.  (My helping means I stand there while he does all the work.)   

Throughout the day, we had good-naturedly annoyed each other.  This is what best friends do.  We annoy and we laugh.  After decades of marriage, we understand communication.  We know to laugh instead of taking the jokes too far.  We know to make light of home life.

Mister led me to the picnic table on the front lawn.   He had spent the day mowing our 2 acres.  We were enjoying the reward of all his work. 

Rain started to fall.  Somehow, I managed to talk him into carrying me back into the house.  This is something he will only do for me once a year.  This was the perfect time. 

We made it to the front porch, as rain poured down on us.   It was time to get back to indoor housekeeping.  Dishes needed to be washed. Supper needed to be made.  I had laundry to fold.  But I was smiling and happy.  Our outdoor adventures on this cool summer day had been peaceful and pleasant.  Somehow I had forgotten about my broken down car, or being "trapped" at home.  I forgot about the bills, and the stress of life. 

We are enjoying the beauty of our Estate and waiting out the financial thunder and lightning and downpour.  And as we wait for the storms of life to pass, we wait joyfully and patiently for the next step; for the next orders from the Lord.  He will provide and take care of us.  In the meantime, I will walk the grounds with Mister and Keep house and I will be grateful.

Blessings
Mrs. White





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


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Walking the Gardens with Baby

I had my little grandson with me. He is 9 months old, and such a happy child. There was a sweet warmth in the Vermont air.  I picked up baby, and brought him out to my gardens.  Now, if you came to my house and looked at the grounds, you would see something far different than I do.  You would see a 3 story house that is in serious need of painting. You would see old porches and tired steps.  You would see little attempts at gardening throughout the land.  (gentle smiles)  But the world, as I see it, is a great Estate for us to explore. . . for baby and me. 

I showed him the lonely strawberry plants beside the front of the house.  The soil is not happy there. The plants need to be moved. But we checked on them anyway. 

Near the tired porch steps, there are 4 new rose bushes. (Mr. White had planted them for me this past Mother's day.)  I was surprised to see that flowers were starting to appear.  Baby delighted in my happiness as I explained it all to him.

We walked to the front and saw the lilies had stopped flowering.  These had been vibrant orange, sparkly white and robust yellow!  But the flowers had gone away, leaving only the green leaves and a memory.

Next, baby and I walked up to the back hill.  There are the blueberry plants and 2 happy strawberry plants.  There are several strawberries ripening and waiting to be picked! 

Near the hill is a sweet, rushing river behind the property.  It is framed by pretty trees and lots of plants.  There is a beautiful scent of the outdoors which make one happy.

Baby and I walked to the sad part of the land. . . Mr. White and I had planted starter seeds inside egg cartons and put them in our little greenhouse. Just like we did last year.  But a storm came, with lots of wind and rain.  The next day, we noticed it had fallen over and egg cartons were upside down in the grass. Baby and I like to visit that spot, each day. I say to him, "I wonder if my spinach will still grow?"  He smiles at me and wonders what I am talking about.  But I know, someday, we will have carnations and hollyhocks growing up with the grass.

Blessings,
Mrs. White




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


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Housekeeping With Mister

It rained all last week.  Mr. White had promised to help me start our humble garden, so when the weather cleared a bit, I walked outside with my pink umbrella.    Mr. White smiled at me and mumbled that it was not raining.  I watched while he put soil into planters.  My watching is part of helping. (gentle smiles)

I walked around the 2 acre property, happily holding my umbrella, and standing near him. I followed while he did the heavy labor of digging soil, and clearing bits of land.  When he signaled, I dropped flower and vegetable seeds.  . . just a few.  Gardening is still an experimental hobby for me.  I am an amateur and Mr. White willingly helps me. I wouldn't dream of gardening without him.

Inside our 1850's colonial house, I cleaned the kitchen, baked banana muffins and chocolate cake with strawberry pink frosting.  I vacuumed. . .  and dusted. . . and washed all the curtains.

When the curtains were clean, I stood on a chair and tried to reach the rods to put the curtains back on the windows.  Mr. White smiled. He is over a foot taller than me.  He started to help.  We worked together.  He got the rods and I filled them with curtains.

Like all people, sometimes I forget to be content.  This means to be at peace and yielded happily to one's lot in life.  I cannot let the bad days or the normal strains of life make me forget about the happiness of being here.  I have to remember the cozy fires and reading books by Charles Dickens.   I need to remember the time I have to patiently crochet an Afghan or hand-sew a new apron.   I can play checkers or chess with my children at any time.  I can bake and cook and serve my family in an unhurried way.  I can be here for my children and grandchildren any time they need me.

This morning, Mr. White mowed most of the lawn, while I made a hot lunch.  When we took a little break, he reminded me that despite all the troubles, we are very blessed and grateful for what we have, and for our way of life.

The very act of cleaning and cooking and keeping a home reminds one of how very precious it is to have a home and family.  . . To be settled and peaceful is the very definition of contentment.

Blessings
Mrs. White






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


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A Home Visit

"Small cottage flower shop, Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, Netherlands"

My new garden is such fun. I act like I know what I am doing, and just look at the growing plants each day.  One of my boys does the watering.  (The watering can has gotten too heavy for me.)  We have several petite gardens throughout the property.  There is a section by the front window, plants on the front porch, a raised bed on the front yard, some plants on a picnic table in the back, and a larger plot back by the river.  So I walk all over the place to check on them.  I noticed that flowers grow on strawberry and cantaloupe plants.   I can also see some sign of new growth in my green pepper plants.   Since this is the first time I have ever had a garden, I am amazed by the progress.

I have several errands to do today. I will do some homeschooling with John, my youngest at 14.  When the children were younger, I would read them inspiring books. Now I think I will have John read books to me. We will start with Teddy's Button.   It is an incredible story that I read years ago. I want to hear the story again.  Maybe I can sit in the back yard while John reads to me?

Last night I did some vacuuming and polishing. Have you ever just missed housework?   Or longed for extra time just to clean, for the peacefulness and happiness of it? I don't mean cleaning a horrid mess, I mean the very simple tasks of sweeping a floor or polishing a stove? These little chores brighten the home and make everyone feel happy and comfortable.

I think I will bake chocolate chip muffins early this evening.   It will be a nice treat for all of us. 

I wish I could visit longer, but I better get some housework done. I hope you have a great weekend!

Blessings
Mrs. White


A Little Smile for those  Difficult Days - Daydreaming about Housekeeping.

Craving - A Home with Character.

For those Very Rough Times - Trouble with Teenagers.

Please strive to be one of these!! - A Wife Who Does Not Complain.


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Attempting a Garden

Every year, I dream about having a garden of my own. We have a 2 acre Estate in rural Vermont, and an old 1800's house.  This past Mother's day, Mr. White took  me to a greenhouse and let me pick out any plants I wanted. I chose broccoli, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, and green peppers.

These were brought home and placed into a small greenhouse I had bought a year ago (but never used). We set it up outside in the back, near our picnic tables. I am to use the tables as a work area.

Yesterday, I walked out into the beautiful rain, to check on my mini-garden.

 I had to wear my winter coat since it is still a bit chilly here.  But I loved being outside for such a dramatic purpose!

My garden looks good so far. 

I also planted some flowers, peas, and herbs in some of the smaller containers, to see what happens. We even had some strawberry and blueberry plants! I will have to move some of these plants into the ground soon. But I can't do that without Mr. White's help!

I hope your gardening endeavors are going well!

Blessings
Mrs. White

The Old Days - Rural Housewives.

Remembering my childhood - Manners Learned at The Finishing School.

The blessing of - Mother's Rose Colored Glasses.


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When Mother is a New Gardener

There is so much to learn when it comes to tending a home. There is also indoor and outdoor work. This includes the pleasant times of hanging laundry on the line to dry in the warm spring sun.   Or Sweeping front porches and walkways. These are the delicate aspects of outside work.

The hard part, for me, is learning to garden. . .  I have repeatedly described how to clean and keep a house; how to care for children; ideas for baking and cooking.  But I have no wisdom when it comes to gardening. So if you can imagine a new housewife, overwhelmed when looking at a messy house and not knowing what to do? Then imagine me outside, standing there, bewildered, wondering what to do with Garden Tools. (gentle smiles)

A few months ago, I bought a few little pots and some seeds. I also have a small set of gardening tools and some gloves.  I even bought a large indoor piece of furniture that is some kind of "greenhouse." It will be used for starter seeds. (Whatever that means.)

I do have hope, however. Years ago, when we lived in Massachusetts, We had rose bushes. I pruned them, and took excellent care of them.  I don't have any idea how I managed that, but they looked so pretty! They also came back, year-after-year.  Perhaps I should start with rose bushes, here at our Vermont Estate?

I would also love to make a few spring, gardening dresses. But I don't have the ambition or energy.  Maybe I am getting old and need to buy a sewing machine. (I have been hand-sewing, almost exclusively for decades.)

The last few days, here, have been unseasonably warm and pleasant. My gardening plans for today include sitting in a chair with a book, while my boys do some raking and begin preparing the land. Does that make me a passive gardener?

Blessings
Mrs. White


Yearning for - The Romance of Home.

Lovely things to do - Domestic Occupations.

Remembering - Building a Strong Work Ethic in our Children.

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Mother's Flowers

Throughout my married years, I often observed my mother-in-law in her homemaking. (She went home to be with the Lord a few years ago.) She was a classic housewife and loved home. She had beautiful plants throughout the living room and on the porch. She also tended her flower gardens on the property. 

I have never been very good with plants or gardening and have spent much of my time as a semi-invalid, sitting in chairs and reading on my bad days, or keeping busy with cleaning and other activities on my good days.

But just the other day, my very dear oldest son bought me some plants.  I walked into the parlour and saw Daisies in a large pot. I also saw a small, delicate yellow rose plant inside a pink pot. They are beautiful flowers. I was so surprised and grateful!

Daisies are a cheerful flower. And roses bring elegance.

I have been carefully taking care of them each day, just like my mother-in-law cared for her house flowers.   And I have been thinking about what a great honor it is to be at home and to carry on the legacy of my ancestor mothers.

Blessings
Mrs. White

Your Children will love this - A Cheerful and Willing Housekeeper.

A yearning for - The Romance of Home.

A lovely day with my children, years ago - Happy at Home.


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A Visit From Our Estate

Last week I bought some flower seeds and other items and started dreaming about spring. Since the weather is so warm here in Vermont, it makes me think spring will come sooner than expected.

I already started some early spring cleaning.  I hope to wash the windows tomorrow morning and, perhaps, begin washing the drapes.

Today I baked a chocolate bundt cake and covered it with fudge frosting and powdered sugar. It was a nice treat. I had a small, French-sized, piece with a hot cup of tea, in the late afternoon.

Our wood stove is blazing and keeps the house cozy and warm. The snow outside is beautiful and peaceful. We live in a quiet community in a rural area. 

I want to re-read Jane Austen's Emma starting tomorrow.  I will take my time with it, reading a little here-and-there.  Classic literature adds something special to our lives. I still remember the excitement of finishing Dombey and Son last winter. Such a precious story, for those fireside readings!

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

A Visit - Late Night Housewifery.

What Happens - When Mama Falls Asleep on the Job.

The Special Time of Rest - Taking a Break from My Housework.



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